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He was feeling calm. He was laying in his day bed holding a cup of tea, letting the warm steam waft up. He breathed it in hoping that it’d help with his sinus’.
Zasha was going to stir anytime, and her breakfast was laid out at the desk. He had tried to get through a bowl of cereal but couldn't manage to chew, swallow, and have the energy to breathe.
He had just touched the mug to his lips, finally feeling his headache calming down, and his ears quit the morning ache. Everything was peaceful and calm; no worries crossed his mind for the day.
And then it happened.
He had felt his vision blur and his mind go blank. All he had his mind on was the noise and the shock. The bright flash and the way his world shook.
He hadn't realized what he was doing until he felt something pull at his shoulder.
“Daddy?”
Looking up as his hands were shaking over the back of his neck, he felt his throat burn hoarsely. He pushed himself to his knees, hands jittering against the floor. His fear started to shift as he picked his hands off the floor and reached for his little girl.
Zasha's voice was weak and scared. “Daddy, what's going on?”
He pulled her over, hugging her as tight as he could.
“Shh, shh, it's okay-”
The office door slammed open.
“ZERO, WE NEED YOU NOW.”
Zero looked up at Zip as he tightened his hug on Zasha.
“What's happening?” Zasha cried.
“Zak’s burst!” Zip snapped. “The fire tug-”
Zero stood and put down Zasha as he yelled at Zip. “Zip, get out to Lucky's. How's Zak?”
“You have to see it, sir; he's in a bad state.” Zip said, darting out of the office.
“Zasha, call Saba and Savta, you need to be picked up.” Zero set her down and ran after his switcher.
He stepped out of the office door and felt the heat instantly. In response he reeled back, shielding his face. After the brief pause he rolled up his sleeves.
“CAPTAIN!” He was grabbed by the arm by a sooty Zebedee.
“The steam pump in reverse.” Zero snapped.
“Of course.” Zebedee turned and whistled. “ZUG! PUMP DUTY!”
Zebedee dropped his bucket and helped Zero push open the store room doors and grab out the steam pump. Then, Zebedee dragged the machine to Zug’s deck as Zug strangled hoses out of his engine room.
“I'm here! I'm helping!” Warrior’s voice cut through the roars of burning steel and wood.
Within a moment the sound of water rushing screamed out, smoke now billowing out of Zak.
Zero gagged as he pulled a rag out of his pocket. He stopped by the dock edge and soaked it before tying it up across his face and stepping on Zug's deck as Zebedee kicked the pump into action. Zug shifted into his ship and started to run steam up through the machinery. Water started to flow through the pump and out of a hose being wrangled by Zebedee.
“Were in the depths is Zorran?” Zero hissed at Zebedee as he crouched next to the screaming pump to keep the pressure up.
“He was off as soon as Zak went up for the fire tug.” Zebedee yelled back.
“Why? He's the most-” Zero snarled.
Zebedee cut him off. “He can't take the explosions no more. Not after Kraka Toa.”
Zero gulped hard as he looked at Zak’s ship. “Where is Zak?”
“He said something about needing to check if his pressure gauges were reading right.” Zebedee said as quietly as he could while trying to talk over the screaming of the pump, fire, and water. “I'd imagine he was down in his engine room when he went up.”
Zero's pupils narrowed as he looked into the smoke and flames. His voice was weak. “Zak….”
There was a whistle as the fire tug arrived, adding to the fire fighting and barking out orders.
“Zorran, what are you doing?!” Zero yelled and stood; just before the steam pump hissed at him and he knelt back down, shoving his hands and rag back into a scalding leak.
“I'll get him!” Zip yelled as he steamed in.
“Zip, you stay back and away from Zak!” Zero yelled over at the switcher. He then spotted Lucky in the corner of his eye crossing ship decks and getting to Zug.
Lucky was yelling. “Ben! Get away from that thing!”
Zero was pushed away from the pump by Lucky, who adjusted his bandana over his face.
Zero started to protest. “We got to save-”
Lucky's voice was deep, stern, and commanding. “Go and get out of this smoke before we need to resuscitate you, Ruben .”
“But- but-” He was stammering hard until his eyes caught a shape in the flames.
Lucky tried to grab him. “Ben no-”
Zero crossed to the dock, eyes sealed on Zorran dragging a limp form across to the dock. He yelled out: “Get him here!”
Zorran looked at him with a panic in in eyes as he dragged Zak. “It's his back!”
Zero gestured Zorran over, pulling out his pocket knife as Zorran hefted Zak onto the dock and to Zero.
Laying Zak down, Zero quickly cut the tug’s tie, suspenders, and shirt off. “Water, now.” He snapped.
Zorran moved quickly, barely getting out a “Yes sir,” in response as he went for a bucket.
