Part 21

"So where are these guy meeting us Johnny?" Scott asked as they all strapped into Thunderbird Two. They weren't wearing their uniforms, instead they were wearing the gear they usually had when going out hiking. John and Anthony though wore a little different type of gear. Scott had flown them back to their place so that they could get some clothes and stuff. When they got back John and Anthony went to John's room to change. Now they were dressed in army type gear, both having guns at their hips, one on the back, a knife strapped to the arm and belt with small grenades going from shoulder to hip.

"They are meeting us at a remote area between Whitefish Point and Vermilion", John replied calmly and looked at a small handheld computer that he'd gotten… somewhere. "Casper said that's where the informant told them our father is being held by the Hood."

"Can we really trust these people though?" Gordon asked. "I mean… about Thunderbird Two…"

"They know", Anthony said calmly and everyone but John stared at him. "Now before you point any accusing fingers just hear John out."

"Dropping this on me Anthony?" John asked with an amused grin. "You big baby."

"Shut up you are the only one who knows how they know."

John sighed and then chuckled.

"Okay it happened three years ago", he said.

Flashback

Alan was panicking. Someone had managed to hack into Thunderbird 5 while John was down on the island. This wasn't good. Sure Alan was a decent hacker but now he was in real trouble. So he decided to call John down at the island. John groaned in frustration and took the nearest laptop and started typing. His brothers and father watched him curiously.

While this was going on a figure dressed in all black was watching his own screen as it started doing strange things.

"What the hell?" he asked when the mouse started moving on its own. He smirked. "Oh no you don't." He typed a few keys and password locked the computer.

John sighed.

"I don't have time for this", he said and typed a few other keys and got through the password. He started moving files around.

"No chance", the shadowy figure said and typed away as well. Bringing up lots of information windows to try and confuse his opponent.

"Hm", John said as he was a little impressed. At what was going on, whoever this guy was he was good. He started closing down files and opening up other ones.

"And yet", the shadowy figure said and smirked as he started moving things around again for his opponent.

"You wanna play?" John asked and smirked as he continued typing. He was aware at his brothers watching him curiously.

"What is he doing over there", Scott asked.

"Do you really wanna know?" Virgil asked. Scott decided that no he didn't want to know.

"Oh no", the shadowy figure laughed. "You aren't seriously trying to backhack me?" He typed happily at the keys. It's been a long time since he had this much fun.

"Oh nicely played", John said and nodded, this guy was good. He smirked and started typing again.

"Oh this is just way too easy", the shadowy figure said.

"That's right", John said with a smirk. "Chase me."

"I thought you had skills", the shadowy figure smirked and kept hitting keys. "Wait…" Suddenly all the screens around him started turning black. "Oh boy…"

"Have fun getting out of the wormhole", John smirked and kept typing. "What the!?" the other hacker had managed to backtrack and had escaped his trap. "Oh now you've made me mad."

"This was a familiar trap", the shadowy figure said. "Way too familiar… wait."

"I am gonna trap him in a home in Siberia next", John muttered and then his eyes caught something on the screen. It takes a fool to remain sane. John stared at it and then his computer stared shutting down. "Oh no you don't!"

The shadowy figure smirked but then he found himself in another trap as his opponent appeared out of nowhere. His eyes widened when he saw the tag on the screen. Here's Johnny!

"Oh… now this sucks", he said and turned around to face the other two in the room. "We have a problem."

John looked at the screen, nothing was happening. He held his breathe, waiting and then a line appeared in a window. It was a line of "code". It said: "Okay Tracy I'll back off… for now. Next time I'll trap you in the light." John smirked.

"I'm looking forward to it Shade", the shadowy figure read and smirked before laughing. He left the room with his uncle and father. He may not have found the information they needed but he'd learnt something very interesting instead.

End flashback

"And that's how it happened", John finished. "Casper figured out it was me on the other side and I confirmed it. Now Casper is as reliable as any hacker."

"Not at all you mean?" Scott asked.

