Blazing Stars
Written by Jonathan Downs, Rachel Ravens and Zack Wanzer
1917
Johnathan Star's Point of View
When the Great War began in Europe in 1914, the President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, declared impartial neutrality. Many Americans supported this policy, although a vocal segment of the population favored "preparedness" for war – especially strengthening the United States military.
However, when German forces sank the Lusitania on May 7, 1915, public opinion began to shift away from neutrality as the sinking resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 passengers, including 128 Americans. In the face of strong U.S. reactions, Germany temporarily backed off its submarine attacks on passenger and merchant marine ships in the Atlantic.
When Wilson ran for a second term, he campaigned under the slogan "He Kept Us Out of War" and was re-elected to a second term. However, Wilson could not avoid the inevitable and after Germany resumed its attacks, American public opinion shifted towards intervention. Sure enough, on April 6, 1917, Woodrow Wilson declared war on Germany.
Soon, both the Star Fleet and the Z-Stacks were hard at work, transporting large naval ships and supplies to and from Bigg City Port. Both fleets had to take on these jobs together, although they were not necessarily best pleased about it.
"I cannot believe it!" Top Hat said crossly. "Stars and Z-Stacks working together? Whatever next?"
"It's bad enough having to compete with Zip and Zug every day," groaned Ten Cents. "Now to work with them regularly?"
"How do we think we feel?" snapped Zak. "Helping the enemy is just degrading!"
"We haven't got time for this," replied Top Hat. "Come, Ten Cents. Let's get back to work before Zak threatens to get even with us again." Without another word, the Star Tugs left.
The next morning, the Star tugs gathered around for the briefing.
"Good morning, Star Fleet," I boomed.
"Morning, Captain," replied the Star Tugs.
"Before I can brief you today…" I said, before taking a deep breath. "My son has an announcement. Patrick?"
"Due to the United States' entry in the Great War in Europe," said Patrick, "I have decided to enroll in the United States Navy."
"WHAT?!" the Stars exclaimed in shock.
"But you can't!" gasped Ten Cents.
"Don't you have any idea how dangerous it is?" asked O.J..
"Believe me, I do, O.J.," replied Patrick. "But I know many people won't even try to fight. So… I decided I would step up to the plate."
"Well… na maiter whit happens," said Big Mac, trying to fight back tears, "Patrick, ye wull aye be a pairt o' oor fleet."
"It was an honor having you working with us," agreed Top Hat.
"It's been an honor working with you as well," replied Patrick. "But don't worry. I'll be back before you know it. Who knows? I might meet a tug or two who might want to join our fleet after the war."
"That would be nice," said Warrior. "We're always willing to welcome new tugs to the fleet, right, fellas?"
"Of course we are!" added Ten Cents. Big Mac, O.J. and Top Hat all agreed too.
"I deeply care about all of you, and I shall miss you all," replied Patrick. "Godspeed, Stars."
"Godspeed, Patrick," said the Star tugs.
A week later, we all saw Patrick off. Harry had also volunteered for the United States army.
"Take care, honey," said Lenore as she, Captain Lucky and Andrea hugged him.
"Be careful, son," said Captain Lucky.
"Come back soon, daddy," said Andrea.
I was there with Sarah and Thomas to see Patrick off.
"No matter what, son," I said, putting a hand to his shoulder, "I will always be proud of you. Godspeed, Patrick Allen Star."
"Yes, godspeed, honey," said Sarah.
"Good luck, daddy," said Thomas.
The Salvage Fleet were discussing the conflict as well.
"What a surprise!" groaned Stormy. "Despite President Wilson's best efforts, we get dragged into the conflict."
"Well, we've got to do the best we can to stop this horrible conflict," said Pisces. Then, they all heard shaking and whimpering.
"Misty, are you alright?" Moonlight asked in concern.
"Err… no," said Misty, terrified.
"I think I'd better explain," sighed Pisces. "Misty is terrified of war, which is why she hated her life in the Navy. There were a few other tugs who sympathized with her plight like myself, Scorpio, Hercules and Venus."
"But some of the other tugs were really cruel," added Scorpio darkly. "Those being Saleen, Blaze, Mara, Chlotilda, Lightning, Piranha, Cancer and Venom."
"I had trouble with a fellow Navy tug as well," sighed Ember. "A narcissistic ocean-going tug named Zeus. He wouldn't stop boasting about his achievements and superiority and would constantly belittle switchers, seeing them as 'unimportant runts who only get in the way of us more important tugs'."
