Enter the Steam Giants Part 3

War: A state of armed conflict between different nations or states or different groups within a nation or state.

This is the definition of war. However, most people would describe war as a battle between two places that tear lives apart, or all out destroys them.

Right now, War was raging in the Far East. Germany, Italy, and Japan were in conflict with Britain, Soviet Union, France and China. Currently, the United States had pledged to stay out of foreign affairs, and the engines on the Grand Central were pleased with this decision.

The engines preferred to live in a country where they didn't have to worry about being attacked. They did feel bad for the innocent people and engines currently being affected by the war, but they never wished to switch places. To them, work is the best thing you can do to help.

One early morning at the yards, Allie and Selina were up and chatting. Their fires had been lit and they were waiting to head off to work. "And I heard that the first German air raids on London have begun. Most people have been evacuated, and a good part of the city has been destroyed" said Selina. "This is horrible" said Allie. "I know, but what can we do" asked Selina. "I don't know" said Allie.

"Anyway, I'm more worried about Roku and Matthias" said Selina. "Why" Allie asked a little confused. "Just think. Roku is Japanese, and Matthias is German. Japan and Germany are part of the Axis of power. They're the enemies" said Selina. "So" said Allie. "SO, people may not like them because of that" said Selina.

Allie was surprised "you think" she asked. "Yep, we just have to wait and see what happens" said Selina. Then, her driver gave her two blasts of her whistle, and then she puffed out of the shed to her first job.

Selina's first job was to collect a train of logs from the logging station and take them to Heartland Station. There, Sam and Jake would take them to the lumber yard, where they would be cut up and used for furniture and other things.

When Selina arrived at the logging station, Tina and Lucy were busy shunting cars, and helping to load logs. "Hello" said Selina as she stopped near the loading dock. Tina and Lucy looked at Selina and gasped. "Wow, you're really big" said Tina. "The biggest engine I've ever seen" said Lucy. Selina's face went red "thank you" she said nervously. "So how can we help you" asked Tina? "We were supposed to pick up a train of logs" said Selina's driver. "Oh, you mean that really long train. Unfortunately we can't pull it. You'll have to come to it" said Lucy. "Okay then" said Selina. So Tina showed Selina where the train was, and soon she was coupled on. "Well, thanks for arranging the train for me girls" said Selina as she puffed away. "No problem, have a nice day" said the two small engines.

Soon Selina pulled into Heartland Station. There weren't many people around, and the only other engine there was Jake. When Selina stopped, Jake looked over at here. "Hey Selina, thanks for bringing the train" said Jake. "No problem Jake, but I hope you and Sam are strong, because this train will be heavy for you two" said Selina.

Then, Sam steamed in and pulled up alongside Jake. "Hello you two. I'm ready to take this train" said Sam happily. "Then let's get going" said Jake. So Selina was uncoupled from the train, and used some points to switch onto another track. Jake and Sam also switched points, and they coupled onto each other, and then they coupled to the train. "Well, by Selina" said Jake and Sam, and the two puffed away to the lumber yard.

"Alright, time to get back to work" said Selina. But before she could even move, she felt a rumble and heard something approaching. "Oh no, please don't let it be another earthquake" said a scared Selina. But it wasn't an earthquake, because then a GIANT locomotive pulled up to platform one.

"Oh my" said Selina. This engine was much bigger than her, and probably even bigger than Allie. It was a 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive. The engine looked over at her and smiled. "Hello there. Who are you" asked the engine. "Oh, my name is Selina. Who are you" she asked nervously. "My name is Hercules. I'm a Big Boy class locomotive. Nice to meet you" he said with a warm smile. Then, Selina smiled to "Same here". But then, her driver gave two big blasts of her whistle. "Oh, that means it's time for me to go. Goodbye Hercules, nice to meet you" said Selina, and she rolled out of the station towards her next job.

"Goodbye Selina" said Hercules. Now he had to wait to be assigned his first job. He didn't have to wait long though, because then Mr. Copper walked up to him. "Aw, Hercules, good to see you got here fast" said Mr. Copper. "Not any problem for me sir" said Hercules. "Right, now I have your first job. Yesterday Selina collected a train of weapons and took them to the yards. Your job is to take the train to Bigg City. It will be unloaded and stored on a ship in the port before being taken overseas" said Mr. Copper. "Right sir" said Hercules, and he rolled out of the station towards the yards.

When he arrived, he soon found his train on a side track. His fireman switched the points, and Hercules reversed onto the train. His fireman coupled his up, and then climbed back into the cab.

"Ready to roll" said Hercules. "Right, let's get going" said the driver.

But before the driver could even opened the throttle, a loud whistle echoed through the yard. "Who, what's that" asked Hercules. Well he soon got his answer, because then a Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 locomotive pulled up next to Hercules. It was coupled to a long train with crates full of Munitions.

