In the long distant future, railways crisscrossed the Milky Way Galaxy. This massive railway connected planets, Solar Systems, and more than a few deep space research stations together, making the massive Galaxy seem just a little closer together. Of course, being such a vast web, there was bound to be trouble everywhere.

Planet Tabito

2000 hours-2031 hours (Space Standard Time)

Current Conditions: Clear

It was a quiet night on the mining planet of Tabito. It had been another busy day as usual and a train of empty wagons was coming in to land. She landed on the massive rail ramp leading to the station and glided into the station with a screech of her brakes.

Tabito Station PA: "The train now arriving at Platform 1 is the 800 express from Destiny to Tabito." it announced.

The engine released a cloud of steam from her 4 cylinders and sizzled in the platform while her crew confirmed their cargo with the station staff. She had 16 driving wheels, 4 leading wheels, and 4 trailing wheels. Her boiler, wheels, cylinders, cab, and tender were painted black while her smokebox and her side rods were painted white. Soot covered her from her funnels to her wheels and her various fittings clearly hadn't been polished in quite some time. On her smokebox door was a number plate which read '8002', just above the number plate was a pair of big, feminine eyes with large eyelashes and a pair of dull blue pupils indicating her boiler pressure was a little low, her mouth was currently forming a content smile just below her number plate.

This engine was named Georgia and she was a member of the G8000-Class, a series of 3 engines based on the old Union Pacific 4000-Class. They were originally envisioned as freight locomotives but the second member of the class, G8001 or Bill was requisitioned by the SDF and became Sirius Platoon's trusty iron steed. Georgia loved her brother and it was just her luck that the Railway assigned her to Tabito because the Captain of Sirius Platoon called this planet home meaning, every now and then, she got to see her older brother.

Stepping out of her cab was a young man about 25 years old in age. He was roughly 5"7' with a head of brown hair and a pair of brown eyes. He was wearing a Standard Galaxy Railways Freight Worker uniform consisting of denim overalls and a white shirt.

Georgia's Driver: "Nice work as always old mare." he said, stepping off her cab and looking at the clock, "3 hours ahead of schedule like always."

Georgia: "Thanks John." she smiled, tiredly, "I need a rest."

John: " Yeah, your boiler pressure's dropping." he noted, "What's wrong?"

Georgia: "I'm just out of breath." she replied.

John: "Alright, the siding is clear, you can gather steam there for a bit," he said, hopping into her cab, "let's just move your trucks out of the way."

Georgia: "But the 707 isn't due for another hour or so." she said, confused and suspicious, "What do you know that I don't?"

John: "Now that would ruin the surprise.~" he said, cheekily.

Georgia pouted but reluctantly got to work shunting herself and her trucks onto the adjoining siding connected to the station. As she came to a stop she heard a whistle echo through the landscape as a train came in to land.

Georgia: "Is that...?" she started.

John: "Surprise." he smiled.

Georgia: "You and Bill are such assholes John!" she laughed, "I didn't know Captain Yuuki was going on leave."

John: "It'll only be for the night Georgia." he chuckled, "I know how much his visits affect your work ethic so I decided to keep this little visit a surprise."

Georgia: "They do not." she pouted.

John: "Uh-huh, sure." he chuckled.

Station PA: "Attention, an SDF Train is arriving, no passengers will disembark on the platform." it announced.

As Bill was landing, Georgia heard him slamming on the brakes a lot harder than he usually did and giving much louder blasts of his whistle than normal. The reason why became obvious as he grinded to a stop next to her.

Georgia: "Are you ok?" she asked, confused.

Bill: "No." he replied, panting, "Some kid is on the track."

Georgia looked over to see a young kid wearing a brown vest, a white shirt, and a pair of dark blue pants. He had a messy head of dark brown hair, brown eyes, and was a little dirty probably because he fell over. He was coughing on Bill's steam and was mere inches from the Battle Train's cowcatcher, it was an insanely close call.

Georgia: "Kid, are you ok?" she asked, rolling forwards a little.

Manabu: "Yeah, I-I'm fine Georgia." he replied, wiping some of the dirt off his face.

Security Bots: "Intruder Alert, Intruder Alert." they said, moving into position on the platform, their guns at the ready, "This threat must be neutralized."

Manabu: "Wait, don't shoot, don't shoot! I just wanted to see my dad!" he said, raising his hands in surrender, "I swear!"

???: "Is there a problem here?" he asked, stepping off Bill's coaches.

Security Bot 1: "We found an intruder sir." it replied.

???: "Yes I see, I'm afraid he happens to be my son." he sighed.

Captain Wataru Yuuki was a tall man, standing at about 6 feet at least. He had similarly messy, dark brown hair with kind brown eyes, appropriate for a father. He was wearing Sirius Platoon's uniform, a blue double-breasted coat that went down to knee height with the Sirius Platoon badge on the left breast, a white undershirt, a pair of light blue pants, a pair of white gloves, and a pair of black boots. The coat and boots had a gold trimming and the coat had a red inside. . There were also a pair of patches on his shoulders indicating that he was a Captain, at the moment though, he was not wearing the SDF Captain's Hat.

Manabu: "Dad! You're back, I knew it!" he said, excitedly.

Wataru: "You could have been killed! What would your mother and I do if we lost you?" he scolded, "Come now, let's go home."

Wataru helped his son out and onto the platform before turning to Georgia who was still building up steam on the siding.

