Ready! Set! Rescue!
Part II: Gator's Discovery
Written by Lee Pressman
It was a bright sunny morning as the sun shone over the yard in Vicarstown. Percy was just being hitched up to some milk tankers in a siding when…
TOOT-TOOT!
All of a sudden, he heard a strange yet familiar whistle from behind him.
"Is that…" he thought, then gasped, as the engine rolled up beside him.
"It is! Gator!" he shouted excitedly.
The large square tank engine laughed and beamed over at his old friend.
"Hello, Percy!" he greeted warmly. "It feels good to be back!"
"It's good to have you back, Gator!" Percy excitedly admitted, then he had a thought. "But…what are you doing back on Sodor?"
Gator smiled.
"You'll be glad to know, Percy, that I've been offered a full-time opening at the Blue Mountain Quarry!"
"Really?" Percy gasped.
"Yes, Percy!" Gator chuckled. "I'm going to help out with trains of gravel, stone and slate going out along the standard gauge routes. It'll be nice to have a job that takes him high up in the mountains whilst getting to see all of my old friends!"
"That's awesome, Gator! I'm glad you found the perfect job that suits you. Anyways, I best be off now with these milk tankers! But good luck though. And welcome back!"
PEEP-PEEP!
TOOT-TOOT!
"Thanks, Percy!" Gator called aloud, as he watched his friend leave.
Percy was overjoyed to have his old friend back on Sodor.
"I don't believe it," he expressed. "Gator's back! Wait till the other engines hear the news!"
Gator proceeded to roll along towards the Quarry.
"Now," he thought to himself. "If I vaguely know how to get to the Blue Mountain Quarry from here, then surely I know the way there by now."
He continued along confidently, smiling to himself.
Mr. Percival stood on the platform, looking down at his watch when he heard a familiar whistle.
TOOT-TOOT!
The Thin Controller Mr. Percival was waiting for Gator at the top station by the Quarry.
"Ah, Gator," he greeted, as he watched him roll in. "Right on time! Thank you for showing up on such short notice!"
"Oh, well, erm…no problem, sir," Gator replied, slightly stunned. "I did suppose this was the way to the Blue Mountain Quarry from Vicarstown."
"Indeed," Mr. Percival nodded. "And, we sure did need an engine to keep the quarry in order whilst my own engines were out and about doing other jobs. You'll be keeping track of every standard gauge train that goes in and out of this quarry, Gator."
Gator laughed.
"I pretty much recall that being in the job description, sir! And not to worry. I have it all under control!"
"Oh…" Mr. Percival wondered, listening on.
"If there's one thing I was built for," Gator went on, "it's shunting and hauling high up in mountains such as these! Thank you for the opportunity, sir!"
TOOT-TOOT!
Mr. Percival gasped, slightly taken aback, as he watched Gator set off to work.
"Thank you, Gator!" he shouted. "And good luck!"
Gator happily started going about his work, shunting and hauling trucks into place for other engines to take away…
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
PEEP-PEEP!
"Thanks, Gator!" Nia called out, as she left with her line of stone trucks.
TOOT-TOOT!
"You're welcome, Nia!" Gator called after her as she left. "It was nice meeting you!"
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
HONK-HONK!
"Thank you, Gator!" Norman beamed, as the tank engine had his slate trucks coupled up to him. "And welcome back!"
"Thanks, Norman!" Gator replied, as he watched the diesel set off. "Take care now!"
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
"In fact," Gator explained to Rebecca next, as he had her empty trucks in place ready to be filled up with gravel, "when I first visited the Island, everybody thought that I was a monster!"
"No!" Rebecca gasped, as she listened on.
"True story!" Gator went on. "I was in a hurry to get back to the Docks for that matter, and my lamp kept going out! But that didn't stop me trying to get back before first light.
Rebecca and the narrow gauge engines as they passed by gasped with awe and surprise at Gator's story.
"But lucky for me, Toad was there to help me see sense about how essential it was to wear a lamp. I learnt a lot from that brake van that night!"
"Wonderful story, Gator!" Rebecca chimed. "It truly was a pleasure gettin' to know ya and hear all about your adventures!"
"Oh, that's not all!" Gator admitted, chuckling a bit. "I do have a lot more tales to tell, but I do think I should carry on with what responsibilities reside with me here in the quarry now. But it was meeting you, Rebecca. Goodbye!"
TOOT-TOOT!
"Oh," Rebecca wondered, rather surprised. "Well, err…goodbye then! Nice meeting you too!"
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
Gator was making good progress in the Quarry, and got on well with every engine he met!
Gator was busy shunting a heavy line of standard gauge slate trucks, almost going red in the face as he brought them towards the station.
PEEP-PEEP!
"Keep it up there, Gator!" Rheneas called out as he passed.
Gator managed to exchange a slight smile with him, then at last, tired but triumphant, he brought the train to the station, in time for Paxton to take them away.
HONK-HONK!
He watched as Paxton honked his horn and set off, then looked over as the quarry manager came to see him.
