4th July
Based upon the episode Regatta/4th July by David Mitton
Adapted by Jonathan Downs, Zack Wanzer and Rachel Ravens
Independence Day, known colloquially as the Fourth of July, is an important holiday in the United States. A commemoration to the Declaration of Independence, which was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America. Bigg City would throw a celebration with a regatta. A grand parade is carried out by both Stars and Z-Stacks, which ends with a wondrous fireworks display in the evening. Although, one year, the celebrations are almost disrupted by not one but two emergencies...
Dem Der Rocks were dangerous to shipping, before they placed light ships there to mark them. Lillie Lightship was special – she was equipped with a loud fog horn and a bright light which could be seen for miles and miles around. I had the contract to keep her ship shape and shining, which kept both Ten Cents and Sunshine busy with the fuel barge. Without this fuel, her light would go out. On the evening of the third of July, Ten Cents and Sunshine were tasked with this job.
"Ah, well, that's it, Lillie," Ten Cents said. "Now you can show us the way home."
"What would we do without ya, huh?" Sunshine agreed
"Nice to be appreciated, you two," Lillie said gratefully. "You'll be in the regatta parade tomorrow, I suppose. I never see any of it from out here."
"Ah, pity that," Ten Cents said. "We'll stick a light and fog horn on Sunshine and anchor her here, so you can."
"Hey, do you mind?" Sunshine asked. "I'm in the parade too, ya know! Ah want to make sure Mr. Mitton is looking at me from the Moonlight Oceans Above with pride!"
Yes, Sunshine's old owner, Nathaniel Mitton had sadly died after his battle with cancer, a couple of weeks after the tramper incident. Whilst Sunshine was saddened to have learnt of his passing, she got by with the help of myself and the other Star Tugs.
"Sorry, Sunshine," Ten Cents said. "I forgot about that."
"That's okay," Sunshine replied. "But even if he was still alive, Ah'd still want to take part since it's my first parade."
"Good point," Ten Cents agreed. "Ah well; we must try and get back in."
"Bye, Lillie!" Sunshine called as the two switchers left. "We'll tell ya all about it!"
"Bye, Ten Cents and Sunshine," Lillie replied, "Hope to see you soon."
"Ah feel sorry for Lillie," sighed Sunshine. "Ah know she has an important job but it's not fair that she should miss out on the fun."
"I know," Ten Cents agreed. "But who knows? Maybe she'll get her chance."
Little did they know that chance would come sooner than expected.
Later that night, a thick fog came down. As she was thinking about all the fun the tugs were going to have, Lillie thought she heard something. It was the throb of a tramp steamer rapidly approaching her through the dense fog. She sounded her horn again and again, but there was no reply. Then, suddenly out of the fog, the tramper appeared. With a sickening thud, it glanced her side, cutting a huge hole in it. The tramper sped towards Dem Der Rocks, but it was going too fast to avert certain disaster. The tramper tore into the rocks, rested for a moment, then with an unhappy sigh slid back and sunk rapidly. Lillie was now in a perilous condition. Water had sept into her power room, and her light fizzled out. All she could do now was wait for help.
Dawn arrived. Lillie looked around anxiously, but there was no one to help her. Suddenly, she saw lots of bubbles on the surface quite close to her. It was Grampus the naval submarine.
"Mayday!" called Lillie. "Grampus, mayday!"
"What the…?" Grampus exclaimed, turning round in shock. "Lillie, you're…"
"I'm sinking, Grampus!" Lillie cried. "Please help me!"
"Nasty hole there, Lillie," gasped Grampus. "Right on your waterline! If I try to tow you in, you'll get more water and sink!"
"Well, go and get help, quick!" pleaded Lillie.
"Hmm. Just a minute, I have a better idea," Grampus said, sailing towards the hole. "If I try to plug it with my nose, it might do the trick."
"Oh no!" Lillie said worriedly. "You'll damage yourself!"
