Standard Disclaimer: I don't own or make any profit from the thunderbirds or anything else in this story...

A/N: If you though Alan was a hard case in the movie, then see how Gordon settled into the role of being a 'Thunderbird'. I've been working on this story for at least 18 month, on and off (more off than on, due to study commitments....;-) ) Hope you enjoy it... this Prologue just sets the scene roughly 2 years before the movie.

Count Down to Adventure...

Prologue: How hard can raising five boys, running a multibillion dollar business and building a secret rescue operation be. If Jeff Tracy had had any idea of what he was setting himself up for, he'd have run for the hills.

Jeff Tracy sat in his New York office looking over the final drafts of the space station he planned to build, so far his plans had progressed with little in the way of delays or problems. A result of the large amount of money he was throwing at the project. His personal accountant was having nightmares over the blow out on the budget for this project, but money wasn't an issue as far as Jeff was concerned. Keeping the true purpose of the satellite a secret while getting each stage of the development passed by the UN, NATO and NASA had its own issues. But the Tracy name held a lot of sway across the globe and on this project Jeff wasn't pulling any punches. Getting this project in the air was his only focus, that and his boys. The thought of his family drew Jeff's eyes to the photo sons his desk. His boys were his life. He smiled sadly at the photo of his late wife as she stood with their boys on the last holiday the family had taken together, the holiday in which Lucy had disappeared, died.

The sudden ringing of the telephone roused Jeff from his musings; quickly he picked up the receiver and in his deep gruff voice addressed the caller, "Jeff Tracy speaking."

"Hi Dad." Jeff's eldest son's greeting caused a huge smile to appear on his tired face; shoulders dropping Jeff leaned back in his seat and swung the chair away from the desk to face the large window.

"Hi Scott, how are you?"

"Great! Just got back to Sheppard from Germany. Hell of a flight the weather was terrible coming across the pond."

Jeff smiled at the buzz in his son's voice, if he knew his son and he did, Scott had enjoyed every minute of the hair raising flight across the Atlantic Ocean. "So have you got leave next week?"

"Yes sir, the Major's given me two months. 'Cause when I told him I'd probably be resigning my commission at the end of the year, he wasn't too happy."

Jeff sighed, he still had reservations about his sons' joining his plans, Scott had a promising career, so did John. "Don't make any rash decisions Scott. Wait and see how things go. I appreciate any time you can spare. But don't go burning your bridges."

"I won't Dad. I promise. But I want to be part of this. So does John. We understand what we're giving up. OK?"

"Fine. I won't nag. By the way, one and two are ready for full trials according to Hiram."

Scott whistled softly, "Can't wait."

Grinning at his son's enthusiasm Jeff reminded him of the seriousness of the situation, "Trials Scott. So you can't push too fast too soon, remember what happened to your Porsche?"

Scott flinched at the reminder of how he'd blown up the engine in his brand new Porsche a mere three weeks after getting it. "Yeah." His voice dropped to a low discouraged tone.

"Good. Have you heard from John or Virgil lately?"

Scott instantly brightened with the change of subject, "Virge called last night just before I left Germany, he got his acceptance letter from Colorado University." Scott sniggered, "Course being your son had nothing to do with it. I think they see a grant in the offing."

Jeff gave an indulgent laugh, "Well if it gets him where he wants to go, I'm not complaining."

"Yeah." Scott agreed, "He was really excited. I'm surprised he's gone with engineering though, I really expected him to go into medicine or one of the arts."

Jeff smiled Virgil was definitely the more multi-talented of his sons, having interests in a wide range of subjects. "Well I'm sure he'll achieve in whatever field he finally decides on. A degree in engineering could still take him in to the medical field."

"Yeah, hadn't thought of that." Scott replied in an absent manner, with a bark of laughter he continued, "Well he can't wait. He was going to call John straight after hanging up with me. I guess John has got more understanding of the subject." Scott gave a self depreciating laugh "He gave up explaining mechanics to me years ago. As long as it works and gets me from A to B as fast as possible I'm happy."

"Yes. I've noticed." Jeff retorted dryly.

Scott sniggered, "I'll call Johnny in a minute, he said last week he'd got the time off, should be the whole summer, he wanted me to put him through some physical training over the break."

"Oh?" Jeff frowned, while John wasn't lazy, he was probably the least active of his son's, with a fast metabolism that allowed him to eat anything and not show any increase in body mass, John couldn't see the point in sweating.

"Yeah. He's got final trials before his stint on the International Space Station in the fall and now he's in a panic that he needs to get into shape." Scott sniggered, "I always told him it would catch up with him one day."

Jeff smiled, he could imagine that Scott was going to take advantage of the situation and push John hard. Although he wasn't worried John could push back just as hard, he was just more subtle about it.

