Part 11
"What's the situation Lieutenant?" Colonel Casey asked as she stepped out of her vehicle.
"Colonel Casey", her operative replied. "The bridge have been evacuated except for our lead driver. GDF rescue and repair are at least an hour out."
"This man don't have an hour", Casey said sharply. "This bridge won't last ten minutes!" They then heard the sound of engines above them.
"Colonel Casey", a voice said from a speaker on the craft which had just arrived. "Looks like the Global Defense Force could use a hand."
"International Rescue", Casey sighed in relief. "You boys are a welcomed sight. My driver and bridge…"
"FAB Colonel", Scott replied. "Thunderbird Two how quickly can we stabilize this bridge?"
"Faster than you can say 'Thunderbirds are go'!" Virgil replied to Scott and smirked.
"Okay you get the bridge Virgil, but be careful of that down-draft. I'm on the driver Thunderbirds are go!"
"Alright, maybe I was exaggerating a little", Virgil said and smiled and pressed a button. "Foam-Stabilization pods deployed." As he spoke Alan and Gordon brought out the new pods Brains had designed. They headed in a direction each to deploy Brains' stabilizing foam. While they did that Virgil launched two lines that held the bridge up.
"That should keep the bridge from falling", Virgil mused. "But I can't do much about that twist until the pods are in place."
"FAB Thunderbird Two", Scott replied as he readied himself to grab the driver. He started his new jetpack, Brains had designed those as well, and moved over to the driver.
"Careful she's about to go over!" the driver called.
"Need a lift?" Scott asked and held a harness out to the man.
"Is this thing safe!?"
"Scott heads up!" Virgil called over the coms before Scott got a chance to reply. A cable from the bridge came at him. Scott ducked.
"Heads up Thunderbird Two?" Scott then asked. "How about duck!?"
"Sorry", Virgil quipped. Then more cables came lose. "DUCK!" One of the cables hit Scott's jetpack. It broke and sent Scott falling. He grabbed onto the car the driver was clinging to. In an attempt to sooth the man Scott decided to try and calm him with his voice.
"This might not be as bad as it looks", he said.
"Really!?" the driver questioned in near panic. At that exact moment the car went over the edge, bringing Scott and the driver with it. Scott acted quickly and activated another one of Brains' new inventions, holographic controls for the Thunderbirds. Which could be controlled by voice commands.
"Thunderbird One protocol Alpha!" Scott called as he fell. "Engage!" he grabbed hold of the driver.
"Scott heads up!" Virgil shouted.
"Don't you mean duck?"
"Not this time!"
Scott looked up and saw a huge slab of concrete coming at him and the driver. Before it hit Thunderbird One swooped in and Scott and the driver landed on top of it. It then moved out of the way.
"This is Thunderbird One", Scott the called out to his brothers over the radio. "Pilot and passenger are alive and well."
"FAB", Alan replied. "Deploying stabilizing foam."
"Foam's away", Gordon confirmed as he and Alan started spraying the ends of the bridge with the foam. When it was covered fully Virgil ordered them to disengage. The underside of the bridge was completely covered in the foam. Virgil grinned as he watched the pods re-enter Thunderbird Two.
"That oughta do it", he said happily.
"Fine work International Rescue", Casey called over the coms. "Many thanks."
"We're just happy to help", Scott replied. Just as he spoke the bridge started creaking worryingly.
"It's settling", Virgil soothed. "All structures do that." Then to the shock of everyone the bridge fully collapsed. Scott landed his ship and later joined Casey at the bottom of the ravine. She was looking up at the remains of the bridge. It did not take long for another helijet to arrive and a single man left it when it had landed. He was quite tall with grey hair and a grey beard. His dark eyes did not look friendly at all.
"Who's that guy", Scott asked Casey.
"Colonel Martin Janus", she replied. "My newly appointed second-in command of the Europe division. Apparently he knows the right people." As the man approach her tone changed slightly as she saluted him in greeting. "Colonel to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I have been sent to relieve you", the man replied. "Pending an investigation in your role of this… fiasco."
"Fiasco?"
"Hold on a minute", Scott said sharply. "You weren't there! We had to make a split-second decision!"
"And this wasn't the first time", Janus said. "International Rescue has been answering to no one for too long."
"That's the way we like it."
"Then I should remind you that International Rescue operates at the pleasure of the Global Defense Force and right now we are not pleased."
"Meaning?"
