Diesel 11's TUGS Fan Fiction (800 views)

[Star Tug and Marine]

The tugboat, for its size, is the most powerful craft to float. And the Star Tugs, are the power behind the docks and waterways that make up the Bigg City Port.

This, is
TUGS

EPISODE LIST:

SEASON 1:
1. Iceberg
It’s iceberg season, and there are plenty outside of Bigg City. Hercules is sent out to bring in an ocean liner, but worst comes to worst when disaster strikes. Will the tugs be able to save the day?

2. Open Water
Hercules is always out on the ocean waves, searching for ships in danger. However, one day during a storm, he starts to wonder what it would be like to be a harbor tug. Will he be able to keep his sights on the open water, or back home with the other tugs?

3. Heat Wave
Bigg City is suffering from a heat wave. It starts to get the tugs disorganized, and they start to mess things up as they do their jobs. Then, one big mistake sparks a fire, and what with the heat and all, it looks as though they’re in for a disaster as the fire spreads out of control…

4. Floods
It has been raining in and around Bigg City for days and days. The tugs have to work up river, but soon they find trouble, as the river starts to flood. The currant, too, is strong, and Ten Cents, Sunshine, Zip, and Zug soon find themselves in danger as they get swept away…

5. Dynamite
Billy Shoepack is well known for being a quite explosive tug, do to the fact that he is usually caring dynamite. One day, as he’s hauling it, an accident lights it, and things start to go up in smoke…

6. Tidal Wave
Things in Bigg City have been a bit mundane and ordinary for quite sometime, and the switchers start wishing for a more ‘exciting’ time. They get it, but it’s not the way anyone wants it – for the ‘excitement’ is in the form of a tidal wave…

7. High Alert
One evening, Hercules finds a badly hurt fishing boat stuck on some rocks, and it tells him it was knocked onto them by a huge, evil-looking tramper. Then, when Johnny Cuba is said to have been sighted around Bigg City, everyone realizes that things might be worse than they thought – especially the Z-Stacks…

8. Haunted
Scuttlebutt Pete has been telling the switchers old legends of ghost ships and other phantoms that are said to lurk near an old, abandoned warehouse. Then, one night, they are sent to work by the said warehouse… and the old tales seem to be true…

9. Scrap
Burke and Blair are always trying to get O.J. for scrap. One night, they trick the Star Tugs, and it looks as though they’ll finally get the old paddle-wheeler…

10. Lost
While returning home one night after a long and hard job, Ten Cents and Sunshine lose their bearings and take a wrong turn. On top of that, there’s been a blackout, and they can barely see. Even worse, while trying to find their way back, the pair run into a desperate character…

11. Low Tide
Bigg City Port is having one of the lowest tides in years. This causes some problems, as the tugs can’t go through certain areas. Unfortunately, Big Mac does end up getting stuck one day while delivering some goods, which the Z-Stacks then steal from him. Will the Stars be able to get them back?

12. Bluenose
Bluenose never learns from mistakes; he’s still a pompous ‘naval twit’. However, after an accident that wipes out a whole fleet of naval ships, it looks as though he’ll finally be discharged from the Navy…

13. Rescue
One of the biggest ocean liners in the world is coming to Bigg City Port. The Star Fleet have the contract to bring her in, and they’ll need all of them to do so. However, trouble arises, and they are forced to ask the Z-Stacks for help… but will they?

[Star Tug and Marine]

ICEBERG

Winter time in Bigg City was a rather mixed bag. On the one hand, ice and snow made the landscape look magical, and children loved to play outside. On the other hand, it was always bitter cold, and not very pleasant weather to work in. Not to mention, at sea, winter could be downright dangerous...

I remember one time when the winter nearly got the best of us. It all started one cold morning when I was giving orders to my Tugs.
"Good morning, Star Tugs!"
"Good morning, Captain Star!"
"As you can see, we had a heavy snowfall last night. The land is covered in it. Also, I've received some warnings that icebergs are in the area near Bigg City Port."
"Oh dear!" said O.J., "that can't be very good."
"No it isn't, so I'd like you all to be very careful today. I doubt that the most of you will have any problems, but Hercules, you'd best be on your guard."
"Don't worry, Sir," said Hercules, "I'll be careful."
"Good. Now, Ten Cents and Sunshine, I'd like you to go and collect some coal from the coaling plant; it's in high demand lately due to the icy weather."
"Yes, Sir!" they said.
"Big Mac, you will be helping the logging company."
"Logging!" interjected Top Hat. "At this time of year?"
"Yes, the loggers never stop unless it's really bad weather."
"Well, really!"
"That's enough, Top Hat. You, by the way, will be helping the steel works transport some new supplies. Warrior, garbage detail for you again. O.J., you are to help Big Mac with the logging company, and Grampus, you are to keep a lookout for icebergs. It's an important job, so stay alert at all times."
"Right you are, Sir!" said Grampus.
"As for you, Hercules, the Queen Celeste will be coming into port later today, and we got the contract. You are to pull her in. It'll be tough in this weather, so like I said before, be very careful!"
"Don't worry, Sir," replied Hercules. "You can count on me!"
"Excellent! Now, off you go, Star Tugs!" I finished, as they went away to do their jobs.

