10 - A Brewing Storm
"She won't talk," 3830 muttered quietly. "Ever since she derailed in the trap point she just won't talk to anyone. It's so unlike Grey. It's unnerving."
"Well you did want her to stop talking," the huge Beyer-Garrattt pointed out and Jaxon glared at her.
"This isn't fucking funny, Corrie," Jaxon snapped.
"Then you shouldn't have made her feel bad about constantly talking to you. She's always been like that!" Corrie frowned. "She's going through a lot right now and she needs a friend. Someone to help her get over her fears."
"Easy for you to say, you didn't have to put up with her," Hunter scoffed.
"Shut up Hunter!" Jaxon hissed. "You aren't helping!"
"I'm going to visit her on my way to Thirlmere, do you want me to pass on any regards?" Corrie asked.
Hunter just humphed and sat there with a sour look on his face.
"Give my sister best regards please," Jaxon asked of the Garratt. "Despite our misgivings over her role as Class leader, Grey is still my big sister and I want the best for her."
Corrie gave him a sad smile.
"I'll let her know Jax," she promised him. "Grey's a strong spirit, she'll get through this. I think she just needs some help in the right direction.
Jaxon wanted to believe the Beyer-Garratt, but he was having a hard time doing so.
Grey yawned as the night grew on. She was surprised at Green Arrow and his enthusiasm. Never before had an engine managed to sit through her talking the night away and stay awake. If anything the LNER engine seemed to grow more energised, more excited at each story.
She couldn't help but be impressed. Maybe it was the fact she was the first Australian engine that Green Arrow had ever met but he seemed to devour knowledge hungrily.
Now she understood why people were annoyed her for keeping them up at night. Oh the irony, she thought as she smiled to herself.
Green Arrow stopped in his tracks and paused suddenly, his expression suddenly becoming attentive and listening for something.
"What is it mate?" Grey asked but she was quickly shushed by Arrow. "Oi! Don't you shush me-"
She stopped as she heard it too, the sound of engines in the distance.
Slowly, emerging from the darkness of the moonlit night was a familiar sky-blue engine to which Grey began scowling at. She stopped however when she saw the grumpy gold and green diesel following closely behind him.
"Goldy!" She excitedly exclaimed, ignoring the Steam Engine before her and proceeded to introduce Green Arrow to him. "Arrow, this is Gold!"
"Oh! An Australian Diesel!" Arrow exclaimed brightly clearly intrigued by the diesel's appearance. "I'm Green Arrow!"
"Hey how's it goin' mate?" Gold greeted him before quickly turning his attention back to Gordon and Grey. "Someone has something to say to you Grey."
Grey frowned and turned her attention to Gordon who was looking at his buffers uncomfortably.
"Gold has explained to me, about your accident…" Gordon began to explain cautiously. He hesitantly looked at Grey whose face remained stoic and unreadable. "I understand how my actions were cruel and how they upset you. I did not mean to hurt you. Had I known I would never have done such a stupid thing."
Gordon gazed at Grey with sadness and compassion in his eyes.
"I'm truly sorry Grey, I shouldn't have left you on my hill," the blue A1 pacific apologised.
Grey's face remained stoic as she stared at Gordon for a long while, seconds dragging out into nervous minutes as she surveyed his intent. Gordon grew nervous as every second went by.
Grey then smiled widely at Gordon and gave a chuckle.
"No hard feelings, ay Gordy?" She exclaimed enthusiastically and Gordon breathed a sigh of relief. "Just don't do it again and she'll be right mate!"
Gordon wasn't sure what the Australian engine meant but from her reestablished friendly attitude he could see that it meant that she had forgiven him so long as he didn't do something similar in future. Gordon smiled at her, bemused at what to do.
Green Arrow however raised an eyebrow.
"You're so forgiving after being reminded of a traumatic event," he pointed out. "How can you laugh about such things."
Grey looked at Green Arrow ponderously before answering.
"It's not good to hold on to things that hurt you," she explained. "And besides, Gold will sort Gordon out if he does anything. Goldy will take on a Beyer Garratt if need be!"
Gold gave a grunt of affirmation and Gordon looked at Grey worried. Grey laughed at seeing his face.
