I know it's been a while. So please forgive me.
REVIEWS!
bubzchoc: Thank you!
JoTracy123: Glad to see you still love it.
Blake B: That potato comment. And as I said on Flame and Snow, I will NEVER write Doctor Who.
Kattfan12001: I think there's a tie between Indiana Evans (Thunderbirds) and Alena Fraser (Fantastic Four) in terms of my most popular OC. :P
I really hate school right now. But I graduate in less than a month! YAY!
ENJOY!
…or not…
My vision was black. But I still had those white dots dancing underneath my eyelids. I still felt hot. But I didn't know if it was because of the burns or if I was still out there.
Had I even left the crash site?
I knew that I was out of the plane, though. I was flat on my back on something that felt like a stretcher.
"…Major…hospital…now…stabilized…"
"He's…round…he's coming round!"
My vision was hazy when I managed to open my eyes slightly. The sun bore down on me. But I saw an outline.
The outline of my savior.
Then it all went black.
"Scott's coming round too now…"
I opened my eyes. To my surprise, I didn't see the sun. I didn't feel scorching heat. The surface I was lying on was more comfortable than the stretcher the Air Force used to carry me away from the danger zone into the helijet to go to the hospital.
Wait. I'm home. I'm in the sick room.
I must have been having another dream about what happened in the Middle East.
"Gee, that was sure a good sleep," I quipped as I sat up.
That was anything but the truth. The last thing I wanted to do was relive how I almost died and the torture I had to endure afterwards.
"Hello, son," Father greeted as he sat on Virgil's bed nearby, "How do you feel now?"
"Hey. What's with all this bedside manner stuff?" I demanded.
"You passed out in the test chamber," Indiana answered, waving a flashlight around my eyes, "Remember?"
The incident in the test chamber suddenly hit me. Brains had designed a new gas that was meant to cut through objects three times faster than a standard laser beam. If today's tests were successful, the gas would be included as part of the standard gear in all Thunderbird-related equipment.
I vaguely remember passing out.
"Oh yeah," I nodded, "That's right!"
"What happens now, Brains?" Father asked, turning to our resident scientist.
"Well, I've got to get back to the lab and start working on the oxyhydnite again," Brains answered.
"Hey! What about us?! Can't we get up?!" Virgil whined slightly.
"Indiana?" Father asked.
Suddenly, all eyes were on her.
"Well, today is a lovely day and some fresh air would do them some good. However, these two need to remember that they need to take it easy," Indiana responded, placing emphasis on her instruction for us to take it easy.
"Ana, it's us," Virgil stated dryly, "We're not Alan and Gordon."
Indiana murmured something that sounded like an agreement before saying, "You have been knocked out for a couple of hours. So if you feel dizzy when you first get up, don't be surprised. Just go slow when you get up so you don't get a head rush. And if you feel dizzy walking, stop for a few minutes and continue when you've recovered."
"Yes, Captain," I smirked.
"You're lucky you're injured, Major," Indiana grumbled.
Virgil seemed to be worse off than me. He needed Father, TinTin and Brains to help him up. Indiana was more than enough for me. But I still needed her to help me to the pool area.
"What exactly did happen?" I asked as Indiana helped me into a deck chair next to Virgil and near the pool.
"The gas entered your system," Indiana answered.
"How did that happen?" Virgil inquired, "Was it the gas masks?"
"That was actually the first question that came out of your dad's mouth when he came into the sick room," Indiana laughed before answering, "No. Brains and I checked the masks before the tests and after you two passed out. Your initial blood tests revealed that the gas entered through your skin pores. You shouldn't experience any side effects. The gas has since left your bodies."
I was reassured by Indiana's prognosis. She is one of the few doctors I would entrust with the lives of my family and myself. She knows what she's doing. Saving me in the Air Force proved that.
Both occasions she's saved me.
An hour or two later (I couldn't really tell), Alan came out to join us.
"How do you feel now, boys?" Alan inquired, "Mighty strange stuff, that gas of Brains'!"
"Yeah. He's working on it now. How I feel is I feel better than normal," I decreed.
"Yeah. Me too," Virgil immediately decreed, "Let's hope Brains irons out the snags. That new cutting power may be useful."
