The measure of a man is what he does with power

- Plato

Jeff Tracy was proud of his children. He was their father, of course he was. But when he'd told them of his ambition to create a rescue organisation, he had worried that they wouldn't want to join him. They had their own lives after all. When each of them had independently agreed to take part, he couldn't help but be relieved. Not only because it meant the plans could go ahead exactly as he'd hoped, but because it also meant that their unique abilities could be put to good use without them being put at risk.

From a young age, with each of them save for Alan, it was clear that there was something special about his boys. At first it was small things. Scott could jump much higher than the other children of his age. John was able to figure out anything technological he was put in front of. Virgil would have his brothers on his shoulders while they played, even his bigger brothers. Gordon didn't really need any swimming lessons as, from the first time he'd ever entered a pool, he was able to swim unaided and confidently.

As they grew, though, Jeff became aware that it was something more.

When Scott reached fifteen, he realised it was more than just an ability to jump when he returned home from work to find his eldest on the roof of their farm house.

"Uh, Scott?" Jeff said, approaching and looking up at him, his hand shielding his eyes from the sun. "What are you doing up there? Did… did you jump?"

Scott was sat by the chimney stack, his face a little pale but he was smiling. "Hey, Dad," he said, standing up.

"Scott, please be careful!" Jeff called out.

"Relax, Dad," Scott reassured him, then stepped off the roof.

"Scott!" Jeff yelled out, terrified, and ran forward, not knowing what he could do to help but was going to try anyway. Until he realised that his son hadn't landed. He looked around, unable to see him anywhere.

"Up here, Dad," Scott said.

Jeff tilted his head back, looking in the direction he'd heard the voice coming from. "Scott?" His eyes widened when he realised his son was floating in front of him as though he was lying on his front watching TV, his ankles crossed behind him and his arms folded under his chin. The biggest difference, obviously, was that he was hovering at Jeff's eye height.

Scott was grinning at him as he unfolded his arms and twisted in the air to look as though he was sat cross legged, and waved a hand.

"Are you alright?"

Scott nodded, lowering his feet to the ground and standing in front of him. "Yeah. I dunno what happened. I just, well, kinda ended up sat on the roof. I was a bit freaked out at first until I realised I could control it." He grinned again, letting his feet rise off the floor.

Jeff put his hand on his shoulder. "Just… Scott, you're my son and I'll always be proud of you, just be careful, alright?"

Scott raised an eyebrow. "Dad, I've seen way too many movies where bad stuff happens to the character who's different or has powers or whatever. I know to be careful. I'm not gonna go flying to school."

John had always had a knack for working out his electronic toys. Anything he was given he could work out how to use it. And not in the experimental way other children did. He seemed to just know.

One day when he was three years old, Jeff left his tablet computer on the coffee table when he went to answer the door. When he returned, he found his son playing a game. Which was unusual, not because of the game, but because he'd left the device locked and needing a fingerprint to unlock. Although, that game hadn't been on the device to start with.

It was again in his mid-teen years that Jeff fully realised the extent of John's abilities when he was trying to work on a report in his office and the screen kept flicking to a search engine to look for astronomical sites. He wasn't working on anything for NASA at the time, he'd been writing a report on aerospace for his company. He knew, however, that John had shown an interest in the stars so went to find him.

"Something wrong, Dad?" John asked, looking up at him. He had books in front of him. Astronomy books.

"You doing research, Son?" Jeff asked, leaning against the doorframe.

He nodded. "Yeah, I was at the observatory the other day. I was looking up in the old books Grandpa gave us."

"Were you, uh, searching the internet as well?" he asked, trying to sound casual as he walked into the room.

John froze. "Um, no, I wasn't. Scott's using the homework computer."

Jeff sat down on the bed next to him, smiling softly. "It's alright, John. Were you researching?"

"How did you know?" John asked quietly.

"Because you interrupted my work."

"Oh boy, Dad, I'm sorry!"

Jeff shook his head. "It's alright. Come with me."

John stood and nervously followed his father to his office.

"Relax, John, you're not in trouble. I just want to try something."

John went into the room, stepping aside as Jeff shut the door. "Alright, John. I think we both know you have a gift of sorts when it comes to computers. Just as Scott does with his, uh, jumping."

John smiled shyly, knowing exactly what he was referring to. "I can tell you that your computer seriously needs defragging at the very least but also a massive upgrade."

"And how do you know that? Have you been on my computer?"

"No, Sir," John said, shaking his head. He went over and put his hand on the computer. Instantly the display flickered as he closed his eyes. A moment or so later, he opened them again. "Defragged, your files have been cleaned and I optimised it all. You might want to consider changing your password as well. Mom's birthdate is a bit obvious."

