Chapter 5: The Mystery Deepens

The following morning, the Coast Guard team had just finished putting Chlotilda into dry dock with Zip, Venus and Tex each giving a witness statement. At that moment, Stormy came up alongside with an irate Venom in tow.

"Ah, good," said Peeper Pipes. "Another villain caught. Good work, Stormy."

"You should be thanking Zebedee," replied Stormy. "He was the one who rammed her into the mudbank."

"They got you too, Venom?" gasped Chlotilda.

"At least you both have each other for company," said Constance. "Venom, you are also under arrest for kidnapping and attempted kidnapping!"

"You can't do this to me!" snapped Venom. "We're trying to do the world a favour by getting rid of those oil-guzzling vermin! Without them, steam can rise again!"

"By scrapping innocent vessels?" Cappy replied. "I don't think so!"

"And here's a newsflash for you, Venom!" added Stormy. "We like working with diesel tugs! They're not hurting anyone, so LEAVE! THEM! ALONE!" Stormy rammed into Venom so hard, she almost tipped over.

"We'll take it from here, Stormy," said Davy Jones. "You go and meet up with the others."

"Alright, Davy Jones," replied Stormy, setting off.

"This isn't over!" Venom yelled defiantly. "You can't stop us! We'll keep fighting until every last diesel tug in the world is dead! You'll see! YOU'LL ALL SEE!"

"Less of that, you!" snapped Snowy. Just then, a sailor rushed up.

"I'm sorry, everyone," he called, "but some urgent news has just come in!"

Last Night

After retiring from managing the Dock Railway in 1995, Martin Hobbs enjoyed a peaceful life in Bigg City. Upon learning that Porter was alive this whole time, Mr. Hobbs volunteered to aid in his restoration despite his age, as a way of making amends for outright replacing him, Kirke, Puffa and Little Owl with diesels, understanding how short-sighted it was. Because of it, we had all forgiven him since it wasn't done out of malice. His successor was a compassionate woman named Melinda Stevens; she was kind-hearted towards Sean, Camellia and Marigold, but had held Crash and Frosty in the same disregard as Mr. Hobbs due to their horrid attitudes.

Mr. Hobbs was coming home from the theater and had just parked his car. Just as he stepped out, he failed to notice a mysterious figure lurking nearby. The figure pulled out a gun, ran towards Mr. Hobbs, and shot him three times, killing him. A delivery van passed by as the driver heard the gunshots, and became startled, as the figure ran away. Soon, paramedics and police were on the scene. After the driver gave a witness statement, the police informed him about what had happened to Mr. Hobbs, much to his shock.

Present

The tugs all met up at the Railhead.

"Alright," said Zob. "We all did an excellent job last night. No more diesel tugs were kidnapped and as we speak, two of these Lightning Stacks are currently being held in dry dock. However, the enemy is not going to give up that easily. If anything, they're going to get even more fired up from this. Pun not intended."

"Well, the two tugs we caught last night are called Chlotilda and Venom," said Pisces. "Venom was built at the same works as me, Misty and Scorpio, as well as two nasty tugs named Piranha and Cancer, who are also likely to be in on this as well. Piranha is cruel, bossy, mean, controlling and sarcastic, whereas I'm caring, nice, sweet, polite, and smart."

"Cancer is sassy, perky, and troublemaking," added Misty. "She has a perky attitude and is the most unintelligent and rowdy one of the group, in contrast to me, because I'm sweet, friendly, and sensitive."

"Venom is the most violent and rebellious member of the group," added Scorpio.

"So, exactly like you," smirked Stormy.

"She's nothing like me!" snapped Scorpio.

"Actually, Venom is just like Scorpio, minus the more positive traits," said Pisces.

"As for Chlotilda," said Venus, "she is a Tulloch Works tug like myself and Zip. She has a reputation of being wild and obnoxiously loud."

"What is it with this port and its tugs having evil relatives?" asked Ember.