Zero rolled Zak over and braced the tug's chest on his knee, as Zorran came near with a bucket.
Without looking up, he snapped out more orders. “Over him, slowly.”
He made sure to keep examining and pushing the water over hot spots over Zak’s body.
Zak started to cough against Zero's knee as Zorran poured over a second bucket of sea water slowly.
“Hey, cough it out, keep coughing.” Zero put a hand on Zak's sternum and pushed him up as he tapped him against his spine, causing Zak to cough harder.
Lucky’s voice finally cut into the coughing. “Zorran, get some water on Ben's scalds.”
Zorran didn't miss a beat. “Yes sir.”
Zero hissed as Zorran dumped a bucket of seawater over Zeros forearms. He winced as he spoke. “Zak-”
“The fires out.” Lucky cut over.
He looked at Lucky and then up.
The smoke was settling as Zak's shell smoked faintly.
He blinked hard as he started to rub Zak's back.
“Ben let's get you-” Lucky’s voice was soft.
Zero tensed up. “But Zak needs-”
“Zorran get him and Zak inside and resting.” Lucky commanded, looking at the tug in question
Lucky stood up from beside Zero and looked at Zak's shell. He hung his head as he spoke. “What a mess. I'm so sorry Zak.”
The man walked towards the smoldering remains.
Zorran picked Zak off Zero's lap.
Zero absentmindedly followed Zorran up into the office.
“Sir, let's get you patched up.”Zorrans voice was soft as he pushed his captain into his office chair and he knelt in front of him.
Gently he dried off Zeros arms and wrapped them in ointment and bandages as the man's eyes lingered on Zak, coughing on his day bed and laying on his stomach.
Zero’s voice started to quiver. “We need to dress Zaks burns-”
“No, he isn't burnt. He’s in pain but he doesn't need treatment, we cooled him off.” Zorran rubbed one of Zero's hands. “Are you feeling okay, sir?”
Zero took a deep breath. “Is Zak okay?”
Zorran stood, still rubbing Zero's hand. “Trust Lucky to do his best to help. But Zak might be salvage.”
Zero looked at Zorran, his eyes widening and his hand gripping into Zorran's.
“Sir, let's get you some tea.” Zorran rubbed Zero's hand once more before letting go. “Why don't you try and talk to Zak?”
Zero tapped his foot rapidly as he looked over a write up.
“So? Zak said this all.” Zero adjusted the pages.
“We’re just confirming, it's for the investigation.” Lucky said gently. “Fire chief had me just verify it all, okay?”
“Don't talk to me like I'm stupid, Mr Luckson.” Zero glared at Lucky. “Zak said his engine had unexplained back pressure and blew, that's all I need to know. You know he…” Zero glanced at Zak sitting on his day bed, huddled in a blanket and looking miserable. “You know he was uninsured because of his issues. The investigation is not needed.”
“I know, I truly know.” Lucky closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “But Zak isn't an engineer or mechanic, I am. He can't explain the mechanics of the issue. I think his back pressure was due to a metal casting defect in his engine which created a blockage. I think I solved what the issue was, he had a bad batch of casted parts, and so his engine wasn't expanding and constricting like it should have. That's why he had control issues and steam leaks. It was a bad batch of metal.”
Zero gritted his teeth. “Oh, so the Yard just used bad materials on him and that-”
“You know my dad.” Lucky huffed. “You know he would have given his life for any of these ships, just like you or me. If he had known he would have re-casted Zak and you know it.”
Zero snorted. “Would he have?”
Lucky started to go flush. “He would have, I know it!”
“That's not the point, Luckson!” Zero barked. “Did you just come down here to mock me about the fact you destroyed my tugboat!” Zero stood, slamming his hands on the desk.
“No, Ben, I-”
“Listen to me, Lucy, you are pushing on my nerves! I'm tired! I'm upset! I've just lost a tugboat! I can't think straight and I'm tired! Now are you going to sit here and hassle me or are you going to get lost before I decide where you'll be lost?”
Lucky shrunk down a bit as Zero glared at him.
“Zero, come on. I'm not trying to upset you.” Lucky put up his hands. “I just had official business before we could talk about-”
“If you are trying to keep me calm you are sorely off base.” Zero barked.
Lucky gulped. “Ben, Ben… please. I think I know how to fix Zak's engine.”
“Well that's going to be real helpful when Zaks a burned out hull!” Zero's fists balled up, his knuckles going white as he started to tick.
“He’s going to need to be repaired-”
“Oh, so now you are deciding what I'm doing for me?” Zero leaned forwards. “You think you can walk in here and just proclaim that I'm going to fix a tug that has been nothing but a financial burden!?”
“Ben, lower your voice Zak can hear you.” Lucky hissed.