"It's okay Gordon, what you did wasn't as bad as how other people treated me," Grey explained as a dark and sorrowful look appeared on her face. "A friend of mine was too pushy when trying to help me and…"
Grey took a deep breath and looked away. Gold rolled forward, closer to Grey and she seemed to relax slightly.
"It's okay, I'm okay now," she reassured those gathered. "Or, I'm better than I was at least."
"Always moving forward, Lady Grey," Gold commented and Grey lit up at his words.
"Always moving forward!" She parroted back happily. "You didn't know about my past Gordon, I'm not going to hold it against you."
"Thank you Grey," Gordon gratefully said, extremely relieved and Grey flashed a wide grin at him.
"I promise to ease off on the banter too," She compromised. "I believe I made you uncomfortable, I'm sorry about that mate."
Gordon genuinely smiled for the first time since arriving at the Steamworks.
"It's alright, I guess I'm just frustrated that I don't know what you're saying half the time," Gordon explained and Grey snorted.
"HA! We're speaking English, you great blue buffoon!" She laughed at him.
"Some of those words you use are not English!" Gordon argued.
"They are, you just don't have context!" Grey scolded. "Your brother could figure it out! Well, some of the time."
"My brother is an idiot," Gordon scoffed.
"Clearly smarter than you," Grey childishly poked her tongue out at him. Gordon huffed steam at her playfully knowing she was teasing.
"Alright, you lot," Victor's sleepy voice suddenly sounded through the Steamworks. He rolled to a stop beside Grey. "There are other engines here and you are being quite raucous."
"Sorry I can't help it!" Grey apologised. "I am a loud rambunctious larrikin."
Victor stared at her confused but then gave her an awkward smile.
"Still I must ask you to please keep it down," he insisted and Grey gave him a bemused smile.
"Alright mate, can do!"
There was a moment of stillness and Victor breathed a loud sigh of relief. Grey and Arrow had been talking to each other nonstop for most of the night. He had wanted to tell them to keep quiet but he could see it was good for the Australian engine's welfare.
That and he didn't want to be rude to a foreign guest.
The stillness however was interrupted by the sound of another Steam Engine approaching the Steamworks and Victor winched.
The engine approaching was coming in at a very high speed it seemed and was very large and shook the rails as it thundered down the line.
Gordon squinted confusedly as he recognised the shape but the colour confused him.
"Murdoch?" He asked but he was cut off by Green Arrow's sudden piercing shriek of glee.
"Evening Star!"
Sir Nigel found the City of Truro backed into his own private berth, his appearance sullen and dishevelled like someone had smeared crude oil over his usually pristine perfect coat of paint.
It unnerved Sir Nigel, to say the least.
Truro was the leader of the Great Western engines, he prided himself on his spotless liveries and polished golden trim and crown. He was the most well-kept and proper engine as a leader should.
Sir Nigel stood as the leader of the LNER engines and the two had often debated and quarrelled over things but Sir Nigel always held respect for Truro.
Although he often disagreed with Truro, he knew that Scotsman held a close affection for the engine. Something he knew was very important to his famous and golden cousin.
"Hello old chap," Sir Nigel greeted the City of Truro.
Said engine gazed at him and gave him a warm smile.
"Sir Nigel, a pleasure as always," Truro returned the greeting. "I must apologise for my appearance. It is not suitable for people to look upon me."
"As Tornado would say, 'you look like dog turds,'" Sir Nigel chuckled humorously.
"I think dear Tornado would use a lot more colourful language than that," Truro smiled.
"Speaking of Tornado, I met with her just now. The poor girl was quite worried," Sir Nigel explained and Truro looked concerned.
"Oh dear, what troubles the young lady?"
"Blue Peter and your condition," Sir Nigel informed the Great Western and he frowned.
"Is Blue Peter once again being a menace to her?" Truro asked, pointedly dismissive of Tornado's other concern.
"To a lot of people actually, he's been kicked out of Darlington and now Didcot after starting a fight with King George."
The City of Truro tutted, annoyed by the actions of the Peppercorn.
"Still trying to find a way to resurrect Saint Mungo?" Truro asked wearily.
"No, he gave up on that long ago I believe," Sir Nigel considered. "Hamilton suggested Tornado go digging around in Blue Peter's past to find answers. I do not agree with her advice. As petulant as Blue Peter can be, his personal business is his own."