"That from now on you need to get our permission to deploy. Good day International Rescue." Janus walked into the helijet and Casey followed. Giving Scott's shoulder a supportive squeeze as she passed him.
About an hour later Scott and his family, most of his family, were gathered in the lounge while Penny joined them over holographic link. Scott had told all of them what had happened at the bottom of the ravine.
"We've been grounded!" he shouted angrily and slammed his hand into his father's desk.
"Boys you haven't technically been grounded", Penny said in a soothing voice. "You just have to ask Colonel Janus for permission."
"Little control freak wants to get 'is teeth into everything", Parker added from somewhere in the background.
"Parker is right", Alan added. "We can't let Janus do this to us!"
"Right now there is not much else you can do", Penny said.
"What do you know of this Janus Penny?" Jeff asked.
"My father has had run ins with Janus before and he is known to be tightly wound. I will talk to Janus to see what I can do. I suggest that in the meantime you don't rock the boat."
"FAB Penny, be careful", Jeff said as the call ended. He then turned to his sons who were all watching the hologram of the bridge that Virgil had recorded before leaving the site.
"We did everything right", Scott said in frustration and sat down. "The bridge collapsing like that makes no sense!"
"Scott lives were saved", Jeff said sharply, "I call that a win. We do not save property, we save lives. That's what matters."
"But what if there is something wrong with the foam? What if this happens again? Brains is there any chance the stabilizing foam could have failed?" Scott turned to their engineer and he looked deep in thought.
"Anything is p-possible, I'd need to do a m-molecular scan of i-it. I can a-ask Tin-Tin to f-fly me out to check it out."
"Great idea Brains", Jeff said and nodded and Brains left the room. Just as he did a call came through. There was a huge cargo ship in the middle of the Pacific which was taking on water. The crew needed help to get off the ship before it sank and the lifeboats were not responding.
"I've got this", Scott said and headed for the lift that would take him to Thunderbird One.
"Don't forget to get permission", Alan teased and Gordon sniggered. Scott growled at them but Jeff gave him a look.
"I'll take care of that", Jeff said and reached for the communications device Casey had given him. It would probably lead him straight to Janus. But Jeff had no intentions to show his identity to this man so he only activated the voice option. What he got was not Janus at all but rather a GDF soldier.
"You have reached GDF main headquarters Europe division", the soldier said. "What can I assist you with?"
"This is International Rescue asking to deploy to the Pacific to rescue sailors aboard a sinking cargo ship", Jeff spoke calmly. "I need to speak with Colonel Janus."
"One moment sir", the GDF operative said and winked out. Jeff noticed the pool move back and he could hear the engines from TB1 as she launched. He smiled and soon Scott's hologram appeared hovering in the air in front of his portrait. Brains had used his new tech to update their portraits as well.
"Father tell the captain ETA 2 minutes", Scott said.
"Scott I need you to standby", Jeff replied. "We are still waiting for the reply."
"Uh okay", Scott said and waited.
The GDF operative winked into existence again and Jeff glared at the hologram, not that the man would know it.
"Well that took a while", Jeff grumbled. "Are we clear to proceed?"
"Sorry International Rescue but permission was denied", the operative replied before disappearing again. Scott had heard the call as well.
"Permission denied!?" he shouted. "How could they do that!?"
"Scott you need to turn back, we really have been grounded", Jeff growled.
"That's not fair! Those people need our help!"
"I know but the GDF will not give us the 'all clear'. I can't lose all of you to the law so come back here."
"Wait a moment", Virgil said. "Didn't that GDF operative say he was working for the Europe division?"
"Yeah so?" Alan asked.
"Last I heard the Pacific Ocean is nowhere near Europe." Virgil said and turned to their grandmother. Gordon and Scott got at what he was getting at and both started smirking. "The Pacific Ocean touches Oceania, North and South America and Asia."
"Too bad we can't contact anyone in charge of those divisions", Gordon said in a singsong voice. Grandma chuckled and got her communicator out. She pressed the call button and about five seconds later a small hologram of John in full uniform appeared above it.
"Grandma are you okay?" he asked worriedly. "You never call when you know I am working. Has something happened?"
"Oh nothing too serious dear", Grandma said. "I just called to ask permission to launch International Rescue."
"Uh… why are you asking me?" John looked really confused. "As far as I know you don't need our permission to do anything."
"Well that is not what Colonel Janus says", Alan shouted angrily and John realized they were all there, even Scott over holographic link.
"Who?" John asked.
