Warning: This story contains mentions of racism, ableism, homophobia, religionism, communism and anti-sentisism.
The Missing Barge
Based on the annual story of the same name
Adapted by Jonathan Downs, Rachel Ravens and Zack Wanzer
March 4, 1933. The Governor of New York, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, had won the United States presidential election on November 8, 1932, and had just been sworn in. Roosevelt had defeated the then-incumbent, Herbert Hoover, in a landslide. Captain Zero, Captain Lucky, Captain Salvage, Mr. Lloyd and I had all voted for him as we believed he would help to fix America's economic woes. A key phrase from his inaugural address was, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." President Roosevelt implemented a New Deal, an active, diverse, and innovative program of economic recovery. During the first hundred days of his administration, the new president pushed through Congress a package of legislation designed to lift the nation out of the Depression.
Unfortunately, it was over a month before FDR's inauguration that Germany received a new chancellor, Adolf Hitler, the leader of National Socialist German Workers Party, or as it was more commonly known, the Nazi Party, and I'm sorry to say, it was far-right. The party had garnered support in Germany after the Great Depression began.
I can only describe Hitler's idea for the perfect Germany in two words – "horrifying" and "sickening". You see, Nazi beliefs categorized people by race, and Hitler used the word "Aryan" for his idea of a "pure German race". The Nazis believed Aryan people were superior to all others. These monstrous policies targeted Jews, Roma and Sinti people and black people. Slavic people, such as those from Poland and Russia, were considered inferior and were targeted because they lived in areas needed for German expansion.
The Nazis also targeted people they deemed to be disabled, either mentally or physically, as well as gay people. Political opponents, primarily communists, trade unionists and social democrats, as well as those whose religious beliefs conflicted with Nazi ideology, such as Jehovah's Witnesses, were also targeted for persecution.
Captain Zero feared that this was going to lead to another world war. I must admit, I too shared those fears as did Captain Lucky, Captain Salvage and Mr. Lloyd. Even the tugs and engines were fearful of a prospect of another war, although Zak and Zeus seemed nonchalant. As Top Hat and Zob would often say, "It's not a question of if, but when."
Of course, despite these fears, we did our best to carry on with our work. We still had a harbour to run after all, but we were vigilant at all times.
On the day I remember, the water was lapping gently in Bigg City Port, and the sun was shining dimly through the few clouds left from a storm that had occurred the previous night. I was giving out my tugs their orders for the day.
"Good morning, Star Fleet," I boomed. "We have a busy day ahead of us. A large tramper ran aground in last night's storm. Before she can be refloated, all of her goods have to be shipped off and there is a very handsome reward for delivering them safely. Ten Cents, Hercules, Warrior and Sunshine, your four will handle this job. I've asked Captain Salvage to send Stormy and Hail to help you. Top Hat, O.J. and Big Mac, you're needed up river to shift timber."
Unfortunately, Zak and Zeus were moored around the corner, listening to every word. Zeus grinned slyly at Zak. "That reward would do very nicely for us. Let's follow them."
Big Mac, O.J. and Top Hat were heading up river where they came across Pisces, Ember, Moonlight and an unfamiliar switcher who was the exact same shape as Zug, only she was painted white instead of maroon. They were out training for any rescue operations that may come up.
"Hello, Salvage Fleet," greeted O.J.. "I see you lot are training."
"Yes, O.J.," said Pisces. "We've got to be ready in case of an emergency."
"Quite right," agreed Top Hat. "By the way, who is this?"
"Oh, we forgot to introduce you," said Ember. "This is Robin. She's a Snyder Works switcher just like Zug, and she's privately owned just like Sunshine used to be. Robin, these are Big Mac, O.J. and Top Hat from the Star Fleet."
"Oh, hello, Stars," greeted Robin. "Nice to meet you."
Just then, Zug came up alongside.
"Well, I never!" he said. "Another Snyder Works switcher like me!"
"Hey, Zug," said Ember. "Come meet your sister, Robin."
"Oh, hello, Robin," said Zug. "Pleased to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too, Zug," said Robin.
"I think I like her already," said Zug. "Certainly a lot more than Zeus."
"Oh, yes, that's something we need to warn you about, Robin," said Pisces. "Look out for Zak and Zeus. They are two of the most unpleasant tugs anyone's ever had the displeasure to come across."
