Thanks for sharing

Jeff entered the kitchen and was greeted by Kyrano who handed him a cup of coffee,

"Good morning Mr Tracy, you sleep well?"

"Well, no not really Kyrano, but I am sure a sight happier then I was"

Jeff glared at Virgil, after concluding whilst walking down the corridors, that his middle son was the real blame for everything that had happened. The look soon warmed off when he noticed that there were three plates of food still intact. He looked around, deciding on who was the kind sole that had actually left him something this morning,

"Does one of you want something from me? You boys never leave food lying around, what's going on?""

Virgil perked up, looking happier than he had done in previous days.

"I did dad, I thought you would like something to eat, because my goons, who I call my brothers tend to eat everything insight, so I saved yours, Alan and Tin-Tin's breakfast"

"Thank you Virgil, I really appreciate it, plus I was hoping for something to eat, I'm hungry!"

The whole table felt slightly on edge when Virgil answered their father's question, but all snickered when they heard the father's announcement, more commonly heard from Gordon. All the Tracy sons minus Alan sat and talked about the lack of missions, and were discussing why nothing much had happened. Jeff took a sip from his morning coffee and then intervened in his son's bickering,

"Boys, I do have an answer to all your questions, but mine first, and it is if you are all willing to listen?"

"What do you mean dad? You do know we are talking about there being no missions?"

"Yes I do Scott, I haven't lost it yet! I'm surprised John hasn't said anything yet..."

Jeff took another sip of his coffee and looked at the morning paper, and flicked through the first few pages. Scott, Virgil and Gordon all looked at John, who had a mouth full of cornflakes and questioned,

"What you all looking at, have I done something? "Gulp""

John swallowed not sure what was going on, he had been oblivious to the conversation; he was too fixated on his breakfast.

"Dad says you know something we don't, something about the missions that we haven't been receiving?"

Scott crossed his arms, feeling more over powering and rocked slightly forward on his chair, wanting to hear every word. Since there had been no missions, Scott had felt useless and spent most of his time just wondering the villa and island. He and his brother's were going to get their answer,

"Oww, did dad not tell you? I made sure before coming back down, to turn off all our systems and radio out that we are out of service for the next week, why do you think I'm still down here?"

Scott, Virgil and Gordon's mouth's dropped when John casual carried on eating and thought nothing more of the situation. Why had no one told them this? They could have all taken a holiday somewhere, or relaxed knowing they wouldn't be called anytime soon.

"DAD! Did you know John did that?"

Scott sounded frustrated and a look of confusing appeared across John's face. They all looked toward Jeff who picked up this cup again and shaked it's empty volume and looked to see his sons all looking at him,

"Well, don't you think we all need a rest, I asked John to shut down the station for a week so you could all get some, plus after seeing Alan, you all need it"

At the point Kyrano had come over with a hot pot of coffee, and had refilled Jeff's mug, before continuing around the table and filling each of the boy's.

"Mr Tracy?"

"Yes Kyrano, is something wrong?"

"Oww, not at all Mr Tracy, I was just wondering If I may have the day away with Tin-Tin, we were planning on making a trip to the mainland for more supplies"

"Hmmm, we are in need of a restock, Virgil, do you think we need any medical supplies?"

Virgil froze and then looked up, he was still stunned from the comment his father had previously made about Alan. The only reason they were all sat there, bored out of their mind was because their father didn't want a fragile Alan or his worked up brothers attempting rescues, or rather that's how he saw it.

"Ermm, no I don't think so dad, may I please be excused?"

Before even receiving an answer, Virgil stood and jogged toward his bedroom. Leaving the atmosphere a lot lighter in the kitchen,

"See Scott, that's why you need the break, I know what you're thinking son, I know it's a bad choice to shut down for a week, and sure people might be dying, but if my rescuers themselves aren't focus, we will lose both the victims and possibly one of you, and with that I suggest you make no clever comment, is that clear Scott?"

Scott was shocked. His father had just given him a lecture, he hadn't gotten one of those for near years, although he had answered his question well, and had good reason to back it up with,

"Still..."

"Hmm, what was that Scott?"

"Ohh, nothing dad"