"You're making excellent progress in accordance with recent reports, Gator!" he confirmed. "I'm really glad we were able to spare an engine like you!"
"Phew! Just striving to get the job done, sir!" Gator admitted.
"Yes," the manager nodded, looking down at his pen and paper. "Now, I've spoken with the Fat Controller and it seems as though he doesn't have many engines at the moment to spare. Some stone trucks need to be taken to Haultraugh Station on Duck's Branch Line."
"Oh," Gator wondered.
"Do you think you can do it, Gator?"
"Oh, well, err, sir. I'd love to, but…who would look after the quarry in my absence?"
"I can keep an eye out for any trains going in and out of this quarry until you get back, Gator," the manager assured him. "All should be fine."
"Oh," Gator thought, then beamed. "Well, err…alright then. I'll do it!"
"Splendid!" the manager smiled. "I knew I could rely on you! Run along now. Owen will have your trucks ready in a jiff!"
TOOT-TOOT!
Gator wasted no time in rushing over to Owen in time for the incline to bring him down his trucks.
"I tell you, Owen," he admitted, as the incline brought his last line of trucks down from the upper terrace. "It's nice to have a bit of variety in my new full-time job. Most of my duties reside here in the quarry, but it's always nice to have a journey out and give my axles a good run at it!"
His trucks were brought down and hitched up, and Gator set off to find a brakevan.
"Goodbye, Gator! And good luck!" Owen called out.
TOOT-TOOT!
"Thanks, Owen!" Gator called back.
He backed his trucks into a siding up to a brake van, which was then hitched up to the back of his train, before he set off out of the quarry.
Gator enjoyed his journey along the coastal run. By the time he reached the coast, he took a look around as the tides went up and seagulls flew over the harp.
Gator took a moment to take in a breath of fresh air and look at the seaside beside him.
"The lovely sea air," he thought to himself. "I don't believe I've seen this part of the Island before. The coastal scenery surely is worth it enough to give my wheels a good run."
Further up the line, Gator saw a guard waving a red flag, and quickly applied his brakes.
"Hmm…" he wondered, gradually slowing down. "I wonder what could be wrong."
He came to a stop right before the guard, who took a deep breath as he faced him and his driver.
"Sorry," he apologized. "A stretch of track is being inspected further up the line, and I've been asked to warn all approaching engines so as to ensure safety."
"How long do you think the wait will be?" his driver asked.
"I'm not for certain," the workmen replied. "But I'll double-check with the workman up the line and give you clearance to pass once it's been inspected."
He ran off in a jiff, leaving Gator to sigh with dismay to himself.
"Oh, bother," he groaned. "I hope I'm not going to be late on my first day officially on Sodor!"
"At least you're still running on your own set of wheels!"
Gator gasped with surprise.
"Who said that?" he wondered aloud, quickly looking around.
"Over here!" the voice shouted.
Gator quickly looked over and gasped in shock at who it was.
Gator was surprised! Over by the seaside, he saw a washed-up old barge who he'd never seen before!
"Oh," he sighed with relief. "It's only you then."
He had another thought, then laughed, much to the barge's confusion.
"Well, at least I'm glad it wasn't a ghost!"
The barge growled quietly and grit his teeth.
"But…what are you doing washed up by the shore then?" Gator asked.
"What's it to you, chum?" the barge rudely snapped.
Gator chuckled.
"Easy now. I was just asking."
"Grrrrrrr!" the barge growled, gritting his teeth, then sighed heavily. "Fine! My name is Bulstrode!"
"Bulstrode…" Gator thought, then chuckled with relief. 'Well then, that's not such a bad name, is it?"
"Engines come and go along the coastline!" Bulstrode went on. "Though I don't believe I've seen an engine as funny-looking as you before, erm…"
He struggled to finish his sentence due to not knowing Gator's name, but the sloping tank engine only beamed.
"Gator," he replied, then ironically stated, "and no offense taken by the way. It's not every day that I see an old barge washed up the shore either."
"I guess you don't get around much then," Bulstrode guessed dully.
"No," Gator thought. "I don't. I'm more accustomed to boats and barges passing through the Canal on the Mainland. But…why aren't you in the water? How exactly did you end up on shore in the first place?"
Bulstrode growled and groaned, slowly gritting his teeth.
"I guess I can tell you!" he decided. "It's not like every other engine on Sodor knows anyway, so it wouldn't cause me any humiliation if you did tell anybody!"
Gator widened his eyes with surprise as Bulstrode went on, reminiscing.
"My work used to reside in Knapford Harbour. My days were usually happiest when my hull was full of heavy cargo. I would carry SHIPMENTS of it in and out of the dock to take to and from ports far and wide across the Island…
He coughed slightly, as he paused his sentence.
"...as well as, err, occasional trips to the Mainland Canal." he put in.
"Ooh," Gator thought, rather intrigued.
"But… " Bulstrode snapped, catching Gator off guard. "…that all changed as my world turned was upside down…all thanks to those silly trucks and an engine called Percy!"
