Only a few days had gone by since Gordon and Rebecca had their little experience of doing things their way, during which Gordon thought it wise to embed his way of doing things into Rebecca, only to wind up with a close call with her and her passengers, after which Gordon was confined to pulling only goods trains until he could be trusted to be diligent and careful with passengers again. But for others, there was quite another matter going on.
One evening, the sun was setting over the sea on Arlesburgh's coast. Duck, Oliver, Donald and Douglas were all returning to their sheds, the Sea Emperor's crew had finished arranging their catch of the day along the harbour line, and the rest of the village was starting to settle down.
All that is, except for Arlesburgh's finest captain and Emily's all-time best friend. David had finished his day's work earlier than the rest of the crew and was now staring out the large living room window out to the sea, not saying a word and thinking endlessly to himself. Over the past few days since Gordon and Rebecca's close call, his mind had been dwelling back on Baz and Bernie. The two thieves who infiltrated the World of Tomorrow and tried to steal the plans for Ruth's Hover Car with Sonny and Kenji as their leverage, to which Thomas, Gordon and Rebecca hurried to stop them and hold them at bay until David and his newfound R.I.F.L.E establishment sealed the deal on their arrest and had them taken away. Recently, David and Emily had helped to seal Baz's fate with the help of the Mainland Steelworks and the London Court had settled the matter with a thirty-year sentence of solitary confinement for Baz's maneuvers on Sodor and most disgraceful resistance against the Royal Guard of England.
But despite the successful outcome of the Steelworks' inventive potential and Baz's fate now sealed for the next thirty years, David's mind was pondering endlessly about the other thieving figure. None other than Bernie, the more simple-minded, naive and particularly loose-lipped of the two thieves. The one who ever-so often almost gave away Baz's schemes, only to be stopped short, and was even left behind in Kenji's coach by Baz, who had truly wanted all the fortune for himself, leaving Bernie for the worst. As of now, Bernie had yet to stand trial and be given a definitive sentence himself, sealing his fate as well…and yet David wondered, if maybe there could be a different outcome for him.
At that moment, Beatrice came in the living room and saw David staring out the window. She didn't have to look twice to know that something was up. She came up beside him and gently broke his line of thought.
"David?" she asked gently.
"Mum?" David answered, maintaining his stare out the window.
"You've been very quiet since you came back today," said Beatrice. "It's been going on for a few days. I have a sense that you're really thinking about something…or someone, if I may?"
David swallowed as he turned away from the window and looked to his mother. He would never compromise or hide anything from her, but even now, he wasn't sure how she would take his words.
"Yes. It is someone, Mum," he said solidly. "As we all know, I have done Sodor a great service in sealing Baz's fate with the Steelworks' help and the Court of London's final judgement…"
"Yes?" said Beatrice. "But…?"
"But for several days now…" David hesitated for a moment, then sighed as he let it out. "I've been wondering about Bernie. Baz's loose-lipped companion."
Beatrice stood quite still, then inquired to the matter.
"Bernie? What for? He has yet to stand trial and be sentenced himself. Then he can't do any harm in stealing anything either."
"Perhaps, but that's also part of the point," said David. "As such, I have to take notice of some of the truth. Looking at the entire forest, not just the trees, so to speak."
"What do you mean, David?" asked Beatrice. "Metaphorically, of course, what do you see in Bernie's forest besides just the trees?"
"Over the past few days, I've thought it out," said David. "He may have joined Baz's cause in all the ruckus that occurred at the end of the Technology Fair, and he no doubt almost gave away Baz's plans on more occasions than one…but as I've taken the time to think about it...I can't help but feel even the smallest hint of pity for Bernie."
"You pity him?" asked Beatrice. "What makes you feel such a way for someone like him?"
"Take Baz, first of all," said David. "He was a slimy, conniving con man, but also a sniveling coward in the whole operation to make off with Ruth's plans, always washing his hands of any and all responsibility. Bernie, on the other hand, isn't conniving or slimy at all. Certainly a fugitive from the law, but he couldn't be a more polar opposite from Baz. Even by low IQ standards, his is exceptionally low. Very loose-lipped in shady situations and not very many brains compared to Baz…and for better or worse…he was cheated out of what would have been a massive fortune when Baz left him stranded in Kenji's coach. In one way or another, Bernie was betrayed. From a certain point of view."