Wataru: "Georgia." he nodded.

Georgia: "Captain Yuuki, nice to see you again." she smiled.

Wataru: "Well, I'm sure you and your brother would like to make small talk for a while." he said, "As you were."

With that, the Yuuki's walk home.

Wataru: "By the way, how did you get past the Guard Bots?" he asked in the distance.

Manabu: "That's a secret." he replied, smugly, "The SDF can't know everything."

Wataru: "I guess they can't." he chuckled.

Bill sighed, his Captain was always a little too easy on Manabu. But he knew Wataru knew what he was doing and decided to shelf his complaints and turn to his sister.

Bill was a spitting image of his sister but looked more polished, more clean, the Maintenance Depot on Planet Destiny doing a much more thorough job of cleaning their trains than the one on Tabito. Other than that though, there were a few more differences, Bill had a shortened version of his number on his tender, Georgia did not; Bill's eyes glowed green when his boiler pressure reached operating conditions, Georgia's turned blue; and their whistles were very different, Georgia's sounded like an actual 4000 class's whistle while Bill's had a higher pitch, allowing him to announce his arrival from further away and seem less threatening to possibly hysterical passengers.

Bill: "Hi sis." he greeted, warmly.

Georgia: "Hey bro." she greeted back, " How are you?"

Bill: "Good as usual." he replied, "Just a little tired."

Georgia: "I can imagine, work of the SDF never stops, right?" she jabbed.

Bill: "Yeah, you can say that." he chuckled, "Most likely I won't even be able to stay the night."

Georgia: "Yikes, that busy huh?" she asked.

Bill: "Yeah, trust me sis, joining the SDF is not an easy career path, even for the train." he said

Georgia: "I can believe that." she said, "When will you come back again?"

Bill: "Gimme a few months." he replied, "I should be home for Christmas."

Georgia: "I would like that." she smiled, "Will we be having Christmas with the Yuuki's?"

Bill: "Up to them really." he said, "But knowing Captain Yuuki's wife, I wouldn't be surprised if we found ourselves at their front door. How is she anyway?"

Georgia: "Kanna? Oh she's as faithful and strict as always." she giggled, "I watched her drag Manabu off by the ear when he snuck onto the platform to have a conversation with me."

Bill: "And Mamoru?" he asked.

Georgia: "Working hard." she replied, "I remember Yesterday we were about to head out on an Ore Run when John's order of Katsudon arrived."

John: "They live 30 miles away from the station and somehow, it was still warm." he piped up.

Bill: "Damn." he chuckled, "I think the next time I come back here I should ask him for a race."

Georgia: "Now that wouldn't be fair, Mamoru would whoop your ass." she grinned, cheekily.

Bill and Georgia laughed at that and talked for hours and hours with each other.

3500 Megameters out from the Tabito System

2030 hours

Current Conditions: N/A (Reason? Space)

Meanwhile, a few Megameters down the line, the 707 Express was scheduled to make a stop on PLanet Tabito before continuing onwards to Planet Destiny, the big station at the start and end of the line. Within his 20 coaches were about 200 men, women, and children alongside a single human conductor. It had been a long and very uneventful day and the engine at the head end of the 707, Spencer, was looking forward to a night in his berth. Sadly however, he heard a conversation in one of his coaches that made his heart drop.

Child: "Mommy look!" she said, "I see rocks flying outside."

Mom: "Really? Where?" she asked, leaning over to see out the window.

Child: "Right there, see?" she said, pointing out the window.

Spencer looked to the side and saw a massive cluster of asteroids rapidly approaching the line.

Spencer: "Shit! Driver!" he called.

Spencer's Driver: "I see it, I'm diverting power to your engine." he said, "Let's hope we can outrun these things before they-"

Before Spencer's Driver could finish that sentence, the first group of asteroids began slamming into his side, alarming the passengers.

Passenger 1: "What in the world was that?" he asked, getting up and looking out the window.

The passengers all stood up and stared out the left side windows as Asteroids bore down on them, some ran from the windows and others screamed in fear but before panic could properly set in, the lights turned red and a voice spoke up from down the hallway.

Spencer's Conductor: "Please remain calm. There's nothing to fear." he said, the windows being closed by metal shutters, "This train is equipped with Orbit Shields and the Railway itself is surrounded by a Magnetic Barrier, you are perfectly safe."

All the coaches had their windows closed by metal shutters but Spencer was getting concerned by the light show the Asteroids were making of the Magnetic Barrier....and how dangerously compromised his Orbit Shield was getting.

Spencer: "Come on...come on!" he begged, trying to squeeze a little more speed out of his engine.

But it was not to be, before he or his driver could think, Spencer's orbit shield shattered and Asteroids of all shapes and sizes collided with his coaches, knocking him off the rails.

Spencer: "Damn it! No! NO!" he yelled, feeling his wheels leave the rails.

One particularly large asteroid came out of nowhere and domed Spencer in the head, killing him.

Spencer's Driver: "Shit!" he cussed.

The Driver turned to a big red button and slammed his fist down on it.

Galaxy Railways HQ, Planet Destiny

2031 hours

Current Conditions: Clear

The Galaxy Railways Headquarters on Planet Destiny was a massive complex. It had a massive, globe-like map of the entire network with trains represented by lines of color, planets as big circles of varying colors, and space stations as small yellow circles sprinkled around the network. Suddenly, the line of color representing the 707 Express turned from silver to red and one of the Dispatcher's Computers turned a bright red.

