The Lost Eden : An RWS AU

Chapter I : Crossed Lines

It was damp and cold dawn on the once Island of Sodor,and an engine was waking from their slumber. The engine was rather small and had an out of character livery,but it was for a tactical purpose,there was another engine next to them,but they were bigger and had great strength. These were The Scout, and The Duration locomotives,who were a part of one of the survival units,specifically on the Brendam Branch,they had set camp there nearly a month ago and were searching for survivors. The Duration began to wake from their slumber,they looked down and saw The Scout looking ahead,like there was something,or someone there.He eyes looked hollow and his skin was pale,the once innocent and cheeky engine was now long gone,time really hasn't been all that kind to them. ¨Um,good morning?¨ the engine asked.¨Forenoon¨ said The Scout groggily. There was long silence,until The Duration spoke again,¨This may seem like an obvious question but,they were like family,weren't they?¨ The Scout looked at The Duration,a dead look crossed his face,but after a moment,his eyes looked more sad than dead. ¨*sigh*,yes,they were.Every day I miss them even more,I wonder where they are now¨ The Scout looked down,the sadness then turned to anger. Then a man wearing a military like gear walked over. ¨Gentlemen¨ the figure spoke,¨Salutations¨,¨Sir¨, the engines replied. ¨How is it this morning¨ Asked The Duration,¨Like usual,no attacks or squads searching for supplies,but¨ said the figure.

¨But?¨ questioned The Scout, ¨We recently received a distress call not far from here about ten minutes ago,specifically from ffarquhar.¨ 

The Scouts eyes widened, ¨A-are you sure sir?¨ he asked. The figure gave him a concerned yet hopeful look, ¨How many survivors are there,are there any engines?¨ asked The Duration asked

¨The survival count is about sixteen to twenty at least,and they said there was ONE engine,The Renegade¨ the figure finished. The two engines paused,they looked at each other with a look of hesitation. ¨I know things haven't been the same since he went turncoat,but if it's possible,can you talk him into coming back?¨ asked the figure. ¨Even after all he had done?¨ asked The Duration angrily. ¨He's the reason we're in this situation¨, ¨It wasn't entirely his fault¨ said The Scout, now looking cross. ¨I'll try and talk to him,maybe,just,maybe¨ The Scout said reassuringly,¨Good¨ said the figure,¨We need all the assistance we can receive,we can't stay here.¨ As he walked away The Duration looking at the sky whispering, ¨This a mistake¨ ,¨Give it a chance will you¨,The Scout said annoyed. ¨I just can't,he broke our alliance,he's a traitor to us all¨ The Duration grew angry. The Scout,trying to calm them down said,¨He could be a valuable asset to us,maybe he could get us a by pass to the works via Green Giant.¨ ¨I'm not trusting a Viper,tank engines are nothing bu-¨,he looked down,staring at the spy. ¨Apologise¨ The Duration then regretted his words of choice,The Scout looked out again,and gave a long sigh. Usually how this works is The Scout usually heads up the line first,and due to his small build and his livery,it wouldn't be easy especially since the fields and trees on the Brendam branch were wild and overgrown gives them an advantage. Everyone thought Edward was gone since he was helping to restore the line when the enemy attacked,but that was the strangest thing,heard from or even seen Edward before the attack,so could it be possible that he made a break for the mainland?They weren't sure.

An hour later, people were moving back and forth preparing to depart.The Scout was coupled to a coach,it was used to carry a small group of both medics and soldiers,and some space for survivors in case the time came. It was about 7:50 am when The Scout,with a hiss of steam chuffing soon followed,began their patrol.Usually whistling was forbidden to be used unless it was of absolute urgency,those on the island who don't follow the same moral,either whistle as a sign of rebellion,or dominance. Twenty minutes into the probe,The Scout stopped at Suddery to refuel on what remained of the coal.They looked to the side and saw a massive crater to his right,he wasn't on the branch when the bombing occurred,but they could imagine the screams,the siren blaring,and the birds above. The Scout sighed,& after obtaining what the station had left,he continued their journey,still imagining what could have been. They were just about to ignore Wellworth and continue on,but it wasn't until they saw a man,running to the other platform and tried to flag them down,and the small unit,with caution came to a stand still among the platform.And with closer inspection,the saw it wasn't a man at all,in fact it was a young women,who looked to be in her mid-twenties,wearing a blue suit,with the jacket around her waist with the dress shirt' sleeves being rolled up,like she's been working.Here etire seemed to be grimmy and many part of her clothing seemed to be ripped and hand sewed,not a bad job for someone who looked inexperienced. ¨Oh thank christ¨ she said panting,the driver of the engine came out of their cab and was in disbelief.

¨Hilary?¨ ¨Sydney,is that you there?¨ The two came in for a small hug. ¨I didn't think you made it¨,¨Believe me,I didn't either¨ Hilary observed the train and noticed the locomotive,even though her memory was faint,she still recognized them ever so slightly. ¨Hm.You look,familiar.You have a name don't you?¨ Hilary asked. ¨Let's just get you aboard first,for the most part everything is calm,let's go before something does erupt¨,The Scout said,avoiding the question. They agreed and quickly boarded the train,The Scout looked up.Dark clouds loomed overhead,with a quiet weesh of steam,they continued towards Wellsworth. The journey was quiet for the most part,but Hilary in the open truck, wanted to talk to the engine.Placing her arms on the truck and laid her face on them,she brung up the question again,¨So,I'm on board and settled...kind of.Now,I never got your name¨.The engine didn't reply. Charlie,one of the crew members replied,¨There isn't a point trying to talk to The Scout,especially about the past¨. ¨I just want an answer¨,Hilary said with a sigh. ¨But,why,and even if you do know The Scout's name,they don't even go by it anymore¨,Charlie said. ¨Why,what happen?¨,Hilary grew confused.¨That¨,said Charlie,¨Is not my story to tell¨; Hilary looked back at the locomotive,and they gave her a look like their energy was drained.She use to see them a few times,usually they were cheerful,cheeky and for the most part young and inexperienced. So for her to see this engine drained of all their innocents,started to raise more questions as to why.

Further down the line shown Crosby,but they didn't stop there;due to the barron station,but somehow,The Scout felt like they were being watched from afar.Since they were now on the mainline,they had to reduce steam,so they wouldn't be seen from a distance,they never gotten as far as Wellsworth;but they knew they had to at least get close to ffarquhar,which would take a while to get there.The trip seemed to be going fine,but when the reached Knapford harbor,they had to come to a stop,there was something ahead of them,or more like someone.Sydney and one of the guards,Adam;went down for a closer inspection.When they returned,their suspicions were correct,it was The Green Giant,that was blocking their way.They seemed to be gathering materials like wood,coal,and a multitude of large grey boxes of sorts.