The tugs all paused. They knew what Ember was hinting towards – Zug was afraid of Zeus, and Zeus hated Zug. In fact, when Zug learned that he and Zeus were both built at Snyder Works, he was pleased at first, but then Zeus rudely told him that just because they were brothers did not make them friends, much to Zug's dismay. There were more signs of that toxic relationship such as the time Zak and Zeus threatened Zug, Zip and Zilly to keep quiet about O.J. being in the breaker's yard, the time Zak and Zeus abandoned Zug, Zip, Zebedee and Zilly where they were framed for treason, and most significantly, Zeus had a hand in Zug's near demise.

"That is a good question, Ember," replied O.J..

"Weel, Ah kin recall a sister o' mine 'n' Warrior's wha caused na end o' grief," said Big Mac. "Her name wis Mara 'n' she hud an overly blunt, cynical attitude 'n' wis ferr often rude tae Warrior whenever he hud a mishap."

"Is that why you snapped at Top Hat when he lashed out at Warrior after Zelda's supposed death?" asked Zebedee. Top Hat silently flinched at the memory.

"Aye," replied Big Mac. "It brought back bad memories. Ah wasn't goin' tae staun by 'n' let mah brother be tormented lik' that. Eventually, oor owner git fed up wi' her attitude sae he sold her tae th' aw the United States Navy in th' hope thay wid whip her intae shape."

"Well, they obviously failed at that," muttered Scorpio.

"Moonlight said there was another tug built around the same time as him named Lightning," said Sunshine.

"Mmm-hmm," added her brother. "She was a competitive harbour tug. Far too competitive, actually."

"I see," replied Zob.

"There's something else you should know," said Alonso. "Chimera and I overheard two tugs arguing last night, both male."

"One of them sounded dimwitted and loud," added Chimera. "The other had a German accent."

"Oleander and Otto!" gasped Penny. "It's got to be them!"

"Weren't they two of those tugs that tried to help Ursula with her attempted takeover?" asked Zion.

"Oh, yes," Zelda said darkly. "I remember Oleander when I worked for Captain Zero. He and his brothers, Nightshade and Foxglove, were unbelievably idiotic. Heck, Foxglove caused the fire that almost killed me."

"Something tells that Oleander and Otto are involved in all this," mused Hercules, "along with Corona, Nightshade, Foxglove, Hans… and those two."

The tugs knew exactly who Hercules was referring to, but before anymore could be said, they heard the shrill whistle of Davy Jones.

"Sorry to interrupt everyone," said Davy Jones, "but we've just received some urgent news. Martin Hobbs is dead! Shot three times by an unidentified assailant."

"Wait!" gasped Zob. "Martin Hobbs? As in, the man who replaced Mr. Lloyd on the Dock Railway? He's dead? Gunshot wounds? HE WAS MURDERED?!"

There was a long silence. The tugs' relationship with Mr. Hobbs had improved greatly since he redeemed himself, and they were shocked and saddened by this news. It was Scorpio who broke the silence.

"Is it just me, or does it seem odd he was killed during this crisis?" she asked.

"Now that you mention it," replied Zob thoughtfully, "it seems too much of a coincidence, given it was Mr. Hobbs who had the Dock Railway dieselised back in 1950. I suspect whoever is responsible for these kidnappings also killed Mr. Hobbs."

"To that end," said O.J., "we must keep our eyes open for anything suspicious."

"And as an additional measure," said Peeper Pipes, "all diesel tugs are to be guarded by Pisces, Ember, Alonso and Chimera at all times."

"Understood, sir," replied Pisces.

"Are you sure about this, Pisces?" asked Sunshine. "It all seems too much for you guys."

"I know," replied Pisces, "but Peeper Pipes is right. Most of us will remember the horrors of World War II and how the curfew impacted our daily lives. It was annoying, but it was the right thing as it was for our safety. Think about it – these villains failed once, and they're only going to get more dangerous, don't you think?"

Everyone else agreed.

Arthour's notes: Well, now the tugs have gotten that bit of news, things have really ramped up...

Next time, we discover more as we learn Julissa's Story.