"Don't worry, Lillie; it's going to work!" Grampus replied, jamming his head in Lillie's hull. "I'm stopping the bulk of the water from getting in. You've already sipped quite a bit in here. I'm pumping out my balance tanks to keep us afloat until real help comes!"
"Oh, thank you, Grampus!" Lillie said gratefully. Help was indeed on its way; a small fishing boat had seen everything and was now speeding into the port to inform the Coast Guard.
Back at the Star Dock, preparations were afoot for the festival. Top Hat was especially excited as he was going to lead the parade this year. He was amusing everyone with his antics when suddenly they were interrupted by the shrill whistle from Davy Jones the Coast Guard Messenger.
"There's an emergency!" I called through the megaphone. "Lillie Lightship is sinking!"
"Great Neptune!" Hercules gulped. It was no secret he and Lillie had a thing for each other and the thought of her sinking worried him greatly.
"The Captain is correct, she is sinking!" Davy Jones said. "The Zeros can't help, so address yourself to the problem and get organized! Okay?"
"That's it, you'll have to forget the festivities for a while!" I said as Davy Jones sailed away.
"I say, this is an outrage!" Top Hat said crossly.
"Top Hat!" Hercules snapped. "This is an emergency! We haven't got time for your antics!"
"I see," Top Hat said, shaken by the outburst. "I'm sorry." To be fair, everyone else was shocked, myself included. Hercules was normally calm and mild-mannered but I could understand why – the woman he loved was in danger.
"My apologies for the outburst," Hercules replied, regaining his composure. "Captain Star, I'd like to volunteer for the rescue."
"Very well, Hercules," I replied. "Collect Mighty Mo!"
"Right you are, Sir," Hercules replied.
"Ten Cents! Get a timber barge from Lucky's!" I called.
"Right, Sir!" Ten Cents replied, setting off.
Zorran, Zip and Zug were at Lucky's Yard when they saw Ten Cents rushing up to them.
"That's all we need, an interfering Star!" Zorran said. "Zip, Zug, block him!"
Zip and Zug moved in front of Zorran to stop Ten Cents getting closer but the Star switcher was undeterred.
"Make way, you two!" Ten Cents ordered. "Zorran, there is an emergency!"
"Always is with you," Zorran snarked.
"Lillie's sinking! I need a timber barge fast!" said Ten Cents, before noticing a sheet being lifted off of a timber barge. "That one there will do!"
"What?!" exclaimed Zorran. "Oh no, it won't; it's being unloaded for us."
"Well, I'm taking it anyway," Ten Cents retorted. "Complain to Captain Star if you want to."
"I'll do worse than that; I'll report you to Captain Zero," Zorran said with a wide smirk. But Ten Cents wasn't afraid of Zorran and he took the barge anyway.
"Oh, Lillie, m'dearest!" Hercules cried. "You're going to be okay…"
"Hercules," smiled Lillie as Mighty Mo was pushed into position and attached to her. "I knew you'd come."
Despite the serious nature of Lillie's accident, when Ten Cents arrived, he could hardly believe his eyes. It looked very funny to him.
"Aw, it looks like a tin fish rammed into you, Lillie!" chuckled Ten Cents.
"Very funny," Grampus replied.
"Fear not, Grampus!" Hercules replied. "Ten Cents will pull you out. Just hang on a while longer!"
"Make it soon, my air is giving out!" Grampus said worriedly.
"Now listen carefully," called Mighty Mo. "I'm gonna lift Lillie a bit. Ten Cents, attach a line to Grampus and on command, pull him out."
"Right, Mighty Mo!" Ten Cents replied.
"Alright, Grampus," Hercules said. "On the count of three, Ten Cents will pull you free. One, two, three!"
It was a struggle for Ten Cents to pull Grampus clear. "Aw, he's really jammed in!" the switcher groaned.
"You can do it, Ten Cents!" Hercules encouraged.
"Aw, he's moving now!" Ten Cents said, and at last the switcher pulled Grampus out of Lillie, "Yeah! Aw, that's it, he's clear!"
