Grey eyes stared down the man pacing before him, the smug explanation of his devilish plan only serving to enrage Jeff even more than he had been. Considering the villain had his family locked up somewhere in the base, he hadn't imagined his ire could grow any further.
The Hood stopped to lean against the console across from the chair Jeff had been secured to, his arms crossing over his chest in triumph, "So, you've heard my terms. What say you, Mr. Tracy?"
"I don't think you realize how impossible your plan is," he let the growl in his tone convey the danger the man was in should the cuffs come free. "I can't simply sign Tracy Industries over to you."
"Then shut it down," unwavered, the Hood's grin spread. "I can't have your family in my way any longer, so I'll be cutting International Rescue off at its source. No money, no Thunderbirds."
"You'd be putting thousands out of work -" there was more at stake here than just his family.
"I don't care," heartlessly calm, "and as anyone will see it, you will be ruining the lives of everyone who's worked for you. Honestly, just another win for me. So what's it going to be, Jeff? Your company or your family?"
Before he could come back with anything that could prolong the one-sided negotiations, a light on the console flashed, the Hood's eyes pinning it with annoyance. A flick of his hand activated it, "What is it?"
Whoever was contacting his captor, the information was too quiet for Jeff to hear, but he didn't miss the irritation that sent a curse from the Hood. Something was interfering with the man's plan and Jeff could only hope it was the authorities.
"Well then, deal with him," further silence left him wondering who the Hood was referring to, hoping his boys kept their cool should an opportunity arise. "What do you mean -" the shout caught him off guard and he watched the man turn to view the hanger just beyond the observation window.
Across the expansive room, a catwalk connected to an elevator, the glow of its arrow illuminating as the car arrived. When the doors opened, his heart shuttered to a painful stop before speeding up with the need to be free.
Gordon, his exosuit a bright yellow against the blue, stood in the lift doorway, Virgil's own exosuit secured around him for added protection.
But how?
Jeff had been awoken in this room, only aware that his family had been with him in the limousine. The Hood had taken all of them, he was certain of it. His mind reached back to the events from that morning, watching his mother, Brains, Kayo, his boys, even Lady Penelope and Parker, all climbing into the vehicle. All except - Gordon had been heading back from the Kermadec research hub. He'd planned on meeting them at the event.
"Hood!" His son's voice echoed through the comms. "Release my family and I promise not to blow this hell hole to oblivion!"
"And risk their lives in the process? I think that's as clear a bluff as I've ever heard!" Anger laced the words, however, the crimp in the Hood's plans obviously had a negative effect.
"So sure about that?" A pause preceded a deep rumble as sparks and flames shot around the hangar, smoke billowing around the large vehicles and sending shouts from the henchmen within.
"You little-!" And the Hood was moving, shoving the door open to confront the aquanaut. Jeff watched in frantic desperation as the figure in the elevator illuminated, a glowing sword extending from his outstretched arm. His son was prepared for a fight the Hood had a chance of winning. Gordon didn't have the same level of combat training their adversary did.
Pulling hard at the cuffs around his wrists, Jeff felt the sharp ache that told him it was a pointless effort. His son was on his own.
And then, through the door left open by the Hood, Gordon appeared. Shock kept his voice from him, watching the young man move quickly through the room until he was crouched behind him.
"I've got ya, Dad. Just gotta get these cuffs," the blonde whispered, urgency in his voice.
"Gordon! What are you doing here?" His eyes stayed on the Hood, each word a risk of drawing the man's attention.
"Rescuing you," nononesense, the hands still working at the restraints.
The point had been missed, "Where's the GDF?"
"They'll be here as soon as we're out. No worries, Dad. I've got this," the confidence did nothing for the elder man's nerves as he watched the Hood close in on the figure in the elevator.
"Who's in your suit?" The thought of someone else being in harm's way wasn't helping matters.
"EOS has control. Just basic functions," a click and one hand came out of the restraint, the other still attached to the chair. "Three more -"
An explosion rocked the building and Jeff looked up from his sore wrist to see the elevator in flames, the Hood unfazed, if a little shocked, "Was that you?"
