Chapter 10 – Shutting Down
Virgil found Alan sat in Thunderbird 1, Virgil knew he had a hard conversation with Alan especially after the girl died. "Alan, we need to talk."
"What is wrong Virgil?"
"The little girl who was in a critical condition didn't make it Alan." Alan broke down crying knowing that she was holding on to get rescued and then she loses the strength to hold on any longer. "Alan, she had fought right until the end."
"But she didn't fight enough." Alan ran from Thunderbird 1 upset and wanting a place he can vent out, now normally each brother would have a place to go to and vent. As they are still on the mission and with half of the team out of action, Virgil and Gordon didn't know what to do.
"Thunderbird 2 calling Base."
"Base here. What seems to be the problem?"
"Well where do I start?"
"Start at the beginning?"
"Well Scott has been in med bay since Gordon and Alan found him at mobile control leaning over the control so we put him in the med bay and that is where he stayed. Whilst I was ensuring Scott was safe both Gordon and Alan decided they would carry on the mission between them. Gordon went one way and Alan went the other way. Now Gordon cleared his area and found a cabin with four young children in which one of them were in a critical condition. Once Alan got trapped and called for help me and Gordon locked the Birds and went to help him. We arrived at the cabin and saw it was surrounded by fire, we got in and got to work on the critical ill child but I knew she wasn't going to make it. I tried to but she sadly passed away once we got her back to base."
"And I guess Alan is taking it hard?"
"He is taking it bad he had locked himself in Thunderbird 1. I guess so he could let his emotions out. Base Commander this mission has gone really south and we are short on man power. I don't think he will be wanting to get back to the rescue, which leaves just me and Gordon to finish sorting this mess out."
"Right Thunderbird 2, I want you to go and speak to the Incident Commander and see what is said because if it was me, I would want you all home again. I can keep an eye on Scott and Alan."
"I think it is going to be hard on Alan and he is shutting himself down and not wanting to do anything."
"Damn he is just like your mother."
"I will see what I can do with the Incident Commander and go from there."
"FAB."
Virgil finished the call to base and Gordon could see it was a hard conversation to have. "Are you alright Virgil?"
"No Gordon I am not alright. I am going to speak to the Incident Commander and explain our situation with half of our team out of action." Virgil walked over to the Incident Commander.
"International Rescue, how can I help you?"
"Can I have a chat with you please?" So, Virgil and the Incident Commander walked off to somewhere where it was a bit quieter. "Right we have had a few problems with our team with half of our team out of action and there is just myself and one other teammate left. Now we are happy to stay and help but if you don't need us anymore, we would like to return to base and regroup?"
"I think we will and can cope as you have done most of the work. Plus, it isn't fair on you and your teammate to keep you here when you clearly need to regroup."
"Thank you. If you need us then please call us and we will come back."
"We will and thank you for all your work."
Virgil walked back to Thunderbird 2 where Gordon was waiting for him. "So, what us the word?"
"We have been stood down for now, but we will have to come back if we are needed. Do you mind flying 1 home with Alan as passenger and I will take 2 with Scott?"
"Not at all. I think we should fly together that way we can keep an eye on Scott and Alan."
"Gordon when did you become so serious? I will inform base with what we have planned with getting home."
"Thunderbird 2 calling Base."
"Base here."
"We are allowed to leave the accident scene, now Gordon is going to fly Thunderbird 1 back whilst watching Alan and I am going to fly Thunderbird 2 back whilst watching Scott. I also said to them if they need us again to contact us."
"Alright Thunderbird 2 head back to base and regroup."
"FAB"
Gordon and Virgil got ready to leave and both of them hadn't seen this side of Scott or Alan hoping that things will clear up once they returned back to base.
It was a little over 2 hours when both Thunderbird 1 and 2 came into view of the island and Gordon went on ahead to land where he was hoping Alan would cheer up a bit now, he was back home.
Once Gordon landed Thunderbird 1 Alan got out of his seat and left. Gordon finished the shut down and completed the logs once he did finish, he entered command and control looking tired and drained. "Gordon go and get change and get some rest we will do debriefing later. Do you know where Alan is?"
"No, I don't Dad, he got out of Thunderbird 1 as soon as I landed. I better go and help Virgil with Scott."
"Gordon, I will help Virgil with Scott, I want you to go and rest or something that does include the use of the pool."
"Thank you." Gordon ran from the room, whilst Jeff got up and walked down to Thunderbird 2's hanger to try and sort out his eldest son.
Meanwhile, Alan ran to the beach to cry or scream to do something and as Alan broke down Emily were walking along the beach where she saw Alan sat on the beach. "Alan, are you alright?"
"Miss, I didn't see you there." Alan replied wiping the tears from his eyes. "Sorry just a bad rescue I am not even sure how I got back here let along down to the beach."
"Alan you can talk to me, you know I won't tell anyone."
"I found a cabin and there were 4 young children stuck due to the fire one of those children were in a critical condition. Virgil and Gordon came to help and saw the young girl was in a critical and knew she wasn't in a good condition. Virgil had manged to stabilise her and we got her to the hospital, where she lost her fight and died."
"Oh, Alan I cannot understand what you have been through be you can't dwell on the 'what ifs' you have to let people help you Alan. Don't bottle it up and shut down it won't do you any good and I don't want you to hurt your family. If you can't talk to your Dad or brothers and do want to talk, I am always here for you."
"Thank you, Miss."
"You know you can call me Emily whilst we are on the island." Both Alan and Emily walked back up to the villa.