"Hmm…I suppose," Beatrice nodded. "But that does NOT, I repeat, does NOT make what he tried to do with Baz any less wrong."
"True as you speak, Mum," said David. "What he did is inexcusable and of course must be met with repercussion. But for something Bernie was no doubt keen on achieving, he was still betrayed and left on his own…which is why I think I may have a proposition to make to him."
When Beatrice heard this, she eyed David almost suspiciously. "And just what do you mean by that, David?"
"First and foremost, and most importantly," said David. "I am NOT absolving him of guilt. Right beside Baz, he infiltrated Sodor and abused the law in a most embarrassing fashion. That's a given and it's fixed in. But between them, Baz was the true danger. Too dangerous to be given even a breadcrumb of mercy or compassion. As for Bernie, he still has intelligence to build, and he was under a bad influence with Baz, but Baz is gone and cut off from all society for thirty years. His influence can do no harm to Bernie now. Therefore, I propose that Bernie be surrounded with better influence and examples. It could at the very least have potential to give him even an inkling of a chance of being better than he is. I just wonder if he'll be smart enough to understand my proposal…and if the courts will agree with it too."
The whole time she was listening, Beatrice gradually felt more and more uncertain as to how this could turn out. Everything was going normal, and now she had this racing through her mind, and it wouldn't go away.
"Your proposal?" she said strongly. "You…you're not thinking of visiting Bernie at the Sudrian Prison, are you?"
David sighed. He had to tell her.
"I'm afraid so. As addled as he apparently is, I have to see if and how he'll take to it. And do not worry. I'll see to it he can't perform any monkeyshines. I'll be back soon enough. Then I'll tell you everything."
Over the next minute or two Beatrice watched with a jumping heart as David made ready to go, putting on his sailor's coat and naval cutlass. Just as he opened the door, he felt her hold his shoulder and looked at her.
"I hope you know what you're doing," she said strongly.
"Yeah. Me too," he admitted with a nod.
David made his way to the bus terminal where Bertie was waiting, just as the sun was going down. David gave a single nod as he boarded. Then Bertie set off through the coming night. As Bertie drove along the line, David sat with his head down, thinking hard on what he would say to Bernie and how he would take it. Then he heard that very whistle outside. David looked and caught sight of Emily on her way home after her day's work. Immediately, David felt a whole new slew of questions racing through his head. What, when and how would he tell her about all of this, and how would she and Thomas take to it? These thoughts kept David occupied all throughout his ride with Bertie.
At last, David's stop came, and he stepped off Bertie and looked down the road. That same straight road with a curve at the end that led to the Sudrian Prison. As David walked straight down that road, he remembered eerily when he came along here to see for himself that Sailor John was dead and when he heard about Percy's crushed spirits. He also remembered coming this way with the Mayor of Sodor to talk about what to do with Baz. Now, here he was again to strike a bargain with a most different thieving figure and see what the outcome would be.
At last, David turned the corner and looked up. There was the Sudrian Prison again with its brick-built posture, high fences with razor wire and the main gate. David looked toward the main entrance and stood tall.
"Here we go."
With no further delay, David presented his navy identification to the guard, who nodded and let him in as he did twice before. Once again, David was walking through the large, foreboding hallways of the Sudrian Prison Unit. He walked briskly through the corridors and past one of the cell blocks, until he came to a large door which he knew where it led. The guard looked up and recognized David at once.
"I be needing some time with our secondary thief from our Technology Fair," David said to the guard. "And kindly inform Detectives Phelps and Gallagher of my attendance here."
The guard knew what David meant by all of this and nodded, then pressed the panel button to unlock the door. A loud buzz sounded through the hall, and David made his way through. The door led to the Solitary Confinement Hall, where Baz was once kept when David and the Mayor made their visit, and where more notorious prisoners were kept few and very far between in maximum isolation. David walked strongly and silently through the hall, his footsteps echoing behind him through the tall stone walls around him. He didn't know what could come of this plan, but whatever would result from this visit, he would have to make strict note of it. David couldn't see Bernie anywhere, so he decided to try and lure him into sight.
