Part 12
On Tracy Island things were tense. They had nearly been arrested for saving those astronauts until John butted in and got them out of trouble. Alan was not happy about it and neither was Jeff since they believed they should be allowed to handle their own battles. Scott and the others were the opposite. They were incredibly grateful. Virgil sat by the piano playing some songs while Gordon swam in the pool and Scott sat on the couch reading. Alan was off somewhere with Tin-Tin and Jeff was doing paperwork. That's when they heard plane engines. Everyone walked out on the patio and Gordon climbed out of the pool. They looked at the sky and they saw a small jet approaching the island. As it made a turn above the villa they could all see that it was a GDF plane and Virgil gasped. Could that mean? He turned and ran towards the landing strip with Scott hot on his heels. They got there just as the plane came to a stop and the pilot had gotten out. He was dressed in GDF officer uniform, but Virgil would still recognize him anywhere.
"John!" He shouted and ran over to his brother. John looked up and for a split-second he looked as if he would run away. But then he calmed down and walked towards them. He opened his mouth to reply but the air got knocked out of him when Virgil pulled him into a tight hug.
"It's so good to see you", Virgil said. He had been about to say welcome home but stopped himself. He was not sure that would go over well with John. Then to his surprise John hugged him back.
"Good to see you too", John replied before pulling back. Virgil grinned at him and he got a small smile in return.
"I thought you were on active duty", Virgil said.
"I was, but I told my crew I needed to pay IR a visit personally."
"What?!"
"Don't worry I just told them I would contact Casey's source and meet them in a remote location. I deactivated the tracker in my coms unit and the plane. They have no idea where I am. My GPS signal tells them my plane is flying in circles over Mongolia... I think." Virgil laughed, took John's hat off and ruffled John's hair playfully.
"Sneaky bastard", he said and John grinned at him. Taking his hat back when it was offered. Then John looked past Virgil as Scott approached grinning widely at them.
"Johnny", he said. "Welcome home!"
Virgil could have face-palmed. Sometimes Scott really couldn't read a room. John's smile melted away and was replaced with that stony façade he wore nowadays.
"Not staying", John replied coldly. "Just here for a reason."
"And what reason might that be?" Virgil asked. John looked at him.
"We have a situation", he said.
"I knew it!" Gordon said after John told them what he knew. They were all gathered in the lounge. Jeff was sitting behind the desk while all five of his sons were spread out around the room. Scott, Virgil, Gordon and Alan were sitting on the couches while John stood in between them bringing out holograms to show them what he had discovered.
"Sadly this data will not be enough to get the World Council to act", John replied. "For that we need more connections, connections I don't have."
"Penny", Scott asked and John nodded. "She doesn't answer your calls?"
"Nope."
"Think she is angry for you and Shade Jr. stealing the spotlight at her gala?" Gordon teased and John snorted.
"Or for the sucker punch?" Alan asked and John glared at him. Alan turned his face away.
"Martin Janus could become a global level threat if not dealt with", John said. "I have analyzed all the cases where he refused your deployment. All were incidents that would have raised your popularity. I am not quite sure what his motives are, but he wants you gone for a reason."
"But why?" Scott asked. "The GDF can't always be there to save the day… no offense Johnny."
"None taken because it is all true." John put the holograms away. "Our tech and our vehicles are nowhere near yours."
"Except for your communications and computer systems", Virgil said. "You have us beat there. Your handiwork?"
"Partly", John said with a smirk. "The GDF still can't access my systems and I have a few toys only I can use."
"Such as?" Jeff asked.
"Not for sale Mr. Tracy", John said without looking at him. "We need to work out a plan to remove Janus. His vendetta against you is affecting the GDF as well. He is tainting everything the GDF stands for and he is punishing innocent people for things they did not do."
"Aw and here I thought you were doing this for us", Alan mocked.
"If we did not have a common goal I would not be here", John spat at him and Alan did shrink back a little. "You need him gone to stay active. I need him gone to protect the world."