"Honestly, maybe? EOS is pretty pissed," a nervous chuckle as Gordon moved to the other cuff.
It was taking too long, Jeff reaching down with his new freedom to see what he could do about his leg reatraints. That was a mistake, a growl emanating from the doorway and before he could sit back up, the Hood was already darting past. Jeff tried to stop the man, but his one arm was useless against the trained martial artist.
Gordon was fast, dodging the villain's strike and falling into a defensive stance. Jeff wasn't exactly used to the cold glare from the usually bright amber, but he'd been witness to a few of his boys' sparring matches with Kayo to know how much she drilled into them the importance of focus. The Hood wasn't going to go easy on them.
"You think this changes anything," the Hood snarled before closing the distance with a quick blow that glanced off Gordon's forearm, the blonde moving away just as quickly. The move only served to enrage the bald man more, a growl their only warning as he rebounded. The kick caught the blonde in the chest, sending him colliding with a storage cabinet, its side buckling against the impact.
"Gordon!" Jeff twisted, trying to check on his second youngest as the Hood continued to advance. His son pushed off the floor, his arms still up for protection as he fought to regain any amount of composure.
"What could you possibly have hoped to gain from this foolish endeavor?" Without waiting for a response, the Hood attacked, ready for whatever defense Gordon could've offered. The first strike hit solidly off the younger man's arm - painful, but not debilitating - the Hood using it to gain proximity and hooking his other hand behind Gordon's neck. The momentum offered his son no reaction time as a knee was sent into his gut, folding him into a stumbling, gasping shuffle away from his assailant.
"Hood! Leave him alone or I swear I'll -"
"You'll do what?! Sign over your company?" A hysterical laugh as they found themselves back to square one. "Surely, you'd be willing to bend to my demands -" the space between the Hood and Gordon closed as the man reached down and took a fistful of blonde hair, yanking the aquanaut upwards. The effect would have been more effective if not for the elbow that came up and slammed into the Hood's nose. A curse hissed from the villain who managed to keep a hold on his son, retaliating by slamming his head into the console lining the window.
Jeff's gut twisted at the sound, the sight of Gordon falling to the floor, conscious enough to catch himself. For a moment, he almost gave in, willing to put a stop to his son's torment - but there was more at risk here than Gordon. This wasn't just about ruining his legacy. This was a man, crazy for power and willing to do anything to gain it. Who else would suffer under his hand?
Yellow eyes met grey and read the decision before Jeff could utter his refusal. A grinned snear fell towards his son, "Here that, Gordon? Your father could save you, but he's decided to choose his company - his wealth - over you."
"That's not true!" It tore from Jeff's throat, his stomach turning with apprehension.
"You're just one of his little soldiers," the toothy grin turned to Jeff in triumph.
The blur that followed that heinous implication sent the Hood stumbling back, a thin trail of red falling from his lip. Gordon wobbled on his feet as he glared back at the villain, "You're wrong!" Jeff watched in awed horror as Gordon shifted from defense to headlong attack, a fist brushing past the Hood's cheek as he sent a barrage of fists towards the bald head.
Taken by surprise by the younger man's recovery, the Hood stumbled back, out of reach from another strike. He only needed that second, eyes narrowing, focusing on his current and persistent problem. Jeff pulled at his bonds again, certain he was about to lose a son, but there was nothing he could do. Nothing, but watch the man who hated him - hated his family - surge forward with a devastating blow to his son's chest. There was a snap even before Gordon hit the floor with a sharp cry.
Jeff heard his own anguished shout as the Hood stepped over to Gordon, a foot slamming into the busted ribs. The villain bent down and took Gordon's face between long, careless fingers, "Then tell me, what are you if not loyal pawns to a self righteous king?"
Words were a struggle past the pain, Gordon gasping through the abuse. A smile, impossible to mistake, answered the Hood until the blonde whispered the only thing he could.
"I'm th' distraction."
The Hood's dimented smile fell into confusion just in time for a cacophony of noise to echo through the door. Jeff blinked as a large object darted through the entryway and slammed into the unsuspecting villain. Another blink and the object took shape, white, robotic arms pinning the Hood to the wall as other figures started pouring in.