"Not if it's gonna knock you out each time you use it," Indiana retorted, "I stress out enough about you guys getting injured in dangerous situations. I don't want to have to worry about your own equipment potentially killing you."
"Say! TinTin's sure enjoying herself," Alan suddenly said, taking the first opportunity to walk away.
"If only we were so lucky," Virgil grumbled.
"I do know how to perform a colonoscopy, Virgil. Without a general anesthetic," Indiana pointed out.
I had never seen Virgil pale so quickly.
"When's John coming back?" Indiana asked.
"The sprout will start getting ready to go in an hour," I told her, "Then John comes back for a month."
"It'll be nice to have some intelligent conversation," Indiana sighed to herself, earning glares from Virgil and I.
I went to open my mouth to object to Indiana's comment and say that she could have an intelligent conversation with anybody on the island. Well…maybe not Alan or Gordon.
Then the alarm sounded. Great. An emergency call.
Just when things were peaceful.
"Well, someone's in trouble, Virgil," I remarked.
"Yeah. Let's join Dad and get the brief," Virgil decided as we stood up, "TinTin, Alan, Ana, you better come too."
"Be right there!" Alan called back as he went to help TinTin out of the pool.
We all headed back up into the main villa, wondering what it will be this time. Natural disaster. Manmade disaster. Freak accident unrelated to either disaster. Honestly, since we began operations, I've learned to expect anything and everything. Actually, I even expect a situation where they would later find out that they didn't need us.
This time wasn't the case of the latter. I knew before Dad began the briefing.
"How many of you have heard of the Thompson Tower?" Dad asked.
"That's opening today, isn't it?" Indiana asked.
"We've received an emergency call from the tower's control centre. The tower's on fire. We don't know if the fire was the result of an accident or act of arson. It's spreading fast and the firefighters can't control the blaze. Three people – a family – are trapped in one of the subbasement corridors and the fire's closed off any conventional means of rescuing them," Dad explained, "Better get other there right away, Scott. We won't know much more until we investigate."
"Will Ana be needed?" I inquired, "That family will certainly require medical treatment upon rescue. Who knows how long that fire has been going on before the control centre thought to place an emergency call with us."
"All ambulances are pre-stocked with oxygen tanks in the case of respiratory complications related to a fire. Same with fire trucks if an ambulance is unavailable," Indiana stated, "I doubt I'll be needed this time. Besides, you all know how to apply oxygen using the systems in the Thunderbird craft."
I could understand her reasoning. There are rescues where she is required and rescues where she isn't. Either Dad or Ana would gauge her requirement based on the situation we are heading to. Besides, if it does turn out that she's needed, she can hitch a ride with Virgil in Thunderbird 2.
Knowing that there wasn't more that needed to be discussed and we couldn't waste time, I immediately set off for Thunderbird 1.
When I prepared for takeoff, I couldn't help but realize something. Since International Rescue began operating, I've dealt with all kinds of rescues. However, this is the first time I have dealt with anything involving a fire. Well, that incident with the Sidewinder a few weeks ago could possibly count. However, I was inside the Mole. I didn't actually step into the crater. I didn't experience the intense heat.
It would be the first time I would be around an actual fire since I was shot down. Since I was nearly burned alive.
I looked at my navigator and saw that I was approaching the danger zone. Wait. When did that happen?
I must have zoned out again.
"International Rescue from Thunderbird 1. Approaching danger zone," I reported, trying to sound like I was focused the whole time.
"F.A.B, Scott. Virgil is 9.5 minutes behind you."
9.5 minutes? We couldn't afford any delays. We were cutting it close already. Between the time I arrive and Virgil arrived, the tower could collapse. The roof of those subbasement corridors could collapse under the weight of the tower and bury that family alive. That family could die of smoke inhalation before we can even launch a rescue.
"Tower Control Centre from Thunderbird 1. Coming in to land. I'll need some men to help with my equipment," I forewarned them so there would be no surprises when I arrived.
"Standing by. But how are you going to affect this rescue?"