"So, what do you suggest we do?" Gordon asked.
"Expose him for the phony he is." John replied. "Penny has connections we can use and I have the data." He held up what looked like a small disk. "Brains, can you transfer this data to her?"
"I-I believe so", Brains said and took the offered disk. He looked at it in awe. "Y-your design?"
"Do you still got the reader I gave you?"
"Yes! I-I'll get right on it!" Brains hurried out. John looked around the room. He felt so awkward just standing there. Scott, Gordon and Virgil were happy to see him, he could tell. While Alan and Jeff were not.
"I guess I better leave now", John said and turned to Jeff. "Good luck on your end Mr. Tracy."
"Thank you John", Jeff said calmly. "Have a nice flight."
John turned to walk out but just as he did his communications unit started beeping. He pressed the earpiece he as wearing and his eyes widened. Then he replied in a language the others could not fully identify. John then turned around.
"We have a situation again", he said and pressed a button on his wrist and brought up a hologram. "The Dubai Desert. Oil sucked from the ground, add gravity equals massive cave in."
"I thought you were the head of the Perth Division John", Gordon said as they watched the hologram of a digital cave in.
"I am, the other divisions have their hands full and called my team in for help… sadly we cannot handle the situation on our own. For now the cave in is affecting an unpopulated area but the sinkhole is rapidly expanding towards…" he pressed some keys and showed a construction site. "At 300 stories this is soon to be the world's tallest city."
"Or the world's shortest", Gordon quipped and John gave him a tired look.
"John can you call the principal's office and secure us a hall pass?" Scott asked tiredly.
"Way ahead of you, my crew has been requesting deployment via text-link while I brought you up to speed." John was typing on hovering keys again, looking at a screen in front of him. Information was moving so rapidly his brothers and father couldn't really process it.
"This time we won't take no for an answer", Jeff said sharply.
"Well the answer is no", John replied without looking at him.
"Those construction workers' lives are at stake we have to act", Scott said.
"We can't", Virgil said sadly.
"Then we'll stand by outside the permitter just in case the GDF needs help, if they can get it done on their own International Rescue won't assist", Scott replied and turned to look at John who was typing like crazy again. He was talking into his earpiece again. Scott snapped up a few orders and realized John was trying to reorganize his forces to get help to Dubai in time. But by the look on his face it was not going that well.
"Good idea Scott", Jeff said.
"We'll all go together in Thunderbird Two", Scott continued as he got up. "Agreed?"
"Agreed", Virgil, Gordon and Alan said.
"All right then", Jeff said. "Thunderbirds are go." Virgil rushed towards the secret lift and the other three headed for the hangar. John closed his call and hurried after them, falling into step next to Scott. Scott cocked an eyebrow at him.
"I'm coming too", John said. "I'll run interference for you. I'll pilot my ship remotely from Thunderbird Two."
"Awesome!" Gordon exclaimed and put his arm around John's shoulders.
"Fine with me", Scott said as they hurried down. Alan looked quite sour though. As the others went to change John walked to Thunderbird Two and rode the elevator up. Virgil was already in uniform and getting ready for launch. John looked around and Virgil smirked and patted the co-pilot seat. John sat down.
"It's been a while yeah?" Virgil asked him.
"Yes", was the only reply he got. John pulled a chord out of his pocket and attached one end to his coms unit and the other to Thunderbird Two's control.
"Uh Johnny what are you doing?" Virgil asked.
"Giving your system a once over", John replied as code appeared on the screen in front of him. "When was the last time you updated the systems or ran a full diagnostic check on all controls and computers in this thing?"
"Uh…"
"I take that as too long…" he sighed. "I thought I taught you guys better when it came to looking after your mainframe."
"Hey you taught us well enough… we have just been busy lately."
"You are never too busy for a system's check."
"You are when looking for lost little brothers." Virgil retorted and John's hand stumbled. "Not sorry."
