8

Sorry for the late update, struggling to find time to write of late. Hopefully next update will be a bit quicker! thank you for the views and Can for your continued support and keeping me motivated to write more :-)

Virgil set them down at a secluded spot near Mount Tahan, where he dropped Penelope and Gordon off so they could avoid airport security, before taking off again to drop Parker off at the airport to enter the country with FAB 1 in a more legal manner.

Lady Penelope was dressed in simple rust brown chinos and a long-sleeved khaki shirt. She wore a matching silk headscarf to disguise her hair and shades. The humidity had hit her like she'd walked into a sauna as soon as they had stepped out of Thunderbird 2's climate-controlled interior. She could already feel her makeup slipping much to her dismay, the short wisps of hair nearest to her forehead were damp from the moisture in the air already. She stole a long look at Gordon as they walked to their hired jeep, he looked unfazed by the current climate. "You look dressed for business." She remarked. The roar of Thunderbird two's jets signaled that she was airborne once again.

"I like to be prepared." His reply was terse but he cracked one of his radiant smiles which softened his somewhat harsh tone. Lady Penelope was surprised. Gordon had been quiet on the journey over too, usually he was quite jovial on rescues. She wondered what was going on with him but refrained from asking. She trusted he would tell her in time.

Gordon felt for the key under the wheel arch where he knew it would be, luckily one of his old comrades had managed to hook him up with a ride at short notice. FAB 1 was a fantastic vehicle and would be vital getting them out in an emergency or combat situation but there were few roads around here and although FAB 1 was many things, she was not an off-roader. Penny and Gordon agreed to keep FAB1 and Parker in reserve at a rendezvous point nearby so they could make a quick getaway if required. Parker had protested initially - not wanting to be separated from Milady but eventually Parker had relented at the logic, he was thankful that Master Gordon would be with her at least. With a clunk of the doors, they strapped in. Gordon pushed the key fob into the dash as the engine fired into life. He looked at her. "Ready Milady?" He gave his best Chauffeur impression and winked.

"Ready." That was more like the Gordon she knew. She smiled as she settled in for what she was sure was going to be a bumpy ride.

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"Approaching the Belum rainforest resort now." Sarah advised.

Lisa and Gary were adjusting each other's disguises. Lisa wore a knee length pattern dress over plain blue silk trousers. Gary wore green tunic and slacks in the same hue. Lisa was straightening his mustache as he was adjusting her raven-coloured wig, styled in a short bob.

"Wow look at you two! You look completely different. I'm sure you will blend right in." Joe remarked, as he cocked his weapon. He held it across his chest ready to leap out when they descended.

"Hopefully I will see you soon." Candy gave her parents a hug.

"Don't worry about us, we do this all the time." Gary replied confidently.

Sarah had barely touched the ground before Joe and Chris leapt down weapons raised; hair being violently swept back by the downward blasts of the jets. They both scanned over their left shoulders for danger, satisfied Chris yelled "Clear!" He motioned for Lisa and Gary to step out from Osprey behind him with his left hand.

They quickly waved before they sprinted towards the reception area.

"Good luck Gary and Lisa!" Joe hollered before he and Chris ran off into the surrounding rain forest to provide tactical cover. Sarah pulled upwards on the yoke as she took to the skies again. Candy watched till her parents entered the building, it was down to them now.

Gary and Lisa strolled into the modern reception area hand in hand. The lobby was bright and airy, the walls wood paneled. Panoramic windows created a viewing deck of the rain forest to the right of the building. The lobby area had a selection of geometric styled sofas and armchairs in an array of natural earthy colours. They headed straight to the large concierge desk in the centre of the room.

"Welcome to Belum rainforest resort, how may we help you today?"

"Hello. We have a room booked under the name Smith." Gary pulled out their booking confirmation.

The receptionist smiled warmly as she took the paperwork and found their allocated booking. "Here is your room key, room service is available 24/7, dinner is served 7-10pm in the restaurant on the first floor. Would you like someone to take your bags for you?" Her hair flipped down over her shoulder as she looked over the desk, she was surprised to see there was no luggage.