"Percy?" Gator stammered. "What did he do?"
"He bashed the trucks onto me and caused a hole in my hull!" Bulstrode bluntly explained.
"Goodness!" Gator gasped, thinking hard. "That doesn't like something Percy would do at all!"
"I know he didn't do it intentionally!" Bulstrode gawked. "Just out of carelessness. Now let me finish the story!"
Gator was surprised, yet had a long and wild thought.
"As much as I enjoyed keeping myself useful," Bulstrode finished, "I'd very much rather sit around and watch the tides go up and down than have to deal with those silly trucks being in the wrong place when there's cargo needing to go out!"
There was a short awkward silence, as Gator sighed with dismay.
"I started out as a play area for the children," Bulstrode explained. "Though I don't play as much of a role doing that anymore!"
"Why not?" Gator wondered.
"Isn't it obvious?! Children nowadays would rather run around in the sand or go swimming in the sea than play in a washed up old barge like me! I'm sure it has something to do with my hideous appearance!"
Gator thought for a moment, then looked at Bulstrode empathetically.
"You know, Bulstrode," he admitted. "Engines used to be scared of me when I first visited Sodor. But they quickly got over it and got to know who I was."
He thought harder, unaware of Bulstrode gritting his teeth with annoyance, then laughed.
"Why, take Percy for example…"
"What does that have to do with me being considered a freak by everybody else?" he snapped. "At least you got the chance to prove yourself from the sound of it!"
"But that doesn't mean you don't deserve the chance to prove yourself worthy again, Bulstrode!" Gator assured him. "You seemed pretty busy from the sound of it, so maybe there is something that can be done about it!"
"Oh, please," Bulstrode bluntly opposed. "I'd rather sit around all day and do nothing than have to deal with the railway!"
"Now, why would you want that when you could easily be given another chance at being really useful?"
Bulstrode grit his teeth and growled.
"I've told you all you wanted to know, chum!" he snapped. "Perhaps a little too much, seems more like. Now get off my turf! Go on!"
At that moment, the guard came back and turned his flag over to show the color green.
"The area is secure, Gator. It's safe to proceed now, though I suggest you do so with caution."
Gator sighed and looked over at Bulstrode.
TOOT-TOOT!
"Goodbye, Bulstrode! Nice meeting you! And don't worry, I'll think of something!"
Bulstrode grit his teeth and growled as he watched the tank engine set off, then sighed to himself as he watched the tides go up on the horizon.
As Gator continued along the coast towards Duck's Branch Line, he couldn't stop thinking about Bulstrode…
"There must be a way I can make him really useful again," he thought to himself. 'After all, we both share similar pasts where everyone else was afraid of us."
He was reserved to his thoughts on the matter as he made his way further along the coastline, past the chattering workmen waving at him.
Oliver was at Haultraugh, waiting as his last truck was loaded when…
TOOT-TOOT!
"Oh," he wondered.
"I say, Mr. Oliver," Toad wondered from behind. "Is that…?"
He got a closer look as a familiar face rolled into the station platform beside them.
"Mr. Gator!" he beamed.
Gator chuckled.
"Hello, Toad! Oliver!"
"It's a real nice pleasure to see you, sir!" Toad went on.
"Yes, it is!" Oliver laughed, then he had a thought. "But…what brings you back to Sodor then?"
"I have accepted a full-time position at the Blue Mountain Quarry," Gator explained.
"Oh," Oliver wondered, widening his eyes with surprise. "Have you now?"
"Yes!" Gator went on. "It's going well so far. Just delivering these trucks of stone now for the Branch Line, but I did make somewhat of a discovery along the way and…"
At that moment, the last truck was loaded and Toad's guard blew his whistle.
"Sorry, Gator," Oliver whistled. "Toad and I must get going. Good talking to you though!"
"Bye, Mr. Gator!" Toad called out as they left. "Nice seeing you again, sir!"
Gator sighed sadly as he watched the pair leave.
Gator was too late to tip Oliver and Toad off about Bulstrode and now, he had to find another solution…
His last stop was at Tidmouth Station, but even the engines there were in too much of a hurry!
"Erm, excuse me," he announced aloud. "I was wondering if you could help me with…"
His plea was drowned out by Duck and Douglas' whistles as they rushed out of the station with their trains.
"...a problem," he murmured.
PEEP-PEEP!
"Sorry, Gator!" Donald whistled. "Ne time to chat!"
He thundered out of the station with his goods train, leaving Gator in dismay.
"How will I ever be able to find a solution now?" he wondered. "Nobody has time to talk to me!"
At last, an idea flew into his funnel.
"I know!" he thought. "There may be an engine all too well who may be willing to help me!"
He waited as his last truck was loaded before setting off for Knapford.
TOOT-TOOT!
"Percy will help me," he thought. "I know he will!
Meanwhile, Bulstrode was sitting around at Tidmouth Beach, watching as the children ran around and played in the sand.
