Authors note: This was a story written for the 2014 FicSwap challenge for TIWF.
My Assignment: "I would like a story explaining why Scott took TB1 on vacation with him (in the episode 'The Perils of Penelope')." request submitted by JoTracy123
Normal disclaimer applies don't own any of the characters but wish I did especially Scott. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did writing it.
Interesting Vacation
As Scott travelled back home, his thoughts went back to why he had been sent on a week's vacation.
Jeff Tracy sat at his desk as usual with Scott, Virgil, Gordon and Alan, still in uniform, sitting while they debriefed after the latest rescue they had returned from.
'All right if that's all then hit the showers boys' Jeff said.
All four got up and headed off to clean up, but just before Scott left Jeff called out to him.
'Scott before you go clean up I need to talk to you'.
'Ok, father' Scott said and returned to the sofa he had been sitting on before during the debriefing.
Jeff looked at Scott as he sat on the sofa. Taking a deep breath Jeff broached the subject that he knew Scott wouldn't like.
'Scott I want you to take a week's vacation'.
'Why?' Scott asked.
'You've been on every rescue since we started, you need a break' Jeff told him.
'I'm fine dad I don't need a break'.
'I think you do' Scott started to protest but Jeff held up a hand to stop him 'the others have all had some down time it's only fair you have a break'.
'But dad I feel great I don't need a break'.
'Sorry, Scott but I think you do. So next week I want you to go have some fun'.
'I don't have a choice do I? Scott asked.
'No son you don't'.
Seeing the serious, determined, brook no argument look on his father's face Scott knew he had no choice he had to agree to the order. 'Fine I'll go' he said getting up and headed to his room for a shower and change of clothes.
When he left the lounge, he was angry with his father that he didn't think he was capable of doing his job. But as he showered the hot water not only eased his muscles, but also the tension he had felt from what his father had said. He had finished his shower and dressed by the time his mood was a lot better. He still wasn't happy that he was being forced to take some down time, but he was slowly thinking it might do him some good to take a break. It was just a week, after all.
Scott headed to the kitchen grabbed a sandwich and went down to the beach. Normally he would go down to the games room and play some pool, but he didn't feel like that; he just wanted some time alone to think.
Sitting on the beach always relaxed him. Watching the waves lap the shore not far from where his was sitting, he considered where he wanted to go for his weeks' vacation.
His Grandma was back in Kansas, and he missed her, especially her apple pie, and thought it would be nice to visit her and his old friends, as well. As he thought about it, he felt it was a good idea. He started to think of other things he could do, including visiting some of his old Air Force buddies, but to do everything he would need more than a week.
Making a final decision that visiting his Grandma was the best way to go he headed back up to Tracy Villa and some pool with one of his brothers.
A few days later Jeff called Scott in as he had something to talk to him about in regards to his vacation. When Scott arrived his father was doing some paper work, he wasn't sure if it was for International Rescue or Tracy Enterprises. Clearing his throat Scott made his presence known.
Ah, Scott there you are. Take a seat'
Scott took the seat next to his father's desk. Waiting as his father moved his papers aside and grabbed a file from behind him. Scott was curious as to what his father wanted, as in a couple days he would be off to Kansas and his Grandma.
'Scott, have you made arrangements for your vacation?'
'Yes father I have'.
'Good. Can you possibly change them if needed?'
'Yes I guess so. Why? Is there something you want me to do while I'm away? If it's to check on Grandma, I'm planning to stay with her and visit friends'.
'I'm happy to hear your planning to visit your Grandma, but that's not what I need you to do'.
'Then what is it?'
'I need you to go to a place in the Egyptian desert. There you will meet a man who will give you a parcel. In this parcel, there are some very important components for various projects that Tracy Enterprises and International Rescue are involved with'.
'Landing Tracy One in the desert isn't going to be easy' Scott said.
'I know that, that's why you'll be taking Thunderbird One'.
'How long will I be in the desert?' Scott asked.
'Unfortunately it will be most of your week off'.
'Why so long?'
'The contact wasn't actually able to give me an exact time and date he would be at the meeting place. So you'll need to wait'.
'So I'm going to spend all my vacation stuck in the desert'.
'No, not at all, you can still visit your Grandma for two days before you need to head to the desert. I can't give you any longer. I'm sorry'.
'If I'm taking Thunderbird One where am I going to put it while at Grandmas'?
'I thought you could take Tracy One and pick up Thunderbird One on the way to Egypt'.
'It'll take more than two days to get to Kansas and back with some time there to visit. I know Tracy One is fast but not that fast; I'll need to make a stop during the trip each way'.
'Ok, find a site near Grandmas you can park Thunderbird One for the two days, and let me know. I'll think about it, as well. Also, when you're in the desert you'll need to camouflage Thunderbird One just in case'.
'Ok dad, I'll check in with you later when I've had time to check things out in Kansas'.
'Fine son' Jeff said and watched Scott leave.
The day before Scott was due to fly out to see his Grandma in Kansas; Scott approached his dad who was sitting at his desk going over some papers.
'Dad' Scott said to get his attention.
'Yes Scott'.
