Emma\u2019s mind raced as she thought about what Falnii told everyone about Yulduk and the conversation she had with him the previous night. As she and her team headed to the sheds, she couldn\u2019t help but think about what to do. They arrived just as the Small Controller strolled up. \u201cAh, excellent!\u201d he said. \u201cGood morning, everyone!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood morning,\u201d replied the engines and their crews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow,\u201d began the Small Controller, \u201cas you all know, the NWR has ordered a large load of ballast. However, given the danger Yulduk presented yesterday by attacking Rex’s wool train, it’s clear that he’s not all that picky about what he wishes to steal.\u201d As the Small Controller continued, Emma\u2019s mind raced. She then gasped in surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe ballast trains!\u201d she said. Everyone looked to her in confusion. \u201cThat\u2019s what he\u2019s after! Yulduk knows how valuable your ballast trains are! The spoil heaps of the old Mid-Sodor railway are great weedkillers!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s right,\u201d remarked Bert. \u201cIf our ballast trains were seized, our main business would dry up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Unless we try something rather drastic,\u201d mused Falnii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026I may have something for that,\u201d said the Small Controller. \u201cI just need to make some arrangements.\u201d He then whispered his plans to everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019ll teach him!\u201d chuckled Bert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be ready for him,\u201d assured Jock. \u201cCount on it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jock and Emma took the ballast trucks from the quarry, and they were loaded with their goods. The guard soon blew his whistle. \u201cAll right!\u201d said Jock. \u201cOff we go!\u201d Emma unscrewed his brakes and opened his regulator and the train set off. Once they left Arlesdale, they went through a short belt of woodland with an unfenced lane. Jock chuckled. \u201cYou know, two men drove down that lane and drenched Bert during the railway\u2019s first year in operation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve heard about that incident,\u201d replied Falnii. \u201cA pair of clergymen, one thin and one fat, were the culprits, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Thin Clergyman was the father of the man who wrote about me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUsually, I heard him called the Reverend Wilbert Awdry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the one. And the Fat Clergyman was his friend, Teddy Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd he was the one that Bert soaked, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s right. That\u2019s why all the trees are continually cut back.\u201d The conversation kept their spirits up for a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emma and Jock stopped to fill up on coal and water on the way to Arlesdale, unaware that they were being observed. A Lord had called up Yulduk. \u201cSir, ballast hoppers confirmed. Repeat, ballast hoppers confirmed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExcellent,\u201d replied Yulduk. \u201cRegroup with us outside Arlesdale. It\u2019s time to shake the NWR\u2019s trust in these toy engines.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRoger that.\u201d The Lord ended the call and headed off to his team\u2019s position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jock and Emma were making good time with their train. They approached the outskirts of Arlesdale as expected. That was when someone wearing a cloak and cowl jumped onto the tracks. \u201cEMMA! BRAKES!\u201d called Jock. Emma quickly screwed on the brakes and Jock stopped just an inch away from the person. \u201cYou blithering idiot!\u201d snapped Jock. \u201cEven an engine my size can cause an accident that can hurt fools like you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDoubtful,\u201d replied the person. They spoke through some sort of voice synthesizer. They pulled their cowl back to reveal a Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUh oh,\u201d gulped Emma. The Lord\u2019s teammates and commander then sprang out of the bushes and leveled their disruptors at Emma. Yulduk then motioned for Emma to get out of Jock. Emma held her hands up and got away from Jock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFoolish girl,\u201d scoffed Yulduk. \u201c\u2026Not you, but me and Yamta\u2019s commander. She thought that simply running through a populated area and causing slight property damage would be the way to instill fear. No, you have to hit the supplies first, then run through a populated area and cause slight property damage. Only when there are no ways to fix the damage can there be real terror.\u201d He turned to the Lords. \u201cGet the ballast. The North Western Railway won\u2019t be killing weeds anytime soon.\u201d The ballast train was 10 trucks long and a brake-van. A Lord went to each truck and pulled its tarp off. They all then goggled in horror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cN-No! That can\u2019t be!\u201d yelped a Ferengi Lord. \u201cThere\u2019s no ballast in these hoppers!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?!\u201d asked Yulduk. Jock and Emma then grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSomeone\u2019s put the wrong goods in these trucks!\u201d elaborated the Ferengi Lord. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing here but worthless wool!\u201d He pulled a bit of wool out to prove he was telling the truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe North Western Railway already got its ballast delivery,\u201d explained Emma. \u201cWe had to make some arrangements so they would know that the chute wasn\u2019t gonna be used, but we worked it out. We just needed to lure you out!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLure me out?!\u201d Yulduk then realized what was going on. \u201cIT\u2019S A TRAP! EVERYONE-!\u201d Too late. Someone fired lightning at the Lords and disabled them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re small fry, if you can believe it!\u201d hissed Falnii as she, Wilson, and Hejema stepped out of the bushes. Yulduk then realized what was going on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh no! I am NOT your prisoner!\u201d He then dashed off. Emma caught up to him and pinned him to the ground, pressing her hand on the back of his neck for a chokehold. \u201cRevenants don\u2019t need to breathe!