Computer: "Emergency! Emergency! Engine Number 707 has come to an Emergency Stop." it reported.

Galaxy Railway Dispatcher 1: "We have a full shutdown 3500 Megameters away from the Tabito System." she reported, "It looks like asteroids."

Galaxy Railway Dispatcher 2: "Their orbit shields have been compromised." he reported, "Maximize power to the Magnetic Barrier."

Galaxy Railway Dispatcher 3: "They're reporting the engine is dead." she said, "The driver is requesting an SDF Dispatch."

Galaxy Railway Dispatcher 4: "They've got worse problems, a White Hole is forming about 500 Mega Meters from the crash site." he reported, "The Gravitational Pull is increasing."

Commander: "I want the Space Defense Force out there right away." he said, "Dispatch the Sirius Platoon now!"

Dispatchers: "Yes sir!" they saluted.

The Dispatchers frantically type on their keyboards to summon Sirius Platoon and scramble them into action.

Up above the busy atmosphere surrounding headquarters was a small room with a balcony overlooking the organized chaos. Within this room was a single woman overlooking a smaller version of the massive route map at the center of HQ. She had long, blue hair; blue eyes; and a North American skin tone, she was wearing what appeared to be a dark blue One-Piece Swimsuit that sported a heart shaped boob window with a similarly dark blue cape and pair of gloves also covering her up. . This was the Supreme Commander Rayla Destiny Shula, she was responsible for the operations of the Galaxy Railways and overseeing the fate and destiny of all those traveling on the Galaxy Railways. As she looked over the ongoing incident, she began talking to herself.

Supreme Commander: "So the wheel of fate has begun to turn and nothing can be done to stop it." she said, "Even the mightiest of men are powerless to resist their fate. They rush to it, even if it means their destruction."

A single tear rolled down her eye as the scene cut to Tabito.

Planet Tabito

2032 hours

Current Conditions: Clear

Back on Tabito, Georgia and Bill were still laughing and talking at the station, the empties weren't needed anywhere anytime soon and Bill was ordered to stay at the station until Sirius Platoon came back. Suddenly Bill stopped laughing.

Georgia: "Bro?" she questioned.

Bill: "....tch, damn asteroids." he tisked, "Sorry sis, visit is being cut short."

Georgia: "Ah, work?" she questioned.

Bill: "You bet." he groaned, "Rogue asteroids hit the 707 Express, I'm the only engine in range."

Georgia: "Go get em Big Bro." she said, encouragingly.

Bill chuckles, building up steam as the platoon ran to their engine and began running through their final checks for takeoff.

Wataru: "Sirius PLatoon, we've been assigned to rescue a damaged train." he said, over Bill's Speakers, "The Safety of our passengers is our number 1 priority. Let's get them back safe and sound. Begin takeoff sequence."

Georgia also decided to get going, she blew her low toned whistle and began puffing backwards but as she puffed backwards she saw Manabu and Mamoru climb up from in between the coaches and the platform.

Mamoru: "I must be out of my mind." he muttered.

Manabu: "Would you feel better if we had a pass?" he asked, cheekily.

Mamoru: "Well, yeah." he replied, "Do you have one?"

Manabu: "No." he replied.

Mamoru: "Thanks a lot." he said, chuckling a little.

Manabu: "Mamoru, look! That's Big 1." he said.

Mamoru: "Wow, I've never seen him this close, he looks awesome." he pondered.

Manabu: "I wonder if dad's onboard already." he said.

Mamoru: "He has to be." he said.

Georgia: "Wha- you 2? What're you doing here?" she questioned, slamming on her brakes, "Um, bro?"

Security Bots: "Intruder alert! Intruder Alert!" they said, chasing the pair of kids, "Don't move or we will shoot!"

Mamoru: "Come on!" he shouted.

Manabu: "Right!" he nodded.

Security Bots: "Stop!" they shouted.

Bill did not hear any of this, he was busy building up steam and going through various checklists.

Bill: "All systems green Captain Yuuki." he reported, his eyes glowing green, "Awaiting your command, sir."

Back on the platform, the 2 kids were still running, Georgia could only wheesh steam at the guard bots, trying to stop them or at the very least distract them.

Manabu: "You're gonna have to leave me behind Mamoru!" he called, "I can't keep up with you!"

Security Bots: "This is your final warning!" they said.

More security bots appeared from the station building, joining the ones chasing them from behind to form a pincer maneuver. Mamoru, seeing this, decided to take drastic action.

Mamoru: "Grab hold!" he called, slowing down to let Manabu catch up.

Manabu: "I can't go on!" he said before being thrown into one of Bill's coaches.

The pair of brothers dove into the coach just as the doors shut,

Wataru: "All ahead." he ordered.

Bill blew his whistle and, after a bit of wheelslip, accelerated down the line towards the takeoff ramp.

Georgia: "Bro? Bro! You have stowaways!" she shouted, blowing her whistle in an attempt to warn him.

The sound of Georgia's voice didn't carry over the wind however and all Bill heard was the sound of her whistle.

Bill: "Love you too sis!" he called back, whistling goodbye, "I'll be back in a month!"

With that, Bill took off with a pair of stowaways in his 4th coach, Georgia came to a stop just before the takeoff ramp with a sigh.