“I will say whatever I feel, Captain Lucky!” Zero snapped.
Lucky stood and slammed his hands down. “And I'm telling you that you can't talk that way in front of Zak! I'm trying to help and you're going to add to his upset!”
“How are you going to help? What could you possibly offer? You have utterly destroyed my tugboat, you added to his suffering for years, and because of it I have nothing left in his equity to repair him with! He's been running at a loss since I bought him and it's because of the yard! It's because you-”
“I'll recall him and I'll do a damn conversation just stop yelling in front of Zak!” Lucky yelled.
Zero stopped in his tracks, stammering awkwardly.
He started at Lucky, who was twitching and glaring at him with a genuinely upset expression.
Zero recovered. “You can't afford that-”
“He needs help! And I can fix him! I'll do the conversion and I'll take care of it all just stop yelling like that about him! He deserves better than what the Yard did to him!” Lucky’s voice was shaking as he yelled.
Zero stood up straight and looked at Lucky with a grimace.
“You said the conversion would still be too high risk.” Zero snapped.
“Well I'm rebuilding from the ground up anyways!” Lucky snapped back. “He's damaged! And I can't do anything about how damaged he is as a ship, but I can fix his ship because I let him suffer!”
Zero looked up from his desk as he wrote a cheque.
“Mom! Zash!”
His face lit up and he sat up.
“איזו ברכה נעימה, בן."
Zero’s face fell as his father stepped in, holding a collection of garment bags.
“Hello, father.” Zero looked back at his cheque to finish the writing. “You can drop off the clothes with Zak over on the-”
"למה לא דיברת איתי! רובן! היית צריך לבקש עזרה!"
"אַבָּא?"
"יש לנו הרבה על מה לדון, בן! למה שלא תדבר איתי?"
Zero was visibly taken aback. He glanced at Zak who was staring at the pair wide eye’d.
“Father, let's try and stay calm. We have gentile’s here, let’s not leave him out. You can drop off his clothes and-”
“If you ask me to speak in english that is fine but we must have a discussion. Now.” Jacob looked at Zak. “You, Zachary, here, now.”
Zak stood, fingers still gripped into the blanket over his shoulders. “Yes sir.”
“Father leave him-”
“We’re on bad terms, Ruben. You do not tell me what to do. Now let me do my work.” Jacob barked.
Zero sighed. “Zak why don’t you take the bags and go change in-”
“I have fittings to do!” Jacob walked to Zero’s desk and grabbed a chair, dragging it to the middle of the room as he threw down the garment bags and started sorting them. “Zachary, undress.”
Zak glanced at Zero who rolled his eyes and gave him a go on motion.
Zak started to fold the blanket over his shoulders as Jacob pulled a uniform from a bag. He laid it out on the chair. “Zachary, it is this, put it on.”
“Yes Mr Zero, sir.”
“It is Ya'akov!” Jacob snapped.
“Yes Jacob, sorry Jacob, sir.” Zak picked up a shirt and started to put it on.
“Father, do not yell at him!” Zero stood. “I can do the fitting, just drop off the clothes.”
“No, Ruben.” Jacob snapped his glare at Zero. “These are not made of my patterns, they do not have my tacking’s! And they are not your mother’s; she patterns in chalks not in notches! They are yours and they need proper fitting! Look at this!” Jacob grabbed a handful of fabric under Zak’s arm and pulled. “They are poor patterns! You make poor patterns! You never bothered to learn and now you make poor patterns! There is a reason you do not set foot in my shop and work. You make poor work and you do poor jobs and I will not stand for your mother dealing with you when you will not communicate with us properly!”
Zero reeled back, before his face started to tick. “Father you cannot come into my home and-”
“I will do what I must for you! And your daughter and your sons!” Jacob snapped. “Zachary!” Jacobs' attention snapped back to Zak. “Do not tuck in your shirt yet, that is enough layers to start my work. Just wait a moment.”
Jacob took a bag off his shoulder and set it down, digging through it and pulling out a metal stool.
“Is that new?” Zero asked, “Seems heavy-”
Jacob stood and raised it over his head before throwing it onto the hardwood floor.
The stool made a horrible clang and reverberated.
Zero tensed up and covered his ears, shutting his eyes and yelping.
“Zasha says you were crying, Ruben! You were upset! And yelling! She does not know what you were fearful of! But I am sure! Why have you not discussed this with us?!” Jacob kicked the stool over and pushed Zak towards it. He awkwardly stood on the stool.
“What are you talking about!?” Zero slammed his hands on the desk. “I was woken up by an explosion. What, did you think I was going to be peachy, dad?!”
“You know what you were yelling, Ben!”
“I wasn’t yelling!”
“I can hear in your voice, that wheeze! You were yelling! And you are coughing too! I can hear the rattle! You shouldn’t have been near that smoke, that soot, you are a fragile boy, Ben!”