\u201d gasped Yulduk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, the hold\u2019s just a temporary thing!\u201d chuckled Emma as she removed her hand. Yulduk then realized that there was something digging into his flesh where her hand was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat did you do?!\u201d he demanded. He then vanished in a teleport beam. Emma then awaited a call. Her comms then rang and she picked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is Emma,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s Richard,\u201d replied the caller. \u201cWe just got the prisoner and wow! Revenants from Falnii\u2019s home really ARE ugly!\u201d Falnii then took the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t say that around modern Revenants,\u201d she advised. \u201cThey\u2019re very touchy about their appearance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnderstood. We\u2019ll mine him for information.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKeep a guard on him at all times. He\u2019s crafty.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWill do. Richard out.\u201d Once the call ended, Falnii sighed in relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026You doing all right?\u201d Hejema asked Falnii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Much better,\u201d replied Falnii with a genuine smile. \u201cI guess I needed proof that I wasn\u2019t the only one that could take him down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you want to help us take care of this train?\u201d offered Jock. Falnii then recalled something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can\u2019t. Rex and I have a passenger run coming up. I gotta get him ready.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd I\u2019ve got some work to do with Frank,\u201d remarked Hejema.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd Mike and I have a goods train to pull,\u201d finished Wilson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll right then, we\u2019ll see you later tonight,\u201d said Emma. Falnii teleported herself, Wilson, and Hejema back to the sheds as Emma returned to Jock\u2019s cab. \u201cCome on, Jock. We\u2019ve got a delivery to complete.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right there,\u201d agreed Jock. They went a little faster to make up for lost time. They soon arrived at the transfer yards at Arlesdale and met with Donald, one of the Fat Controller\u2019s engines, a blue Caledonian Railway 812 Class engine with the number 9 on his tender and his name on either side of his smokebox to avoid people confusing him with his twin, Douglas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLosh sakes, Jock!\u201d remarked Donald in his usual Scots Brogue. \u201cWhat was all the blither going on?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, there\u2019s a story to tell!\u201d chuckled Jock. He then explained what happened earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGrief!\u201d swore Donald. \u201cSounds like ye\u2019ve had a rough time of it! Good thing yer new staff members helped ye out!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, they certainly were a blessing. From all the horror stories I\u2019ve heard about Richard Saunders, I was afraid we\u2019d lose our business!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey, I\u2019m still here!\u201d grunted Emma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all right,\u201d soothed Donald. \u201cRichard more than made up for it by helping clear Edward\u2019s name and ye\u2019ve got people that know how to keep the excitement to manageable levels. I\u2019d say ye\u2019re well on yer way to proving yourself to the entire island.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, thank you, Do-\u201d Emma stopped herself when she saw Donald\u2019s twin, Douglas, talking to a green GWR 1400 Class tank engine, Oliver, after he had a horrible nightmare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all right,\u201d Douglas assured Oliver. \u201cWe\u2019re all safe here. Look. This is nae scrap yard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s\u2026it\u2019s not that,\u201d mumbled Oliver as he looked embarrassed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat was it?\u201d asked Emma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2026it\u2019s a little silly, actually.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTell us,\u201d urged Donald.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026All right. We were all painted Duncan\u2019s ugly yellow and everyone\u2019s personality\u2019s flopped. Thomas was as arrogant as Gordon. You two had James\u2019 vanity, and Henry hated trees. Honestly, it was a very tame nightmare compared to the ones about the scrap yard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Er, Ollie,\u201d said Douglas, \u201cye havnae been sleeping all that well lately. Mebbe ye should take a nap.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m sleeping fine, Donald, and I DON\u2019T need a nap!\u201d snapped Oliver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAH\u2019M DOUGLAS, YE LANG STREAK O\u2019 MISERY!\u201d snarled Douglas as he steamed out of the shed, wheeshing angrily. Oliver realized his mistake as he saw Douglas\u2019 nameplate. Donald glared at Oliver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Then again, a quick nap couldn\u2019t hurt,\u201d he gulped. Just then, Donald\u2019s guard blew his whistle and waved his flag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGotta go,\u201d he said as he puffed off. \u201cGood luck to ye, Emma!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou too!\u201d replied Emma.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Emma\u2019s mind raced as she thought about what Falnii told everyone about Yulduk and the conversation she had with him the previous night. As she and her team headed to the sheds, she couldn\u2019t help but think about what to do. They arrived just as the Small Controller strolled up. \u201cAh, excellent!\u201d he said. \u201cGood […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5119,"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-6432","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\/6432","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=6432"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6432\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6433,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6432\/revisions\/6433"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5119"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6432"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6432"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6432"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}