THE DEADLY TRAP
By: GrumpyMagrat and Magratconvert
DISCLAIMER: Standard disclaimer applies. We don't own the Thunderbirds. Neither are we making any money off this endeavor.
Author's note: Ok, folks, we're back. This story is movie verse. It is set approximately one year after the movie. The ages of the boys are taken from the 2005 Thunderbird Movie Calendar. Scott is 26. John is 24. Virgil is just shy of 22. Gordon is 19. Alan just turned 15. A word of warning, this is an extremely ANGST story. If you don't like those, please don't read. There is a lot of emotions in the later chapters. The movie didn't really go into the personalities of the older boys, so this is our impressions of the brothers. We all draw our own ideas and impressions so if you don't agree with ours that's fine but please don't flame us because of it. We hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 1 – The Trap
John stretched out on the chaise lounge. "Boy that sun feels good." He thought. He closed his eyes and basked in the sun's warmth. He let his mind wander and was just about to doze off when he heard footsteps approach.
"Hey John," Scott said. "Do you want to play a game of pool?"
"Nah, I'd rather stay here and soak up some sun." John said.
"Oh come on," Scott whined. "That's all that you have done since you came down from Thunderbird Five two days ago."
"Well, you try spending almost three months on Five and we'll see where you spend your first few days home." John said laughing.
Scott also laughed. "Well, you can blame the Hood for that. Ever since he escaped from prison he has been setting traps for us. If he hadn't blown up that building, Gordon wouldn't have broken his arm in three places and I wouldn't have gotten a concussion."
"Yeah, yeah, and then I wouldn't have had to cover Gordon's month and then my scheduled month. As much as I love being among the stars, I was starting to get homesick. I'm really glad that Gordon offered to come up ten days early." John said sobering slightly.
"Well, I'm glad that the Hood was finally caught again." Scott said. "Rescues are hard enough without having to worry if it was a trap."
John rolled his eyes. "Hopefully the police will listen to us this time and take the necessary precautions. I can do without the extra work and worry."
"Yeah, I know what you mean. I also know that Gordon was really feeling guilty about missing his scheduled month." Scott explained. "He tried to convince Brains to let him go up even with his broken arm, but Brains was adamant. Because of the multiple breaks, he wanted Gordon's arm to be healed completely before he allowed him to go to Five."
"It's all right, really Scott." John said. "I understand. None of us plan on getting injured. We just deal with it when it happens. Besides I'm the one who volunteered to stay up on Five. I could've insisted that either you or Virgil come up and relieve me, but I figured that you two would be of more use down here, since you two have more rescue experience. Being short-handed I just thought it was best."
"Sometimes you are too understanding." Scott began but was interrupted by the alarm. Scott and John took off running into the house.
When they entered the control center, Gordon was already briefing their father. "There was an explosion at a top secret underground lab in Arizona. A Dr. Franklin called from inside the lab. He said that there are five scientists trapped in the lab. According to Franklin, one has suffered a head injury and needs immediate medical attention."
"Did he say what caused the explosion? Is there anything that we need to guard against?" Jeff asked.
"He didn't give any specific details. Although he did say that the explosion was caused by a mechanical malfunction not by an experiment gone bad. He indicated that none of the experiments should pose a danger to us." Gordon answered.
"Ok Scott." Jeff began to give orders. "Head out there. I want you to use Thunderbird 1's scanners to see if you can get us an exact location of the lab. We need to determine the most expedient plan for rescuing the trapped scientists. Virgil, John, we are going to need the mole. We'd better bring the laser cutters too, since we don't know the layout of the lab. If they have self-sealing emergency doors, we'll have to do some cutting. I'll meet you in Thunderbird 2 momentarily."
"F-A-B." The trio replied as they left to carry out their father's orders.
"Gordon, I want you to pay especially close attention to our communications." Jeff said. "I hate dealing with 'top-secret' organizations. Too many times they put keeping their secrets ahead of human lives."
"But Dad, we are a 'top-secret' organization." Gordon said with a saucy grin on his face.
"I know." Jeff said with a small smile on his face. "But we are an exception. Just keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. I have a bad feeling about this rescue."
"F-A-B." Gordon replied.
Less than ten minutes later the four Tracys were on their way to Arizona. Scott was well in the lead in Thunderbird 1 while Jeff along with John and Virgil followed in Thunderbird 2.
Forty-two minutes after the original call came in, Jeff landed Thunderbird 2 next to Thunderbird 1. "OK Scott, have you found out anything?" He asked his son.
"Not really Dad. Apparently they have a jammer. I couldn't get anything on Thunderbird 1's scanners. The security guard that I met here wasn't sure if he should believe that I was really with International Rescue. He ordered me to stay out here while he double-checks with his boss. Then if we check out, he is going to bring us the blueprints to the complex."
"Complex?" Virgil asked. "It looks like an old dilapidated warehouse to me."
"Well, Gordon did say that it was an underground lab." Jeff began. "What better place to hide a 'top-secret' lab than under a building that looks like it is ready to fall down?" Turning again to Scott, Jeff continued. "Did you see if Gordon could pick anything up from Thunderbird 5?"
"Yeah, I tried, but I can't establish contact with Thunderbird 5. Whatever is jamming the scanners is also interfering with our communications." Scott explained.
"I don't like it." Jeff said. "Things aren't adding up."
"What should…" Virgil's question was interrupted by the appearance of the security guard.
"Gentlemen, gentlemen, thank you so much for coming." The guard said graciously. Turning to Scott, he said. "Please forgive my attitude earlier. It is my job to keep unauthorized personnel out of the complex. Unfortunately in all the commotion, the 'higher-ups' forgot to let me know that you were coming. Please come inside. I've found the blueprints. I figured it would be easier to spread them on the desk."
The three brothers looked at their father, who nodded his head. "Ok, we'll take a look at the blueprints, but Scott, I want you to stay out here and try to establish contact with Thunderbird 5."
"Oh sir," the guard interrupted. "That is the easy problem to solve. We have a radio unit inside that was designed to send signals through the dampening field. I'm afraid that it is the only transmitter that will work in a ten mile radius."
The uneasiness that Jeff had been feeling was growing. Everything that they had encountered so far would not have been unusual for a secret lab. Five men were depending on them, one was seriously injured. So why did he have the feeling that this was a trap of some sort? The incidents with the Hood two months back were making him paranoid.
"OK boys, let's go." Jeff said simply, but the tone of his voice and the look on his face told his sons silently. "Keep sharp."
Like most warehouses, the interior was dimly lit and it took a moment for their eyes to become accustomed to the light. A moment was all it took.
Jeff heard the door close behind them and suddenly the room was filled with a bright light. He raised his hand to shield his eyes from the sudden onslaught of light. As his eyes adjusted, he saw that they were surrounded by approximately a dozen men all holding semi-automatic rifles. To no one in particular he muttered. "Damn, a trap."