The day before his team\u2019s departure, Richard decided to speak with Thundercracker. He arrived at his Transformer-sized house and pressed the doorbell. The door opened and Thundercracker looked down to see Richard. \u201c\u2026Mr. Saunders,\u201d he greeted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThundercracker, we need to get some things clear,\u201d said Richard. \u201cI know Optimus and the other Autobots vouch for you and your colleagues, but your old boss used my wife as a bargaining chip and there are too many universes where the Decepticons are a treacherous bunch. I want to be proven wrong about your colleagues.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen you will be. I trust you will make no decisions based on the generalizations of Decepticons?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI will at least try not to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026I suppose I can\u2019t ask for more than that. In that case, I will see you tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSee you then.\u201d Thundercracker closed the door and Richard left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The day finally came. Amy, Azuliterii, Blackarachnia, Brittney, Daniel, Emma, Endram, Falnii, Flora, Glanthel, Goldbug, Hanako, Hejema, Irina, Kaitlyn, Kong, Richard, Sira, Swalmu, Teletraan, Thundercracker, Wilson, and Yufantel at After Academy\u2019s main square and were given their goodbyes. Their friends and families had gathered to wish them well. \u201cCome back safe!\u201d called Megumi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd keep out of trouble!\u201d called Kaede to Kaitlyn. \u201cWe don\u2019t need a repeat of the Els Weir incident<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t remind me!\u201d grunted Kaitlyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTeletraan, Glanthel, do you two have a means of concealing your ship forms?\u201d Richard asked the two. \u201cThe people there aren\u2019t used to talking machines your size.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got a body I can pilot,\u201d replied Teletraan over the comms as the Ark<\/em> and Glanthelantir<\/em> hovered overhead. \u201cIts maximum range is 124 miles. I should be good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd I don\u2019t need to stay near the ship for it to function,\u201d assured Glanthel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen I have one more question for everyone,\u201d said Richard as he turned to his team. \u201cWhat\u2019s blue, green, red, and goes \u2018Peep Peep!\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA parrot,\u201d replied Amy. \u201cAnd you mean \u2018Chirp Chirp\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, I don\u2019t,\u201d corrected Richard. \u201cLet\u2019s board our ships and you\u2019ll see what I mean.\u201d Everyone was beamed into the two ships and a ship-sized rift opened. The ships then flew into the rift, and it shut behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ships arrived over a landmass. Teletraan got Glanthel on the line. \u201cCurrent geographic markers indicate we\u2019re somewhere in the Irish sea between the Isle of Man and the English Mainland\u2019s southern shores,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m not exactly familiar with those land markers,\u201d replied Glanthel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Ah, here we are. Basically, the people in these parts sound like Elves from your world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the landmass below us?\u201d Teletraan\u2019s eyes widened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026A landmass that hosts many a railfan\u2019s childhood hero! We better find a good, camouflaged spot to land!\u201d The two ships then found an area on the landmass\u2019s northeastern part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A tank engine was completing his morning passenger run at the station of Ffarquhar at the end of his line. and was ready to turn around for the return journey. He was painted blue, had a number one on his side tanks, had six small wheels, a short stumpy boiler, a short stumpy funnel, and a short stumpy dome. There was also something he had, something most vehicles on his island had, a face on the front. Right now, his face was one of contentment. \u201cAnother successful run, in my opinion,\u201d he said to his two coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re quite sure?\u201d asked the coach directly behind him. She had her name, Annie, painted near her wheels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, don\u2019t be so dramatic!\u201d said her sister coach, her name reading Clarabel. \u201cIt was the usual passenger run for Thomas. No accidents and no races with Bertie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA pity,\u201d mused the tank engine, the famous Thomas the Tank Engine, \u201cI would have enjoyed a race with him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou know what the Fat Controller\u2019s grandfather said about going at high speeds like that,\u201d remarked Annie. \u201cI\u2019m quite sure the current one will say the same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe\u2019s quite right, Thomas,\u201d boomed a voice. A stout, well-dressed gentleman in a top hat then approached the platform. This was the manager of Thomas\u2019 railway, Sir Stephen Topham Hatt, the third Fat Controller. \u201cStill, it\u2019s nice to know that your run was uneventful. Heaven knows we could do with uneventfulness these days.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re not wrong there, Sir,\u201d agreed Thomas. \u201cThe trucks have been acting up more than usual, tools and baggage have gone missing, trains have been delayed on all the island\u2019s railways. If I might be a bit paranoid, I\u2019d call it sabotage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUnfortunately, the other Controllers think so too. Has anything happened to you specifically?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, Sir, but I\u2019m waiting for the firebars to drop.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs are the others, I\u2019m afraid. Well, keep a lookout for any unusual activity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cExcuse me!\u201d Clarabel called to a group of people approaching her. \u201cYou\u2019re not allowed on railway property!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd there it is,\u201d groaned Thomas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll handle this,\u201d assured the Fat Controller. He got off the platform and onto the tracks behind the train. \u201cAnd what, pray tell, is your\u2026oh no.\u201d He saw that the group consisted of Richard, Irina, Amy, Azuliterii, Hanako, Thundercracker\u2019s holo-form, and Hejema. He recognized Richard right off the bat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSir Topham Hatt!\u201d cheered Richard. \u201cI\u2019m glad we caught you! How\u2019s the railway?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re doing well,\u201d replied the Fat Controller in a short manner. \u201cMight I ask what you think you\u2019re doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSir, you can\u2019t be holding a grudge, can you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour American style of partying resulted in my office being destroyed!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe had a good laugh about it, didn\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI recall that you were the only one laughing in your drunken stupor, Mr. Saunders. Your wife looked horribly embarrassed, and rightfully so. I trust the F.N.S\u2019 absence from this island has made you see sense?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Sir,\u201d assured Azuliterii, \u201cthere won\u2019t be any incidents like that again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh, Lady Azuliterii! Good to see you!