"You think that's bad?" replied Stormy. "When I was based in the Washington Navy Yard – as in Washington D.C., not Washington state – I worked with this obnoxious harbour tug named Envoy, or as we nicknamed him 'Bluenose' because his nose had an unusual blue tint. He was obnoxious, bossy, pompous, and self-absorbed, acting like he was a sergeant towards everyone else. He often referred to the other tugs as 'laddie' and was notorious for putting orders before using common sense. Bluenose also had a tendency to abuse his status and position as a naval tug, and was not above bullying other tugs to get his way. I couldn't have said yes to being a Salvage tug quick enough."
"I wouldn't want to meet with either of those tugs," said Hail. "They sound like bullies and we already have problems with the Poison Plant trio, the Z-Stacks and the scrap dealers as it is, so for one or all of them to come to Bigg City would be far too much."
"Mmm-hmm," agreed Moonlight.
"What's that about Bigg City?" asked an unfamiliar voice. The Salvage tugs looked to see a small switcher in the same livery, but she had no number. She was almost the same shape as Moonlight but had a red cap and a sun symbol on her stack. She also only had one tooth.
"Oh, hello," said Pisces. "Who are you?"
"Ah'm Sunshine, ma'am," said the switcher. "Mr. Mitton's new tug."
"Ah, I'm Moonlight, the number seven of the Salvage Fleet," said Moonlight.
"You're the same design as me!" exclaimed Sunshine happily. "Ah've got a brother!"
"My name is Pisces," the Salvage Fleet's leader said, "commander and leader of the Salvage Fleet. The harbour tugs are Mystic, or 'Misty' as she prefers, Scorpio, Ember and Stormy. Our other switcher is called Hail."
"Hi, Sunshine," said Misty.
"Hey, what's up?" said Scorpio.
"Welcome," said Ember.
"Hey there, kid," said Stormy.
"It's great to meet you, Sunshine," said Hail. "I always like to meet new friends and you strike me as a friendly little tug, so I can already tell we're going to be great friends."
"Oh, you asked about Bigg City?" said Pisces. "Well, this is Mittsville, where we're based. We help to handle the clean up operations here in Up River and in Bigg City Port. It's home to two rival tugboat companies – Captain Star's proud fleet of tugboats…"
"And the wily, devious tugs of Captain Zero who display the darker shade of the tugboat industry," said Scorpio darkly.
"So if you see a maroon tug with a black fedora, take care," warned Ember.
"Oh, by the way, Pisces," said Moonlight. "Captain Salvage wants you and me to show Sunshine the ropes."
"Not a problem," smiled Pisces.
"Right," said Ember. "Stormy, Scorpio, Misty, Hail and I had better be off. We've got training to do in case this blasted war results in salvage operations."
"More than likely," grumbled Stormy.
"What's a war?" asked Sunshine. "What's going on?"
Ember and Stormy then realised their mistake. Sunshine had only just been built and this would be the last thing she needed to hear.
"I'd better explain it to her," said Pisces. "But please, you two, be careful what you say in front of younger tugs in future. Sunshine's only a kid, after all."
"Sorry," the two tugs replied sheepishly as they, Misty, Scorpio and Hail moved out.
The five Salvage tugs arrived at the Naval base where the Star Tugs and the Z-Stacks were waiting.
"So I've heard that the Naval base has recently received its own tug," Ten Cents said.
"Let's hawp he's mair pleasant than certain ither tugs Ah kin mention," muttered Big Mac.
"Oh, you want to get even?!" snapped Zak. "We'll get…"
"ATTENTION! ATTENTION!" yelled a voice. Zip and Zug yelped in fright whilst Misty shrieked and shivered in terror as the horrible memories came flooding back to her.
"I think you spoke too soon, brother…" sighed Warrior.
"Oh no!" groaned Stormy as she recognised the voice. "Not him."
Sure enough, the tugs looked to see a harbour tug approach them. He was painted in blue-grey all over and wore a white sailor's cap. He also had a mustache and an unusual blue tint on his nose. There was a name painted on his hull.
"Err… good day," said Top Hat, trying to sound polite, but had a feeling this tug was going to be difficult. "What is your name?"
"Envoy of the United States Navy!" barked the tug. "So, what do we have here? PRIVATE STORMY! What are you doing here?"
"I'm here with the other Salvage tugs to conduct a training exercise, Bluenose," replied Stormy.
So that's that Bluenose character mentioned, Scorpio thought to herself. I see why Stormy hates the guy.
"Ah, I see," said Bluenose, before turning to Zebedee. "You, sir! Is this the barge of munitions that was meant to arrive at 1600 hours?"
