Standard disclaimer. I only own my characters and story!
To say Jeff Tracy was fuming was a grave understatement. He slammed his fist on top of his desk, then turned to the radio equipment behind him to hide his grimace of pain. Gordon knew as well as any of them the risk of having uninvited guests. How would they keep International Rescue a secret from an orphanage? Could she keep it to herself when she goes back? He was still rubbing his hand when Tin Tin came into the lounge. Mrs. Tracy was on the sofa, writing out a list. "Is everything alright, Mr. Tracy? I thought I heard Gordon on the phone," said Tin Tin.
"You did, and I don't know if we can do it," said Jeff, somehow resisting the urge to hit the desk a second time.
"It's not as bad as you make it out to be. Whoever comes with the girl will get the nickel tour of the island and we save the best for after they leave. Little girls are better at keeping secrets than you think, dear," said Mrs. Tracy.
"Oh, is he bringing someone home with him?" asked Tin Tin. The selfie was still on the monitor, with Sarah's bright smile beaming from the picture.
"He most certainly is not! It's too big of a security risk. I know his heart's in the right place, but how are we going to keep an inspector busy for a few days, especially if there's an emergency call?" he reminded them.
"Same as we do any time we have visitors, Mr. Tracy. Operation Cover-up and I can give 'diving lessons' as the need arises. I say we bring the boys in and take a vote," said Tin Tin.
A few minutes later the Tracys, Kyranos, and Brains gathered in the lounge with Alan on video link from Thunderbird 5. Scott was the first to chime in. "What's the action, Father? Why the sudden meeting?"
Jeff let out a deep sigh. "As you know, Gordon decided to spend his vacation volunteering at a summer camp in West Virginia. He started coaching one of the campers in swimming and wants to continue training her for the rest the summer..." said Jeff.
"So, we've lost our brother for 2 months?" asked Virgil.
"No, he wants to bring her here. He cut me off before I could give him an answer and he'll be calling back as soon as he returns to the orphanage where she lives," explained Jeff.
"I think it's just great, Father. It'd be like having a niece for the summer," said John. He smiled as he thought of showing her constellations from his mountaintop observatory and helping her build a crystal radio like when he was a kid.
"But your biggest concern is the orphanage itself, right Father? Hiding our operation is going to be tough, but if we can hide from the World Security Council, a small orphanage will be a cinch," said Alan from the video feed.
Kyrano cleared his throat. "Mr. Tracy, I believe that I speak for both my daughter and I when I say we will welcome the girl with open arms. All children should have a good sense of family and this little miss is no exception."
Virgil added," I'm with everyone else, Father. I don't see why she can't stay. 2 months isn't that long."
Brains finally looked up from the schematic he was studying. "As everyone knows, I w-was an orphan a-as well. I d-doubt I would be the p-person I am today if I wasn't a-adopted."
"Looks like you're out-voted, Father," chuckled Scott as he looked over Grandma's shoulder. The list she was working was for the things that they would need to host a little girl for the summer.
"I still don't like it," grumbled Jeff. After a brief, but awkward moment the video phone started to ring. "That will be Gordon now. Alan, we'll get back to you after everything is said and done."
"F.A.B., Father. Let me know how it goes," the young astronaut signed off. Virgil, being the closest to the button, initiated Operation Cover-up, changing the pictures on the wall from the boys in their International Rescue uniforms to more mundane family portraits.
Jeff straightened his collar and answered the call. "Go ahead, Gordon."