'I've been able to find a place near Grandmas to set Thunderbird One'.
'Ah yes, I've also found one too. Sorry, I've not had a chance to tell you before' Jeff said.
'That's ok dad. I haven't actually been around much to talk to'. Scott was referring to the rescues that he and his brothers had been on. There had been a series of rescues so during that time Scott tried to look for a safe place near his Grandmas in between the rescues and sleep, what little there was. Finally he had come up with a place, and a way to get to Grandmas safely. Now it just left him to tell his father what he had come up with.
'Take a seat son' Jeff said moving his papers aside. Grabbing a map to the area around where the Tracy's farm was. He then showed Scott the place he believed to be the best place.
'This is the only place I can find where Thunderbird One can be safely placed and camouflaged from anyone who by chance may wander into the area. Normally no one goes anywhere near there'.
'That's the only area I found as well' Scott said thinking that great minds think alike.
'Good now that's settled how do you plan to get to Grandmas?'
'I'll go by hover bike' Scott told his father.
'That's going to be risky. It could be identified as International Rescue'.
'Not with a cover it won't' Scott said.
Jeff looked questioningly at Scott.
'Brains has come up with a cover to go on top of it, so to make it look more like a normal bike. We've tried it out, and it looks pretty good'.
'Does it work? Does it look stable enough not to come off?'
'Y-yes Mr Tracy it does' Brains said as he entered Jeff's office.
'Good that's all I ask. Brains have you installed the new camouflage netting that Scott will need?'
'Y-yes Mr Tracy, It's all installed' Brains said.
'Brains has shown me the new netting and it looks like it's better than the old one. Not that the old one wasn't any good' Scott said hoping he didn't upset Brains as the netting old and new were his designs. Looking at Brains, he noticed he wasn't upset, so he continued. 'It should mask Thunderbird One well. The only way anyone will find her will be to run into her literary'.
'That's good to hear. Will it be able to adapt to any climate?' Jeff asked as Scott would also need it in the desert, not just for bushland.
'Y-yes Mr Tracy it sh-should'.
'Good. Scott have you finished packing yet?'
'Mostly I just have to check the supplies for my desert stay, and I'm ready'.
'Well go take care of that then' Jeff said dismissing Scott.
'Yes sir' Scott said and got up leaving Brains with his father to discuss other International Rescue matters.
The day dawned clear and bright with Scott waking up as soon as the sun rose. Scott wasn't one to sleep long hours, not like Virgil. Getting up, Scott got ready to leave having breakfast with his father, and only two of his three brothers that were on the island at the time.
Scott double checked everything in Thunderbird One after breakfast before heading to see his father before leaving. After saying goodbye to his father, and any brother who happened to be around in the lounge at the time, Scott moved over to the wall where the entrance to Thunderbird One's hangar. Putting his back to the wall, he put his hands up to the wall lamps positioned there and activated the switch. The wall did a 180 degree turn putting him in the hangar and a duplicate wall with wall lamps in the lounge he had just left. The walkway then extended out with him to Thunderbird One where a hatch had opened letting him enter his "bird". Once inside he pressed a button closing the hatch, then instead of changing into his uniform which he would usually do he sat in the pilot's seat and pressed the button to start the downward trip to the launch bay. While this was happening, Scott went through the pre-flight checks finishing by the time he had reached the launch bay. Once in position Scott radioed he was ready for launch he waited for clearance to do so, as they had to check the radar to make sure there was no air or sea craft anywhere around. Having gotten clearance Scott hits the thrusters to send Thunderbird One up into the sky.
Once airborne Scott contacts Base; 'Thunderbird One to Base changing to horizontal flight'.
'FAB son have a good vacation'.
'FAB dad see you in a week's time' Scott says and closes the channel.
Entering the co-ordinates for Bailey Kansas Scott headed towards some peace and quiet and hopefully fun, but most importantly he was heading to his Grandmas apple pie.
Arriving in Bailey, Scott checked his radar to make sure all was clear for him to land safely in the secluded place where Thunderbird One would be for the two days he would be there for. After landing and doing the post flight checks, he unloaded his hover bike and bike cover for it and assembled it in quick time, then grabbed his bag he had packed for this part of his vacation. He then deployed the camouflage netting for Thunderbird One; making sure everything was secured he left to go to his Grandmas.
Arriving at his Grandmas, he saw she was in the front garden.
'Scott honey it's good to see you' Grandma said upon seeing Scott.
'Hi Grandma it's good to see you too' Scott said giving his Grandma a hug.
'Well come on in, you can put your bag in your room and then you can have some pie'.
'Apple' Scott asked hoping.
'Of course what else' Grandma said with a smile.
An hour later Scott headed into town to meet up with some old friends. Knowing he had only two days before having to leave he planned to make the most of his time in Bailey as he could.
Before long Scott was saying goodbye to his Grandma and heading back to Thunderbird One, and the mission his father had set him. Making sure no one was anywhere near the site Thunderbird One was he quickly packed his hover bike and bag in and removed the camouflage netting. Double checking yet again to make sure the area was clear he lifted off and headed off to Egypt to meet up with the courier.
TBC