Jeff had thought with Virgil he was fully prepared for whatever he could do. He'd resigned himself to the fact that, for whatever reason, his sons seemed to all have these unusual abilities. Virgil had been demonstrating from very early on that, despite his smaller stature, he was very strong.

He'd never really appreciated just how strong his son was. He'd seen him with Scott on his shoulders while he carried Gordon around bridal-style which made both of the transportees laugh. He'd seen him lift his bed to retrieve a toy that had slipped behind it. And Jeff had even reached the point where he stopped trying to open jars now, instead handing them straight to Virgil.

But it was the day Virgil came home from school and went out to the garage that had Jeff perplexed. They'd been working on a project out there for Virgil's mechanics class. The teen had already learned how to strip the engine in the family car and put it back together – in better working order, if Jeff was completely honest – and now he was looking for a bigger challenge. Living on Tracy Farm had presented them with the opportunity and so together they were trying to restore the rusty old tractor that had sat neglected on the land since before Jeff was born. Advancements in machinery had rendered it obsolete but the two of them had enjoyed working on it together.

Jeff went out to the garage to call Virgil inside for dinner but couldn't see him anywhere. "Virgil?" he called out.

"One sec," came the reply.

Jeff's eyes widened as he realised that the tractor was tilted up on one side. He stepped back as it came back to rest on its wheels properly and Virgil approached, wiping his hands on a rag. "Sorry, I wanted to check something out underneath."

Jeff blinked. "Virgil… that tractors weighs at least a couple of tons."

Virgil looked at it then back at his father. "It does?"

Jeff nodded. "I thought I'd be prepared with you. Your brother's abilities were a little less defined when they were younger, but you've been strong almost from the start. But… Wow, Virgil, I guess I didn't anticipate just how strong you are."

Virgil bit his lip, dropping the rag he'd held.

Jeff retrieved it for him and handed it back. "It's alright, Virgil. Know that I'll always support you. Just… perhaps don't come out here and lift the tractor if no one else knows you're out here."

A smile spread across the teen's face. "Deal."

Gordon was younger than the others when Jeff realised it wasn't just a natural swimming ability his son had. One day, the summer after Gordon's twelfth birthday, Scott had come running back to the farmhouse (though Jeff suspected he may have flown to save time) in a panic, soaking wet and yelling something about Gordon and the lake.

"Scott, slow down," Jeff said, trying to get his eldest to calm so he could understand what he was saying.

"I'm sorry, Dad, I tried to tell him not to, I said we're not allowed near the pond, but you know what Gordon's like with water and I couldn't stop him. He jumped in to go swimming and he hasn't resurfaced and I tried to get him out but the lake is too deep and I couldn't find him."

Jeff was on his feet even as Scott spoke, heading for the door with his son following him, still trying to explain.

"It'll be alright, Scott," Jeff said, worriedly. The lake wasn't far away so Jeff started to run towards it while Scott jumped back into the air, speeding off in the lead.

Virgil was pacing along the shore when they arrived there, tears in his eyes. His clothes were also wet which suggested he'd attempted to retrieve him too.

"Scott, look after Virgil. Both of you sit down," Jeff instructed, removing his tie and shoes and wading into the water.

Suddenly bubbles in front of him preceded Gordon's head breaking the surface, the young boy grinning madly.

Jeff gasped in shock, almost inhaling a mouthful of water as he'd been about to submerge. "Gordon!"

Gordon looked around, taking in Jeff's surprised and worried face and his brothers' fearful ones. "What's going on?" he asked.

"A very good question," Jeff asked, taking hold of him carefully and guiding him out of the water. "What were you doing?"

Gordon faltered under his father's gaze. "I… I just wanted to go for a swim, it's so hot out here!"

Jeff sighed. "Gordon, you know you're not allowed to play near the lake."

"But, Dad, I wasn't in any danger," he said, trying to reason.

"We thought you'd drowned," Virgil said quietly. "You were under there for ages."

Gordon looked over at him and found he was unable to meet his eyes, so lowered his head. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"How do you know you wouldn't be in any danger?" Jeff asked, trying to remain calm. He wasn't angry at Gordon, but he had been frightened.

"Because, well, I knew," he murmured, shuffling his feet slightly then muttered something under his breath.

"What was that, Gordon?" Jeff asked.

"You won't believe me," he replied.

Jeff raised an eyebrow. "Hmm. Scott can fly, John can access my computer from the other side of the field without an interface and Virgil can lift the tractor. Try me."

