SCOTT carried Mike back to Base Camp where they were greeted by the other members of the team, all very relieved to see him safe and alive.

"Oh, Mike!" exclaimed Mr Gillespie. "Whatever happened to you?"

Mike was still a bit groggy after being left out in the baking hot Sun. "Hey, Chief," he said. "I'm sorry. I don't remember. Is the fire out?"

"Yes, Mike. International Rescue put out the fire and saved the car," said Mr Gillespie.

Scott put Mike down on the ground so that Hayley could examine him with her medical kit. Whilst she wasn't completely a qualified medic, she had enough experience to do what she needed to do.

"What's the verdict, Hayley?" asked Scott.

"Hand isn't broken thankfully," Hayley said. "However it is badly sprained. I'm afraid he won't be able to drive for a while."

"And the head-wound?" asked Mr Gillespie.

"A hard blow," said Hayley. "Enough to knock him out. He's lost a bit of blood but not a massive amount from what I can tell. I'll bandage them both and he'll be okay until you can get him proper medical treatment. Also, could you get your crew to back-up please? I need room to work."

Mr Gillespie and Scott stood up. "Okay, everyone, back up!" said Mr Gillespie.

"Give us some room here, please!" added Scott.

The Team Speed members did so without a fuss. All except for one man with black hair and a beard. Mr Gillespie, Scott and Hayley were too busy focussing on Mike to notice. None of the other team members saw either. Nor did Alan, who was secretly still admiring the magnificence of Speed-1. Only Virgil caught sight of the man, who had the name EDDIE written on his uniform. As he watched, Virgil could tell that Eddie was looking down at Mike with a look of what could only be described as hatred and anger on his face. He didn't see Virgil looking at him and instead turned hard to start walking away towards a nearby dune buggy.

"Damn you, International Rescue," Eddie cursed, thinking he would not be heard. "You've ruined everything!"

Virgil let out a small gasp of realisation. "That must be him!" he realised.

"How's the car?" Scott asked as he came over to see his brothers.

"All's fine, Scott," said Alan. "Nobody's been near the car whilst you've been away. They've all been too worried about Mike here."

"Not everyone," said Virgil. He pointed to Eddie who was walking grumpily away from the scene.

"Where's he going?" asked Alan, puzzled.

Before Virgil could reply, Hayley and Mr Gillespie sat Mike up so that Hayley could bandage his head. She'd finished doing his hand for him. It was now that Mike looked around and his eyes fell upon Eddie, and in an instant, his memories came flooding back. "Wait! STOP HIM!" he cried, pointing. "EDDIE ATTACKED ME! HE'S THE SABOTEUR!"

Eddie froze and he glanced back to see every single pair of eyes now looking at him. Realising he'd been rumbled, he began to sprint away towards the nearby buggy.

"NOT SO FAST, PAL!" shouted Scott. He grabbed his grapple gun and launched a grab on a cable at the fleeing man. The grapple latched itself onto Eddie's left ankle and he fell flat on his face, which was quite painful due to the hardened salt. He tried desperately to drag himself forwards but was unable to prevent himself from getting pulled backwards as Scott reversed the grapple gun and pulled him back towards them. He was then grabbed by two Security Officers and restrained before being pulled up to his feet and brought before Mr Gillespie.

"Eddie?" said Mr Gillespie. "You did all of this? WHY?!"

Eddie snarled. "Revenge!" he spat. "I should have been the one to drive Speed-1 today! I did all of the test runs in the car. Why should someone else get the glory of becoming the fastest person on land? If I cannot drive it, NOBODY SHOULD!"

Mr Gillespie glared hard into Eddie's eyes. "Traitor!" he hissed fiercely. "GET HIM OUT OF MY SIGHT!"

The Security Guards took Eddie away to await the arrival of Law-Enforcement.

Mr Gillespie walked back over to the Tracy brothers. They could tell he was looking crestfallen. "Thank you for all your help," he said. "But Eddie was our back-up driver. Nobody else is qualified to handle a vehicle like Speed-1." He looked sadly at the ground. "It looks like our record-attempt is over."

Scott, Alan and Virgil looked at each other. They couldn't help but feel sorry for Mr Gillespie and the rest of Team Speed - all of which were looking just as distraught at their mission coming to an abrupt end. But it was then that Scott had a sudden brainwave. "Maybe not quite, Mr Gillespie," he said with a grin. "I think we might be able to help you with that as well."

Mr Gillespie looked at him, intrigued. "What do you mean?" he asked.

Scott took him to one side and began to talk in hushed tones so that nobody else could hear.

"What's he cooking up?" Alan asked Virgil.

"I don't know, Alan," Virgil replied. "I'm worried to find out."

They then saw Mr Gillespie's eyes light up at whatever it was Scott had said to him. He then grabbed his hand and started shaking it vigorously saying 'Thank you' over and over again.

Scott smiled as he turned to Alan. "Say, Alan. How would you like to become the fastest man on land?"