"Janus", Virgil said. "Colonel Martin Janus? The new head of the GDF?"
"The what!? What's happened to Casey!?"
"She was removed from command pending an investigation about a 'fiasco'."
"The bridge collapse? That's crapshit!"
"We know but he told us that we need permission from the GDF to launch. He denied us."
"But since the division we got to call was the Europe division we realized they could not give us permission because it was out of their jurisdiction", Gordon added happily. "But it is not out of yours!"
"Is this about the cargo ship taking on water?" John asked as he brought up the information he needed.
"Yeah", Virgil said.
"Well I was going to call you in on that because my resources are a bit stretched at the moment", he turned around and started typing on something they could not see. "All my teams are out and I have no one left to send. But to make sure this runs smoothly…" He pressed a button and Jeff's communicator started beeping as Grandma's ended the call. Jeff stared at the communicator without touching it. Virgil rolled his eyes and walked over to activate it. John appeared in the middle of the room.
"This is Major John Tracy of the GDF requesting aid from International Rescue to help save the crew of a cargo-ship in the Pacific. My resources are stretched beyond their limits and these people need help fast. Can I count on you?"
"FAB GDF", Virgil said. "Sending Thunderbird One now, do we have your permission to deploy?"
"Of course. GDF out." John winked out and Virgil and Gordon high-fived. Scott grinned and sped off to save the crew. He soon called in both Virgil and Gordon to assist him.
After ending the call with his family John turned back to his screens and pressed an icon that said WP. A hologram of Casper Shade appeared.
"Agent 6", John said and Casper stood straighter. "I need your help with something."
"What might that be GDF?" Casper asked. His voice sounded strangely robotic as it always did when he was on World Protection duty. While Jeff Tracy had started an international rescue service Charles Shade had started a global spy and crime fighting organization called World Protection. Casper was one of his agents, as was the rest of his family. They were so discreet not even Penny knew about them. Casper was their contact, something only Casey and John knew.
"I need you to check out everything you can about this man", John said as he transferred the data of Martin Janus to Casper. Casper looked at the picture and read through the folder. He gave a whistle.
"Lots of honors and rewards given to this guy", he said. "All the right schools and all the right grades and he apparently knows all the right people."
"Yeah I saw that too."
"So… what's wrong with him?"
"He is trying to ground International Rescue and get Casey sacked."
"And you care because?"
"Because the GDF can't always get there. Our ships are not fast enough, our technology not advanced enough. We need IR around to help where we can't. If Janus is trying to stop them from deploying he is risking the lives of innocent people."
"And we really can't have that."
"No we really can't."
"And it being you know who has nothing to do with this?"
"Nothing in the slightest. I just want to help people in any way I can. If it means making sure IR get there in time so be it."
"Uh sir", Lola called.
"What is it?"
"Uhm… IR has been surrounded by flyers from the Asia Division demanding to know what they are doing."
"For the love of…" John growled. "Agent 6 can I count on you to deal with this?"
"Of course", Casper replied and winked out. John took a deep breath before tapping some keys and then a hologram of him appeared in each of the crafts belonging to the GDF surrounding Thunderbirds One and Two.
"This is Major John Tracy of the Perth Division", he said sharply. "I order you to stand down and let International Rescue finish the rescue I called them in for."
"Sir, Colonel Janus ordered us to apprehend them", a man replied in Vietnamese, knowing John spoke it. John stuck to English though so that all operatives could understand him since understanding English was a requirement for working for the GDF. As was a few other languages depending on which division you worked at.
"I don't care", John said. "Janus is in charge of the Europe Division and he has no say in what goes on within my jurisdiction. I requested the help from International Rescue and gave them my permission to launch so if you want to keep your jobs I suggest you stand. Down. Now. My resources are spread too thin and I was told none of you would be able to help. You being here must mean you have left your current jobs and are putting people in danger. I order you to return to your posts and let IR do what they are doing! Is that clear?" He got mumbled replied. "I said: Is. That. Clear?" His voice rumbled like thunder and the operatives around him stopped looking at him and returned to their own assignments. They knew that when their commander had that tone in his voice you stopped eavesdropping and returned to duty.
"Roger!" chorused from the speakers and one by one the GDF crafts surrounding TB1 and TB2 pulled out. John hacked into their coms and contacted both crafts.
"Sorry for the confusion International Rescue", he said calmly. "You have full control of the airspace now."
"Thanks John", Virgil said. "What about Janus?"
