The others had been called out on separate missions and Gordon had been granted to control Thunderbird 2 alone leaving Virgil back at base, he sat down at the piano and instantly lost himself in the music, as he reached the climax of the piece John's hologram appeared above the piano.

"Hi Virg, you alright?"

Virgil looked up from the keys "I'm fine John, although a little bored."

John smiled "nice tune."

"Thank you. So, are there any jobs I can do?"

"I've been doing some research on dad's disappearance, I'm still trying to locate his aircraft."

Virgil stopped playing and rested his hands on his legs "and, have you found anything?"

John shook his head "afraid not, there hasn't been any signal since The Hood set off those earthquakes and Gordon found that beacon."

Virgil smiled slightly and pressed the pedal down to resume playing "I think we all felt a brief whisper of hope at that moment."

John's hologram moved slightly so that he was virtually sitting on the stool next to his brother "if I get anything, I'll let you know."

Virgil turned his head "thanks John, I'll be around the house."

"FAB" John smiled and Virgil was again alone in the lounge.

After lunch John called Virgil again with exciting news.

"Virg, I've picked something up, it's very faint but registering as a signal."

Virgil raised his eyebrows "where?"

"About five-hundred miles from here. Do you want to check it out?"

"Hmm, what sort of signal is it?"

"Transponder beacon again."

"Last time you said that, it was an earthquake generator."

"I'm serious Virgil, this one is stronger, and it's not in the ocean. It's land based."

Virgil nodded "alright. Don't call the others until I've checked it out, thoroughly."

"FAB. Keep in touch."

"Will do" Virgil went to the chute and down to the hangers and his personal jet, she wasn't exactly Thunderbird 2, but she would get him there "Falcon to Thunderbird 5?"

"Having to use your jet Virgil?"

I gave Thunderbird 2 to Gordon. Taking off now. ETA to destination, 2 hours."

"FAB, be careful."

"Thanks John, I will be" Virgil smiled and taxied out onto the runway, the jet sped up and Virgil left the island behind.

Virgil looked down at the ground below Falcon and frowned, how had John found this beacon's signal? There was nothing below, just wasteland.

"John, where exactly is this beacon registering from? There's nothing around here."

"Keep going Virg."

"Wait, there's a building up ahead and the signal is getting stronger" Virgil smiled slightly and began the descent.

"Keep in touch and make sure your camera is on."

"FAB. Preparing to land."

Falcon landed gently and Virgil made his way over to the building, he paused outside the door and John called again.

"I'm sending you the track signal to your wrist communicator."

"Thanks John, I'm going in."

Virgil opened the door and followed the signal through various corridors until he reached a dark room.

"John, the signal has led me in here, this can't be right."

"There are no other rooms, this is the only one."

"Wait, I can see an outline of someone" Virgil's voice raised a little "Dad?" His eyes widened and he looked for a light switch, suddenly a light came on and Virgil gasped in shock as the figure let go of the string "no, not you!"

"Hello Virgil" the Hood smirked.

"Virgil, are you ok?" John asked in concern.

"He's absolutely fine" the Hood smiled and suddenly smashed Virgil's communicator on his harness causing Virgil to stumble.

"What do you want you maniac?" Virgil grimaced pushing himself off the floor.

"Now now Mr Tracy, what sort of tone is that to take with someone who has a weapon?"

Virgil's eyes widened as The Hood pulled out a knife "please, what do you want?"

"Very simple. I want you to hand over your Thunderbirds."

"I didn't arrive in one, you can check for yourself."

The Hood shook his head "my dear sir, you are merely the bait."

Virgil began to circle his opponent as the Hood closed the door "the bait, I don't understand."

"You may not have access to your brothers, but I have communications. Anne-Marie, come in here" the Hood called and a young girl walked in, she was skinny and looked like she was worked too hard, almost beaten.

"What have you done to her?"

"She's my little helper, so to speak."

"You're going to use her to contact my brothers? You disgusting..."

"That's quite enough. Now Anne-Marie, you know what to do" the girl looked at Virgil with a look of desperation then walked out.

Meanwhile John had been in contact with Scott, Gordon and Alan.

"I can't get there John, I'm still trying to stabilize this satellite" Alan apologised.

"Don't worry Alan, we'll get him. We're on our way" Gordon smiled.

"Ok guys, Virgil's location is reference 7DX2" John checked the map "it's out in the Australian outback."

Scott frowned "why has the Hood got him there?"

"Who knows? More importantly, where did the Hood get a transponder beacon from?" Gordon said.

"Good luck guys but hurry it up, I don't know what shape Virgil is in there?"

"FAB" Scott and Gordon chorused then went to maximum speed.

Back in Australia the Hood had tied Virgil up, a cut was deep across his lip indicating a struggle had broken out between the two of them.

"When my brothers get here, you'll be sorry" Virgil spat.

"I wouldn't count on that, besides I will be ready for them. Don't you worry" the Hood smiled and shut Virgil alone in the room.

Virgil sighed and tried to reach for his wrist communicator not knowing, until he had almost twisted his wrist, that the Hood had disconnected it "I can only hope John took down my location in this building."

The door re-opened and Virgil looked up, he was more than surprised to see Anne-Marie, she came forward with a damp tissue "are you alright?" she asked dabbing the blood off Virgil's lip.

Virgil nodded "yes, thank you."

"I've been in touch with your brother, but I changed the message. I've told him what's going on and they're on their way."

Virgil smiled "that was dangerous, does the Hood know you're helping me?"

Anne-Marie chuckled "if I can survive with him, then I have nothing to fear anymore."

Virgil looked at her "I will get you out of here, I promise."

"You're too kind, but don't endanger yourself" she kissed his cheek gently and loosened the rope around his hands "it'll come loose if you stand up."

Virgil shook his hands slightly "you better go, before he comes back."

"Alright" Anne-Marie ran a hand through her hair and closed the door quietly, she sighed and looked out of the window, narrowing her eyes she spotted Thunderbird 1 and 2 coming into land.

Author's note: Virgil's brothers are coming but it's not going to be easy.