Alan's own eyes lit up. "You-You mean?"

"Yes, Master Alan," said Mr Gillespie. "Would you like to drive Speed-1 for us?"

Alan looked like his birthday and Christmas had come at the same time. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" he squeaked excitedly. "YES, PLEASE!"

Virgil shook his head, sighed and smiled. "How predictable," he remarked.

Scott informed those back on Tracy Island about the rescue and what Alan was going to do. Gordon and Brains were very excited to see Alan perform the record attempt, which was to be broadcast live. Even John was excited for his brother. It didn't escape Scott's notice however that both Grandma and Jeff were looking rather troubled.

"Are you okay, Dad?" Scott asked. "You look like you're waiting for some bad news?"

"It's Colonel Casey, Scott," Jeff replied. "I haven't heard back from her with regards to tonight's dinner meeting. I've sent Kayo to find out if she's okay."

"I see," said Scott. "Well let's hope it's nothing serious. Anyway, I'd better get back. Alan's going to do the run in five minutes. Thunderbird 1, out."

Jeff went over to the window and looked out across the Pacific Ocean.

"Relax, Dad," said Gordon. "Colonel Casey's a strong woman. She'll be fine."

Jeff didn't reply. No matter how hard he tried, he could not shake the worry out of his head.

Colonel Casey dialled the phone Havoc had given her. She waited nervously with the phone on loud-speaker whilst Rigby, The Hood and Kayo along with numerous GDF watched on the landing pad of Aquatraz.

"Yes?" Havoc's sly voice answered. "What news do you have, Colonel?"

"I have him, Havoc," said Colonel Casey. "I'm going to bring him straight to you. I take it you're all still where I left you?"

"Not exactly," replied Havoc. "I thought my presence around your place may arouse suspicion. I have therefore picked a much more suitable and quiet place."

"And where is that?" demanded Colonel Casey.

"Mill Lane, Clayton, West Sussex, England," Havoc said. "We're waiting, Colonel. Tick tock. Tick tock." Then the line cut off.

"She's taken them to England?" said Rigby. "Why would she do that?"

"It's Havoc," said Kayo. "Nothing's ever simple with her. She'll be enjoying the torment far too much I reckon."

Colonel Casey grimaced. "Let's just go," she snapped and led the way onto the GDF Flyer.

"Hmmm, I'd say it's working," The Hood remarked.

"Quiet!" snapped Rigby as he gave The Hood a shove. "Get on the plane!"

"I'll fly ahead and scout the area under stealth," Kayo said. "And I'm going to get us some back-up."

"DON'T CALL, JEFF!" Colonel Casey shouted. "HE CANNOT KNOW ABOUT THIS!"

"I'M AFRAID HE ALREADY KNOWS!" Kayo shouted back as she climbed back into Thunderbird Shadow after deactivating the camouflage. "I TOLD HIM WHILST YOU WERE UNCONSCIOUS. SORRY, COLONEL. ALSO, IT'S NOT THE BROTHERS WHO I'M GOING TO CALL!" She closed the cockpit and lifted off the landing pad before anybody could say anything.

Colonel Casey let out a sigh. "Damn it!" she muttered under her breath.

Jeff was disgusted when he heard the story. "Sickening!" he said. "How could Havoc stoop to such lowness?" He had never met Havoc, and nor did he want to, having heard so much about her.

"This is a big risk, Mr Tracy," Kayo said. "But we're going to use The Hood to try and get them back."

"You can't be serious, Kayo?" Grandma exclaimed. "What if this is a trick and The Hood's planned this with Havoc all these months?"

"Aquatraz is shielded from all kinds of communication," Kayo said. "The Hood's even said that he has not seen or spoken to Havoc in months. This is all her doing."

"I don't like it, Kayo," said Jeff. "There has to be another way?"

"It's too late for that, Mr Tracy," said Kayo. "I don't like it either. But Colonel Casey is determined to get her children back - and I am determined to get Havoc behind bars where she belongs!"

"That's providing that she even is Havoc and not another decoy," warned Grandma.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, Mrs Tracy," said Kayo. "But we won't be alone. I'm going to call Lady Penelope for back-up."

"Understood," said Jeff. "If you want I can get Scott to join you?"

"No, Thunderbird 1 would break our cover," Kayo said. "Lady Penelope is trained for this kind of stealth operation. I'll keep you informed of how it goes."

Jeff leant forwards towards the hologram projector. "Kayo…if this goes wrong…you know what it'll mean, don't you?"

Kayo sighed. "Yes, I do, Mr Tracy," she said. "This is my plan. My responsibility. It'll work. I know it will. You'll get that dinner date with Colonel Casey yet. Thunderbird S, out."

Grandma and Jeff looked at each other once Kayo's hologram had gone. "This isn't going to end well, is it?" Grandma whispered to her son.

Jeff shook his head. As much as he trusted Kayo, he had a deep sick feeling in his stomach that refused to go away. "No, Mother," he said grimly. "I fear that it is not."