“I’m not a little kid who needed a lung, dad! I’m fine!”
“You are not! You have challenges! And fears! And you need to talk to me! I know you do not wish to scare your mother after scaring her so when you were a boy, but you can discuss with me!”
“Well when you walk in yelling I don’t want to talk to you about anything!”
“I wouldn’t have to if you discussed it with me!” Jacob turned Zak sharply on the stool and started to pin up a seam.
“Dad stop, you’re going to ruin his shirt-”
“Don’t tell me my job!” Jacob glared at Zero.
“No, dad, let me explain the pattern.” Zero stepped around the desk. “There is a pleat on his side, the seam above it bows, it’s so he has room to work.”
“No man needs this much fabric.” Jacob went back to pinning.
“I’ve got to throw lines, sir.” Zak cut in, sounding nervous. “Sweaters stretch but the dress shirt doesn't, I need room to throw fists.”
“To fight!?” Jacob gasped.
“No, sir. To throw fists, monkey fists. Like this.” Zak naturally put himself into a pitch, but hissed as he pulled his throwing arm back and cringed out of the position.
Jacob gasped. “Are you alright?”
“He’s had a nasty accident.” Zero cut over as Zak coughed into his hand. “He’s not like us, but he’s in pain. But he’ll be better soon.”
Jacob nodded and looked back at Zak, he started to adjust his pins. “He needs the room to throw, like a baseball,” Jacob started to pull at the seams he was pinning. “I thought you were showing off. The construction, it’s very complex, Ruben. Most poor tailors… they show off with complicated construction, but this is useful and smart. Explain it to me.”
Zero’s face ticked into a small smile. “See, the pleat on the side seam narrows the shirt towards the bottom, but gives a dog ear to the under arm, that gives the tugboats room to move without over bulking their waistlines. You see here, how the back isn’t pleated, that’s to ensure that there are no seams to split in harsh working conditions or if they twist too far for a usual pleat sheer.”
“And that is why it is bias cut!” Jacob looked at Zero and struck his back. “It treats the fabric as the structure! This is good! I see why the fabric you buy you buy by the bolt and you spend big! You use the fabric!”
Zero coughed into his arm. “Exactly. I don’t spend big for nothing.”
“Where did you learn this?” Jacob went back to adjusting his pins.
“Trial and error.” Zero nodded. “Zorran tore through the first 5 shirts I made,”
“When we were not talking because of John?” Jacob looked at Zero as he pinned.
“Unfortunately.” Zero shifted awkwardly.
“That is okay. We can talk about those times, or not.” Jacob nodded, he reached down and grabbed a tin of pins off the floor, he shook them at Zero. “Get the other side, we have many clothes to get through. You still have a machine?”
Zero looked at the pins for a moment before taking them. “One second, let me get my cuff.”
Jacob chuckled as Zero darted off for a closet.
“So, Zachary, you had an accident. My wife, she says there was fire.”
Zak made a stressed laugh. “My engine finally gave out, sir.”
Jacob nodded. “Ah! You were the one who was like Ben, you had a bad core. Shame. I hope your accident helps solve it. Ben, he has had things that help. The one that helps most, that is when the doctors told us to cover him in hot blankets and then rub out his chest when he is softened. He wheezes so poorly, and he makes these dreadful crunches-” Jacob shuttered while making a disgusted noise. “I do not like those sounds.”
“Oh,” Zak chuckled. “That’d be the sound the ribs make when you over extend the joints, the ligaments make a lovely popping.”
Jacob took a step back and looked at Zak, utterly disgusted. “Excuse me, Zachary. What?”
“It gets people to talk pretty good.” Zak nodded, smirking.
Jacob just stammered.
Zero came back, using his teeth to tie a pin cushion to his wrist. “Are you okay, father?”
“Zachary is very interesting.” Jacob stepped forwards and went back to pinning.
“ Zak ….” Zero glared at the tug.
“He was talking about dislocating joints, my favourite.” Zak chuckled.
Zero lightly tapped Zak on the arm as he started pinning the tugs shirt. “Zak, not in front of my father, please.”
Jacob took a deep breath. “So, you are friendly with the ships.”
Zero glanced at his father. “Well, not particularly.”
“You use a shortened name for Zachary, no?”
Zero took a moment to think as Zak laughed under his breath.
“Dad, his name is Zak.”
Jacob stopped his pinning for a moment. “No, his name is not Zachary?”
Zak laughed. “Well, could be nice to be Zachary, kinda formal. Could be classy. Or my engine could blow again if I change it. Only one way to find out.”
“ No .” Zero coughed.
“It’s all strange.” Jacob shook his head. “Ben, your boys are strange.”