"Well done, Ten Cents!" Hercules said proudly.
"Phew! Phew! Phew!" Grampus said with relief as he spat out water.
"Oh, thank you," Lillie said. "Thank you, Grampus. My hero."
"Yes, good work, Grampus," Hercules said gratefully. "You've saved Lillie's life."
"It's not over yet," Mighty Mo called. "She's still badly hulled, and I don't think we can do much at sea even with the timber."
"Right then," Hercules said. "We'll have to take you to Lucky's Yard, Lillie, m'dear. Ten Cents, you tow Mighty Mo. I'll pull her on the bow line. Grampus, you better have an inspection as well! Just in case!"
"Oh, I'm alright," Grampus replied. "Just a bit scraped, that's all."
Ten Cents reversed next to Lillie's starboard side, while Hercules ran round to her port side.
"Psst!" Ten Cents whispered. "This may be your lucky day, Lillie! You might get to see the regatta!"
"Shh! Or everyone might think I did it deliberately!" Lillie said, as the convoy headed for Lucky's Yard.
Meanwhile, Warrior arrived at the Municipal Waste Dump with Lord Stinker the garbage barge. Taking Lord Stinker was previously Zug's job until Warrior started to use him, eventually becoming the tug's favourite barge. It helped that Lord Stinker was a friendly sort, despite the unpleasant nature of his work.
Anyway, Warrior was surprised to find Jack the Grappler, the garbage scooper, basking in the sun instead of working on the heaps of steaming garbage behind him.
"Morning, Jack," called Warrior. "Nice day for garbage."
"There's no garbage today," Jack said gruffly.
"What do you mean, 'no garbage today'?" asked Warrior. "There's heaps behind you!"
"No garbage today," repeated Jack.
"But I got to have garbage," insisted Warrior. "You know, I got to have garbage. His lordship needs garbage. We all need garbage!"
"He's right, you know," Lord Stinker replied.
"It's a festival day or somethin'," replied Jack. "So there's no garbage!"
The steel roof sheet in front of one of the office windows fell down to reveal an orange megaphone, belonging to the dump manager, Oscar Krieger.
"Is that you, Warrior?" Mr. Krieger boomed.
"Er, yes, Sir," replied Warrior, slightly startled by his announcement. "It's me, Sir!"
"Have you got Lord Stinker with you?" Mr. Krieger boomed.
"I'm here, Sir," Lord Stinker called. "Empty and willing to work, Sir."
"There's no garbage today, right?" Mr. Krieger boomed.
"Well, er, I can see, uh, heaps and… piles," insisted Warrior. "Stacks and mountains of garbage."
"You see no garbage, Warrior!" Mr. Krieger boomed in annoyance. "Jack will tell you there is no garbage, eh, Jack?!"
"There's no garbage," Jack replied.
"Repeat after me, Warrior," Mr Krieger continued. "There ain't no garbage."
"There ain't no garbage," Warrior repeated.
"Good!" Mr. Krieger. "That is settled. Instead, today is Municipal Garbage Day, a festival of garbage!"
"Eh?" Warrior and Lord Stinker said in surprise.
"Municipal Garbage Day falls on the same day as Independence Day," Mr Krieger explained. "So, to join in all the fun, we, the garbage corporation, are going to make our own barge float. No flowers or fancy bits; just prime, colourful garbage."
"And you want me to be the barge?" Lord Stinker asked, realising what they had in mind.
"Precisely," replied Mr. Krieger.
"I don't believe this!" Warrior exclaimed.
"This is gonna take a very long time," said Jack as he set to work, finding the most colourful pieces of garbage he could. "I'd cut your engine if I was you. Must get started now; heaps to do." Meanwhile, the steel roofing in front of Mr. Krieger's office moved back towards the window.
"Things keep getting stranger and stranger around here," Warrior said to himself. "Suppose it is a special day."
Ten Cents and Hercules had brought Lillie to Lucky's Yard.
"Bye, Lillie," Ten Cents said. "I've got to go and help Big Mac now. Good luck with the repairs!"