"I see…" John continued checking the systems while they waited. Scott and the others soon arrived and they were all a little shocked to see John in that particular seat. John did not move, even when Scott gave him a look. Virgil just smirked at Scott and nodded to the back. Scott grumbled about cheeky brothers before taking his seat. They got the all clear from Jeff and Virgil took them into the sky. John did not pause or look up once. He only paused if a call from his crew came in.
"Don't you ever stop working?" Scott asked.
"Not when on active duty", John replied without looking up from where he was transferring data and updating something in Thunderbird Two. The ship shuddered and Virgil cast a suspicious glance at John. "Step on it Virgil, but be careful. I fine-tuned the controls."
"We'll see about that", Virgil said but pushed his bird a little harder and to his amusement and astonishment the controls responded smoother and quicker than before. "Thanks Johnny."
"You're welcome. Now listen up." He looked at all four. "I need to fully activate my coms so from now on professionalism only okay?"
"What so no jokes or small talk?" Alan asked, Gordon smacked him up the head. "Hey!" John just rolled his eyes.
"We're here", Virgil announced not much later.
"That", Alan said after looking at the scans John pulled up for them. "Is one big hole."
"And the GDF is nowhere in sight", Gordon said and turned to John. "Didn't you tell your crew to deploy?"
"I did", John said. "They are on their way… they'll never get here in time. Janus has not deployed anyone else."
"The construction crew", Scott cut in and pointed at the signals on the scan. "Virgil take us up."
"FAB", Virgil replied and TB2 started ascending. They all studied the readouts. "The building is already tilting past its rated wind tolerance of four degrees."
"It's coming down fast", Scott concluded.
"With that worker trapped on the roof", Virgil told him as they reached the top.
"We gotta act now", Scott said firmly. "Virgil, take us in. I'll evac the construction crew. Gordon, you and Alan find a way to stabilize the building."
"We could try the foam again", Gordon supplied.
"Guys this isn't the time", John cut in from his seat.
"John's right, we've still had no word from Brains if it is affective. He was still running the tests back home."
"That is not what I meant", John said and got up. "We have a new situation." On his holo-screen they could all see three GDF quadjets appearing all around them. Virgil pressed the coms to hail them.
"Are we glad to see you guys", Scott said. "There are workers trapped on the roof that need your help."
"International Rescue", Janus voice replied. "You are in violation of my directive. I'm escorting you to the nearest base and impounding your ship."
"They are here on my direct orders Colonel", John cut in, his voice hard and cold. "My team had no way of assisting the division closest to the danger zone. You did not answer to the distress call so I had to act without your permission."
"Major Tracy", Janus growled. "Once again you have gone against my direct orders."
"To save innocent lives, something you apparently don't care about."
"Major you have overstepped this time. You are to join International Rescue at the nearest base where I will have you brought in front of the court-martial."
"You can't do that!" Virgil objected. "Major Tracy asked us to help! He's done nothing wrong."
"All of you come quietly or be fired upon." The five of them looked at each other and John crossed his arms.
"Do as he says", he said. "But as soon as I am off… lock her down."
"But John what will happen to you?" Gordon asked.
"If my plan works, nothing. If it doesn't I'll send you a postcard from the slammer."
"Don't talk like that", Scott told him. "We won't let anything happen to you."
"I only have myself to blame… this time. I won't risk all your lives for mine. Virgil. Do as he says."
"FAB", Virgil replied and allowed the GDF to escort them to the nearest base.
As soon as they got there John got off and heard the doors lock behind him. He smirked. Penny should have been informed by now. All he needed was a little more time. He saw a car approaching them and knew who that must be. He walked down the ramp to meet Janus just as the man stepped out, bringing a crew with a battering ram.
"Are you not exaggerating just a little Colonel?" John asked. Then he gasped as the man grabbed a rifle and drove the butt of it into his stomach. John collapsed onto his knees, gasping for air.
