Chapter 122: Heroes
Bill and Ben work the line from Brendam Docks to The China Clay Pits, taking trucks of China Clay to the docks where it is shipped across Sodor and to places far away. Like all engine drivers on Sodor, they love being really useful. But if there's one thing they love more than that, its getting into mischief, causing no end of grief for the workmen and their manager. But they have good hearts and work their hardest. Most of all, they love working together.
One day, they were on break at the quarry. They were starting to get restless.
"Listen Bill. Can you hear something?"
"What sort of something?"
"Something different."
Bill looked all around but could see nothing out of the ordinary.
"No. Everything looks exactly the same as it always has."
"Exactly. Everything looks and sounds the same. What we need is a surprise."
Just then, the quarry master arrived.
"I have received a message from Sir Topham Hatt. He needs you to go to Knapford Station immediately."
Bill and Ben tensed up.
"We didn't put sugar in the tanks of Boco's engine. What sugar? Who's Sir Topham Hatt?"
The quarry master raised an eyebrow.
"Sugar in tanks?"
"Uhm, oh look at the time, we must get going."
Bill and Ben quickly scampered away. The Quarry Master shook his head.
"Those two are a nuisance."
When Bill and Ben arrived at Kanpford they found Sir Topham Hatt waiting for them.
"I need you two to arrange the yard. I would have Edward do it, but he's taking an enthusiasts train."
"Yes sir."
Gordon was nearby and skeptical of their work ethic. He remembered the time he had accidentally been sent down the branchline and Bill and Ben had teased him ruthlessly.
"You two must behave. This is the mainline, not the quarry, and we do not approve of your tricks."
"Actually, Gordon, when we saw your engine, we thought this was a scrapyard."
Gordon was furious.
"How dare you! This engine is Sir Nigel Gresley's finest work, and you-"
Gordon was so busy rambling that he hadn't noticed Bill and Ben had already gone.
The two immediately set to work. But they had never been to Knapford station before, and didn't know where everything went. Some nasty workmen were nearby, and seeing their chance for mischief decided to "help."
"Don't worry, lads, we'll help you out."
"Thank you so much. We don't know where anything goes."
The workmen spent all day advising Bill and Ben on where everything went. Poor Bill and Ben didn't realize that they were being set up.
"Take those trucks to the west track, Bill."
"Uhm, alright."
"No, not the west track. The East track."
"But you just said-"
"Ben, I told you to put those trucks on the other line."
"I did."
"Not that other line, the other other line."
By evening, Bill and Ben were worn out. The yard was a mess, causing Gordon to be late with the evening express.
"I knew they couldn't be trusted."
Sir Topham Hatt spoke severely to them.
"Bill and Ben, you have caused confusion and delay. I had hoped that you could handle trucks, but it seems I was wrong."
"But sir, we-"
"No buts. I shall speak to your manager tomorrow and see to it that you do not leave the quarry until you can learn to behave."
Bill and Ben drove sadly home.
The next day, Bill and Ben were working at the quarry when they heard a strange noise.
"Ben, do you hear that."
"I do, Bill. Sounds like an…"
Rocks started to slide down the cliff. First one, then another, then another, until-
"AVALANCHE!"
"Everyone, clear the quarry stat!"
The alarm sounded, and everyone scrambled to Bill and Ben's trucks as fast as they could. Bill and Ben were just about to leave when-
"HELP!"
They turned around to see the quarry master on the ground. He had tripped on his way to the trucks and had twisted his ankle. Without a second thought, the two rushed over to help him.
"There's no time. You need to get the men out of here now! Leave me behind."
"Fat chance. Bill, you grab his arms. I've got the legs."
Before the Quarry Master could protest, the two had hoisted him up into the air and were running back to their trains. They set him in Bill's brakevan, and scrambled back to the controls. They got their trains and the men out of the quarry just in time, as the avalanche poured down and destroyed it.
The next day, Bill and Ben were called to Knapford Station.
"I hope he's not going to yell at us again."
"Its your fault for letting those workmen trick us."
"No, it's not. It's yours."
"Is not."
"Is too."
"Is Not!"
"Is Too!"
"Ahem."
The two turned to see Sir Topham Hatt, a fire fighter, and all the workmen they had saved, the quarry master leaning on crutches. The fire fighter stepped forward.
"Bill and Ben, for showing unwavering bravery in the face of danger and risking your lives to save another, The Sodor Search and Rescue Team would like to present you with these medals of bravery."
Bill and Ben beamed proudly as the medals were pinned to their shirts. The firefighter saluted them, which they returned as the crowd cheered. Sir Topham Hatt stepped forward.
"I owe you two an apology. It was some devious sledgehammers that caused the mess, and they have been let go. You two are really useful."
Bill and Ben just beamed.