Zero took a deep breath as he leaned back at his desk, he ran his hands through his hair, wallowing as he sorted through the Charter information from Pacific.
There just wasn't a ship that matched Zak’s maneuverability and size.
Damn his engine, Zero needed his quirks.
He looked up as his door opened.
“Finished errands, sir.” Zak mumbled, adjusting a bag in his arm.
“Zak.” Zero looked up over some paperwork.
Zak looked up as he closed the door.
“Yes sir?”
“The uniform.”
Zak looked down at himself. “Sorry, I’ll get on the summer-”
“No, Zak.” Zero put down his paper and adjusted in his chair. “You don’t run errands in your uniform.”
Zak looked down and went a bit pale. “Well, erm, sir, that's a bit of a problem.”
Zero looked at him unamused. “Zak, that uniform is for-”
Zak let out a pent up breath. “For work and not to be ruined casually. I know sir. I’ve just-”
Zero put up a hand. “Zak, just tell me why you went for errands in the standard uniform, regardless if you are out of season.”
Zak took a deep breath. “I’ve no other clothes, sir.”
Zero paused a moment.
“Have you-”
“Captain Lucky said not to bother going down and seeing her, and everything on the ship salvageable he’d salvage. He’s not said he’s found anything.”
Zero looked at his desk and took a deep breath. “We’re talking about everything you own, do you even have your wallet?”
Zak looked at the floor. “I leave my wallet, cache, and money clip down in my wheelhouse when I’m on duty.”
“Oh – Zak –.” Zero mumbled. He stood up from his desk and rounded it. “We’ve gotta make a trip down to The Yard.”
“Sir-”
“I may not have insurance on your personal effects, there’s got to be something salvageable. And money can be exchanged. Come on.”
Zero pushed over a burnt wooden panel.
“Look, there isn’t much, Ben.” Lucky rubbed his neck. “And you are gonna get hurt-”
“Nonsense, look.” Zero knelt down and started to sort through some rubble. “Lucky, you can’t say you’re salvaging for him and then not go in depth.”
Zero stood, dusting off a wallet. “Todah. Zak needed this-”
The door from the wheelhouse to the first deck popped open. “Look, sir! It’s my album! It made it!”
Zero tucked the wallet into his coat. “That’s great, Zak.”
“Look, only a little singed!” Zak opened the leather bound book and started showing off pages of advertising for Atlantic Charter and Zero Marine. He smiled at the pages. “Look, me and Zeb’s first photos!”
“That’s great, Zak. But what about clothes? Anything else?”
“I found my switchblade.” And Zak pulled a knife on his Captain.
Zero took a step back. “That’s – great – Zak.”
“Yeah, you two need to clear out so we can get back to work.” Lucky announced, eyeing Zak as the tug pocketed his knife.
“Zak, help me find your money clip and cache.” Zero huffed. “Least we can do, and we need to buy you some clothes.”
“Yes sir.” and Zak thwacked himself with the album as he saluted.
Lucky shook his head and started walking out. “Ten more minutes, Mr Zero.”
Zak cracked open an eye and looked at a huffy Zorran.
“Bein’ bitchy, Eh Zor?”
“Look, can-”
Zak jumped out of the hammock. “I didn’t say no, did I? We’re doin’ a run tonight then?”
“We are, Zero says’ you’re still off duty, something about Lucky needs you on low effort and you’re not stable. I don’t care.” Zorran started to crawl into the hammock. “Zip’s staying back too, we’re on a run with some of Davy’s boys and you know how Zip gets.”
“Well Zip was right to shoot ‘em.”
“I know, I know.”
“Is Zip supposed to babysit me?”
Zorran glanced at Zak as he settled down. “Well, you’re the one that said it.”
“Zorran I-”
“Lucky said you’re on low effort, and your unstable-”
“He always says I’m unstable-”
“Physically, your ship isn’t able to feed into you so you are at risk of harming your body and staying that way. It’s a miracle your back hasn't given up yet. Zip’s taking you to dinner and-”
“Zorran please-”
“Nope, my orders, now go and keep yourself busy away from me. I need a nap.”
“Uhg, fine.”
“Zip.” Zak looked at the switcher who was drinking tea and reading a paper.
“Yes, Zak?” Zip didn’t look up.
“Are you always this dull of a date?” Zak asked, picking at his dinner.
“Only when my date is a flight risk.” And Zip took another sip of tea.
Zak snorted. “Zo told me to behave, don’t worry yourself, shrimp.”
“And I’m supposed to believe your unwavering loyalty isn’t that axe you keep on your back?” Zip looked over his paper and gave Zak a tired glare.
Zak snorted again, going into a small laugh. “Seems you’re getting to be a dry aft dullard, shrimp.”
“That’s not much coming from the violent lunatic.” And Zip took another sip of his tea.