"Hold him th-there, MAX!" The instruction came from the back of the group and Jeff looked up to see Brains standing behind Scott and Kayo, both watching their captor with intense hatred.
"Dad!" Alan appeared, followed closely by Parker who had his cuffs undone in seconds. Jeff quickly enveloped his youngest in a tight hug, grateful that his family appeared unharmed.
Almost all of them.
Virgil and his mother were bent over Gordon, the blue of his suit barely visible as the two worked to assess injuries. Beside them, John stood with Lady Penelope, both carrying a rage tucked neatly under a calm facade. If not for his eldest and their security officer, Jeff was certain the two would be orchestrating the Hood's downfall - if they hadn't already. It would come soon enough.
By the time he made it to Gordon, Virgil was helping him sit up, as good a sign as any that their Fish would be alright. A groan and a string of words that could've been vulgar if not for some slight lettering changes. Jeff couldn't help smiling at the "ship, that hurt" that punctuated the expletives. When it looked like Mom was between physician mode and stern matriarch, he stepped in, crouching to meet their eye line.
"You okay, Kiddo?" His hand found Gordon's kmee, giving it a squeeze.
The blonde's hand was covering the side of his head that had taken the brunt of the console, the swelling obvious through the fingers, but he offered a smile regardless, "'m okay, Dad. Not the worst fight I've been in."
Jeff arched a brow, but didn't press. His boys would have their fair share of mysteries and now wasn't the time to explore them. Turning to his mother, he felt grateful for her expertise, "Is he safe to move?"
"It's not ideal," her voice was tight with the stress of the situation, "but he should be alright until we get him home."
"Oh... that's gonna be a problem," Gordon chuckled with a wince. When all eyes fell on him, he continued, "can't all fit in Shadow."
There was a pained shout and Jeff turned to see the Hood being secured by Kayo, her jaw tight as she jammed his arms into the restraints that had held him not more than a few minutes ago. Grey eyes found the villain's face, blood still trailing down his chin. A spark of pride for his second youngest flared and he ignored the anger being sent back at him.
Meeting Gordon's swollen gaze, Jeff smiled, "We'll figure something out. You've done more than enough, Squirt."
"Technically, EOS and MAX did most of the work," a dopey grin spread under the amber eyes.
The robot trilled from beside his creator, an amused sound from the AI, both appreciative of the recognition.
Without further hesitation, Virgil and Jeff helped lift Gordon to his feet, Alan, Penelope and Parker leading the way with Sally and John behind them. A quick glance to Scott communicated just who was going to ensure the Hood made it to the GDF's custody. The backup from Kayo and MAX helped, as well.
As they stepped onto the catwalk, there was an exaggerated gasp from Gordon's other side, Virgil's voice sounding shocked, "You blew up my exosuit?!"
"I improvised," Gordon's smile was teasing, feeding into the lighthearted anger. "Technically, I think EOS blew up your suit."
A soft laugh from John, "EOS?"
"Only a few steps more and I would've had him," the young AI sounded with regret from Gordon's baldric. He would be lying if he said EOS didn't scare him. Jeff would have to trust that John had a good hold on her.
The day sped up from there, the GDF landing the moment the group stepped out of the building. A unit had run past them, likely on their way to detain anyone inside. Col Casey met them not long after, looking none too pleased with the shape of his second youngest. Discussions about untrustworthy GDF personnel had been kept within the tight knit group, the fact that Jeff and his family had been captured by the Hood while enroute to one of the Force's events punctuating the point. Val had personally escorted them to a medical unit to wait for EOS to remotely launch Thunderbird 2 to their location.
Now, Jeff found himself wedged next to Gordon, acting as a human pillow for his sleeping son. Every so often, he would tap on the cheek that wasn't swollen, watching the grimace before an eye peeked out from sluggish lids. A thumbs up and he was back to sleep again. Jeff smiled down at the boyish features and wondered if this was possibly something he'd missed when Gordon was younger. His little ray of clingy sunshine. Not so little any more.
Placing a kiss on top of the soft waves, he whispered, "Good job today, Kiddo."
The answering snore was all he needed to know his Fish would be just fine.