Over at the Zero Marine dock, things were looking less optimistic...
"Now listen up and listen good!" bellowed Captain Zero. "The Star Fleet has won the contract for bringing in the Queen Celeste, and just about every other contract to be had! What does that leave us with? Nothing but the fuel contract for Sally the Seaplane!!"
"Oh, blow!" grouched Zorran.
"But we may still have a chance," Captain Zero went on. "I tell you I want some good contracts coming in, and I aim to get them! I want you to sabotage the Star Tugs' chances of bringing in the Queen Celeste. I know you can be devious, now proove it to me!"
"Right you are, Captain Zero," said Zorran. "Alright, let's get to work. Zip, Zug, you can take the fuel to Sally, and-"
"What?" cried Zug. "US take the fuel?! Why can't one of you do it?"
"Because I'm in charge!" Zorran said threateningly. "No move it, you!"
Zip and Zug did move!
"Now," said Zorran to Zac and Zebedee, "let's go tear up some contracts..."
"Uh, but we can't tear things up..." Zac said, confused.
"It's a figure of speach, you nitwit!" Zorran cried, angrily. "Now come on!!"

Meanwhile, the Star Tugs were doing their jobs well. Ten Cents and Sunshine had collected some barges and filled them up with coal to deliver. Warrior was happily working with Lord Stinker. Top Hat was busy with the steel work, and O.J. and Big Mac were busy keep the logs in order.
Hercules pulled up alongside Lillie Lightship. "Hullo, m'dear," he said suavely.
"Hello, Hercules," Lillie smiled. "What's up today?"
"Well, the Queen Celeste is coming into port today, and we've gotten the contract. I'm to tow her in this afternoon."
"Good luck with that," said Lillie.
"Thank you, m'dear. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be looking out for the ship. Ta-ta, m'dear!"
"Goodbye, Hercules!"

Meanwhile, Grampus was keeping a close eye out for icebergs. He couldn't see any within the immediate vicinity.
"Hmm," he thought, "hopefully they won't pose any problems for us today."
Then, away in the distance, he saw something appear. It seemed to be getting closer to Bigg City Port.
"Is that..." He stared at the shape, and squinting, trying to make out what it was.
He didn't hear the three Tugs coming up behind him...

Hercules went to check on Grampus. The submarine was due to tell him what was going on every half hour, unless he spotted an iceberg, in which case he would alert Captain Star immediately.
However, when he got to the area, he could not find Grampus anywhere.
"That's strange," thought Hercules. "Grampus!" he called, "Grampus, where are you?"
Receiving no response, he went away to look for the sub some more.
He couldn't hear the cries of an unhappy sub, beached on a sandbar some ways away...

I began to get worried about Grampus. Hercules had radioed me about him, and I decided to send out Ten Cents and Sunshine to help look for them, as they had finished their jobs.
"Oh dear, Ten Cents," said Sunshine. "I do hope Grampus is alright."
"I'm sure he's fine," replied Ten Cents. "He survived target practice, didn't he?"
Sunshine laughed. "Yes, but that was thanks to us!"
The two kept on, calling out for Grampus, and looking everywhere for him.

Meanwhile, Hercules had given up the search, as it was nearly time for the Queen Celeste to arrive. He waited anxiously for her.
However, he received word that the ocean liner had stopped a bit farther off, as it did not want to enter port with something to guide it due to the weather. Indeed, a storm was begin to brew, and it had become a great deal colder. Snow was already starting to fall.
"Nothing to it but to go out and bring her in," said Hercules to himself, and he left the port and headed out into open water.

Ten Cents and Sunshine were still searching for Grampus.
"Grampus! Grampus!" they kept calling.
Suddenly, Sunshine heard something. "Ten Cents, did you hear that?"
"What?" He listened. "Oh yes!"
"I think it's coming from over there!"
"Let's go look then," replied Ten Cents, and the two moved away to see what it was. There, on a sandbank, looking rather unhappy, was Grampus.
"Oh, thank goodness you're here!" he said. "There's a huge iceberg coming close to the Port. You need to warn Hercules."
Ten Cents and Sunshine looked at each other in horror...

