The Stars Align
Written by Jonathan Downs, Rachel Ravens and Zack Wanzer
1918
Patrick Star's Point of View
I hadn't anticipated this at all, but just after we left the naval office, my father suddenly collapsed due to a heart attack. An ambulance was quickly called and he was rushed to the hospital.
I was in the waiting room with my mother Kristi, Sarah and Thomas. We were all anxious. Then, the doctor came out to see us.
"It is with deep regret that Johnathan Star will not survive," he said grimly. "Please come to the ward so you can say goodbye."
Tearfully, we followed him to the waiting room where my father was lying in his bed, his life slowly slipping away. After speaking to Mother, Sarah and Thomas, he turned to me.
"Patrick…" he said between breaths. "The moment I pass on… the title of Captain Star will be yours… Look after Ten Cents, Big Mac, O.J., Top Hat and Warrior… for me…"
"I will continue to do so until the day I die," I promised. Then, with one final breath, my father passed away. Mother, Sarah, Thomas and I embraced each other in a sad hug.
That evening, I briefed the Star Tugs on the situation.
"His dying wish was for me to look after you," I said, "and I promise that I will do so for the remainder of my days."
"Will there be a funeral for him?" asked Ten Cents.
"Yes," I replied, "and we're going to hold it at Uptown. If you wish to attend, then don't worry about any scheduling conflicts or any work falling to the Z-Stacks. I'll deal with that."
Because of my father's sudden passing, I had Hercules' arrival delayed until after the funeral. A week later, we all gathered at Uptown to pay respects to my father. All the Stars tugs were in attendance.
"Goodbye, Captain Johnathan Star," said Warrior. "Thank you for taking me, Top Hat and O.J. in when we had uncertain futures."
"You were a great captain," agreed Ten Cents.
"Welcome him to the Moonlight Oceans Above, my old friends…" whispered O.J..
1919
It had been a few months since I took over as captain of the Star Fleet. With the help of my tugs, my family and Captain Lucky, I settled into my new role. Then one morning, I got a phone call from Captain Lucky to say that Hercules had passed his inspections and was on his way to the Star Dock.
"Good morning, Star Fleet," I said through the megaphone. "Before you all set off to work, I would like to introduce you to our newest recruit. He is an ex-Navy tug I met during the war."
"Oh no! Not another Bluenose!" groaned Top Hat.
"This is a' we need…" grunted Big Mac.
"I'm going to get boiler ache…" moaned Warrior.
"More orders, I swear…" grumbled O.J..
"Ugh, this isn't our day…" growled Ten Cents.
"Settle down!" I said sternly. "Contrary to what you may think, this tug is an absolute gentleman and he saved my life, so I invited him to join us. He's just finished his inspection at Lucky's and, as we speak, is on our way here." Then I heard a whistle. "Ah, here he comes now!"
It was at that moment Hercules steamed into the Star Dock, proudly wearing the Star Fleet livery with the number six on his smokestack. Big Mac, O.J., Top Hat and Warrior were amazed and secretly impressed with his size, but Ten Cents was stunned to see one particular feature.
"Greetings, m'dears," the ocean-going tug said politely. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Hercules, former Navy ocean-going tug." Any ill-feelings that the others had faded in an instant.
"Hello, Hercules; I'm Top Hat," said the railway tug.
"Th' name's Big Mac," said the Scottish harbour tug.
"I'm Big Mac's brother, Warrior," the Star Fleet's number five said.
"My full name is Otis Jones, but everyone calls me O.J. for short," said the paddle-driven tug.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all," Hercules replied, before looking at a certain switcher who had the same Eagle crest as him. "And if I'm not mistaken, you are young Ten Cents. I've heard a lot of great things about you."
"Err… yes," said Ten Cents, motioning to his hat. "Were you built at…"
"Eagle Works, New Hampshire? Yes," replied Hercules.
"I HAVE A BIG BROTHER!" shouted a delighted Ten Cents, hooting his whistle excitedly.
"Oi! Keep it down over there!" snapped a voice. "Some of us are trying to sleep."
My tugs and I laughed, whilst Hercules looked confused.
"That was one of the Z-Stacks, our business rivals," said O.J.. "It was Zak who had spoken."
"So you saved Captain Star's life?" said Ten Cents. "If that's not worthy of being a Star tug, I don't know what is. Welcome to the Star Fleet, big brother."
"Thank you, little brother," Hercules replied. From that point forward, Ten Cents and Hercules had a strong bond and would always look out for each other.
