He'd fallen asleep, surprisingly, though given the circumstances, Gordon could assume he'd simply passed out. The room was noticeably warmer, the burn in his frozen skin helping to pull him from the void. He pushed himself up to sit, muscles stiff as they protested, but he ignored them. The window at the door was vacant, which meant he had a little while to himself.

Gordon let his gaze move over the room now that he wasn't being observed - acutely at least. There could always be cameras and sensors feeding information to nameless individuals. As he'd noticed before, it was an airlock, easily flooded for departure into an environment of differing pressure. The familiarity made his heart ache. Of all the places the Hood could have taken him, this was his comfort zone and it was being used against him. Amber caught on a panel embedded into the wall - controls for the hatch that led outside. It was tempting if it was functional, to activate it and let the waters flood in. He could shift, but it wouldn't take long for the pressure to crush him. Gordon had one deep ocean form and it couldn't hold up even if he bolted for the surface.

A sting sent fire through his back as he shifted and he remembered the knife. A hand reached back to glide over his side, coming back sticky and red. It wasn't fresh, offering him some relief, but it was a reminder of the danger he was still in. The Hood was a maniac and willing to do anything in order to obtain their secret. Gordon wasn't even sure transfering his marks to another person would even work, but he'd seen and felt what John had gone through. Not just the physical pain of losing his wing, his marks, but the slivers of emotional torment his brother had let slip past his defenses. It had been by sheer determination and a whole lot of luck that Virgil and Brains had been able to give him back something, whether mechanical or not. If Gordon lost his marks, that would be the end. No more flying through his ocean. No more eight appendaged hugs to help ease worried siblings.

The idea sent a shiver up his spine and he suddenly felt the need to reach out. He needed his brothers before he lost all sense of control. Virgil was there in an instant, all warmth that curled around him. It was a hug that didn't want to let go and for a brief moment, he considered the act a mistake. Instead of strength, Gordon felt an overwhelming desire to let go, let his brothers handle everything. They would save him.

But what if they couldn't. What would happen if they were able to make it all the way to the Hood's ship? They would be defenseless. He couldn't let them be captured too, or worse.

Gordon's desperation and need for his brothers quickly changed to fear, pushing at the empathic embrace. His heart yelled at them to stay away. He could do this on his own or die trying.

Again, Virgil tried to calm him with waves of reassurance, but he fought it back - stubborn little brother wanting to be left alone. He heard the growl slip past his lips as his co-pilot tried again.

"Penny for your thoughts?" The Hood jeered from behind the window, drawing Gordon away from his internal battle. A glare that could maim was his only response. "Speaking of, it appears Lady Penelope hasn't been informed of your current situation."

His expression fell with the gut wrenching panic that came whenever Penelope was in trouble, "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, seeing as you two appear to be more than just acquaintances - and before you protest, it's fairly obvious by the way you two can't be apart for more than a few minutes. It's astounding what one can glean from surveillance of a charity event," the Hood's teeth shone in the hallway lighting. "I'm just surprised your brothers would keep this from her, seeing as she's so close to your family. Guess trust is a bit shaky these days."

"What's your point?" The question squeezed through the confusion. Why hadn't they told Penelope and how did -

"The reason I know all of this is simple. Lady Penelope is currently attending a benefit for the Feed the World initiative, where I have multiple agents keeping an eye on her," the threat seeped into his tone, yellow eyes pinning the aquanaut with intent. "I'd assumed she would be assisting in the search, but imagine my surprise when I found her carefree and enjoying herself. It would be a shame for that to come to an end, don't you agree?"

He couldn't let it get to him, but the mere idea of Penelope being threatened sent him to his feet, rushing the door with a growl, "Touch her and I swear I'll destroy this whole ship."

An amused chuckle, "And how, by chance, do you intend to do that, dear boy? A ray is not all that...destructive." A thick brow lifted, "Unless there's something else? More than one creature you can become?" Gordon paled, too late in realizing his mistake. "Ah, very interesting. I'm intrigued! I wish to see one and in return your Penny stays untouched."