“Ha.” Zak snorted, he put down his fork. “Can we leave now?”
Zip looked at Zak’s plate. “You barely ate.”
“I already ate two square meals today. Can I have a break?”
Zip mulled. “Alright, you ate some, I'll take it.” He raised his hand. “Waiter!”
Zip and Zak walked along a quiet road kicking at rocks.
“So, I heard you shot one of Davy’s boys.” Zak smirked at Zip.
“He was being a nuisance.” Zip huffed.
Zak chuckled. “I like that attitude.”
Zip huffed and rolled his eyes. “Yeah yeah whatever do you-” Zip stopped and looked behind them. “Is that Packard?”
Zak looked behind them as well. “Aye, I think that's the car. I’d know that scream anywhere.”
The two were still as the Zero Sedan rounded a corner, screaming and slowing down with cheering.
The car pulled up.
“Good run?” Zip cheered, skipping to the side of the sedan.
“Flawless.” Zorran cheered, he snapped one of his suspenders from behind the sedan's wheel. He leaned over. “You two need a ride home?”
“It’s not far but I’m sure Mr Light Duty is feeling tired.” Zebedee chuckled from the passenger's seat.
“Can’t say no.” Zak laughed.
“Headlights!” Zug yelled from the back seat looking out the back.
“Scoot!” Zip called, jumping in the window as Zorran moved over quickly.
Zak grabbed onto the door frames and stood on the runner. “Go! Go!” He yelled as a coast guard van turned the corner at speed.
Zorran grabbed Zak’s arm and pulled. “Zak you-”
“We’re goin!” Zip called, stepping on the gas.
The van started to shoot at the car.
“Zug!” Zak reached into the car. “Give the girl.”
“Yes sir.” Zug passed over his Thompson to Zak who wrangled into his free arm and started to shoot back.
“Zak, you are unstable!” Zorran hissed, holding onto Zak’s arm.
“TUCK!” Zip hissed.
Zak looked back towards the front of the car in time for him to hit a pole.
He made a blood curdling scream.
“I told you all to keep him safe!” Zero hissed as he tied an apron on. “I told you, I told you!”
Zorran sighed. “It’s my fault sir, I thought I shook the coasties.”
Zero snorted. “You should know better!” He sat down on a chair next to Zak laid out over a table. “I’ve had enough of you all, but we need to deal with him. You broke his back. What did Lucky tell us, Zorran, what did he tell us!”
“Zak’s fragile.” Zorran sighed. “I know, and I’ll donate to his injuries it’s my-”
“No you won't be.” Zero hissed. “You’ve got enough of your own issues,” Zero hissed, he leaned over the squirming Zak and started to look over the distextured and weeping injuries sprawling across his back. Zero looked back at the other three Z stacks. “Whose donating?”
The three glanced at each other before Zip sighed.
“I’ll do it, sir.”
“Get over here, take off your shirt. I don't need you getting it filthy. Zebedee, Zug, help hold him down.”
There was a collective ‘yes sir’ and the three got into place.
The door to the office slammed open as Zero got to work on Zak’s back.
“Where is- oh lord .” Lucky scrambled over as Zero worked on patching Zak.
“I’ve got it handled.” Zero muttered, he glanced at Lucky. “It’s not too bad, right?”
Lucky covered his mouth, looking sick as he looked over Zak’s back. “Ben, this is bad. I’ve never seen a deformation so wide spread.”
“He’ll heal.” Zero snapped. “Zip, stop squirming.”
“Ben, not a switcher.” Lucky knelt next to Zip who had his arm out for Zero to collect mass. “Zip, are you okay?”
“Just a bit uncomfortable.” Zip grimaced. “But Zak would help any of us out like we would him… I hope.”
Lucky patted Zip’s shoulders. “Oh, sweet boy.”
Zero gently shoved Zak into a doorway and walked in behind the tug.
“Stop this fussing, Zak.” Zero snarled.
“I don’t need baby sat-” Zak started to whine.
“Clearly you do.” Zero snapped over him.
“Ben!” Mrs Zero opened her arms, smiling from behind a counter. “What brings you down here today!”
“Hello, mom.” Zero sighed, he adjusted a garment bag from over his shoulder. “I need to do some specialty cleaning on a uniform.”
“Did Zaffre get her liner coat filthy again?” Mrs Zero pursed her lips and pouted. “She’s always so dirty.”
“No, at least not that I know of.” Zero huffed. “No, Zak wore his uniform and went out galavanting and got it stained with whatever it is he’s made out of.”
“Did you bring him for me to scold?” She smiled at Zak who rolled his eyes.
Zero huffed and pulled a shirt and vest from the garment bag.
“Oh!” And Mrs Zero covered her mouth in shock, going pale. “Oh dear Zak are you okay?”