\u201d The Fat Controller\u2019s demeanor was more friendly. \u201cI must admit, after Edward won the Light of Zalmath, I didn\u2019t think we\u2019d see a Chizaran again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow is the Light, if I might ask?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s currently under Lady Bounty\u2019s care.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, you DO know where she is?\u201d asked Richard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026I see, your business lies with her,\u201d realized the Fat Controller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere\u2019s an enemy of ours that\u2019s making a grab for Bounty and her sisters, specifically, their Sources. We need Bounty to come with us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd how would that protect her from this enemy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe\u2019d have friends that knows how her potential kidnapper thinks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI see. Well, there IS a slight problem with her ability to come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe has become a valuable member of my staff.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Ah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you want to know the specifics of where she lives and what job she has, you and your friends will have to prove yourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBy working for the various railways on this island. There are plenty of job openings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat might be an issue with members of my team like Thundercracker over there.\u201d Richard gestured to the Decepticon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy, pray tell?\u201d asked the Fat Controller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026I\u2019d rather demonstrate why without prying eyes,\u201d replied Richard. \u201cWould you come with us to our landing site?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Very well. In the meantime, Thomas, did I miss hearing your-?\u201d The Guard\u2019s whistle then blew as Thomas and his coaches were turned around for the return journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, Sir, you didn\u2019t,\u201d replied as he whistled his intentions to get underway. \u201cMust be off, Sir! Bye!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood running, Thomas!\u201d wished the Fat Controller. He then turned to Richard and his group. \u201cNow, shall we?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis way, Sir,\u201d directed Richard as he led the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They all arrived in a clearing where the Ark<\/em> and Glanthelantir<\/em> were resting. Everyone else had already disembarked. \u201cSir Topham Hatt, meet my team,\u201d introduced Richard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026There is a giant gorilla among this lot,\u201d remarked the Fat Controller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd he talks,\u201d replied Richard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Does he?\u201d The Fat Controller was questioning Richard\u2019s sanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI do, Sir,\u201d replied Kong. Now the Fat Controller was questioning his own sanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re all right, I promise,\u201d assured Richard. \u201cNow, Blackarachnia, Goldbug, Kong Primal, and Thundercracker, transform, please.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBlackarachnia, TRANSFORM!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoldbug Magnus, TRANSFORM!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKong Primal, MAXIMIZE!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThundercracker, TRANSFORM!\u201d The four bots then changed into robot mode, startling the Fat Controller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s the issue I was talking about,\u201d explained Richard. \u201cI don\u2019t think there\u2019s any employment options for them and their vehicle modes aren\u2019t exactly ones that would fit in with modern Sudrian vehicles. Glanthel and Teletraan can certainly work for the island, but-\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen your robotic friends can stay near the ships,\u201d replied the Fat Controller once he recovered. \u201cThe rest of you will meet myself and the other Railway Controllers for your duties. I expect you at Knapford at 7AM SHARP. We all need workers who are punctual. Good day, ladies and gentlemen.\u201d The Fat Controller turned and walked back to Ffarquhar, where his car was parked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Richard, what was that about?\u201d asked Flora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBounty\u2019s working for Sir Topham Hatt\u2019s railway,\u201d explained Richard. \u201cIf we want her to come with us, we need to prove we\u2019re\u2026Really Useful, as many a Controller on this island would say. To do that, we have to work for the railways. Now, there aren\u2019t any job openings for the Transformers, so they need to stay by the ships and be on the lookout for enemy activity. The rest of us will divide into teams and keep watch while we work on the railways. Teletraan, do you have the telemetry data on the island?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGot the geography and the railways marked up,\u201d replied Teletraan as a holographic map appeared. Four sets of lines appeared, outlining the railways\u2019 locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAll right, we\u2019ll divide into five teams. Team Watchdog will consist of Thundercracker, Kong, Blackarachnia, and Goldbug. As mentioned, they\u2019ll be on monitor duty in the ships. Goldbug, you\u2019re in charge. Team NWR will consist of Amy, Azuliterii, Kaitlyn, myself, and Teletraan. We\u2019ll be working under Sir Topham Hatt, the Fat Controller. Brittney, Daniel, Flora, Hanako, and Swalmu will be Team SKR and will work on the Skarloey Narrow Gauge Railway under Mr. Percival, the Thin Controller. Emma, Falnii, Hejema, and Wilson will be the members of Team AMR. They\u2019ll work on the Arlesdale Railway under the management of Mr. Fergus Duncan, the Small Controller. That leaves Endram, Glanthel, Irina, Sira, and Yufantel as Team CFR. You five will be working on the Culdee Fell Railway under Mr. Walter Richards, the Manager. Be on the lookout for any suspicious characters. We can\u2019t afford to screw this up. We NEED to be Really Useful.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The day before his team\u2019s departure, Richard decided to speak with Thundercracker. He arrived at his Transformer-sized house and pressed the doorbell. The door opened and Thundercracker looked down to see Richard. \u201c\u2026Mr. Saunders,\u201d he greeted. \u201cThundercracker, we need to get some things clear,\u201d said Richard. \u201cI know Optimus and the other Autobots vouch for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6361,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[754,880],"tags":[482,9,146,597,337],"class_list":["post-6362","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-journey-through-wonder","category-story-journey-through-wonder","tag-fantasy","tag-kamen-rider","tag-sonic","tag-thomas-and-friends","tag-transformers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6362","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6362"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6362\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6364,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6362\/revisions\/6364"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6361"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6362"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6362"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6362"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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