Update: I was Kindly informed of some typos...
The Cutter Orion
It's been a while since I've last uploaded a story, but my university keeps getting in the way of my holiday plans, please bear with me. Now then, on to my first multi-chapter story!
Disclaimer: I don't own the boys, I just play with them...
The Call
John sat down in his chair, careful not to spill the steaming cup of hot chocolate in his hands. His skilled eyes darted over the flashing screens. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He hit the mute button for the radio chatter, relying on Brain's speech recognition software to pick up on any urgent calls. He leaned forward slightly and pulled the National Geographic Scott had brought him on the last supply run. That had been almost three weeks ago, International Rescue had been too busy since then for the Space Monitor to get to his magazines.
Nursing his hot chocolate, John soon found himself lost; paging through the breath-taking photographs the yellow-framed magazine was so famous for. He jumped; almost spilling his drink all over the control panel, when a voice cracked over the radio.
"Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan." The computer picked up on the call and played the transmission over the speakers. "This is the United States Coast Guard, Nome Station Alaska relaying a Mayday for the Cutter Orion to International Rescue. Come in International Rescue. Over."
John darted forward, dropping the magazine, his drink forgotten on a coaster; he slammed his hand down on the button.
"This is International Rescue, receiving for the USCG Nome, go ahead, over."
"We are relaying a Mayday from the Cutter, Orion, received at 01:45, last known position 15 klicks due North of Sledge Island. Thirteen souls aboard. Vessel is dead in the water, taking on water from the storm, requesting immediate assistance. We are unable to respond, over."
John's fingers flew over the keys pulling up the meteorological data for the region of the past 14 days. His eyes darted over the display; the region has been taking a beating from a storm, reports were saying that it was the worst storm in recorded history. The Coast Guard had released a statement requesting emergency fuel donations from the city; nothing had been able to get in or out of the area for over a week. That had been 2 days ago, suggesting that the station probably did not have enough fuel to send a rescue.
"Message received and understood, standby, over." John called; he shifted in his seat and activated the klaxon.
"Go ahead John." His father's face appeared on the screen to his right. He turned and smiled slightly at seeing his family on the screen. He relayed the message from Alaska.
"Alright," Jeff Tracy said when his second eldest had finished speaking. He fell silent for a moment. A thoughtful expression edged on his face.
"Scott," He address the field commander who was already edging toward the tunnel that would lead him down into the silos. "take One to the scene and see if you can set up Mobile Control on Sledge Island. Virgil, take Thunderbird 2 and Pod 4. Gordon and Alan-" The father paused looking at the younger blond. "Alan, is your wrist okay?"
"A-Okay!" Alan said beaming at his father as he rolled the joint.
"-Alright, go with Virgil, we will need all hands on this one. We will try to airlift the crew from the cutter with the rescue platform. If that fails, Gordon, you will take over and use Four, have them attach their lifejackets to the railing and ferry them to Pod 4. Get those men home to their families. Understood?"
"F.A.B." Came the chorus from the four earthbound Tracy's. The four brothers looked at each other for a moment before departing to the Silos and into the Thunderbirds that would carry them to their destination.
Jeff sat down in his chair and turned toward John who has been waiting patiently.
"John, notify the Coast Guard that we are on our way. Keep me updated on any changes in weather condition. Try to secure a connection with the Cutter Orion. It will make the rescue operation easier if we have a direct line of comms with the crew."
"F.A.B." John acknowledged. "Five out."
John cut the video feed to the island and turned back to the radio.
"International Rescue calling the United States Coast Guard, Nome Station Alaska. Come in for International Rescue."
"This is the USCG Nome Station receiving you International Rescue, over."
"Our team is on their way to the Cutter Orion's last known location, E.T.A. 2 hours. Tell your boys to hold on, help is on the way, over."
"We will relay the message. Thank you. Is there anything we can help with?"
"Is there a way for me to connect directly to the Cutter?" John asked.
"Their long distance communication had been damaged by the storm and they have failed to get it up and running again, over."
"Understood," John answered. "I will try using our equipment to secure a connection. Will keep you updated, over."
"Received and understood, standing by. Over and out." The Coast Guard signed off leaving the space monitor to his job.
Watch this space, the next chapter will be up in a couple of hours!
CreapyCreature