Just a short one but at least it's a quick update! Thanks so much to everyone who responded to the last chapter - I really appreciate it, especially after such a long break in writing/posting.
Chapter Five - Let the Games Begin!
It was the evening before the first event. Everyone gathered in the lounge - most notably, of course, the five toned Tracy brothers. Three sat on chairs and couches, along with all the other inhabitants of the island, including Kyrano, whilst Brains was present via Thunderbird Five's vid-link. Virgil was at the piano, whilst Alan stood in front of him, looking around and waiting expectantly for silence.
When everyone was suitably quiet and attentive, Alan began.
"Ladies," he nodded at Penny, Tin-Tin and Grandma, "Gentlemen," Jeff, Brains, Kyrano and Parker received nods in turn, "And worthy competitors. Well, some of you." He grinned at John, who, after a quick glance to check whether his father or grandmother might see, made his response via the international language of gesture.
"I did prepare a speech," Alan continued, holding up his hand to silence the groans from his brothers, "But Gordon threw it in the pool." He had to wait then whilst Scott, John and Virgil went up to shake Gordon's hand and clap him on the shoulder.
Jeff caught Penny's eye and mouthed an apology. Well, he thought, at least he couldn't say she hadn't been warned. Reassured by the genuine smile she gave him in return, he relaxed. Truth be told, he was enjoying himself. This was exactly what they all needed - some light relief from the stresses of International Rescue. Gordon was back to his old self already, and everyone had benefitted from the extra training. Not that physical prowess would be needed for all the events. His own, for example... He chuckled to himself, picturing his boys' reactions when they found out what he had in store for them.
"Dad?"
Jeff jerked back to reality at Alan's call, sitting up straight to hear the remainder of his son's opening speech.
"So, I'm just going to wish everyone luck and I promise I won't gloat too much when I wipe the floor with you all. Ow!"
"Scott, no throwing!" Grandma admonished. "At least, nothing heavier than a cushion."
"Yeah, Scott. Like this." Gordon demonstrated, but Alan had spotted the missile and dodged it, meaning that it headed straight for Virgil who was too busy making a few last minute changes to the score he'd written to see it coming.
"Virgil, no!" Grandma got up to stop Virgil's advance on Gordon. "Come on, Alan, I think we've had enough now. Dinner is-"
"Not just yet, Grandma." Alan caught her hand. "Whilst you're up, I need you to help me out." He handed her a small box with a red button on top. "Ready, Virg?" he asked.
Virgil sat back down at his piano, aimed a final glare at Gordon and began to play the music he'd written specially for the occasion.
Alan let him run through it once at full volume then indicated to his brother that he was ready to speak again. This time, the melody became a soft accompaniment to Alan's final grand announcement.
"I now declare the Tracylimpics open. Let the best man (that's me!) win. Grandma, whenever you're ready."
Grandma pushed the button as Virgil launched into a dramatic fanfare. For a moment nothing happened, then the lights in the lounge went out, there was a loud bang and a wall of flame engulfed the wall on which Alan had placed the scoreboard.
Everyone leapt to their feet, Scott shouting instructions to his team: Gordon to get the fire extinguisher; John to help Virgil push the piano away; Parker to take care of Grandma who was staring at the control box wide-eyed and clutching at her heart; Alan to get the hell out of there and start running for his life...
"Scott, no!" Alan pulled him back. "It's fake. A hologram. Brains set it up."
A relative calm returned as they watched Alan walk up to the wall and place his hand against the 'flames'.
"See? Nothing to worry about. We've got to have an Olympic flame."
Jeff wasn't entirely convinced. Taking a deep breath to calm his still-pounding heart, he turned to the vid-link. "Brains?"
"I-it's perfectly s-safe, Mr T-Tracy."
"Told you," Alan said.
"But maybe a little over-dramatic?" Jeff suggested. "A little warning would have been nice." He gestured at his mother, now sitting in the lounge's most comfortable chair whilst being fussed over by the rest of the family.
Brains reddened. "W-well, it wasn't supposed to b-be quite s-so-"
"I tweaked it a bit," Alan interjected. "What? We're Tracys, aren't we? Everything we do is bigger and better than everyone else."
Jeff sighed. He looked back at the wall, admitting that it certainly looked magnificent - if slightly terrifying. "You're sure it's safe?"
"Oh, come on, Dad. Do you think I'd-"
"I was asking Brains."
Alan sulked as Brains assured them that there was no danger.
Grandma, always embarrassed whenever her age revealed any kind of weakness, had got to her feet and was waving away the well-meaning hands which reached to steady her. "I think it's time for dinner. Kyrano, shall we?"
As everyone except Alan followed them into the dining room and Brains cut the link with Five, Jeff looked once more at the wall.
"What have I let myself in for?" he muttered.
Alan had regained his good spirits. He patted his father on the back, then headed for the door, calling over his shoulder as he went:
"Cheer up, Dad. It'll soon be over. Hey, just wait till you see what I've got planned for the closing ceremony!"
If diving for the bar and pouring an extra-large large scotch was an Olympic event, Jeff would have been the undisputed, never-to-be defeated champion!