"Leave that to us. Thunderbird 2 will be with you soon," I promised before radioing Virgil, "Thunderbird 2 from Thunderbird 1. I'm over the tower now and it doesn't look good. Can you cut down on arrival time?"
It was true. Practically the entire tower was ablaze. Debris was sprinkling from the tower as explosions occurred on different levels.
"I'm not sure, Scott. Depends on wind variations. I'll try."
I know Virgil will try. But we couldn't take any chances.
"Well, I'm going down now," I decreed, already guiding Thunderbird 1 into a controlled landing on a stretch of road that wasn't far from the tower.
I still made sure I landed at an appropriate distance where Thunderbird 1 wouldn't be struck with any debris in the event that the tower would collapse.
Taking a closer look at the situation, I think that the chances of the tower collapsing went from very likely to certain.
As promised, the men were there to meet me upon my arrival. They had a van with them that would be used to transport my equipment for Mobile Control. It wasn't much of a challenge. I just needed their help to get it out of Thunderbird 1 and into the van. The stairs leading from the hatch to the ground weren't the most ideal.
Note to self: talk to Brains about the stairs when I return from the rescue.
Not just for my sake. But for Indiana's. She tends to be clumsy at times. Despite that, she is very graceful.
When we arrived in the control centre, I got a full recap. Earlier, they had received an alarm concerning a fire that originated in the parking structure. All emergency systems weren't working and they sealed the corridors to prevent the fire from spreading. They hadn't known the family was in the corridor at the time as they didn't show up on the security cameras before they sealed the corridor. Afterwards, the cameras died along with all other electronic systems except for the lights.
However, the fire caught the tower when they couldn't seal the main vents. When the first alarm sounded, fire and rescue arrived on the scene but couldn't control the blaze. They were evacuated not long before they came out to meet me as the tower began exploding rubble in the area they were operating from.
Before me, I had a layout of the subbasement corridors of the Thompson Tower. They told me the corridor the family was trapped in and I immediately began thinking of a plan.
"Now these people are here in D-50," I began, pointing to that corridor before pointing to corridor C-17, which was the closest we could go, "Now we'll have to go down and enter through the corridors here. That's half a mile away."
The main controller, Matt, who was showing me the plans, said in despair, "The tower's coming down! It's finished!"
We looked out the window and saw large roaring flames had completely consumed the tower. The tower was stripped to its bare foundations. But even those were giving way. Before any of us could blink, the tower was nothing but a pile of rubble on the ground.
That raised the stakes. The ground is more vulnerable because of the fire. Eventually, the ground is going to give way under the weight of the rubble. Unless something was done quick, that family will be buried alive as the corridors caved in.
That is, again, if they didn't die of smoke inhalation first.
"Thunderbird 1 Control from Thunderbird 2. Approaching danger zone. Will be with you in five minutes."
"F.A.B, Virgil. The tower's down. It's sure gonna make our job tougher," I remarked before going quieter as I began explaining to Virgil my scheme, "Now, listen, Virgil. By the looks of things, we're gonna have to cut through a whole heap of steel fire doors."
"Guess Brains' new gas would have been ideal for that."
"Well, that's just the point," I began, knowing Virgil wasn't going to like this, "The way that I figure it, that gas is our only hope. There's no time, even for a laser beam."
"But that stuff's not safe! True! It only knocked us out on test! But prolonged exposure? It could be fatal!"
"But three people are gonna die if we don't chance it," I argued, "Now what do you say?"
"Well, the equipment's aboard. Brains put it into the pod after the tests…"
I honestly hope that Virgil would be eager to take the risk with the gas. Three lives were at risk. One of them was a child. A young boy who hadn't even lived yet. He should be playing Little League with his friends on a weekend. All his parents have to worry about is him getting a scrape on his knee from sliding into home base. They shouldn't have to worry about being burned alive. They shouldn't have to fight for every breath.
They shouldn't have to fight the way I had to fight.
"OK, Scott. I'm game. If people's lives depend on it, then we must risk not only our lives. But facing Ana when we return to base."
I nearly laughed at that.
"Good man," I complimented, "I'll check it out with father, Ana and Brains. They ought to know what we're planning."
"Sure thing. And good look."
I think I'll need it. But concerning who?