"Alright, m'dear!" said Hercules to the Queen Celeste, "I'm ready when you're ready!"
The Celeste gave a 'toot' on its horn, and Hercules started off, towing the ocean liner towards Bigg City Port.
By this time, the weather had grown worse. A biting wind made Hercules wish he was in some shelter, and the snow piled up around him so that he could hardly see.
"I can hardly make anything out," he thought, trying to make out what was in front of him.

Suddenly, a huge shadow loomed in front. Then Hercules realized what it was.
"Oh no!" he cried. "Iceberg!"
He quickly reversed his engine to pull the ship back, but it was too late - the Queen Celeste crashed into the iceberg.
Hercules was horrified. "Oh no!" he cried. "What have I done?!"
Luckily, there was only a little hole, and the crew were able to close a compartment to keep the water from coming too far in. However, there still was the problem of coming into port...

Then, two smaller shapes began to appear, and Hercules could faintly make out Ten Cents and Sunshine swimming towards them. The two were tied together to help prevent either one from being carried away.
"Oh, thank heavens you're here!" cried Hercules. "The Queen Celeste has had an accident, and I'll be needing some extra help hauling her in."
"Don't worry!" called Sunshine, "We'll attach a rope and help you."
"Thanks!" said Hercules.

And so, the three Tugs pulling together, they managed to bring the ocean liner in safely, despite the weather. Once safe in the Port, repairs were made to the ship's hull, and luckily for us, the weather died down significantly.
The captain praised the Tugs for their quick thinking and heroic actions, and the company awarded us a contract to bring in all of their ships henceforth.
As for the Z-Stacks, their plan had failed miserably yet again. Not only did they loose the contract, but Grampus revealing that they had beached him ended up getting them in trouble with the police as well!

So in the end, the harsh winter weather may have been strong, but my Tugs were even stronger. They had gone up against the elements, and won, hands down.

[Star Tug and Marine]

OPEN WATER

My Tugs were all different shapes and sizes. For instance, there was O.J., a paddle-wheel Tug. There was Top Hat, my railway Tug with the long neck. Then there were Big Mac and Warrior, my two strongest harbor Tugs. And of course, Ten Cents and Sunshine, my two switchers.
But my biggest and strongest Tug of all was Hercules, the ocean-going Tug. He was something of the de-facto leader. He was brave, smart, charming, and always kept calm. Not to mention, he was perhaps the only one of my Tugs who could put Zorran and the other Z-Stacks in their place!

But I remember one time when Hercules had something of an 'identity crisis'. It all started during one of the biggest storms of the year, and all of the Tugs were trying to stay safe...
"Hullo, Sunshine!"
"Hullo, Ten Cents! My, this storm is really pickin' up, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I can't wait for it to be over. I feel like I'm going to be thrown up and out of the water at any moment!"
"If you feel that way, imagine what it's like for someone like me!" Sunshine quipped. Indeed, he was not looking very steady!

Hercules came up to the two switchers. "Hello, m'dears! How are you holding up?"
"So-so," said Sunshine, who was bobbing up and down.
Hercules chuckled. "Don't worry, Sunshine, you'll outlast this storm, just like you have many times before."
"I'd be more worried if I was you," said Ten Cents, "you'll be outside of the Port, looking for ships and boats that may be in trouble, while the rest of us will be safe inside the Port."
"Ah well, I've been doing it for quite a while... what's one more storm, eh? I don't feel worried at all."

Hercules would live to regret those words. The storm grew worse and worse; rain came down, the waves grew rougher, and the wind was a lot stronger.
He came up to Lillie Lightship, who was moored near Dem Der Rocks to warn ships coming in. She had her eyes shut tight, trying not to be blown away by the wind.
"Hello, Lillie!" shouted Hercules above the noise.
Lillie opened her eyes. "Hello there, Hercules! Nasty weather, isn't it?"
"It's terrible!" Hercules shouted back. "But we'll live through it! I'm going to be looking out for any ships that come in, in case of danger."
"Be careful, Hercules!"
"Don't worry, I will!" And Hercules moved away, looking out for any sign of trouble.

Meanwhile, Ten Cents and Sunshine were still trying to beat the storm. They had attached a rope between themselves so that they wouldn't get swept away from each other, and were trying to pull a barge filled with wood to the building company.
"Oooh!" cried Sunshine as the waves bobbed him up and down like a buoy. "This is terrible!"
"Just hold tight, Sunshine!" Ten Cents said, "Let's get this wood to the building company and then we can head back to the safety of our Dock."
The two friends did indeed do so, and at last got the job done. By the time they had returned, all the other Tugs were already back at the Star Dock, ready to wait out the storm. All except Hercules, that is.