"Leave him alone!" he heard Scott shout over the coms. John felt someone grip his arms and he was hauled to his feet and led to the side. Janus glared at him. John hissed as his arms were twisted painfully behind him and cuffed. Janus smirked at him and then turned back to Thunderbird Two.
"International Rescue", he said into the communicator. "Open the hatch or be boarded by force."
"I'd like to see you try that", John rasped.
"Not a word out of you Major", Janus growled at him.
"You have the right to ground us but not to enter our ship", Scott declared over the coms. John smiled.
"Break open the hatch", Janus ordered.
"Good luck", John said and grinned. Janus sent him another death glare. The poor operatives he had ordered ran at the hatch with all the force they could muster.
"It isn't going to work", John said with a singsong voice.
"Not a sound out of you Major!" Janus yelled. The ram hit… and was thrown back along with the men and women carrying it.
"Told you", John said and then hissed when Janus slapped him across the face.
"Don't touch him!" Scott yelled angrily.
"The building is going to fall Janus and you haven't evacuated the workers", John said, ignoring Scott. "They need rescue now."
"Colonel you've made your point", Scott growled. "But Major Tracy is right! The construction crew-"
"Is no longer your concern or yours Major", Janus told Scott and then John. "I'm handling it."
"How?" John questioned. "Computer broadcast construction site hologram." The men around John jumped back when the GDF sign on his chest started glowing and brought forth the hologram of the construction site. "There are no GDF operatives in the vicinity. You ordered my team to pull back!"
"I'm handling it Major!"
"No you're not you are sacrificing them."
"Shut your mouth Major."
"No he's right", Virgil called over the coms. "Those people need rescue and you are not doing anything about it! At least let Major Tracy and the operatives you have here handle it!"
"We don't have the gear", John replied. "Janus swallow your pride and let International Rescue save those workers."
"You are to remain where you are International Rescue", Janus said. "Bring in the laser cutter."
"That won't help", John said. "While we are wasting time here trying to break into this craft two innocent lives are at stake! We have to do something!"
"We are."
"No you're not you are just standing there! If you cared about human lives we would not be here! Don't all your medals and rewards speak of a man of honor, courage and pride?! All I see is a person obsessed with red tape and his own glory! You're not a hero of any kind Colonel you are a tyrant! GAH!" Janus had slapped him again.
"Hey leave him alone!" Scott yelled. "You can take your frustrations of not getting your way with us out on us but not on Major Tracy! He hasn't done anything wrong!"
"Oh… I see how it is", Janus said and gripped John's hair and pulled on it. "You really care about him don't you International Rescue?"
"We care about all lives."
"I see… well then I will give you a choice. We enter your ship by force and Major Tracy gets sent off to jail to rot. Or he walks free and you give us your ship willingly."
"Don't listen to him!" John growled. "He's just trying to AH!" Janus had pulled harshly on his hair.
"John!" Three voices called out.
"Don't let him take your ship!" John yelled back. "I don't care what happens to me! You need to keep existing so that people who has lost all hope has someone who can save them! You can't let a man like Martin Janus take that from the world!"
Scott clenched his fist and turned to his brothers. What could the do? They could not let Janus have TB2 but they couldn't let him hurt John either. John had told them to not do what Janus said. They all knew he was a fake, but still… the world didn't know.
"What should we do?" Gordon asked. "John's in danger. We need to save him."
"We can't", Scott said. "If we let Janus take TB2 the world will suffer for it."
"But isn't John more important?"
"He is but…"
"You heard him", Alan cut in. "He told us to not give it up. He doesn't care what happens to him."
"He only cares what happens to us and the rest of the world", Virgil added.
"He wants to be a martyr so let him. His sacrificing himself so that we can get away."
"No… no wait I get what he is doing", Scott suddenly exclaimed. "Remember what he said? Professionalism? All GDF members have coms that they can activate anytime! I bet John activated his and sent the feed live to the World Council!"
