This chapter is for Thomas and TUGS fans. Enjoy.
Roku and the Star Tugs
The sun was beginning to shine over the Eastern United States. While some people were sleeping, others were just beginning to wake up. Then there are those who were wide awake and working hard. But it wasn't only people who were up and working hard.
Roku was thundering down the line on his way to the Bigg City. He had entered New York a few hours ago, and he was nearing the city. "Almost there" he said to himself.
Two hours later the sun was shining over New York (state). Roku was at a water tower taking on water. "I hope the passengers don't mind the stop" said Roku to his driver. "I'm shure they won't, besides, most people are probably still asleep" said the driver with a smile. Soon Roku's tanks were full and he was once again on his way. Roku looked ahead and saw Bigg City coming into view. His driver got on the intercom "attention everyone, we are about to enter Bigg City; please prepare to depart" he announced. No sooner had the announcement had been made, Roku and the train entered the city.
Like its name implies, Bigg City was huge. There were buildings that reached up to the sky and roads that looked like they went on forever. There were also lots of railway lines. Everywhere you went was different.
Right now Roku was steaming through the city, many people waved at him as he passed by. When they did, his driver blew the whistle in reply. Soon they arrived at Bigg City's main station. It had eight platforms within a huge metal building. Roku's driver reduced steam and put on the brakes. Finally Roku stopped just beyond the platform. Soon all the passengers walked out of the coaches and to different places in the station. After everyone was off, the local shunter uncoupled Roku from the empty coaches. Roku had to make a return journey, but he wouldn't be leaving until 5 pm. Then a modified DRG-Baureihe 80 pulled up to Roku. The big engine smiled when it did, "Hello Puffa, nice to see you again" said Roku with a smile. Puffa smiled back "Same here Roku, good to have you back in the city". Then Puffa's driver reversed him back and coupled him onto the coaches. "I'll take these away so you can go and rest, but remember, you have to be back by five to take the trip back" called Puffa as he rolled down the line.
Then Roku's driver walked up to his front. "Okay Roku, you have a few hours to rest before we have to leave, so where would you like to go and rest" he asked. Roku smiled "Near the Bigg City Port" he said happily. "Okay" said his driver and he climbed back into the cab and drove Roku to the port.
When they arrived, they past cranes unloading ships and goods engines pulling freight. Soon Roku's driver found a siding big enough for Roku to stay. It was on a concrete pier, so it would hold his weight. After Roku had been reversed into the siding and fire put out, the driver and fireman left to go check out the city. Roku was happy that he could rest, so he closed his eyes and went to sleep.
But what felt like minutes later, Roku was woken up by a loud horn. "Hu, Wha, what's going on" he asked looking around. When he looked to his left, he saw a small tugboat floating near the dock. "Wait a minute… Ten Cents" asked Roku. The tugboat laughed "Ya, of course" he said happily. Roku smiled "Good to see you again" he said loudly. "Same here, so what's new" asked Ten Cents. "Well, he have a new engine on our railway; his name is Sam" said Roku. "That's great" said Ten Cents. "Ya, he's already pulling passenger trains. Right now he's doing Albus' work because Albus is in the works getting his brakes mended. But I think that he is coming home any time soon" said Roku. "Good, but is he still braggy" asked Ten Cents? "Ya, so hopefully this trip to the works will help with that" said Roku with a smile "So what's new with you" he asked. "Well not much has changed, except Big Mickey isn't working here anymore" said Ten Cents. "Oh no, really" asked Roku as he remembered the useful crane "what happened to him"? "He got damaged in a big storm, and with the damage done from the time his pier was blown up, the dock manager thought he should be retired" said Ten Cents. "So, he was… scrapped" asked Roku with a frown. Suddenly Ten Cents started to laugh "what, no, some big guy in a suit was visiting when he saw that Big Mickey was going to be retired. He bought him from the dock manager and brought him back to his country. He said that he would be used at his new dock" he laughed. "Oh, that's good, so how are the other Star Tugs" asked Roku. "There doing great, but O.J.'s engine was acting up again a few days ago, and he had a refit just twenty years ago" said Ten Cents. "Is he alright now" asked Roku? "Yep, Captain Star had him sent to Lucky's Yard to have it checked out; turns out coal dust had clogged up in his engine" said Ten Cents. And Roku smiled.
After another hour of talking, a dock worker came over to talk to Ten Cents. "Ten Cents, we need you to take a fuel barge out to Lilly Lightship. It's over at Lucky's yard" said the dock worker. "Right away" said Ten Cents, and then he turned his head to Roku's direction. "Sorry Roku, got to leave, I promise we will talk later" said Ten Cents, and he set off for Lucky's yard.
After Ten Cents left, Roku went back to sleep. He was asleep for what seemed like hours before he woke up. He looked around, some boats were in different places and the sun was lower in the sky. He thought of going back to sleep, but then he saw something that caught his eye. It was a black tugboat with a white Zero on its funnel. Roku decided to introduce himself "Hey, hello there" he called. The tugboat turned around and pulled up to where Roku was resting. "Hi, I'm Roku, what's your name" he asked. The tugboat gave him a strange look "My name is Zebedee, what's it to you" he asked. Roku gave a small smile "I've never seen a tugboat like you before, your colored differently. May I ask; are you a Star Tug" he asked. Zebedee looked very cross "WHAT, NO, I'M A ZED STACK, I NEVER WAS AND WILL NEVER BE A STAR TUG" he screamed. Roku was shocked "Okay, sorry, so what are Zed Stacks" he asked curiously. "Zed Stacks are tugboats that work for caption Zero. We are the best tugs in the Port; we're way better than the Star Tugs" said Zebedee. Roku thought hard "So, you really hate the Star Tugs right" he asked. "Yes" said Zebedee. "You've never helped or have been nice to them" asked Roku.
At this, Zebedee looked nervous and looked down. Roku smirked "ah, so you don't truly hate them". Zebedee looked up "alright, so, once I did help them dock the Princess Alice when they needed help" he said sadly. Roku smiled "Looks like not all Zed Stacks are bad". "No, we are all bad, just not as bad as some people think" said Zebedee. "Well, I think you're a great tug" said Roku. Zebedee's eyes widened when he heard this "you think I'm great" he asked. "Of course, anyone who lets people know they aren't so bad is great in my books" said Roku. Surprisingly, at this, Zebedee smiled at Roku.
But then, Roku's driver and fireman arrived. "Time to go Roku, back to the Grand Central" said his driver and he and the fireman climbed into the cab. Roku then turned back to Zebedee "Well I go to go, hope you and the Zed stacks keep up the good work". Soon Roku's fireman had lit his fire and his driver pulled his out of the siding. "Bye Zebedee" shouted Roku as he puffed away. "Uh, bye" Zebedee shouted back.
Soon Roku arrived at the station; there were tons of passengers on the platform. After Roku had stopped, Puffa pushed the coaches up to him. "Thanks Puffa" said Roku. Puffa pulled up to him and smiled "not a problem at all Roku. Hope to see you soon". Soon the passengers had boarded the coaches and Roku was ready to go. "Goodbye Bigg City" said Roku as his driver pulled him out of the station. After getting up to speed, Roku was flying down the tracks towards the Grand Central Railway.
Back at the Bigg City Port, Zebedee was heading back to the Zero Pier. As he did, the thought about Roku. "Hu, I have to admit, I like that steamie" he said with a smile. He just hoped that none of the other tugs had heard him.
Well, that's it for now.