Hercules was still looking for any ships that were in danger. The weather was growing worse and worse.
"Oh dear," he thought, "I can hardly see. Maybe I should..."
But his thoughts were cut off as his engine shuddenly spluttered and gave out.
"Oh no!" he cried. "It's the worst possible time for this to happen!"
Without his engine to help him keep going, the wind and the waves began to push him where ever they wanted him to go.
As he got pushed farther and farther, he suddenly saw Lillie. She stared at Hercules in shock.
"Hercules, what are you doing?!" she cried.
"My engine failed, and I can't move under my own power anymore!" he called back.
"You're heading straight for the Rocks!" cried Lillie in horror.
Hercules suddenly realized that he was in danger, but it was too late. He collided with the Rocks with a CRACK!
"Ow!" he winced.
Part of his hull had been broken, and he was now stuck. He was thankful that he was perched on the Rocks and not underneath the waves, but he knew that it could have been the alternative; he was just lucky...

Lillie radioed in about Hercules, and I was shocked to hear what had happened. I instantly told the other Tugs what had happened.
"Hercules has had an accident," I said. "His engine gave out and he ended up getting stuck on Dem Der Rocks."
"Oh no!" they all cried in horror.
"Luckily nothing too serious has happened, apart from a crack in his hull. We can't do anything for him in this storm, I'm afraid, so we'll have to rescue him after the weather dies down."

Luckily, once the storm did die down, everything became a lot calmer. Big Mac and Warrior were sent with Mighty Mo and a barge to rescue Hercules.
They found him looking rather unhappy perched on the Rocks. "Hello, you two!" he said, looking relieved to see them. "Got myself into a bit of a scrape, eh?" he chuckled.
Mighty Mo set to work at once. "Woah, you're a heavy one, aren't ya!" he said as he picked Hercules up.
Big Mac quickly pushed the barge underneath, and Mighty Mo set Hercules down.
Then they took him to Lucky's Yard for repairs. During his time there, Hercules's thoughts were a bit bemuddled. He was thinking about what he was doing, what being an ocean-going tug was all about, and how he could be something else...

A few days later, Hercules was all fixed, and he was able to get back to work. That morning after the other Tugs had already gone off to start their jobs, he stayed behind.
"Excuse me, Captain Star," he said.
"What is it, Hercules?" I asked.
"Well... could I stay here in Bigg City Port today?"
"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.
"Well, my recent accident gave me a lot to think about. I think that I'd like to see what it's like to be a harbor tug. I've been out on the ocean for so long..."
"Are you trying to say that you're scared of the open water?"
"Well... more or less... yes," he conceded.
I was surprised at Hercules. I never in all my years would have expected him to be afraid of the ocean.
"Er, well," I said, "there aren't any ships coming in today, so I suppose you could work in the harbor..."
"Oh, thank you, Sir!"
"That's quite alright. You can help Big Mac with some supplies that have just come in and have to be delivered to the building company."

So Hercules set off. Big Mac was surprised to see him, but happy of the extra help all the same. The two of them working together made the job go by a good deal faster, and by that afternoon they were already finished.
Big Mac had to work with something else, and so Hercules came back to the Star Dock to see if there was anything else for him today.
"Well," I said, "nothing really off the top of my..." Suddenly, I got a radio call. I moved away to see what it was. I came back to tell Hercules. "Hercules, it's a good thing you came back. Nantucket is stuck in a currant and needs someone to get it out. Would you please go and help?"
Hercules frowned. "Does this mean I'll have to go out onto the open water?" he asked nervously.
"Yes it does," I replied.
"But..." Hercules began, but I cut him off.
"Hercules, I'm ashamed of you. Never before have you worried about going onto open water, and you shouldn't now."
Hercules looked abashed. "You're right, Sir. I'll go and rescue Nantucket."
"That's my Tug!" I said. "Do your best!"

So Hercules went to find Nantucket. He saw the tramp steamer was caught right in the midst of the current.
"Oy!" called Nantucket. "Get me outta here, would ya!"
"I'm coming," said Hercules, over-looking the tramper's rudeness. He came up to him, and careful not to get caught up in the current himself, was able to attach a line to Nantucket.
Then he pulled and pulled. Nantucket wasn't helping, but Hercules at last succeeded in moving him out of the current.
"Phew!" he said.
"Er, thanks," said Nantucket, and he moved away back on course.

Hercules was proud. While he had been in a rough situation, he had overcome his fears and was now back to being an ocean-going tug, never more to wonder what was like in the harbor.

[HerculesTheHandsome]

These are both really good! They seem very true to the story style of the show. I would love to see you continue.

[Star Tug and Marine]

Thanks! These are probably the longest things I've ever written, since I'm a more 'short and sweet' type of writer, but with TUGS you actually do make it longer than usual. Glad you like them, I'm working on the third story and it'll be up once I get back to finishing it.

[HerculesTheHandsome]

I'm so glad to hear that! Looking forward to it!