Gordon looked back up at him. "I can breathe underwater," he said. "I've known for ages. I kinda found out by accident when I was in the bath and was going under the water to wash my face and sneezed as I did. Instead of getting a lungful of water, I just, well, sneezed. But under the surface. I was a bit freaked out at first until I tried again but with, you know, just breathing."

Scott had his arm round Virgil and was trying to get him to calm down, but on hearing this he looked over at him. "You actually deliberately tried to breathe under water?"

"Scott, you jumped off the roof," Jeff reminded him.

"Point taken," Scott said quietly, looking back over at Gordon.

"Am I grounded?" Gordon asked sullenly.

Jeff shook his head. "No, but I think we should all go back now. We all need to dry off and I think I need to get us all something sugary to drink, you know, just in case."

"In case of what?" Gordon queried.

"It's part of the treatment of shock," Virgil muttered. "For the same reason he told us to sit down."

"Oh. Sorry."

Jeff took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. "Come on, let's go back inside. We don't want John and Alan to worry as well."

Jeff had kept a careful eye on Alan, wondering if his youngest son would ever develop any unique abilities like his older brothers had, but nothing seemed to be emerging in him, except perhaps that the dusty farmland never seemed to affect him. He was happy and playful and, for the most part, not bothered by his apparent lack of gifts.

Naturally, there were days when Alan got angry or upset and lashed out at his brothers, jealous of them. But once he'd calmed again and they'd settled their differences, he was quite happy to sit on Scott's shoulders and fly around the farm, for John to install new games on their computer while he sat in the kitchen, for Virgil to roll the heavy hay bales into a big fort for them to play in.

Gordon wasn't really able to do a lot with his abilities that Alan could benefit from in any way but this didn't bother either of them much. Alan liked to throw things into the lake for Gordon to retrieve on the days when their father took them down to the shore for picnics.

When the time came for Jeff to start setting up International Rescue, he knew he'd need to think about security and so turned to his a trusted friend of his, Kyrano, inviting the man to the farm to discuss his plans as he knew the meeting would remain private.

He'd asked Scott to join them as, being the eldest, he was already aware of the plans that were being put into motion. John was occupying the others, mostly by channel surfing without a remote, which they found amusing.

While Jeff and Kyrano discussed their plans, Scott was in the kitchen making them all drinks, including hot chocolate for his brothers. Putting them all on a tray, he carried them into the den where they were messing around.

"Virgil, put the furniture down," Scott said, barely batting an eyelid at the fact that Alan and Gordon were laughing while Virgil lifted them on the sofa. "And John, would you just decide on a channel, already?"

John blinked at him a few times, the station changing with each movement before it finally settled on an old Star Wars movie.

"Oh hey, look Gordo, Star Wars!" Alan said excitedly, fidgeting.

Virgil frowned at him as he lowered the sofa back down. "Al, sit still! I almost dropped you guys!"

"Yeah, right, you barely lost your balance," Gordon replied.

"Whatever, guys, just pack it in," Scott said, putting the tray down on the table. "Dad's got a visitor here. You know the rules."

"Oh, sorry, Scott, I didn't realise he'd arrived already," Virgil said.

"That's because you were too busy bench pressing the sofa," Scott replied. "The car is outside. Now behave. I need to go see Dad."

"Alright, Scott," Virgil said, moving round the sofa to sit on it.

Scott smiled as he left them and headed through to the kitchen. He picked up the coffees he'd made for his father and Kyrano then made his way to the office.

He knocked on the door before he went in, smiling at the two men. "I have your coffees here," he said, taking them over.

"Ah, Scott, perfect timing," Jeff said. "Kyrano, this is Scott, my eldest. Scott, this is Kyrano. He's agreed to help me with security for the project."

Scott took the offered hand, shaking it. "Nice to meet you, sir," he said to him.

Kyrano bowed his head slightly and released Scott's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Mr Scott."

Jeff chuckled. "Take a seat, Scott, we were just about to talk about the arrangements."

Scott moved to sit in the unoccupied chair but stopped when he felt something brush against his arm. He frowned, looking around.

"Scott? Are you alright?" Jeff asked.

"Yeah," he said, sitting down. "Sorry, I thought I felt something."

Jeff looked at him. "You sure?"

Scott nodded, picking up his mug and taking a sip. He was about to put it down when he felt a tap on his shoulder. The sensation was so sudden it made him jump and he hovered a few inches off his chair as he tried not to drop his mug.

"Scott!" Jeff said, his tone not cross, but concerned.

He glanced around, seeming to realise something was amiss by his father's expression then became aware of the fact that he wasn't actually sat on his chair. Redness flooded his cheeks as he carefully lowered himself back down. "I'm sorry," he muttered to his father, getting up to leave the room, but he found he couldn't open the door.

