High Winds
Written by Chris Tulloch
Adapted by Jonathan Downs, Rachel Ravens and Zack Wanzer
Sometimes, a really bad character sailed into Bigg City Port – this being an Australian tramp steamer named Johnny Cuba. He was a notorious gangster who was once affiliated with Captain Zero. However, this all came to an abrupt end when the authorities got word of their smuggling racket and Captain Zero sold out Johnny to avoid capture. Since then, Johnny Cuba had a score to settle with Captain Zero. But on the day I'm remembering, no one suspected trouble. We were worrying about the high winds coming, especially with summer giving way to fall. This meant that tug work would be difficult.
Captain Zero was giving his orders at the Zero Dock.
"Now, listen here, you lot!" he shouted. "The Coast Guard has informed me about high winds heading for Bigg City Port, so you are to head to the estuary for any salvage calls! I've also been informed by a contact that Johnny Cuba is heading this way towards Bigg City!"
"Uh-oh…" gulped Zip. "J-Johnny Cuba…"
"I thought he was gone for good," Zug gasped.
"Who is this 'Johnny Cuba' fella?" asked Zeus. "I'm sure I could easily take him on–"
"You are not, I repeat, NOT to do any dealings with him! Understand?!" ordered Captain Zero.
"Yes, captain," the Z-Stacks said in unison (begrudgingly, in Zeus' case).
"Good!" replied Captain Zero. "Now… GET TO WORK!"
The Z-Stacks started to move off.
"Seriously though," said Zob. "Who in Neptune's name is Johnny Cuba?"
"You do not want to know," Zorran said quietly.
Ten Cents and Sunshine had delivered fuel to Lillie Lightship.
"Thanks, you two," Lillie smiled.
"Ah, anytime, Lillie," replied Ten Cents. "None of us would know what we'd do without you."
"Especially Hercules," grinned Sunshine. "You two looked great together in the parade last year."
Lillie giggled, before noticing Johnny Cuba anchored nearby. "That tramper doesn't look sociable."
"Maybe he needs a tow," suggested Sunshine, heading off to the tramper.
"Sunshine, get back!" cried Ten Cents.
"Excuse me! Do you need a tow into..."
"Scram, you rowing boat!" snapped Johnny Cuba.
Sunshine jumped and moved back to her friends.
"That was Johnny Cuba," said Ten Cents. "He's a notorious gangster and a former ally to Captain Zero."
"What do you mean, a former ally?" asked Sunshine.
"Long story short, they worked in various crimes together." Ten Cents replied. "I'll explain more on the way to port." The two switchers started to move off. "See you soon, Lillie."
"Bye, you two," called Lillie. "Be careful around that tramper." Little did Sunshine know that Peeper Pipes had been watching her.
The two Star switchers had just returned to the harbour when Peeper Pipes caught up to them.
"Sunshine!" he called. "What was your business with Johnny Cuba?"
"Ah was only offerin' him a tow," replied Sunshine. "Ah had no idea he was a criminal."
"I see," replied Peeper Pipes.
"Is Johnny Cuba up to no good again?" asked Ten Cents.
"We had reason to believe that Johnny Cuba was on one of his smuggling runs," explained Peeper Pipes. "But I had nothing definitive on him and couldn't search him because he was outside the harbour limits. If either of you two see him, stay away!"
"Aye, Coast Guard," said Sunshine. "You don't have to tell me twice."
With that, Peeper Pipes headed back to keep an eye on Johnny. Then Sunshine noticed that the sky was red.
"Hey, Ten Cents! It looks like we're in for a great dawn," said Sunshine.
"Yeah; don't be fooled by appearances, Sunshine," warned Ten Cents. "You know what Captain Star says – 'Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in the morning, sailor's warning.'"
"Oh, is bad weather comin' then?" asked Sunshine.
"Yeah," replied Ten Cents. "Strong winds are on the way, and they'll be here soon…"
The Star switchers heard another hooter, followed by the steady turning of a paddle steamer wheel.
