John hoped that the Hood hadn't remembered his portrait on Tracy Island when he invaded it - or at least suspect that he might be another brother.

He took a deep breath and let it out before he said his next sentence.

"What makes you think I can access International Rescue's Thunderbirds," he said, lying smoothly as he fiddled with his watch.

The Hood smiled. "Easy - you work with the Tracys, same with Lady Penelope," he said sinisterly. "Surely they have given you access to fly them as well?"

Penelope shook her head. "No Hood - they haven't. I would think you of all people would notice that little detail," she said.

"Even if they did, I'm in no condition to fly them. I'm still suffering some dizziness from being chloroformed," said John. That was at least somewhat true - he didn't have to add it was infrequent now.

The Hood studied the man, who did sway as he stood, and frowned. "Yes, it would appear I made an error there," he admitted, then shrugged. "No matter - you will enter in here and be my hostages to force International Rescue to comply with my demands, or else..."

"How do we know you won't gas us too," said John.

"You don't... but, I need help collecting the jewelry and other valuables from these fools. I'll certainly appreciate their 'charity'," said the villain. "But if you need further 'persuasion'..."

The Hood then pulled Gordon's head roughly by his hair. John inwardly winced seeing his brother not even flinch.

The criminal pulled out a stun baton, and turned it up to full power. Putting the device less than an inch from the aquanaut's throat, the Hood's eyes narrowed. "So your choice - give up now or they die - starting with this one."

Penny, Parker and John realized at that moment the criminal he wasn't bluffing. He would genuinely further harm or kill Scott, Virgil and Gordon. "Give us a moment," said John.

"You have 20 seconds, out of respect for Lady Penelope," sneered the Hood. "We would want her to be prepared if you chose the wrong answer."

John turned to look at the others and frowned. "We don't have much choice. I don't know how long Scott, Virgil and Gordon will remain under, and I can't call EOS or Alan to find out without him knowing who I really am," he said quietly. "We can work out something as we do what he asks."

Penny and Parker glanced at each other, as thoughsilently working out their own plan as well. "Understood John," said Penny as Parker gave a curt nod.

The astronaut, seeing they were in agreement on both sides, turned to the Hood. "Fine - we surrender," said John.

The Hood chuckled as he turned off and pocketed the weapon. He let Gordon's head drop and watched as it bounced slightly off the floor.

The Hood checked his watch and removed his mask. "The air is now clear for you to enter. No tricks, or I will be more than happy to knock you out as well...," he said then smirked, patting the pocket. "Or give your friends more than a 'nap'."

John narrowed his eyes at the casualness of the threat, but did exactly as ordered. Penny and Parker followed, with Sherbert in tow.

The banquet room was eerily quiet as they stepped inside. All the guests were either slumped in their chairs or on the ground, dead to the world as the slept off the gas.

John felt a buzz at his wrist and looked as though to check the time. He saw a text from EOS.

*John, the guests are all anesthetized, but vitals are stable,* it read.

The astronaut gave a slight smile in relief, making the Hood glower. "Something funny boy," he said. "Start collecting."

John shook his head. "Nothing is funny about this," he muttered, as he started doing what he was asked.

Parker went and unfastened a diamond and emerald bracelet from a woman's wrist as John lifted a man's wallet from the inside of his tuxedo jacket. "I hate this," said Parker. "Sure in me younger days I did mischief, but worst I harmed was a bunch of windows an' a couple of safes. Different when it's people - I've only 'armed one once."

The astronaut frowned. He knew about Parker's past, but was surprised at the admission. "You actually assaulted someone?" he said.

"I had no choice - in fact, I was asked to."

"Asked to - or ordered to?" said John.

Parker realizing what he meant, shook his head. "No, not exactly a hit John. Even in those days, me 'friends' in that business knew not to even ask," he said. Seeing John's confusion, he continued. "It was in me early days working with Penelope after she became an agent. We 'ad to test the defenses of a bank, and... well, they wanted it to be as real as possible."

"As in you were really a thief again, therefore, no holds barred," John said, quirking an eyebrow.

"Yes. I subdued the guard on duty with a touch of chloroform," he said. Seeing John's deep frown in memory of his own attack, he put his hands up. "Oh 'e knew he was going to be attacked at some point, but it didn't make it easier puttin' his lights out. Made sure I was at 'is side when he came to so I could apologize."

The astronaut rubbed his neck, uncomfortable at the story. "Remind me to not volunteer for any of Penelope's ideas that require you to go relive your youth," he said.

The chauffeur shook his head, and crossed his heart. "H'I promise, even told her H'I'd never do it again," then smirked. "Well, then again, H'I will gladly make an exception for the 'Ood 'ere when I get the chance."

"You will Parker, and count me in for stuffing him in a fireplace afterward," vowed the younger man, wanting to do the same. Their eyes met in silent agreement.

The Hood however, grew antsy. "The gas will not last forever, hurry up," he said grabbing a bag for his captives to dump the stolen goods into.

