"FAB Dad, over and out" John settled back into his chair, his brothers would know what to do for this rescue mission, all he had to do now was to wait for Scott to take off before giving him more information, if any came through. Suddenly the lights flickered, John narrowed his eyes slightly towards the alert system dreading it to go off. Then the worst happened.
Back on Thunderbird 1, Scott was desperately trying to get through to the space station "come in Thunderbird 5. John, do you read me?" still no answer, Scott opened the channel to base "Thunderbird 1 to base."
"What's wrong Scott?"
"Dad, I can't get through to John at all, looks as if he's had a communication blackout."
"Have you tried the watch communication?"
"I'll have a go, in the meantime prepare Virgil with Thunderbird 2, it's likely this rescue will need him."
"FAB son" Jeff ended the video transmission and called Virgil to the lounge, meanwhile Scott attempted to reach John.
"John? Do you read me?"
John sank in his chair and looked around at the blank console, then his watch, he almost hit himself "it's not on! Anyone could be trying to contact me" no sooner had he opened it, Scott was looking right at him "Scott! Thank goodness, I thought I had lost contact with everyone."
"John, what's happened on Thunderbird?"
"I have no idea Scott, she seems faulty for some reason. We can discuss this later, I managed to find out more on the emergency, it's an earthquake about 5 miles from Istanbul, a few buildings are down and a couple of people are injured."
"Looks as though we'll need Thunderbird 2 and the Mole, pod 5. Thanks John, I just hope this is a quick one, we need Thunderbird 5 back in business as soon as possible."
"You're telling me. Good luck" John closed his watch and got up to try and start fixing the satellite, nothing was broken but the radio transmitter was completely dead "guess I'm just going to have to wait until the rescue is over."
The earthquake hadn't been too destructive and the boys only came out with scratches, the families thanked International Rescue and soon enough the birds were flying home, Scott immediately opened communication with John.
"Thunderbird 1 to John, come in please?"
"Hi Scott, success?"
"FAB, how's Thunderbird 5?"
"No progress I'm afraid, there are weird noises now and the temperature is getting hotter, looks as if the heating exchange has failed. I just hope the worst isn't yet to come."
"Keep communications open and call me if anything happens."
"Ok Scott, what's your ETA to base?"
"Umm, 10.5 minutes, Virgil took off not long after me. Hang in there John, we'll sort this out" Scott left and John was alone again, suddenly.
"Oh no" John moaned as he was flung into the air "could this day get any worse?" no sooner had he said that, he felt a piece of metal hit him across his head and he fell unconscious. Back at base Scott and Virgil had landed and were discussing Thunderbird 5 with Jeff.
"Have you heard anything from him since you last spoke?"
"Not a word father, something must've happened."
"But what Scott, did he seem alright when he spoke to you?" Virgil asked.
"I couldn't see anything wrong, he said the temperature was increasing but not rapidly. I think we should go up in Thunderbird 3 and check it out."
"But she hasn't got any power" Alan spoke coming into the room.
"Alan, hasn't anyone told you about eavesdropping?" Virgil sneered.
Alan rolled his eyes at his older brother "we wouldn't be able to dock from Thunderbird 3."
"But it's worth a try, what do you think Dad?" Scott asked hoping for a yes.
"Hmm, alright but I don't like it. Alan, go up to Thunderbird 3 and take Virgil with you" Jeff instructed ignoring Scott's disappointed face "sorry Scott, but I don't want everyone up in space."
"I understand father" Scott looked away as Alan smiled slightly.
"Virgil, Alan. Go now and keep communications open to us here, I want to know exactly what's going on."
"Yes sir" Alan activated the sofa and the two of them travelled down to Thunderbird 3's launch bay, the rocket was ready and they took off.
"I hope John's alright" Virgil said looking out as black replaced blue sky.
"What makes you think he isn't?"
"It's just not like him to not get back to us, especially once we're back on base. I just hope we don't find him injured or anything."
"Virgil, you worry too much. What can happen on Thunderbird 5? All she does is orbit around the earth, it's not like she has her own emergencies "Alan smiled sarcastically "right prepare to dock."
The red ship rounded and began to reverse alongside Thunderbird 5 until her nose slid into the port, Alan locked on and the two got up to begin the short walk to the main control centre, they approached the door but hesitated.
"Something is wrong Alan."
"What do you mean? Looks fine to me."