"Let me worry about that pissant." John replied and Gordon sniggered. "I know how to handle bullies, I have years of experience in the matter."
"Just be careful okay Major?" Scott asked gently. "That man is dangerous."
"He's never gone up against me. Trust me. One step out of line and I will fully, utterly and completely ruin him." With that John winked out and his brothers shared worried glances. What exactly did John mean by that?
John had anticipated this. He did not think it would take this long however. It had been nearly five hours since the rescue he sent IR to when a call came in from GDF headquarters. He answered the call but instead of seeing Colonel Casey's face he was met with a man with dark eyes, grey hair and grey beard. John stood tall, refusing to show nothing but defiance against this man.
"Colonel Martin Janus I presume?" John asked.
"Major Tracy", the man replied.
"I believe that is me sir", John said with a smirk.
"Don't be a smart-ass", Janus growled. "How dare you go against my directives!? Go against my direct orders!"
"In all due respect sir you never ordered me anything so I had nothing to go against."
"It was my direct orders that International Rescue needs my permission to deploy."
"Then you should have made those orders clear because I was not aware of them. Besides I requested their aid, which means I gave them my permission to act within my area. You are in charge of the Europe Division so in all decisions regarding that area I will not butt in. But Colonel when life are at stakes within my jurisdiction I will not stand idly by and watch those lives end. Our resources were stretched too thin and those people would have died if IR had not shown up."
"The chain of command must be respected major!"
"Chain of command means nothing if lives are at stake!" John said sharply, raising his voice just a little. "Your orders are unreasonable and for as long as I can help people, be it by going out there myself, coordinating my teams or calling in help from the outside I will do so."
"I could have you arrested for this defiance major!" Janus roared.
"Who in their right mind would convict me after I put all the evidence through on what happened here today? I acted within reason and I followed directives. I gave permission to IR to deploy, lives were saved and no one was hurt. That is a win."
"From now on major International Rescue can only ask permission from me."
"If it is within your jurisdiction."
"I am the head of the Global Defense Force and you will do as I order or I will remove you from command!"
"Good luck with that colonel", John said and crossed his arms in defiance. "Now if you excuse me I have lives to save." He turned his back on Janus.
"MAJOR!" Janus roared. "YOU WILL OBEY MY ORDERS OR YOU WILL BE ARRESTED!"
"Okay okay", John said. "My apologies."
"Huh?" Janus looked really confused then he smirked. "Good. I have talked to all other commanders and have given them the same orders I am giving you. From now on International Rescue are not to deploy for rescues without my personal permission. Is that clear major?"
"Crystal", John said and Janus ended the call. John smirked at his crew. "He said deploy right?" Vidal nodded. "He never specifically said launch."
"John you are walking on thin ice", Vidal warned.
"I'm just setting up his downfall… and having some fun while I'm at it. He said they need his permission to deploy right? Well launch is not a synonym to deploy as far as I know." John smirked. "Now back to business."
Later in the evening John's brothers were gathered in Scott's room to discuss what they have been told. Penny had met with Janus but had not told them anything other than him being just as bad as her father had told her. A stickler for rules who wanted respect and power over anything. Just something about that man made Scott's skin crawl. He could not put a finger on what it was though.
"I really hope Johnny didn't get in trouble for helping us", Virgil said. "He took a huge risk doing that."
"He'll be fine", Alan said and waved the comment off. "Everyone adores him."
"What's up with you recently?" Scott asked and nudged him. "Ever since the gala you get really nasty as soon as John's name is mentioned."
"How can I not be!" Alan shouted. "He punched dad! He chose the Shades over us and everyone just adores him! It's making me sick!"
"What? That John is popular?" Gordon asked confused. "It's a bit weird that he is admired for things I had no idea he could do. I never knew he could move like that. I must admit it got me speechless."
"Me too", Virgil said. "It sure did look fun though."
"Now you two are doing it too!" Alan said. "Can't you see what I see?"
"And what is that Alan?" Scott asked.
"John abandoned us. He chose to leave us behind. He turned his back on us and started working for the GDF! Then he didn't even bother telling us about it! He acts like he is too good for this family! What's so special about John anyway? Sure he's smart but what else is new? Brains is smart but you don't see people fawning all over him because of it!"
"Uh have you ever been to one of those engineering conventions with him?" Virgil asked. "I swear Brains is like a rock star there."
"Not my point! I just don't get why everyone acts like John is this amazing person we are all missing out on! John's always been smart sure but he's also always just been so weird!"
