DANGER AT THE DIESELWORKS

The following morning, at Arlesburgh Junction, there was chaos.

"Good morning, every– What in the world?!" cried Duck. The scene that lay before him was Rex, Mike, Bert and Jock looking rather agitated.

"It's Frank and the girls!" cried Bert. "They're gone!"

"Six engines gone missing in one night?!" Alistair exclaimed.

"Actually, it was Sigrid and the Blister Twins," Rex elaborated. "Sabrina and Ellie were sleeping at Bridge Street."

"Oh no!" Mirabel realized. "More diesels did go missing last night!"

"And if Frank, Sigrid and the Blisters are in danger," said Benjamin, "that means Rusty and Fred could be captured if they haven't already!"

"We must alert the others at once!" said Duck. "Don't worry, you lot. We'll find your colleagues."

"Oh, please find them soon!" begged Mike. "I never thought I'd say this, but where else can we find a maintenance diesel like Frank?"

Normally, at that point, Rex would've teased Mike about actually caring about Frank, but now wasn't the time for it. Duck rushed away, hoping that the rest of the diesels and electric engines were alright.

"Oh no…" gulped Ellie. "What have I done…"

Meanwhile, on the Skarloey Railway, Orchid and Silver were talking in private.

"Okay, Silver, listen good," said Orchid. "Ellie and Sabrina did their part last night with Lawrence, but Vanessa nearly mucked it up. We have to act quickly and quietly so none of the Skarloey engines suspect what we're doing tonight."

"Orchid," sighed Silver, "can't you just look at what the North Western engines are doing? If they didn't care about the diesels and electric engines at all, they wouldn't have put themselves as bodyguards or rig flatbeds with flares."

"Then that means we've got to be even sneakier, Silver!" said Orchid. "Just keep playing nice and–"

"What in the world?!" gasped another voice. "Mac, you won't believe this!"

"It's not her, is it?"

"It is!" said Mighty. "I'd recognize her anywhere."

"Er… hello, boys," said Orchid. "You're Mighty Mac, right?"

"This isn't your business, ma'am," said Mac. "Silver, what in the world are you doing here?!"

"Er… Mighty, Mac… I…" she trailed. "I just… I didn't want to come here and came unceremoniously."

"Then perhaps you should've stuck to that!" huffed Mighty.

"I know…" sighed Silver. "I'm sorry to have troubled you two."

"Oi, what's going on here?" said another voice. Bustling into the quarry was Rusty, who came with supplies to mend the tracks; Peter Sam was close behind with slate trucks. "Mighty Mac, do you recognize Silver and Orchid?"

"We used to work with Silver, and she was one of the most insufferable engines on our old line!" said Mac.

"She kept on thinking she was better than us and Little Giant," said Mighty. "And when she kept on disobeying the manager, she was put onto a siding."

"And it didn't occur to you two that she could have changed?!" snapped Rusty.

Mighty and Mac stopped for a moment, staring down at the rails.

"Rusty's right," said Peter Sam. "Silver worked really hard yesterday. Give her a fair chance, and you'll see."

The double fairlie went silent for a moment, both of them briefly closing their eyes.

"We're watching you," said Mighty.

"But don't try anything funny," added Mac. The double fairlie puffed away to collect their next train.

"I, er… better go too," said Orchid. "Duncan said he'd double head his next train with me." She scampered off. Silver looked over at Rusty and Peter Sam in surprise.

"Th-thank you…" she said quietly. "I didn't expect you to do that."

"Everyone deserves a fair chance, Silver," said Rusty. "Come on, why don't you help Peter Sam with his trucks?"

"Many wheels make light work," Peter Sam smiled. Silver complied and buffered up.

Maybe diesels aren't so bad after all, she thought. Rusty was so kind as to believe in me.

"Are you absolutely sure, Duck?!" cried Percy when they saw each other at Knapford.

"Yes," affirmed the pannier tank. "Frank, Sigrid, the Blister twins – all kidnapped last night! Was anyone else?"

"No," said Percy. "Not from what I heard at least. Though Rusty and Fred could also be in trouble."

"That's what I was thinking as well," said Duck. "It also feels strange that as soon as new steam engines show up, some of the diesels end up disappearing. There has to be a connection."

"You're not wrong there, Duck," said a voice; it was Annabelle, having overheard them. "I just got off of a phone call with Mr. Duncan, and he couldn't believe that the Arlesdale Railway's diesels had disappeared as well. He's just let Mr. Percival know about this, so hopefully, Rusty and Fred will be safe."

"That's good to hear," breathed Percy. "Has there been any word regarding the Culdee Fell Railway?"

"They've got no diesels there, so they should be fine for now," said Annabelle. "Although Mr. Richards has considered getting a pair of diesels at some point in the near future. But with that being said, the electric engines must be protected at all costs; we cannot risk a repeat of what happened after Stevie's final firing."