"Well…thief," he said lowly and powerfully. "I sense your presence. I hear your breath. I feel your air. Where are you?"
But through his echoing voice and footsteps, there was no answer. David kept speaking, trying to seek Bernie out.
"There's no use in hiding here. Come into the light, where I can get a look at you."
David walked on through the hall, until around ten minutes later, he looked up and came to a sudden halt. There, in the cell before him, was Bernie, clad in his brown jacket and trousers, and pink neckerchief. Baz's unintelligent and most naive handy man was dashed against the bars for the past few weeks ever since he and Baz had been caught by the police. David almost smiled smugly as he walked closer, to which Bernie looked up with slight surprise.
"Uh…uh…hi…?" he said with a most embarrassing smile.
"Well, well, well. Look what we have here," David sniffed unimpressively. "If it isn't Bernie himself. Last we saw of you, you were hunkered down with Baz and the police, clapped in irons and shrinking into the distance. Now Baz is no longer of any influence to anyone, condemned to solitary confinement for thirty years."
Bernie said nothing, giving a lowly look to David before sighing and looking down again. David then decided to sarcastically persuade Bernie to try making him talk.
"If you only had more intelligence than that of a goat, you'd probably squeeze that rotund frame of yours through those bars. And by all means, help yourself again. There is plenty and to spare."
"But…but I can't do that," said Bernie. "See, it's hard to slip through bars when you're quite round, see? Not to mention, getting past you is no easy task."
"Indeed. Go figure. Well, Bernie," David said unimpressively. "Is this what you had in mind when you made your bid for freedom and fortune with Baz? Always trailing after his bad influence, and your lack of educated guesses serving no really useful purpose at all, and now you're no better off than him.
"Please. Spare me the wise words," Bernie sneered with a cheeky smile. "Stealing things IS really useful...and Baz needed my help...sir."
David stepped right up to Bernie's cell and gripped the bars so hard, they vibrated softly.
"It's you who needs MY help, Bernie," David hissed. "You have a choice. You can stay in your cell and rot until you stand trial, at which time you will answer for your crimes and succumb to a mere peasant with no meaning in the world, OR...you can return to your duties as a responsible man...in which case, I might be willing to request a conditional release for you at the Sudrian Court."
As naive and absent-minded as he was, Bernie couldn't help but raise an eyebrow to this.
"Why would you seek to help a man as me?" he asked.
David looked solidly at Bernie, not blinking once.
"Many men who take a bad path can find a maggot in their past which would devour their futures, as Baz did exactly that and will no longer walk the streets as a free man. I'm giving you ONE chance to reclaim your own future. What possible chance there is at least."
Bernie raised his eyebrow further, looked away, then smirked smugly. "What if there is no future to reclaim?"
"Then pray your judgment is swift! I can see I'm wasting my time here as it is!" David snapped, then turned and began marching away.
"Wait...!" Bernie spoke out. David stopped and slowly walked back, staring Bernie directly in the eye.
"...I spoke in haste...s-sir," Bernie explained, not sounding completely truthful.
"If your release is granted, are you prepared to work?" David asked suspiciously. "Are you prepared to cooperate? Under strict supervision at all times?"
After a long pause, Bernie nodded once. "...Yes, sir."
David gave a single nod, and a warning. "Cross me, Bernie...and you will regret it."
And with that stern final word, David turned and walked thoughtfully away, while Bernie remained in his cell, with several sensations wrestling in his mind now.
David made his way out of the Solitary Confinement Hall and returned to the main corridor. There, he saw Phelps and Gallagher standing by the main door. David gave a single nod and stood tall.
"Captain Rider," said Phelps. "This is an unexpected pleasure. We are honoured by your presence."
"Evening, Dan and Shay," said David. "But I'm sorry to say I've no time for chitchat. I've come on a most important legal matter."
"Yes. The guard for the solitary cell block told us you've been talking with Bernie," said Gallagher. "Would you care to share it with us?"
David told Phelps and Gallagher about his talk with Bernie, the proposal he put forth to Bernie, and how he took to it. When Phelps and Gallagher had heard everything, they were both intrigued and absorbed by what David had in mind.