Parker walked into the drawing room of the Creighton-Ward mansion where Lady Penelope was sitting in front of the television. "Tea, m'lady?"

"Ah, thank you, Parker," Penelope replied. "I've just heard from Gordon. It seems that Alan is going to be making the record attempt with the Speed-1."

"Master h'Alan?" exclaimed Parker. "Cor! I wonder 'ow 'e managed that?!"

"Probably their way of saying thank you after International Rescue saved the car from being damaged in the fire," said Penelope. "I have to say this is rather exciting."

Then came a beeping sound from the radio. "Shall I get it, m'lady?"

"No, it's okay, Parker, I've got this," said Penelope. She pressed a button to receive and was surprised to see who was calling. "Oh, Kayo. Hello!"

"Lady Penelope. I'm very sorry to interrupt you but we have a situation and need your help," Kayo said urgently.

"Of course," said Penelope. "What do you need?"

"Havoc has resurfaced," said Kayo. "And she's holding Colonel Casey's son and daughter hostage. She has demanded the release of The Hood in return for their safety."

"Oh, my," said Penelope. "That is very distressing. What's the plan?"

"A bold and very risky one," Kayo said. "We're going to use The Hood as bait to lure Havoc out. Then provided she keeps her end of the bargain, we and the GDF strike team will take her down along and bring them both to Aquatraz."

"You're right, that is risky," said Penelope. "Where is the exchange due to take place?"

"Somewhere in Southern England," said Kayo. "A place called Clayton I believe?"

"Ah, yes I know it," said Penelope. "It's just North of Brighton. We'll meet you there?"

"Go and be stealthy," said Kayo. "We cannot alert Havoc to our presence. She's threatened to kill the young Caseys if she gets any hint that we're about."

"Understood," said Penelope. "We'll be on our way."

"F-A-B," said Kayo. "I'll call later with more details."

As soon as Kayo signed off, Penelope turned off the television. "Sorry, Alan," she said. "But you will have to tell us how you got on." She turned to Parker. "Parker, get the car out. We're needed in Sussex."

Parker put down the teapot. "Right h'away, m'lady," he said. As he headed out the door he muttered to himself, "This always 'appens h'at tea time!"

FAB1 pulled up outside the main entrance to the mansion. Parker opened the door for Penelope before climbing in himself. FAB1 then headed down the drive-way before Parker activated the car's flight-mode and took to the sky.

"FAB1 is h'off!" said Parker.

Now that everything regarding the incident at the Team Speed site had been sorted out, the invited guests and members of the press were finally allowed inside. Scott and Virgil moved Thunderbirds 1 and 2 as far away and out of sight as possible so that no cameras could get pointed at the ships.

Alan was given a quick crash-course into how to drive the Speed-1 and was allowed a couple of slower practice runs before he was instructed to take up position at the start of the specifically constructed ten-mile long runway that he was to make the record attempt on.

As he sat in the seat, still in his International Rescue uniform and with his helmet on, Alan waited with butterflies in his stomach as he waited for the green light to signal him to go. He had been so desperate to have a drive of Speed-1, but now he was in it and about to make the actual record attempt he was definitely feeling the pressure.

"Nervous, Alan?" Scott asked over the radio.

"A little," Alan replied.

"You've got this, Alan," said Virgil. "You fly the fastest ship in the International Rescue fleet. This will be like a walk in the park to you."

"I don't know, Virg," Alan said. "Thunderbird 3 is my baby. This isn't even my machine. What if I break it?"

"That's the risk anybody takes when they attempt any speed record," said Hayley. "But like Virgil said - you've got this, Alan. We know you can do it!"

This boosted Alan's confidence. "F…A…B!" he said with determination in his voice.

The cameras were ready. Aerial drones were up and programmed to track and follow the car as it made its run. The spectators waited with baited breath. Around the world, millions were tuned in to watch the live coverage of the event.

John had come down from Thunderbird 5 to watch with the rest of the family. He, Brains, MAX and Gordon sat around the holo-table watching the footage. Jeff and Grandma watched from the desk. They had so far managed to keep the whole Colonel Casey situation a secret from the others so as not to concern anybody and did their best to put it out of their minds so they could watch Alan make the run.

Controller Abrahams stood in his control box and used his headset to talk to Alan. "Speed Control to Speed-1. We are ready to make the attempt. Are you?"

"Roger, Speed Control," Alan acknowledged. "I am ready." He gripped the wheel and braced himself. He had only driven the car at half-power on the test runs so this time was going to be a whole new experience.

"Begin Speed-Booster engine ignition countdown in thirty seconds," said Abrahams.

Alan got ready.

"Twenty seconds."

The tension was strong. Hayley took a hold of Virgil's arm. They couldn't see Speed-1 from the start line which was over five miles away but they could see it on the video footage from the drones.

"Fifteen seconds," said Abrahams.