“Nothin wrong with me now.” Zak said quickly as the woman started to round the counter towards Zero.
“Oh dear, this is miserable.” she whined. She touched the cloth and shuttered. “Oh, it's a thick stain. This will take hours to clean-”
“I’m fine to do it, I just need the chemicals, mom.” Zero sighed.
“Go and ask your father to help, I’m on the counter for a while yet until Ana is back from lunch.”
“Alright, mom.”
“And don’t let Zak touch the dry clean chemicals he’ll react!” she added.
“I won’t, mom.” Zero sighed, walking into the back of the storefront dodging clothing racks. Zak followed, chuckling.
“We’ll have to talk about that with Lucky.” Zero muttered as they walked, “I can’t imagine you melting yourself with gasoline or kerosene on the new engine.”
“Won’t I be made of the stuff?” Zak asked.
“I don’t know.” Zero shrugged. He finally found his father pinning ruffles to a dress. “Hello father, lovely dress you have there, chiffon and silk?”
“You are not trained on our new cleaning methods.” Jacob didn’t look up from the dress. “Your mother should have told you as such. What am I cleaning for you?”
“Dad I’m not stupid-”
“Show me.”
Zero grumbled and held up the vest and shirt.
Jacob looked up and visibly reeled back.
“Ben, what happened-”
“Zak went and got himself battered up and his back gave out.”
“Yeesh.” Jacob stood and touched the clothing, flinching at the texture. “Oh, oh this will be tricky. Zak, you are trying me, boy.” Jacob spit, looking at the tugboat. “I just made this and you go and ruin it.”
Zak rolled his eyes and huffed, crossing his arms and slouching. “I didn’t mean to, Jacob, sir.”
Jacob muttered to himself in a foreign tongue and took the clothes. “Yes, come Ruben, let’s show you how the new system works, we’re moving to Stoddard solvent, it’s new you see.”
“Thank you, dad.” Zero nodded firmly and followed Jacob towards a machine.
“Ah! Home early, Zaffre!” Zero called down and across the dock as his ships grumbled awake. “Good, good, lets keep up this being early instead of late trend!”
“Aye capitaine!” Zaffre cheered back towards him.
“Suck up.” Zebedee huffed under his breath.
“I heard that!” Zaffre huffed.
“Alright you rats, let's get to today’s work. Valhalla is on her way into port, Zaffre is rendezvousing her and leading her in, Zorran, Zebedee, side push. Zug and Zip will be on the side lines for any help, after is the usual liner-”
“Sir, where is Zak?” Zaffre cut in. “Valhalla is too big for just three tugs.”
There was a quiet over the dock.
“What?” Zaffre glanced around.
The second office window opened, and Zak leaned out the window waving.
“Aww, Zaffy cares about little ol’ me-”
“Hey! Hey don’t fall out that window!” Zero hissed, glaring over at Zak.
“Wait a minute.” Zaffre thought hard. “If Zak’s up there, where is his ship? She’s not due for maintenance.”
“Not important-” Zero started to bark.
“I blew up.” Zak yelled down.
“Oh! Okay!” Zaffre chirped. After a second her thoughts hit her fully. “What!?”
“I blew-”
“She heard you the first time.” Zero snapped. “We have a briefing to get through, get out of my window.”
Zero looked up at Zak’s ship.
“They cut down my stack.” Zak huffed.
“Shut it.” Zero snapped.
Lucky stepped out of his building, smiling widely and throwing out his arms. “So Zak, how does she look?”
“You cut down my stack.” He hissed again.
Zero sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
“It’s going to be the new style.” Lucky rounded Zak and put an arm around his shoulders, he gestured at the tug’s ship. “It’s streamlined.”
Zak looked at the man draped over him. “It makes me look stupid.”
“Get used to it.” Lucky stood and patted Zak’s shoulders. “We’re ready to do our engine test!”
“And we needed to be here, why?” Zero sighed.
“This is the first internal combustion engine ready to be tested in a tugboat by the yard! This is momentous!” Lucky raised his hands to the sky and laughed, walking towards Zak’s ship and stepping on.
Zero and Zak followed him, much less amused.
“Anyways, we have no idea how Zak’s going to react to the engine, or If we’ll get something zany, like two Zaks!” Lucky clapped his hands. “Imagine.”
“I’d rather not.” Zero snapped.
“Two of me?” Zak gasped. “I’m an original design.”
“Hey I can barely handle one Zak, I don’t need two, why would there be two?” Zero barked.
“Ever hear of the ship of theseus?” Lucky asked.
“You’ve talked about it enough.” Zero huffed. “There better not be two Zak’s.”
“I’m not liable for what happens.” Lucky chuckled, he looked up at the wheelhouse. “Ey! Chuck! Fire that engine!”