"Thank you, Ten Cents," Lillie replied. "Enjoy the regatta!"
"Yeah, you bet!" Ten Cents replied as he set off.
"Looks like you might see the festivities, Lillie, m'dearest," Hercules replied. "They said if you're not too badly damaged, you'll get to join the parade."
"Oh, I hope they finish me in time," Lillie said happily. "It would cheer me up."
"I'm sure they'll make you top priority given you're important to navigation," Hercules said confidently before setting off himself. "Come on, Grampus, ol' darling. You'd better get a move out, or the Navy will be after you."
"Don't worry, they know where I am," Grampus replied. "I think…"
Ten Cents was quick to find Big Mac, and told him all about Grampus and Lillie as he went about his work. They were suddenly interrupted by a shrill blast from a naval tug. His name was Envoy, but everyone called him "Bluenose" because of some blue tinting on his nose. Bluenose was notorious for acting as a stereotypical army sergeant towards vessels and was obnoxious, bossy, pompous and self-absorbed. Neither the Stars nor Z-Stacks liked him at all because of it.
"Ahoy there!" Bluenose called. "Ahoy! You there!"
"Whit dae yi'll waant?" Big Mac grunted. "We cannae stoap, Ah'm afraid; this load's urgent."
"I quite understand that, old man," Bluenose replied. "But we are looking for one of our submarines. He is called Grampus!"
"I haven't seen him since we left Lucky's Yard," said Ten Cents. "He saved Lillie Lightship from sinking! So he's probably taking a well deserved break somewhere."
"Haw haw, that may be so!" Bluenose said. "But he is one of ours, you know. He is not a civilian play thing!"
"Okay, Bluenose, that's enough," Big Mac said, losing patience. "We haven't seen him, so make way, okay? Mah work's important."
"Oh, your work's important, is it?" Bluenose snarked. "Pah, ha ha! What you need, laddie, is a lesson in Naval discipline!"
At that moment, Grampus resurfaced and squirted water on Bluenose's face, much to Ten Cents and Big Mac's amusement.
"Aha, there you are, Grampus!" Bluenose said. "We need you back at base!"
"Have you got an important assignment then, Grampus?" Ten Cents replied.
"No," Grampus sighed. "They're going to blow me up today."
"Huh?!" Ten Cents exclaimed.
"That is correct," Bluenose replied.
"Whit?!" Big Mac exclaimed angrily. "Bit he's bin a hero oot thare wi' Lillie, 'n' ye lot ur aff tae blaw him up? That's some kind of thanks."
"You civilian lot may not understand this, but us Naval types know when we're past it," Bluenose explained. "Instead of rotting in some breaker's yard, we volunteer ourselves for gunnery practice. Targets, you know!"
"But that's not fair!" Ten Cents insisted. "He's still a useful submarine! He does lots of things for us!"
"For you, maybe," Bluenose retorted. "But the Navy now has a brand new fleet of submarines, so for us, he's old and out of date. Now I can't stand around here joined with you all day, my work's important! Big Mac will understand that, won't you, Sir."
"Hmph," grunted Big Mac.
"Come on, Grampus!" Bluenose ordered. "Back to base! Target practice at 1400 hours!"
"Yes, Sir," Grampus replied, as he followed Bluenose back to base.
"Grampus, Grampus! Don't go!" called Ten Cents, doing his best not to cry. "Dive and hide!"
"It's no use, they'd catch up with me somewhere," Grampus replied, accepting his fate. "Thanks for all of the fun we had together. Bye, Ten Cents, bye!"
"Bye…" Ten Cents bit his lip.
"Listen, we cannae let this happen," Big Mac said. "I'll handle th' barges, ye go aff 'n' fin' O.J., tell him aboot Grampus. He'll ken whit tae dae. We'll save oor mate Grampus if it's th' lest thing we dae."
"Right, Big Mac!" Ten Cents confirmed, racing away.
