James returned to work a few days after the new engine's generator was installed. He was not looking forward to his new disposition.
On his way to the yards, Gordon huffed past him, hissing steam in that violent way that always announced his anger towards someone. James wasn't sure yet just what he'd done to upset the big engine, but he had the sinking feeling he'd find out soon enough.
His first assignment was to sort trucks in the yard. With a resigned sigh, he set to work. It wasn't anything he hadn't done before, but it did bring him back to anโฆ unpleasant time in his life.
โWhat's with all the soot?โ Charlieโs voice barged into the red engineโs work. โDid James the Brains go up in flames?โ
โEh, if you know, you know.โ Charlie said, seemingly to no one. She then scampered off, refusing to elaborate.
โOh, no!โ Howled the trucks, as James brought them into line. โWe want a proper engine, not a dirty red monster!โ
โFind yourselves some new material.โ James scowled. โAnd relax - I'm not taking you. Go break away on Gordon's Hill with someone else.โ
He left the trucks, then went to find the rest of their train. It was as he was lining up the first few wagons that a shrill horn sounded out. On the upper track, a bizarrely painted engine James had never seen before came racing through, with a huge coal train in tow.
โThat's Super Ed.โ Rebecca explained. โHe's the new engine that came to help out while you were being repaired.โ
โI'm sorry, Supa-What-Now?โ
โYep. That's the name he gave himself. It does certainly radiate confidence, which is a huge improvement over how he was when he first arrived.โ
James was honestly impressed Rebecca could say that with a straight face, more so with complete seriousness.
โOkay, sure, butโฆ he couldn't have gone with somethingโฆ normal? Like I dunno, Edgar, Edric, hell, Clark maybe? That sounds like someone's name if they could name themselves at age 10.โ
โI think he wanted something to make himself stand out more.โ
โHasn't he already gotten that with those things on his roof?โ
โYeah, they're a set of nine strips of copper. Creative, isn't it? Kind of like how some steam engines have what we call copper-capped chimneys.โ
โIt's stupid is what it is.โ
Rebecca chuckled. โWell, he's been getting on well with the rest of us.โ
โIs your railway ready for glory?!โ Super Ed roared as he thundered through Thomas's Junction. โJust get a look at this!!โ
โCan you say power trip any louder?โ Hermes sighed.
โDon't encourage him, dear.โ Daisy advised. โYou'll only influence him for the worse.โ
โYou old-timers ought to reinvent yourselves! Get ahead, like Super Ed!โ
โSo, obviously a lot of mutual respect there.โ Rebecca said - though whether she spoke with hopefulness or obliviousness was up in the air.
โAnd then, of course, there's the rest of the engines in Tidmouth.โ
โSuper Ed is what your railway has needed.โ He boasted. โThis is where the basic diesel traction of yesteryear meets electric innovation! After all, there is only one Super Ed!โ
BoCo grimaced. Bear rolled his eyes.
โGood thing, too.โ He growled. โOne Super Ed is enough of a migraine as it is.โ
โHopefully heโll have settled down by the time I get back.โ
โBack? Oh- right, that arrangement with the Other Railway. When did you say they were starting that?โ
โAbout a week from today. I'll be leaving with a heavy goods for Manchester. I should only be gone a few days. Surely things canโt get that bad while Iโm gone, right?โ
โThey're getting along great.โ Rebecca continued. โI'm sure he'll settle in quite nicely.โ
James gave the yellow engine a deadpanned stare. Somehow, he very much doubted it.
โOh! Heโs been doing so well, Sir Topham Hatt moved me to carriage stock movements. Well, to an extent. Iโll be taking coaches in and out of the works as needed between regular trains. To prepare for the summer holiday season.โ
โGreaat for youuโฆโ James didnโt even try to sound enthusiastic.
Super Ed glanced down as he passed by the main yard. Below, he saw the filthy red engine from before. His copper and brasswork were smudged with soot, and his paint refused to shine, even in the pouring rain.
โNever again.โ He said to himself. โNever again will this Electro-Diesel look as decrepit and run-down as that.โ