"Here we go," said Virgil.

"Good luck, little bro," Scott said before whispering to himself. "Please don't crash."

"Ten…Nine…Eight…Seven…Six…Commence Ignition Sequence…Three…Two…One…Ignition!"

Alan flicked the switch and the mighty boosters on the back of Speed-1 which had been steadily powering up let out an almighty roar, shooting a colossal amount of thrust out of the back and causing the car to literally take off from the starting point.

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Alan was heard to scream as he felt the G-force push him back into his seat. Everything outside became an instant blur and he found himself unable to make out anything either side of him other than what was directly out in front of him. The entire area also echoed with the unmistakable sound of a sonic boom a few seconds after the car had set off.

Scott, Virgil and Hayley along with everyone watching all gasped in astonishment when they saw a small flash of blue dart past them. Due to the uncertainty of the speed, the viewing stand itself was situated about half a mile away from the track. Within seconds of it passing a shockwave struck the stand causing anyone who was standing to fall over and those sitting were pushed hard back in their seats. Several cameras and pieces of recording equipment were also blown over and broken by the shockwave.

"THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSS…ISSSSSSSSSSSSSSS…AWESOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOME!" Alan tried to say before his attention was suddenly grabbed by an alarm. He glanced down and saw a red light flashing 'BRAKE' and he quickly realised that the mountains at the end of the runway were suddenly a lot larger than they had been a few moments earlier. "WOOOOOOOOOAH!" he exclaimed and punched a button. It cut out the boosters and deployed the braking parachute. Alan felt a jerk as the parachute took effect and the car began to slow down. But he'd already crossed the finishing line and the mountains and rocks were getting dangerously close to his position. Alan went white as realisation dawned on him - he was going too fast to stop in time.

"He's passed the finish line!" Abrahams said over the tannoy to the spectators who were still trying to recover themselves following the shockwave. "But something's wrong. He's still going and isn't stopping!"

Scott, Virgil and Hayley exchanged worried looks. They gazed out across the salt-flats in the direction that Alan had gone. Suddenly there came a flash of light in the distance followed by a plume of black smoke rising upwards and then by the unmistakable boom of an explosion.

"Oh, my God!" Hayley gasped. "He's crashed!"

Scott and Virgil went completely white as some emergency vehicles began to race out towards the scene.

"No…" Scott said hoarsely. "ALAN!" He tried to run forwards but Virgil stopped. "SCOTT…WAIT!"

"GET OFF ME, VIRGIL!" bellowed Scott. "WE NEED TO GET OVER THERE!"

The TV cameras had slightly caught a better view of the explosion, much to the horror of all those who were watching. "What happened?!" cried Gordon.

"Oh, n-no!" groaned Brains.

Jeff jumped from his desk and had run to the screen. "ALAAAAAAAN!"

Abrahams' frantic voice could be heard over the speakers. "SPEED-1?! SPEED-1, COME IN!"

Silence fell as everyone gazed at the footage of the now destroyed Speed-1 which was burning.

Then came a crackling over the radio. "Woah, man! Good job that thing's got an ejector seat!"

A massive gasp of relief fell across the entirety of those who were watching. Alan had managed to eject from the Speed-1 about ten seconds before it had crashed. He'd been thrown clear of the blast and was unharmed.

Catching a lift with Mr Gillespie in his Buggy, Hayley, Scott and Virgil were taken out to the crash site where they found Alan, unscathed walking to greet them.

Scott practically jumped off the Buggy and scooped his youngest brother up in a big hug. "Woah, Scott, steady on!" exclaimed Alan in bemused surprise.

"Oh, Alan!" said Scott, tears forming in his eyes. "I thought we'd lost you!"

"I thought I'd lost me too," Alan replied. "Man, that was awesome!" He then turned to Mr Gillespie. "I, er, think your car's a bit broken though," he said, looking sheepishly over at where the Fire-Tenders were busy trying to fight the flames on the burning wreck of Speed-1. "Sorry."

But Mr Gillespie wasn't angry. "Don't worry about the car," he said. "It can be replaced. You on the other hand, cannot be." He then pulled Alan into a hug. "Thank you, Master Tracy."

Alan blushed. "You're, er, welcome, sir."

Now they were safe in the knowledge that Alan was safe, they could turn their attention to the big matter in hand.

"Did you see how fast you went?" Hayley asked.

"Afraid I didn't," replied Alan. "That was like being in the Millennium Falcon. Everything was a blur."

"You achieved eight-hundred and seventy-nine miles per hour, Alan!" said Virgil. "You broke the record!"

"Broke it?" said Scott. "I'd say you SMASHED it! That's over one-hundred mph faster than the previous record."

Alan bubbled with excitement. "I did it? YES! I DID IT! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!"

The GDF Flyer carrying Colonel Casey, Captain Rigby, The Hood and their escort landed in a field by a road just outside the village of Clayton. There was a main road with a smaller country road branch off on the opposite side which went up a hill.