"Hmm. Difficult, Captain Rider. Very difficult," said Phelps. "I see you've put plenty of thought into this matter surrounding Bernie. Unlike many fugitives we've dealt with in our service, I think I do believe there is potential for this Bernie to make a better example…"
"But how to implement this plan?" David concluded. "We obviously can't do anything right now."
"Precisely, Captain Rider," said Gallagher. "Whether or not Bernie is let out under supervision is not up for you, or the two of us to decide. That area lies with the courts."
"Which is why I'm here right now," said David. "Bernie claims he's prepared to work and cooperate…so he says. As such, would you notify the courts of my proposition? We have to start somewhere."
"We certainly will," said Phelps. "We'll notify them first thing tomorrow morning, and I think this proposition would hit the morning newspaper immediately afterwards."
"Thank you, sirs," said David. "Now. I must be off. Things are now being set in motion, and we all must make ready for what comes next."
"Too right, we do, Captain Rider," said Gallagher.
David then nodded to both detectives and made his way out of the Prison Unit, walked back up the long road, and returned to the bus terminal where Bertie was waiting. Soon, David was riding back to Arlesburgh, not saying a word. He really didn't know what would come of his proposition to Bernie, or what would happen depending on the court's decision that had yet to be made. All he knew was now that he had spoken and made his offer, and now with Bernie seemingly agreeing with this offer, there was no turning back.
When Bertie returned to Arlesburgh's terminal, David stepped out and walked briskly back home. When he got inside, Beatrice was in the living room waiting for him. David saw her looking right at him as he came in and sat beside her.
"Speak and report," said Beatrice.
"I've just spoken with Bernie and the two best detectives in the constabulary."
David then spent the next fifteen minutes telling Beatrice everything that had transpired between him and Bernie, what David had offered, how Bernie took it, and what Phelps and Gallagher had to say. Once David had told everything, Beatrice sat still for almost a minute before she answered.
"So. That's it, then," she said. "No backing out now. Bernie has agreed, and the SPD know as well. What about the courts?"
"Phelps and Gallagher say they'll refer my proposition to them," said David. "Then we'll see what their verdict is."
"Yes…yes, we will," said Beatrice. "I…I just don't know what will come of this, David."
"You're right, Mum. None of us do," said David. "But I assure you, if Bernie is released, he will NOT be left unattended for a single moment. I specifically told him he would be under strict supervision at all times."
"I'm not just talking about Bernie, David…I'm sure you know who else I'm thinking about in all this."
David knew just who Beatrice was referring to and felt his heart jumping again.
"I don't think Emily will take this too lightly," said Beatrice, "And neither will Thomas."
"I'm more than ready for that," said David. "I saw her on her way home while I rode with Bertie, and if I know her, she will not take this lightly at all, as Thomas won't either. But I stand by the very same mindset I held throughout my time in the Navy."
"What be that, David?" asked Beatrice.
David paused for a moment, then looked right at his mother. "My duty is clear."
Beatrice nodded and almost smiled. "That much is certain, David. Your duties to the Navy, Arlesburgh, and especially Emily are all perfectly clear."
"And through giving Bernie this chance, I firmly hope my duty stays clear."
"As do I, David," said Beatrice.
Soon afterwards, David and Beatrice left the living room, dressed into their nightwear and were both in bed. Beatrice was soon asleep, but David stayed awake for a while longer, thinking endlessly on how to tell Thomas and Emily and what they would make of it, and how he would establish the rest of his crew with the bargain he had made. The sooner he told them all, the better.
The next morning at Tidmouth Sheds, Thomas and Emily woke up with the other engines after another well-rested night. None of them had any inkling of what had transpired between David and Bernie the night before, and were all ready for another day's work to get started on. In sequence, Gordon, James, Percy, Nia and Rebecca all went on their way out the sheds and down the line until Thomas and Emily were the last two to leave.
"Well, my sweet angel," Thomas said to Emily. "Shall we go together, Emily?"
"Oh, Thomas. Don't we always?" Emily giggled, then playfully teased him. "That is, when you're not on big world adventures?"
Thomas just smiled bigger and gestured Emily to take the turntable first. She batted her eyes playfully and set off down the line. He soon followed beside her line and they set off together for Knapford Station.