"Get a move on, you two!" called O.J.. "The storm flags are out."
"Yeah, we know, O.J.," replied Sunshine. "We're just saying…"
"Well then, get on with it!" said O.J.. "Hercules is already out answering a mayday! When you deliver that oil, bring in Scuttlebutt Pete. He's dredging in the bay."
"Aye-aye, O.J.!" replied Ten Cents. "Yeah, we're off now."
"There'll be some extra jobs to batten down before the storm hits the harbour!" replied O.J. as he moved off.
"Come on, Sunshine," said Ten Cents. "No time for daydreaming. Now hold it…"
Then, Zebedee passed by with some barges.
"Good morning, Zebedee!" called Ten Cents.
"What's good about it?" grunted Zebedee. "High winds on the way."
"Yeah, it's gonna be a lot of work to do today," agreed Ten Cents.
"Hey!" cried Sunshine. "What's goin' on?! He's cut right across us!"
"Yeah," huffed Ten Cents. "He would, just when we're in a hurry. Come on! Oi, come on!"
"Hey, look at how many he's towing!" said Sunshine, noticing Zebedee's load of barges.
"Yeah, four," said Ten Cents. "He likes to show he's as strong as any Z-Stacks tug. Aw, look! Look! He's losing one!" Sure enough, one of Zebedee's barges became detached.
"Eh, yeah," said Sunshine. "You better tell him. Yeah, he hasn't seen it."
"Yeah, I suppose we should," agreed Ten Cents, blowing his whistle. "Oi, Zebedee!"
"I'm first," replied Zebedee. "It's my right of way. You'll have to wait."
"Yeah, you've lost one of your barges!" called Ten Cents. "It's going adrift!"
"You having me on?" retorted Zebedee before seeing his barge. "Oh."
"Yeah, don't worry," called Ten Cents. "I'll hold it till you secure it."
"Don't interfere!" snapped Zebedee. "I can manage."
"Alright, suit yourself," said Ten Cents. "Just offering to be helpful, that's all."
"We don't need anything Star Tugs has to offer," argued Zebedee.
"Do it your own way then," replied Ten Cents.
"Ugh… er, eh, wait!" called Zebedee. "Hold it for me, will ya?" Ten Cents did so.
"Thanks," grunted Zebedee. Once he had it reattached, he headed off. I hope none of the other Z-Stacks saw this…
Johnny Cuba had dropped anchor, waiting till he wasn't seen.
"Nobody in sight," he said. "That's what I like. Time to slip in closer to port and meet my business pals." With a chuckle, Johnny Cuba raised his anchor and steamed past the rocks. Now, Johnny Cuba's idea of a "business pal" was like himself; a gangster. Peeper Pipes spotted him and approached him.
"Ahoy there!" called Peeper Pipes. "Hove to! Customs inspection! You are within port limits, I'm coming aboard." Then, Peeper Pipes noticed that Johnny Cuba was getting too close to him, "Hey! Watch out what you're doing! Careful! Care... Oh! Ah… Ga…!" Poor Peeper Pipes found himself pushed onto some rocks.
"Heh heh, sorry, mate!" Johnny Cuba laughed evilly. "The wind must have blown me off course!"
"Augh!" groaned Peeper Pipes.
Zebedee was out as he'd been told, looking for ships or steamers. Even fishing boats that might need a tow. Anything that might please Captain Zero. But the vessel that appeared from behind some rocks horrified him.
"Ah! Johnny Cuba!" gasped Zebedee. "Oh dear."
"Well, well, well," said Johnny. "Captain Zero's little 'Zebby'."
"Hello, Johnny," said Zebedee nervously. "Er, I mean. Mr. Cuba."
"Yeah, g'day, nice to see ya," replied Johnny. "Listen, do something for me."
"Do…" began Zebedee.
"Slip me into the harbour so I'm not breaking the law, eh?" said Johnny Cuba. "I'll see you, alright."