Father or Ana?
I didn't have to wait long to talk to base. Father answered as soon as I rang.
"Father," I sighed, "We're gonna have to use Brains' gas. It's our only hope."
"Are you certain there's no other way?"
"Yes, father," I nodded, "Those people will die for sure if we don't get to them fast."
"What do you think, Brains?"
He didn't have to ask the question. I already knew that Brains' answer would be.
"I don't like it. The gas masks are useless. They'll be completely unprotected."
I didn't have time to argue. I shouldn't even have to have this argument.
I made sure they knew my displeasure,
"The alternative is simple, Dad. Either we chance the gas or we take off and return to base. There's no point sitting around here waiting for that family it die."
"Ana, your call."
I held my breath. Indiana's decision was the biggest factor in our operation. Father could say all he wants. But as the commanding medical officer, if Indiana felt that this could compromise the safety of the victims or the rescue operatives, she had the right to override the Commander's decision.
"I don't necessarily like the idea. But we have other lives to consider. Three lives. Besides, we don't know what is going to happen in the condition Scott and Virgil will face once they're down there. There's only one way to find out. But I do have one condition, Scooter. You have to maintain radio contact throughout the rescue."
I could live with that. I was going to propose it anyway if it made her feel better.
"Perhaps small doses of the gas will be harmless."
"There'll be no time for an on-off operation, TinTin. It's all or nothing. OK, Scott. Be careful. Both of you."
I sighed in relief. WE could use the gas and Indiana and Father were OK with it. However, I don't know what they're going to say when I return to base afterwards.
Before long, Virgil had arrived at the danger zone. He'd be happy that I got the OK from Indiana (and survived) concerning the use of the oxyhydnite equipment. But there were some things that we had to do first before we could even go down to the subbasement.
"OK, Scott. What's the action?"
"Now listen, Virgil. We're gonna have to drill down to the corridor system in the Mole. Now the closest we can get to the folks is corridor C-17. But first, we're gonna have to clear the west section of that burning rubble," I told him.
"That's where we start drilling, is it?"
"That's right," I nodded, "Now there's a lot of soft rock there. So you better get the Firefly out of the pod and start clearing. I'll join you as soon as I can."
"OK, Scott. Will do."
"Oh! And Virgil?!" I called before he could disconnect the transmission between us.
"Yes?"
"Go carefully. That rubble is white hot," I warned.
I knew that from personal experience.
As I began thinking about that day, the scars on my side began to throb painfully. Being burned alive was something I wouldn't even wish on my worst enemy. Despite my better nature, I wouldn't even wish it on the people who caused the scarring on the first place.
I couldn't help but wonder, again, how that family down there was holding up. Certainly, the halls would be hotter with that intense heat directly above them. There would be more smoke filling the hall to the point they couldn't see each other.
I hoped that the gamble we were about to take was worth it. I hoped that it wasn't too late. I couldn't help but wonder.
Will we be rescuing a family or would we be delivering bodies for their funerals?
"Approaching fire area west, Scott."
"F.A.B," I acknowledged, going to stand up, "I'm going over to Thunderbird 2 now to prepare the Mole."
"Be seeing you."
"I have a test car waiting for you outside," Matt told me.
"Thanks," I nodded, grabbing the portable radio so I could talk to Virgil as I made my way to Thunderbird 2.
"Gosh the heat from that rubble is fantastic!"
"You think the Firefly can stand it?" I asked as I made my way outside the building.
"Well, we'll soon find out. Here goes."
It didn't take me long to find the car. It was a red convertible with the roof down rather than up. But I didn't care. It's still a mode of transport to get me to Thunderbird 2.
The keys were already in the ignition. So all I had to do was jump in and drive away.
That was exactly what I did.
"How's it going, Virgil?" I asked once I was a bit down the highway.
"Not so well. This rubble's difficult to dislodge. I'm gonna have to use the cannon."
"OK," I sighed, "But make it as fast as you can."
I was pressing the speed limit already. I began praying that there were no police cars further down the road waiting to write me a speeding ticket. I was also hoping that I didn't wear out the engine. But I didn't care. Right now, I have to get to Thunderbird 2.