Georgia: "And there he goes." she sighed, "Good luck kids."

Georgia began puffing backwards towards the marshalling yard to drop off her empties, a sickening feeling in her boiler that something about this mission would be different from all the others.

3500 MegaMeters from Tabito

2100 hours-0000 hours

Current Conditions: N/A

By now, the 707 Express had been sitting in its spot for about half an hour, there was enough oxygen to last a whole week if necessary but there were many injured passengers in the other coaches and the lack of any rescue team was getting them worried. On top of the high amount of injuries, some of the windows had failed to close and the passengers who saw outside them clearly saw the Magnetic barrier sporting a spider web of cracks from the Asteroids.

Passenger 1: "Hey! Why hasn't your headquarters sent a rescue team yet?" he demanded.

Passenger 2: "What are they going to do? Just leave us out here in the middle of space to die??" she asked, incredulously.

Spencer's Conductor: "Calm down everyone, the SDF is on the way." he replied, "Please go back to your seats and relax until they get here."

Passenger 3: "But we've got injured people on board." he said, angrily grabbing the conductor's collar, "This isn't the time for an inflight movie you idiot."

3 blasts of Bill's low toned whistle interrupted the complaining and angry passengers.

Spencer's Conductor: "Here comes the SDF now, thank goodness." he sighed.

Bill came alongside the stricken 707 Express.

Wataru: "Alright people, we need to do this as efficiently as possible." he said, turning around to face his bridge crew, "If that barrier breaches, we're sunk, let's get them the hell out of here."

Bridge Crew: "Yes sir." they said.

Suddenly, the door opened and another member of Sirius Platoon walked in holding Manabu and Mamoru with Manabu screaming his lungs out.

Manabu: "Hey! Let go of me! I'm not a criminal! I didn't do anything!" he shouted.

The man didn't listen and instead threw the 2 brothers onto the floor.

SP Member: "I found these 2 stowaways in the Hangar Coach sir." he reported, "They both claim that they know you Captain."

Bill: "Oh.....that's what Georgia was trying to tell me..." he groaned, wincing internally

Wataru: "What do you have to say for yourselves?" he demanded.

Mamoru: "I'm sorry dad." he apologized.

Manabu: "Me too dad." he added.

Wataru sighed, slightly annoyed at this addition to the mission. His first mate, a Schwanhelde Bulge stood up from his seat.

Bulge: "These are your sons Captain?" he asked.

Wataru: "They were until today." he replied, coldly.

Bill: "That's a little harsh sir." he said.

Wataru: "Believe me, I can do a lot worse than just say something to them." he said.

Manoru: "We're sorry dad, we really didn't mean for this to happen." he piped up, "Honest."

Manabu: "I want to help with the rescue mission dad." he said, "Please, let me help, I wanna join the SDF just like you."

Wataru: "Don't be stupid!" he barked.

Both boys wince.

Bill: "Sir, the White Hole is becoming bigger." he said.

Wataru: "Right..." he sighed, "You 2, stay in the coaches, everyone else, help with rescue operations."

Bridge Crew: "Yes sir." they salute.

Soon, the tender was empty, leaving the 2 brothers alone.

Bill: "You 2 ok in there?" he asked.

Mamoru: "Just a little shaken I suppose." he replied.

Bill: "I'm not surprised." he said, "But don't take any of Captain Yuuki's words to heart, I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt you with them."

Both boys stay quiet, still a little scared.

Bill: "Hm....tell ya what, if you behave yourselves then I'll put in a good word with Headquarters." he offered, "That might land you a seat in my tender as a member of the SDF."

Manabu: "Really?" he asked.

Bill: "Really." he nodded, "Now, run along and don't cause any trouble for the passengers."

The 2 brothers smiled and ran off out of his tender and began playing around in the coaches while the Platoon helped ferry passengers off the 707. Bill sat still, looking around at the developing situation around him...including the White Hole that was getting concerningly big.

Bill: "Guys....maybe hurry it up a bit?" he said.

SP Member 1: "Just wait up a second Bill, we'll be done before you know it." he reassured.

Bill: "I hope so, that White Hole is getting a little....concerning." he replied.

SP Member 2: "I'll keep an eye on it, just be ready to book it." he said.

Bill: "Copy that." he nodded, "Yuki, how're the passengers back there?"

In the medical coach, Yuki, the Platoon's Medical Sexaroid, was tending to someone with minor injuries.

Yuki: "They are all shaken and more than a few are injured but give them a week of rest and they will be fine." she replied.

Bill: "Good to hear." he nodded.

Bulge: "Captain Yuuki." he called.

Wataru: "What is it Bulge?" he asked.

Bulge: "This is the last of the passengers." he reported, gesturing the man he was helping into the lead coach, "We're clear."

Wataru: "Very good, let's get out of here." he said.

Bulge: "Right." he saluted, walking to the medical coach.

As Bulge walked away, Spencer's conductor stepped forward.

Spencer's Conductor: "Many thanks Captain." he said.

Wataru: "Of course, that was quite the ordeal you went through." he said, looking pointedly at the dead engine of the 707 out the window, "You should be proud of yourself, well done."

Spencer's Conductor: "Thank you Captain." he said, before tensing up.

Wataru was saluting him stoically in the middle of the hallway, which left the conductor more than a little flattered. Around the corner, Manabu and Manoru were watching.