"I resent that but yes. His father on the other hand…"

"One thing you guys need to understand about Charles Shade and his team is that they are masters of distraction", Anthony said. "It's what they do, they call it their distract and conquer strategy. Charles lives to rile people up and is always super polite about it. Tyler is a bit more… physical and acts like a big dumb brute. Casper… Casper can be really entertaining and friendly. But watch your back because the guy is a total adrenaline junky and completely crazy."

"Crazy like psycho or crazy like… well crazy?" Gordon asked.

"He means psycho or Gordon", Virgil cut in and they shared a laugh. But before John or Anthony could answer a call came in. It was Lady Penelope.

"Good evening Penny", Scott said. "Can we help you with something?"

"I am sorry to inform you boys that some brutes got a hold of the imposter before I could", she said and sighed. "One of them was dressed in a sharp suit, his whole demeanor speaking of class and impeccable behavior. That is until his started talking."

"Penny", Scott tried but she went on as if she hadn't heard him.

"And then there was this brute of a man there as well, completely different from his friend but completely obnoxious."

"Penny", Virgil tried.

"And then there was this young man that seemed very sweet but he was very rude and acted like a child. He had some behavior problems like slouching and being rude in the mouth as well as grumpy but otherwise he was more pleasant than the other two."

"Penny", Gordon tried.

"The suit even threatened to shoot the boy that was his son come to think of it."

"Penny", Alan tried.

"I am really sorry but they managed to get the better of me. Hey were very good at distracting us. I am ashamed of admitting that while Parker and I having verbal battle with the suit clad man the other two managed to sneak away with the imposter."

"Penny", John tried.

"Hush John I'm talking", she said and John shook his head. "When we realized they were gone the other one disappeared as well and we tried to follow."

"My lady", Anthony tried.

"Shush wait your turn", she said. "We managed to track them to an airfield but they left in a helicopter. Hmph and they called me a bad spy due to my pink car. But a private helicopter isn't something that draws attention? What a hypocrite!"

"Lady Penelope!" everyone inside Two yelled.

"What?" she asked.

"Those guys aren't just anyone", John explained calmly. "They are NSA and they are frieeee…" he trailed off and looked at Anthony. "Exactly what are these people?"

"Oh I don't know", Anthony said. "You do battle with Casper whenever we meet while Ty and I have a blast about it and Charlie watches us with judgmental eyes."

"So that makes them what exactly?"

"Um… collegial-enemylike-acquaintances?"

"Oh yeah that cleared it up nicely", Gordon remarked dryly.

"Well we don't know what they are exactly", Anthony said. "We get along when we have to and have wars when we can't get along and aren't working together. John and Casper are great friends as long as none of them are anywhere near a computer. Tyler is a cool guy unless you don't have patience with his… his pretended stupidity and you can learn every language under the sun living or dead and you still can't figure out Charles! How do you explain that relationship?"

Everyone inside Thunderbird Two along with Parker and Penelope were quiet as they let Anthony's words sink in. Then Gordon turned to John.

"You guys know some really shady and weird people", he said.

"Yeah… yeah I know", John replied before turning back to Penny. "Thing is Lady Penelope that the three 'brutes' that you met owed me and Anthony a favor so we sent them out to capture the imposter."

"But that was my mission", Penny said.

"Yes I know but I am going to be quite honest with you. I didn't think you could handle it."

"What!?"

"The imposter looks like our father", John explained calmly. "And I know what you truly feel about him. You hate Anthony and I because we aren't straight so you wouldn't be too upset if the imposter got away. Now you are a great spy Lady Penelope but when it gets down to it you really aren't the lethal kind. You leave all fighting to Parker. And don't tell me it's because you are a lady. I know you can fight you just don't do it in the field. This imposter is also dangerous and without a moral code. He sent missiles to blow up a building filled with innocent people and was going to ignore the call for aid! If Alan hadn't gotten into the room I would be dead! You couldn't kill the man Penny but he would most likely kill you. I always liked you Penny and I really like Parker because he's all kinds of awesome and it would've hurt me a LOT to see you both dead. So I asked Anthony to send in… the deadlier kind of spies. Because I know those three can handle a little pain and that they could stop the imposter without feeling sorry about it or have second thoughts. Charles especially is a killing machine if someone even hurts a single hair on his son's head. So excuse me for wanting to make sure that a lady and a dear friend of mine were both safe."

