The Other Railway Series: Season 2

Episode 8: Filthy Traitor

It had been a few days after the incident with the German spies and gunpowder and John was more harsh than ever. He was ruff with trucks and coaches, rude to the engines and barely talk to The Old Director. Soon the engines took in account to with special meeting in the sheds.

"It's not right that John has to do this," said Crystel.

"If you ask me," said Javilling, "I say he's not to be trusted one bit."

"I don't think thats true Jav," said Anderson, "we can at least talk to him."

"Anderson's right," said Ashfull, "we need some engine to talk to him, then if we know what the problem is, he can sort it out."

"But the problem is," replied Renel, "who talk to him?"

There was a long pause.

"I say," declared Javilling, "that Caleb will talk to him."

"Me?" exclaimed Caleb, "why me?"

"Because your are rented by us just like John, so he'll proberly think you'll understand him better then any of us," replied Javilling.

"He's right," said Ashfull.

"HUHH," sighed Caleb, "fine, I'll do it."

Later that day, Caleb came up to John.

"Um, John?" asked Caleb.

"What?" asked John sulking.

"Me and the other engines have seen you, well, act differently. And we are wondering, are you all right."

"Yes, I'm fine, it's just that war and working as station pilot really gets to you and since that incident with the van, gunpowder and Ashfull crashing into them," John sighed, "it's just been stressful."

"I can understand that," said Caleb smiling at him there was a minute of silence, "so, if you need somethink off your footplate, I'm here."

"Thank you Caleb," smiled John as Caleb puffed away, but as he did, Caleb's smile turn to a frown. Somethink was definately wrong, he'll have to tell the others later. When Caleb was resting in Carrag yards he saw Ashfull puff in.

"Hello Caleb," he said, "how was your run?"

"Alright," replied Caleb, "listen, I talked to John earlier."

"Really," said Ashfull, "how did go?"

"Alright, he said "he said he was overworked and stressed and ever since the incident with men and gunpowder thing he got more worked up, but..."

"But what?" asked Ashfull conserned.

"We never told him about the incident, it was covered up to prevent chaos for the villages and towns and even cities. Only me, you Anderson and Harok who helped clean the mess, know about it."

"So how does John know," said Ashfull pondering, "I think, we should tell the police."

"We can't tell John or anyone apart from Anderson, Harok and The Old Director about this," said Caleb.

"You did hear that we need to tell the police about this," said Ashfull.

"Yes, you and I will tell them together," said Caleb as he puffed away.

"Agreed," replied Ashfull, "agreed."

***

"Thank you No.4 and No.511 we'll investigate the matter at once," said the inspector.

"Thank you sirs," replied Ashfull, "may we also add somethink else."

"Why of course," said the inspector.