He wasn't given a choice as the room began to fill, the water not nearly as frigid as before and he wanted nothing more than to tear the smug grin off the Hood's face. Penelope was counting on him, though, whether she knew it or not and even with the understanding she could take care of herself, he wasn't going to take the chance.

The marks moved, melting and reforming across his back. The one closest to the scalpel wound sent a hiss of pain through clenched teeth, but he didn't stop. When the water reached his chest, Gordon locked his gaze on the window, glaring one last time at his captor. He push at his brothers, still determined to keep them away and realized he was about to ensure just that. Internal satisfaction sent a slight grin to the corner of his mouth… and he vanished.

Virgil would be panicking right about now, John and Scott trying their best to help him focus, but Gordon had always used this form when he didn't want to be found. The added bonus of camouflage only encouraged his rebellious nature as the octopus wedged himself into a corner of the airlock, pigments picking up the dark greys and silvers.

The look of bewilderment on the Hood's face was almost worth the entire ordeal. He was talking furiously through the comms to the observers. With the right technology, they could spot him, but this was more for the villain's annoyance.

When it seemed he wasn't getting the answers he wanted, the Hood redirected his attention back to Gordon, "Whatever you've become, I suggest you reveal yourself."

That was a hard no at the moment. Gordon was enjoying this and wanted to make the man practically beg. It was a ridiculous notion, born of rage and defiance, the aquanaut fed up with everything this madman had done to his family. He deserved this at least.

His glee was interrupted by a surge of electricity that sent his tentacles curling involuntarily up from the metal floor. Bright sparks flew across his dark eyes, splotches of black taking their place as the current stopped. Grey pigment returned to the usual carmine red and Gordon found himself exposed as he floated to the center of the room.

"Ah, there you are," the Hood's amusement echoed through his head. "You are quite the interesting subject, aren't you. Where your brothers draw mater from seemingly nowhere, your powers consume you. Where exactly do you go?"

Those were questions he left up to Brains on a good day. With the tingling numbness still running through his cephalopod body, Gordon decided to ignore them.

"No need to answer. I assure you, my scientists are getting everything they'll need," a toothy grin that made him feel sick slid over the villain's face. "You've been quite the generous guest."

Anger spiked through him, accompanied by an overwhelming feeling of guilt for betraying the people he loved most and he made a split second decision. The Hood would have to choose this time.

Gordon shifted.

Lungs that could filter salt water were suddenly replaced with ones that needed air. He didn't have enough to last long, but amber eyes locked on the ones watching him. The Hood's grew wide as Gordon let himself float in the water filled room.

"What are you doing?" His captor growled into the intercom. "Change back."

Gordon crossed his arms in absolute defiance. He wouldn't flinch.

"I can still contact my men. Lady Penelope wouldn't know what hit her," the threat almost cut through the burning in his chest, but he knew Penelope. She could handle the Hood's goons, if she hadn't already. There was no reason to trust the Hood's words. This was going to be Gordon's stand - even if it was his last.

The seconds ticked into minutes and the aquanaut felt himself drift, dark spots beginning to dance across his vision. He'd lost his focus on the Hood, instead trying to stay calm - for his brothers. Virgil's presence grew with relief that sat in his chest and made the agony almost bearable. His brothers hadn't figured out what he was doing and they wouldn't until -

Bubbles left him in a burst, Gordon's lungs unable to hold in the oxygen-deprived air any longer. Fingers clasped over his mouth and nose, trying to keep any more from escaping. Even though his goal was quickly approaching, his body and mind wanted to fight, wanted to live. He didn't want to drown, but if that's what it took to make the Hood realize he wouldn't be getting what he wanted -

Shadows clouded his eyes and Gordon couldn't stop the fear from strike out, wanting his brothers to pull off a miracle that wasn't possible. He felt Virgil's calming presence intensify for a moment and there was a sense of anticipation, as though he could hold out a little longer. They would be there. His lungs had other ideas, though, and before he could send a warning, the last of his air left. Salt water spilled over his tongue and down his throat, Gordon's mind only aware of how badly he'd failed until everything went out.

