Chapter 267: Never Trust a Rumor

One sunny morning, Thomas was working happily on his branchline. As he made his way down the line, he saw Harold flying his helicopter overhead.

"Ahoy, Harold! Keeping our Island safe, are you?"

But Harold didn't respond, and soon departed the area. Thomas didn't mind though, for he knew Harold had a very important job to do. But as the day went on, he found Harold appearing more and more.

"That's odd, his patrols don't usually last this long."

At the junction, he mentioned this odd occurrence to Henry.

"Now that you mention it, I did see him a lot over the mainline yesterday. Seems odd that he'd be focusing on just those specific areas, though."

"Something's up, I can feel it."

It wasn't just Thomas and Henry, either. The next day, Duck and Oliver saw him flying over their branchline, and Edward saw him the day after that. Word began to spread about these encounters, and rumors began to crop up.

"I heard he's a scout for a foreign country looking to invade Sodor."

'I heard he's an alien trying to learn about our way of life!"

"Sasha told me that he's being relocated to save money."

The longer these sightings lasted, the more outrageous the rumors become. Soon, even the engine drivers got caught up in the frenzy.

"You know what I think?'

"No, and we don't care either!"

James ignored Gordon's outburst, and continued.

"I think Sir Topham Hatt's looking to replace us with Harold."

"Replace us? James, are you out of your mind?'

"Think about it. Every time he needs to go anywhere now, who does he rely on for transportation? Especially with that special visitor a few days ago? I'm telling you, its only a matter of time."

The house was silent. No one wanted to admit it, but James had a point.

"Sir Topham Hatt wouldn't replace us...would he?"

"Of course not, Percy. James is just being paranoid."

But even Edward wasn't so sure. The next day, Gordon was racing down the mainline with the express when he saw Harold hovering over head.

"I'll show him that he can't replace me! I'll race him to the next station!"

And that's just what he did, charging full steam ahead. After a minute, he overtook Harold's helicopter, making him smirk in satisfaction.

"That'll show him! And Sir Topham Hatt, too."

But he wasn't watching where he was going, and danger lay ahead. A sharp bend was coming up in the track, and he was heading straight for it. By the time he saw it, it was too late. With a loud CRASH! Gordon's engine leapt off the rails, sliding into a ditch. Gordon had jumped clear, and looked on in horror.

"Well...that could've gone better."

James soon arrived with the breakdown train, as well as a very cross Sir Topham Hatt. He was happy no one was seriously hurt, but he was not impressed by Gordon's actions.

"Gordon, what is the meaning of this! I know you're taking the express, but there are speed limits for a reason."

"I'm sorry, sir. I just thought that if I could prove how fast my engine could go, you wouldn't replace us."

"Replace you? Wherever did you get that idea?"

"From James."

Sir Topham Hatt shot the other engine driver a hard glare, making him cower away.

"The reason I've been using Harold is because I've been trying to find the best location for a new tunnel. His helicopter can give me a better view of the rails than I can from the ground. It was NOT because I intend to replace my engines. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"I'll think of a punishment later. For now, James, take Gordon's engine to the steamworks."

"Yes sir."

Gordon and James said not a word as they left. They were too busy worrying about what punishment they would have to endure when Sir Topham Hatt saw them next.