THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!
"POETRY AND TRUTH"
WRITTEN BY ZARIUS
Disclaimer: Thunderbirds and all related characters are trademarked by ITV Studios
(contains a brief spoiler for "Legacy")
The sun gleamed brightly over the horizon as all of the major International Rescue vehicles glided across the oceans heading towards their rendezvous. Unlike their first assignment yesterday, this one was no case of a weary wolf crying.
A manned orbiting radio station high above the Earth had caught fire. Alan and John were on their way to ensuring those still trapped in the station as the fire spread were successfully evacuated.
Some had managed to escape the station via most of the escape rafts which fell to Earth and were set to settle a few miles short off the coast of San Fernado, Romblon. It was up to Kayo, Virgil, Gordon and Scott to salvage most, if not all, of those survivors.
"That's the sight of that ship that got tossed about by that Fengshen typhoon" Kayo noted as she flew over the coast.
"Yeah, about 800 people lost more than their luggage in that incident" Gordon wisecracked over the visual intercom.
"That wasn't funny" Kayo replied.
"Nothing is in our line of work; it's all business, that's why we've got to remind ourselves to smile before we put in the miles"
"Is that what people are going to spin about us if we're like this around them? International Rescue makes inane jokey chit-chat while lives are at risk?" a cross Kayo uttered.
"It's either Poetry or truth" Gordon replied
"I don't follow" Kayo said, puzzled.
"Dad taught me there are only two things anyone discuses in their off-hours" Virgil revealed, interrupting over his own holographic intercom..." Exaggerative tales spun in a compelling semi-poetic manner which captivates us, holds our attention, or frank honesty about how you deal with today's dealings...people are more prepared for poetry than truth. Truth is reality, and reality belittles the tidy little world we build for ourselves and our expectations to keep everything well stirred"
"Well we dealt with a bit of both yesterday" Kayo remarked, "I was frank about my family lineage, and I was deceitful when I needed to be in order to trap The Hood"
"Yeah, your secrecy came through for us in the end there Kayo, but it could easily have went the other way too" Virgil responded.
"I know, but that's the thing about risk, we do what we can to keep the things that matter from slipping out of our grasp" Kayo explained
"Still...that brings us to the last important thing you let slip out of your grip...the mug who stole the repulsor" Gordon continued, "He had dirt on you and The Hood didn't he? That's why you let him go"
"Yes" Kayo said, letting out a big sigh.
"See, more truth" Virgil said softly.
"Look, you're all aware of what I can keep close to my chest, and you'll be more prepared to lift those weights from my world, and I'll be content to let you" Kayo replied.
"Poetry without spin" Virgil continued, "Impressive"
"Poetry AND truth" Gordon added.
"Will you guys quit going deep in any place that isn't the ocean? We've got survivors to salvage" Scott sharply interrupted.
"FAB Scott" Virgil added.
"Families Act Boldly" Kayo added.
"That's not what it stands for" Scott said
"That's what we stand for though" Kayo continued.
And, forged as such, the family Tracy headed off to complete their mission.
Unified.
Whole.
Their unification, their unparalleled bond, would be the talk of many a survivor to come today and every other day that the fate of millions was tied to the hands of so few.
Talk of this family, and how easily it was for them to overcome great hardship, personal loss, and dangerous secrets, would strengthen their hold on many a generation to come. In poetry and truth.
A fitting legacy.