"Since you and Hercules have bonded well, Ten Cents," I said, "I feel it's only right you should show him around. Warrior, it's daily garbage for you. Top Hat, car floats as usual. Big Mac, O.J., timber from Up River."
"And I'll tell you about how I saved Captain Star's life this evening," said Hercules.
"That'll be great," smiled Ten Cents.
"Alright then, Star Fleet," I said. "Let's get to work."
As the tugs moved on to work, Hercules turned to Ten Cents.
"You know, Ten Cents," said Hercules, "you remind me of a tank engine I met in Southampton."
"Really?" asked Ten Cents. "What's his name?"
"He didn't have a name when I met him, but Captain Star decided to name him 'Thomas'," Hercules replied.
"After his son? Aw, that's so sweet," said Ten Cents.
"Indeed, old darling," said Hercules. "I'll explain it all tonight."
"I'm looking forward to it," smiled Ten Cents. Then, they heard three whistles and who should come up but Pisces, Misty and Scorpio.
"Hi, Ten Cents," called Misty. "How is… Pisces, Scorpio, look!"
"No way!" gasped Scorpio. "Is that…?"
"Good to see you again, m'dears," smiled Hercules.
"Hercules!" Pisces exclaimed. "You didn't tell us you were joining the Star Fleet."
"Wait! You three know Hercules?" gasped Ten Cents.
"He was the tug who recommended us to Captain Salvage in the first place," replied Scorpio.
"How did you join the Star Fleet?" asked Misty.
"It's a long story," chuckled Hercules.
"And get this – Hercules and I are brothers!" said Ten Cents excitedly.
The three Water Sign tugs looked at the Eagle Works crests on Ten Cents and Hercules' caps.
"Oh wow!" said Pisces. "That's amazing."
1921
Ten Cents was thrilled to have Hercules as a big brother and looked up to him as a role model. However, being an ocean-going tug meant that Hercules would be called up the coast. This meant that Ten Cents still felt lonely whenever Hercules was out at sea.
One day, Hercules noticed Ten Cents looking sad. "Is everything alright, little brother?" he asked.
"There's something I need to tell you, Hercules," sighed Ten Cents. "Before you arrived, I was friends with Zip and we even had romantic feelings for each other. But ever since Zug arrived and tore things apart… well…"
Hercules bit his lip and glanced at the little switcher.
"Well, Ten Cents… you still have us."
"I know…"
However, as Hercules soon realized, that wasn't always the case.
"Phew," he panted. "Another ship brought in… huh?!" He glanced over.
"…for the last time, I got here first!"
"Well, you are only one tug, aren't you, Ten Cents?" retorted Zug. "Zip and I are two, so we get more rounds than you!"
"Alright, alright, chaps." called Hercules. "Zug, if you want to explain to Captain Zero you are slacking off by arguing with a rival tug…"
"Er… n-no, Hercules," he stammered. "I was only… playing around with him. S-see you later."
As Zug trundled off, Ten Cents looked up at his brother in relief.
"Thank you, Hercules," he said quietly.
"How long were you arguing for, m'dear?" asked Hercules.
"I don't know… probably about five minutes," sighed Ten Cents. "It's the same every day. I argue with Zip and Zug, and… you and the others are on other contracts and I'm… I'm… all alone…" The poor switcher began to cry.
I wish I were a switcher… thought Hercules. Then I could keep you company all the time, little brother…
Meanwhile, Nightshade, Oleander and Foxglove had been arrested for selling a tramp steamer they'd just salvaged to Burke and Blair, despite the fact that the tramper was in reasonable condition. Captain Salvage had to pay a huge fine to the tramper's owners since it was done without their permission. For her, this was the stone that sunk the barge and told the other Salvage tugs of her decision.
"You three have caused trouble for the last time!" snapped Pisces.
"Hey, come on, babe…" began Nightshade.
"Don't you 'come on, babe' me!" interrupted Pisces. "Because of that little stunt you three pulled, Captain Salvage has to pay a huge fine! She's asked me to inform you that you three are fired! Now get out of our sight!"
With that, the three Poison Plant tugs were led away by Peeper Pipes, and the Salvage Fleet were relieved to see them go.
"Good riddance," said Stormy. Everyone else agreed. Just then, Captain Salvage came up.
"When you get home, Sunshine, Mr. Mitton needs to speak to you on an important matter," she said gravely. Sunshine realised it was serious and wasn't looking forward to it.
That evening, Hercules informed Top Hat, Big Mac, Warrior and O.J. about Ten Cents' situation – minus the fact that Ten Cents and Zip were once in love. The little switcher was sadly sleeping nearby.