"That's four o'clock, right?" Zebedee whispered to Zorran.
"Yes."
"Oi, there's to be no whispering amongst the ranks!" Bluenose barked.
"Look here!" snapped Zak. "We're civilians! We're not subject to military protocol!"
"SILENCE!" yelled Bluenose. "You did not have permission to speak, tug!"
"Neptune save me!" muttered Zak.
"Lock it up!" barked Bluenose. "Now, as for you…"
"My name's Zebedee," said the Z-Stacks' number two tug calmly.
"Your name is irrelevant," snapped Bluenose. "The only thing that matters is that you, sir, are late!"
"What do you mean, 'late'?" asked Zebedee worriedly.
"What part do you find confusing, tug?" snapped Bluenose. "This delivery was supposed to arrive at 1600 hours. It is currently 1604! What do you have to say for yourself?"
"With all due respect, sir," O.J. said calmly, "Zebedee has been here a good few minutes. I'd say he was on time."
"Maybe Bluenose should learn to count," smirked Zak.
"One more word out of you, Mister, and I will report you to your captain!" Bluenose thundered, before turning back to Zebedee. "As to this barge, if it did indeed arrive on time, I apologise to you. But if it didn't, then you had better hope I never find out!"
"Even if I was late, it was only by a couple of minutes," said Zebedee. "I'm not excusing it, I'm just saying…"
"And I am just saying to you, that we cannot afford even the slightest delays in these intense times!" replied Bluenose. "America needs to be strong and disciplined, as it was back in the Civil War! Otherwise, when Jerry comes our way, we risk being overrun and destroyed! I don't fancy seeing the Kaiser take up residence in the White House, do you?"
"No, sir," replied Zebedee.
"And I do not want anymore backchat from big-mouthed tugs with pea-sized brains," continued Bluenose, hinting towards Zak. "Do I make myself clear?"
"Oh, you want to get even, Beluga Whale?!" snapped Zak. "We'll get e…"
"Alright, I warned you, laddie!" snapped Bluenose. "Your captain will hear about this!"
"ZAK!" snapped Captain Zero. "What were you thinking, disrespecting a naval tug like that?"
"Hey!" argued Zak. "He was barking orders at us like there was…"
"SHUT IT!" Captain Zero argued back. "I'll have you know that my grandfather fought for the Union back in the Civil War! As such, I don't approve of my tugs disrespecting military personnel! Without them, this great country would have fallen to enemy hands by now!"
"But, sir…"
"When I say 'shut it', I mean 'shut it'!" snapped Captain Zero. "You're on dredger duty for the remainder of this war! If I ever hear about you disrespecting military personnel again, I will have you painted pink all-over! Now, get out of my sight!"
Without another word, Zak left the Zero Dock.
Meanwhile, Pisces and Moonlight were showing Sunshine the ropes.
"Okay, Sunshine," said Pisces. "What you need to do is get that barge to Mittsville – it's some new machinery to cut timber."
"No worries," smiled Sunshine. "Ah can handle it."
Just then, they heard an unfamiliar whistle.
"What was that?" asked Sunshine.
"That must be the new alligator tug the logging camps have ordered," Pisces said.
"An alligator tug?" Moonlight mused. "I've never heard of such a thing before."
"It's a special type of tugboat with the ability to travel on land to different lakes by pulling itself with a winch," explained Pisces. "They're commonly used by the forestry industry in Ontario, the Maritime provinces of Canada and the northern United States. This particular one comes from New Hampshire."
At that moment, an unusual looking tug came up alongside. Unlike the other tug, he had a rectangular hull made out of wood and had paddle wheels just like O.J.. On his paddle wheels were nameplates that read 'BILLY SHOEPACK'. He was painted mostly white with a black smokestack and wore a dark green cap.
"Hi, fellas," called the alligator tug. "Billy Shoepack here."
"Hello, Billy," said the Salvage Fleet's leader. "I'm Pisces, and the two switchers are Moonlight and Sunshine."
"What's that on your barge?" asked Sunshine.
"Why, dynamite, of course!" replied Billy enthusiastically. "Makes lovely big bangs! It would also be useful for blasting someone out of trouble."
"That would be too dangerous!" Pisces said firmly. "Someone could get killed."
"Mmm-hmm!" agreed Moonlight.
Just then, Corona came up with her own barge.
"Pisces, Moonlight," she called. "How are you?"
"Very well, thanks," said Pisces, before introducing Corona to Sunshine and Billy.
"You're a private switcher, too?" Corona asked Sunshine excitedly. "Can we be friends?"