Some children laughed as they ran towards the sea and back, while others quickly put the finishing touches on a splendid sand castle. They cheered as the other children met up with them.
"I know!" one said. "Let's go check out the lighthouse!"
"Yeah, yeah, let's!" said another.
And they all cheerfully ran off towards the direction of the lighthouse.
"Huh!" Bulstrode murmured. "Thanks for noticing me! Like I have anything better to do!"
He attempted to keep a straight face as he watched them set off in the distance, but he couldn't help himself shedding a slight tear from his eye.
"No one plays in washed-up ol' Bulstrode anymore…" he sighed sadly.
He yawned and shut his eyes, managing to finally be at peace when…
HONK-HONK!
Bulstrode woke with a start as BoCo rushed by with his trucks.
"GRRRRR!" Bulstrode groaned quietly, as he dully watched the seagulls fly about.
Gator rushed back to Knapford as fast as he could, just in time to see the Fat Controller exit his office.
TOOT-TOOT!
"Sir!" he called out. "I need to speak to…"
"Ah, Gator!" the Fat Controller beamed. "You're back! Splendid! Well done on delivering those stone trucks to Duck's Branch by the way. I also got off the phone with the quarry manager and he says you're doing a marvelous job thus far!"
"Oh, well, erm…thank you, sir, but…"
"Now, before you head back to the Quarry," the Fat Controller went on, "I was wondering if you'd be good enough to pick up a delivery of fish from Norramby and take it to Knapford Harbor. Quarry manager already told me he could spare you for another moment and you'll be expected up at the quarry immediately afterwards to deliver some trucks of slate to the castle grounds at Ulfstead."
"Well, yes, sir!" Gator obliged.
"Oh, splendid! I'll make the arrangements straight away then!"
"But, sir. I do have something to discuss with you. Do you think that…"
"I'm sorry, Gator," the Fat Controller cut off, "but I do have to head back to my office and make the arrangements. Perhaps you can stop by later if given the time?"
"Yes, sir," Gator sighed with dismay.
"Good! I'll be off then. Good luck!"
Gator watched with surprise as he rushed back to his office when…
PEEP-PEEP!
"Percy!" he gasped, then sighed with relief as his good friend rushed into the station.
"Hello, Gator!" Percy greeted. "How are things going with your new job then?"
"Fine, Percy! But you have no idea how glad I am to see you!"
"Why, Gator?" Percy wondered with confusion. "What's the problem?"
"Well, I was delivering some stone trucks along Duck's Branch when I came across this washed-up old barge by the name of Bulstrode, and…"
Percy gasped.
"Bulstrode?!" he cried out.
"Yes, Percy!" Gator stressed. "He claims that he knows exactly who you are!"
He stopped to notice the troubled look on his face.
"Oh," he chuckled nervously. "You're all too familiar with him too, aren't you?"
"Yes, Gator," Percy sighed. "Surely I am. But…"
"The children don't play in him anymore," Gator admitted. "And there's not much he can do at this point to keep useful."
"Oh," Percy thought, widening his eyes as he listened to Gator go on.
"Point is, Percy, I'm thinking of organizing a rescue mission for Bulstrode and I was wondering if you'd be willing to help out."
"A...rescue mission?" Percy wondered, doubtfully. "I don't know, Gator. I…"
"But, Percy, Bulstrode needs our help! We can't just leave him washed up on the beach with nothing to do to make himself useful!"
"But that's where he's supposed to be!" Percy suggested.
"Percy…," Gator begged.
"I'm sorry, Gator," Percy regretfully informed his friend. "I hate to let you down, but I wouldn't bring myself to rescue that grubby old barge, even if I did have the time. He was nothing but trouble before he ended up on that beach. I never meant to push the trucks onto him and send him there, but things at Knapford Harbor were a lot smoother after he was gone."
"But, Percy," Gator insisted, "all that was in the past, and surely he'll be really useful given the chance!"
"I'm not sure, Gator," Percy admitted sadly. "And I do have to pick some sheep from Farmer McColl's."
PEEP-PEEP!
"Bye, Gator!" he greeted.
But he was rather surprised to see his old friend look glumly the other way as he left. He sighed sadly as he rushed off to find some cattle trucks.
Gator felt rather dismayed that no one was able to help him, not even his best friend Percy!
"I'll just have to think of a plan all on my own!" he thought to himself. "But, first, I must deliver those fish to Knapford Harbour!"
TOOT-TOOT!
He rushed out of the station as fast as he could.
Gator found some empty trucks and headed to the Fishing Village at Norramby.
As he got there, the smell of fish couldn't help but make him feel better.
"Ah," he sighed. "Fresh sea air!"
PEEP-PEEP!
"Doesn't get any better than this!" Arthur admitted.
"Oh, I'm sure of that!" Gator replied.
"We like it!" Saul added, as he got to work loading Gator's trucks. "Keeps us in brighter spirits in case of delays!"
"Delays?" Gator wondered. "Whatever do you mean?"
Arthur sighed.