"Zeus is an ocean-going tug who was built at Snyder Works like you and Zug," explained Top Hat. "I'm sorry to say that he is a complete narcissist and he absolutely hates switchers."
"Mmm-hmm," said Moonlight. "He and Zak once threatened Zug, Zip and Zilly with an 'accidental' Final Firing."
"Don't remind me," shuddered Zug.
"Oh my," gasped Robin. "I'll try to be careful around those two."
"Easy to tell them apart," said Top Hat. "They're both Z-Stacks like Zug. Zak is a harbour tug with the number three and Zeus is an ocean-going tug with the number six."
"Thanks for the information," said Robin.
Meanwhile, Ten Cents, Sunshine, Warrior and Hercules met up with Stormy and Hail.
"Hey, guys," called Hail. "Are you ready to rescue that tramper? I know I'm ready! What about you, Stormy? Are you ready?"
"Calm down!" replied Stormy. "We've got to unload the cargo first!"
"Follow me, m'dears," said Hercules. With that, the six tugs set off towards the stricken tramper, chatting merrily to each other, unaware that they were being followed.
"Did you hear about a new switcher being chartered to help us?" asked Hail. "She's a real gem! A joy to be around."
"Oh?" asked Ten Cents. "What's her name?"
"Robin," said Stormy. "She is rather sweet. Pieces, Scropio and Misty especially have taken a shining to her."
"Oh, named after a bird," smiled Sunshine. "Captain Star showed us a picture of a robin. They are really cute."
"And," said Hail, "she's Zug's sister!"
"Oh, I hope they meet someday," Hercules smiled. "By the Moonlight Oceans Above, he needs a sibling he can truly count on."
Warrior was the last one out of the port, towing a heavy old barge to stow the cargo in. He was so busy trying to catch up with the others, he didn't notice Zeus nearby.
So the big dumb ape has the barge, does he? he thought to himself. Perfect...
With that, he cut into between Warrior and his barge, and sliced through the rope, then steamed quickly off to hide the barge.
Zak steamed alongside. "Slow down while I fasten the barge onto you!" he called. Zeus waited until Zak had tied the rope, then steamed quickly off to hide the barge.
Presently, Zeus came across an old warehouse. This was the same warehouse where Flotsam and Jetsam had kept O'Malley prisoner so they could force Sea Rogue to steal barges for them.
This looks like the perfect hiding place, he thought. With that, he tied the barge off and left.
No sooner had Zeus met up with Zak again that the two tugs heard a loud, aggressive hooter. One that filled them with fear. There, coming towards them, and looking very surly, was Zorran.
"What are you still doing here?" demanded Zorran. "You're supposed to be on distress calls, Zeus. Zak, you're meant to collect barges from Up River, remember?"
"We got called away on another job," lied Zeus. "Top secret work."
"Using that same story Sunshine used on the day of the Nantucket incident, are we?" Zorran sneered.
"Look, if we told you what the work is, then it wouldn't be top secret, would it?" snapped Zak.
"Or maybe you're lying about it to try and get out of trouble," Zorran snapped back. "Right! Zeus, get back out there! Zak, Up River, now! That is an order!"
With that, Zak and Zeus left.
Just you wait, Zak thought to himself. When Captain Zero is overthrown, you will find yourself on the scrap heap, and I'll be the new leader of the Z-Stacks.
"Ugh! The nerve of those two!" muttered Zorran. "How is it that whilst we try to become better tugs, these two just keep doubling down on their bad behavior?"
Meanwhile, the Star Fleet had reached the tramper. Ten Cents then noticed something. "Warrior, what's happened to your barge?" he asked.
Warrior looked behind him in surprise. "I-I don't know," he stammered.
"The tow line must have snapped," Sunshine suggested. "We'd better go and find it."
"Great!" groaned Stormy. "Another job gone wrong."
The six tugs returned to the harbour to look for the missing barge. Sunshine and Warrior checked the Municipal Waste Dump.
"Morning, Jack, Lord Stinker," called Warrior. "Have any of you two seen a barge?"
"Afraid not, Warrior," replied Lord Stinker. "How about you, Jack?"
"Apart from Lord Stinker here, no barges today," replied Jack, gruffly.