Manabu: "Check dad out, doesn't he look cool?" he said, giddily.

Manoru: "Yeah." he nodded, in awe.

Bill chuckled hearing this but then his sensors and his eyes saw something strange in the White Hole.

SP Member 2: "Captain, we've got an emergency." he called.

Wataru: "What is it?" he asked, leaning over his station.

Bill: "There's something coming out of the White Hole." he replied.

SP Member 2: "Scanners are saying it's some kind of ship." he added.

Wataru: "What?" he questioned.

Bill watched as a large, angular ship painted red with a black nose cone emerged from the White Hole, its weaponry consisted of a pair of triple gun turrets which fired red beams of energy. Unlike Bill however, this ship didn't have a face!

Bill: "What in the Universe is that?" he questioned, staring at the faceless ship gobsmacked.

The ship's pair of turrets took aim and opened fire on him before his sensors could begin prodding the ship for answers.

Bill: "Incoming!" he called.

Wataru: "Quick! Full ahead now!" he ordered.

Bill gave a blast of his whistle and quickly hurried out of the way just as the 6 energy beams crashed into the 707's coaches.

SP Member 4: "Indirect hit sir!" he reported.

Wataru: "Damn it!" he cursed.

Bill: "Permission to ice this bastard?" he requested.

Wataru: "Negative, we can't risk the lives of these passengers." he replied, "You may only fire back if they pursue."

Bill: "Yes sir." he replied, reluctantly.

The whooshing of fighters is heard and Bill turns back just in time to see a squadron of unknown fighters racing towards him, they were an odd, stubby shape with angular features and a black paint job.

Bulge: "Incoming fighters!" he called out.

Bill: "Opening orbit shields and preparing to fire." he reported.

The roofs of coaches 2, 3, 7, and 8 opened, revealing various minigun emplacements named Cosmo Vulcans while his main battle coach, a black coach with three triple turret energy guns on its roof and 2 sides took aim at the fighters.

Wataru: "On my mark, FIRE!" he roared.

With that, Bill's main guns opened fire, sending bright blue streaks of energy careening through space. The energy beams blew up most of the fighters but some of them were just able to get past and release their missiles which then had to contend with the fire being spit out from the Cosmo Vulcans.

Bill: "Damn bastards are everywhere." he cursed.

The fighters were a pesky bunch and insistent on keeping him too busy to launch his own wing of fighter craft. Explosions caused Bill to shake on his rails as he tried his best to keep his passengers safe. One such explosion rocked his forward coach's front door, burning both it and the rear quarter of his tender.

Bill: "Sir, they're almost out." he reported, eyeing the ship wearily.

Bulge: "I won't give them five minutes til they clear the white hole." he added.

Wataru: "We can't let that happen." he said.

Bulge: "I understand sir." he said, turning to look over at his Captain, "Captain, you're wounded."

Wataru had suffered a cut to his head after protecting his son from the wreckage of the fighter that collided with his front coach.

Wataru: "It's nothing." he said, turning away, "Launch all deep space fighters."

The Cosmo Falcons as they were known were stored in Coaches 4 and 5 with an additional Hangar in Coach 9. The Cosmo Falcons resembled a hodgepodge of Earth Fighters with the nose cone and cockpit resembling that of the F-5 Tiger, the gun layout of the F-86 Saber, its wings were that of a F/A-18, its engines were that of an F-22, and it took off using a catapult system akin to floatplanes of old battleships and certain cruisers. Bill could carry 3 Cosmo Falcons with these coaches as he had a different consist for any mission he might encounter.

Cosmo Falcon 1: "C'mon lads, let's drag this bastard out of the sky!" he grinned, taking off.

Cosmo Falcon 2: "Right behind ya!" she piped up.

Cosmo Falcon 3: "And three's a party!" he finished.

All 3 launched successfully and went on an attack run of the enemy ship with Bill giving cover fire in the form of a well placed shot from his main guns. 2 of the Cosmo Falcons were downed in an instant but the third proved slipperier and dodged the Anti-Air firepower of the enemy before charging in, managing to get 2 missiles off and destroy a turret only for the second turret to shoot the fighter down.

Bulge: "All fighters have been shot down!" he reported.

The gun coach shot another salvo before the enemy's next salvo sheered the top turret off and caused a massive fire.

Bill: "Gun coach has been damaged!" he said, wincing in pain.

Yuki: "I'm isolating the gun coach now." she reported.

Bill felt the bulkheads isolate the middle of his consist and contain the fire.

Yuki: "Bulkheads have been closed Captain." she reported.

The Enemy's remaining gun took aim at Bill specifically and fired.

Bulge: "Incoming!" he shouted.

Wataru: "Divert all power to the shields!' he ordered.

Bill: "Not enough time!" he yelled.

The rightmost blast of energy missed the first coach, the middle blast slammed into Bill's tender, and the leftmost blast collided with his cab. The hits caused various stations in his tender to detonate, knocking out a few members of the Platoon and scarring Bulge's eyebrow. Bill yelled out in pain and slammed on his brakes.

Manabu/Mamoru: "Dad?" they said, peeking into Bill's tender.

Wataru looks to his sons and then his crew, his train had no ability to fight any more and running away was not an option.....but there was one way to get his passengers and his sons to safety and Bill apparently also realized this.

Bill: "Sir...." he trailed off.