Truro gave a hum of contemplation and looked away from the A4 Pacific.
"Tornado will learn about it one day," he concluded. "Perhaps it's better to solder the broken weld off than let it rust?"
Sir Nigel just sat there, a disapproving look on his face.
"I had hoped the Blue Peter would tell her, himself," He insisted and Truro looked back at him. "Though, I admit he isn't one to do such things."
"Regardless, perhaps it will help Tornado understand," Truro countered. "She was always eventually going to be curious and start asking questions. She's at an age where she's going to be rebellious and test boundaries."
Sir Nigel gave a thoughtful hum and relented.
"You make a valid point, City of Truro," he conceded. "Now, about your condition. Did my brother's actions have a lasting effect on you?"
Truro gave an exhausted sigh and seemed to sink down on his wheels.
"He tortured me for weeks, Sir Nigel," Truro croaked out weekly. "The only thing that kept me going was the thought of protecting Scotsman. But in the end… he- I don't know."
Truro looked away from Sir Nigel and seemed to deflate and become devoid of energy.
"Truro, it's okay, you're safe now," Sir Nigel assured the elder engine and Truro looked up at him.
"I-I know, but my grip on reality has been warped," Truro explained weakly. "There are times when I don't know what's real anymore. I think… I think Mallard survived…"
Sir Nigel raised an eyebrow.
"Mallard's engine is a shell, it has been examined and checked several times, Scotsman vanquished his new golden soul," Sir Nigel confirmed. "Mallard is gone."
"Scotsman vanquished the Black Smoke," Truro argued. "And as powerful as he is, he cannot destroy Gold Dust nor do I think he would want to."
Sir Nigel said nothing, gazing at Truro his concern increasing as Truro's voice took on a stranege and almost manic tone.
"Mallard regained his soul," Truro pointed out shakily. "After killing the Scotsman's human form he regained it. It didn't just disappear!"
Truro began looking around nervously, his breathing quickened and his frames began trembling.
"He's alive, he's out there somewhere, he's human I just know it!" Truro rambled, his voice having a deranged edge to it. "He was tall, he had long hair and he was dressed in blue fox hunting gear. He visits me in my dreams and he threatens me!"
The sudden outburst unsettled Sir Nigel greatly. Never before had he observed Truro, the usually level-headed and calm engine even in the face of scrapping or being decommissioned act so… unhinged.
This was completely out of character for the Great Western, the A4 understanding completely why Tornado had been so worried.
"Easy old chap, easy," Sir Nigel tried to reassure Truro concerned for the engine. "You're safe. Nothing will hurt you while I'm here. Scotsman will protect you too and he'll be back tonight."
The mention of Scotsman seemed to ground Truro and he refocused on Sir Nigel in front of him. His breathing evened out and he became lucid and aware.
"I- I apologise," Truro grumbled. "That was particularly undignified of me."
"Perhaps, but you have very clear concerns and you need help, is there anyone you could confide in? Other than Scotsman that is? Scotsman cannot always be at your side."
"I suppose, Great Northern, but I haven't seen him since arriving at York," Truro explained.
"I see," Sir Nigel was surprised. Knowing North for as long as he had he never expected that the old Pacific would be accepting of Truro. Especially not since Truro was an engine that had a claim to Scotsman's record. Something which Great Northern had in the past taken issue with.
But maybe he had seen the bond that Scotsman and Truro held. Truro almost giving his soul for Scotsman would definitely be a factor.
Sir Nigel found that he missed North's company, the man often kept him company when on the Gresley Estate. He wondered where he was. Probably helping Olivia and her fiancé to move he supposed.
"Well, I am staying here to keep you company. Scotsman will have returned by nightfall," Sir Nigel ventured. "I can keep you company until then. The North will most probably have returned from Sodor."
Truro gave Sir Nigel an appreciative smile.
"Thank you, Sir Nigel."
"My shape does not bother you? I am Mallard's brother after all."
"Not in the slightest," Truro assured him. "Your soul feels extremely different to your brothers'."
"Oh? It does?"
"Yes, it feels comforting like warm oil on a cold day and of burning redwood and oak in a well-stoked firebox," Truro explained. "Extremely pleasant."