But when Thomas and Emily arrived at the station at Platforms One and Two, their eyes befell a most unexpected sight. The other five engines were all gathered throughout the station at Platforms Three and Four, staring in surprise and awe at Platform One. Thomas and Emily looked and saw just what was going on. David, his crew and the Fat Controller were all gathered outside his office, talking and coordinating amongst each other. This was most certainly not expected from any of the engines. What was all this about? A few moments later, the Fat Controller looked up and saw all the engines gathered together, with Thomas and Emily standing the closest. David saw Emily's confused and questioning look, and was all-too ready to tell her everything.
"Sir? What is going on here?" Thomas asked.
"That's what I asked," said Gordon. "I'm supposed to be shunting more trucks, and Rebecca is expecting her passengers any minute now."
"James and Nia have goods of their own to manage, and I have to take the mail," said Percy.
Taking note of the crew's newfound organization of R.I.F.L.E., Emily was particularly curious as to what this could all mean, and she already had a sense this was no light matter. As such, she thought it appropriate to address David by his title.
"Well. Captain Rider. Gentlemen," she said steadily. "Resourceful Interception of Fierce Lawbreakers Elite. What are you all doing here at Knapford Station this morning?"
David's crew all turned around to face Emily for a moment. They all looked to their captain, then gestured to him, while speaking to Emily in perfect unison.
"He has something to tell you, Emily."
"More like something to tell all of us," said Thomas. "We're all here after all."
"Hmm. And what do you have to tell me?" asked Emily. "And the rest of us?"
David's heart was racing again, but the moment had arrived, and he would waste no time now.
"Well, Emily. Some on Sodor are surely going to start talking and wondering over this morning's news," said David. "But I think you and Thomas, as well as the rest of you need to know the facts. As you all know, I hold myself to an ironclad duty to protect Sodor from any and all atrocities, with the aid of my recently newfound establishment, R.I.F.L.E."
"Yes. So you do," said Emily.
"And as you know, Emily, you and I saw to it that Baz's fate was sealed with Hurricane and Frankie's help at the Steelworks, and he is now dashed behind bars in solitary confinement for thirty years."
"Yes," said Emily. "You left them to their most well-confirmed fate."
David looked into Emily's eyes and paused for a moment. "For Baz, that much is certain…but not so for his peculiar companion."
Emily's heart suddenly jumped and she hardened her look on her best friend. The other engines began to murmur and ponder.
"Excuse me, David…just what do you mean by that?" Emily asked unsurely.
David tried not to hesitate, but swallowed as he made his answer. "What if I told you…that I intend to have Bernie conditionally released?"
To this, all the engines gasped, and Emily's heart twinged and jumped most uncomfortably and she suddenly looked most affronted.
"You WHAT?!" Thomas exclaimed with shock.
"A thief running loose again!" Gordon exclaimed.
Emily was the most shocked as she almost squawked. "He's sprung from jail?!"
"Well, he's not as resigned to his fate as Baz," David answered.
"David…!" Emily scolded lightly.
"I can see you're all staggered to hear this," said David. "But I plan to arrange a conditional release granted by the courts for Bernie…to see if he can make a better person of himself than how he started out during the World of Tomorrow."
"As it turns out, I already heard about it before David and his crew met me here," said the Fat Controller. "This very morning, I happened to receive the morning newspaper…and I see this on the very front page."
He then showed Thomas, Emily and the others the headline, to which all the engines suddenly jumped and went still as the big black print showed before their eyes.
"BERNIE TO BE RELEASED? COURT ISSUES SUMMONS FOR CAPTAIN RIDER'S PROPOSITION."
All the engines stared in initial disbelief. After all the ruckus that had occurred at the end of the Technology Fair, everything had been running as routine for the past several weeks, and this was one of the last things they were expecting to hear regarding either of the two thieves.
"Well I never," Emily said strongly. "You made him this very offer, David?"
"Yes, Emily. You heard me correctly," said David. Then he told the engines everything he and Bernie had discerned to each other the night before.
"Cinders and Ashes!" said Thomas. "He'll actually be roaming about again."
"How will I keep my mail safe in case he gets too curious?" worried Percy.
"Oh, the Indignity!" Gordon added. "Sonny may have found a good place with us all, but not so for THAT unworthy weasel!"
