A voice.

Tagged and highlighted.

Screaming its importance in bright fluorescent red.

John - back in his Thunderbird after another twenty-four hours on the ground - isolated it and devoted all of his attention to the short line of dialogue that had been recorded and looped in accordance to his enhanced recognition system. He had EOS back from her contained search in the flick of his fingers, turquoise eyes never leaving the source of his current racing heart.

"John?" The AI chimed with confusion.

"It's Gordon," he kept his explanation clipped. "He's called into a dispatch here," he gestured to the outskirts of the city they had been monitoring. "I need as many views as you can get of this area."

While EOS went to work pulling up all of the feeds around the city, John located the initial part of the call. A woman frantically described what she was seeing, her information nothing more than a man being on the ground. She must have handed the device to his brother, Gordon stumbling briefly to provide what the dispatcher needed.

It wasn't much, but it was enough for him to hold tight to hope. John listened as his brother disappeared and the woman was finally giving a location.

"EOS, narrow your search around the Milestone Security offices."

A trill of affirmation turned into geering frustration, "The facility has security protocols blocking all outside interference. Bypassing them will take some time."

"Do what you can," John expanded the mapping around the facility, taking over for EOS with checking cameras outside of the security company's range. He had every road leading away from Gordon's last known location and he was determined not to lose him again.

Minutes passed with no answer from EOS, vehicles passing through the feeds, almost taunting him with the possibilities. Gordon was there, trapped in any one of the cars, trunks, vans - only one in hundreds.

He considered alerting the island, but without anything concrete, they would be a distraction. A little longer and he could potentially offer the answer they all needed.

It was almost fifteen minutes later when EOS voiced she had found Gordon - or the source of the call, at least. Video footage from one of the security cameras inside the building showed a group of people surrounding the person Gordon had reported to dispatch. The only problem, EMS seemed to be taking care of the man now and there was no sign of the blonde.

"What about before now. Can you find Gordon when he made the call?" It was a mute question. Of course, she could, but voicing his requests offered him some control over his worry.

"I believe this is your brother, but they've disguised him," the AI brought up an image of two men in an altercation, a woman behind them looking upset. As EOS played the video, one of the men collapsed, while the other appeared to begin assessing him.

"That's definitely Gordon. Where did he go from here?" The footage continued until the group of party guests filled their view once more. They watched long enough to see EMS arrive, but there was no sign of Gordon. "Do you have visuals on the exits?"

"Only two entry points are functioning at the moment. I'll rewind to just after he makes the call," the view of a well decorated front entrance popped up beside the crowd, followed closely by the loading docks.

It wasn't long before a group of men appeared, anger evident on their faces, "Audio?"

"Job's done and nobody died," just hearing Gordon's voice sent his heart racing. He was alive and by the sound of it, giving his captives the stubborn little brother treatment. As they loaded into the back of what looked to be a catering van, John realised there was no sign of Parker.

Anger spikes with the thought that these people would be using Gordon and Parker against each other. His brother wouldn't willingly work with this group unless the elder man's life was in danger.

"We'll track the van and see where they go," John brought the rest of the feeds back up, locating the vehicle easily enough. It wasn't until it turned off the road and out of view did he realize the problem. It never reappeared.

"I believe they've switched vehicles," and whatever that car was, it didn't show up either.

"Who the hell are these people?" The growl ripped through his chest as John glared at the last known location, but it was something and he activated his link to the island, "Thunderbird 5 to Base, I found him."

OoOoOoO

They'd left the van and hiked a short distance to another meeting point, Owens' car waiting patiently for them. Ray joined him as Gordon slid inside, the other henchmen heading for a second vehicle, and he spotted Parker immediately. His friend shot him a reassuring and relieved smile, which fell the moment Ray handed Owens their prize from today's misadventure.

"Everythings been copied over and it's ready for the next phase."

"Excellent job, boys," Owens grinned, turning the card over in his hand. "This should make things much easier." Dark eyes lowered to land on Gordon, "Were there any issues with the operation?"

It was Ray who answered, "Mr Hero over here had the brilliant idea to call in a medical emergency."

"He what?" Venom replaced the pleasant tone from only a moment ago.

"Hey, I didn't call anyone!" Gordon suddenly felt the frantic need to calm suspicions in case Owens decided to dole out a harsh punishment. "I was handed a phone and just told them what was wrong with the guy."

Amber eyes watched the fury subside a little across their captor's face. The next instruction was aimed directly at Ray, "Explain."

The henchman turned to glare at the aquanaut, "Cooper was supposed to make Mr Stone angry enough that he could get the fake badge back. It seems Stone passed out before he could get a jab in. Cooper thought it was necessary to play medic."

"Would you have rather me let him lay there and possibly die?" Gordon shot back, realizing a very pivotal part of the major plan could have been derailed. "If he died, that card is useless. No way the company would keep it active."

A beat of silence filled only by the sound of the road they were driving down.