Ten Cents rushed to find O.J.. Every minute was valuable now, especially as a plan had to be devised. He used every ounce of steam to speed across the port and was soon at the Star Dock, where O.J. and Top Hat were waiting.
"O.J., they're going to blow up Grampus!" Ten Cents said urgently.
"Who is?!" asked O.J., sharply.
"Bluenose and the Navy!" Ten Cents explained. "He said so, at 1400 hours today. Oh, do something, O.J! Big Mac said you would know what to do!"
"Know what to do?" snarked Top Hat.
"I know just what to do," O.J. said confidently. "But we'll need to move fast and also be a bit brave. Come on, let's go! Top Hat, don't loiter! We need you as well."
"Oh, really, how inconvenient," Top Hat muttered as Ten Cents and O.J. set off. "First Lillie, now Grampus. It's just too, too much! I'll never make the show on time." Regardless, Top Hat trailed after them.
O.J. explained his plan to them both. Ten Cents was sent to Lucky's Yard and once again had to confront the snarling Zorran.
"Not again!" snapped Zorran. "What is it this time?"
"See this barge with logs on it?" Ten Cents replied. "Well, we need it."
"Oh, I know, Captain Star needs it for more toothpicks," Zorran snarked.
"No, I need it," insisted Ten Cents.
"Yeah, he needs it alright," Zug muttered to Zip
"Listen, I'll give it to him!" agreed Zip.
"You take that," threatened Zorran, "and it's two items of theft report to Captain Zero!"
"I told you, I don't care!" Ten Cents argued.
"You will when he gives Captain Star an earful!" Zorran argued back.
"Yeah, you bet you will!" Zip said.
"He'll sink you!" snickered Zug.
"Well, I'm taking it anyway," Ten Cents said bravely, before leaving with the log barge.
"Oi, just leave that there!" Zorran snapped.
"Never knew Ten Cents was into daylight robbery, did you?" asked Zug.
"Get on with your work!" ordered Zorran. "Or there'll be daylight robbery out of your pay packets!"
Big Mac, O.J., Top Hat and Sunshine were gathered at the Star Dock.
"Now, that is the plan," explained O.J.. "It'll work, but it may be dangerous."
"Yes, well," Top Hat muttered, "I don't know if we should interfere, really…"
"But we must!" Sunshine argued. "He's our friend! Friends are valuable!"
"'N' let's nae forgoat that if it wasn't fur Grampus," Big Mac said sternly, "Ten Cents' name wouldn't hae bin cleared, Sea Rogue wid hae lost O'Malley tae those green-eyed tugs, 'n' Lillie wid hae sunk tae th' bahookie o' th' ocean."
Top Hat fell silent as he realised that he'd been so worried about the parade, he'd forgotten his friends were more important.
"Alright then," Top Hat replied. "One for all, and all for one. Once we've rescued Grampus, I'll go and speak to Captain Star and see if he can get the Navy to spare him."
"You mean, take on the Navy?" Sunshine asked.
"Well, it might be worth a try," O.J. said. "Good for you, Top Hat."
Just then, they heard a whistle as Ten Cents returned with the barge.
"Ah, Ten Cents, good," O.J. said. "Big Mac, now that's the log barge. Ten Cents, put a big white flag at each end of it. Hurry, time is running out!"
"Right," agreed Ten Cents.
Out in the estuary, Bluenose had set up the target practice area and white flags were placed on either end of Grampus.
"Well, Grampus," Bluenose began, "you have been a very good submarine. Haw haw, we're all sad to see you go. But as you know, the Navy's got no further use for such a small vessel!"
"Glad to be of service, Sir," Grampus replied. "Thank you. Now if you don't mind, I'd like some time to think."
"Haw haw, very well," replied Bluenose. "And, good luck laddie." With that, Bluenose moved away, blasting his whistle to clear a path.
"If the modern Navy is going to be like him, I'd be better off down with the fishes!"
"All guns ready for target practice!" an officer on the navy ship called. "Standby to fire at white flags." Suddenly, the sirens started to blare, indicating that civilians had strayed into the firing area.