"I do NOT wish to see him on any express of mine, or Gordon's!" Rebecca spoke up.
"Now, I assume that waddling walrus be sneaking around for something else to steal," James huffed vainly.
"Alright, now. Nobody have a conniption," David checked assertively. "The courts have yet to make their judgement on this matter. Even if Bernie is released, he won't be in any position to cause any of you trouble. I specifically told him he would be under strict supervision, and he will not be roaming outside of Arlesburgh."
"Well, please be sure he doesn't, David," said Nia. "Whatever promises he made to you, it's onto you to make sure he abides by them."
"And speaking of abiding," said the Fat Controller. "We still have a railway to run. Gordon, James, Percy, Nia and Rebecca, I think you all ought to get started with your day and don't worry too much about this. Thomas and Emily may stay here a little longer and talk with us."
And so they did. Over the next few minutes, the other five engines made ready with their trains and were soon out of the station and yards. Thomas and Emily were now the only ones remaining with David and his crew. Emily stood where she was and tightened her lip before she spoke again.
"My goodness," she said steadily. "Most unusual and unexpected that you would make such a move, David. Even I didn't expect you would do this."
"I knew you wouldn't take it lightly, Emily," said David. "None of you would, but I would never hide the facts from you."
"Yes," said Emily. "Although, I'm almost afraid to admit it…but I almost wonder…"
David raised his eyebrow. "I mean this in the best way I can, Emily. But…do you doubt my intentions?"
"No, David. I don't doubt that at all," said Emily. "If anything, I think it's noble of you to see Bernie in this way. After all, you're Britain's most notorious sailor. But as Sodor's Safety Engine, I must question the wisdom of your decision to do this. To let Bernie go after all he did along with Baz? I know Bernie isn't Baz at all, but even so, why would you let-"
"Emily," David said steadily as he looked at her again. "With all due respect, Bernie is quite different from Baz as far as experience and IQ is concerned, and therefore, given his arguably mistreated experience under Baz, I feel that Bernie is at the very least worth the chance of improvement. If it works fairly, it works fairly. If not…well, if it doesn't work out, that's all on Bernie. If he doesn't wish for a brighter future, it's entirely up to him."
Emily sighed, not sure what to make of this. She looked to the Fat Controller, who shrugged lightly in response.
"Huh…I just don't know, David," said Emily. "Everything has going normally for us all since the World of Tomorrow, but now Bernie might be wandering loose again. I think I have to ask…what was your motivation to make this offer to him?"
David paused for a moment, remembered what he told his mother. That simple yet solid statement he believed he could hold himself to. He looked Emily directly in the eye and spoke.
"My duty is clear."
Emily pondered this statement with a hint of indecision. She knew David was very set in his beliefs and once he committed to something, he would not back out until his commitment was fulfilled. While not all of his involvements with big matters were perfect, she knew his final intent in those events was for the better good. After a long pause, she nodded gently.
"Very well, Captain. Your word is law. But even with someone like Bernie, please be careful."
"You know…I think she's right, David," said Thomas. "Do be careful. Even simpletons like Bernie can be a handful in their way."
David nodded with promise. Then Thomas and Emily made ready with their own trains and set off again with a quick whistle, considering in their minds. David watched them leave, then glanced to the Fat Controller.
"David. Gentlemen," the Fat Controller said with a touch of his hat, then returned to his office.
David looked down the line again as Thomas and Emily went round the bend. He then held his chin and pondered deeply while his crew waited.
"Sir?" Copper asked, waiting for his captain's next order.
"They both have sound points. Especially Emily," David said to his first mate. "If the courts agree with me, we'd better be keeping a sharp eye on this Bernie. Eh, Copper? We wouldn't want him straying into things he shouldn't."
Then David turned and walked out of the station with his head held high, while Copper and the crew followed. Neither David, Copper, Thomas nor Emily knew exactly what would happen next surrounding Baz's unintelligent sideman. All they knew was that this was going to be an interesting next few days in some form or other.
It's been awhile, but now we finally begin to tackle what happens to Bernie following "Marvellous Machinery". There are some big influences for this story that I'll touch upon the further we dive into it, but what I will say is that there will certainly be some big surprises in store. Tell us what you thought of this first chapter, and as always, stay safe.