"I'd love to, Sir," replied Zebedee. "Honest, I would. But I…"
"No ifs and no buts, Zebedee!" snapped Johnny. "I need a tow right now. The wind's making me angry, upsetting me plans!"
"Sorry, sir… But, but, but, you see Captain Zero has given me other orders and…"
"Listen to me, kid; Zero owes me, understand? So don't get funny or you'll be in deep trouble. And I do mean deep!"
"Oh…" Zebedee said in defeat.
The gangster told Zebedee to tow him to the old docks that hadn't been used in years, where he had arranged to meet his criminal friends.
"I don't like it here. And it's out of bounds to shipping."
"Too bad," retorted Johnny. "Now I need coal right away. And be quick about it or I'll break your stack!"
"Do ya mean steal it?" gasped Zebedee.
"Did I say steal?!" growled Johnny as Zebedee set off. "Just get it when nobody's looking."
"Yes, sir," gulped Zebedee. "Right away, sir."
"And don't try anything fancy!" called Johnny. "Or you'll find yourself at the bottom of the harbour with cement in your hull!" The gangster let out an evil laugh as Zebedee left.
Zebedee was now in a terrible situation. Johnny Cuba would sink him if he didn't help him. And because of the incident that happened years ago, he knew Captain Zero would sink him if he did! So, he couldn't go and tell the Captain, could he? While Zebedee was trying to work this out, he saw the two Star switchers out in the bay, struggling with Scuttlebutt Pete.
"Oh! Woah!" the two Star switchers exclaimed.
"Come on, you two!" Scuttlebutt Pete called. "Get sorted out or you won't get me home before the storm breaks!"
"We can't hold you!" Sunshine replied.
"Ugh, we're doing our best!" grunted Ten Cents.
"Do better than that, you've got to!" urged Scuttlebutt Pete.
"Ugh, I can't!" replied Ten Cents. "The winds are too strong!"
"Oh, what are we gonna do?!" cried Sunshine.
"If only I could fix one more line!" said Ten Cents, before noticing that Zebedee was approaching them. "Oi, Zebedee! Give us a hand!"
"Sorry, can't stop," replied Zebedee. "Important job to do."
"Just hold him steady while I get another line aboard, that's all!" insisted Ten Cents.
"Why should I?!" asked Zebedee. "Zorran'll kill me."
"Well, cause we're in trouble, that's why!" argued Ten Cents.
"And you owe us one for the barges!" reminded Sunshine.
"Alright," Zebedee said, begrudgingly. "Just this once. But don't tell Captain Zero!" With that, Zebedee moved forward and helped keep Scuttlebutt Pete steady.
"Oh, that's it," said Ten Cents gratefully. "Thanks, Zebedee!"
"Yeah, that's just what we needed," agreed Sunshine.
"And not a word, Scuttlebutt!" said Zebedee.
"Me?! I never gossip! Ever!" exclaimed Scuttlebutt Pete.
"That'll be the day," retorted Zebedee as he moved off. "If Captain Zero knows I helped Star Tugs, I'm lost. We're all square then!"
"We're quits, yeah!" said Ten Cents.
"Yeah, thanks!" called Sunshine.
Warrior, meanwhile, was about to go to the dump, when he saw Sally Seaplane in the water.
"Eh?" he blinked in surprise. "Sally? Are you alright?"
"Oh, I didn't crash or anything, Warrior," she explained. "I just had to land quickly due to the high winds. Could you be a dear and please get me back to my hanger?"
"Of course I can," smiled Warrior, casting a line to tow her.
"Thank you for that, Warrior," said Sally.
"No problem," replied the harbor tug.
"Oh, and by the way," the seaplane continued, "I saw Hercules towing in the Princess Alice. It looks like she's been damaged at sea."
"Suffering stacks!" cried Warrior. "When we get back to the seaplane hangar, I'll let the others know. Thanks for telling me."
Checking all the time that no one was watching him, Zebedee kept a look out for coal for Johnny Cuba.