Wataru: "Yeah, I know." he nodded, turning and kneeling to face his sons, "Don't worry boys, everything is going to be fine, I'm sending you back to your mother, you're going to be ok."

Manabu: "For real?" he asked.

Wataru nodded in reply.

Bulge: "Sir?" he questioned, helping one of the his comrades stand.

Wataru: "Alright Sirius Platoon." he said, standing up, "It's time to show this enemy that our strength does not only lie in guns and steel."

Sirius PLatoon: "Yes Captain!" they saluted.

Wataru: "From now on, I'm placing command of this platoon with First Officer Schwanhelde Bulge." he said.

Bulge: "Captain, what are you saying?" he questioned.

Wataru: "Listen, we only have one shot at this." he said, "I want you all to evacuate into the coach block, use auxilary power to contact a backup engine to pick you up."

Bill: "Me and Captain Yuuki will stay behind and keep these bastards busy." he continued.

Manabu: "But what about you dad?" he asked, "Bill isn't a match for that thing alone! A-and Bill! What about Georgia? She's still waiting for you!"

Wataru looks back at his sons and Bill looks down at his cow catcher.

Bill: "Georgia is a strong engine....she can live with me being absent from the rest of her life." he said, sadly.

Wataru: "Listen boys, whether I make it through this or now, one thing will never change. I will always be your father. Always." he said, turning to his 2 sons, "Mamoru, you have no idea how proud I am of you son. Manabu, I'm counting on you, please son, take care of your mother for me, she needs you. You're stronger than you realize.

Manabu: "No dad, don't do it, you can't just leave us!" he shouted, "Please dad."

Wataru: "All of you, evacuate into the couch block." he ordered, "Bulge, this ship is under your care now."

Soon enough, the crew was evacuated into the coaches and Bill slowly but surely puffed forward on his suicidal mission.

Bulge: "To our Commander, our friend, and our brother; Captain Yuuki and Big 1." he said, saluting sharply.

Manabu: "Dad come back!" he shouted, beginning to cry, "No dad! Please, I can't live without you!"

Mamoru: "Father...." he trailed off, also beginning to cry, "FATHER!!"

Bill gave one long blast of his whistle to say goodbye before roaring off towards his final target.

Bill: "One last ride sir." he said, "You're sure about this? I can control myself after all."

Wataru: "I'm sure." he replied.

Bill nodded and accelerated, laying on his whistle and putting as much power into his engine as possible. The enemy ship saw this and focused its firepower on the charging steam engine, scoring a few hits which blew out one of Bill's eyes, dented his boiler, and scorched his tender a few times. As Bill began his final charge, ignoring the pain being inflicted upon, both the Captain and his Engine said their final goodbyes to their loved ones.

Bill: "I'm sorry Georgia....Freya.....Bert....I won't be coming back this time my friends." he said, turning to a picture on his front just behind his lamp showing a picture of him and Georgia side-by-side on a vacation planet.

Wataru: "Kanna....I'll be long this time my love...I'm sorry...." he said, looking at his pocket watch which housed a picture of his wife.

As they were charging, the lights in the tender dimmed and the holographic communicator came on revealing the image of the Supreme Commander.

Wataru: "Supreme Commander?" he questioned.

Bill: "The Supreme Commander's contact us?" he asked, perking up.

Supreme Commander: "Are you really going Wataru? Bill?" she questioned.

Both Bill and Wataru gave no answer but she knew what their answer.

Supreme Commander: "Then I shall escort you." she said, some kind of energy field surrounding Bill, "I am Destiny. I am Shula."

Bill felt his shields grow stronger and his boiler grow hotter as he roared forward, he held down his whistle and crashed into the Enemy Ship. The impact instantly crushed his boiler, killing him instantly with the resulting explosion being too powerful for any hope for Wataru to have any hope of survival.

Planet Tabito

0001 hours

Current Conditions: Clear

Georgia had been asleep for about 3 hours now but was suddenly awoken by a massive flash in the sky. Groaning awake, she saw a massive blue light in the sky that was brighter than the sun usually was.

Georgia: "What in the world is that....?" she groaned, blinking the dirt out of her eyes.

The blue light soon died down and John ran up from the bunks.

John: "Georgia!" he called, "We've gotta move!"

Georgia: "What's happened?" she asked.

John: "Bill's transmitting a distress beacon, he needs a tow back here." he replied, not knowing the full context.

Georgia: "That brother of mine probably blew a valve or something." she sighed, "Oh well, nothing I can do about it, let's go get him."

John hopped into her cab and Georgia yawned, building up enough steam to move before puffing forwards and collecting a Brake Van in the yard before racing into the sea of stars, laying on her deeper toned whistle as she left her home planet's atmosphere.

3500 Megameters from Tabito

0030 hours

Current Conditions: N/A

Back in space, Bill's coaches were still floating in the middle of space lifeless. Without Bill as an engine the consist couldn't move. The White Hole had long vanished but all the debris from the battle was still floating around in the surrounding area necessitating a clean up crew from either the SDF or the Galaxy Railways for the line to be suitable for commercial use anytime soon. Georgia puffed through the wreckage, suffering a few small dents on her boiler and cow catcher with a few scratches on her pitch black livery.

Georgia: "What the hell happened here?" she questioned, "Bill usually leaves much less aftermath behind."