Penny, Parker and John brought the collected items to the thief, putting them in the bag.

The Hood hefted the bag in his hands and smiled. "Good, and now Lady Penelope, I believe you owe me some money - with interest?" he said, producing a digital pad.

"If you insist," said Penny coldly. She subtly rolled her eyes and pressed her thumb to the device. The Hood didn't know that - as a precaution, the bank would no longer accept thumbprint transfers only of her accounts. They required several other biometric authorizations. No one - not even Parker, knew about this extra layer of protection.

The Hood smiled as he pocked the device and turned to John. "Now, you might not be able to fly the Thunderbirds, but you will now carry Scott Tracy and his brothers to Lady Penelope's limo," he said.

"Why?"

"Because I'd like to have them near their Thunderbird to make the handover much easier once they come to," said the Hood. "Now, do what I said."

John narrowed his eyes in disgust and started to walk over to his senseless brothers. As he reached Scott's motionless form, he did a glance over to make sure he could safely move his brother.

Then, he noticed a detail - or lack of - at Scott's waist. 'Wait a second,' he thought, and took a closer look at his brother. There was something odd in the way his hands lay near his face as well.

That's when he realized what EOS actually said in her text.

'She just said guests.' he thought. Knowing that EOS was always specifically named his brothers and listed their injuries if needed, but hadn't this time, gently moved his older brother's arm slightly.

He grinned at the sight - and at the subtle 'flinch' of Scott's eyelids.

"Hurry up!" barked the Hood as John rolled Scott onto his back and started to pull him up to lift him into a fireman's carry.

"I am - I have to be careful Hood, I don't know how the gas affects them. You don't want them to choke and die do you," he balked.

The Hood for his part realized the issue and nodded reluctantly. "Just hurry - I don't know how long this gas will last."

John carefully picked up his brother across his shoulders and turning, gave a wink to Parker before glancing at Scott's head.

Parker realizing what John was trying to say, smiled. "Yeah - you would be careless there 'Ood. Druggin' folk without a care about 'ow they feel. Why don't you find out?" he said, throwing a bowl of cherries jubilee at the villain.

"How?" the Hood turned around at the threat, facing the ex-thief. He was then hit in the chest with the gooey dessert, and growled. "I can easily make you feel what they feel thief..."

"Drop it Hood. It's over," said a new voice, stopping the criminal in his tracks.

The Hood stopped mid-stride, his eyes widening at the familiar voice. "No, it can't be..." he said and turned.

To his surprise and horror - Scott Tracy was standing up beside "the spy," fists balled and glaring.

Virgil was kneeling next to Gordon, who still lay motionless, checking his vitals. Seeing John's worried look, the medic nodded. "He's all right - he must've gotten a lungful of the gas before he could completely put his gas mask on," he said.

The villain however was still in shock at the change in plan. "That's i-impossible - you ... you should both still be unconscious," stammered the Hood as he backed up.

Scott smirked and lifted his hand. "Maybe - but amazing little gadget here - a gas mask in the cummerbund," he said. "We held our breath until we could put them on."

"I thought you didn't care for weapons," said the villain darkly.

"That is actually a defense Hood, and with you around, it's best to be prepared," said Scott. "Give it up, you're outnumbered."

The Hood looked around at the scene before him, and grinned. "I don't think so Scott Tracy... I am always prepared."

Seeing the man reach into the pocket with the stun baton, Parker grabbed the Hood's wrist. He deftly pulled the man's hand out of his pocket, grabbing the item. "H'I'll take that," said Parker, swiftly throwing it across the banquet hall. It collided with a wall, shattering.

"It'll take more than that to stop me," said the Hood as his right eye shimmered.

Scott and John looked at the man, confused at what they were seeing. Before they could ask however they heard a yelp from Virgil as he was thrown across the room in a judo flip. He landed hard, moaning as he rolled to his side.

"What the..." started Scott and hearing movement, turned back to where his brother lay. The pilot smiled when he saw Gordon stand up and look at them. "Gordon, how -"

Gordon's eyes narrowed as he backhanded his brother. Scott stepped back in surprise, putting a hand to his face. "What was that for?" said the eldest.

The astronaut looked closely at Gordon's eyes. They were still the same warm, cinnamon color, but had a shard of ice in them.

Scenes of his kidnapping flashed in his head, including the last few moments before he slipped under the Citaloxatine's influence.

When he saw the eyes of his attacker.

The comparison then clicked in John's head.

"No..." he said, to Scott's surprise.

Scott put a hand on John's shoulder. "What is it John?" he asked.

"It was him -"

"Who?"

John pointed. "He attacked and drugged me."

The other two brothers, Penny's and Parker's eyes widened, and they too looked at who he was pointing toward.

Gordon stood there, eerily still as a statue. His eyes were still blank and cold, and combined with their aquanaut brother's behavior just now, it made sense.

"It can't be..." muttered Scott.

The Hood smirked. "Yes, Scott - I always have an ace up my sleeve," he said. "I have your brother under my control."