"Coal," he said, spotting some barges. "If I can just slip one barge away, that'll keep Johnny quiet. I'll worry about Captain Zero later."
Zebedee didn't notice Top Hat watching him take the coal barge.
"That's odd," the railway tug said to himself. "I thought I was the only one stuck with coal deliveries today. I wonder what he's up to. I think I'd better check with Captain Star."
"Eh-hem," said Zebedee. "I brought your coal, Mr. Cuba, sir."
"Yeah, okay, Zebby," replied Johnny. "I'll put in a good word for you with Zero."
"No!" begged Zebedee. "Please don't do that, Mr. Cuba! I mean, it's bad books as it is! I mean…"
"You mean he wouldn't like you helping me, eh?" sneered Johnny. "Is that it?"
"No!" argued Zebedee. "I don't mean that. Er… I… No, he sent me out to… You know… The wind's causing trouble and…"
"Ah ha ha ha!" laughed Johnny. "You can go, mate. As long as you're back here tonight, okay? No worries."
"Yeah, whatever you say," replied Zebedee, reversing away. "No worries, Mr. Cuba, sir…"
"No, I don't recall Captain Zero sending Zebedee on coal runs," I said to Top Hat. With a chuckle, I added, "Then again, we don't really pay attention to what the other captain is telling his tugs anyway."
"Fair enough, sir," said Top Hat. "So, what's my next task?"
"There's an emergency at Mittsvillie," I explained. "Zip and Zug have run aground onto some mudbanks. Take Mighty Mo and rescue them."
"Really, now?" scoffed Top Hat. "Those Z-Stack switchers are more trouble than they're worth." The railway tug set off. Heh, Captain Zero would be giving those two an earful when they got home.
Warrior saw Big Mac in the bay and sailed up to him.
"Hey, Big Mac!" Warrior called. "I've just heard from Sally Seaplane that Hercules has got the Princess Alice in tow."
"Ohh, soonds serious," winced Big Mac.
"Yeah, been damaged at sea," said Warrior.
"Nae anither o` yer disasters, Warrior?" asked Big Mac with a laugh.
"Not me! Honest!" insisted Warrior.
"Ha ha! Ah wis joking!" chuckled Big Mac. "C'moan, we'll tell O.J., then go oot 'n' bring her in."
"Yeah, anything to help the Princess Alice!" agreed Warrior. With that, the two brothers set off. "We probably will need Ten Cents and Sunshine too."
"'N' Top Hat," added Big Mac. "A' tugs oan deck."
"But we can't go onto a deck," said Warrior. "We have decks."
"It juist means we need a' th' hulp we kin git," Big Mac elaborated.
"Ah, I get ya."
Out in the estuary, Zebedee was trying yet again to carry out Captain Zero's orders. He could have sworn he saw the Princess Alice, but before he got closer, he heard someone call out, "Help!"
"What the…" exclaimed Zebedee. "Who's that?"
"Help! Out here!" called the voice again. Zebedee looked to see Peeper Pipes stuck on the rocks.
"Oh no, Peeper Pipes," groaned Zebedee. It wasn't his lucky day; Zebedee had enough on his deck as it was. But he couldn't ignore someone in trouble.
"Never thought I'd be glad to see you, Zebedee," Peeper Pipes said with relief.
"What?!" said Zebedee nervously. "Oh dear! How does a Coast Guard get in this mess?"
"Johnny Cuba pushed me into the rocks. My engine's dead and I need a tow."
"Johnny, who…" began Zebedee.
"Don't play dumb with me," interrupted Peeper Pipes. "I hear Zero and Johnny are good buddies."
"Oh, not anymore!" argued Zebedee. "Captain Zero…"
"Ha! So you do know him!" exclaimed Peeper Pipes.
"Me?" gasped Zebedee. "Yeah… Er, oh no! I just came out here to see if a ship might need a tow, you know, with these winds and that."
"A salvage is what you're after," replied Peeper Pipes. "Well, you'll get something if you get me into port, I'm sure."
