20. Sineater asks for Prisoner Trade: Havoc for Alan

Characters: Scott, Alan, Havoc, Fuse

Warnings: Explosions.

He hated big industrial fires. Too many buildings, too many flammable materials, too many things that could and would explode as soon as you looked at them.

Right on cue a pressurised gas cylinder exploded, shooting high into the air. He reflectively ducked – those suckers could land anywhere.

The other thing he hated about big industrial parks was that his brothers were all scattered.

Did Scott say how much he hated industrial estate fires?

Another explosion rend the sky and he cursed, running hard. That building was near where Gordon and Alan was!

He could hear John coordinating and Scott saved his breath for running. Damn, why were these parks so big?

Scott found Gordon on his knees, shaking his head. He skidded to a halt beside him and checked him over.

'I'm ok, Scott. The explosion just knocked me over.'

'Are you sure?'

'I'm sure. Where's Alan?'

They both stared at each other for a heartbeat before Gordon glanced back at the now gutted building and Scott hared off.

There wasn't anything left of the building.

Scott stood there, Gordon beside him, just staring.

'John? Please, please tell me you have Alan's life sign.'

'Working on it. I can say that he wasn't in the building.'

Both brothers sagged in relief.

On the other side of the park Virgil and Kayo had their own issues to deal with. The warehouse they were trying to evacuate had been severely weakened by the fire, but Two's low-frequency fire suppression had put it out before it had spread to where the workers had taken refuge.

They still had to fight their way through the debris, but they had just cleared it when the building Gordon and Alan had been in had exploded. They were leading people out, Kayo in front and Virgil following at the rear to make sure they got out safely, when Scott asked about Alan's life sign and John answered.

Kayo sped up and those with them responded, but Virgil paused. There. He had heard something! He shrugged the exosuit off.

'John, what building is this?'

'It's listed as a science research centre using a giant synchrotron.'

'Is there anything here worth stealing?'

'Not really, it's just a resea…oh.'

'Oh, John? That doesn't sound good.'

Virgil had made his way to where the noises were coming from, thanking his sister for the repeated lessons in moving without making a sound.

'Everyone, I can now confirm that the Chaos Crew are on site. Scott, Gordon, Alan's signal is moving north north east from you at a reasonable pace. I have no direct eyes on him. Virgil, Kayo, there is someone else in the building but their life sign keeps winking in and out. Be advised it could be Havoc.'

The words caused Virgil to pause and hold his breath, even as he could hear his family moving. Footsteps sounded, someone was coming this way, and he flattened himself against the wall.

He didn't have time to think of anything else and instinct took over. As the person exited the room Virgil stuck his arm out rigid and they walked right into it. It knocked them to the ground, and he pounced before they had the opportunity to react, stripping Havoc of her tech gloves and holoballs before she could use them to escape.

Kayo came to a halt as Virgil hauled Havoc up off the floor. She didn't try to hide her delight as Havoc scowled at her, instead restraining her with a cable tie before the three of them left.

'John?'

'Yes, Virgil?'

'We have Havoc.'

'Well that's just great.'

'Gordon?'

'What do you mean?'

'Scott and I have found Alan.'

Scott and Gordon had set off at a smart run. North noth east and several minutes later they found who they were looking for. And more.

Fuse was up ahead, striding purposely forward. Alan was slung over his shoulder as if the boy weighed nothing. The Chaos Cruiser stood in front of them.

Gordon gestured to Scott and he nodded in return. They separated and circled Fuse at a run, needing to get ahead of him. They must have made some kind of sound for the big man suddenly stopped still, like he was listening. It was the extra time they needed.

Scott stood in front of the cruiser, between Fuse and his craft. Gordon came to a halt behind Fuse, on his left-hand side, the side Alan was on.

'Scott and I have found Alan.'

'Is he alright?'

'Is he hurt?'

'Fuse has him.'

There was a chorus of expletives. Scott cocked his head as he listened but he didn't speak. He was thinking. He took a more solid stance and crossed his arms.

'Fuse.'

'Flyboy. Well ain't you a surprise.'

'I wish I could say the same.'

'Well, not all surprises are good surprises.'

'Very true. But I must say the gift of your youngest brother was a very good surprise. Here I was getting' out of the building when who should I see but him. The Hood will be very happy with this surprise.'

Fuse hefted Alan as he spoke. Alan didn't stir at all. Scott's nostrils flared but he didn't move other than to hold a hand up to stop Gordon moving.

'What – you think you two can take me?'

'I don't need to fight you Fuse. You're not the only one who came across a surprise.'

'Yeah?'

'Like the surprise that the research centre you thought would house diamonds to impress your boss doesn't actually have any, despite its name.'

Fuse frowned. He and Havoc had wanted to steal the diamonds as a way to get back into the Hood's good books. While Havoc went to get them he had created the necessary diversion. He had hoped to get back to the cruiser before running into anyone of International Rescue. Now he was surrounded as Virgil came up behind him. He refused to show weakness though and turn around, instead straightening up and staring at the eldest Tracy.

'We appear to be at an impasse, Fuse.'

'A what?'

'We are in a situation where neither of us can progress.'

'Oh. Not true. I have your kid brother. What do you have?'

'We have your sister.'

Kayo's voice joined them and at her words Fuse finally did turn around.

Havoc's face was contorted in fury, but she could do nothing. Fuse looked at her, indecision clear. She gave a curt nod. His shoulders sagged, causing Alan to fall to the ground.

'So. A straight swap? Your sister for our brother.'

Fuse looked once more to Havoc. He was out of his depth and he knew it. She nodded and he stepped back away from Alan, hands raised. Gordon moved to stand beside Scott leaving Fuse a way out and Fuse backed away from them completely.

Once he was free of the circle Kayo let go of Havoc's arm, pushing her after her brother while Scott rushed forward to scoop Alan up. They moved forward to stand with Virgil and Kayo allowing the siblings access to their cruiser.

For a second, four Tracy's stood facing the Chaos Crew. They stared at each other.

Scott turned first, striding away with his family on his heels. None of them turned back as the cruiser took off, not breaking their stride until Alan was safely on one of the medbay beds and scanned completely.

Nothing more than bruises. Scott was too relieved that there was nothing worse to be angrier with Fuse.

There would be other times to get the Chaos Crew. Right now it was more important that they were still a family of six siblings.

If Alan was surprised when he woke up to find he was at home rather than out on a rescue he didn't say anything. He just revelled in the love of his family.