Rigby and the Capture Squad remained inside the Flyer in order to stay out of sight whilst Colonel Casey and The Hood exited the craft. Kayo had landed Thunderbird Shadow in a field on the opposite side of the road and was in stealth-mode again. The same could be said for FAB1 which had gone into its black stealth mode and was concealed behind a wall. Everyone was in position. The plan was set. All they needed to do now was wait for Havoc to make the next move.

It was late in the afternoon and the Sun was starting to set. But it was still light enough for everyone to be able to see around them. For the first eight minutes nothing happened, and they began to wonder if Havoc had given them a false location just to torment Colonel Casey. That was until a sudden burst of white smoke came out of nowhere in the country road in front of Colonel Casey and The Hood, both of which jumped back in surprise. Kayo, the Capture Squad, Penelope and Parker readied themselves for Colonel Casey to give the word.

The smoke began to clear and three figures could be made out. Two were female, one was male. Once it had cleared, they saw Havoc standing behind two very scared-looking people who Colonel Casey instantly recognised as Rita and Noel.

"I'm impressed, Colonel," said Havoc. "It would seem you could not keep it to yourself. You managed to persuade the GDF to lend you a Flyer to bring you both here."

Colonel Casey glowered at Havoc. "You must have realised how difficult it was to keep this to myself, Havoc!"

"Oh, but of course," sneered Havoc. "That's what makes it so much more fun."

"You think this is fun, Havoc?" asked The Hood, taking Havoc off-guard. "I had accepted my fate to live out the rest of my days in Aquatraz for what I had done. And yet here you are, stooping to a level lower than myself by using children to get what you want?"

"We're not kids!" spat Noel.

"Quiet!" snapped Havoc giving him a hard shove in the back.

"ENOUGH!" shouted Colonel Casey. "I've done my part, Havoc. Just hand them over to me, please."

Havoc looked up at the sky, pondering. "Well…as you've asked so nicely," she said. She gave the two siblings a shove. "Go to your mother," she ordered.

Rita and Noel slowly walked forwards towards Colonel Casey as The Hood began to do the same towards Havoc. Once he walked between the two, he then gave a wink to Havoc which nobody, not even Kayo noticed.

"MOM!" cried Rita as she and Noel ran forwards. Colonel Casey opened her arms out to embrace them. But as they reached her, it happened. To the horror of everybody, as soon as she went to close her arms around them, they vanished into thin air.

"WHAT?!" exclaimed Colonel Casey.

"Oh, no!" Kayo gasped. "Those were holograms!"

"And you fell for that, didn't you, Kayo?" called The Hood.

Kayo froze. He'd just given them away.

"GET THEM!" Rigby shouted as the Capture Squad charged out of the Flyer. Parker fired up FAB1's engine and raced the car out from their hiding place further up the country road. Kayo jumped over the wall a few feet away from where Havoc and The Hood were standing.

"Ah, Kayo!" laughed Havoc. "How nice to see you again."

"You're not going anywhere, Havoc!" growled Kayo.

The Hood and Havoc both laughed.

"Oh, Tanusha," said The Hood. "What will the Tracy's have to say when they hear the truth?"

Havoc then dropped another smoke-bomb and they were concealed from view. Kayo let out a bellow of rage and dived into the smoke.

"STOP THEM!" screamed Colonel Casey.

But it was too late. As the Capture Squad reached the smoke it began to clear, revealing only Kayo on the tarmac looking around in frustrated shock. Havoc and The Hood had completely disappeared.

Colonel Casey fell to her knees and let out a bellowing scream of fury.

"Oh, dear," said Penelope to Parker. "This hasn't gone well, has it?"

"No, m'lady," replied Parker gloomily.

Scott, Virgil, Alan and Hayley returned to Tracy Island expecting a party to celebrate Alan's triumph with the land speed record. What they found instead were a very downcast Jeff, Grandma, Gordon, John and Brains. They soon found out why, and Scott was absolutely enraged. "WHAT THE HELL WAS SHE THINKING?!" he roared. "THERE IS NO WAY THAT USING THE HOOD TO SAVE SOMEONE WAS GOING TO WORK!"

"In fairness, Scott, how would you have done it?" asked Gordon.

"I don't know, Gordon, but not like that!" Scott said. "Now our greatest enemy is on the loose again!"

"We'll get him back, Scott," said John. "He'll slip up like he always does."

"How's Kayo taking it?" asked Virgil.

"Not well," replied Grandma. "She's blaming herself more than she should be. And we all know what she can be like when she gets like that."

"A chance to try and save Colonel Casey's children needed to be taken," said Virgil. "As much as you'll hate me for this, Scott, I fully support what she did."

"Me too," said Hayley. "When it comes to your children, a parent will do anything for them."

Jeff had been silent for a while. Hearing Hayley's words broke him out of his trance. He turned to face them all. "Truer words were never spoken, Hayley," he said. "I wasn't at all happy with Kayo's plan, but you are right. If I was in Martha's situation, I may well have done the same thing."

