Hercules (Episode)

Hercules is the seventeenth *TUGS: The Bigg City Chronicles* story in the SeventyVerse.

## Plot

One night, Jimbo is staying at the Star Dock before the naval manoevures the next day. The Stars then tell Jimbo so they and the Z-Stacks came to Bigg City Port. Jimbo is surprised to learn that Hercules used to serve the Navy and was intrigued to learn that Hercules saved Captain Star's life. Hercules then tells the story.

Hercules would be stationed at various ports and was often tasked with bringing in naval trampers or answering distress calls. He would various females tugs and unintentionally charm them. For example, one time in Massachusetts, he met a harbour tug named Ariel who warns him about a narcissistic ocean-going tug named Zeus.

After the United States entered the fighting of the Great War, Hercules was assigned to the 89th Flotilla. Hercules stopped off at Southampton where he saw a LB&SCR E4 named Charleston bullying an LB&SCR E2 with no name, just a number - No. 107. Hercules tricked Charleston into a tug-of-war. Unsurprisingly, Hercules won, much to Charleston' fury. Hercules gave Thomas words of encouragement before meeting three other tugs - a feisty harbour tug named Meridian, a narcissistic ocean-going tug named Zeus (the same one Ariel warned him about) and a flirty but serious ocean-going tug named Venus, of whom Hercules was smitten by her beautiful looks.

Hercules, Venus and Zeus arrived at Normandy, where there were a few other tugs including USS Pennsylvania Railroad No. 9 and an energetic switcher named Penny as well as a few engines: Stanley, Herbert and Geoffrey. Hercules also met his commanding officer, Patrick Star (the current day Captain Star) who told him about his father's fleet and promised to organise a meeting between Hercules and Ten Cents should he ever visit Bigg City Port, unaware that Hercules would meet Ten Cents in a different way.

A few weeks after arriving at Normandy, Captain Star was to undertake a shakedown cruise for the USS Clearwater after overhaul. Hercules and Venus were on patrol when they overheard two German voices coming from a naval tug named Otto and a U-boat named Hans. Fortunately, Venus was fluent in German, and discovered the plot to destroy the SS Clearwater. Quickly, the two ocean-going tugs formulated a plan.

Hans was waiting for the Clearwater when a huge shape loomed above the surface. It was Venus, who kept darting about and Hans had trouble aiming. With Hans distracted, the Clearwater sailed through. Otto went to find out what happened with Hans. Hans submerged but was caught by Hercules. In shock, Hans accidentally fired a torpedo, which struck Otto. Venus threw a towline before he could sink and the two ocean-going tugs arrested the villains.

Otto and Hans were taken away whilst Venus and Hercules were rewarded by President Woodrow Wilson himself. Captain Star then offered the two tugs a place in the Star Fleet after the war. Although, Hercules accepted the offer, Venus politely declined. Hercules and Venus also decided to just remain friends due to the war.

Whilst on shore leave, Hercules returned to Southampton with Captain Star. There, Captain Star named No. 107 "Thomas" after his son, Thomas Allen Star.

After the war ended, Hercules was then bought by the Star Fleet but his arrival was delayed due to the sudden death of Captain Star's father. Captain Star then took charge of the Star Fleet and promised to keep the fleet together, no matter what.

After being honourably discharged from the Navy, Hercules arrived at Bigg City for the first time and met Lillie Lightship, who became his girlfriend. Hercules was then repainted at Lucky's Yard to be repainted in the Star Fleet corporate livery. After that, Hercules sailed into the Star Dock for the first time where he won over Big Mac, O.J., Top Hat and Warrior with his manners and instantly bonded with Ten Cents. Captain Star then assigned Ten Cents to show Hercules around.

Jimbo is impressed with the story and as the tugs go to sleep, his respect for Hercules grows immensely.

## Characters

* Captain Star
* Ten Cents
* Big Mac
* O.J.
* Top Hat
* Warrior
* Hercules
* Sunshine
* Grampus
* Zak
* Zeus
* Jimbo
* Ariel
* Venus
* Penny
* Zion
* Meridian
* Lillie Lightship
* Otto
* Hans
* Thomas
* Charleston
* Lily
* Adam
* Captain Lucky
* Captain Zero (mentioned)
* Zorran (mentioned)
* Zebedee (mentioned)
* Zug (mentioned)
* Zip (mentioned
* Zob (mentioned)
* Zilly (mentioned)
* Colin (mentioned)

## Voices

### Official

* Simon Nash as Ten Cents
* Sean Barrett as Big Mac and Hercules
* Ian James Corlett as O.J.
* John Baddeley as Top Hat
* Lee Cornes as Grampus
* Shaun Prendergrast as Zak
* JoAnne Good as Lillie Lightship
* John Hasler as Thomas

### Fan Chosen

* Peter Dickson as Captain Star
* Jeff Bennett as Warrior
* Michelle Creber as Sunshine
* Richard White as Zeus
* Chris Evans as Jimbo
* Jodi Benson as Ariel
* John Baddeley as Zion
* Mandy Moore as Meridian
* Kathleen Delaney as Venus
* Alice Oswalt as Penny
* Hugo Weaving as Hans
* Arnold Schwarzenegger as Otto
* Tom Felton as Charleston
* Minnie Driver as Lily

## Trivia

* This marks the first appearances of Ariel, Venus, Penny, Meridian, Zion, Charleston, Lily, Adam and Charleston.
* This is Rachel Ravens' favorite original story.