"It's been a common trend for ships to get caught in rough seas," he explained. "And this has been the cause for a great delay for Saul and myself."
"Y-y-yes, yes," Saul added, "and Arthur and I work as fast as we can to have the deliveries out and on their way, but it doesn't help the progress much."
"We could use with a bit of help," Arthur admitted.
"Indeed," agreed Saul, as he had the next batch of crates unloaded from the ship.
SWOOP! SWOOP! SWOOP-SWOOP-SWOOP!
"Hmm…" Gator wondered.
This left Gator in deep thought about a possible solution, til Saul finally had him loaded up and on his way!
TOOT-TOOT!
"Thank you, Saul! And Arthur! Nice meeting you two!"
He rushed off out of the dockside, taking the pair by surprise.
Gator was certain that he had a plan for what to do with Bulstrode now!
Bulstrode was still at the beach; all the children had gone home, but he didn't mind much. It was much more fun watching the tides rise up and down.
Bulstrode watched as the next set of tides rose up and down, whilst the wind blew past his face and towards the shore.
But after a while, the wind died down and the tides didn't rise up as high as they did before. They soon turned to slight tides flowing towards the shore and back, and Bulstrode began to get very bored.
Bulstrode sighed with disappointment as the sun shone down on the horizon in his path.
"Mmm…" he groaned sadly, and slowly shut his eyes.
Meanwhile, Percy was picking up some sheep from Farmer McColl's farm to take to the fair at Maithwaite. As his cattle trucks were loaded, Farmer McColl was immensely grateful!
"Thank you, Percy!" he said. "These sheep will be well taken care of once they're off to market!"
"No problem, sir," Percy said meekly, then sighed to himself.
"I wonder if I handled the situation with Gator correctly," he thought to himself.
Percy felt bad for having let his old friend down. Toby was nearby, dropping off some hay bales and could see that Percy was upset.
"Are you alright, Percy?" Toby asked.
Percy sighed.
"It's nice to have my old friend Gator back, Toby," the saddle tank engine admitted. "But earlier on today, I feel like I've let him down."
"How so?" Toby wondered, raising an eyebrow with curiosity.
"Gator found that old barge Bulstrode washed up near the beach," Percy informed him.
"Oh," Toby thought, widening his eyes with surprise as Percy went on.
"And now he's thinking of organizing a rescue mission for him and making him useful again."
"A rescue mission?" Toby wondered.
"If you ask me," Percy went on, "Bulstrode is perfectly fine where he is on that beach! Before that, he's been nothing but trouble and things at the harbor are much more in order without him."
"Hmm…" Toby thought hard. "Well, Bulstrode surely was quite a bit of trouble for not only us engines but the trucks as well. But it sounds to me like your old friend Gator is thinking of giving Gator a second chance, which I find rather admirable."
"You do?" Percy replied, rather stunned.
"Yes, Percy," Toby admitted. "Everyone deserves a second chance."
He thought harder, then laughed, reminiscing.
"Why, if I recall correctly, Henrietta and I got a second chance to work here on Sodor after our line closed down, and now we're kept really useful. I'm sure that if you help Gator in his plan to save Bulstrode, the old barge will be really useful again once he's given a suitable environment to work in."
Percy thought hard about what Toby said, then at long last, he made a decision.
"Alright," he decided. "I'll help Gator with his plan!"
"That's the spirit, Percy!" Toby beamed.
"Only…" Percy wondered, "I don't know if I'll have enough time to do so whilst delivering these sheep."
"Not to worry, Percy!" Toby assured him. "I've got it all taken care of!"
"Are you sure, Toby?"
"Yes! Surely I'll have enough time to drop off the sheep at Maithwaite, before going to fetch Henrietta and pick up the workmen."
PEEP-PEEP!
"Thank you, Toby! Now, I must go and find Gator right away!"
He rushed out of the farm, much to Toby's bewilderment.
Gator was at Knapford Harbor, dropping off the fish truck when Percy rushed in.
PEEP-PEEP-PEEEEEEP!
"Gator!" he called out.
"Percy!" Gator gasped with surprise.
"I have good news for you, Gator! I'd be more than happy to help with your plan!"
"You would, Percy?" Gator wondered, rather confused.
"Yes, Gator! Bulstrode may have been a bad barge before, but that doesn't mean he isn't deserving of a second chance, in spite of all the trouble he's caused in the past!"
"Oh, Percy. Thank you! I commend you for vowing to participate!"
Then he had a thought.
"Only thing is, erm…I have to be back at the Blue Mountain Quarry to deliver some trucks to the Ulfstead castlegrounds."
"Oh, I know," Percy thought, "I'll take of care of that! You can go and alert the Sodor Search and Rescue Center!"
"Thank you, Percy! That's very kind of you! Must be off now! We need to act quickly in order for this plan to work!"
TOOT-TOOT!
He rushed off, leaving Percy in surprise and bewilderment, before the saddle tank engine set off immediately for the quarry.
Gator soon arrived at the Search and Rescue Center and was quick to alert the Rescue Team.