"Yes, please!" exclaimed Sunshine.
A long time had passed since that day, and both Sunshine and Billy Shoepack had befriended everyone Up River with the obvious exceptions of the Poison Plant trio, Burke and Blair.
As for the Stars and Z-Stacks, despite their rivalry, well…
"Ugh," groaned Ten Cents. "The sooner this war ends, the better."
"I know…" said O.J.. "Too many people… they've…"
"Yeah…" sighed Ten Cents. "There can't be any more bloodshed. Why do wars exist?"
"I… I can't give a straight answer, young one," sighed O.J.. "Sometimes it's due to fighting for territory. Sometimes it's because one country misblamed another for a crime. And sometimes it's due to a major disagreement."
"Why can't everyone just talk things out peacefully?!" gasped Ten Cents. "It's not– it's not fair!" The little switcher began sobbing, and moved closer to O.J..
Oh, dear little Ten Cents… he thought.
"Attention! Attention!"
"Oh, what now?" muttered O.J..
"Ah, you two laddies are idling about!" he snapped. "I will not stand for this. Mobilization is what I want! Get moving!"
"I won't move!" snapped O.J.. "Can't you see Ten Cents is distressed?!"
"This is war!" retorted Bluenose. "There is no time for emotional stress! We must do our part to help win the fight!"
"Get lost, Bluenose!" growled O.J..
As the two continued arguing, Zip and Zug were heading by with a barge of engineering parts for Lucky's Yard.
"Come on, Zip!" called Zug. "Don't go slack on the towline!"
"I'm doing my best, Zug!" retorted Zip. "I'm just… low on coal."
"Why did you not refill at the last depot, you idiot?! Now Bluenose will be onto us!"
"I couldn't! It was empty!"
"Hmph!" snorted Bluenose. "One of the circle stack tugs is slacking off. I'll be right back!"
He dashed off, leaving O.J. glaring at him.
"Come on, Ten Cents," soothed O.J.. "We'll head to the Star Dock."
"Okay…" sighed Ten Cents. "The Z-Stacks are bad enough, but Bluenose is… ugh…"
"Tell me about it…"
Patrick kept in touch with us and during one letter, I was informed he had met two ocean-going tugs named Hercules and Venus, both of whom had saved his life after preventing the SS Clearwater from being destroyed by enemy forces. Although Venus had politely declined the offer to join the Star Fleet after the war, Hercules had accepted it.
…and you'll never guess, father. Hercules was built at Eagle Works, just like Ten Cents.
"Well, I'll be…" I smiled. "Little Ten Cents will be pleased! I'll keep it secret until the war is over."
Then came some tragic news. I was arriving at Lucky's Yard for some business when I saw Captain Lucky, Lenore and Andrea with tears in their eyes. There was also an army official. Captain Salvage was also comforting Lenore.
"Oh no," I gulped. "Moonlight Oceans above… Not Harry…"
"There was an accident at the base on the Dunkirk-Flanders border," explained Captain Salvage. "Two engines were racing backwards which caused a severe fire and poor Harry was burnt badly. One of the tugs, P.R.R. No. 9, tried to get him to the doctor, but he was too late. Harry died from his injuries on the way."
I couldn't think of anything to say so I pulled Captain Lucky, Lenore and Andrea in for a hug.
News of Corporal Lucky's death spread across Bigg City Port.
"Poor Lenore and Andrea," sighed O.J.. "They must be so devastated."
"So is Captain Lucky," said Ten Cents. "No parent should ever have to bury their own child."
"I think we should organize a funeral for Corporal Lucky," suggested Top Hat. Everyone else agreed.
The next day, Top Hat was heading back from the Railhead when he saw an unusual shape in the water and looked to see an unusual vessel emerge from the water, albeit with German markings.
"Halten Sie es ruhig, Amerikaner!" said the vessel. [Hold it right there, American!]
Several more of these vessels approached. Top Hat tried to run, but the vessel launched a torpedo, which barely missed him. However, his propeller was damaged.
"Oh, blast!" cried Top Hat. "I can't move."
"Hang on!" called an unfamiliar voice. "I'm coming!"
"Huh? Who's that? What's going… whoa!" exclaimed Top Hat as he felt himself being towed.
"I gotcha," called the voice. "Quick, into that building!"
Both Top Hat and the stranger hid in the building while the other tugs watched from their hiding places.
"Attention! Attention!" called a familiar voice. "All vessels make a diamond formation around the enemies!"
"Yes, Envoy!" they responded.
