Chapter 242: Escape From Misty Island Part 1

Harold flew his helicopter low over the Island, making his way back to base after dropping an injured rock climber off at the hospital. Spotting his landing zone, he gently brought it down to land. Sir Topham Hatt and Miss Jenny made their way over to greet him.

"Another splendid rescue, Harold! You are a Really Useful pilot!"

"Indeed, you'd make a mother proud!"

Harold chuckled modestly, happy to have done his job. He then glanced around at the busy construction site for the new Search and Rescue Center.

"A bit tight on the landing, though. This isn't going to be the new hanger, is it?"

Miss Jenny chuckled, pointing towards a spot where Jack and Alfie were working.

"No, but that does remind me. Come on, I'll introduce you to the rest of the team and give you a tour."

Harold nodded, climbing down and running over to join her. They made their way over to the entrance of the construction site, where he met Rocky, Harvey, Butch, and two new arrivals: a lifeboat captain named Christopher, although he preferred Captain, and Flynn, a firefighter.

"Alright, you six are the first official members of the Island's rescue team. The fire captain has asked me to show you where everything will be, so if you all will put on a hard hat and follow me..."

They all did so, following close behind while making sure to stay away from the heavy machinery. Their first stop was where Jack and Alfie were working, digging out foundations and loading the dirt into Max's dump truck.

"This is where your hangar will be, Harold. Your helicopter will have more than enough room to fit inside, and the roof will retract to make entrances and exits easier."

"Terrific!"

Next, they made their way to two larger buildings under construction. One was almost complete, with workmen putting it the roofing tiles, while the other was more of a work in progress, with Kelly helping workmen set up the frames.

"The building on the right will be a railway shed, where all of the railway cranes will be kept. Rocky and Harvey, this is where your vehicles will be kept."

Harvey and Rocky were mildly impressed.

"Neat!"

"My crane never had a shed before."

"And the building on the left is a garage for Fire trucks, tow trucks, and other rescue vehicles that use the roads instead of rails."

Miss Jenny then gestured to the nearby water, which for the moment was bare barring a small dock.

"Once we get the garage built, we'll put in a boat house for life boats. Then we'll expand the dock for larger rescue watercraft."

Christopher nodded in approval.

"Sounds good."

Lastly, they made their way back to where they began, right next to Harold's helicopter.

"And this, in time, will be the main base of operations. Here, rescue workers can rest when they're not on a mission, and where calls for help can be received. And it will be made from the strongest material possible...Jobi Wood."

The team was rather confused by this.

"Jobi Wood?"

"Its a rare kind of wood that can only be found in Japan. They're super strong and durable, and will never bend or break. The perfect material for this rescue station! Oh, that reminds me, Harold..."

"Oh, right!"

Later that day, Sir Topham Hatt came to see Gordon.

"Gordon, the ship with the Jobi Wood for the Rescue Center will arrive in one hour. I want you to go and collect it when it does. This is an important load, so I want no moaning, understood?"

Gordon smiled proudly. The words "important load" were enough to keep him from complaining.

"Of course, sir. I'll be there right on time."

"Excellent. Good day, then."

Arry and Bert, who were bringing Iron Bars to the construction site, snorted.

"Why should an out of date engine be used for such an important load? Our modern diesels are much more capable of taking it."

Gordon burst out laughing.

"Modern? Maybe, but capable? Don't be daft, your diesels are far too puny. Step aside and let a real man do his job."

"Puny? Why I oughta-"

But Gordon had already drove his engine away to fill up on coal and water, making sure to blow steam all over the two of them as he went. This made the twins even crosser.

"Who does he think he is? A steam engine pales in comparison to any diesel, no matter the size!"

"Yeah! Why, I bet we could do it twice as fast as he could!"

This gave Arry an idea.

"Why don't we? Gordon's lunch break is right before the ship arrives, so if we sneak out and take it..."

"Err, I don't know Arry. Sir Topham Hatt won't like that too much, and..."

Arry snarled and smacked Bert upside the head.

"That's why we won't tell him, stupid! Not until we drop it off, anyway. And once he sees how good a job we did..."

Bert got the idea, and chuckled darkly.

"Oh, heh heh, I get it. Good idea."

"I know. That's why I said it."

The two laughed, and slinked away to get ready. But they were heading for trouble.