Sir Nigel was quite flattered. He had never thought about how his soul might appear to others. He was pleased that he came across in such a way.
"Do, do you think that Scott would say yes if I asked him?" Truro asked suddenly out of nowhere and Sir Nigel gazed at him confused.
"Say yes to what my dear Truro?" The A4 asked.
"Well, Olivia and Oscar are going on about their marriage and it got me thinking," Truro explained thoughtfully. "Do you think engines can get married?"
Sir Nigel gave a warm chuckle.
"Of course, there have been a few engines who have married one another," he explained. "Though most tend to keep it private. It's not at all common. Marriage is a human concept after all."
Truro gave a soft hum. "It would be rather scandalous of us, a Great Western and an LNER engine, but I do not care for it. I wish to marry Scotsman. Would he say yes do you think?"
Sir Nigel raised an eyebrow at Truro.
"Why are you asking me? I am not in a position to speculate on Scotsman's answer," Sir Nigel pointed out. "I do not know Scotsman that personally. But I would like to think he would say yes."
Truro looked away from the A4 Pacific embarrassed.
"It was foolish of me to ask you," Truro agreed. "I wanted to ask Great Northern but I have not seen him since arriving in York."
"I doubt North would be able to answer for Scotsman either, Truro," Sir Nigel pointed out. "There is only one who can answer your question, Truro, and that is the Scotsman himself."
Truro stared at the ground. He knew Sir Nigel was right, no matter what doubts he had or what misgivings he thought that Scotsman may have, Scotsman was the only one who could give him the answer he sought.
"I suppose I will have to ask him," Truro mumbled. "Although I am quite anxious about it."
"If you're not ready maybe discuss it with Olivia or Scotsman himself? Olivia and Oscar discussed getting married long before they ever agreed to it," Sir Nigel suggested.
Truro looked up at Sir Nigel in surprise.
"Really?
"Yes," the A4 smiled.
"From what I have seen humans tend to surprise each other with the question," Truro frowned.
"Well I know that Olivia's brother Gordon did that," Sir Nigel admitted. "I suppose that it depends on the relationship. But I think Scotsman would be happy for either option considering what I have seen of your relationship."
Truro looked thoughtful. The conversation seemed to have heightened his mood and the Great Western seemed excited and jovial about asking Scotsman the big question.
Still, Sir Nigel was worried about the old Great Western. His little outburst about Mallard had been strange but he had brought up a valid point.
Mallard had regained his soul, his gold dust, and as much as he thought that Scotsman could, he could not destroy Gold Dust like Black Smoke. Not that Scotsman would want to.
Truro had made a valid point.
Mallard's Gold Dust had dispersed from his engine and Sir Nigel had assumed that it had gone back into the well or released into the world, a harmless threat.
But what if it hadn't?
What if Mallard had survived somehow?
He pushed that thought from his mind and focused on comforting the City of Truro. Other things took priority.
"I don't need a check over, I'm fine!" Tornado insisted.
"Tornado-" Matthias started but Peppercorn huffed childishly in response.
"You're making a big deal over nothing!" She whined.
"Problems developing with your stays is not, nothing," Matthias scolded her. "You've been requested to go to the Bluebell which means that we won't be able to quickly get to Darlington if something is wrong."
Tornado paused her fretting and her brow creased into a look of confusion.
"But I thought Sir Nigel was going to the Bluebell?" She asked, confused. "He's supposed to be going there with Spencer and his sister. And I don't want to see his sister, she's mean!"
Tornado had only met Union a few times and every time the snooty engine had been just awful to be around. It was no wonder that she had dated Clun Castle, the two were perfect for each other.
"Sir Nigel is staying at York on Scotsman's request," Matthias explained. "He's looking after Truro for him even though Truro insists on not needing a babysitter."
"Oh," Tornado understood. Truro had been quite ill and quite out of it since Mallard had taken him, hostage. "Well, why don't I look after him instead?"
"Sir Nigel thought it more appropriate you take his place at the Bluebell as they already have two A4s there for the Gala and besides, Thomas will be there," Matthias explained and Tornado gave an excited gasp.
"Ooh! Thomas? Really?" She lit up excitedly.
"Yes, he and Stepney are old friends," Fireman Seán explained. "I expect the all little engines will be up to mischief."