"Okay, well, thank you anyway," said Sunshine. "Please keep a look-out for it."
Ten Cents and Hercules decided to try Lucky's Yard.
"Captain Lucky," called Ten Cents. "You haven't seen a barge drift by, have you?"
"I'm afraid not, dearie," replied Captain Lucky. "Why do you ask?"
"Warrior's barge went missing on our way up to rescue a tramper," explained Hercules.
"Don't worry, Hercules," said Captain Lucky. "I'll keep a look out for it and let Captain Star know."
"Thank you, Captain Lucky," called Ten Cents.
Stormy and Hail headed for the railhead.
"Hey, Zob, Puffa, Kirke," called Hail. "Have you three seen a barge, because Warrior lost a barge on our way to help a tramper that had run aground."
"I'm afraid I haven't seen any barges," replied Zob.
"Neither have I," replied Puffa.
"I've not seen it either," said Kirke. "Then again, we've been too busy trying to be a certain birdbrain's refusal to work with Zob here."
"I heard that!" snapped a voice.
"What is it going to take to finally convince Little Owl that the Z-Stacks aren't all that bad?" Stormy snapped.
"I don't know, you tell me," snarked Kirke.
"We'll keep a look out for the barge and let you know if we see it," said Zob.
"Thank you," said Hail.
It was late afternoon by the time the tugs met up. The barge had completely vanished.
"It's no good," sighed Warrior. "I can't find it anywhere."
"It's getting late," agreed Hercules. "I think we should return to our docks and collect another barge in the morning."
Everyone else agreed.
That evening, as it was starting to get dark, Zeus headed back for the old warehouse with Zak close behind.
"I'll keep a look-out," said Zak as Zeus went inside and tied himself to the barge.
"Any sign of the Falling Stars?" asked Zeus.
"Nope," said Zak. "The coast is clear."
"Good," said Zeus. "Now if Captain Zero asks, I've gone to answer a distress call."
"Seems true enough," reasoned Zak. With that, Zeus set off for the tramper.
"Ahoy there!" called Zeus as he arrived. "I've come to collect your cargo."
"All right, boys," called the captain. "Load him up!"
With the help of a crane onboard the tramper, Zeus loaded as much cargo as possible into the barge.
"You are to take the cargo to another ship moored outside the harbour limits first thing in the morning," instructed the captain.
"Very good, gentlemen," said Zeus as he headed back home.
Back in the harbour, Zeus stored the barge safely and headed back to the Zero Dock for the night.
The Star Tugs were all gathered at the Star Dock.
"I can't understand it," said Warrior. "How can a barge just go missing?"
"It's a mystery, that's for sure," sighed Ten Cents.
"Don't worry, m'dear," assured Hercules. "We'll find another barge and get the cargo loaded in the morning."
"Well, Ah'll keep a look-out for it when I go to work tomorrow morning," said Sunshine.
It was then that Zeus came by.
"No need to worry," he said. "I've taken care of the tramper and will be delivering its cargo to another ship first thing in the morning. Just goes to show we Z-Stacks will beat you Falling Stars every time." With that, Zeus left.
"Well, I guess we won't be getting that reward after all," sighed Ten Cents.
"Never mind," said Hercules. "I'm sure we'll find other work to do tomorrow."
As the other tugs went to sleep, Sunshine looked thoughtful.
Ah wonder if Zeus had anything to do with that missing barge…
At the crack of dawn, Zeus set off, looking forward to the reward he would be getting. Ahead of him, he could dimly see the outline of a freighter looming up.
"Ahoy there!" he shouted, but as he drew nearer, he realised that the ship in question was none other than Johnny Cuba.
Oh no, Zeus thought to himself. What am I going to do?
Johnny Cuba was known to be a smuggler. He used to be a friend of Captain Zero's, but in recent years, the Z-Stacks had been given strict instructions from Captain Zero never to have any dealings with Johnny. Zeus did not dare disobey Captain Zero, even if it meant losing the reward. Besides, Zeus thought, if Captain Zero found out, he could fire me and then it would jeopardize Ursula Zero's plans.
"I'll just have to release the barge and hope no one has seen me," he muttered to himself. "Then I can creep back to the port."
But just then, he caught sight of Sunshine steaming happily across the harbour. An idea formed in Zeus' mind. He knew that Sunshine was always willing to help anyone in trouble.