"So John is egging him on on purpose?" Virgil asked.
"To get the World Council to see Janus' true colors?" Gordon asked and then smirked. "Atta boy Johnny."
"Johnny-boy you are a genius." Scott looked around at the others. "If John is stalling… so will we."
"On my own authority International Rescue", Janus called. "I am arresting all of you and confiscating your ship and equipment. Permanently."
"And I'm challenging your authority to do so Colonel", Scott said happily.
"Yes!" Alan cheered and he and Gordon high-fived. "That's what I'm talking about."
"Fine have it your way", Janus said and moved towards the ramp with a group of operatives armed with batons at his heels. John looked at the two operatives holding him.
"This is gonna hurt a lot", he told them. "On Janus that is."
"Major Tracy be silent", Janus shouted. Then he turned to his group. "Expect International Rescue to resist."
"Scott John was right", Gordon said. "Janus is not lifting a finger to help those trapped workers."
"And we all know he is not who he claims to be", Scott added.
"So this really isn't about us breaking his rules?" Alan asked.
"No he's just after Thunderbird Two", Scott said.
"And he is willing to sacrifice those two workers to get it", Virgil growled.
"Dad taught us to respect authority", Scott went on. "But Janus clearly isn't acting like a good guy. John's right we need to keep saving people and be a light for them when all other lights are lost. We are those people's only hope. So if saving lives makes us outlaws, so be it. Thunderbird Two defense protocol gamma. Light her up Virgil."
"It will be my pleasure", Virgil said and activated a few switches.
"We need to go in heavy", Janus said and tried to ram the door. Only for a force-field to activate and throw him back and off the ramp. Much harder than the boys had expected. John smirked. His little tweaks to the systems had worked wonders.
"Told you", he said.
"Father we're going in", Scott said. "Have you heard anything from Lady Penelope?"
"As a matter of fact yes", Jeff said. Scott and the others noticed a quadjet approaching. John smirked when he saw it. He looked around at the operatives holding him and when the jet had landed and the door opened they hurriedly released his arms. John smirked. The door had revealed Penny, Parker and Val Casey. Janus looked a little shocked but then dared to speak.
"Colonel Casey", he said sounding a lot less menacing. "Your presence here is unauthorized. Turn around before I have you arrested."
"I don't answer to imposters", Casey replied as she walked towards him. "Your credentials don't seem to check out Colonel and an anonymous recording from a GDF operative was recently broadcasted to the World Council just as these credentials were being tested. Which proved you were lying about deploying aid and showed you hurting a lower ranked officer out of spite. As well as threatening GDF's allies. We will be escorting you back to headquarters to answer a few questions." Janus was grabbed and led away. Casey walked over to John. "Major are you alright?"
"I'm fine Colonel", John replied and smiled at her.
"Release him at once!" Casey told the operatives who rushed to help John out of the cuffs. As soon as they were off John rubbed his wrists.
"Colonel Casey", Scott's voice came over the coms. "The construction crew?"
"Don't let us stop you International Rescue", Casey replied and TB2 took off.
"And Major Tracy?" Scott called over the coms.
"He's fine."
John saluted the craft and then turned to his superior officer.
"Welcome back ma'am", he said.
"It is good to be back", she replied. "Now Major the World Council wants to have a little chat with you based on your recent actions. But could I be so bold to suggest you stop broadcasting the events from here to them and all other GDF bases?"
"Yes Ma'am." John pressed a button on his wrist control unit and all over the globe GDF operatives groaned in annoyance when their entertainment was lost. Vidal smirked and the rest of the Perth Division cheered. Their commander was truly the best.
After the rescue was finished Thunderbird Two returned to the GDF base. Virgil landed Two and then the four of them left, locking it behind them. Casey was waiting for them.
"Well done International Rescue", she said when they approached.
"Happy to help Colonel", Scott replied. "Speaking of which, where is the major? We'd like to thank him for his help."