"That's great news..." Jeff looked up from his conversation as his secretary Margery entered the room with a tray carrying coffee and a large folder of papers tucked under her arm. "Oh Scott I've got to go. Marg is here with more work for me."

Scott sniggered, "Well you keep buying companies what do you expect?"

Eyes narrowing in mock anger Jeff smiled, "Just remember it's your inheritance I'm working on here."

"Yeah yeah." Scott laughed, "Say hi to Marg for me. I'll see you next week. You're picking up Grams right?"

Jeff nodded automatically even though his son couldn't see him, "Yes, Mavis Harris is giving her a lift to Kansas City, and I'm picking her up from there. Are you still right to collect Virgil and John?"

"Yep. Sure you don't want me to collect the others, it will only be a week early. It's not like they're gonna miss much. End of term and all. I'm dropping in to see Zoey anyway."

Jeff frowned, thinking about it. "No. Gordon's still got exams in the last week. Say hello to Zoey for me won't you. Tell her well get her out to the island sometime soon. Is John going with you?"

"No. I thought I'd catch up with her Saturday before I go and get Virge. I'll ask her about coming out to the island, but..."

"What?" Jeff queried, Scott seemed hesitant in continuing.

"Well she's a bit wary of... well... ah..."

"Just spit it out Scott."

"You Dad. She's got this stupid idea about the money and thinks you'll think she's after it... It's Stupid. I've told her, so has John. But...."

Jeff shook his head he hadn't seen his sons' old friend in a few years but couldn't imagine the girl had changed that much from the precocious child he'd known in Kansas. "Well tell her I want her to come for a visit."

"Ok, I'll see you at the island then, love you."

"Love you too. Bye Son." Jeff hung up the phone and stood to take the tray from Margery's hands, "Here let me get that."

The well dress, middle aged woman smiled her thanks and placed the folder in the middle of Jeff's desk. "That was Scott?"

"Yeah." Jeff gave a relaxed smile, "He said to say hello."

Margery returned her employers smile; she had worked for him since before his wife's death and was fond of the five Tracy sons. "How is he?"

"Oh you know Scott. High as a kite as always."

Margery nodded, "I expect you'll be glad to have them all home for the summer. Your mother joining you on the island?" She asked as she poured the coffee and added sugar.

"Yes Mother is coming. I couldn't cope without her. She's the only one that can keep them all in line." Jeff smiled reminiscently. "She's certainly the only one that can keep Gordon's pranks within bounds." He shook his head and took a sip of the coffee sighing with a contentment soon broken as he thought about his fourth son. He'd had another letter from the principal of the middle school Gordon attended regarding his second youngest son. While Gordon's grades weren't bad and were in fact a vast improvement on last year's results, they weren't as good as Jeff suspected they could be. Gordon was not a stupid boy, his interests just didn't include most academic studies, biology and geography especially oceanography, seemed to be his favourites. His perchance for pranks, didn't go down well with the faculty either. The only saving grace was his swimming coaches glowing report, although where that could lead Jeff had no idea. He resolved to speak to Gordon firmly regarding his academic future, he would be moving to the senior school after the summer, Gordon would have to knuckle down if he intended to secure a good place in tertiary education. Jeff sighed at least he'd had no reports of fights this year, with Virgil in the senior school and Gordon in middle school, they hadn't clashed. Jeff was eternally grateful, as without John there to mediate he suspected one or both would have needed hospitalisation. He shook his head, he hoped the two had matured somewhat this year; he wasn't looking forward to a summer of scuffles between the two.

As for the youngest of his brood, Jeff smiled as he leaned back in his chair holding his coffee cup and sipping the strong sweet brew. Alan was shooting up like a weed, the bright excitable twelve year old was a treasure his father held dear. Although Alan showed little interest in learning, his teachers all reported a bright, intelligent, well adjusted and helpful child, Jeff couldn't hope for more. He'd been terribly worried what the lack of his mother would do to the youngest Tracy, but Alan seemed to have coped well, he looked up to his older brothers, holding Scott in particular in high regard.

Jeff shook his head; the hours were rushing pass, the early dusk and city lights out his window reminding him of the time. He still had much to do before he could leave for the evening. If he didn't stop day dreaming and get on with the work he'd be here till two in the morning, again. Sighing Jeff swung back around to his desk and opened the new folder, starting to read through more contracts and reports. He'd have time enough over the summer to day dream and spend time with his boys.

TBC...

A/N OK this was more in the way of setting the scene. Early days... Scott still in the air force, John joint NASA/Harvard program, Virgil, Gordon and Alan still attending a private School in Boston. (Alan's not blown anything up yet. LOL)

Grandma is in this story... Still living in Kansas. But the rest of the movie characters will also make an appearance eventually. (I hope to get this whole story up before College starts again... but we'll see how it goes.)

Hope you enjoy. As always please review.

TBZ

TBZ.