I won't let that family suffer the same fate I did.
Before long, I was pulling up alongside Thunderbird 2. I barely remembered to remove the keys from the ignition before I jumped out of the car and ran up the ramp, nearly tripping up the stairs along the way.
I couldn't climb up into the Mole and get its engines running fast enough. Eventually, the engines were warmed up and the Mole was moving out of the pod.
"Are you ready yet, Virgil?" I asked anxiously.
"Yep. Nearly through, Scott."
"OK. I'm coming to join you right now," I replied.
I visibly relaxed in relief. Virgil having to use the cannon caused a slight delay. When I arrived, I knew that we couldn't afford to have any major delays. Clearing the rubble was a necessity. But we couldn't afford to have any problems there. Everything had to go right this time.
Virgil met me at the edge of the rubble that was once the Thompson Tower. The both of us came to a stop side-by-side. As soon as he came aboard, one of the first things Virgil did was ditch the heat suit. Very much like Indiana did on the Sidewinder rescue after planting the charges in the crater.
Instantly, I handed the steering over to Virgil.
"Right, Virgil. Proceed to drilling position," I instructed as he took the driver's seat.
"F.A.B," Virgil nodded.
I went over the plans one more time. We had to drill in the right position to get to the corridor we needed to get to.
Who knows what could happen if we began drilling in the wrong place?
Also, how will the Mole withstand the heat?
"This is it, Virgil!" I told him, causing Virgil to stop moving, "Take her down here. We'll be able to move down through the Earth to the corridors on the other side."
"Right. Here we go!" Virgil decreed.
The drilling engines came to life on the Mole as I returned to my seated position. I began feeling the tilt as I heard the teeth at the front of the Mole began to whir. The rocket engine on the rear of the Mole came to life and we began drilling through the Earth. The Mole immediately began shuddering around us as it did. The journey was going to be a short one. But it still felt like it was taking forever!
"What's the plan, Scott?" Virgil asked me.
"Well, we know that those folks are in corridor D-50 and the nearest corridor we can get through is C-17," I began telling him.
"Why the cutting gear, Scott?" Virgil inquired.
"All electronic systems have failed. We're have to cut through the steel fire doors," I clarified.
"That means we'll be working in the dark!" Virgil whined.
"No! The emergency power plant for the lights is in the control centre! That's one blessing!" I corrected before muttering, "About the only one."
We heard – and felt – even more rumbling as the Mole broke through the surface. Not only did the Mole have to cut through the Earth. It also have to cut through the concrete that was used to lay down the foundation for the Thompson Tower.
"OK! Let's get the gear!" I cried as we stood up.
We immediately grabbed the equipment that had been pre-loaded into the Mole. Gas masks. The cutting equipment. The hover bikes for faster transport.
Virgil and I were quick to attach the masks to our faces and load the cutting gear. Silently, we decided that I would lead the way. I had a better look at the plans than he had. So I knew the way to D-50 better.
We rounded many corners in the never-ending smoke-filled corridors. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was. But it was going to get worse the further we went in. That much I knew.
"Right," I said as we stopped in front of our first obstacle, "This is the first door. Now let's get busy with that cutting gear."
"Keep your fingers crossed," Virgil remarked as we climbed off the bikes, "These doors aren't as thick as the test door. So we may be lucky."
"Yeah," I agreed, "But there's more of them to go through."
Before long, the sound of the cutting equipment burning through the door met my ears. I decided that I should be the one to operate the cutting equipment. If this did end up having the adverse effect on us, it was better that it be me than him.
"Increase pressure to the cutters, Virgil!" I instructed to my younger brother, who was operating the equipment for me, "We're not gonna make it if we don't work faster."
When he increased the pressure, I immediately began noticing a difference. We were cutting through the door quicker and I knew we would be through soon.
"How do you feel?" Virgil inquired worriedly.
"Fine. But that doesn't mean a thing. We were OK last time," I pointed out.
"Yeah. We thought we were," Virgil retorted.
He was right. We felt fine during the tests. Then we woke up in the sick room.
Before long, the gap was cut and I kicked the door down.
"OK. That's number one," I decreed before climbing onto the bike, "Come on!"
