Eleven
John had contacted base. "His communicator's still transmitting, Dad, but I'm not getting a response."
"What's the picture you're receiving?"
"It's a bit hard to tell. Could be some kind of dark cloth, or mud. He was climbing down a cliff above the river, so it could be part of the river bank."
"Is it still attached to his wrist?"
"I can't tell. If it is, he's keeping mighty still."
"Okay John. Keep trying, and keep us updated."
"F.A.B."
Jeff turned to the two sons who were listening intently. "You heard what John said. We've got to assume that something's happened to Virgil. If that's the case then Scott, being unable to see, is in greater trouble. Even if he can find the exit, he's not going to be able fly either of the Thunderbird's home. And if I know Scott, he's not going to leave Virgil alone... under any circumstances."
"Dad! Let me fly out there."
"In what Alan?" Jeff asked.
"The jet. It's the fastest plane we've got now. I can be there in five hours." Alan made a move towards the door.
Gordon grabbed his arm. "Five hours and they could both be drowned. Virgil's last report was that the river was rising. Where are you going to land? You need a runway for the jet. And just what are you going to do when you get there?"
"Then I'll take Thunderbird Three." Alan persisted stubbornly. "I could get there quicker than if I were in Thunderbird One."
"Thunderbird Three's designed for space work Alan." John pointed out pedantically. "She's not made for inner atmosphere travel. And there's nowhere big enough to land her."
"I could still try."
Jeff was shaking his head. "No Alan. The idea's just not practicable."
"But I've got to do something!" Alan practically yelled.
"Then calm down." Gordon told him.
Alan wrenched his arm out of Gordon's grasp. "I can't just leave them there!"
"Yeah, I know. I feel the same." Gordon glanced at his father. "Come on. We'd better go tell the others, unless there's something else you want us to do, Dad."
"No... not at the moment Gordon. Send Brains up here will you. We'll see if we can come up with a plan."
"Sure." Jeff's two youngest son's left. Messengers with terrible news.
This was the situation that Jeff Tracy hated most about being the commander of International Rescue. He hated it whenever one of his operatives lost contact with the others. Hated it when one of them was injured. And now he was in the situation where he knew one had been blinded and the other... what had happened to Virgil?
It was at times like this that Jeff stopped being the leader of International Rescue and allowed himself to be a concerned parent. It was at these times that he wondered why he'd started International Rescue, and even more so, why he'd invited his sons to be members of what he'd known would be a potentially life threatening organisation.
At this time he would also question whether the organisation should even continue...
***
Mrs Tracy took the news stoically. Now was not the time to break down into tears. She would not allow herself to cry until she had a definite reason to.
Tin-Tin did not have such reservations. All the Tracy boys had been like brothers to her, well Alan was more than a brother, but that was another matter. "First Scott's injured, and now Virgil. Can things get any worse?" She wailed into Alan's shoulder.
"Do you have ANY idea what's happened to Virgil?" Mrs Tracy asked.
"No, Grandma." Alan replied. "We're just assuming that he's fallen."
"He may have lost his communicator." Gordon said hopefully. "And he's still fine."
"Sure. That's probably it." Alan said with more enthusiasm than he actually felt. "Ah, Tin-Tin." He looked uncomfortably at Gordon, who, for the moment at least was pretending not to notice Tin-Tin's proximity to the youngest Tracy. "We've got to go and tell Brains."
"Come with me my dear." Mrs Tracy led the sobbing Tin-Tin away. "We can't fall apart now can we? We have work to do. You know the routine."
Tin-Tin allowed herself one last sniff and then straightened her shoulders resolutely. "You're right Mrs Tracy. I don't know why I'm such a cry-baby. You're always so strong."
"You learn to be strong my dear. When you are dealing with five headstrong grandsons, not to mention a son who approaches every challenge as if it's a personal affront, you learn to be strong. It takes time. You'll learn. In the meantime, I'm here for you."
"Thank you."
