Diamond in the Rough
Gordon lay unmoving in a crumpled heap on the ground. Blood oozed from a cut in his forehead. His left leg was pinned beneath a large boulder. Above him there was a shout.
"I can see him!"
First Scott, then Neil, Alan and finally Virgil scrambled down the bank. They advanced on their fallen comrade.
"How's secure that rock face?"
"Dunno. Might come down at any moment."
They reached Gordon's side. "Hang on mate. We'll get you fixed up and out of here." Neil was unslinging the First Aid kit from his back. The others busied themselves stabilising the exit route and preparing the stretcher.
"How's he look?" Scott asked.
"Won't know for sure until we get that boulder off him and back to base. After a fall like that he could have all manner of internal injuries." Neil checked Gordon's pulse, blood pressure and then fossiked about in the kit. He pulled out a syringe, fixed the needle to it and then filled it with a clear liquid.
"What do you think you are going to do with that?" Gordon had one eye half open, watching his associates actions.
"You're supposed to be going into shock and this is to prevent it. Don't worry, it's only a weak saline solution. It won't hurt."
"Won't hurt, huh!" Gordon had both eyes open now. "I get enough needles against legitimate diseases, you're not going to stick that into me now!"
"Aw c'mon Gordon, this won't hurt a bit. I need the practise."
Gordon had now raised himself onto his elbows. "You might need the practise. I don't!" He kicked the fibreglass boulder off his leg and stood up. "You can get some other dummy to practise on." He stood up, grabbed a bit of cotton wool from the First Aid kit and wiped off some of the fake blood from where it was running into his eye.
Seated in his office, Jeff was watching the action on a monitor. From here he could observe his operatives movements without impeding their actions. It had been a long day and clearly they were all tired. He would want them to be fully alert if a real call out occurred. He flicked a switch. "Okay boys. Let's call it a day."
Back at the 'accident scene' his voice appeared to come from nowhere, although they all knew that it was being transmitted via a tiny robot that buzzed about them like a fly. They started clearing up. Gordon grabbed the boulder, raised it to his shoulder, Atlas like, and headed for home, still grumbling to himself. No way was anyone going to stick any needles into him!
Neil was met by Jeff as he was heading to the stores to restock the First Aid kit. "How're you finding it Neil?"
"Great Mr Tracy. All this training can get a bit hard at times, especially when your victim won't lie around and take his medicine, but I'm enjoying the challenge."
"Glad to hear it. We really appreciate the work you're putting into our team. Brains is still working on his mannequins, but he tells me that when he's finished you won't be able to tell it from a real person. Except that you will be able to stick as many things into it as you want, and it won't complain."
Neil laughed. "Sounds ideal."
Jeff looked at his watch. "Dinner won't be ready for another hour, so you're free to do what you want till then."
"Thanks Mr Tracy. I might catch up on some reading."
Neil headed back to his room, showered and changed and then sat down on his bed. He looked around the room and sighed in contentment. He'd made a few changes to it, added some photos and posters and hung up his certificates, just a few touches to make it feel like home. His favourite picture was a photo that he'd taken on a trip in Thunderbird Three. It was a small portion of the earth and on that cloudless day he'd been able to see both New Zealand and Tracy Island. He'd snapped the photo hurriedly not expecting it to turn out. That one photo encapsulated the two places where he'd felt the happiest. His old home, and his new one.
And it did feel like home, he reflected. He was enjoying a brotherly relationship with the Tracy boys, and Jeff, while he couldn't replace Neil's own father, was beginning to take on the attitude of a benevolent Uncle. The others all treated him as part of the family, and for the first time, since his parents had died, he felt that he finally belonged somewhere. Propping up the pillows so that he could sit back comfortably, he looked out the window. The Pacific Ocean was blue today, highlighted by the sun glinting off the tips of the smallest ripples. Another perfect day. Just like the one in the photograph...
...The klaxon that reverberated around the building was not the one that called them to dinner, but the one that alerted them that someone, somewhere in the world needed their help. Neil leapt off his bed and was the first one into the lounge.
John's eyes were still flashing in time to the beeps. Jeff activated the two-way communication with his son.
"I've had a call from the police in London, England. There's been an explosion in the 'Diamond' hotel complex." John paused. "They think it sounds like it was a bomb."
A knot of anger formed in Jeff's stomach. He could handle being involved in rescues caused by accidental causes, but when one human being deliberately sought to harm another... He ignored the anger and continued to get information. "How many people involved?"
"They don't know exactly. Apparently there's going to be some kind of charity gala held there today. Champagne breakfast, a show, that kind of thing. The guests were still in their rooms, but staff were setting up and the actors were having a final rehearsal. The police are trying to get hold of the contractors and hotel managers to work out how many people could be inside."