TOOT-TOOT-TOOOOT!
"Phew!" he sighed, amongst the surprised Rescue vehicles. "Thank goodness you're all here! We have to act quickly! Barge washed up on shore!"
The vehicles all eyed him with confusion, as Gator curiously looked all around.
"I say, though," he wondered. "Where is Rocky?"
"Rocky was called into action for another emergency," Butch explained. "Emily fetched him not too long ago."
"Oh," Gator thought, thinking hard. "Well, erm…I guess we'll just have to tow Bulstrode back by shore then."
"Who's Bulstrode?" Butch wondered.
Captain coughed, so as to make himself heard.
"Bigger question is," he added, "what is this emergency? Where is it, and why was it never announced?!"
"Bulstrode is a barge who's been washed up by Tidmouth Beach for quite some time now," Gator explained. "Percy agrees that he could be really useful if given a second chance. Please, can you help me get him back in the water?"
"We'll try our bests!" Captain replied. "As long as it's a state of urgency!"
"Oh, it is," Gator assured him. "It is indeed!"
"Not to worry!" Harold called out, as he slowly took to the sky. We'll soon have him out and about again!"
HONK-HONK!
"There's nothing we can't do!" Butch agreed, as he raced off into action.
Gator watched Captain set off on the water towards the beach.
"Oh, thank you, thank you!" Gator beamed, than sighed with relief. "Phew! Now, it's back to the beach. We must act quickly in order to get Bulstrode back in the water before the team is called into emergency!"
He set off hurriedly for the beach immediately.
At the beach, Bulstrode was noisily away when…
SPLAT!
"Gah!" the barge wailed, opening his eyes and looking over his face, as a seagull flew over.
He angrily spit bird poo from his mouth and coughed loudly, before listening to the tides against him settling down. He sighed with dismay and shut his eyes, about to go sleep when…"
HONK-HONK!
"Ahhhh!" he shouted, reacting with surprise as he opened his eyes to the sound of Butch's horn.
He watched Harold overhead, then listened to the sound of Captain's motor as the lifeboat soar into view. He then watched as Butch rolled up alongside and stopped.
"What on earth…?!" he wondered.
TOOT-TOOT!
"Not to worry, Bulstrode!" Gator called out, as he stopped alongside. "The Team and I have it all under control!"
"I don't understand, what is the meaning of this?!" Bulstrode demanded.
"I have a plan to make you really useful again, Bulstrode," Gator informed him. "I know you weren't the best barge before, but it's no use having you sit 'round here for all days! I'm sure that if you got a second chance, you could prove yourself to be really useful and show everybody what you're made of…as I did!"
Bulstrode rolled his eyes and groaned, then reacted with surprise as chains from all three rescue vehicles were attached to his front.
"What are you doing?!" he snapped.
"Our duty, fella!" Butch replied, then tugged hard as he shut his eyes and revved.
"Pull hard, guys!" he shouted.
"Huh!" Bulstrode scoffed. "You'll have to tug harder if you're going to make any progress with this!"
Captain's motor spluttered water against the shore, and Harold nearly ran short of breath as his propeller swirled sand toward Bulstrode's direction. The barge coughed loudly, then angrily spit sand from his mouth.
"What do you expect me to take you for, chopper? Some sort of sandstorm?!" Bulstrode remarked.
Neither of the vehicles answered and continued trying to pull Bulstrode towards sea.
The rescue vehicles tugged and pulled, and pulled and tugged, but try as they might, they weren't able to get Bulstrode to move!
At last, Butch gave up and winded his engine down, Harold and Captain proceeding to stop after him.
"Huh! Giving up so soon?" Bulstrode sarcastically wondered.
"It's no use," Butch sighed. "We're not able to pull Bulstrode towards sea!"
"He's too heavy," Captain added.
Harold hovered over close enough for Gator to hear him.
"You're gonna have to devise a plan B on this one, chap," he admitted. "The boys and I can't keep pulling at this old barge all day."
"We can't give up yet!" Gator assured them. "There must be another way! Hmm…"
He thought hard, as Bulstrode and the rescue vehicles all looked at him with confusion.
"I wonder," Gator thought, "if there's a way we can lift Bulstrode up off the ground."
PEEP-PEEP!
He was caught off-guard by the sound of a familiar whistle and was beyond relieved to see who it was.
"Percy!" he cried out.
"Hello, Gator!" the saddle tank engine called, as he stopped alongside.
"Ahem!"
Percy looked over to see a familiar face raise an eyebrow at him.
"Oh," Percy thought dully. "Hi, Bulstrode."
"Grrrrrrrr," Bulstrode quietly growled.
Percy ignored him and looked across at Gator.
"How's the rescue operation going?" he asked.
"The team and I have done all we can, Percy," Gator regretfully admitted. "And I'm afraid I've wasted enough of their time, as well as our time doing our jobs. There won't be time to go back to the Rescue Center and fetch Rocky now."
"Rocky?" Percy wondered.