"John's not weirder than any of us", Scott growled.
"Oh really? You don't call dancing with other guys weird?"
"No I'd call it accepting."
"Uh huh, then what do you call hijacking an escape pod instead of asking for help?"
"Desperate", Gordon said.
"Oh come on! John's just weird and he has always been weird! Why do people think he's so amazing when all he do is read and study!? For crying out loud at astronaut training all I heard was either dad's name or John's! What did he do that was so special other than survive a stupid shuttle crash?"
"It was the way he survived it Alan", Virgil growled, still remembering that day. "And John has done many discoveries with his studies and his reading has helped us out many times before. What's so weird about John?"
"Everything! He's not like us four! He doesn't like normal sports like football, baseball, basketball, soccer or hockey and he never liked to wrestle or play ball when we were kids! He listens to old music like… older than grandma even! He'd rather hang out on a farm than go with us to the beach to surf! He's quiet and when he's around you don't notice him because he is so quiet and calm! He was the prime target for bullies but in the end even his bullies started liking him! What does he have that makes him so bloody special?" Alan nearly squeaked when Virgil's hand shot out and grabbed his collar, pulling him close and glaring at his youngest brother.
"The fact that even if he is everything you say he doesn't act and believe he is better than everyone else like you do", Virgil said and gave Alan a shove, sending him stumbling backwards. Virgil turned his back on Alan and left him alone with Scott and Gordon. Virgil had no time for this.
He walked out of the villa and down to the beach. When he got there he looked around to make sure no one was watching, he then raised his watch towards his face.
"Johnny can you hear me?" he asked. "Are you listening in still?" He got no reply. "If you are don't listen to Alan. He just has a hard time realizing that he is missing you just like the rest of us are. Which is true. We all miss you a lot. But… it is great to know that even though you've left us you are still with us. I know, I know that doesn't make any sense but you are. You still care about us, why else would you risk your neck to help us get permission to launch?"
"To save lives", a voice said behind him and Virgil spun around. He blinked in confusion because John was standing on the beach next to him. He was wearing his GDF uniform. Virgil blinked and rubbed his eyes. John rolled his eyes. "I'm not here physically idiot." But idiot was said with fondness, Virgil knew he heard fondness in that tone.
"How did you get here?" Virgil asked.
"Like you said I've been eavesdropping", John said and shrugged. "Your tech is too easy to hack into, you need to tell Brains to fix that."
"Uh huh and you keep hacking into it because?"
"I want to make sure you are not planning something stupid like sending out a fake SOS."
"Of course you heard that…"
"Didn't you even think about what that would lead to? What if I came to your aid and found it was all some… scheme to bring me back here?" John gestured at the island. "Virgil I left for a reason… you and the others destroyed my trust and my heart. What did you think would happen if I came to you and found out it was all a ruse?"
"I thought we could talk", Virgil admitted. "Talk things through and become brothers again. I still hope we can… even if you claim to be done with this family."
"I am done with this family."
"You can't mean that."
"I do Virgil. I am done with this family of selfish, uncaring, oath-breaking, promises-forgetting, honor crazy self-absorbed jerks. I don't want to be part of that family. I want to be part of my family… how we used to be. When we cared about each other and not just the ones we see around us. When the world meant nothing and family meant everything. What you guys are doing I can't be a part of…" he looked out at the ocean. "I just can't."
"Because you are too good for it?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" John asked angrily. "I don't think I am better than you!"
"But you are, don't get me wrong Johnny you have your flaws, we all do… but you are better than us. You are kinder, smarter, more compassionate, faster, stronger and you are so strong. I would never have survived up there like you did. I would never had figured out how to get out of there. I… I could and cannot say no to dad the way you did. I never could. Dad gives an order and you obey it. You don't question it because father knows best."
"Jeff doesn't know everything", John growled. "He thinks and acts like he does but he doesn't."
"I know… you're right. You're always right… you know that is quite annoying."
"Grandpa used to say that is part of my charm", John said with a smirk and Virgil laughed.
"Being annoying or right?"
"Both", John said and shrugged. "Geniuses' prerogative." Virgil chuckled at that and even John smiled.
"Did Janus give you trouble?" Virgil asked.
"He tried. He won't give me trouble for long. Speaking of I better go… I have a couple of rescues to organize."
"John."
"What?"
"Be safe. I miss you little brother and I love you."
John's lips were twitching, as if he was trying to say something but couldn't figure out exactly what. Then he said it, so low Virgil barely heard it.