As Georgia continued puffing through the debris she soon came across Bill's coaches and gave 2 blasts of her whistle.

Georgia: "Yo! Bro!" she called, slowly puffing alongside his coaches, "What the heck happened here?"

Bill gave no reply as Georgia slowly approached the front of the consist, still seeing no sign of her brother.

Georgia: "Bro? You're scaring me." she said, uneasily.

Georgia soon pulled alongside the very front of the consist which was obviously lacking her brother.

Georgia: "Wha-? Wh-where's Bill?" she asked.

Bulge: "....he and Captain Yuuki......they are gone." he replied.

Georgia: "G-gone?! Where? How?" she demanded.

Yuki: "They sacrificed themselves to save us from an unknown Enemy Warship." she replied.

Georgia: "Sacrificed..." she trailed off, scanning the wreckage.

Sure enough she saw her brother's number plate floating in space alongside the remains of his boiler, and his tender. Georgia was speechless at the sight and she began crying.

Georgia: "Wh-why?" she sniffled.

Bulge: "There was no other way." he replied, "Our main guns were disabled and our fighters had been shot down earlier."

Georgia stayed quiet at the new information, she was shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of her brother.

Yuki: "Ms Georgia, can you please tow us to Tabito?" she requested, "We still have injured passengers and we need to contact Headquarters."

Georgia simply nodded and crossed over in front of Bill's coaches before coupling up to them. It felt so...foreign to be the lead engine of a battle train consist.

John: "Ok girl, let's go." he said.

Georgia gave 2 sad blasts of her whistle and dragged the train back to Tabito but as she was leaving something collided with her, causing her to wince.

Georgia: "Ow." she winced, looking at what had hit her.

It was Bill's whistle, it had remained largely undamaged by his Kamikaze and had now found a comfortable spot on her front railing. This caused Georgia to sniffle, she had just lost her closest brother and the only thing she had to remember him by were his coaches and his whistle.

Planet Tabito

0800 hours-1000 hours

Current Conditions: Clear

The day after the battle, Georgia used the tramway to make her way over to the Yuuki residence. In her cab was John, Bulge, Manabu, and Mamoru, Bill's whistle was still on its resting place in front of her smokebox and Captain Yuuki's gun was currently being held by Bulge as they slowly hissed to a stop next to the little restaurant the Yuiuki's called home.

Kanna: "There you 2 are!" she said, stepping out of her house, "I was so worried when I went to wake you up this morning, where have you been?"

Georgia: "Ma'am..." she started, "You uh....may wanna sit down for this."

Kanna: "What's happened? What have my sons done this time?" she demanded.

Georgia: "No no, nothing of the sort Ma'am...." she trailed off, beginning to get emotional, "It's just....well...."

Bulge: "Mrs Yuuki," he said, cutting in for Georgia, "At 2351 hours last night...Wataru sacrificed himself for the greater good of the passengers using Bill as a living projectile."

Kanna promptly shut up, shocked at the sudden news.

Bulge: "I'm sorry Kanna." he apologized, handing Wataru's gun over to her, "Wataru was more than a Commander to me, he was my best friend."

Bulge bowed 90 degrees and saluted before a whine caught his attention from the family dog. Kanna took a second to process the death of her husband but then turned to the family's Shiba Inu and broke down crying. Georgia softly let off steam in a feeble attempt to comfort her before looking down at Bill's whistle which still sat on her running board.

After mourning with Kanna for a few hours and having a small lunch, Georgia puffed off back to the station where Bill's coaches were being inspected for damage and awaiting a new engine to take them back to Destiny. The Commander was personally present to inspect the coaches and interview the crew a;ongside a pair of Galaxy Railways inspectors.

Commander: "Now what the hell do we do?" he sighed, "I can't just disband a whole platoon all willy nilly and the public will notice if I put another engine at the head end."

GR Inspector 1: "Well, whatever you do, you have to do it fast, the Galaxy's chaos won't wait for us to build another G8000-Class from scratch just so the Public are kept in the dark." he said.

GR Inspector 2: "I say we cut our losses and just grab one of the engines in the reserve fleet." she said.

Commander: "But Big 1 has been used in propaganda everywhere." he said, "The General Public all know that Sirius Platoon rides a G8000-Class Steam Engine into battle, not anything else."

GR Inspector 2: "Well, what do we do then?" she asked, "8000 is very clear on his stance against the SDF."

Just then, Georgia rumbled through the station pulling an ore train, she was about to take off so she gave 2 blasts of her whistle alerting the officials to her presence.

Commander: "There's our answer!" he said, "Georgia! Stop!"

Georgia heard the Commander and slammed on her brakes just before she got up to a very high speed.

Georgia: "Yes sir?" she asked, backing up a little.

Commander: "I'm sorry for interrupting your work." he apologized, "But I need to ask you a question."

Georgia: "Um....sure sir." she said, unsurely.

Commander: "Would you be willing to replace your brother as Big 1?" he asked.

Georgia paused, shocked at the offer.

Georgia: "Um....come again sir." she said, gobsmacked.

Commander: "Your owners shall be fairly compensated of course." he said, "But we need to save face and make sure the traveling public do not know that Bill has died."

Georgia: "But sir, I'm just a freight hauler." she said, humbly, "I didn't receive any of the upgrades my brother did."

Commander: "That's ok." he said, "Our shops are the best in the universe and can easily convert you into a full blown battle train."