Percy and Duck shuddered.

"Oh, I'm sorry, you two," sighed Annabelle; she placed a hand gingerly on Duck's bufferbeam.

"You are right though," said Duck. "That's the last thing we need."

"We'll need to find those thieves once and for all," said Annabelle. "And I think I know how we'll do it. We'll set up the flares again, but this time, an engine is going to chase the thief and corner them."

"Good idea," said Percy. "We'll catch those thieves if it's the last thing we do!"

That evening, the traps were set up again, but this time, at least one engine was awake and alert so that they could pounce when the thieves showed up.

"One of the few good ideas Captain Zero had before his turnaround," said Porter, observing the docks before sighing, "Just a pity he met an unfortunate end at the hands of his awful wife."

Just then, he heard the steady approach of a steam engine.

"I have to do this…" the voice whispered. "But… no… I can't. It's wrong."

Porter's eyes widened with surprise; this was a voice he hadn't heard in years. It couldn't be, he thought. Could it?

"I c… I c… I can't do it!" wailed the voice; the engine stopped before she could reach the points.

"Henney?!" Porter rushed forward, utterly stunned. "You're the kidnapper?!"

"I-it's not what it looks like!" protested Henney. "I didn't want to do this to begin with, but our leader threatened me to comply or else I'd suffer!"

"Your leader?" asked Porter. "Just who is your leader?"

"Her name's Addison Darnell, and she runs an organization that wants all diesel and electric engines scrapped, no matter how innocent they are!"

"ADDISON DARNELL?!" At this Salty and Cranky awoke with a start, and Porter gawked.

"Ye don't mean the same Addison Darnell who was once the best friend of our very own Annabelle Regaby?" asked Salty.

"Th-that's the one," said Henney. "She h-has a whole fl-fleet of steam engines here, and m-most of th-them are compliant with her o-orders. But a few of them, m-myself included, are t-terrified of her…!"

At that point, Henney broke down sobbing.

"Oh, lass," Salty whispered. "Come now. We'll track her down and get our friends back."

"B-but you'll be in danger too, good sir!" Henney stammered. "W-we can't risk that."

"There's strength in numbers, sis," said Porter. "Come on. Let's round up the other engines and go together. What do you say?"

"Then… I'll do it," said Henney. "Follow me, you two. Addison has the kidnapped engines at an abandoned part of the yard at the Dieselworks. Oh, er, I'm Henney."

"I'm Salty, and that crane up there is Cranky." The 07 gestured upwards.

"Pleasantries later," said Cranky. "Go save the others now!" The trio raced off without another word, although Salty had begun to sing one of his sea shanties:

"Soon may the Wellerman come,

To bring us sugar and tea and rum.

One day, when the tonguing is done,

We'll take our leave and go!"

Unfortunately, the flare trick didn't seem to be working this time.

"You're coming with me, you devious deceiver!" snapped Veronica. She rushed forwards, but…

"Oh no, you don't!" Duck had charged towards Veronica and knocked her right off the tracks. His front buffers were dented from the impact.

"Ugh, ungrateful cousin of mine…" grunted Veronica.

"Duck… thank you," Diesel said quietly.

"That's one of the thieves taken care of," Duck smiled. "But I doubt that she's working alone."

"Ah think you're richt," Donald said gravely. "Let's gang oot 'n' investigate."

"Stick th'gither," called Douglas. "Thir's strength in numbers!" As the four engines headed out, they heard a commotion.

"What did you do?!" Over at the Arlesdale Railway Sheds, Sabrina had been cornered by the turntable while Rex, Bert, and Mike blocked her ways out.

"Exactly like I said, Bert," smirked Sabrina. "The diesels are completely gone. You even said you don't like Frank all that much, Mike."

"That doesn't mean I wanted him gone!" growled Mike. He looked as though he was ready to push Sabrina right into the turntable well. "Where are they?!"

"Lawrence took them to the land of None-Of-Your-Business," said Sabrina. That was a big mistake on her part.

"MR. DUNCAN WILL KICK YOU OUT WHEN HE FINDS OUT!" growled Rex.

"He sure will!" Jock bustled in with Ellie, the latter with a death glare.

"I don't want to help scrap diesels, Sabrina!" she said firmly. "Unlike you, I don't want to end up in the Underground Railway for aided murder if my time eventually comes!"

"Don't tell me you actually believe what those railway equalists are spewing about peace and unity!" sneered Sabrina. "It's all a bunch of propaganda and lies! Without those modern engines, we steam engines will be forever immortal! Never to be threatened with withdrawal or the cutter's torch ever again! The Golden Age of Eternal Steam is soon to begin!"