***
Brains was shocked by the news. He'd been delving into his vast computer bank, trying to dredge up every bit on information he could find on eye damage and treatment. A thick wad of printouts was standing precariously on the edge of his desk, testament to his hard work. "I-I'd better go talk to M-Mr Tracy." As he hastily pulled off his lab coat, the sleeve caught the paper tower and the whole lot tipped off the table.
Alan made a grab for it, succeeding in only snaring a few sheets as the rest scattered about him.
"Leave it." Gordon suggested. "It'll give him something constructive to do later."
They followed Brains back into the lounge.
Jeff forestalled their inevitable question. "I've just been talking to John. There's still no news." He was back in control now - Jeff Tracy - Commander of International Rescue. "Any ideas Brains?"
"L-Let me go over the facts again." Brains said slowly. "Point one: We k-know Scott was blinded in the explosion."
"Yes." Jeff said.
"P-Point Two: We know their last location in the facility?"
"Yes" John confirmed.
"Point T-Three: We don't know what's h-happened to Virgil."
"The picture in his communicator moved pretty quickly for a bit." John said. "I heard him yell. That's what makes me think he's fallen."
"Point Four: We know the w-water's still rising."
"Yes" Gordon said.
"Point Five: We don't k-know if the threat of explosion is still there."
"I'd forgotten that." Alan said uneasily.
"The fourth generator hasn't exploded." John informed them.
"John." Brains asked. "Assuming that they are both okay, and that s-something has h-happened to Virgil's communicator, how easy is it for t-them to exit the facility?"
"Not that easy Brains. They don't know their way around. Virgil was trying to retrace their steps back to the Mole when I lost contact. They don't know how to reach any exits from where they were... are."
"T-Thank you. Point Six: We know that both h-hoverbikes are out of action."
They all nodded.
"Point Seven: We h-have no craft here able to get to them in t-the time we assume they have available to them. Point Eight..."
"Oh, for Pete's sake Brains!" Alan interrupted in exasperation. "Will you get to THE point!"
"M-Mr Tracy." Brains turned to his employer who was digging his nails into his clenched palms. "I-I believe we have only one course of action o-open to us."
"Which is Brains?" Jeff said as patiently as he could.
"We activate Thunderbird Two's Automatic Retrieval System."
Silence fell onto the little group as the realisation of what he'd just said sunk in.
Gordon was the first to speak. "But Brains! The Automatic Retrieval System is just too dangerous."
"U-Unmanned aircraft have been used before."
"Yeah, but they were Drones, and they were used during wartime for reconnaissance." Alan said. "They were nowhere as big as Thunderbird Two and it's going to be flying through civilian airspace."
"John can p-pilot it from Thunderbird Five."
John gulped. "We've never tried this before Brains."
"I-I feel that we have a reasonable chance of success... Maybe o-our only chance of success. M-Mr Tracy?"
Jeff was frowning. He agreed with Brains that this seemed to be their only course of action, but he also knew the dangers inherent in piloting an unmanned aircraft half way around the globe. "John, do you think you'll be able to safely control Two?"
"If it's the only chance they've got, then yes Dad."
"Good. Okay Brains, get together everything you think they'll need. You and Tin-Tin can go with them. Gordon you can pilot Thunderbird Two when she arrives back, Alan you can co-pilot. I want her on the ground 15 minutes maximum, so make sure everything is ready!"
"Yes Sir!"
***
Virgil and Scott arrived back at the river. Virgil stopped walking just short of the water's edge. "Mind if I leave you here. I don't want you getting too close. I'm only going a couple of metres."
"Just keep talking to me and I'll be fine."
"John's probably worried sick by now." Virgil said conversationally as he walked over to where he'd last seen the watch. "He'll have the rest of the family in a right..."
"What?" Scott became alarmed by the unfinished sentence. He heard the metal hook drop to the ground. "Virgil!"
Virgil took him by the arm. "Come on." He said quietly. "Let's move away from here."
"But your watch."
"It's underwater Scott. The river's been dammed and it's rising fast."
