Participation II - Five.

1 = first name

The following day promised to be similar to the one previous. The sun was still shining, the breeze still cooling, the Pacific Ocean still inviting.

Only the conversation at the breakfast table showed that this was no ordinary day in no ordinary household.

"How'd your winch repairs go?" Scott asked Virgil while reaching for another piece of toast.

"Okay." Virgil chewed on his bit of toast meditatively. "It works, but there's something not quite right."

"What do you mean?" John asked.

"Oh it works fine; does all it's supposed to, but it hesitates a fraction of a second before operating."

"How much of a delay?" Jeff asked in concern.

"Not much..."

"It's probably nothing." Scott said. "You're probably just being overly cautious."

"We could take her for a test run. I'll see if there's any problems under actual flight conditions." John offered.

"Okay." Virgil agreed.

During this exchange Trixie and I had sat there, following the conversation like a tennis match. At this point Trixie decided to serve a volley of her own. "Can I come too?"

"I don't know Trix..." For the second time in as many days Jeff tried to turn her down.

For the second time in as many days Trixie wasn't about to let him. "Please Jeff. I've only ever travelled in Thunderbird Two's passenger hold. I'd love to see her in action from the cockpit. It must be so exciting being at the nerve centre of such a powerful craft." She aimed this last comment in Virgil's direction, and batted her eyelashes hopefully.

He was concentrating on fishing something out of his cup.

Jeff shrugged. "I guess it'd be alright. As long as Virgil doesn't mind. He's the pilot."

"Sure, I don't mind." Virgil shrugged. "How about you 1? Would you like to come too? We won't be doing anything too hair raising. First sign of a storm we'll head for home."

The first time I'd travelled in Thunderbird Two we'd been hit by lightening, and both times I'd done my best not be a security hazard. It sounded like this time I'd get the opportunity to sit back and enjoy myself. "I'd love to, thanks."

"Okay." Virgil took a last mouthful of drink and stood up. "We'll leave in half an hour. Meet us in the lounge."

"Great!" Forgoing the rest of our breakfasts, Trixie and I took off to get ready.

We were in the lounge a full five minutes before Virgil and John arrived. John was already in his uniform.

"You two are keen." he said with a grin. "I don't know why. She's only a cargo transporter after all. Now if you were going to see Thunderbird Five I could understand the enthusiasm."

"Hey! There's nothing wrong with Thunderbird Two." Virgil protested. "Without her International Rescue would be nothing."

"If it wasn't for Thunderbird Five, you wouldn't know where to go to anyway." John was stirring.

Virgil knew it. "I'll tell you where to go shortly."

"Now boys." Jeff chided them gently. "You'll have guests on board this time, so behave yourselves."

"Of course we will Father." Virgil said.

"We'll be perfect gentlemen." John reassured him.

"And if they're not, I've got my cane to keep them in line." Trixie waved her walking stick in the air.

"Well then, what are you standing around here for? Get going!" Jeff ordered.

Virgil and John gave him a mock salute. "Yes Sir!"

"Hang on a minute." Virgil said. "I'd better go on ahead and get set up. Once I'm chan... sorted then you can come on down."

"Fair enough." John conceded. "We'll take the long way down and I'll show Trixie and 1 Thunderbird Two's hanger.

"Goodie, goodie!" Trixie clapped her hands together like an excited schoolgirl.

"Mind those two boys look after you." Grandma Tracy said. "They're not to do anything dangerous while they've got guests on board."

"We won't Grandma." Virgil gave her an affectionate kiss on the cheek.

"No. I'll keep an eye on him." John was still stirring. I guessed he was enjoying being with his family after being away for so long.

"How about keeping an eye on our guests and keeping them out of my way?" Virgil suggested. He was standing with his back to the painting of a rocket that was at least twice his height.

"Okay. If you two wouldn't mind taking a couple of steps back, his lordship will make his grand exit."

Virgil sighed and looked heavenward. "You wouldn't consider coming in John's place, would you Father? He's in a funny mood at the moment."

"No I wouldn't," Jeff growled benignly. "He needs the practise more than me."

"Fair enough." Virgil said. "See you three down there." To our immense surprise the painting tipped backwards and sent Virgil, head first, down a chute.

"Shoot." Said Trixie. "That was some exit."

The painting righted itself and once again concealed the door.

"You know," I said to Jeff, "I hadn't given it any thought, but I would never have found any of your access ways."

"Good." He said. "That's what I like to hear. It means we've done our job right."

"Hang on." Said Trixie. "Thunderbird Three is via the couch, Thunderbird Two is via the painting. How do you get to Thunderbird's One and Four?"

John looked at his watch. "We haven't got a lot of time. You could either stay here and try to work it out yourself or..." he started heading in the direction of a door, "...come with me and I'll show you Thunderbird Two's hanger..." He found himself being pulled by the hand, as Trixie dragged him in the direction of the door.

I turned to Jeff. "I'd better go with them. John might need a chaperon. I'll see you later."

He chuckled. "Okay 1. Enjoy yourself."