"You too", he whispered before winking out. Virgil smiled, he counted that as a win. John had not fully given up on them.
"For the last time", John said while rubbing his temples a few days later. "I did follow your orders Colonel."
"You did not since I said all permission to deploy would go through me!" Janus yelled at John over the link. John had once again let his bro… International Rescue leave their base to save people. Janus had found out and had been chewing him out for the last half hour. A few members of the World Council were on the line as well.
"And I did not give permission to deploy", John said.
"You're lying! Why else would they show up at that danger zone!?"
"I did however give them my permission to launch." Silence followed then Janus' face turned red.
"THAT'S THE SAME THING!" he roared and John rolled his eyes.
"No because the dictionary describes deploy as: moving troops or equipment into position for military action", John replied.
"And bringing something into effective action", a member of the council added and John rolled his eyes.
"IR is not a military organization so they are not deploying when they try to rescue innocent people."
"GDF could have handled it!" Janus growled.
"With what resources exactly?" John asked as he kept typing away at his controls, he never stopped coordinating rescues. Even for the world council. "Our space program is not off the ground yet and NASA could not launch a shuttle fast enough to save those stranded astronauts. Only IR had the resources to save them and since one of the astronauts were Australian I saw that as them being within my jurisdiction, which in turn allowed me to let them launch their ship to rescue five innocent people."
"Major Tracy is right", Lady Penelope spoke up, she was on the council after all. "There was no way for the GDF to reach those stranded men and women. Only International Rescue had the means to rescue them. I think Major Tracy did what was needed and what was within his right."
"The chain of command must be respected and followed", Janus spat.
"Saving innocent lives trumps all chains of command", John cut in. "That is what we said when we started this thing. We are military-like but we are not an army. We have ranks and such but we are not the military. We always put civilians first, no matter what. I will continue to ask for the aid of International Rescue when I am no longer able to do my job."
"As I understand it Major Tracy is very good at that", another woman said. "Why are we arguing about this? Lives were saved, no one got hurt."
"He disrespected me and ignored my orders", Janus growled.
"Again I did not", John said. "I never told them to deploy. I have the whole conversation recorded if you don't believe me. I asked them to launch. You never said anything about that."
"That's enough! No more loopholes Tracy!" Janus slammed his fist on his desk. "From now on all decision regarding IR will go through me. You are to remain at base as you are supposed to do and focus on your own job."
"But sir IR could-"
"I don't care if they could or would. You are to follow orders and if I find out you have broken my orders again I will arrest you for breaking the law!"
"What laws exactly?"
"Shut. Up."
"Major", the woman in charge said to John. "Stand down and stop antagonizing your commanding officer. I agree that you did what was needed but next time you need to ask permission yourself. We cannot have rogue operatives. Imagine what could go wrong."
"Imagine what could happen to innocent lives while I try to get a hold of Colonel Janus", John countered.
"Major enough. From now on all decisions regarding IR will go through the head of the GDF which is Colonel Janus."
"What if it is an emergency and I can't wait?" John asked. "Many rescues require split-second decisions and what then? Should I just stand by?"
"For now, yes." She hung up and John growled as everyone else did as well. He felt a hand on his shoulder and knew it had to be Vidal. Everyone on John's team were as angry as him. John took a deep breath and returned to his consoles and started typing. He soon managed to bring up the info Casper had managed to gather. At first everything looked okay but John knew his best friend and he knew himself. Things in the records were perfect, too perfect even. John and Casper were both researching the man and Casper had reported that Janus had been visited by a certain agent with a fondness for pink. John snorted. Penny was as sharp as ever it seemed. Hang on… that couldn't be right. He noticed that Janus had won an award at a military academy for outstanding piloting services. But… that was impossible! That academy had not gotten a piloting program until five years after Janus got awarded the medal!
"He's an imposter!" John exclaimed and jumped over the railing and landed beside a shocked Cameron. "Cam you went to this school right?" he showed Cameron the documents. Cameron nodded. "Did they put pictures up of all winners of the piloting medal?"
"Um yes sir?"
"Do you remember seeing Janus' name there?"
"No… then again I didn't look closely enough."
"That's okay." John said and twirled around on the spot. "Vidal you are in charge! I need to be somewhere and do something."
"Where?" Vidal asked as he prepared to take command. "And what?"
"I'm going to visit International Rescue… personally." The doors shut behind John.
TBC Thank you for all the reviews! I just could not help myself. I had to work this episode in.