Georgia: "B-but, I-" she stammered.

Commander: "Please Georgia." he pleaded, "I don't want to give Bill's coaches to just anyone and I can;t think of anyone else better to give it to but you."

Georgia opened and closed her mouth, conflicted on what to do.

John: "Do it Georgia." he said, "I'm sure Bill would want you to take it."

Georgia contemplated her driver's words and looked down at Bill's whistle which she had demanded not be moved from its spot on her running board.

Georgia: "If I say yes....can I retain my brother's number and his whistle?" she asked.

Commander: "Of course." he nodded.

Georgia: "Then I'll do it." she nodded, "I want to do his memory good."

Commander: "Very good." he said, "You are to take his coaches back to Planet Destiny after this Ore Run."

Georgia nodded and blew her whistle, accelerating away with her heavy train of ores.

The news of this new arrangement quickly spread and by the time Georgia arrived, the inhabitants of the planet had already come out in droves to bid her farewell.

Citizen 1: "There she is! The engine of the hour!" he said.

Georgia came to a stop and saw the townsfolk and the other miners all holding up banners saying things like 'Goodbye Georgia' , 'Good luck in the SDF' , and 'Bon Voyage Georgia! Happy travels!'

Citizen 1: "Go Georgia! Bon voyage!" he said.

Citizens: "Bon Voyage!" they said, collectively.

Georgia: "Well, I didn't expect the word to travel this fast." she chuckled.

Citizen 1: "It's hard to keep a secret in a tight knit community." he said.

Citizen 2: "Your brother would've been proud of you taking up his mantle." she said.

Georgia: "I know he would have been." she smiled.

Georgia rattled over the points and coupled up to Bill's coaches, still bearing the battle scars of the night before. Sirius Platoon were to be taken back to Planet Destiny on the 999 Express so all she had to do was take the coaches home. As she was getting ready to depart she saw the Yuuki's on the platform next to her.

Kanna: "Goodbye Georgia." she said, "I'll miss having you around."

Georgia: "Goodbye Mrs Yuuki, I'll miss our late night chats." she smiled, turning her attention to Manabu and Mamoru, "You 2 better behave while I'm gone."

Mamoru: "Don't worry about me Georgia." he chuckled, "It's Manabu i=you have to be concerned about."

Manabu: "Hey!" he pouted.

Georgia chuckled just as the sound of another steam engine is heard, it sounded much smaller than she was but no less grand. Georgia turned to see a GC62-Class gliding into Platform 1 with a rake of brown coaches trailing behind him.

Charlie: "Oh, hello, you must be Georgia." he said.

Georgia: "Yeah, that's me." she replied.

Charlie: "Well, it's nice to meet you, name's Charlie." he introduced.

Georgia: "I'm guessing you're my Platoon's ride home since I don't have the proper tender." she said.

Charlie: "That's correct." he nodded.

Georgia: "I see." she nodded, before looking at Charlie's coaches, "Um...why are there so few people in your coaches?"

Charlie: "My tickets are uh.....ridiculously expensive." he said, sheepishly.

Georgia: "I see." she giggled, "Well, I hope I'll see you around."

Charlie: "I kinda hope you don't." he said, "If you do it'll probably be because I crashed after all."

Georgia: "Yeah, yeah that's fair." she chuckles.

Suddenly Georgia's signal turned from red to green, giving her clearance to depart.

Georgia: "Welp, see you at Destiny Charlie." she grinned, blowing her whistle.

As Georgia slowly puffed forward Mamoru called after her.

Mamoru: "Goodbye Georgia! I'll join you soon!" he called.

Georgia smiled and gave 2 blasts of her whistle in acknowledgement before roaring into the air. 

A/N: 

Andy: Aaaaand done!

Missouri: Holy crap that was a long chapter. 

Ruby: Did-did you have to combine 2 episodes for this? 

Andy: Nope, this was one, 20 minute episode of the Galaxy Railways. 

Georgia: And there'll be more coming so buckle up buttercup!

Kentucky: I feel sorry for you sir. 

Sodor Castle: Yeah, same here. 

Andy: Don't be, she's fine. She'll mellow out over time and it'll be a fun exercise since I have to make new stories revolving around whatever she's doing during the Slice of Life episodes. 

Georgia: Well, the repair crews will tell ya I'm the worst prankster Destiny's ever seen. Freya and Bert help a lot with that too. 

Andy: If you're wondering why I went with such a simplistic face, it's because I wanted to keep the number plate on the smokebox visible for reasons I'll say later. The glowing eyes thing was inspired by the takeoff sequence, at the end of said sequence, the scene cuts to inside Big 1's boiler showing various panels lighting up including the smokebox door so, like how the Refit Constitution-Class's Deflector Dish glowed different colors to show how much power was being put into the shields, I thought I'd make a visual indicator on the outside of the engine to tell people that it's about to move. 

Missouri: dieHero, DrFrostwire0; what're your thoughts? It's a little different but it's better than shoehorning Big 1 into another book and randomly making him talk because author was binging the series again, right Montana?

Montana: Do not talk to me about that. 

Georgia: Welp, see you guys again next time when I arrive at Destiny Station, get refitted, and meet all the colleagues Big Bro has told me about over the years. 

Andy: I still can't believe I made this thing 7500 words long without the A/N. Anyway, I'm gonna rest, this took a lot outta me. See you guys next time.