"Yes, Percy! To lift Bulstrode off of the ground! It'd have been the only way to bring Bulstrode in for repairs!"
As Gator spoke, Percy thought hard, till an idea suddenly flew into his funnel.
PEEP-PEEP!
"That's it, Gator!" he whistled happily. "We need a breakdown crane!"
"Begging your pardon, Percy?" Gator wondered, then chuckled. "I think I do know what a breakdown crane looks like when I see one! Rocky may be far too busy at this matter of time, and Harvey surely can't take the weight of…"
Percy laughed.
"No, Gator!" he suggested. "Judy and Jerome are situated nearby on the Harwick Branch Line! I'm sure they'll be able to help out!"
"Oh," Gator thought, rather dumbfounded, then laughed. "Well done, Percy! Why didn't I think of it before?! Though I didn't recall who Judy and Jerome were when I first came here and…"
PEEP-PEEP!
"Come on, Gator!" Percy called out. "I'll show you the way! We have no time to lose!'
TOOT-TOOT!
Rather stunned, Gator whistled and rushed after his old friend, the two of them hurrying along side-by-side.
Percy and Gator quickly rushed over to Harwick to fetch Judy and Jerome, and take them into action for Bulstrode's rescue operation.
PEEP-PEEP!
TOOT-TOOT!
"Judy!"
"Jerome?"
"Emergency!" the cranes shouted out together, as Gator buffered up in front and Percy from behind.
"But what is it?" Judy wondered.
"Bulstrode the barge is washed up by shore at Tidmouth Beach!" Percy explained.
"Bulstrode?" Jerome wondered with confusion, as the two engines pulled and pushed them along.
"Yes! Yes!" Gator chimed in, "and he needs to be taken to the SteamWorks for repairs right away!"
"Oh," Judy wondered. "That does sound like an emergency we can handle!"
"There's nothing we can't handle!' Jerome agreed, as two engines pulled and pushed them steadily along.
They arrived back at the beach, where chains were carefully placed around Bulstrode's haul.
"What are you two playing at now?!" Bulstrode snapped.
"Not to worry, Bulstrode!" Gator told him. "Percy and I have it all under control. Just sit back and watch the rescue!"
"Huh!" Bulstrode scoffed quietly to himself. "Rescue, my haul!"
But in no time at all, Judy and Jerome quickly got to work at lifting Bulstrode off of the ground.
"Careful!" Bulstrode gawked at them, as the chains dangled noisily from his sides.
"We'll soon have you loaded, mate!" Jerome answered.
"It's as easy as pie!" Judy added.
Gator and Percy watched with amazement as Bulstrode was carefully loaded onto the flatbed between the two cranes. He was then tied down with ropes.
As soon as Bulstrode was carefully loaded, the cavalcade set off for the SteamWorks.
PEEP-PEEP!
TOOT-TOOT!
"Mmmm!" Bulstrode moaned. "I must hand it to you two, I've had worse."
But the two engines let his snarky comment pass this time, as they hurried along.
"Thank you for helping me out, Percy!" Gator beamed. "I'm sorry if it took any of your time doing your usual jobs!"
"Don't worry about it, Gator!" Percy replied. "I was able to spare Toby's help in covering for my usual jobs whilst I assisted in Bulstrode's rescue!"
He thought even harder, then his eyes widened, and he smiled.
"Come to think of it," he went on, "it gave me something to think about."
"Did it?" Gator wondered, as Bulstrode watched them interact with confusion.
"Yes! It made me think how frightened I was when I first met you. But I decided to give you another chance after getting to know you. That made me sure that if Bulstrode was given a second chance as well, he would prove himself worthy of such."
Bulstrode was baffled by such an idea, but Gator just beamed.
"I'm glad that's how you look at it, Percy. Seeing the poor old barge washed up on shore like that. He will go far and prove himself useful again given the chance. I'm sure of it!"
"Grrrrrr…" Bulstrode brushed off.
But Percy and Gator took no notice and advanced further along.
The two friends arrived at the SteamWorks with Bulstrode all in good time.
PEEP-PEEP!
TOOT-TOOT!
But as they got there, they found the Fat Controller waiting on the balcony. He looked very serious.
"Uh oh," Percy gulped.
"Gator!" the Fat Controller demanded, "why are you not up at the quarry? I thought I sent you back up there after delivering that load to Ulfstead! But you didn't do that either! Percy did!"
"I'm sorry, sir. It's just that, eh…"
"And Percy!" he went on, "why is Toby doing the jobs you were assigned on Thomas' Branch instead of you?"
As Percy thought hard how to respond, the Fat Controller took a harder look at the flatbed in between them and nearly fell back in surprise.
"Bulstrode?" he gasped, then remained speechless. "Well, I never. I...I l…"
"Forgive me, sir," Gator admitted. "Bulstrode's rescue operation was my idea. I found him washed up on Tidmouth Beach, and took the initiative for myself to arrange for his rescue operation…with a bit of help, of course."