"What? What's ha…" Grampus exclaimed, turning around to see the Star Tugs with their floats. "Why are they parading out here?!" he cried in horror. "They're going to be in the line of fire! Stay clear!"
"Ahoy, tugs!" the Naval officer called. "Clear the area! Keep clear!"
"That's the destroyer warning us we're in the danger zone!" yelped Top Hat.
"Ignore it!" O.J. ordered.
"What do you mean, and get a direct hit?!" Top Hat panicked. "No thank you very much! They're going to start to fire!"
"Keep clear!" the Naval officer called.
"Keep gaun, Top Hat!" Big Mac called. "Th' mair o' us 'ere, th' safer we ur!"
"Get clear!" Grampus called. "They're about to start firing!"
"Grampus," said O.J., "just do as I say. Give him a line, Ten Cents!"
"Alright, O.J.!" Ten Cents replied.
"Big Mac will leave the barge in your place," O.J. instructed. "Let's hope all they can see from that distance is the target flags! Right, keep moving!"
With that, the barge was set in place and Grampus was pulled away from the target zone.
"The Navy's not going to like this!" pleaded Grampus. "Just leave me here or you'll all get into trouble! Please, don't do it!" But the tugs didn't listen. They pulled Grampus to safety… just in time.
The Stars and Grampus had arrived back in the harbour where the Princess Alice was docked nearby for the parade.
"Home at last," O.J. said with relief. "Now, where do we hide Grampus?"
Just then, a familiar trio of tugs emerged from nearby.
"Oh no," groaned Top Hat. "Here's that awful Zorran and his cronies."
"Hello, hello, hello," said Zorran. "What's all this then? What's going on?"
"Clear off, Zorran," Top Hat ordered. "It's our business."
"No, it's not!" Zug snapped. "Deal is a deal! Ten Cents said he would let us in on it!"
"No! I never!" Ten Cents said defensively.
"You lot are up to something," Zorran said, moving forward. "And anyway, you owe us for two barges of timber. Move aside, Top Hat, and let me see."
"Mind your own business, Zorran!" O.J. ordered.
"I am," Zorran replied. "This is my business. I'm looking for my timber."
"Well, it isn't here," insisted Ten Cents. "Just back off and leave us alone. What we got here is our float for the show."
But all Zorran saw was Grampus.
"Ha, some float," Zorran scoffed. "Stealing government property, eh? Nice little number, guys, very nice. That's the third crime to report. Captain Zero will tell the Navy…"
"Move it, Zorran, old boy!" Hercules ordered, stopping alongside.
"Only a game you understand, Hercules," gulped Zorran.
"I know all about your games, Zorran," Hercules argued. "Beat it, and take your drift wood with you."
"Oh, I'm going to," Zorran said, heading off with Zip and Zug. "You'll hear about it from the Navy, don't worry."
"I'd better take Grampus to the Star Dock before Bluenose finds out," Top Hat replied as he and Grampus moved off as well.
"Alright, m'dears," Hercules said. "I don't think I'll wait around for answers. You can tell me all about it later. I've just had word from Lucky's Yard that Lillie's repairs are completed and she'll be joining us in the parade. I'm on my way to collect her."
"Oh, that's great news," Ten Cents said happily.
"Indeed," smiled Hercules. "Now where's Warrior got to?"
Back at the Municipal Garbage Corporation, the dock and Lord Stinker had now been decorated.
"Warrior? Warrior!" Mr. Krieger called.
"Yes, sir?" replied Warrior.
"Let's do a quick check," Mr. Krieger said. "Barge completed with colourful oil drums and streamers? Yes. His lordship, spic and span? Yes. Jack, wearing a colourful hat? Yes. Good! Well, that is it!"
"I just don't believe this!" exclaimed Warrior. "What are they going to say when they see this junk heap?"
"Well, I like the banner," said Lord Stinker. "'Municipal Garbage wishes you all a happy day!'"