"But you would have also tried to find a way to catch the culprits as well," said Scott. "That's the kind of person you are, Dad."

Jeff managed a smile. "Yes, son. Yes, I would," he agreed.

Nobody had left the scene of the botched attempt to catch Havoc. Kayo was sat on one of the verges, her head buried in her hands, fuming over the failure of the plan. Colonel Casey was sitting on the other side, sobbing into her knees and shouting at anyone who tried to ask if she was okay.

Rigby, Parker and Penelope along with the remainder of the Capture Squad just stood around, unsure of what to do.

"What a damn mess!" sighed Rigby. "Since when did Havoc become more of a threat than she originally was?"

"She's learned from, shall we say the worst?" said Penelope.

Rigby let out a sigh and looked around. "Just look around," he said. "We worked so far to set this up - and we have nothing to show for it! They didn't even leave us a clue. They're too smart for us."

"H'Or not," Parker said suddenly. He walked into the road and picked something up off the tarmac at the very spot where Havoc had been. "I'm pretty sure that this wasn't 'ere when we h'arrived!"

"What is it, Parker?" asked Penelope.

Parker looked over the small black device carefully. "If I didn't know better, h'I would say that it's some kind of voice-recorder."

Kayo looked up and then stood up. "Show me," she said. Parker handed her the device. "Do you think Havoc might have dropped it?"

"It's possible, Miss," said Parker.

Kayo soon found a button and pressed it. A recording began to play. It was Havoc's voice, but what she said only left them more confused than they were before.

"Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a bucket of water!

Jack fell down and smashed his crown, and Jill went crying after!"

An awkward silence fell upon the group.

"It's been some years since I heard that nursery rhyme," said Penelope. "But I'm pretty sure that is not how it goes."

"'er way of mocking h'us no doubt, m'lady," agreed Parker.

Colonel Casey stared from where she had been sitting. "Some clue!" she said bitterly.

"Yeah," agreed Kayo. "Just another taunt to rub salt in our wounds."

Rigby took the device. "Useless!" he said. "Do you want me to destroy it, Colonel?"

"What do you think, Captain?" snapped Colonel Casey, whose head was buried in her knees again.

Rigby dropped the device back onto the road and was about to stamp on it when Penelope spoke up. "Wait a moment, maybe it IS a clue!"

"What do you mean?" asked Kayo.

"I've just realised where we are," Penelope said. "My parents brought me to this very hill once when I was little. Jack and Jill went up the hill. And we're at the bottom of a hill."

Rigby, Parker and Kayo exchanged puzzled looks. "And?" said Rigby.

Penelope pointed up there. "There!" she said. "Jack and Jill Mill!"

Everyone looked at where Penelope was pointing. A short distance away up the hill and glistening in the early evening Sun were the unmistakable shape of two old-fashioned Windmills.

"Er, m'lady, those h'are Windmills," said Parker.

"Yes, I know that, Parker," said Penelope. "But they're not just any Windmills. They're a local historical landmark known as 'Jack' and 'Jill'! The tall brick one is 'Jack' and the smaller white one is called 'Jill'."

Colonel Casey scrambled to her feet and came to join them. She gazed over at the Windmills. "What are you saying, Lady Penelope?" she asked.

"It may be another trick, but there's also a chance, Colonel," said Penelope. "What if Havoc has hidden Rita and Noel inside those Windmills for us to find? That nursery rhyme was a riddle we needed to solve?"

Colonel Casey looked at Penelope and then at the Windmills. "Then let's go and see!" she said before she began to run up the country lane towards them. Kayo, Penelope, Parker, Rigby and the Capture Squad quickly followed her.

They soon reached an entranceway in the hedge on the left side of the road which led them to the patch of land where 'Jill' Windmill was located. 'Jack' Windmill could be accessed by another entrance a bit further up the road.

"Are you absolutely sure about this, Colonel?" asked Rigby.

"We have to be sure, Captain," said Colonel Casey. "You take Lady Penelope, Parker and half of the squad to the other Windmill. Kayo, myself and the rest of the squad will search this one."

"Roger that," said Rigby. He then called to those in his group. "FOLLOW ME!" They then hurried off towards 'Jack' Windmill whilst Colonel Casey, Kayo and the rest of the squad ran towards 'Jill' Windmill.

Reaching the door at the base of the Windmill, Kayo kicked the door in and they looked in the ground floor base. Nothing was there.

"Damn it!" said Colonel Casey. "I knew this had to be a trick."

"Not so fast, Colonel," said Kayo. "There's some stairs leading up the back into the top section of the Mill. We need to get up there."

Running around to the back of the Windmill, they hurried up the stairs to the back door.

"Look!" Kayo said. "The door's already been tampered with. That means someone's been inside."