"You need repairs," said Zebedee. "I'll take ya to Lucky's Yard."
As Zebedee towed Peeper Pipes into Bigg City Port, Big Mac and Warrior passed by in the opposite direction.
"Hi, Zebedee," called Big Mac.
"Big Mac, Warrior," replied Zebedee.
"Guid day tae ye, Peeper Pipes," said Big Mac. "Nothing serious, Ah hawp!"
"Chasing a crook, and salvaged by a crook! That's all!" replied Peeper Pipes.
"Ha ha! Ye'll survive it!" chuckled Big Mac.
"My guess is you've taken that gangster somewhere, Zebedee," said Peeper Pipes as they arrived at Lucky's Yard. "Come on, own up. Where?"
"All I did was bring him past the harbour part," argued Zebedee. "I said I had to let him go cause I'd work to do. Where he went after that, I don't know."
"I have a good mind to run you in for questioning," said Peeper Pipes.
"Eh?"
"You wait till Captain Zero hears about it."
"Oh…"
"He won't like it! You know that!"
"I do, I do… Some thanks I get for rescuing you."
Sunshine and Ten Cents were ushering the shrimpers to safety, while O.J. was bringing in Little Ditcher.
"Thank you, Ten Cents and Sunshine," the shrimpers said warmly.
"That should be the last bit of that," sighed Ten Cents.
"Well done, you two," said O.J.. "Now let's get to–"
"Ten Cents, Sunshine, O.J.!" cried Big Mac.
"Big Mac, Warrior!" Sunshine exclaimed. "What's going on?"
"Hercules needs help with the Princess Alice," said Warrior. "All tugs on deck."
"Captain Star said Top Hat was at Mittsville," said O.J.. "So it looks like the rest of us have to manage. Let's go, everyone."
Despite the absence of Top Hat, the six remaining Stars managed to bring Princess Alice into port. Now came the tricky part – getting her docked.
Zebedee was puffing by the Ocean Liner Dock when Zorran whistled at Zebedee.
"What are you doing here?" snapped Zorran. "You're supposed to be out there answering distress calls!"
"Zorran, I…" began Zebedee.
"I'll tell you where you've been!" interrupted Zorran. "You've been helping those Star switchers, you creep! Like to be a 'goodie, goodie Star Tug', would you?" Then, Zebedee noticed the Stars trying to dock the Princess Alice.
"Hey, it looks like they're in trouble," Zebedee said to himself as he went over to help.
"Hey! I haven't finished yet!" snapped Zorran. "Zebedee! Come back here! Ah, the Stars are docking the Princess Alice! Heh heh! That should be worth watching in this wind."
Docking a liner can be a hazardous business for tugs. Especially with cross currents and the danger of this high wind. Usually, the liner can assist, but the Princess Alice couldn't do much due to the damage to her rudder. With all their expertise and experience, the Star Tug team were finding her very difficult to keep under their control.
"What's happening back there?! Come on, Stars!" called Hercules.
"She's nae responding, Hercules!" replied Big Mac. "Th' wind's tae strong!"
"I can't hold her much longer!" cried Ten Cents. The thought of his little brother being crushed alarmed Hercules.
"Full power, everybody!" he shouted urgently.
"I'm pulling full steam!" called Warrior. "Can't do no more!"
"We need another tug!" said O.J.. "Just one more would do it! Ugh, Top Hat just had to be up at Mittsvillie now…"
"Sorry, I can't help," called Finbar. "I'm needed in case of fire!"
"Come on, lads! Hold it!" urged O.J..
"Oh, look out, Ah'm in trouble!" yelped Sunshine.
"Come on! Somebody!" shouted O.J..
"We're losing it!" cried Ten Cents. "We'll be crushed between the ship and the quayside!" But Zebedee blew his hooter, positioned him between Ten Cents and Sunshine, and pushed against Princess Alice's hull.
"This is two you owe me, switchers!" the Z-Stacks' number two tug grunted.
"Zebedee!" exclaimed Ten Cents. "Aw, thanks, just in time! You're a lifesaver!"