"Ah unfortunately our bags got lost at the airport. They're going to send them on once they have been located." Lisa explained.

"Oh no that's awful. Well, if you need anything just ring down and we will be able to assist."

"Thank you." Gary answered. "Could you tell us where the nearest local bar is? My wife and I would love to experience the local culture."

"Sure, it's about twenty minutes away; I could have a guide take you when you are ready?"

"That would be great thanks, would fifteen minutes be OK?

"Yes, no problem sir."

They thanked her once again before heading over to the lift. Gary looked at the card, they were in room 202. Lisa gasped on opening the door. "Oh Gary! Isn't this amazing! We have to come back here one day when we can actually enjoy it. She headed straight into the bathroom to check out the toiletries. Gary remained looking at the large low king size bed with towels set out like swan's necks bent in a heart shape, petals adorned the bed. They were posing as newlyweds and this was the honeymoon suite.

Lisa came back in. "They have a walk-in wet room; its stunning." She walked over to Gary; her movements hesitant; her brow creased with worry.

"What's Wrong?" Gary took hold of one of her hands and kissed it clumsily.

"Nothing, its just we've been non-stop, haven't we? Since we time traveled here, I mean we haven't had a chance to discuss all of this! Our lives, how we've ended up. The fact we have a child! The fact that you've disappeared. It scares me I'm going to lose you again. Seeing my older self…. How haunted she is by losing you…" Lisa tried to take her hand back but Gary wouldn't let her. He placed her hand right over his heart.

"Lisa my heart belongs to you, as long as it's still beating, I will always find my way back to you. Let's just live for the present OK? We're in an impossible situation, in a time and place we don't belong but we'll find a way; we always do." By now he had placed himself directly in front of her, she looked deep into his cobalt eyes transfixed on his every word as his hand grabbed the zip at the nape of her neck. She didn't move.

"Your right, I just need to relax."

"Let me help with that." He murmured softly into her ear as kissed her collarbone and trailed downwards; his lips connecting with freshly exposed skin. Lisa felt her worries slip away as searing heat started to pulse from her core, pushing all concerns away until all that remains was a primal need to be with the man she loved. They fell towards the bed, Petals flying in the air with crushed swans.

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Penelope and Gordon had reached their destination Kampung Chueh in the heart of the Belum-Temengor rain forest. There was no satellite navigation here or network coverage. It was one of the few places within the modern world that was still off the grid. The only thing that would work here was their International rescue communication devices. Gordon had used the coordinates Penny supplied and his map to identify the small settlement that stood before them, satisfied they had reached their destination, he folded up the map on the steering wheel before stowing it in his bag.

"Ready to meet the locals?" Gordon asked.

"Yes, hopefully they will be able to help us. I would be really surprised if the Hood is not around here. No network or satellite coverage and surrounded by this sprawling inaccessible habitat. It's no wonder he has evaded us for so long."

"He won't be evading us for much longer, come on; let's go and explore." Gordon hopped out of the driver's seat and reached back in to sling his pack on. He was unaware that he looked like he was chomping at the bit.

"Care to explain why your so keen to get on?" Penny cocked her head at him question.

"We need to get this AI don't we? Before those buffoons get here and mess things up." He smiled that disarming grin once again but he wasn't fooling her. She would continue to play his game for now. This side of him was positively fascinating she reflected, She thought she had known everything there was to know about the Tracy's but maybe young Gordon here had slipped under her radar?

The Orang Asli were an ingenious community, their settlement on protected land that had allowed them to continue to live as traditionally as their ancestors - bar a few modern developments such as a doctor's clinic, school and a few vans and jeeps but their way of life was still seeped in cultural history and customs that they followed to this very day. Outsiders were common here in tourist season so they should blend in. Penny wore a video camera around her neck with a journalist ID, Gordon wore another ID, he was playing the role of an intrepid explorer filming his latest video broadcast. Slipping into character was effortless for him.

"Say, lets take an opening shot here Sally." He pretended to frame the village sign with his hands.

"Alright." She set her video camera to record. "And…. action!"