Pushing the door open, Kayo led Colonel Casey and their half of the Capture Squad inside. The inside of the Mill was dark and cramped. Colonel Casey in particular had to bend down under the support beams due to her height.

"RITA?!" Kayo called out. "NOEL?!"

"NOEL?! RITA?!" yelled Colonel Casey. "IS ANYBODY THERE?!"

A muffled scream was heard from somewhere above them.

Colonel Casey practically sprinted up the steps to the next floor, completing forgetting about the narrowness of the building and knocking her head on one of the beams but she shrugged it off and carried on up the following level where she finally found the source of the muffled cry. Movement could be seen from under a large brown sheet in one of the corners. She ran towards it and pulled the sheet off to reveal a bound, gagged and very scared Rita quivering. "RITA!" Colonel Casey gasped as she pulled the tape off Rita's mouth.

"Mom?!" exclaimed Rita. "MOM!"

Kayo helped Colonel Casey to untie Rita before she and her mother had a tearful embrace. This did at least bring a little closure to them.

"Oh, God…" wept Colonel Casey as she hugged her daughter tightly. She then adjusted her head to look at Kayo. "Thank you, Kayo," she whispered.

"Don't thank me, yet," Kayo whispered back. "Let's make sure Noel is safe as well."

Colonel Casey helped Rita out of the Windmill. She was very shaky, having not eaten for quite some time so she was given a blanket in an attempt to warm up.

Coming round to the front of the Windmill, they found Rigby, Penelope, Parker and the rest of the Capture Squad returning from having searched 'Jack' Windmill. But they only needed to see the downcast looks on their faces to know what the result was.

"I'm sorry, Colonel," said Rigby sadly. "The Windmill was empty. There was nobody there."

Colonel Casey's heart sank like a stone. Her daughter was safe, but her son was still missing.

Kayo felt dreadful. She couldn't even bring herself to say anything now.

Jeff sat at his desk as he spoke to both Kayo and Colonel Casey. "Martha. I just don't know what to say," he was saying. "I'm so sorry."

"Thank you, Jeff," said Colonel Casey. "I never thought this day would ever happen."

"It's not one anyone can ever prepare for," said Jeff. "I think perhaps given the circumstances we need to postpone our dinner meeting until things have improved?"

The answer Colonel Casey gave wasn't the one Jeff was expecting. "Actually, Jeff, I would like to go ahead with it," she said. "Rita's being transported to London for hospital examination. It just so happens that the restaurant is a stone's throw from the hospital. I will stay with her until you arrive. I am going to need someone I can trust entirely to talk to after all this."

"Very well," said Jeff, surprised. "I will leave here in thirty minutes. See you in a couple of hours. What about you, Kayo?"

"I'm on my way back, Mr Tracy," said Kayo. "And can I request that I be left alone by the others. I've made one hell of a mess of things."

"Kayo, please, stop blaming yourself," said Colonel Casey. "I accepted your plan. The responsibility is as much mine as yours."

Kayo sighed. "All the same, I'm the one who came up with the plan, and now my uncle is on the loose again."

"We'll get him back where he belongs, Kayo," Jeff said, doing his best to sound reassuring. "Until then we have to carry on as normal."

Kayo nodded. "F-A-B," she said.

The city of London seemed to sparkle in the amount of bright lights that shone from the numerous buildings and street lamps. Even though it was after dark, many people were still out and about. Going to pubs, restaurants and nightclubs. It wasn't quite New York in the sense that it never slept but it wasn't far off.

The restaurant that Jeff and Colonel Casey had gone to was within view of Tower Bridge. They sat outside on one of the private balconies that overhung the Thames. Hayley and Virgil were there as well, just on the inside of the restaurant but within view of Jeff and the Colonel.

"It's been quite a while since we got a proper catch-up," Jeff was saying. "I only wish we could be in better circumstances."

"I couldn't agree more, Jeff," replied Colonel Casey. "I do have some closure following today's ordeal, but I won't be fully recovered until I know the fate of Noel."

"We'll find him, Martha," promised Jeff. "However long it takes us. We will find him."

Colonel Casey gave a smile. Having known Jeff for so long, she completely trusted him that no matter what the outcome would be, Jeff was a man of his word.

Hayley sipped at the soup that she and Virgil were having for starters. She took a glance out at the pair outside. "So…are they a thing?" she asked.

"Who?" asked Virgil. Hayley nodded towards Jeff and Colonel Casey. Virgil almost choked on his soup. "Dad and Casey?! Most definitely not!" he laughed. "The Colonel's in her early forties! Dad's at least fifteen years older than she is."

Hayley felt silly. "Just good friends then?"

"Well, it's kind of a family thing," said Virgil. "Colonel Casey became kind of a mother figure to us after the Zero-X incident. Grandma could only handle so much. Also Dad and her dad have been friends as long as Dad has been friends with Lee Taylor. Colonel Tim Casey was the third man on the original Mars mission with Dad and Taylor."

"Can't say I've heard of a Tim Casey," remarked Hayley. "What branch of the military is he in?"