"Na wonder Ten Cents used tae be sae claise tae Zip," exclaimed Big Mac.
"Oh dear," sighed Warrior. "Poor old Ten Cents."
"If only there was a way to put things right," mused Top Hat.
"Perhaps Hercules and I could speak to Captain Star about buying another switcher," suggested O.J..
"Good thinking, O.J.," said Hercules. "We'll do it first thing in the morning."
O.J. and Hercules did so the next morning.
"As it happens," I said, "I've noticed that Ten Cents' workload has been increasing lately. Whilst you've been doing well to help whenever you can, O.J., you have your own work to do. Recently, I've received an offer from a man named Alexander Jefferies in regards to his private switcher, Corona, but she's about to undergo maintenance, so I'll see about chartering another switcher until then."
Corona was quite excited about the prospect of working for me.
"You're a lucky tug, Corona," said Hail, "because the Star Fleet are really amazing and you're bound to make friends with them in no time."
"And with any luck, I'll never see Mr. Jefferies again," said Corona hopefully. Then, they heard crying.
"That sounds like Sunshine," said Misty. Corona and the Salvage Fleet went up to Sunshine's private dock where they saw the switcher in tears.
"Sis! What's wrong?" asked Moonlight in concern.
"It's Mr. Mitton," sobbed Sunshine. "He's not been feeling well recently. He went to the doctor for tests and… he's tested positive for cancer!"
The other tugs' mouths dropped open in horror.
"Oh no!" cried Misty.
"Oh, Sunshine!" said Corona. "I'm sorry to hear about what happened to Mr. Mitton."
"It's the uncertainty that scares me," Sunshine said. "If Ah can't get a new owner soon, Ah could be scrapped."
"Captain Salvage can't buy Sunshine, given the fleet's current difficulties," agreed Moonlight.
"I know," said Corona. "There's plans for me to be sold to Captain Star of the Star Tug and Marine Company in Bigg City Port. I'll be undergoing maintenance, but if you're chartered to him until then, maybe he'll help find another owner for you."
"That's a good idea," said Sunshine. "Thanks, Corona."
"I'm just glad to help a friend," said Corona.
Of course, I was more than happy to loan Sunshine for the time being, especially since I had just landed a major contract with White Star Lines to dock the Duchess. When Sunshine met Ten Cents, the two switchers clicked instantly to the point where Ten Cents maintained faith in her after she got blamed for ramming the Duchess. It was thanks to that loyalty that Ten Cents and Hercules learnt the truth from Izzy Gomez – it was Zak who shoved Sunshine into the Duchess and after learning about her owner dying, O.J. made a suggestion to make up for the grief he, Big Mac, Warrior and Top Hat had put her through.
The Salvage Fleet were out for a training exercise and wanted to check how Sunshine was doing after the incident. Then they heard two whistles.
"Morning, Ten Cents, morning Sunshine, how you are two…" began Pisces before noticing something. "Sunshine! You're in the Star Fleet's livery and wearing the number seven."
"That's right, Pisces," said Sunshine. "The other Star Tugs felt bad for wrongly pointing the finger at me, so O.J. asked Captain Star to buy me."
"That's wonderful news, sis," Moonlight said happily. "Congratulations."
"Looks like you won't have to worry about being lonely anymore, Ten Cents," smiled Stormy.
"You've got that right," agreed Ten Cents.
"Still, we're going to miss you Up River," Misty said sadly.
"Ah'll come up and visit whenever Ah can," promised Sunshine. "Plus, we'll be doing jobs Up River once in a while."
"That will be great," said Ember.
"You and the other Stars take good care of her, Ten Cents," said Pisces.
"You betcha," replied Ten Cents.
Of course, when I bought Sunshine, the deal to buy Corona fell through.
"It turns out that Captain Star preferred your little friend, which means I'm stuck with you!" growled Mr. Jefferies. "Now get back to work!"
Corona sadly did so, but once Mr. Jefferies was out of sight, her face turned to anger.
"That traitor thinks she can steal my position, does she?" she said darkly. "Well, I'll show her. I deserve to be the Star Fleet's number seven more than that little switcher with that pathetic sob story ever could, because no one says no to Corona!"
The End?
Athour's notes: And there you have it. The story has been caught up to the prime timeline. Hercules and Sunshine are now part of the Stars, the Poison Plant trio are kicked out of the Salvage team, and Corona has become very spiteful.
More stories to come.