There was a sudan roar and rumble through the previously still ship.
The vibration of the ship evened out with an evening rumbling noise, muffled under the deck.
“Yes! Beauty!” Lucky cheered.
“Quiet.” Zero mused.
The two turned back hearing a strangled yell and a thud.
Zak hit his deck, clutching at his chest and neck.
“Keep the engine up! Keep the engine up!” Lucky yelled back towards the wheelhouse. He grabbed Zero’s shoulder’s as the man tried to dive to Zak’s side. “Don’t touch him.”
“He’s in agony!” Zero snapped, trying to fight the larger man off.
“If he’s pulling in new mass it could be bad for you to touch him.” Lucky snapped, averting his eyes from the writhing tugboat on the deck.
Zak continued to writhe and gasp, yelping and yowling out in agony and pain.
There was a tearing noise as he calmed down and sat up, coughing and gasping.
“What the fuck was that?” Zak barked at Lucky.
The two captains looked at Zak with a small amount of horror before both steadying themselves.
“Zak, language.” Zero hissed.
“That was… not what we expected.” Lucky said quickly.
“Bigger engine?” Zak asked, looking at his now ripped shirt.
Zero started to growl. “Of course,”
Lucky clapped his hands together. “This is wonderful! How do you feel, Zak?”
“Awful.” Zak stood up, stumbling slightly. “I feel spongy.”
“You’ll get more solid as the engine runs over the next few weeks. Like a newly christened ship.” Lucky nodded. “Anything else.”
“I feel… different.” Zak said firmly.
“Well then, if that’s all we have sea trials to run!” Lucky cheered. “We’ll have to get you used to the new engine quirks. Here-” Lucky pulled out his megaphone and looked out at the water. “Ten Cents! You look light on a barge, can I get a tow?”
“Hey! Hey!” Zak hissed. “I’m capable-”
Zero flurried up. “He’s-”
The switcher blew his whistle as he approached, the three reeling slightly.
“You need this hunk of scrap taken down to a breakers yard? Why, I’d do that for free!” Ten Cents laughed. “Hey, Zak, didn’t see you there.”
“You little two bit you get-”
Zero put a hand out in front of Zak. “Temper, Zak. Ignore the switcher.”
“We just need a drag to the center of the port, Zak should be under his own power in no time.”
“Aye Aye, Captain Lucky, I’ll note it for the tab.”
Within a few minutes, Ten Cents had dragged Zak out of the slip at Lucky’s and out to the middle of port.
“Alright Zak, let’s see what you can do!” Lucky cheered as Ten Cents dropped his lines from Zak.
“Finally.” and Zak stretched, reforming into himself. “Oh this feels better.”
“Terrible to have your ugly mug back, Zak.” Ten Cents laughed as he started to putter away. “Good luck with your trials.”
“Don't need luck from you, two-bit.” Zak chuckled, he started to rev up his engine.
Ten Cents scrunched his nose and looked at Zak with a strange look. “You sound like a car.”
“Oh buzz off, Ten Cents, go be a goody goody somewhere else.” Zak snarled.
“Fine, have bad luck, blow up again.” And Ten Cents sailed off.
“Zak, reverse!” Zaffre called back.
“Aye.” And he roared his engine, swapping into reverse with a grunt as fast as ever.
Valhalla’s rotation smoothed out, and the four Z Stacks slipped her out of liner dock 4 with ease.
“Atta boy, Zak. That fancy new engine is as maneuverable as ever.” Zaffre called back with a chuckle. “Zebedee, cast off and round to her port side.”
“Aye, Zaff.” and he backed off and started to round the liner.
“The menace is in charge I see.” Hercules laughed as he slowly approached with an old tramper. “What a sight to see, the new girl in charge, sweetheart.”
“Mayday again, lambchop?” Zaffre snorted, keeping an eye on Zebedee.
“A tramper's last journey down the coast, Lucky's going to break her up.” Hercules sighed.
Zebedee whistled as he finished securing his lines.
“Well, off we go, see you around, Hercules.” Zaffre called. She whistled and the group started off.
“Good to see you in one, albeit cut to size, piece, Zak. Though you're making a dreadful noise.” Hercules chuckled as Zak passed him.
“Back off, Hercules. I'm as strong as one of you ocean tramps and the latest in technology.” Zak hissed back.
“Oh are you now?” Hercules laughed, his voice sarcastic. “I'd love to see you test that, darling.”
Zak started to rev up his engine as he glared at Hercules, jerking towards the ocean goer.
“Hey! Hey! Stop it back there!” Zorran yelled.
“Yeah, stop distracting us.” Zaffre added. “Not very civil of you, Hercules.”
Hercules laughed as the group moved off, sending a whistle after them.