"Why the HELL does some one need rescuing now of all times?" Alan fumed through gritted teeth as he slumped back in Thunderbird 2's seat and did up the harness.
About 9 months had past since that day in the caves and Alan had been getting more and more nervous by the minute, especially today. The day the twins were due.
"Hey, Al. Look on the bright side! At least we are going to England so if she goes into labour you'll be able to get there quicker." Gordon said from the seat on the other side of the craft.
"Very true." Stated Virgil from the pilot seat. Taking into account that no one on the island was properly trained in the art of being a midwife, the family had decided to send Tin-tin over to England to stay with penny where she would only be minutes from a hospital with the proper facilities and knowing how parker drives, make that seconds. Of course Alan hadn't been happy at first. He had grown a little bit protective over her even though, every now and then, he would break down blabbering about how he wasn't ready to be a dad. But thanks to Gordon, he finally agreed.
"I guess…" Alan said and started nervously fiddling with his hands. "Why have we been called out again?"
"Gee Alan; you really need to pull yourself together before we arrive!" Gordon said as Thunderbird 2 began to trundle out of its hanger. When he received only Alan's blank stare in reply he sighed and answered the question. "A landmark on the south coast of England called the Spinnaker Tower had collapsed when a demonstration in the nearby historic dock yard went wrong and one of their ancient boats crashed into it."
"Oh. I remember now…" Alan replied and then stared blankly out the window. Gordon rolled his eyes and drew his attention back to the map spread out on his lap.
Two hours later, they had arrived at the danger zone. Scott had set up mobile control by the wreckage of the once proud tower. Virgil had to take Thunderbird 2 and land it in a football pitch next to Thunderbird one that was just outside the ridiculously busy shopping centre known as Gunwharf.
"I'm sorry Virg but there is no other way. You're just going to have to drive the excavator through the city to get here." Scott insisted over the radio.
"Scott. Have you seen the traffic here? It's horrendous!" Virgil exclaimed.
"Well you better tell them to move out the way!"
Virgil hung his head as he tried to find an alternative. Giving up he slumped back over the radio. "FAB."
Giving a small sympathetic smile Scott cut the communication after saying, "See you in a bit."
It took a while but Virgil finally made it to the danger zone in the very sinister looking vehicle. He let Gordon and Alan out with their laser drills and got straight to work.
Once six victims had been recued Alan was feeling a bit more relaxed when he got a call from mobile control.
"Alan here, go ahead Scott." He answered brightly. On the watch face, Scott bit his bottom lip nervously.
"I've had some news in from Penny…"
Alan's face immediately fell.
"…Tin-tin's gone into labour."
Without a word, Alan dropped his drill and ran back to Thunderbird 2 where he remembered that his recently designed and tested race car was still waiting from the last time Alan had taken it for a drive. Within minutes he was on his way to the hospital