Blackout
One night, the tugboats were getting ready for storytelling time. It was a few minutes after Foduck returned from his sunset to dusk safety patrol. "So what's going on in your lives?" Foduck asked his friends, "I mean what did you all do today?" "Well," said Theodore, "Today, I've towed Louise out to sea."
"Right," said Hank, "And I've towed Bonnavista to the oil refinery." "Yeah," said Emily. "Well, I moved Linda to her dock," said George. "Linda?" Theodore repeated, "Say, doesn't she come every Monday?"
"Well," said George, "Today is Monday." "That is true," said Foduck. "Oh, right," said Hank, "I knew that." "That's what I was going to say," said Theodore. "So what else?" asked Emily. "How about the time when you had a barnacle stuck to your bumper?" Hank asked George.
"Ugh!" George groaned, "Bring that up again and you'll be living on land!" "Never mind, George," said Emily, "After all, today, I had to remove a bumper from a bell buoy. Don't worry, no bell buoy got hurt." "That's good to know," said Foduck. "Well," said Theodore.
Theodore was about to say something else when suddenly, all of the lights went out at the Great Ocean Dock. This caught the tugboats by surprise. "Who turned out the lights?!" Hank asked, "This isn't funny!" "Oh brother," George said, "Hold on a minute" said George.
Suddenly, all the lights went out in the Great Big Harbour. "Hey, it isn't big harbour bedtime yet!" Hank said out loud. "What's going on?" George asked demandingly. "I have a funny feeling that people aren't going to like this."
"A blackout," the Dispatcher announced, "Something's happened at the power station." "That's not good," said Foduck in a serious voice. "So the Great Big Harbour will be without electricity for a while," the Dispatcher concluded. "So we'll have to do something," said Theodore.
"The people at the power plant are working on the problem right now," the Dispatcher said to the tugboats, "You tugboats must deliver emergency supplies around the harbour." "Right," agreed Foduck, "A power failure is a serious problem."
"Right," said the Dispatcher, "So you'll all be needed all night on the night shift. This time, for more than just one job." "Yes sir!" said Theodore. "Oh, night," George groaned. "Now, George," said Emily, "This is serious!" "You got that right," Foduck agreed, "No time to waste!" "Right," the Dispatcher agreed.
The tugboats immediately set out to work after the Dispatcher gave out the urgent jobs. Foduck immediately button onto Brunswick. "Time to get serious!" Foduck said in a determined tone of voice. "Danger?!" Brunswick asked Excitedly. "Ugh!" Foduck groaned, "Try seeing without a flashlight! And enough games! We got work to do!"
"Oh boy!" Brunswick exclaimed, "Excitement!" "Argh!" Foduck growled. George immediately headed off to the oil refinery to help out the people there. Even if the owner isn't friendly. But they knew that they had to be careful to prevent an explosion. Emily had to deliver an emergency generator to a local hospital. Even Sigrid volunteered to help out.
Also, Theodore and Hank teamed up with Nautilus and Constance to help out, too. "We must be careful," said Constance." "Ok," agreed Theodore. For the whole night," the tugboats helped out everywhere they've gone.
Many other ships helped, too. "We must pull together," said Petra. "Right," Constance agreed. "We know the job must be done," said Nautilus. All the tugboats agreed and all the tugboats helped out and everything started to return to normal.
During one time, when Theodore and Hank had been called away, Nautilus and Constance did most of the deliveries. When they did one delivery together, the accidentally ran into each other. "Hey, Constance," said Nautilus. "Hey, Nautilus," said Constance. They soon left.
Moments later, the two ran into each other again. "Oh," said Constance ,"Hi again." "Hello," said Nautilus, "Nice night out, huh?" "Yeah," Constance answered shyly, "Even if it's a dark night." "Yes," Nautilus agreed, "Don't worry, things will be back to normal soon. No need to worry." "Yeah," said Constance, "Must keep up with the work." And the two returned to work.
Much later, Constance was by herself. Until Nautilus showed up. "Taking a break?" he asked Constance. "Uh, yes," Constance answered. "You know," Nautilus said, "As a navy ship, I protect the oceans and people from harm." "So do I," said Constance, "I protect everyone and make sure everyone is safe." "Yes," Nautilus said, "So."
"What?" Constance replied. That's when Nautilus floated close to her. "So you think?" Nautilus began. "That we should start working together?" Constance asked shyly. "You want to?" asked Nautilus. "Of course!" Constance answered. "Thanks," said Nautilus.
For that moment, both Constance and Nautilus were happy to be floating together. And before sunrise, the two started helping the other tugboats, this time, together. For that night, everything had gone all right for everyone.
And when work was over, they all watched the sun rise together. "Wow," said George, "Never though this would happen." "Yeah," Foduck agreed. After the sun had rose, the power was back on in the Great Big Harbour. "Finally," said Foduck, "All is safe. This time for real." "Right," the other tugboats agreed.
However, they've slept through the whole day in the end. A good night's work for them. However, no one knew of Constance and Nautilus' story yet.
Until a few days later. "They're what?!" Hank exclaimed when he first found out.