"It's too dark, look at the door, there's no light coming through. Let me call John, hang on" Virgil lifted his wrist "Virgil to John, do you read me?" There was a long gap of silence "John? Damn. Alan, he's not answering."
Alan frowned "alright, looks as though we'll have to invite ourselves in then, let's go" Alan tapped the passkey in but nothing happened, he tried again, still nothing "must be the power cut."
"I don't like this Alan" Virgil frowned.
"We'll use the emergency door, that has to open" Alan said already heading off in the direction of the door, Virgil followed slowly behind, the door hissed open and Alan was almost dragged in by the lack of gravity, Virgil grabbed his leg "what's happened Virgil!?"
"How should I know, you're her co-pilot, looks like the zero-gravity has malfunctioned."
"But how? Never mind, that can wait, we need to get to John" Alan said in a rush "looks like we'll be floating."
"Don't muck around Alan and look for your brother" Virgil rolled his eyes and followed Alan to the control panel, suddenly Virgil felt a drop of moisture land on his arm, it was blood, he looked up and gasped "John!"
Alan looked up in surprise "oh god" John was floating above them still unconscious and bleeding heavily, forgetting how much he hated space, Virgil pushed himself to his hurt brother and shook him gently, there was no response.
"Alan, could you try and get back into geo-stational orbit?"
"I don't think that's possible, everything is backwards if you know what I mean, our best bet is to get him back to base and quick."
"Alright, let me just try and stop the bleeding a little, get the door open" Virgil turned back to John who still wasn't responding "c'mon John, wake up."
"Virg we need to move him, there's nothing we can do for him here, get him to Thunderbird 3 while I call base."
"FAB Alan" with gentle movements Virgil took John under his arm and got him out of the emergency hatch and into Thunderbird 3, Alan and Virgil laid him down on the sofa and left the docking station.
"Thunderbird 3 to base" Alan called.
"Reading you loud and clear, how's John?" Jeff's voice sounded concerned.
"Not good at all father, get Brains, he's unconscious and has a gash to the head. The gravity control malfunctioned long before we got there."
"Understood, hurry boys, he needs all the attention we can give him."
"FAB, over and out."
John couldn't respond to anything but he could feel he was safe, the air around him seemed cool and muffled voices replaced the usual drone of machinery, he could feel someone close to him, they sounded desperate.
"C'mon John, pull through. If only we went up sooner."
"Calm down Alan, it wasn't your fault."
"But Dad, I'm his co-pilot, I should've been looking out for him. He's been unconscious for hours now, I'm responsible" this person sounded like he had burst into tears, the voice sounded familiar, with effort John started to push himself into sleep, then his eyes flickered.
"John!" Alan lifted his head with a grin "hey bro."
John blinked in his surroundings, bright lights shone down "where am I?"
"The infirmary son, welcome back" Jeff smiled as John turned to face him.
"What happened? I don't remember passing out."
"We'll tell you when you're fully recovered, as for now, get some rest. You've had a rough experience" Jeff laid his hand on John's shoulder as he snuggled down under the duvet to sleep, the other boys rushed down the stairs but Jeff stopped them "he's fine now, go back upstairs and let him rest". A few days passed and John was back to himself though a small lump remained on his forehead, Brains, Tintin and Alan went up to Thunderbird 3, that afternoon they reported back to base.
"Yes father, it seemed to just be a blackout."
"But what was it caused by?" John asked.
"We can't find any faults, Brains believes it had something to do with the radio itself but that's highly likely. Don't worry John, we'll get to the bottom of this."
"Good luck Alan, and thanks" John smiled as Alan's portrait returned to stationary, Scott came in followed by Virgil.
"How are you feeling John?" Virgil asked.
"Much better thanks, at least this lump has gone down, I still have no idea what I actually hit my head on."
"Has Brains figured out what caused the blackout?" Scott said leaning on the desk.
"Not yet, though he believes it had something to do with the radio."
"Strange. Well, take it easy John, it's Alan's turn up in Thunderbird 3 soon, maybe something will go wrong then" Virgil grinned and the boys laughed.
Author's note: I always feel that the older boys tease Alan, I'm not going to let Thunderbird 5 hurt him in this. I do feel sorry for John though :( I'm not lingering on what did cause T5 to have a malfunction, basically it was just a large power cut. Chapter 2 is completed and up now.