We began speeding through the corridors again.
As we reached door number two and began drilling again, it was silent between us. There was no conversation. We didn't need conversation, really. Not when we had a job at hand.
Sweat drenched my body. The heat inside the corridor was unbearable!
Was this how Indiana felt when she was in the crater a few weeks ago?
"No effects yet, Virgil?" I panted, the heat affecting me more than I cared to admit.
"No," Virgil groaned, "But it's sure hot down here! Burning!"
The webbed scar on my side was beginning to react negatively to the intense heat. I squinted my eyes shut, trying to stop the flashbacks from hitting me full force.
Not now. Please. Not now. You can attack me later. But not now. Let me save this family first.
Let me get to safety.
I let out a shaky exhale as I kicked the door down. Surely, Indiana was listening. She was the one who insisted that we maintain continual radio contact after all. Surely, she knew what kind of pain this was causing. What would she do?
What could she do?
We sped through the final part of the corridor. We were so close now. We certainly weren't going to give up now. Everything is on the line now.
"This is it… The fire's reached us… We've finished…"
I recognized the voice. It was the voice of a man who was accepting defeat. Honestly, I didn't blame him for thinking this way. I don't think anybody would.
Especially someone like me who has been in the same position.
"Blanche! Tommy! There's someone cutting through the door! Someone's found us! We're saved!"
That gave Virgil and I hope. The man was alive. I didn't know about the wife and son. Were Blanche and Tommy alive? I hoped they were still breathing.
"This is the last one, Scott! We made it OK!" Virgil cheered as I neared the end.
"Yeah. But don't ask me how. Maybe Brains and Ana can supply the answer. They've been listening the whole time," I pointed out.
Ten…
We were closer now.
Nine…
I was just centimeters from the bottom.
Eight…
Virgil increased pressure to the cutting gear.
Seven…
The smoke filled the room even more, escaping through the gaps in the door.
Six…
I could still hear the father's elations of glee.
Five…
I nearly choked on the smoke.
Four…
I could hear the roof crumbling above me.
Three…
Just hold on for a few more seconds. Please.
Two…
"Stand back, Virgil!" I cried.
One.
I kicked the door down. Instantly, it gave way under the force. The smoke pelted at us as it suddenly had a way of escape.
"Come on, Virgil! Here they are!" I ushered as we raced in.
"Quick! My wife and kid! They're unconscious!" the man cried desperately.
"OK, fella," I reassured him before turning to Virgil, "Now let's get them out of here."
"And fast! The roof is starting to cave in!" Virgil observed.
I looked up and saw there was, indeed, a gap in the ceiling with rubble falling in. Virgil and I climbed onto our hover bikes and raced towards Blanche and Tommy. They were unconscious. Alive and breathing. But unresponsive.
It was decided between us that Virgil would take the father and his son while I took the wife. It didn't take me long to strap the wife in place over the cutting gear.
Virgil sped off with the guy – Joe, I learned his name was from his wife's muttering – and Tommy. I went to do the same.
Then I stalled. Well, I didn't. But the hover bike did.
I was pushing the weight limit on this thing. Then I would be pushing the speed.
No sooner than I managed to get it working, the ceiling behind us collapsed. It continued to do so in the corridors as we raced through.
It was as though we were racing a boulder that was chasing us. Trying to crush us to death.
We barely made it to the Mole in time.
Virgil, being the better trained medic out of the two of us (I really needed to rectify that), stayed with the family. He got them on oxygen tanks as I reversed the Mole out of the corridor.
I saw that the debris closed our hole as soon as we left. Talk about a close call.
"Virgil, are they…?" I trailed off, almost fearing the answer.
"Blanche and Tommy will be fine. Same with Joe."
I have never been happier on a rescue before.
"Hello? Can you hear me? Are you OK?!"
I recognized the voice as Matt from the control centre. He and his buddy, Graham, were watching the rescue from the centre. I think they are relieved.
"All present and alright. We made it just in time," I answered.
"What an organization. No one knows where they come from. But thank heavens they come. Yes sir!"
I had to smile at that.
It's been a few weeks since that rescue. We knew that there would be an inquiry into the disaster and I couldn't wait to hear about it.