"NEVER!" yelled Ellie. Taking everyone by surprise, Ellie coupled onto and pulled Sabrina away from the others. She raced off as quickly as she could, and pushed Sabrina hard – so hard, her driver fell out of the cab. Sabrina rocketed up the ballast chute.

"WHOOOAAAA!" she cried. "I'll get you for this, Ellie!"

CRASH!

"Did anyone order a bright orange miniature engine?" Duck joked, having pushed a ballast truck under Sabrina.

"Ugh… I'll get her in the next round…"

"Well done, Ellie!" called Jock. Bert, Mike, Rex and the North Western engines joined in the cheering too.

"Yes, that takes care of that traitor indeed," said another voice. Out of Jock's cab stepped none other than Mr. Duncan. He walked over to where Sabrina was trapped. "You shall be dealt with once Frank, Sigrid and the Blisters have been recovered!" he said sternly.

"You haven't seen the last of me!" snapped Sabrina. "When I get back, you will all pay!"

"Sir," said Ellie, "your engines are at the Dieselworks at Vicarstown at an abandoned siding!"

"It's always the Dieselworks," muttered Diesel.

"If Frank, Sigrid 'n' th' Blisters ur thare," said Donald, "then that means th' rest o' th' diesels mist be thare as weel!"

"We'd better round up th' ithers," said Douglas. "Let's go, lads!"

"Bring them back safely!" called Rex as the quartet left.

"I'll alert Annabelle and Mr. Percival," said Mr. Duncan. "The rest of you, try and remain calm."

"That's about all we can do…" sighed Bert.

"No, Orchid!" cried Silver.

"What do you mean 'no'?" Orchid sneered while the crane lifted Fred onto a flatbed; both she and Rusty had been knocked out with Green Water.

"Rusty and Fred don't deserve this!" Silver insisted. "They're good engines, especially Rusty!"

"Oh, shut it, Silver!" sneered Rodney. "You and Orchid will be fine replacements for these two buzz boxes."

"I will never replace anyone!" Silver tried to pull Rusty away, but Orchid pulled back. The two steam engines engaged in a brief tug of war before Silver's coupling snapped and she shot backwards.

"Oh, I think you will be now," Orchid giggled as the crane began to lift Rusty. "Too bad, so sad!"

"No!" wailed Silver; she rushed back to the Skarloey Railway sheds.

At the Dieselworks, nearly all the diesels and electric engines had been rounded up.

"These four had to be disconnected before being brought up here," muttered Doris, referring to Pamela, Selina, Kyle and Harleen. "How pathetic; can't be useful if you're stuck in one place!"

"For the record, we like working on our branch line!" snorted Pamela. "It's peaceful compared to the rest of the island!"

"Modern monstrosities like you don't deserve peace!" sneered Addison. "The only ones who rightfully deserve the peace and tranquility of the world are steam engines, whom many of these railway networks would be nothing without!"

"Mom," called Viola, "it seems we're two engines short."

"Oh, don't worry about those narrow gauge diesels," said Addison. "Rodney's bringing them up now. Your mama just called; Silver and Orchid did their bit."

"Erm, that wasn't who Viola was referring to, mom," said Kyle; a young boy, not the electric engine. "It's that dockyard diesel and the black 08 we're missing out on."

"WHAT?!" cried Addison. "Ooooh, Veronica and Henney will be hearing it from me when I see them next!" But before Addison could take her rage out on something within a three meter radius, she heard the sound of two American whistles and a diesel horn.

"Oh, goody!" Addison said gleefully, her anger immediately vanishing. "Henney actually did something she was told to do! All we need now is that smelly black weasel, and I can finally finish the job! And it seems she's found a new recruit to boot. Oh, this just gets better and better!"

From there, Henney and Porter arrived with Salty behind.

"Well done, Henney," said Viola. "You did far better than mom said you'd do. And who's your new friend?"

"I'm her brother, Porter," the other dock tank said firmly, "and you're not laying so much as a fingertip on Salty!" He gave an affirmative look towards Henney, who spoke up next.

"Porter's right," said Henney; old memories of her times with the Star Tugs came bubbling up to the surface. "You won't hurt Salty, or Porter! Not while I'm around!"

Addison's eye twitched slightly. "What… are you… implying?" she demanded, a little too calmly.

"I mean that I am not going to help you murder these diesels and electric engines!" snapped Henney. "These engines belong to the North Western Railway, and you cannot scrap engines that do not belong to you! Not only is it immoral, but it's also illegal! And I'd rather rot in a scrapyard than be any part of a gang like yours!"

"You and Porter will stick with me!" snapped Addison. "I will scrap whoever I want, whenever I want! Nobody tells me what to do! Daryl, take the 07 to the other diesels."

Daryl obeyed without question, moving up behind Salty.

"Oh no, you don't!" snapped Porter. He charged back, trying to block Daryl's path. Unfortunately, Daryl's small stature made him slightly faster than the dock tank. The Y7 knocked Salty's driver from his cab and pulled him away.