His brothers stared at him, as did Penny and Parker. Anthony just looked amused. John crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat. Penny huffed and cut the connection with Thunderbird Two. John groaned but Anthony just chuckled and wrapped an arm around him.

"That's been a long time coming hasn't it?" he asked.

"She makes me so mad sometimes…" John grumbled.

"To be fair Johnny… you kind of insulted her", Gordon said. "I mean by sending those others after the imposter because you doubted her skill, then you tell her about the reasons why you did and practically called her a hemophobe."

"Homophobe Gordy", Scott corrected.

"No I think it's hemophobe, she's afraid of bleeding. Why else would she only fight in controlled forms where she can't start bleeding? But she is a homophobe too and that was my next point."

"Well she is", John cut in. "You wrote that to me in a letter… all of you that wrote that is. Can we drop the subject now please?"

"Of course Johnny", Scott said and patted his back gently. He looked John and Anthony over. "um Johnny I meant to ask you this before… but why are you guys armed?"

But before John could reply Virgil announced that they were there.

They landed in the forest. Virgil had found a small valley where Thunderbird Two would be hidden from view if you were on any road through the area. After they left the huge machine Virgil activated Brains' knew cloaking device and the ship was invisible. John cocked an eyebrow because he didn't know it could to that. Virgil patted his shoulder and they started walking through the dark forest. John and Anthony pulled their guns as soon as they walked out among the trees. Scott felt a bit unnerved seeing his younger brother move through the darkness like a soldier. He was used seeing Anthony doing it since their time in the Air Force. But John? It was unnerving. And judged by the looks on Virgil, Gordon and Alan's faces they were feeling the same. John was the calmest of the brothers and seeing him moving around with a gun made them realize how much they had missed of their brother's life these past two years.

John had similar feelings. He had no idea what IR's technology could do anymore or what new abilities his brothers had acquired. He sighed and kept sneaking from tree to tree. The reason he and Anthony were armed was the fact that Tyler Shade was good at his job, which meant he sometimes shot first and asked later. But if you could catch him before he shot you… that meant you were safe. The only problem was that Charles Shade was fantastic at his job and was bound to make sure they walked into a trap. And if they walked into a trap designed Charles Shade… that could mean anything. They could be forced to give up some important information, they could be forced to take part in some life threatening mission or it could mean only God knows what. John and Anthony weren't going to give Charles that pleasure. John and Virgil used to watch an old TV-show when they were still teenagers. It was called Sherlock and was, for the era, modern day Sherlock Holmes story. John had watched a few episodes recently and had realized that Charles Shade could be described as the love child of Sherlock and Moriarty… had one of them been a woman. He shuddered thinking what the world would've been like if Charles was on the same side as the Hood.

John moved to a thick tree and was about to peer around it when a gun went off. He twirled around and aimed at Tyler's temple before Tyler could fire. But in turn Charles had his gun at John's head. All three kept an eye on each other… and the reason a gun had gone off. Anthony was trying to get Casper off of his back. The youngest Shade had jumped down from a tree and grabbed Anthony around the neck, trying to throw him down. The only problem was that Anthony was twice his size. So now they were in a strange wrestling match.

"Hello there John", Charles greeted coldly. John took his eyes off of Tyler for only a second… and the older man tripped him. John hit the ground on his back and Tyler stood above him.

"John!" Scott exclaimed and hurried over with the other Tracy brothers. Virgil grabbed a big branch and swung at Tyler's head. Tyler ducked and Virgil felt someone grab his shoulders from behind and he was pushed face first into a tree trunk.

"Virgil!" Gordon exclaimed but suddenly found that the grass was where the sky was supposed to be. He had walked into a snare and was now dangling upside down. Alan found a gun aiming at his head and Scott suddenly had a sword tip to the neck.

"Charles!" John barked and got up. Charles was the one trapping Virgil while Tyler had the others.

"Dad!" Casper objected and kicked in the grip Anthony had him in. Anthony had one arm around his neck, making sure it was the crook of his elbow that was over the neck. The other he had around Casper's waist, trapping his arms. He had also lifted Casper off of the ground. Charles looked at his son and then the trapped Tracys. John got up and aimed his gun at Charles.

