The Hood took a small box with a button on it from his pocket.
The poison is still in a capsule. He said. But when I push this button, the poison will be released into the body so that I can take over his mind. Let's count down from five to one shall we?
Jeff panicked when he heard The Hood started the countdown. One of his sons was about to get poisoned and there was nothing he could do!
Five, Four, Three, Two…One. The Hood pushed the button as soon as he said one.
For a few seconds it was quiet in the office. Suddenly John began to scream, grabbed his head with both hands and fell on his knees.
John! All his brothers and his father screamed.
The Hood started to laugh again.
Stand up John! He commanded. Come stand next to me.
Scott couldn't believe his eyes when he saw his brother obey.
But how...? Alan asked. I was with him on Thunderbird 5…
The crash, that was you wasn't it! Virgill screamed.
You really are a clever family. The Hood said. Too bad I have to get rid of you.
John, take the gun.
John walked to the guard and took the pistol from him.
Now shoot a Tracy. The Hood said. You can pick who ever you want to go first, make sure you kill them all. Meanwhile, I am going to investigate my new Thunderbirds.
The Hood and his guards walked out of the office. Now it was only Brains and the Tracy family.
John stood a few meters away and was aiming at Scott. His eyes were looking drowsy. Jeff slowly stood up and joined the four boys.
John, can you hear me? Scott asked. It's me, your big bro…
Scenes were flashing through Johns mind. He could vaguely see his family in front of him and the pistol in his hand, but the scenes were the clearest.
He looked at his thumb. It was a bit blue and it hurt. This was the result of making Scott angry during a game of baseball.
Mom, does my thumb has to be operated? he asked. Of course not honey. Mom said. Who told you that? Virgill did. He said shaky.
I heard that even Scott, Virgill and Gordon are ashamed of him.
I bet even his baby brother Alan will be stronger than him.
Dad says Scott is the last one she had spoken before she had that accident…
The pistol in Johns hand was shaking. The order that The Hood had given to him repeated itself in his mind. Shoot a Tracy. That didn't sound too bad…
A shot sounded, followed by the sound of a body falling on the ground. The five other Tracy's ran to John. He had shot himself in his leg.
John are you alright? Gordon asked.
Get away…John panted. Before the poison gets stronger…
I'm not leaving you here! Alan said mad.
For god sake, go! John shouted.
We have no choice boys. Jeff said. We have to stop The Hood. Brains, open the tunnels.
R..r…right away sir. Brains said.
Come with us. Jeff said.
W…what? Brains asked.
Come with us otherwise John might kill you. Jeff said.
Brains hurried to Gordon's tunnel, which was most in his reach after he opened the tunnels, leaving John by himself.
John stood up and went to his room. His plan was to lock himself up. His leg was bleeding heavily, but John tried to ignore it. He was halfway in the office when suddenly he got pain in his head again and he fell on the ground.
Kill the Tracy family, now! The Hoods voice sounded.
John had the feeling he lost control about his own body.
No! He thought. Their my family…
Despite how hard he tried to fight, his legs were bringing him to the lab, where The Hood, Brains and his family were also.
Apparently it took some time for the poison to give the full effect. The Hood said. But I'm sure it will by now. Here you go John.
The Hood tossed a second pistol and John caught it.
This time I'll tell you who to kill, understood? The Hood asked.
John slowly nodded. Suddenly Alan got an idea.
Before you kill us…He said to The Hood. I want to hear your name one more time.
Why? The Hood asked.
Don't we usually get a last wish? Scott asked.
He knew what Alan's plan was.
The Hood rolled his eyes.
Fine then. He said. My name is The Hood.
A shot sounded and The Hood screamed of pain. John had shot him in his hand. The Tracy's immediately responded and covered The Hoods mouth. Virgill investigated his pockets and found a little glass with some kind of fluid in it.
This must be the medicine! He said.
Virgill ran to John and forced him to swallow the fluid. A few moments later, John fainted.