Hercules looked at the engine and smiled. "Hi there, I'm Hercules. Who are you" he asked in a cheerful way. The other engine smiled to "My name is Xander, nice to meet you" he said happily. "Are you new here" asked Hercules. "Yep, I just arrived yesterday. How long have you been here" asked Xander?

"I've only been here for a few hours" said Hercules. Xander was silent for a minute, and then he burst out laughing. "SO, we're BOTH new engines" he laughed. "Yep" said Hercules with a smile. "That is funny. Right, now I have to leave; I have to get my train to Bigg City" said Xander. Hercules was surprised "Hey, I'm going there to". "Really, well isn't that a coincidence" said Xander. Then, an idea flew in Hercules's funnel. "Hey, since we're both going there, we don't we go together" he asked. "Going together, can we do that" asked Xander. "Well, the track to Bigg city is a four way, so two engines can travel parallel to it" said Xander's driver.

Xander smiled "Well in that case, let's go". "Great" said Hercules happily. So their drivers moved the two engines out of the yards, and soon they were thundering down the line towards Bigg City.

Ten hours later, the two engines were nearing Bigg City. But first they had to stop to get some more coal. "We're nearly there Xander" said Hercules. "That's good, we need to get there and unload our trains as fast as we can" said Xander. Soon both of their tenders were full, and they were soon back on their way to Bigg City.

Soon they entered the city, and were amazed by its size. "They don't call it Bigg City for nothing" said Xander.

"You said it" said Hercules as they awed at the city. But it wasn't long before they left the city and arrived at Bigg City Port. They puffed onto a concrete dock, and stopped just beside a ship that was anchored next to it. The two engines saw a huge crane lift cargo from nearby barges onto the ship. "Just think, all those munitions and weapons are going to be used overseas in the war" said Hercules.

"Yep, and we helped with it" said Xander.

"At least the Navy's being smart not to give us both munitions and fuel at the same time," Said a new voice. Both of the engines saw that it came from the Tramper which had the word Vesuvius warren on its side, "That's what they did with the Naval Tramper Kraka Toa and she ended up being sunk. That's to that idiot Bluenose. Oh by the way my name's Vesuvius I'm one of the four Naval ships here."

"My name is Xander and the Big Boy Locomotive next to me is Hercules, so why are you here?" Xander asked, "Are you here to take the Ammunitions and the Weapons?"

"No the ammunition is for Shasta and the Weapons are for Etna," Vesuvius said, "I'm here to take the explosives."

"But isn't it dangerous to be loaded with explosives in the same area as Weapons and Ammunitions?" Hercules asked, "And who's bringing the explosives."

"Yes that's dangerous but taking Munitions and Fuel aboard the same ship is even more dangerous. That's why I'm the third of the four trampers to be loaded. As for who's bringing the Explosives that's the job of the Z Stacks," Vesuvius said, "I'll say this about them. They're the bravest tugs to take on the most dangerous jobs and I even told them that myself. From what I can tell they're earning more in three of those trips than what the Star Tugs are getting in 20 Garbage Barges, Ferry Trips or Steel Tows."

"Be nice Vesuvius," Shasta said, She was the tramper being loaded with the Munitions, "Just because you like the Z Stacks for their willingness to handle the dangerous jobs doesn't mean you have to look down on the Star Tugs."

"Shasta's right," Etna said as she was the trapper being loaded with the weapons, "Besides these are dangerous times and so are our jobs. You should see Saint Helen. She's the one being loaded with fuel and she's not to be loaded till the rest of us are out of here with our loads."

"Thanks for reminding me but the big question is Where is Roku?" Saint Helen said before noticing the three Z Stacks Zorran, Zebedee and Zak bringing in the Explosives. "Vesuvius your explosives are here."

The three tugs pulled up to Vesuvius with their barges in tow. "See, I told you blokes we'd get here on time and in one piece" said Zorran as some dock workers tied his barge to the dock. "Oh, uh, ya you did Zorran" said Zug. "Whatever, I just want to get this job over with" said Zebedee.

"Nice to see you three" said Vesuvius "Thanks for bringing the explosives". "Not a problem. Z Stacks are always ready to do dangerous jobs" said Zorran. "Ya were not afraid. We are brave" said Zug. "Like when we helped with the fire that happened on Kraka Toa" said Zebedee.

"I thought it was the fire chief, sunshine, and Big Mac who helped while you sat scared in the back" said Shasta. The three tugs went silent and their faces lit up.

Then, Shasta's horn sounded, and her anchor began to rise. "Oh, looks like it's time for me to go" she said happily. "Well, goodbye Shasta. Be careful overseas" said Etna. "Please, don't worry about me. I'll be back as soon as I can" said Shasta as she pulled away from the docks and headed out towards the sea.

But now that Shasta was gone, Zorran, Zug, and Zebedee could see Xander and Hercules now. "Whoa" said Zug "those are some big engine". "Ya, biggest engines I've ever seen" said Zebedee.