"Looks like we are at a stalemate", Charles said indifferently.

"How are we at stalemate", Tyler asked. "We go… one, two, three, four of them trapped and they got one of us!"

"Yes as of the moment we have 4/6 of their team caught and they 2/3 of ours."

"2/3 what are you…. Oh Johnny has his gun at your head again."

"Yes."

"Fine", Tyler said and put his weapons away, but not before cutting the rope that trapped Gordon. John dove forward and caught his brother before he hit the ground head first. Which resulted in them both falling to the ground. Charles let Scott go and Anthony dropped Casper. As soon as Casper took ground he ran over and pulled John up. Then he hugged him tightly.

"Hi Johnny!" he said. "Did you like our welcoming committee?"

"I didn't", Gordon grunted and rubbed his knees. They hurt from the hard yanking.

"Oh I'm sorry but we weren't sure you were the enemies or the enemies", Casper said happily.

"What?" Alan asked confused.

"We didn't know which enemy was approaching."

"Johnny your friend is a whack job", Gordon whispered to John who was still trapped in Casper's embrace.

"No he's not… he's… eccentric."

"Isn't that the same thing?"

"Enough", Charles said. "Casper go get the subject."

"Yes sir", Casper said and hurried out in the night and disappeared from sight.

"John, Antonio", Charles continued. "We have determined that the enemy base is on an island off the coast. The enemy is involved in a secret organization that are aided in their missions by technologically advanced vehicles used for land, sea, air and space missions. They are called into service when conventional methods prove ineffective. The most important of these are five machines. Their first response plane and its pilot is first on the scene. Their auxiliary equipment transporter is piloted by their Demolition, heavy lifting and Logistics expert. Their first astronaut is in charge of their space rocket. They have a Mini-Submarine for underwater missions as well as reconnaissance. She is piloted by an aquanaut. Lastly is their communications and logistics satellite hub, manned by their space command communicator and dispatcher. During their missions they are aided but an engineer, Head of Security and Commander in Chief as well as his mother. The organization also enlists the help of an English aristocrat and her chauffeur. They rely on her for when a mission requires criminal investigation and espionage missions."

"Wow that is quite impressive", Scott said.

"Nice try Charles", John said and crossed his arms. "Now the real information please."

"John he just gave us the information."

"Scott… he was describing International Rescue", Anthony said. "Are you done showing off Shade or should we take our business somewhere else?" Charles just looked at him.

"The Hood has an underwater base just off the coast not a 100 meters from here", he said. "You can gain access to the base from a cave to the north. There are vents in there that should be the route you decide to take. The is actually an old nave fort that has been abandoned since before 1945. The only reason it hasn't flooded are the pumps in the backrooms. So you should get Jefferson Trace and get out within three hours. The pumps have been updated with computers and a bug that will shut the pumps off will make the place flood slowly the first 2 hours and 50 minutes. Then you need to be out. The time starts ticking down in six minutes. The Hood is not alone he has 5 living men still in his service and 10 pieces of men all over the place. He is not expecting you."

"There is also a fire starting in half an hour in the main storage room", Casper said and Alan jumped sky high. He hadn't noticed the young man returning. He just appeared at Alan's side.

"Where is the intruder?" Anthony asked him.

"He lost his head so I thought of just bringing that with me but it felt a little vulgar wouldn't you say?" All eyes turned to Tyler who was sharpening his sword.

"He pissed me off", Tyler said indifferently. John shook his head and turned to Charles again but he was gone. He rolled his eyes and turned to where Tyler was but now the other man was gone. He groaned and pinched his nose.

"Casper if you are standing right behind me I will kick you in the nuts", he said. He felt an arm around his shoulders.

"Nah you love me too much", Casper said and then grabbed John's hand. "This way Johnny. Let's have some fun!"

" Define fun", John said dryly but let Casper drag him along.

TBC Hm akl110998233 said to have picked up on my hint but never said what the hint was. I give you a second chance before tattling in next chapter.

The little scene where Casper finds out John is part of IR I borrowed most parts of from my fav crime TV-show Criminal Minds.