John had contacted base. "His communicator's still transmitting, Dad, but I'm not getting a response."
"What's the picture you're receiving?"
"It's a bit hard to tell. Could be some kind of dark cloth, or mud. He was climbing down a cliff above the river, so it could be part of the river bank."
"Is it still attached to his wrist?"
"I can't tell. If it is, he's keeping mighty still."
"Okay John. Keep trying, and keep us updated."
"F.A.B."
Jeff turned to the two sons who were listening intently. "You heard what John said. We've got to assume that something's happened to Virgil. If that's the case then Scott, being unable to see, is in greater trouble. Even if he can find the exit, he's not going to be able fly either of the Thunderbird's home. And if I know Scott, he's not going to leave Virgil alone... under any circumstances."
"Dad! Let me fly out there."
"In what Alan?" Jeff asked.
"The jet. It's the fastest plane we've got now. I can be there in five hours." Alan made a move towards the door.
Gordon grabbed his arm. "Five hours and they could both be drowned. Virgil's last report was that the river was rising. Where are you going to land? You need a runway for the jet. And just what are you going to do when you get there?"
"Then I'll take Thunderbird Three." Alan persisted stubbornly. "I could get there quicker than if I were in Thunderbird One."
"Thunderbird Three's designed for space work Alan." John pointed out pedantically. "She's not made for inner atmosphere travel. And there's nowhere big enough to land her."
"I could still try."
Jeff was shaking his head. "No Alan. The idea's just not practicable."
"But I've got to do something!" Alan practically yelled.
"Then calm down." Gordon told him.
Alan wrenched his arm out of Gordon's grasp. "I can't just leave them there!"
"Yeah, I know. I feel the same." Gordon glanced at his father. "Come on. We'd better go tell the others, unless there's something else you want us to do, Dad."
"No... not at the moment Gordon. Send Brains up here will you. We'll see if we can come up with a plan."
"Sure." Jeff's two youngest son's left. Messengers with terrible news.
This was the situation that Jeff Tracy hated most about being the commander of International Rescue. He hated it whenever one of his operatives lost contact with the others. Hated it when one of them was injured. And now he was in the situation where he knew one had been blinded and the other... what had happened to Virgil?
It was at times like this that Jeff stopped being the leader of International Rescue and allowed himself to be a concerned parent. It was at these times that he wondered why he'd started International Rescue, and even more so, why he'd invited his sons to be members of what he'd known would be a potentially life threatening organisation.
At this time he would also question whether the organisation should even continue...
***
Mrs Tracy took the news stoically. Now was not the time to break down into tears. She would not allow herself to cry until she had a definite reason to.
Tin-Tin did not have such reservations. All the Tracy boys had been like brothers to her, well Alan was more than a brother, but that was another matter. "First Scott's injured, and now Virgil. Can things get any worse?" She wailed into Alan's shoulder.
"Do you have ANY idea what's happened to Virgil?" Mrs Tracy asked.
"No, Grandma." Alan replied. "We're just assuming that he's fallen."
"He may have lost his communicator." Gordon said hopefully. "And he's still fine."
"Sure. That's probably it." Alan said with more enthusiasm than he actually felt. "Ah, Tin-Tin." He looked uncomfortably at Gordon, who, for the moment at least was pretending not to notice Tin-Tin's proximity to the youngest Tracy. "We've got to go and tell Brains."
"Come with me my dear." Mrs Tracy led the sobbing Tin-Tin away. "We can't fall apart now can we? We have work to do. You know the routine."
Tin-Tin allowed herself one last sniff and then straightened her shoulders resolutely. "You're right Mrs Tracy. I don't know why I'm such a cry-baby. You're always so strong."
"You learn to be strong my dear. When you are dealing with five headstrong grandsons, not to mention a son who approaches every challenge as if it's a personal affront, you learn to be strong. It takes time. You'll learn. In the meantime, I'm here for you."
"Thank you."
