John, movie verse, Tracy Island, 3 days since Gordon and Alan arrived.
John woke up excited. He would finally meet with the dimension travellers. It was early in the morning. John had snuck into the kitchen. He was surprised to see both Scott and Onaha in there, looking ready to leave. Where were they going? This early? Apparently, he had asked that out loud.
Receiving the answer that they were, in fact, going to pick up some clothes from the stores at the mainland. The dimension traveling boys did not have anything that fit them properly. As it wasn't exactly a planned trip. Scott told him of how they were almost swallowed whole, by the clothes they had borrowed from them.
John secretly thought it sounded kind of cute. Suddenly taking a walk down memory lane, remembering how fun it was steeling dads' clothes, as a child and dressing up with his siblings. Pretending to be their hero. Then it occurred to him that this was teenagers, not small children. The appeal he had felt in his childhood, had disappeared long before his teenage years. On a second thought, feeling like a child as a teenager was a terrible idea. Fitting clothes was a great one. Leave it to his oldest brother, Scott, to basically adopt everyone younger than him. Typical! Scott's caring nature was a big part of why John adored him, not that he would ever reveal that to the smother-hen extraordinaire. John would never hear the end of it.
Seeing that Onaha had prepared a large breakfast tray, probably for the kids in the infirmary. John, perhaps a little bit too promptly, volunteered to bring it down to them, plan already taking form. He had no ulterior motives. None at all! Going by the dual judging looks he got in return; he wasn't fooling anyone.
John felt like he had to explain himself "I just want to meet them. All of you already have! I might be able to help them. That's why I got recalled, back to earth, in the first place! I thought that I might make a better first impression, with bringing breakfast, you know? A nice icebreaker! Or more actually fast breaker? The word breakfast derived from the words breaking the fast. As we don't eat while we sleep. I think it had something to do with the Vikings. But I read it a long time ago. Do not quote me on that!".
Onaha just looked unconvinced, watching John rambling nervously, before she turned around and went back into the kitchen.
Scott just continued to stare down John, although, the amused twitch of his lips, betrayed his intentions. "Fine! Use a nice icebreaker, not that you need it. They are brothers with another version of you! They will like you! Just be your nice normal self. No Titanic jokes though, you don't need to break the ice that much." Scott said and then went in for a hug "I missed you, spaceman! Maybe keep the rest of the Viking facts for tomorrow?".
Onaha came back from the kitchen, tray in hand, filled with even more food and cutlery. "They are good boys! Don't worry, John! I think you will like them!". Onaha said as she handed John the tray.
"See you later John! We'll be back with some clothes for the kids and more fresh groceries by lunchtime. I'm taking Tracy one. Are you craving anything special?" Scott asked.
"Watermelon and pizza! Thanks Scooter! I missed you too! Especially now, when you offer to bring my food cravings! Collecting bro points by the second. See you later! Thanks, Onaha! Have a nice flight!" John waved them off and then headed down to the infirmary, while balancing the tray carefully.
Seeing the light on, along with two awake boys in the infirmary. John went inside, announcing himself with "Good morning! Room service, breakfast delivery. Do we have an Alan and Gordon Tracy on the premises?".
"Good morning! I am Gordon and this sleepyhead is Alan, unfortunately we forgot to bring any money to tip you. I understand that this is a very big faux pas, I must beg your pardon my kind sir.". Gordon played along. Currently, a little more awake compared to Alan.
"Completely understandable concerning your unusual circumstances. My name is Tracy, John Tracy, at your service." John said with a bow. "I would, in its stead, appreciate the opportunity to dine with you pleasant sirs.".
"Fascinating suggestion, do you accept master Alan?" Gordon asked Alan, with a large grin on his face he failed to hide.
"I believe I do, Sir Gordon. Sir John please have a seat." Alan responds, while snickering. The snickers turn into harsh coughs almost immediately.
John thought quick on his feet, putting the tray down and offered Alan a cup of tea. Alans coughs calmed down a bit after that.
"Sorry for making you laugh Alan! That looked painful!" John said to Alan with an apologetic look on his face.
Alan waved him off "It's fine! Don't apologise for making me laugh!" Alan answered, still sipping his tea.
"You're blond! So very, very blond! It's weird" Gordon accidentally blurted out.
"Why do you think that? I've always been blond!" John answered, feeling bewildered.
