Thunderbirds Are Go!

The Further Adventures

By Lee Homer

Disclaimer: All rights reserved. Set in the near future of 2067, this story collects a series of one-shot adventures told by the Tracy family.

A Cruise to Remember

by Scott Tracy and Kayo Kyrano.

With a little help from a dear friend :) Thanks, Elle xx

Scott

There are only two words that come to mind when you plan a family vacation. Let's go. This was the first vacation in a long time and we were going to enjoy it. Kayo had booked the four of us a cruise in the Mediterranean. It was just out of season. A perfect time really. It meant that we could relax and enjoy the sights without drawing too much attention to ourselves. As she was the one who bought the tickets, Kayo got to choose who went with her on this cruise. She picked John in an attempt to get him to socialise, Virgil because he needed to part with his piano and green lady and myself because I was running myself ragged with International Rescue. I had been previously diagnosed with a stress disorder which was worrying everyone so Kayo decided that this trip away would be what I needed.

We were going to sail aboard the newly commissioned S.S Valentina, an atomic cruise liner which went back to its old traditions of using a crew over automated computers. It all sounded exciting. John displayed his usual array of nerves and groans. He still hadn't managed to get used to the social world since his rescue at the Navy Day fundraiser, but he had Virgil to lean on. I found it hard though because it meant spending time with a woman who I once had been in love with. I never really mentioned this much in recent years, but three years ago, Kayo and I were... well... we were together. We were infatuated with each other at one point but the stresses of International Rescue were putting a strain on the relationship. We broke up last year which was a mutual decision but a tough one none the less. I had been seeing other women since then but nothing ever really took off. That's just the way it is I suppose. Despite my feelings for Kayo that I think will never truly die, I had to recognise the fact that it all happened for a reason. She was still apart of my family. I just had to get on with it.

Anyway, Before we left for the port, Virgil and I had appointed Alan and Gordon with piloting Thunderbird Two. They had both trained to fly her in the even that Virgil was away. I knew that they were going to do a great job despite the fact that I hoped they would come with us too. We boarded our jet and set off for England where Valentina was waiting for us. John moaned the whole way there. Lucky us.

"You know, I ought to eject right now. You should have taken Gordon with you instead." He huffed. "This is torture."

"No this is a good chance for you to get away from it all." Kayo corrected him. "Did you seriously think that you could get away from Penelope without her telling me? You need to stop running from people, John. It's not good for a guy your age."

"She's right." Virgil agreed. "Besides, you might get to meet some like-minded people onboard. Perhaps even a girl?"

"No, that's the reason why you're going." John countered. "I watched you pack Gordon's book of pick up lines."

"That's not true." Virgil denied. "I'm just going for the classical bar that's onboard. You know, for the music."

John smirked. "You mean for the women who love piano music."

"Okay, you two that's enough," I said, speaking up. "Virgil, you won't spend all of your time in the bar and John, all we ask of you is to enjoy your time on Earth for once. We're going to be at sea for two weeks so can get adjusted to it properly. Kayo thought of you two because you work harder than the others. Just remember that."

"Fine." They both groaned.

Kayo looked over at me and whispered with a smile. "Thank you."

"Thank you, for including me," I replied with the same expression.

A few hours later, we boarded the ship and made our way towards our rooms. As we toured the ship, I couldn't help but be impressed with its design. My cabin was spacious enough with a double bed and a balcony which overlooked the ocean. Virgil's room was to the left of me and John's was to my right. As I began to unpack, I could hear an argument outside my room. Suddenly, there was a knock on my door. A frustrated Kayo stood on the other side of the door. Her hand clutched onto her suitcase.

"So guess what!" She growled. "They only gave my room away to someone else!"

"What?"

"Yep. They completely messed up the booking which means that I now don't have a room," she explained. "We haven't even set off yet and already this vacation has gone wrong."

I had a thought there and then. "Then you're sharing with me."

"what?" she said taken back slightly by my proposal. "Scott, I don't want to impose."

"I know what you thinking. Won't it be weird if we shared a room? Look I have a double bed here and if it means that you get a room for the next two weeks then I'd rather you share it with me or whatever. We'll work something out."

"Really? Thank you, thank you, thank you." She said as she pulled me in for a hug. "You're the best."

"I'll take the couch," I said as she wheeled her case inside. "It'll be easier."

Kayo reached out and grabbed my hand. "I understand how you feel, Scott. I do honestly. I know how this might feel weird because you know... it's us, but I want you to know that I do appreciate this. How about I go and unpack and then afterwards, I'll buy you a drink to say thank you?"

"Sounds like an idea to me." I smiled.

I left her to unpack and went to John's room to see if he was settling in alright. Virgil had already made his way to the bar to see if he could borrow a piano. I guess he was feeling more homesick than I thought.

Kayo

Later that evening, the ship left port and headed for the ocean. I kept to my word about taking Scott out for a drink so we went for an explore around the deck. We came to the first bar we saw that was on the promenade deck. It was a classy place. It wasn't overly busy but provided a cosy setting. We sat up at the bar, waiting for our drinks when I noticed a look of worry in Scott's eyes.

"What's wrong?" I asked him. "You've been unsettled all afternoon?"

His eyes then looked down at the bar. "It's nothing. I'm fine. I just get a little sea sick I think."

"You've never been seasick in your life," I replied unimpressed. "If it's about the room business then I'll see if Virgil will put me up."

Scott drummed his fingers on the bar as the waiter arrived with our drinks.

"It's not about the room." He said. "It's just... I've been keeping something from you because I didn't want to... you know... open up old wounds."

I raised an eyebrow. "Well, now I'm intrigued."

He sighed as he took a swig of his beer. "Kayo look, before coming on this trip I was diagnosed with that stress disorder thing. I said that it was all because leading International Rescue was getting on top of me. Well, as that so happens that's not quite true. There's something else that has been eating me up inside for a long time."

I gently stroked his hand. "Don't tell me. I think I already know."

"I still need to say it out loud." He continued. "I can't stop thinking about you. All those failed dates, all those times I've said I was stressed because of work all those GDF business trips I took. I did it because I was running away from the fact that we were never going to be together again. Thing is now that we're on a cruise ship together sharing a room, it all just feels too real. "

"Scott, you are an idiot keeping this from me. I always knew that you were still in love with me." I said as I placed my feelings on the table. "I've... kind of been feeling the same way lately."

He lifted his eyes to meet mine. "You have?"

"Sure I have. I think we just needed time to re-evaluate things which were why we broke up, but it's been three years and I think it's clear that we just can't be apart. Maybe this vacation might be what we need to rekindle things. I just don't want us to rush anything you know?"

Scott raised his glass. "Well, I can drink to that. Here's to... our possible future?"

"To our possible future."

Suddenly, A huge explosion rocked the ship, throwing us from our seats. People screamed as the windows shattered. The power went out, plunging the room into darkness. Scott checked me over for any cuts and bruises but I was alright. He leapt up to his feet and started to assist the other passengers. The emergency generators then kicked in, flicking the lights back on. The whole room was a mess.

"That came from inside the ship." He said. "We've got to find the others and find out what is going on."

"FAB." I agreed. "I think I saw John and Virgil head for the Jazz bar on the upper deck."

We left the bar and hurried along the deck towards the jazz bar. The whole ship had descended into fear and confusion. Nobody knew what was going on. As we made it up the stairs towards the upper deck, we found Virgil and John. They both looked dazed and confused as to what had just happened. As we all tried to gather our wits about us, we were completely unaware that a disaster was about to unfold right beneath our feet.

To Be Continued.