"Thank you, Zebedee," said O.J.. "She's under control again!"
"Got her, O.J.!" called Warrior.
At last, the Princess Alice was docked safely.
"Aw, hey, thanks, Zebedee! Huh ha!" called Sunshine.
"Zero will have my boiler for this…" muttered Zebedee as he reversed.
"Thank you, Zebedee!" called Sunshine again.
"Yes, thank you, Zebedee!" called Hercules gratefully.
"Thanks, Zebedee!" called the rest of the Stars. Exhausted but triumphant, they started to disperse.
"I'm going to do one last surveillance check, m'dears," said Hercules. "I'll be with you soon."
"Okay, Hercules," said Ten Cents. "Be careful."
Zorran could not believe what he had just seen.
"Is Zebedee going soft in the head or something?!" he exclaimed. "Ugh, the idiot…"
Zorran couldn't understand Zebedee. The Z's were out to beat the Stars, not to help them beat the Z-Stacks.
"Captain Zero's going to have a heart attack when he hears this," he said as he headed for the Zero Dock.
Zebedee returned to the Old Dock where Johnny Cuba was waiting.
"Eh-hem," said Zebedee. "Hello, Mr. Cuba, sir."
"Well, well, well," said Johnny. "Zebby's back again! Keep doing as Johnny Cuba tells ya, and you'll come to no harm. You with me?"
"Yes, Mr. Cuba," replied Zebedee. "The wind's stopping…"
"Right," continued Johnny. "There's a few other little things I want you to do for me before we go. Now listen; this is what…"
But he was interrupted by a loud whistle. Zebedee turned his wheelhouse to the direction the whistle was coming from and looked in horror as he saw who the whistle belonged to.
"Oh! Oh, it's Hercules!"
"Hello, what's going on here?" asked Hercules. "Oh yes, Zebedee. And where are you taking our friend, the well known Johnny Cuba, eh?"
"Well… I, um… Eh…" began Zebedee.
"What's it to you, Star?" growled Johnny.
"We know you, Johnny Cuba," Hercules replied. "Up to no good. We'll hand him over to the authorities, Zebedee. They may like to have a word with him."
"No, ya don't!" snapped Johnny.
"Well, wait a minute!" exclaimed Zebedee, suddenly gaining the courage to stand up to him. The gangster tried to back up, but collided with Zebedee.
"You're not going anywhere!" grunted Zebedee, and just to make sure, the Z-Stack's number two rammed into Johnny Cuba, trapping him against the quayside.
"Well done, Zebedee m'dear," Hercules said proudly. "Come on, let's take him in."
"I'll break your stack for this one!" roared Johnny. "They can't hold Johnny Cuba!"
The authorities did hold Johnny Cuba, and gave official thanks to Zebedee and Hercules.
However, Zebedee still had one issue to contend with…
"ZEBEDEE!" roared Captain Zero. "WHAT'S THIS I HEAR ABOUT YOU HELPING THE STARS WITH THE PRINCESS ALICE?!"
"Yeah, Zebedee!" sneered Zak. "Captain Zero told you to answer distress calls, not help the enemy!"
"DON'T EVEN TRY IT, ZAK!" snapped Captain Zero. "NEITHER YOU, ZORRAN, ZIP, ZUG, ZEUS OR ZOB EVEN BOTHERED! WHAT'S WORSE IS THAT ZIP AND ZUG RAN THEMSELVES AGROUND AND HAD TO RESCUED BY ONE OF THE STAR TUGS! ZEBEDEE, YOU ARE TO STAY HERE AND DISCUSS THE MATTER OF YOUR PUNISHMENT! THE REST OF YOU, GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!"
But before the rest of the Z-Stacks could leave, they heard the shrill whistle of a freshly repaired Peeper Pipes.
"Captain Zero!" he called. "I want to talk to you about Johnny Cuba."
"I was aware of Johnny Cuba approaching Bigg City," replied Captain Zero, "and ordered my tugs to stay away from him."