"Have we got a rough estimate?"
"Could be as many as 500."
500! It was going to a big rescue. They will need all their speed and skill to ensure that the trapped victims were rescued alive.
"Scott! Get going! Take Tin-Tin with you! She can man Mobile Control - you'll be needed elsewhere."
"Yessir!" Scott grasped the two light fittings and rotated out of the room. Tin-tin followed him by the same route.
"John! Any chance anyone could be trapped in the basement?"
"Negative. They were able to check it out."
"No need for the 'Mole' then. Virgil! Take Pod Two. The rest of you go had better go with him."
The sun was still glinting off the Pacific Ocean as the cliff face folded back. As Thunderbird Two rumbled out onto its runway and the palm trees tilted back, Neil strained against his safety belt to see the house. He could just make out Jeff's figure on the balcony. The figure was joined by another, obviously Grandma Tracy. As the great plane tilted up towards the sky he settled back into his seat.
They were all silent as Thunderbird Two launched itself into the air; each engrossed in their own thoughts. What would they find when they got there, how long would it take, had anyone been badly hurt - or killed?
"Bother!"
The others looked at Neil who was fishing about in his pockets.
"What's up?" Gordon queried.
"I forgot my Pounamu Pendant. I showed it to Brains and then put it on my bedside table. I was going to put it into my uniform, but just forgot about it. Oh well..." he settled back into his seat. "...it's just a bit of superstition anyway."
The white fluffy clouds looked trouble free and peaceful. Unviolated by human actions...
*****
...London was in the midst of chaos. Scott did a sweep of the bomb site in Thunderbird One before touching down.
By his side Tin-Tin surveyed the scene. "Scott, how awful. Do you think there will be many survivors?"
"I don't know honey. We'll just have to work the hardest we ever have to ensure that there are." He cut the engines. "We're here." He said unnecessarily, his mind already concentrating on the task ahead. "Do you want me to go over anything more with you?"
Tin-Tin shook her head, her pretty face a mask of concern for those trapped. "No. I'll be fine."
"Good." Scott stood up, itching to get started, but aware that he was limited with what he could do until Thunderbird Two arrived. "We'll get Mobile Control set up and then we can decide on a course of action." Together they readied the communications console for its upcoming duties.
Outside the people of London awaited International Rescue's assistance.
Gordon lay unmoving in a crumpled heap on the ground. Blood oozed from a cut in his forehead. His left leg was pinned beneath a large boulder. Above him there was a shout.
"I can see him!"
First Scott, then Neil, Alan and finally Virgil scrambled down the bank. They advanced on their fallen comrade.
"How's secure that rock face?"
"Dunno. Might come down at any moment."
They reached Gordon's side. "Hang on mate. We'll get you fixed up and out of here." Neil was unslinging the First Aid kit from his back. The others busied themselves stabilising the exit route and preparing the stretcher.
"How's he look?" Scott asked.
"Won't know for sure until we get that boulder off him and back to base. After a fall like that he could have all manner of internal injuries." Neil checked Gordon's pulse, blood pressure and then fossiked about in the kit. He pulled out a syringe, fixed the needle to it and then filled it with a clear liquid.
"What do you think you are going to do with that?" Gordon had one eye half open, watching his associates actions.
"You're supposed to be going into shock and this is to prevent it. Don't worry, it's only a weak saline solution. It won't hurt."
"Won't hurt, huh!" Gordon had both eyes open now. "I get enough needles against legitimate diseases, you're not going to stick that into me now!"
"Aw c'mon Gordon, this won't hurt a bit. I need the practise."
Gordon had now raised himself onto his elbows. "You might need the practise. I don't!" He kicked the fibreglass boulder off his leg and stood up. "You can get some other dummy to practise on." He stood up, grabbed a bit of cotton wool from the First Aid kit and wiped off some of the fake blood from where it was running into his eye.
Seated in his office, Jeff was watching the action on a monitor. From here he could observe his operatives movements without impeding their actions. It had been a long day and clearly they were all tired. He would want them to be fully alert if a real call out occurred. He flicked a switch. "Okay boys. Let's call it a day."
Back at the 'accident scene' his voice appeared to come from nowhere, although they all knew that it was being transmitted via a tiny robot that buzzed about them like a fly. They started clearing up. Gordon grabbed the boulder, raised it to his shoulder, Atlas like, and headed for home, still grumbling to himself. No way was anyone going to stick any needles into him!
Neil was met by Jeff as he was heading to the stores to restock the First Aid kit. "How're you finding it Neil?"
"Great Mr Tracy. All this training can get a bit hard at times, especially when your victim won't lie around and take his medicine, but I'm enjoying the challenge."