"There's no doubt about it, guys," Indiana decreed, distracting me from my thoughts, "You two were saved by the heat in those corridors."
"The heat?!" I repeated in surprise and confusion, earning a nod from Indiana, "But how?"
"It must be a characteristic of the gas," Indiana shrugged, "The reason you passed out was because the gas filtered into your body by the pours and began attacking your blood cells. However, the heat in the corridors was high enough to make the gas evaporate."
"You mean the gas is dispelled by the heat so it doesn't have a chance to enter the body?" Father surmised.
"That's right," Brains nodded, "So the solution is simple. All we need to do in future is to use electrically-heated gas cylinders."
"Well, that's great. It could be introduced as standard gear in all Thunderbirds," I decreed.
"Yeah," Virgil nodded in agreement before saying, "Say, TinTin's quiet. What are you reading, honey?"
"Joe, Blanche and Tommy Carter were at the inquiry into the Thompson Tower disaster and they all looked fit and well. The fire, it was stated, was caused when a car crashed in the parking area. Once again, through these columns, we thank International Rescue for their invaluable help. Without them, the Carter family would have perished," TinTin read.
"Well, that's good," Father mused, "Kind of makes the job worthwhile."
"Just one thing, TinTin. You didn't say if the driver of that car was male or female," I pointed out.
"I was afraid you would ask me, Scott," TinTin sighed, "Yes, you guessed it. The driver was female."
I could have sworn I saw Indiana roll her eyes at TinTin's answer to my inquiry. The gender of the driver shouldn't matter. But it was an interesting question.
"I'm gonna go do inventory," Indiana sighed as she stood up and left the room.
"I'll help you," I decided as I raced after her.
I could have sworn I heard John and Virgil begin chatting about us.
"You didn't really come down here to do inventory, did you?" I asked as Indiana locked the door behind us once I came in.
It was meant to sound like a question. But it was really a statement. Mainly because of how well I liked t say I knew her.
"Nope," Indiana shook her head, "I wanted to talk to you alone. Out of earshot."
"I doubt we'll truly be out of earshot," I laughed slightly.
Especially since Gordon enjoyed eavesdropping on conversations.
"Well, this is the best we can do," Indiana sighed as she faced me, arms folded across her chest, "What happened down there?"
"What are you talking about?" I demanded.
"The Thompson Tower rescue," she clarified, "Don't think I haven't noticed how you're nightmares have gotten worse since you've come back."
I was hoping that the increasing nightmares would go unnoticed by Indiana. However, I doubted that anything would go unnoticed by her.
"I'm fine, Ana," I mumbled.
"Scott, that was the first fire rescue you've been on since we've started. Well…OK. The Sidewinder rescue kind of counts. But you never actually stepped in the crater. So that one was fine for you."
"Ana, I'm fine. The nightmares haven't affected my performance in the field," I pointed out.
"Yet," Indiana retorted, "But it's only a matter of time."
"A matter of time for what?!" I finally snapped, "For me to develop PTSD?! I don't have PTSD, Indiana! I didn't have it after the crash and the capture! And I never will! SO STOP WORRYING ABOUT ME!"
When I saw Indiana's eyes widen and her back away from me in fear, I knew. Something was wrong.
I've been having memories of what happened. I feel like it is still happening. The nightmares… I thought they were normal. I feel distressed when someone brings it up.
Who knows what other symptoms I have?
"There. There is my proof that something's wrong," Indiana said shakily, scarred by my outburst, "The entire time we've known each other, you've always called me Ana. You've never called me Indiana."
She was right. From the moment she introduced herself to me, I called her Ana. Even when I was distressed, I never called her by her full name. It was always Ana. Or Captain, because I'm the only one who can get away with calling her that.
But that one night, I called her Indi.
"Ana," I began gently.
"You need to get out of here," Indiana murmured, "You have to get away from here."
"From what?" I asked.
But I already knew the answer.
"You have to leave International Rescue."
I AM SO SORRY!
I was originally going to split this chapter into two parts. But I decided against it because of how long it's been since I've updated the story. So consider the long chapter my apology gift.
BYE!