"Our John is ginger!" Alan exclaimed "It's just strange. We are the only blonds back home. Well except Lady P. It looks good on you though!".
"You can be an honorary member of the blond brothers have more fun club!" Gordon extended an invitation to John.
"I would be honoured! If it means that I can accompany you. I assure you, the only ginger in this room is in the tea!" John solemnly replied, bowed deep, before sitting down to join them for breakfast.
Privately, thanking his lucky star, that his special brand of humour worked! John did not feel his usual anxiety about meeting this Alan and Gordon, mayhap because he already classified them as a version of family in his head.
"Hey, Allie! Do you want to try to eat something today? Is the nausea a bit better with the medication Frank gave you earlier this morning?" Gordon asked his little brother.
"Maybe just trying some white bread, at least to start with? I must see if they are softer than clouds, as you previously called them." Alan cheekily replied.
"Here you go!" John said, as he handed a roll of bread to Alan.
"Thanks!" Alan responded. Picking slowly at the soft white bread, piece by piece, trying to eat it gradually, while drinking Onaha's special tea. Desperately wishing for it, to not make a reappearance.
"I hope that you don't mind some company! I was just so excited to meet you. I heard that you already had retired for the night, when I got back from the stars yesterday." John exclaimed.
"No worries! It is nice to meet you! Our John is always quite hard to lure down from his office! I think that he would permanently stay up there, if we didn't bribe him with food." Gordon responded, while enthusiastically digging in on his breakfast.
"Oh! Your version of me is that bad? Intriguing! I love my space office, but I don't think I could handle being there all the time. Are you sure that you guys aren't pranking him too much, if he never comes back on his own?" John asked teasingly before continuing "The food, sure, that is something I miss. But it's the lack of family and human contact up there, that is the hardest for me. Our rotations work well! Standard for me is about three months up there and one month at home. Excluding big holidays, those we make do with rescue coordination from here.".
"Wow! John usually doesn't last more than a week when he comes home. He gets all wobbly with his space legs. Falling flat on his face at least a couple of times a visit. Missing his usual space grace." Gordon pondered out loud.
Alan jumped in, interrupting Gordon to defend his hero of a big brother "But space is awesome! And John is not alone! I usually stop by for a visit after a mission with Thunderbird three and hang out for a couple of hours. That's at least once a week! He has that GDF friend that he plays space ball with weekly! EOS keeps him company all the time even if she doesn't have a physical body! We can also always visit him with the space elevator if necessary! Gordon, you make him sound like a hermit! He's not!".
"He is too! Our very own space hermit! He is just missing a full ginger beard, to complete the look!" Gordon replied while grinning, imagining his John with a full ginger beard. It looked hilarious according to Gordons imagination.
"He is not!" Alan insisted.
"He so is!" Gordon countered.
"As fascinating it is, to hear you act exactly like my own younger siblings, would you mind putting your bickering on hold and explaining a few things for me? Particularly about EOS, the space elevator and space ball with friends in space?" John interrupted Gordon and Alan, not able to stop his growing curiosity.
"Fine!" John received two simultaneous grumpy responses.
"EOS is an artificial AI that John accidentally developed! She first tried to kill John and me! But that is only because she was scared. Now, we are all cool! She is a little bratty at times! But she is our first niece, so I love her anyway!" Alan admitted.
"Wow! Hang on! Can you get into a bit more details?" John asked, looking shocked.
"Sure!" Chirped Alan, jumping straight in and started telling the story of how EOS came into existence. After thirty minutes, he lost his steam entirely. He felt worse. Alans cough did not like when he used his voice. He was shivering, fever was on the way up and Alans head hurt something fiercely!
The energy, from a piece of Onaha's white cloud bread, that he miraculously managed to keep down in his stomach and some tea, was all used up. At least Al hadn't thrown it up yet! Yay for small victories! Pneumonia and concussion steeling a lot of Al's usual energy. Alan drifted off, while listening to Gordon and this other John sharing stories of their different worlds.
John and Gordon had both noticed that Alan, was on his way to dreamland. They lowered their voices, continuing to talk about lots of different things, before moving on to the fundamental topic at hand.
When they were sure Alan was fully asleep, they discussed their technology, and how they could use it, to contact Als and Gords home. Not wanting to distract Al from his much-needed rest, they waited with the interesting topics until they were certain that he was asleep. John and Gords continued their discussion until they were interrupted by Scott and Onaha. Who finally were back from the mainland, with hopefully fitting clothes for the boys!