Tornado was suddenly excited about this gala now, her boiler fluttered with excited feelings. Little engines made things more fun. They were often mischievous, cheeky and told the best stories.
"Be sure that you don't get into too much trouble now young Ms," Matthias warned and Tornado looked at him coyly.
"Me? Trouble? I never get into trouble!" She insisted but her crew exchanged a glance looking less than impressed.
"Oh so Bittern managed to get a peasant in his cab by some strange miracle did he?" Matthias accused Tornado sternly but she just turned her nose up at him.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she feigned ignorance and Matthias just gave a tut.
"Tornado, don't be a pest. You are representing the Trust and they still haven't forgiven you for the whole accident with Arrow," he warned her.
Tornado immediately fell quiet and cast her eyes away from her driver. She had been stupid, her actions had gotten Arrow hurt.
"Maybe that was why Evening Star didn't like you at first?" Sean suddenly spoke up and Tornado and Matthias looked at him confused.
"What do you mean?" Tornado pouted.
"Evening Star and Green Arrow are very close friends," he pointed out and Tornado stared at him surprised. "Maybe she heard about what happened and took a dislike to you based on that."
"Really?"
Sean nodded. "They were forced apart when Richard stepped down as Museum director and Cain took over. He forced them apart because he didn't like Arrow."
"That's sad!" Tornado exclaimed horrified. "Why did Arrow never mention her to me?"
"He probably saw the bullying you got from the other engines and didn't want to put more of that onto Evening Star," Matthias shrugged. "Evening Star was preserved right out of the works, a lot of engines took issue with that. Arrow didn't want to put a target on her any more than she already had."
Tornado looked at the ground glumly. It made sense, Arrow protecting his friend from more ridicule, but that didn't mean it hurt less.
She was so preoccupied with her musings that she ignored her crew checking her firebox as it cooled down and began conversing in hushed and concerned tones.
"Tornado," Matthias suddenly called to the engine sternly. "Is there something you want to tell us?"
Tornado suddenly became nervous and evasive.
"Um, no," she mumbled but Matthias did not buy it in the slightest.
"Then you didn't notice one of your stays become faulty and cracked then? There's steam leaking into your firebox. Something that would be very noticeable to an engine?" He argued and Tornado refused to say anything.
"Tornado-"
"It's nothing!" Tornado shouted angrily at him.
"A cracked stay is not nothing Tornado!" Matthias yelled back at her and Tornado felt her eyes water and she looked away from him, upset.
"Tornado I'm sorry I yelled at you," the driver apologised. "But you can't keep hiding serious problems from us. You need to tell us if something is wrong and we can address it early."
Tornado's lip quivered and she looked at her buffers frightened.
"You'll take me apart again," she sniffed upset. "I don't want you to take me apart!"
"Tornado-"
"I don't want to be in pieces," she shuddered. "How would you like it if someone pulled you into pieces?"
"Tornado, all engines need to go through this for maintenance, for tests," Matthias pointed out. "But for now we'll have the engineers check you over and see if they then put a temporary weld on it, okay."
Tornado just sat there staring at the ground, now refusing to talk to her driver.
Matthias gave a heavy sigh and looked to Sean who had been watching the interaction, a concerned look on his face. The Fireman shrugged and returned to the cab.
Tornado was becoming quite the rebellious teen it seemed. Matthias wondered if all engines when through this when they aged. He'd have to ask one of the elder engines around, maybe Sir Nigel if he caught up with him.
"We'll make every effect for you to get to the Bluebell Tornado," he tried to pressure her but Tornado was clearly pouting now and not interested in talking to anyone.
Matthias sighed.
The next few weeks would be a challenge, he could feel it.
"How did you get into the Great Hall?" The large man towered over Mallard. He'd been tackled and forced into a small cramped room, away from the great hall of the museum and was now being interrogated in this makeshift interview room.
Mallard gazed at him, completely unfazed and uninterested. As big as this man was, Mallard was still a degree bigger and taller than him if he stood. That and Mallard seemed mostly unaffected by physical damage for some reason.
Herbert, loyal as ever remained at his side, Mallard only snapping at the security guards when they tried to grab him. The bird had been such a hassle that they had given up on it and allowed it to remain with him.