OoOoOoO

Virgil choked on his next breath, glad for Scott's hold on the controls as he tried to clear his lungs of whatever had found its way down his windpipe. For a moment, it was a small annoyance, but as it grew into a burning ache with the distance between them and Gordon, it wasn't a stretch to figure out what was causing it.

His little brother was fighting after he'd almost faded completely from their link. For a second Virgil had thought the worst as Gordon's emotions flowed erratically from an odd peace to tortured fear before fading with unconsciousness. There was no mistake that he was awake once more, but the calm had been replaced with an agony Virgil couldn't completely grasp.

A soft sound from behind him had the elder brother turning to see John, the same worried expression on his face that Virgil could guess he was wearing.

"What is it?" Scott growled, a sympathetic pang echoing through the engineer's chest for the eldest who wanted the connection he and John had.

"I'm not sure, but it's nothing good," they all knew Gordon was in trouble. The hard part was keeping it together until they could get him out. As long as his little brother was alive, things would be alright.

The commander's focus went back to Thunderbird 2's controls, the same intensity sitting behind blue eyes that Virgil had heard in his voice. In certain situations, it would fall on the second eldest to intervene, calm their leader to prevent any unintentional outbursts against people who put themselves and others in danger. Today was different. He wouldn't be stopping Scott if Gordon's survival was in question.

They were two minutes out from their drop point when John and Alan stood, silently making their way into the module to get Thunderbird 4 ready. The sudden emptiness felt almost suffocating, the eldest wanting to keep everyone close, knowing it wouldn't be possible until they were all home. A quick glance to Scott gave him a full view of the war raging within the pilot.

"Scott…" it slipped through his lips in a breath.

"This has to be the last time," the statement warned of the brunette's intent.

This was leading into a conversation they'd had before, about if they should continue their father's legacy. Should they keep putting themselves at risk of capture? Experimentation? The thought sent a shiver through his spine and the events from earlier resurfaced. Gordon had been in pain, frightened beyond anything he'd felt from his lighthearted sibling. Even without the empathic link, he couldn't imagine the same being done to Scott or Alan.

"It will be," he settled in agreement. Their family had suffered enough.

OoOoOoO

Alan's gut was in knots as he went through the submarine's start-up, listening to John in the back. The holograms would be the elder brother's distraction.

An overactive imagination seemed to be his only company as he sat in Gordon's seat, operating Gordon's 'bird. It felt wrong, but at the same time it was like his brother was there, guiding them into another dangerous rescue. He could almost see the excited grin, hear the jovial banter that older brothers might deem inappropriate. Alan used to agree and find annoyance in his brother's nonchalant manner, but so often it had helped calm his nerves. They would banter as one and in those moments he could understand what Virgil and John shared with the aquanaut.

It was only a moment, Alan alone at the helm of a ship that wasn't his, but as Thunderbird 2's VTOL kicked in, leaving her stationary over an unassuming ocean, words of instruction hit his ears. He answered in kind, feeling the drop of the module and blinking in the moonlight as the door opened.

He turned without reason and found Virgil uncomfortably wedged in the cramped seat by the pilot's chair, his dark eyes focused on something far below. Their gaze met for a brief moment and the engineer nodded, a gloved hand landing solidly on his shoulder.

"Take her down, I'll guide as best I can," a soft smile. "Try not to run into anything."

"FAB," he attempted a smile, wondering if it looked more like the sickened grimace it felt like. The jets increased as Alan shifted the sub for launch, calling through comms to the brothers in the rear and those listening on the island, "We're clear for launch." The docking clamps sounded their release and the sub began her descent, "Thunderbird 4 is go."