"But Zebedee didn't," said Peeper Pipes.
"WHAT?!" roared Captain Zero, causing Zebedee to gulp in fright. "THAT IS THE FINAL STRAW! ZEBEDEE, I AM GOING TO–!"
"Captain Zero!" barked Peeper Pipes. "I hope you're not going to sell Zebedee for scrap! You know the law – no sentient tugs can be scrapped unless they decide for themselves their time has come, and even then, they can only make that choice if there's extreme circumstances. Not only that, but it would be ungrateful to do so since Zebedee and Hercules bought Johnny Cuba in and because of this, I assume that you had nothing to do with him."
"Oh," said Captain Zero, quickly changing his tune, out of fear of being arrested. "Well… er, good job, Zebedee. You're a credit to my fleet."
"Oh, well, thank you, sir," replied Zebedee, surprised by the change of tune.
"I think I can overlook the matter of you helping the Stars this once," continued Captain Zero. "But I never want to hear of this again, understand? Now, return to your distress calls!"
With that, Zebedee left the Zero Dock and Peeper Pipes headed off as well.
"Thanks for the help," called Peeper Pipes, giving Zebedee a wink.
As Zebedee headed towards the estuary, the wind dropped completely. Then he came across Ten Cents and Sunshine, who were setting out on their last job of the day. The sky once again was red.
"You'd think that storm never happened," said Sunshine. "It's a lovely evenin' now!"
"Yeah. Ah, look who's here! The Z-Stacks' hero!" said Ten Cents.
"Hi, Zebedee!" called Sunshine. "Congratulations!"
"Yeah, not bad, was it?" said Zebedee proudly.
"Nah, you were great!" replied Ten Cents.
"Captain Zero's over the moon, now Johnny Cuba can't get at him," agreed Sunshine.
"Yeah, thanks for helping us with Scuttlebutt Pete!" said Ten Cents.
"Er… just forget about that, will ya?" insisted Zebedee. "Captain Zero wouldn't be pleased to hear about that. He almost had it in for me for helping you with the Princess Alice."
"Oh dear!" said the two Star switchers.
"Yeah, Zorran found out about the Scuttlebutt Pete incident," Zebedee said. "He wasn't too pleased either."
"Ha ha! We won't tell the other Z-Stacks," said Sunshine. "Don't you worry, Zebedee!"
"You'd better not," replied Zebedee. "Especially not Zeus or Zak. I've had enough troubles today. Well, see you, fellas, eh?"
"Oh, Zebedee," said Ten Cents, "if you ever think of leaving the Z-Stacks…"
"What?!" exclaimed Zebedee, steaming away. "You're crazy. Today was today, okay?"
"Oh, yeah, well, just a thought," said Ten Cents, a bit disappointed.
"Yeah? Well you think too much!" replied Zebedee.
After that day, things continued much as they were. But Zebedee showed that everyone must have a good streak in them somewhere. Ha, even Z-Stacks! Of course, this wouldn't be the last time that the Z-Stacks would prove themselves, but I mustn't say anymore or I will spoil the next story.
The End
Arthur's notes: Thanks again Johnathan for your help. I had a lot of fun with this story. There's a few deleted scenes in here: Sunshine seeing Johnny Cuba; her and Ten Cents fueling Lillie Lightship; Captain Zero briefing his tugs; Warrior and Sally Seaplane together; and Captain Zero both cross and then pleased with Zebedee after the Coast Guard straightens him out. There's some new scenes too; O.J., Ten Cents and Sunshine dealing with more incidents due to the storm (and Big Mac and Warrior locating them to dock the Princess Alice); as well as an explanation for Top Hat's absence in the docking. (Sidenote, I didn't know he was missing from the docking until Johnathan told me). He had a good reason why he didn't help with the Princess Alice mayday in this story, but...
Well, tune in next time when our Tugs have to deal with the dangers of Munitions, made worse with the he-who-gives-all-the-orders Bluenose.