"Glad to hear it. We really appreciate the work you're putting into our team. Brains is still working on his mannequins, but he tells me that when he's finished you won't be able to tell it from a real person. Except that you will be able to stick as many things into it as you want, and it won't complain."
Neil laughed. "Sounds ideal."
Jeff looked at his watch. "Dinner won't be ready for another hour, so you're free to do what you want till then."
"Thanks Mr Tracy. I might catch up on some reading."
Neil headed back to his room, showered and changed and then sat down on his bed. He looked around the room and sighed in contentment. He'd made a few changes to it, added some photos and posters and hung up his certificates, just a few touches to make it feel like home. His favourite picture was a photo that he'd taken on a trip in Thunderbird Three. It was a small portion of the earth and on that cloudless day he'd been able to see both New Zealand and Tracy Island. He'd snapped the photo hurriedly not expecting it to turn out. That one photo encapsulated the two places where he'd felt the happiest. His old home, and his new one.
And it did feel like home, he reflected. He was enjoying a brotherly relationship with the Tracy boys, and Jeff, while he couldn't replace Neil's own father, was beginning to take on the attitude of a benevolent Uncle. The others all treated him as part of the family, and for the first time, since his parents had died, he felt that he finally belonged somewhere. Propping up the pillows so that he could sit back comfortably, he looked out the window. The Pacific Ocean was blue today, highlighted by the sun glinting off the tips of the smallest ripples. Another perfect day. Just like the one in the photograph...
...The klaxon that reverberated around the building was not the one that called them to dinner, but the one that alerted them that someone, somewhere in the world needed their help. Neil leapt off his bed and was the first one into the lounge.
John's eyes were still flashing in time to the beeps. Jeff activated the two-way communication with his son.
"I've had a call from the police in London, England. There's been an explosion in the 'Diamond' hotel complex." John paused. "They think it sounds like it was a bomb."
A knot of anger formed in Jeff's stomach. He could handle being involved in rescues caused by accidental causes, but when one human being deliberately sought to harm another... He ignored the anger and continued to get information. "How many people involved?"
"They don't know exactly. Apparently there's going to be some kind of charity gala held there today. Champagne breakfast, a show, that kind of thing. The guests were still in their rooms, but staff were setting up and the actors were having a final rehearsal. The police are trying to get hold of the contractors and hotel managers to work out how many people could be inside."
"Have we got a rough estimate?"
"Could be as many as 500."
500! It was going to a big rescue. They will need all their speed and skill to ensure that the trapped victims were rescued alive.
"Scott! Get going! Take Tin-Tin with you! She can man Mobile Control - you'll be needed elsewhere."
"Yessir!" Scott grasped the two light fittings and rotated out of the room. Tin-tin followed him by the same route.
"John! Any chance anyone could be trapped in the basement?"
"Negative. They were able to check it out."
"No need for the 'Mole' then. Virgil! Take Pod Two. The rest of you go had better go with him."
The sun was still glinting off the Pacific Ocean as the cliff face folded back. As Thunderbird Two rumbled out onto its runway and the palm trees tilted back, Neil strained against his safety belt to see the house. He could just make out Jeff's figure on the balcony. The figure was joined by another, obviously Grandma Tracy. As the great plane tilted up towards the sky he settled back into his seat.
They were all silent as Thunderbird Two launched itself into the air; each engrossed in their own thoughts. What would they find when they got there, how long would it take, had anyone been badly hurt - or killed?
"Bother!"
The others looked at Neil who was fishing about in his pockets.
"What's up?" Gordon queried.
"I forgot my Pounamu Pendant. I showed it to Brains and then put it on my bedside table. I was going to put it into my uniform, but just forgot about it. Oh well..." he settled back into his seat. "...it's just a bit of superstition anyway."
The white fluffy clouds looked trouble free and peaceful. Unviolated by human actions...
*****
...London was in the midst of chaos. Scott did a sweep of the bomb site in Thunderbird One before touching down.
By his side Tin-Tin surveyed the scene. "Scott, how awful. Do you think there will be many survivors?"
"I don't know honey. We'll just have to work the hardest we ever have to ensure that there are." He cut the engines. "We're here." He said unnecessarily, his mind already concentrating on the task ahead. "Do you want me to go over anything more with you?"
Tin-Tin shook her head, her pretty face a mask of concern for those trapped. "No. I'll be fine."
"Good." Scott stood up, itching to get started, but aware that he was limited with what he could do until Thunderbird Two arrived. "We'll get Mobile Control set up and then we can decide on a course of action." Together they readied the communications console for its upcoming duties.
Outside the people of London awaited International Rescue's assistance.