Gordon thanked them profusely. Jumping straight into the adjacent shower room, to get clean and then change into them!
Frank used this natural break to drop by the infirmary. He assessed the still sleeping Alan. Frank hooked on the next doses of medications, removing the empty ones. Seemingly, not seeing any significant change in his condition since he saw him this morning, before John came down with breakfast. Frank told John to remind Gordon and Alan, to let him know if they needed anything. Otherwise, he would come back in an hour or two.
The rest of the day progressed in a similar way. Brains came by and worked with Gordon and John in the infirmary when Al was sleeping. When Al woke up intermittently during the day, they took small breaks to entertain him. Never underestimate the power of distraction when someone is feeling unwell.
John's other family members dropped by occasionally during the day. Trying to see if they could contribute with anything during their own breaks (Virgil and Scott), or just drop by for a quick chat over a cup of coffee (Gordon, Jeff).
During one of the breaks Al was pleased, to say the least, regarding the fitting clothes! Celebrating that he would stop looking like a little kid, wearing tent sized clothes. No more T-shirts that fell off his shoulder, he proclaimed his happiness to his small audience, while doing a little victory dance from his bed. Thanking Scott and Onaha abundantly for the fitting clothes.
Laughter broke out, when the occupants of the room realised that Gords had gotten marine themed clothes, and Al had gotten space themed clothes. Gords had not previously realised, as he just was so glad to not look and feel like a kid! Scott's intention had been to tease them a little, but it backfired as both teens adored the clothes. Apparently, this Gordon's fashion sense was a bit unique, and Alan was still a kid at heart, at least regarding style.
Alan was still in a bad way with his concussion and pneumonia. Frank had him under close observation and popped into the infirmary regularly. In order to continuously assess him, changing medication drips as they had finished entering Alans bloodstream, to work its magic.
Onaha provided them with meals at the appropriate times of day as Gords had a strong aversion to leave Al without him for company. Yesterday when he did it, Al got worse. Smother-hen mode was apparently something that ran deep in the family, even alternative ones. If it was turned on, it took the offending sibling getting better to turn it back off.
For John, it felt like the day had passed in the blink of an eye. Time sure flies by when you're having fun, he privately thought. In the evening, he left Gords and Al alone. Thanking them both for a fun day!
They had managed to understand a bit more of each other's technology, but they had not made any significant progress yet. Despite the lack of success, John was feeling oddly satisfied.
He got to know his alternative siblings a little. John liked them! A lot! It was not usual for him to feel so at ease with new people. It was something about these two! Young and happy but still responsible. It was quite hard to wrap one's head around. One second, they are squabbling like little kids and the next they are serious and professional. John contemplated how they had ended up like that. He had heard a few interesting stories today, but he knew too little about them to reach any certain conclusions.
Scott, always reliable Scott, had managed to deliver John's space cravings, together with Onaha who made her famous pizza. Pizza was an amazing food! Such a shame that it did not work in space! Sharing a huge watermelon for dessert was perfect!
After dinner, John relaxed with an evening swim with his loved ones. He played around in the water with his family. One thing was for certain, you never got too old to mess around with your brothers in the water. Ending the night with socialising by the pool, watching the beautiful sunset. John decided to retire for the day.
When he went to bed, John was more than ready for a good night's rest. It was always strange on the body to go from space to earth. Think jetlagged, but on steroids. John relaxed for a bit by reading an old favourite book, a hitchhikers guide to the galaxy. He managed to read five pages before dropping into a deep sleep. The book had slipped out of his hands and down on to his chest.
Imagine John's surprise, when the intruder alarm started blaring in the middle of the night!
The Island descended into chaos!
For a few long seconds, John was back in Thunderbird five, being hit by a missile, seriously injured, waiting for death. The sound of the alarm brought all the awful memories back, forcing John to relive the spring break from hell, that occurred a few years ago.
John was brought back to the present when he heard his family's quick footsteps patting the hallway-floor outside his door.
After doing a quick breathing exercise, to compose himself, after his brief flashback. John set off after his brothers. John was so tired of people trying to hurt his family!
"Enough was enough!" John thought, while running down the hallway towards the command centre "Last time, his family saved him, but nearly dying in the process. That was not allowed to happen again!".
This time, John silently vowed to protect his family!