Casey nodded towards the hangars and Scott and his brothers nodded to her before going over there. They found John doing pre-flight checks on one of the jets. When he heard them approach he looked up and smiled at them. Virgil's blood started boiling at once. A dark bruise was already forming on John's cheek where the imposter had kept slapping him. John put his tablet down and walked over to them. He held his hand out to Scott.
"Thanks for your help today International Rescue", he said before moving his other hand to his earpiece, turning it off. As soon as he did Scott gripped his hand tightly and pulled him into a hug. John blinked in surprise. He carefully put his arms around Scott as well. When they let go of each other Scott reached up a hand and gently touched the forming bruise. John hissed a little.
"I'll kill him", Scott growled. "I swear to God I'll kill him. Just you wait until I get my hands on that rat-faced weasel!"
"Scott don't worry about it", John soothed. "He's in jail or at least on his way there already. Casey will handle him and get as much info out of him as she can. This is just a few bruises, no big deal. I'm okay."
"You sure you okay Johnny?" Virgil asked as he approached.
"Yeah I'm fine", John replied and moved past Scott. "Just a couple of bruises, no big deal."
"But it was a big deal John", Gordon said. "You were willing to throw your life away for us."
"I meant what I said. The world needs International Rescue."
"And International Rescue needs you", Scott said firmly and John turned to look at him. "If not as an operative then as an ally. We would have been in a bad situation if you hadn't told us the truth about Janus and if you hadn't broadcasted this little event globally."
"Don't exaggerate it was just to the other GDF bases."
"Still, everyone got to see what type of man Janus really is. A liar, a coward and a tyrant."
"And John gets to be the hero", Alan grumbled.
"What was that?" Virgil asked him angrily.
"John will get all the credit for it. He broadcasted all of this and made sure the World Council got the intel they needed. They got it through Penny but it was still John's intel. So we do all the hard work and you get the glory John?"
"I did not do this for the glory", John spat. "I did this because it was the right thing to do. The world needs IR and they need the GDF. Janus threatened both and I could not just stand there and let him ruin everything we've worked for."
"And getting called a hero is just a nice bonus is that it?"
"Have you looked at the headlines?" John asked. He brought up holograms. All of them praising International Rescue for their actions at the construction site. For helping the GDF fight corruption from within, for trying to save a GDF officer in danger. For being a beacon of hope when all else fails.
"It is all about you guys", John went on. "But what else is new?" He turned off the holograms. "I am just another soldier, doing my duty and doing my job. You guys are the heroes of the people. I am just another grunt. And I like it that way. I don't need my name praised or plastered all over the news. All I want is to make a difference in the world. If it means leading a team in a flooded area or driving into a raging bushfire I will do that. If it means taking one for the team then I will do that as well. If it means bringing new tech into existence I will do that as well. You're welcome for the upgrade by the way Virgil."
"Aha!" Virgil said. "I knew the shield was stronger than before! You boosted it."
"And a few other systems. IR computers are due some upgrades. You're slacking." The last he said in teasing.
"And you are lacking", Scott teased back and shoved him lightly. John grinned. "John… are you sure you're not hurt?"
"Yes Mother Hen I am okay. A few bruises here and there but they will heal."
"You sure?" Virgil asked and John shared a look with Gordon and a quick one with Alan. All three sniggered. Virgil and Scott never changed.
"Colonel are you still here?" Casey asked as she walked into the hangar. "Your crew need you back at base."
"Right I knew I forgot something", John teased.
"Very funny Colonel." John saluted her and she shook her head fondly. "Get a move on."
"Roger that", John said and looked at his brothers. "See you around IR?"
"See you around Johnny", Scott said and pulled him into another quick hug. "But next time… less bad guys yeah?"
"I'll try my best", John said and got into his craft. It wasn't until he was gone that what Casey had called him registered.
"Colonel!?" his brothers exclaimed and Casey laughed.
TBC Thank you for all the reviews!