The vessels all quickly surrounded the enemies from either direction and cornered them at the quayside. There, the vessels were able to throw towlines onto the enemies and disarm them.
When everything was safe, the other tugs slowly emerged.
"Oh… has anyone seen Top Hat?" asked Ten Cents.
"No…" replied Big Mac.
"We'd better organize a search party," said O.J..
"No need, old chaps!" called a voice. They looked with relief to see Top Hat towed in by an unfamiliar vessel similar to the ones that attacked, but this was clearly one of their own.
"Grampus of the United States Navy at your service," said the vessel.
"I've never seen a vessel like you before," said Ten Cents.
"I'm a submarine," explained Grampus. "I was designed to operate underneath the water. I was built in 1900 and arrived a couple of days ago."
"You're certainly a lot friendlier than Bluenose," smiled Big Mac.
"Indeed," added O.J.. "Thank you for saving our friend."
"Yes, thank you, Grampus," said Top Hat. "Were those vessels that attacked submarines as well?"
"Yes," replied Grampus. "They're called U-Boats, part of the German Navy. They were sent up to attack Bigg City, but a spy tipped us off."
"That was lucky," said Warrior.
"We'd better let Captain Star know we're alright," said O.J..
"It was nice meeting you," called Top Hat, "and thanks again."
I was relieved to see that my tugs had survived the attack, as were Captain Salvage and, although he didn't like to admit it, Captain Zero. Nonetheless, we were all shaken up by the attack and after her husband's funeral, Lenore decided to take a course in counseling to help the tugs as much as she could. She passed the course with flying colours and soon became Bigg City's local counsellor. Her first subject was, of course, Top Hat, given his near miss.
"So remember, Top Hat, dearie," she said gently, "you have friends to look out for during this time."
"Thank you, Lenore," smiled Top Hat.
January 1918
Then one day, Captain Lucky made a shock announcement.
"You're retiring?!" gasped Lenore.
"The loss of my son has proven too much," sighed Captain Lucky. "From a mental perspective, I can no longer cope with the work. Fortunately, I have the perfect successor in mind – you."
"Me?!" Lenore said in surprise. "I… don't know what to say, other than, it will be your honor to follow in your steps."
Captain Lucky smiled as he gave his daughter-in-law a hug. The torch had been passed.
November 1918
The new Captain Lucky had big shoes to fill, but she succeeded in continuing in her father-in-law's footsteps whilst also carving out her own legacy. Everyone in Bigg City Port, particularly the Stars, Z-Stacks and Salvage Fleet, gained tremendous respect for her because of her kindness towards them.
Then, on November 11, 1918, there came the news of an armistice on the Western Front. After more than four years of horrific fighting and the loss of millions of lives, the guns on the Western Front fell silent. Although fighting continued elsewhere, the armistice between Germany and the Allies was the first step to ending the Great War.
This was followed by the Treaty of Versailles, which punished a defeated Germany with these Provisions. Some disarmed the German military, while others stripped the defeated nation of territory, population and economic resources, and forced it to admit responsibility for the war and agree to pay reparations. Whilst we felt relief at the end of the conflict, not everyone in Bigg City approved of the Treaty.
"This is ridiculous!" Zak muttered to himself. "How can anyone punish Germany like this? It's as if the world wants to villainise Germany and everyone who lives! Who's to say that the other countries aren't like this? Heck, even as far back as the Romans, there were those who conquered territories! There have been wars before this and there will be future wars as well! And you know what, the world will deserve it!"
Because of how busy the harbour was, no one heard but him.
A week or so later, Patrick came home and the first thing he did was give Captain Lucky and Andrea a hug. Then, he pulled me, Sarah and Thomas in as well.
"Welcome home, son," I said, putting a hand to his back.
"Aye, welcome back, Patrick, oan a big scale fae a' o' us," agreed Big Mac.
"It's good to be back," smiled Patrick.
Shortly after Patrick's return, negotiations were arranged with the Navy for Hercules to be bought by the Star Fleet. Admiral Cardona represented the Navy, and I'm pleased to say the negotiations were successful. We bought Hercules for an excellent price. However, during these discussions, I couldn't help but notice my breath getting heavier. I had a nasty feeling I wasn't going to last much longer…
The End?
Arthour's notes: Sunshine and Billy join the Up River team and we meet Grampus for the first time. Unfortunately, this is also the time where we say goodbye to Harry Lucky, and Jonathan Star is at death's door. If you want to see Hercules' arrival to the Star Fleet, I recommend checking out his self-titled chapter in the main series.
It will time for the epilogue, when The Stars Aline.