And then a chuckle, "Oi, 'e's got you there." It was the first time he'd heard Parker speak and it was enough to alleviate some of the oppressive anger.

A grin grew across Owens' lips, but the warning stayed in his eyes, "It seems so - but I promise, if it happens again, I won't be as forgiving."

"Noted," though, if the need arose again, leaving another victim in peril, Gordon was certain he would make sure everything in his power was done to help. Screw the consequences.

The ride back was halted by the transfer of the two prisoners into the trunk of the car, bound as usual, but feeling a bit less nauseous than before. If he was honest, Gordon felt somewhat relieved that his part was over and he'd managed to protect Stone, even if it wasn't his doing. At least it hadn't been Ray or else the man would've hit the ground a whole lot harder.

"You h'alright?" Parker queried in the darkness of their confines.

"Just peachy."

A short laugh as dry as his response, "The brown 'air was a bit of a shock. Thought you were Scott for a second."

"You take that back," Gordon's mock offense sent a grin over his face. "I do pull it off better, though."

Another scoff, the elder man happy to play along, "H'I wouldn't say that, so much as it is an h'improvement - just barely."

"Improvement? If you're going for super serious, workaholic, maybe," oh, how he wished that very brother would come roaring in, ready to deliver some swift vengeance. "Nah, sunshine blonde's the way to go - for me anyway. Trying to picture you with anything other than grey is just weird."

"I'll 'ave you know this 'air's seen its fair share of dyes," Parker started, but the argument fell with a laugh. "Can't say I pulled it h'off well."

"Aw, it couldn't have been that bad," Gordon felt a sudden defensiveness towards his friend. "Though, I hear the salt and pepper look is pretty big with the ladies."

"Do ya now?" There was a hint of skepticism.

"Parker, don't tell me you haven't seen the eyes on you at some of the benefits we've been to?" A scoff that said he hadn't, "And don't think I didn't catch that look Professor Shelby sent you."

Now, he had him, Parker shifting in the small space, "You've spoken with 'er recently?"

"About a month ago," a grin. "Your name might've come up." The elder man let out a grunt that Gordon took as a positive, "You could always come out with me next time - y'know, once we ditch these goons."

The silence that followed began to weigh on the small bubble of relief he'd been building with the conversation. With each tick of the passing seconds, his smile fell. His companion was simply stating without words the likelihood of that ever happening.

"We're gonna get out of this," Gordon fell into his role, finding the hope in the dark caves full of scared victims.

"Right," Parker cleared his throat of whatever emotion had lodged there. Whether he believed Gordon's words or not, it didn't matter so long as they fought. Owens wouldn't win.

They would survive and these men would pay. That was for certain.

OoOoOoO

The rest of the trip was plagued by a choice and Parker couldn't stop it from consuming his thoughts as they made their way back to the house.

The choice had been offered as they had waited for the job to finish. Owens had brought forth the chance to stay and work for him in exchange for Gordon's freedom. There was no way around it - it was a decent offer in comparison to death. Parker had accepted with the understanding that Owens would be true to his word.

He didn't have the heart to tell the aquanaut just yet. It would come up eventually, he supposed, but he wasn't keen on the idea of having to talk Gordon into it. The kid would try his best to make him change his mind, but this was a step above a worst case scenario. Best case would be in the form of Lady Penelope and the authorities coming to the rescue. He would have to hold out hope for that option.

The car came to a stop on the gravel drive and after a short moment, the boot opened to the familiar chill of mountain air. Parker was out and standing, resigned to his place between two henchmen. Gordon followed with the assistance of the man who had overseen the operation. The grin on Ray's face should've been warning enough, but Parker found himself restrained as a fist slammed into the aquanaut's gut.

Gordon doubled over with the blow, one knee hitting the ground as Ray held tight to his arm, "Just a reminder. You pull a stunt like that again and I'll do a whole lot more than this."

"Point - taken," the aquanaut grunted as he got to his feet.

Parker couldn't help the murderous glare he sent towards the henchman, certain he would leave his own fist print on the man's face. Pointless as the thoughts were, they were still emboldening, tempering the guilt he'd been feeling for the better part of the day.

Gordon shot him a reassuring grin through the pain in his stomach, the aquanaut doing his best to calm any worry. He managed a huff of displeasure, but followed as they were led back inside. The overall mood of the group was pleasant with today's success and he was grateful to be deposited back into their room, sans cuffs. The aquanaut let out a sigh as he massaged the bruised muscles while checking his reflection in the polished metal of a clothes cabinet.

"This stuff's gotta go," he flicked at the brown strands before heading to the small bathroom. This left Parker by himself and the ex-thief let himself sink onto the cot he'd been given days ago. His face fell into his hands, taking in slow, steady breaths where his heart felt anything but. Not for the first time, the guilt surfaced like a wave ready to drown him. No matter what Gordon told him, this was still his fault, even partially.

Never in the time he'd spent with Owens had he considered his future or the people he might hurt. Youth did that to people sometimes. Always about the now, never the what then. Perhaps working for his old colleague would be a penance for his past - take down what he could from the inside, even if it left himself behind bars after.