"Hey, Sunshine, can you help me?" Zeus cried out. "I seem to be losing power and I have to get this barge across to that freighter over there."
"Sure thing, Zeus. Let me help," said Sunshine, eager to please, and she took the barge and struggled across the bay. But as she came close to the dirty freighter, she realised it was Johnny Cuba.
Hmm, Sunshine thought to herself. Ah've been warned about him by the others. Ah think Ah'll go and ask Cappy what Ah should do.
By the time Sunshine reached the Customs Launch, she was out of breath.
"Cappy," she puffed breathlessly, "Johnny Cuba is lurking outside the harbour limits, waiting for this barge."
"Is he indeed?" said Cappy sternly. "Well, let's take a look at that barge."
Inside the crates were blades that had been coated in wax to look like large candles and illegal narcotics.
"Well done, Sunshine," said Cappy. "We've been on the look-out for this little lot for some time."
"Oh, and by the way," replied Sunshine, "Zeus was the one who asked me to help him with this barge. I think he's been trying to weasel his way out of trouble."
"Well, he's going to be in trouble when we catch him," said Cappy. "But I thought most of the Z-Stacks turned back on a life of crime. And didn't Captain Zero forbid his Z-Stacks to have contact with Johnny Cuba?"
"Ah think Ah might have an idea of what happened," replied Sunshine and quickly explained about the missing barge and Zeus.
Later that day, Zeus was receiving yet another tongue lashing from Captain Zero.
"So, you tried to assist a smuggling ring, did you?!" snapped Captain Zero.
"Hey, now, come on, sir!" retorted Zeus. "You used to do illegal activities as well!"
"Exactly," replied Captain Zero. "Used to! Worst of all, you tried to frame one of Captain Star's tugs because of it, especially when we're trying to improve relations with them. You are on dredger duty until further notice! And let me make this clear – you and Zak are treading on thin ice! Now, get out of my sight!"
"If you ask me, they're practically swimming in it," snarked Zip as Zeus left. This surprised Captain Zero. He had never known Zip to be snarky before.
"Looks like Zob's snarkiness is rubbing off on Zip," he said to no one in particular. "Then again, she's right. Zak and Zeus are swimming in it. Mind you, that wouldn't be surprising considering they are boats." With that, Captain Zero had a good long laugh to himself before heading back to his office to do some paperwork.
As he started signing things, he glanced back at eight photos on his wall, one of each of his fleet. Heh, something we both have in common.
That's not all for Zob that's rubbing off on the other Z-Stacks, Captain Zero thought. Zob never once took part in any of my former schemes and instead chose to take the legal route. That could explain why Zebedee, Zip, Zug and even Zorran have started to become better tugs. How ironic. When I thought Zeus was going to be one of my best bargains, it turns out that Zob is, in fact, my best bargain. And both arrived on the same day. What are the odds? Although, I do wonder how the Pennsylvania Railroad happened to have a tug beginning with 'Z'.
That was what we all wondered. When we did learn the answer, it proved to be quite surprising and rather emotional, but I'll save that for a future story.
Meanwhile, the Star Fleet had gathered around to congratulate Sunshine.
"Well done, Sunshine," said Ten Cents. "If not for your quick thinking, who knows how many people could have been harmed?"
"And solving the mystery of the missing barge as well," agreed Warrior.
"Yes, good work, Sunshine," I said. "I'm afraid there's no reward, as the crew of the tramper have been arrested, but you did a great job busting up the smuggling ring! So, I will reward you with a new coat of paint."
"Aw, thanks, Captain," replied Sunshine. With that, she set off for Lucky's Yard for her repaint. Since that day, whenever a vessel sent a distress call with a reward, I always made sure to check whether the goods were legal. Just think of the trouble the Star Fleet would have gotten into had Sunshine not spotted the danger in time.
The End
Arthur's notes: Okay, things are starting to get really dangerous for our tugs. With mentions of those vile monsters during this time period, the tugs don't know what they're about to get into. Johnny Cuba is also brought back, but this isn't the last we've seen of him either. Honestly, the story itself in the annual was rather lighthearted compared to this. We didn't even find out what was in those crates in the annual.
Next time, the tugs have to deal with The Return of Johnny Cuba.