"Oh, oh!" Percy chimed in. "I can vouch for that!"
"I see," the Fat Controller observed, listening carefully.
"I apologize for all the inconvenience, sir," Gator went on. "Seeing Bulstrode in such a condition and learning all about his past made me think back to when I first came to Sodor and engines were afraid of me. It made me sure that if I was given another chance to fit in and be useful, then surely Bulstrode could be given one as well."
The old barge listened to Gator's speech with surprise, as the Fat Controller took a deep breath.
"Besides," Gator concluded. "The Fishing Village at Norramby could use with some help. Ships have constantly been getting caught in rough seas, and Bulstrode may be the answer for this problem concerning delays shall he leave for port from the Village soon enough."
"Hmm…" the Fat Controller thought.
Percy and Gator watched him anxiously, till at last, he beamed.
"Well done on your valiant efforts, Gator!" he praised. "Having been aware of the issue at Norramby myself, I do think that bringing Bulstrode in to help out sounds like an excellent idea!"
Bulstrode widened his eyes with shock as the Fat Controller spoke.
"However," he went on, looking at the pair rather firmly, "need I remind you both that next time you have an idea like this to let me directly and immediately. I'll decide how to swap things around from there."
"Yes, sir!" both Percy and Gator replied.
The Fat Controller then turned to the grubby old barge
"As for you, Bulstrode, you'll be lucky this time round, but you'll need a bit of fixing up first. Surely you'll be on your best behavior afterward."
"Mmmm…" Bulstrode moaned in response, as he was lifted up on the hoist.
A few days later, Bulstrode was mended and Gator brought him over aboard Judy and Jerome to the quayside at Norramby.
"Hmph!" Bulstrode mumbled, as he was situated on the waterfront by the port. "Guess I'll get used to this after a while."
"Hope you like it here, Bulstrode!" Gator called to him. "I'm sure you'll get along splendidly!"
At that moment, Arthur pulled into view.
PEEP-PEEP!
"Hi, Gator!" he greeted.
He looked over to see Bulstrode slightly sulking beside the port.
"Oh, hello!" he called out. "You must be Bulstrode! We've been expecting your arrival! My name's Arthur by the way!"
"And I'm Saul!" the fishing crane chimed in from nearby, looking down at Bulstrode carefully.
"We're a cracking crew, Saul and I!" Arthur added.
Gator just laughed.
"For sure, you are!" he beamed. "Anyways, I must head back to the quarry now. Bye, Saul! And good luck!"
TOOT-TOOT!
Bulstrode watched as his newfound unlikely ally set off, then sighed and closed his eyes when…
"How do you do, Bulstrode?!" Saul shouted out, taking the awakening barge by surprise.
Bulstrode groaned and winced in annoyance.
"Grrrrrr!" he growled up at the fishing crane, who reacted with slight shock.
He went on to gaze up at Arthur's waiting trucks, who quietly gossiped amongst one another.
"Bulstrode's back!" they whispered to another.
"Not that grubby old barge!" one moaned.
"Yeah!" another chimed in. "What business has he to barge in here and tell us where to go?!"
Bulstrode sighed with slight annoyance, his face slowly going red.
"Why did I ever sign up for this job…?"
Part II of my Ready! Set! Rescue! DVD and it features two returnees in a starring role (if Gator counts). The Rescue team make supporting roles as Gator takes the spotlight here. His friendship with Percy is established further here but put to the test when he discovers Bulstrode and decides the old barge the second chance he was given when he first came to Sodor. Anyways, Bulstrode is now situated at Norramby Fishing Village alongside Arthur and Saul and will have a larger role with the Norramby crew in a story further on down this list to cap off my final 5 for Set 3. Tomorrow will bring the focus back to the Rescue team with another character I've never written in the spotlight before! Till then, remember to leave your thoughts, and as always, stay tuned for...
No Bother For Butch - Butch spends all day tending to other engines and vehicles in a state of emergency, that he doesn't think to take notice of the problem with his own engine, dismissing others' warnings. Instead, he puts his friends entirely before himself, which eventually leads to his own emergency!
Amber's Castle Conundrum - a pair of rock climbers are injured at Callan Castle, so the Rescue team are called into action, though Amber takes a wrong turn and ends up at Ulfstead instead!
Trevor And Flynn - Trevor often tries to find a way to help Flynn with fighting fires when he passes by despite Flynn clearly thinking the old traction engine has little use in a situation like that; however, when Belle derails on the way to a fire, Flynn may end up needing Trevor's help after all when he starts to run out of water.
Not-So-Smooth Sailing - While out on patrol, Captain sees a dark cloud looming towards Arlesburgh West. He warns everyone about the upcoming storm, but when poor Skiff gets caught in a storm, it's up to Captain to brave the waves and rescue the little railboat!
The Wrath Of Bulstrode - Bulstrode the Barge is brought to work at Norramby to help out with the fish deliveries. However, Saul's cautious nature makes him increasingly impatient, causing the two to clash at each other's throats!