"I found a magic railway lamp," Mallard explained dryly and the head security guard looked completely unimpressed by his explanation.
"Really?"
"Yes, do you think me a liar?" Mallard scoffed and the man folded his arms and glared at him.
"Obviously," he snapped. "What were you doing around Mallard and the Duchess of Hamilton."
"I was returning to my engine," Mallard snapped. "I am Mallard! You should show me some respect!"
The man raised a sceptical eyebrow and looked to Herbert, who was perched on Mallard's shoulder.
"And the bird?"
"Is Herbert," Mallard introduced his Raven friend. "He is a good companion of mine."
Herbert gave a soft 'whooping' noise and snuggled into Mallard's neck to show his affection.
The head security officer looked less than impressed by Mallard's story and of his affectionate Raven friend.
"I don't believe you," he snapped and Mallard rolled his eyes.
"Clearly," He deadpanned before frowning. "Summon the directors of the LNER, Great Northern, Merlin or Sir Nigel if you wish, they will attest to my claims. They know me well enough."
"Listen, you were in a restricted area after hours," the head of security snapped as he leant over the table and got in Mallard's face. Almost immediately Herbert began clicking his beak and making a growling noise.
Mallard however didn't even flinch even when the man got inches from his face.
"What's going on here?!" A stern voice called out from the door and they looked to see the museum director staring at them with confusion on her face.
"Lady Gresley!" The head security officer exclaimed and turned to her. "This is the intruder that set off the alarms in the Great Hall. We were just interrogating him."
"Is that so?" Olivia questioned eyeing Mallard curiously. "The bird too?"
"His name is Herbert," Mallard corrected. He was staring at her in shock.
This woman was a Gresley? Like his designer?
"After my grandfather?" Olivia joked and before Mallard could answer the head security officer interrupted.
"Ma'am, I must protest, you should not be here, this man could be dangerous!" He insisted.
Olivia eyed Mallard curiously who in turn stared stoically back at her, showing no emotion on his face. He did however frown when he seemed to notice the golden whistle that hung around her neck was starting to glow dimly. Almost like his lamp.
"What's your name there?" Olivia asked and Mallard drew his eyes away from her whistle and to her face.
She reminded him a lot of Sir Gresley. Her mannerisms, the way she held herself. The only difference was she appeared a lot younger and a woman.
"My name is Mallard," he introduced himself and Olivia's eyes widen slightly but her expression remained stern. Mallard decided to be respectful if this was indeed a relation to his designer. "Ma'am."
Olivia raised a hand to her chin and looked thoughtfully at Mallard.
"How did you break into the Great Hall, 'Mallard'? That's quite a feat to not have been seen or noticed by anyone."
"I found a magic lamp on a saddle tank engine deep in the woods," he answered honestly and bluntly.
"He's sticking with this insane story," the head security officer answered.
"It's not insane, it's what happened!" Mallard snarled at him. "The last thing I remember before waking up in this weak pathetic human form was that man Thompson dragging me into… dragging me into…"
Mallard fell silent and he suddenly stared at the table. The woman before him looked of a decent age. If she was a Gresley then, the timeline didn't make sense.
Mallard had still been in service, he had been one of the LNER's most powerful engines, why was his engine in a museum? Had Thompson knocked him out of his engine and preserved it before he could realise? What about Merlin? Had he been scrapped?
"I- what's going on? Why can't I remember properly? Where's Merlin?" Mallard stared at the table horrified. "I don't… why can't I remember?"
He looked up at Olivia, his expression that of a lost and terrified kid that had lost their parents in a supermarket.
"Ma'am, what year is it?"
A look of sympathy danced in Olivia's eyes as she gazed at him.
"It's 2023 Mallard," she answered and Mallard stood up extremely alarmed, startling Herbert who squawked in fright and took flight, flying to Olivia who caught the startled bird on her arm.
"It's what?!" Mallard suddenly barked in shock. "How did I lose so many years of my memories?! What the hell is going on?!"
Olivia turned to the head of security with Herbert still perched on her arm.
"Aaron, has the police been called?" Olivia asked calmly and the man nodded. "Tell them that it was just someone who was accidentally locked in the museum after hours."
"But ma'am!" Aaron protested but Olivia shook her head.