Parker carded his hands through quickly thinning hair before straightening. He needed to keep a handle on the situation and his minute of self loathing was over. He was resigned to his choice and nothing would change it, save a miracle.

The door to the small washroom opened and Gordon emerged, blonde hair pitched in all different directions. No towel meant air drying the damp peaks and the kid looked just that - a scrawny twelve year old, fresh out of the pool and flicking water towards anyone unlucky enough to be lounging on the patio.

"What's so funny?" Gordon's bemused question shook the old thief out of the memory, the grin on his face falling slightly.

"Unsurprisingly, you are. Certainly could use with some proper facilities," almost a week without a shower was doing a number on their senses.

"I think the sink-bath worked just fine," Gordon tussled the wet strands, sending a light spray towards the elder man.

"Cor, stuck in a room with a child," he groaned, wiping away the moisture and trying to ignore the small laugh, but there was something off about it. Enough that Parker dropped the charade for a brief moment to catch the tremble across the aquanaut's shoulders. They were both playing a part, either to keep themselves afloat or each other - Parker assumed a bit of both. The facade was cracking for the blonde who had been thrown into all of this, potentially losing a brother, and doing his best to save anyone he could. "Oi, sit. You done some good today."

"Yeah," Gordon collapsed onto the sofa, the directive unnecessary. The tone indicated he was understandably skeptical, "Owens still got what he wanted."

"Would've if 'e'd had someone else workin' for 'im," Parker tried to reason. "Stone might even 'ave died if you hadn't been there."

A stretch of fatigued silence had him questioning the younger man's stability. Gordon had been through a great deal of hardship and the thought that the stress was finally getting to him was disheartening.

And then, a laugh, "Are you trying to cheer me up, Parker?"

His initial reaction was to protest, deny, tell the blonde off for thinking such a thing, but there had been an obvious change. The snarky, sniping nature of their relationship had been turned on end. Parker wasn't her ladyship's overprotective chauffeur here. He wasn't eyeing the aquanaut for the threat he was a few years back. He was the mentor for a young man who would be taking over his job. Gordon was strong, but they both had their limits and Parker wasn't ready to witness his protege's.

A lopsided smile, "First time for everything."

The grin was returned, "Thanks. A little weird, but thanks."

"H'I'll say. Best to not get used to it," that didn't mean they couldn't continue to find relief in their banter.

"No worries there," the smile, though shaky, remained, Gordon's fingers carding through his hair to try and set the unruly spikes. "You know what would really make me feel better, though?"

"Other than a good meal and a proper bed?" A grey brow lifted.

"Other than that, a good punch to Ray's face would be nice," Gordon shifted, rubbing at the sore ribs for emphasis.

"Ah, h'I'd like a good go at Owens, myself," the image alone was enough to lighten his mood. It also helped that he'd done such an act back in the day. It had been part of a cover, but was still just as satisfying. "Who knows, we might get a chance."

There was hope in that statement and Parker knew there would be no holding back if the chance arose. Their days with the group were coming to an end, like it or not, increasing the anxiety growing within his chest. If Owens didn't honor his word, a fist to the face would be the least of their captor's worries.

OoOoOoO

"We're on schedule for the next part of the plan," Owens offered to the voice on the other end of the communicator. Overall, he'd been pleased with the operation, even with the hiccups brought on by their mark.

It didn't appear that their client was as satisfied, "Who is this?" An image of Cooper flashed up on the hologram, footage of the young man working on Stone clear and impossible to deny.

"We picked him up with Parker. He's been detrimental in keeping my old colleague cooperative," and was just as inexpensive. "Seems he's been taught pretty well in the ways of deception."

"I would have to agree," the voice growled. "Considering he's been able to hide his true identity from you for this long."

Anger flared with the accusation, Owens gripping his cane to prevent himself from rebutting, "What do you mean?"

A second image appeared next to the footage showing the blonde standing in a blue uniform with a group of individuals wrapped in silver blankets. Even with the brunette hair gel, the match was impossible to dispute.

"Bloody hell," the curse slipped free with recognition.

"Mr Owens, I suggest you consider your options. His family is quite relentless to say the least," the warning was clear.

His lips thinned with the weight of this new development. International rescue - the Tracy family - though he'd never thought to look into them personally, was a problem. They had connections, support, and, above all, money. Suddenly, Cooper was sending images of a payout far larger than the one he would get from this job. The only distressing factor that sent his scheming mind reeling was that he couldn't let the kid go, not now. He knew too much. Even with Parker under his thumb, there would be risks.

No, he had to come up with a new plan, "Understood. This shouldn't interfere with obtaining your merchandise."

"Be sure it doesn't," the voice ended the call, but the images of Cooper remained. A quick search and Owens had the rest of the information that had been hidden from him.

"Alright, Gordon Tracy," he grinned. "Time to make me a very rich man."