But Zorran looked unimpressed "ya, they're big. So what". Well the two engines were surprised. "What do you mean so what" asked Xander angrily. "Well, you two may be big, but size isn't everything. And in the end, your still just big flashy show offs" said Zorran. Hercules and Xander were surprised, they thought Zorran was bad news. But before the two could reply to his statement, there was a loud horn sound. The three tugs and the two engines looked around.

"What was that" asked Xander. "I know what it is, it's" was all Zorran could say before a very big Yellow and Black tug pulled up to the pier. "Hello there Zorran, and what might you be up to now" asked the big tug. "Nothing at all Hercules, we were just having a chat with these two engines" said Zorran. "Really, and what were you talking about" asked the tug named Hercules. "He was saying that we were big flashy show offs" said Xander. Hercules chuckled "I knew Zorran would do something like this".

Then, Hercules looked at the barges attached to the three tugs. "Well, would you look at that. Your barges have been unloaded. Looks like you three can leave now" he said with a smile. The three tugs looked at their barges, and Hercules was right.

"Oh, looks like they are. Well, I guess that means we'll be going. Don't want to make Captain Zero angrily right" said Zorran. "Oh, yes. Right Zorran" said Zug. So they the two tugs moved away towards the Zero Pier.

But Zebedee stayed around for a moment. He looked at the two engines. "Just want to apologize. Zorran has always been like this" he said with a small frown. The two engines were surprised, they didn't expect to hear that from Zebedee. "Oh, well, thanks Zebedee" said Xander. "Ya, thanks" said Hercules.

"Right, well, I should be going" said Zebedee, and he drove after Zorran and Zug.

"Well that takes care of those tugs" said the big tug Hercules. Then he looked at the two engines. "I never got to introduce myself. My name is Hercules. I'm Captain Star's Ocean Going tug" he said with a warm smile. "Nice to meet you. My name's Xander" said the big 4-6-6-4. "And my name is Hercules" said the Big Boy next to Xander.

Hercules (the tug) was silent for a moment, before him and Hercules (the engine) burst out laughing. "What do you know; we have the same name" said the engine. "Ya, this is strange" said the tugboat.

But the two were interrupted as a grey tugboat pulled up to them, blowing its horn. "Attention, Attention, you there, yes you. What are you three doing laughing when Military business is going on. Stop your chatting now and get back to work, or I'll" said the tug firmly. "Or you'll what Bluenose" asked Hercules (tug) in an annoyed tone. "Oh, I see you don't know how to respect your superiors Hercules. I hope these two big lugs know better" said Bluenose in his tough military voice.

Hercules (engine) and Xander were very annoyed. "And what right do you have to call us that and tell us what to do" asked Xander. "This is a military job. I am a military tug. So, you are under my jurisdiction" said Bluenose in his MV again. "Yes, I am under jurisdiction; Captain Star's" said Hercules (tug). "And were under Mr. Copper's jurisdiction" said Xander.

Bluenose was about to reply, but then a dock worker came up to him. "Bluenose, you are needed at the Base up north, new boats are coming from overseas and they need help checking them for anything dangerous".

"Right" said Bluenose, then he looked at the three. "Well, this is your lucky day. I must leave, but be warned. If this happens again, I will make shure you learn a lesson about respecting the military, especially in these days of war" said Bluenose as he reversed away from the docks, and then headed off.

Hercules (tug) huffed "I must say though; he's right. We do need to respect the military in days of war". "I'll respect anyone from the military that isn't him" said Hercules (engine) huffily. "Same here" said Xander. But then, Xander's driver came up to the two. "That's it guys, we're unloaded. Time to head back" he said to the two.

The engines looked over are Hercules. "Well, time for us to go" said Hercules (engine). "Hope we can talk the next time we come here" said Xander. Hercules (tug) smiled "Well it was nice meeting you two as well. If you're ever in Bigg City again, just come by the dock and ask for me and I'll be happy to talk".

"Will do" said Xander. Then his and Hercules' (engine) drivers reversed them down the line and away from the docks.

Soon the two engines were thundering down the line back towards The Grand Central. "It was really nice meeting Hercules" said Xander. "Ya, but I could have done without meeting Zorran, Zug, and Bluenose. But I have to say that Zebedee was the only polite one of the three Zed Stacks" said Hercules (engine). "I feel the same way" said Xander. The two continued to talk all the way back to the Grand Central.

Later that evening, Hercules was just returning to the Star Tugs Pier. All the other tugs where already there, chatting about the day. "Hello there everyone" said Hercules. "Hey Hercules" said the tugs. "So did you do anything interesting today" asked Sunshine. "As a matter of fact I did. I meet two new engines from the Grand Central. They were delivering Weapons and Munitions" said Hercules with a smile. "Really, what are they like" asked Top Hatt. So Hercules told the tugs about the two engines.

When he had finished, all the tugs where smiling. "So what do you think of them" asked Hercules. Ten Cents was the first to reply, and it was what all the other tugs where thinking.

"Based on what I've heard… they're okay in my books" he said with a warm smile.