"He's ex-military now," said Virgil. "But I believe he's a high-ranking officer in the Royal Canadian Mountain Police. Dad's been meaning to catch up with him for ages, but the right time hasn't come."

"I'm sure it will some day, love," Hayley said.

Scott walked down to the beach. He saw Kayo sitting on a rock looking out across the Pacific. He thought about going to talk to her, but remembered what Jeff had said. Leaving her alone was what she wanted. Scott turned to go back to the house.

"Have you come to chastise me, Scott?"

Scott stopped dead and turned back. "Excuse me?"

Kayo turned to look at him. Her eyes were red, telling Scott that she'd been crying.

"Not at all," Scott said. "I just wanted to check where you were, that's all. I'll leave you alone." He went to walk back up to the house, but Kayo called out again.

"Scott, wait!" Kayo said, trying to hold back more tears. "I really fu-"

"NO!" Scott barked, silencing Kayo. "You know I don't approve of that word."

Kayo sniffled. "But I have, haven't I?"

Scott sighed. "You were trying to save the lives of two people, Kayo," he said. "Yes, The Hood and Havoc played you for a fool. But they won't remain free forever. We will track them down. Whatever they try, we will be ready for them."

Kayo sniffled again. She then ran up and threw her arms around Scott before sobbing into his shoulder. Scott said nothing as he placed his own arms around Kayo to comfort her.

Jeff wiped his mouth as he finished the main course. A waitress came to take his and Colonel Casey's plates away. Then a drinks waitress came along. "Would you like another drink, sir?" she asked in a Scottish accent.

"Why not?" said Jeff with a smile. "A whiskey, please."

"Certainly sir. Madam?"

"Gin and tonic, please," said Colonel Casey.

The waitress nodded and left to get the drinks.

Hayley and Virgil then appeared at the doorway. "I'm just going to see Hayley off, Dad," Virgil said. "Not to rush you both, but how long will you be?"

"About twenty minutes I reckon, Virgil," Jeff replied. "We're still contemplating pudding."

"Fair enough," said Virgil.

"Good luck with your training, Hayley," said Jeff.

"Thank you, Mr Tracy," said Hayley. She turned to Colonel Casey. "And I'm looking forward to working with you, Colonel."

Colonel Casey gave a smile. "I've heard a lot about you, Captain Madison," she said. "I too look forward to having you amongst my team."

After bidding farewell, Virgil and Hayley walked back through the restaurant, briefly pausing to allow the waitress to pass them with the drinks for Jeff and Colonel Casey. Walking outside, they saw a car parked nearby. It was Hayley's father who'd come to collect her.

"I'm gonna miss you," Virgil said.

"And I you, my love," Hayley replied. "These next few months are going to be too long." They embraced with a big hug and a long kiss before resting their foreheads against one another's. Although neither of them said it, they both knew what the other was thinking. They did not want to be separated for so long, but if Hayley was to pursue her career, this was how it was to be.

"Stay safe," Virgil said, trying not to get tears in his eyes.

"And you," said Hayley. "Don't go killing yourself when you're trying to save the world." She gave him one last kiss on the lips before turning towards her father's car.

"I love you!" Virgil called as she opened the door of the car.

Hayley turned back and gave him a heart-warming smile. "And don't I know it!" she teased. "Love you too." She then climbed into the car and it drove away down the old cobbled street.

Virgil stayed where he was and waved until the car turned a corner and was gone. He let out a sigh. "I hate goodbyes," he said to himself.

Suddenly there came a cry of alarm from inside the restaurant. "QUICK! SOMEONE CALL AN AMBULANCE! HURRY!"

Virgil froze. He knew from the sound of that voice that something bad had just happened. He turned and ran back inside the restaurant.

No sooner had Virgil run back inside when the waitress who'd delivered the drinks to Jeff and Colonel Casey slunk away into the darkness at the side of the restaurant. She then phased right through the walls and out into a dark alleyway at the side of the building. She looked around to make sure nobody was looking before tapping the hearing aid in her right ear. "Havoc from White Ghost. It is done!"

As he made his way back towards the balcony, Virgil saw that a crowd of alarmed guests and members of staff were gathered around the door that led out onto the balcony. "Excuse me!" Virgil said as he pushed his way through. "Sorry. Pardon me! Coming through!" He soon reached the front, and almost cried out in horror. Colonel Casey was down on her knees along with the restaurant manager and one of the waiters. All three were frantically trying to perform CPR on Jeff who was lying flat on the floor. His skin had gone pale and he didn't appear to be conscious. "Dad?!" Virgil cried, falling to his knees and trying to help. "What happened?"

"I don't know!" Colonel Casey cried. "He took one sip of his whiskey. Next minute he started choking and then fell out of his chair."

Virgil frantically shook Jeff trying to wake him up. "Dad? Dad, can you hear me? Wake up! DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!"

TO BE CONTINUED!