"Ouch!" yelped Porter, trying to race after them. "Salty!" He realized that things were going to get too big, and called out to his sister. "Henney, run! Warn the others! And if I don't get out of this alive, please take my place at Brendam docks!"

Henney, fighting back tears, raced away as quickly as she could.

"Miss Darnell, the traitor's escaping!" cried Sandra, a black tank engine with eight driving wheels.

"Let her go," sighed Addison. "She can't do much anyway. We'll let that 08 come to us. And I know just how we're going to do it." She eyed a quivering Paxton and Sidney; even Arry and Bert looked frightened out of their wits. "With a little family reunion…"

The rest of the Skarloey engines were fast asleep, when Silver whistled frantically.

"Oi, everyone! Come on, wake up!"

"Ugh…" moaned Sir Handel. "So much for beauty sleep."

"Silver?" asked Peter Sam. "What's wrong?"

"Listen," she said firmly. "Rusty and Fred are being kidnapped!"

"What?!" All the little engines were wide awake now.

"By who?!" gasped Rheneas.

"Rodney and Orchid."

Duncan stared at Silver for what seemed like an eternity. "I-Impossible!" he snapped. "Orchid would ne'er dae such a thing!"

"She did!" insisted Silver. "I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen to me! I never wanted to hurt anyone, but I was only following orders!"

"Oh, Silver's lying, my friends." Silver scowled as Orchid puffed alongside her. "Rusty and Fred's brakes were not working and they fell off the line. They're fine, for realsies!"

"Well, if that's the case, we need the breakdown crane," said Skarloey firmly. "Show us where they are, Orchid!" He looked directly into Orchid's eyes as he said that. Orchid began sweating bullets, realizing that the jig was up. But just before she could speak, a loud whistle sounded. There was Rodney, puffing away with Rusty and Fred on his flatbeds.

"Viva la steam!" he chanted. The little engines (except Silver) stared in horror while Orchid's eyes widened with fear.

"Now do you think I'm lying?" Silver deadpanned.

"We have to rescue Rusty and Fred!" cried Luke.

"But how?" asked Peter Sam. "Our rails can't reach wherever they're going!" Ivo Hugh bit his lip worriedly.

"You're better off without those oil guzzling monsters!" argued Orchid. "Trust me, this is for your own good! Without diesels to keep you down, steam engines can finally live on forever without any fear of scrap or withdrawal!"

"SHUT! UP!" yelled Duncan, taking everyone by surprise. He stared furiously at his old workmate, tears beginning to well in his eyes. "We trusted ye! Ah trusted ye! An' all this time, ye were just schemin' tae murder two of our closest friends!"

"Once Mr. Percival hears this," said Duke, "I'm fairly certain you'll be banished from our line! I'd say such treachery would never suit His Grace, but that would sound almost generous!"

"There's no place on this railway for a deceptive liar like you, Orchid," Skarloey said firmly. "Leave now, and never come back!"

"Oh, I'm afraid you're stuck with me," smirked Orchid. "I can't leave your rails without a standard gauge engine and a flatbed."

"Och, can ye noe?!" sneered Duncan. "We'll just have tae see aboot THAT!" Before anyone could speak, Duncan shot forwards, and gave Orchid a mighty biff! She rolled backwards and toppled off the line!

"About time someone bumped her," remarked Silver. "I'm just sorry it wasn't me."

"It's okay, lass," said Duncan. "Ah… Ah'm sorry Ah trusted her so quickly."

"And we're sorry we didn't trust you, Silver," sighed Mighty.

"Rusty was right," added Mac. "Engines can change for the better."

"And for the worst too," sighed Sir Handel. "I just hope the North Western crew can get to Rusty and Fred in time…"

Just then, many of the North Western engines came rushing past Crovan's Gate.

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that," chuckled Duke. "The cavalry is on their way!"

The final fight for their friends was on.

Author's Comments

The third chapter is here, and now the drama has begun to ramp up. With the narrow gauge and miniature diesels now captured, the stakes are now much higher for them if they're to escape alive. Viola and Kyle Darnell are the adopted twins of Addison and Evelyn, and the younger siblings of Nigel (we'll see him in the next chapter); they're very much Nuka, Vitani and Kovu from The Lion King II: Simba's Pride if they were humans instead of lions. And for the first time, Henney makes her debut on Sodor, following her character's establishment in TUGS: The Bigg City Chronicles on Rachel's page (Jonathan's on DeviantArt), and now she's a frightened member of Addison's fleet. Just because she has a big love for steam engines, that doesn't mean every one of them she comes across agrees with her views or is willing to do her dirty work. Salty also sings a part of "The Wellerman" to hint at what's to come for Addison and her crew.

Next time, it's the big finale as it's Engines to the Rescue!