"You heard me, this situation deals with confidential museum matters," Olivia explained not relenting. She looked at the other security guards in attendance. "You are to tell them this and you are not to mention a word of what has happened to anyone. Understood?"
Aaron bit his lip and looked like he was going to object however the other museum guards nodded to her. Olivia was a stern woman that one did not want to piss off.
"Good, dismissed!" She ordered and stepped aside so that they could leave, all the while Herbert was staring at her intently, almost as if he was trying to recognise her.
Aaron stared at his boss confused.
"Ma'am-" He tried to argue but Olivia was having none of it. Mallard was just staring at them confused.
"Can you also ask my assistants to come here as quickly as they can while you're at it?" Olivia asked, ignoring his protests.
Aaron glared at her and frowned but complied nonetheless.
"Yes ma'am."
4201 found themselves nervously sitting around the sheds as they anxiously contemplated the engine across the shed from them. Although a diesel, they were highly respectful of 3801, the famous engine that'd been around for about a week now, residing in the sheds but had not spoken a word to anyone. She had just sat there, a glum look on her face even when the other diesel's went out to work or had to move her out of the way.
She sat there like a preserved engine, saying nothing and not responding to anyone. The other diesel's didn't mind her, they said hello every now and again but quickly caught on to the fact that she wouldn't speak and left her to her own devices.
Over that time 4201 had grown worried. They had heard that 3801 was a delightful and happy-go-lucky engine, not the dour and depressed one that sat in their works. They contemplated going over and trying to help them, or at least talk to her.
But they were nervous and they didn't want to bother her after all. She was a famous engine! And 4201 was just another diesel that loitered around. Sure they were preserved but they weren't as exotic and special as a steam engine. Steam Engines always had a different mystic about them, they noticed. A presence that they noticed that other diesels did not have, not unless they were excessively massive or pulled a famous train like the Ghan or the Indian Pacific.
4201 sighed to themselves and looked over at their sister, 4204 who was yawning.
"Just go over and talk to her," she encouraged and 4201 glared at her.
"Don't wanna bother her," 4201 muttered and 4204 rolled her eyes.
"She's not gonna bite you," she chortled, amused. "Besides, she looks like she could use a friend."
"Then you do it," 4201 snapped and 4204 scoffed.
"I'm not the one who's obsessed with steam engines," she pointed out to them.
"I ain't obsessed!" They shouted at 4204 who just laughed at them.
"Yeah right mate, like hell you aren't!" She guffawed, devolving into giggles until she was interrupted by the wail of a huge steam engine's whistle.
The diesel siblings stared as a huge articulated steam engine entered the diesel shed. The diesels were staring at the Garratt admiringly. It had been a long time since any of them had seen a working Garratt.
"You know what, I'll make an exception just this once," 4204 conceded as she stared at the Garratt with a lust-filled gaze. "That Garratt is something else." She purred and 4201 narrowed their eyes at their sister.
"Matilda, would you not?" 4201 chided her and she looked at her sibling.
'Oh, suddenly I'm the weird one? I haven't been staring at a 38 Class all week, debating whether should say hi or not," 4204 scoffed at him.
The Beyer Garratt in question, Corrie, ignored the two bickering diesels and placed herself in front of 3801. The Pacific Steam engine didn't even acknowledge or look up at the Garratt.
"Hello, Grey!" Corrie greeted her cheerily as she often had with her friend in the past.
Normally Grey would greet her enthusiastically and then proceed to talk her 'ears' off. Today however, Grey refused to acknowledge her and just sat there looking completely and utterly depressed and broken.
"Come on now Grey," Corrie argued. "I hate seein' ya like this, you know? Jaxon and Hunter regret kicking you out of their shed. Come back to the steam sheds won't you? It's not great you being stuck here surrounded by Diesels. Them Dorrigo bastards are laughin at yer."
3801 still said nothing, staring at the floor of the shed, wishing that the Garratt would go away. 4201 and 4204 exchanged glances with one another. They had a nervous feeling.
Corrie glared at Grey.
"This is just pathetic Grey? You holing yourself up here in a shed. You need to go out and face your fears! Get over this!" She shouted angrily at 3801 who winched. "Why won't you even talk to me? You don't trust your friend to help you?"
Grey looked away from Corrie and seemed to winch at her words.