"This is Simon Kier and you're watching around the world in eighty days! We've finally reached the heart of Malaysia, the jewel that is the Belum-Temengor rain forest! We've reached Kampung Cheuh where we will be meeting the local indigenous people; the Orang Asli to learn more about their culture and how they survive in such a wild and unforgiving location."

"And cut, that was splendid darling." Praised Penelope.

"It was pretty good! First take too, I'm on a roll!" Gordon punched the air.

By now a reasonable crowd of children had gathered around the newcomers excited by the camera and the infectious charm of the flamboyant presenter. A few adults watched on warily from their porches in the distance.

"Why hello! I'm Sally and this is Simon, nice to meet you!" Penelope waved to the children as they came closer, one small boy pulled at her camera. "Oh, you want to see?" She gracefully crouched down and played him back the video they had just taken. Meanwhile Gordon was handing out snacks and sweets left and centre before crouching down and conducting a magic trick in which more candy seemed to just appear in his hand and then from behind a small lad's ear. The children squealed with delight.

"So, we are looking for a specific location to film, somewhere that's off the beaten track and if you didn't know the area you wouldn't know even existed!" Gordon's whole face was animated his voice pitched in excitement. "What secret or exciting places would you suggest around here?"

Now some of adults started to approach them interested in the prospect of offering their services as guides. One girl who couldn't have been much older than ten piped up. "You could explore the waterways on our boats, there is plenty of wildlife to see."

"Ooh that does sound interesting, what else? Anything in the rain forest worth seeing?"

"We could take you to see the Rafflesia flowers." Another young boy shouted.

"That sounds delightful, are they not considered one of the largest blooming flowers on earth?" Penny sounded genuinely intrigued.

"Yep, and they smell like rotting flesh! Next!" Gordon tried not to crease at the look of horror on the lady's face. He didn't think she would be rushing to add that bloom to her private botanist collection now. "What about mythical creatures? Abandoned ruins or other rural communities?"

"There are the abandoned temple ruins of Wat Meh Lok cave temple." A middle-aged man in a red shirt and cream shorts approached them.

Bingo! "Is that far from here? What direction?"

"Eight kilometres from here, to the east. You will never find it on your own you will need a guide, I would be happy to take you for a fee."

"How about I pay you 2,000 Ringgit to give me the directions? We are experienced hikers and prefer to travel alone if we can. Makes for better TV." Gordon looked at him confidently. He knew Penny had brought a reasonable sum of money with her. He'd pay her back.

"2,700" Bartered the man, he tried to disguise his excitement. Penny watched on with interest.

"2,400" Half before we go, half when we return to ensure that this place really exists unless you have proof?

The man had taken a few tourists there before, he had photos for this kind of scenario. He showed Gordon as Penny took a picture of the image over his shoulder. Then using the superior satellite recognition software, she quickly searched for the image on the satellite maps she had previously downloaded mid flight before they lost signal.

"2,600 and upfront; now you have proof."

Gordon pretended to mull it over till he got a subtle nod from Penny. She had the location.

"2,500 and we have a deal." Gordon extended his hand.

The man went to shake it before interjecting "2,550 and slapping Gordon palm smiling and nudging his shoulder in a friendly manner.

"Ohhhh! You drive a hard bargain my friend!" Gordon clasped his hand around the man's. "Did you see that kids? That's how it's done! Deal."

Penny pulled out the money as Gordon slapped it into the man's hand. The man quickly rattled off some coordinates and directions which Penny made a note of, before he shook Gordon's and Penny's hands again, walking away in Glee with the children running after him shouting to their families.

"Well, I think we made someone's day." Commented Penny.

"Let's hope it's our lucky day too, come on it will take us just over an hour to trek if we head out now."

"Can't we take the Jeep?" Penny looked at the trail ahead with trepidation. She wasn't sure she had enough insect repellent and the humidity had only intensified. She hadn't even had her mid-morning tea.

"Where we're going; there are no roads." Quoted Gordon. He was suddenly a lot calmer now he had a goal to work towards. He caught sight of Penelope looking at the trail in obvious distaste.

"Come on Penny, its not that bad." He started traipsing up the bank using the trunks close proximity to each other to push himself upwards.

Penny sighed and shook her head forlornly. Famous last words she thought to herself.