I apologize beforehand if Edward is a bit OOC again in this chapter. No worries- I building up something good!
...
The three tender engines had gone on strike the next morning. It had been years since they had done such a thing, when they had been shut up in the sheds for refusing to do "little engines' work". Of course, they had learned their lesson, but the three agreed that they needed time to think of another plan of action against the Diesel. Unfortunately, (well, fortunately, in the Diesel's case) they had come up with nothing so far.
Despite attempts from the other engines, the stubborn engines refused to leave the sheds, at the risk of working the Diesel. They were just about to give up on the whole thing, when the Fat Controller arrived, looking far less than tolerant of this behavior.
"You three," he snapped, "I'm not having anymore of these engine strikes. You either do your work, as you've been told, or I'm afraid it's off to scrapyards with you lot! I don't need engines who never do any work," He ended, ominously, in an extremely rare threat.
Gordon, Henry, and James knew better than to argue, especially with that tone of voice. A disgruntled "Yes sir" was all they could utter.
"Very well then. Now I need you all to relay a message for me, if that's not too much trouble." The engines listened intently.
"The windmill on Thomas' branchline is being repaired. There's a shipment of stone that Edward will be bringing back from the Blue Mountain Quarry. The new Diesel will be collecting some cement from the Cementworks at around two o' clock. Now, listen carefully. Tell both of them to meet at exactly 2:30 pm at Crovan's Gate for a final order. It's contingent that this part goes as smooth as possible. Is that clear?"
"Yes sir," The engines answered dutifully, and with a nod, the Fat Controller took off in his car.
"Not another freight train!" Gordon wailed in despair. "The indignity…!"
"Oh, shut up and stop your grumbling, Gordon! It's not like you're the one pulling it!" James snapped from his left.
"And why do we have to track down everyone?" Henry complained. "What are we, zookeepers?" The others murmured in agreement.
As they puffed down the line to tell Edward the news, Gordon suddenly had an idea. Maybe they could get Bowler after all!
"Where did the Fat Controller say they needed to meet?" He asked.
"Crovan's Gate. Weren't you listening?" James muttered.
"What if ol' Bowler got…the wrong message…?" Gordon smiled evilly. Luckily, his companions quickly caught on, and two huge smirks soon spread across their faces.
….
The trio had decided to split up, and have James tell Edward the news, while Gordon and Henry told the Diesel. Gordon and Henry had told a workman to have the Diesel meet at Brendam Docks instead of Crovan's Gate. Meanwhile, James had told Edward that it was past two o' clock (when it was really only 11:30), making Edward believe he was tardy.
"I'm so late! Bother! Well, thanks for reminding me, James!" He thanked his red companion, before he puffed off to Brendam in a hurry, leaving a snickering James behind.
…
Edward raced along the line towards Brendam. "Slow down, Edward!" His driver called as the stopped at a signal. "I understand you're late, but-"
"I'm not just late, I'm beyond late!" Edward burst out. "I don't have time to be slow! The Fat Controller will be very annoyed with me!"
His driver and fireman were sympathetic. "Listen, Edward. Charlie and I would rather you be on the rails when the Fat Controller scolds you then in the Steamworks," He mused to his engine.
"After all, better late than never, right ol' boy?" said Charlie Sand to Edward, who took no notice. This surprised him and his fireman greatly- it wasn't like Edward to not take precautions. He was one of the oldest engines on Sodor, if not the wisest.
"I have to hurry!" Edward called with rushed determination, as the signal turned green once more. And with that, he sped along the line towards Brendam Docks, unaware of the danger that lay ahead.