Kyrano sighed. "Tanusha, that's quite enough," he said.

"Tanusha?" Jeff asked.

"My daughter," Kyrano responded. "Come on, leave Mr Scott alone."

"Sorry, Father," a young female voice said.

Jeff and Scott both looked around, confused.

"I couldn't help myself. Father, they're like me!" Scott stared as the air rippled and a slight-figured girl appeared stood next to Kyrano. Her long dark hair framed her small face and reached down past her shoulders.

Jeff stood, exchanging a glance with Scott who walked back over hesitantly. "What do you mean, 'they're' like you?" Scott asked.

"Well, you were hovering above your chair just now, that's not exactly something everyone can do. Nor is lifting a sofa with two other people sat on it, or changing the channel on the television without touching the remote."

Scott stared at her. "How…?"

"Well, I think you may have noticed I can become invisible, but I can also walk through walls," Tanusha said.

"Tanusha," Kyrano said, a little warning tone in his voice. "I asked you to wait in the car."

"I know, but I could see them through the window and I wanted to see."

Kyrano sighed slightly then looked over at Jeff. "Please forgive me, Mr Tracy. I believe if we are to work together, we should not have secrets from one another."

Slowly, a smile formed on Jeff's face. "I've always trusted you, Kyrano," he said earnestly. "And you're right. And apparently you understand more than I realised."

Kyrano nodded. "Indeed. Tanusha was born with the ability to move without making a sound but as she grew, she also developed the ability to become invisible and to walk through walls. I've had such difficulty trying to get her to keep her room tidy."

Tanusha grinned mischievously. "What can you guys do then?"

Jeff glanced at Scott. "Would you like to demonstrate, Son?"

Scott looked over at him, still feeling uneasy, but if his father trusted these people, then so would he. He turned his gaze back to the young girl and smiled. "I can fly," he said gently, raising himself off the floor.

Tanusha's eyes widened, her expression excited. "That's so cool!" She looked round at the other adults. "What about the others?"

"All in good time, Tanusha," Jeff replied kindly. "If they're happy to show you, we'll let them, but only if they want to." He looked over at Kyrano. "Four of my boys have these, uh, abilities."

"Not all five? How unusual."

"You know why they're like this?"

Kyrano shook his head. "I don't know why, no. There are stories of old amongst my people of children born with talents and usually if a family has a gifted child, all their children have gifts. But these are stories, passed down the generations. Naturally I believe some of it, because I have proof in my daughter, but as for why?" He shrugged. "I don't know."

Jeff nodded. "Seeing as all four of the older boys have gifts, I was surprised that Alan doesn't. I mean, it doesn't bother me. He's my son and I love him no matter what, but, yeah. I was surprised. I guess it's not really a gift as such but he's never affected by a dust storm."

Kyrano rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Perhaps it will develop. How does this manifest?"

"Well, he was out playing when the wind suddenly picked up once after a long dry spell. The dust was whipped up so quickly he didn't really have time to get inside, but he wasn't even coughing."

"Interesting," Kyrano said. "Well, who knows? Perhaps his talent hasn't been able to fully develop yet. Everything needs the right circumstances."

Jeff chuckled. "Uh huh," he said, thinking of the others.

"Anyway, we digress. Please, if you're willing, I should like to hear more of your idea. We have much to discuss."

"Ugh, boring," Tanusha said.

"How about I take you to meet my brothers properly?" Scott suggested, glancing at the adults for approval.

"A good idea if you're willing," Kyrano agreed, while Jeff smiled, nodding at him.

Scott held out his hand to her and she took it, following him out.

Tanusha looked around as she let Scott guide her back to the den. The farmhouse was so different to her own home. It was cluttered and disorganised but not untidy. There were things on every counter top, mostly toys and text books, and shoes lined one wall near the stairs.

Scott looked down at her. "Okay, so I guess you've already seen them, I assume I don't need to warn you they might be a bit loud?"

She shrugged. "I had noticed," she said. "Your brothers are pretty cool. I don't have any brothers or sisters."

Scott smiled. "Must be peaceful at your house."

"More like quiet," she said. "I think it'd be nice to have people to talk to."

"It can be," Scott replied. "But at the same time, it's also nice to have time to myself."

Tanusha smiled. "I guess."

Scott stopped outside the door to the den. "Okay, here we go." He pushed open the door and led her in.

Inside, John had given up trying to occupy them. Gordon and Alan were both stood on the sofa re-enacting the lightsabre battles while Virgil had retreated to the table in the corner to do some sketching.

Scott sighed, shaking his head. "And, this, in a nutshell, is my family, Tanusha," he said.