"It's… not that I don't trust you Corrie," she croaked weakly, her voice a rasp from over a week of not being used. "I just… can't, I'm sorry."
"Oh get over yourself! You worked in the war, you've faced harder obstacles than this! You weren't even damaged in the accident for crying out loud!" Corrie thundered, drawing the attention of the diesels who had stopped what they were doing and were now watching the steam engines.
"Stop it Corrie!" Grey protested desperately. "You don't understand!"
"I understand that you're not even trying to get over this!" Corrie snapped back angrily and Grey looked hurt.
4201 rolled forward, their concern growing as the two steam engines began to argue.
"Hey-" he tried to intervene but was ignored.
"I said stop it!" Grey screamed at Corrie. "You don't understand! I am trying to deal with this! I just don't know how!"
"Face your fears then!" Corrie retorted. "Go back out there and face that incline and get over it, quite literally!"
"NO!" Grey looked completely horrified at the suggestion. "I won't do it! I can't!"
"You don't know that until you've tried!" Corrie pushed and bumped into Grey to couple to her. The 38 Class immediately began to panic.
"No! No! No! Stop! I can't do that!" She shrieked and 4201 rolled forward even more and blew their horn, trying to get the attention of the two engines.
"Hey! Back off leave her alone!" 4201 shouted at the Beyer–Garratt but they were ignored again.
"I'll be with you! I'll help you get over this!" The Garratt tried to assure her friend but 3801 was now literally trying to shake herself free, do anything to get away from the huge engine but she was cornered against the buffer stops and she was not in steam. She was helpless.
There was crew around but they were refusing to go in between the two engines and couple them due to the panicked state of 3801. Corrie didn't relent, however, and tried to couple to Grey but the couplings refused to budge. The Garratt's crew tries to get her to stop but it was almost as if the Garratt's will had overridden them.
"Stop it! Let me go! Get away from me!" Grey screamed, her voice high-pitched, lilting and full of complete fear. "GET AWAY FROM ME!"
4201 had had enough.
"Gold what are you doing?!" Their sister shouted at them as they suddenly manoeuvred themselves behind the Beyer-Garratt and coupled to them. They tried with all their might to pull the Beyer Garratt away from the terrified and shrieking 38 Class but the Garratt scoffed at them.
"Stop it! Leave her alone!" They shouted at the Garratt.
"You stay outta this you oily bastard! This is between us steam engines!" Corrie shouted at them but Gold refused. They tugged harder and harder but the Garratt refused to move, its power and weight going against them.
Still they tried, their pistons feeling like they were going to explode out of their cylinders.
"Gold Stop!" Their sister was shrieking, terrified for them.
Suddenly there was an enormous shunt and Gold felt themselves suddenly travelling backwards into one of the other diesels in the shed as the Garratt almost immediately stopped their pushing against them, Gold's coupling warping and ripping off entirely causing them to give a loud shout of pain.
They thought that the Garratt had been the one to shunt him so violently but as he looked around he saw that the 38 Class had somehow shoved the Garratt off of her without being in steam at all.
"Grey?" The Garratt asked 3801 in shock.
"Get away from me! I don't want to see you again, ever!" 3801 screamed at the Garratt, tears running down her face.
"I'm just trying to help you, Grey!" The Garratt insisted but the 38 Class was having none of it.
"I said get the fuck away from me Corrie! Don't you ever come near me again!" She thundered furiously.
"But I'm your friend! I want what's best for you-"
"Fuck you!" Grey shouted at her. "Forcing me to relive a traumatising event for your hero complex is not what's best for me, now fuck off!"
The Garratt stared at the 38 Class in shock.
"You heard the lady, Garratt," the 44 Class, 4403, Gold had been shunted into suddenly spoke up. "You best get going or you'll be dealing with the rest of us pretty soon."
The other diesels who had gathered around murmured in agreement and the Beyer Garratt looked like she wanted to argue but the diesels had surrounded her and were now glaring at her menacingly, a clear sign they did not want her around any longer. Her crew had also now regained control of the errand engine and were now quickly ushering her out the door to leave.
She left without another word, though the look on her face clearly said that she wanted to.
4201 and the other diesels gathered close around 3801, like a protective shield as she burst into tears in complete distress at what had just happened.