***
Brains was shocked by the news. He'd been delving into his vast computer bank, trying to dredge up every bit on information he could find on eye damage and treatment. A thick wad of printouts was standing precariously on the edge of his desk, testament to his hard work. "I-I'd better go talk to M-Mr Tracy." As he hastily pulled off his lab coat, the sleeve caught the paper tower and the whole lot tipped off the table.
Alan made a grab for it, succeeding in only snaring a few sheets as the rest scattered about him.
"Leave it." Gordon suggested. "It'll give him something constructive to do later."
They followed Brains back into the lounge.
Jeff forestalled their inevitable question. "I've just been talking to John. There's still no news." He was back in control now - Jeff Tracy - Commander of International Rescue. "Any ideas Brains?"
"L-Let me go over the facts again." Brains said slowly. "Point one: We k-know Scott was blinded in the explosion."
"Yes." Jeff said.
"P-Point Two: We know their last location in the facility?"
"Yes" John confirmed.
"Point T-Three: We don't know what's h-happened to Virgil."
"The picture in his communicator moved pretty quickly for a bit." John said. "I heard him yell. That's what makes me think he's fallen."
"Point Four: We know the w-water's still rising."
"Yes" Gordon said.
"Point Five: We don't k-know if the threat of explosion is still there."
"I'd forgotten that." Alan said uneasily.
"The fourth generator hasn't exploded." John informed them.
"John." Brains asked. "Assuming that they are both okay, and that s-something has h-happened to Virgil's communicator, how easy is it for t-them to exit the facility?"
"Not that easy Brains. They don't know their way around. Virgil was trying to retrace their steps back to the Mole when I lost contact. They don't know how to reach any exits from where they were... are."
"T-Thank you. Point Six: We know that both h-hoverbikes are out of action."
They all nodded.
"Point Seven: We h-have no craft here able to get to them in t-the time we assume they have available to them. Point Eight..."
"Oh, for Pete's sake Brains!" Alan interrupted in exasperation. "Will you get to THE point!"
"M-Mr Tracy." Brains turned to his employer who was digging his nails into his clenched palms. "I-I believe we have only one course of action o-open to us."
"Which is Brains?" Jeff said as patiently as he could.
"We activate Thunderbird Two's Automatic Retrieval System."
Silence fell onto the little group as the realisation of what he'd just said sunk in.
Gordon was the first to speak. "But Brains! The Automatic Retrieval System is just too dangerous."
"U-Unmanned aircraft have been used before."
"Yeah, but they were Drones, and they were used during wartime for reconnaissance." Alan said. "They were nowhere as big as Thunderbird Two and it's going to be flying through civilian airspace."
"John can p-pilot it from Thunderbird Five."
John gulped. "We've never tried this before Brains."
"I-I feel that we have a reasonable chance of success... Maybe o-our only chance of success. M-Mr Tracy?"
Jeff was frowning. He agreed with Brains that this seemed to be their only course of action, but he also knew the dangers inherent in piloting an unmanned aircraft half way around the globe. "John, do you think you'll be able to safely control Two?"
"If it's the only chance they've got, then yes Dad."
"Good. Okay Brains, get together everything you think they'll need. You and Tin-Tin can go with them. Gordon you can pilot Thunderbird Two when she arrives back, Alan you can co-pilot. I want her on the ground 15 minutes maximum, so make sure everything is ready!"
"Yes Sir!"
***
Virgil and Scott arrived back at the river. Virgil stopped walking just short of the water's edge. "Mind if I leave you here. I don't want you getting too close. I'm only going a couple of metres."
"Just keep talking to me and I'll be fine."
"John's probably worried sick by now." Virgil said conversationally as he walked over to where he'd last seen the watch. "He'll have the rest of the family in a right..."
"What?" Scott became alarmed by the unfinished sentence. He heard the metal hook drop to the ground. "Virgil!"
Virgil took him by the arm. "Come on." He said quietly. "Let's move away from here."
"But your watch."
"It's underwater Scott. The river's been dammed and it's rising fast."