The Sudrians: The Salvation Collection

Recovery

June 1978

Gordon reversed down on his train at Tidmouth Station, disturbed.

What Murdoch had told him a while ago, chilled him to the very boiler. He had had his experience with Warclaws, but none as frightening as that. He thought long and hard about what to do next, Murdoch had told him what he needed and now he had to get experts on this. Well... engines who have been in similar situations to the poor chap.

"Hello, there dear fellow!"

The big engine looked up to see William the Western Diesel reverse into the station, ready to take a stopping service following suit to Gordon. "You look puzzled," he observed, "penny for your thoughts?"

"More than just one penny," replied Gordon grimly, "it's Murdoch, he's told me everything."

"You mean..." William trailed off, "it took me years to get him to tell me how he got preserved. But you? Not much interaction with and he told you it in an instant?"

"My grand stature has that effect on people," mused Gordon.

"Indeed," said William, "so, what do you think of it?"

"Ghastly," replied the big engine, "absolutely ghastly, no wonder he has troubles with trusting engines and that unhealthy addiction to peace and quiet. He needs help."

"He certainly does," William agreed, "but who can give it to him?"

"I will ask Stephen on talking to Mr Fleck about this matter," replied Gordon, "your owner might be able to help him."

William coughed a little, this caught Gordon's attention almost immediately. "Anything you want to tell?" he asked suspiciously.

"Well... that's the thing..." said William, "Mr Fleck... he doesn't think engines need... therapy."

Gordon blinked, astonished with what he had just heard. "That's ludicrous," he scoffed, "engines are sentient beings like humans. They can feel just as much, which means they need help to feel mentally better too. Why does a preservationist want to keep two engines like yourselves when he doesn't want to help you?"

"I... I don't know," replied William, "Mr Fleck is an odd man, ever since I've known him he has always been... strange... always saying that we're perfect for the job... useful to their plans."

"What plans?"

"Like I said my fellow engine," said William, "I do not know what he goes on about."

"Hmm," pondered Gordon, "well if he can't help us, then I think we have to go to others to help Murdoch."

"Like who precisely?"

"Others," said Gordon, "who have had similar experiences like his."

The guard then blew his whistle and Gordon pulled away with the afternoon express. William was left at the station, thinking who the others would be.

***

"Slacker."

"I'm not a slacker! I've been rushed off my wheels with the shunting!"

"Yet you've still haven't cleared those vans away from the arrival track!"

"Oh please," begged Arthur, "I just don't have time to cope in these yards with all the work on the branch too. It's getting quite out of hands!"

"Hand," corrected the DMU snootily, "besides, you're a big tank engine! You can manage!"

"And you're an engine as well," came a voice, Gordon appeared from the bringing in the express to Vicarstown. He gave a disappointed look down at the DMU. "Are you an engine?"