"Ha ha, Warrior!" called Mr. Krieger. "You can go now, the Regatta's about to start! Just join it, and be proud of the Municipal Garbage Corporation, alright? On your way now, and good luck!"
"Thank you, Sir! It's been a most enjoyable day!" Warrior laughed as he and Lord Stinker left.
"Nice job, that. Very nice job," Jack said happily. "I can enjoy my day now. Good luck, Warrior!"
"Hello, everyone! This is the captain of the Princess Alice welcoming you to the annual regatta!"
There was a loud chorus of cheers, whistles and hooters.
"Thank you!" the captain continued. "Now, you know the drill – when the cannon fires, the parade will start. This year, Top Hat from the Star Fleet will lead off!"
As if on cue, the cannon fired off, kicking off the parade.
"Enjoy yourselves! There goes Top Hat followed by ship mates O.J., Big Mac and Warrior! All towing splendid barges! Top Hat is pulling the car floats Frank and Eddie with Puffa and Little Owl of the Dock Railway! O.J.'s barge is representing Pacifie's Prawns! Big Mac's barge is promoting Seabury & Johnson! Warrior is towing Lord Stinker, representing the Municipal Garbage Corporation, who wish us all a happy day! They're followed by Zak from the Zero Fleet, towing the corporation lightship. Here comes Zip and Zug, the Zero switchers, towing a new Up River breakfast – wood and bananas! Ha ha! Following them comes a colourful group. Ten Cents and Sunshine towing Little Ditcher and Sally Seaplane. Hello, Sally! And Hercules with Lillie Lightship! Lovely to see you, Lillie! Coming from the famous Bridge Café is Zorran, towing the loudest barge of the day. Nice music, guys; very nice music! And finally, we have Zebedee with a barge promoting the Roullier Vulcanised Rubber Company!"
The tugs all towed their barges around the harbour and back again to the Princess Alice.
"Well done, everyone, you all look splendid!" the captain boomed. "Everyone on the Princess Alice considers this to be the best year yet! This means… and hold it… yes, that you all have won a prize. Okay, okay. Thanks to you all. Now enough parading, let's get this party going!"
The party lasted long into the night, culminating with the fireworks display, which was just as impressive as years previous. Right then and there, the fleets briefly forgot about rivalries – they were neither Stars nor Z-Stacks; just tugs enjoying the celebration.
When the display was over, Hercules got ready to take Lillie back to the estuary, but not before I gathered everyone at the Star Dock. I had a surprise for them.
"So, how did it feel to be in the parade, Lillie, darling?" Hercules asked.
"It was wonderful!" Lillie said happily. "It really cheered me up after my accident."
"I'm glad to hear it," I said through my megaphone. "Now, Stars, if you gaze your eyes at the water, the surprise should be coming up now."
On cue, the surprise emerged from the surface.
"Oh! It's Grampus!" exclaimed Ten Cents. "And he's got the Star flag and the number eight!
"They didn't blow me up today!" Grampus said happily. "The Navy sold me to Captain Star, so I'm one of you now!"
"Welcome aboard there, Grampus!" the Stars chorused, and tooted their horns in acclamation.
Yes, thanks to Top Hat, I told the Navy about my tugs rescuing Grampus and I said I'd buy him for usage in salvage operations. He turned out to be a real bargain.
The End
Author's notes: Johnathan has done it again, meshing up the 20 minute and 15 minute versions to make this. Many changes this time. Hercules loosing his composer and rushing to help Lillie (taking O.J.'s role there; spoilers, this won't be the last time Hercules will be playing a bigger role), Top Hat realises he was getting over his head (and the addition of him taking on the Navy ala 15 minute version), the Sesame Street reference with the Garbage cooperation, Lillie being part of the parade, and some more details about the barges. I'd say this episode is my favourite of the original series. Grampus truly shines, we get a lot of comradery and bravery, a lovely celebration, and a delightful heartfelt ending.
Next time, we see what happens when The Tide is High... I mean, when the TUGS have a High Tide.
