Chapter 2:
"Virg that's great!" Alan said standing and marching over to congratulate his older brother. "You see, I always said you had talent".
Virgil raised an eyebrow. "No you don't Alan, you always tell me to turn the music down. But as I keep trying to point out to you, a piano doesn't have volume control".
Alan rewarded Virgil's attempt at sarcasm with a deep frown.
"Yeah Virgil, you never mentioned that you were a 'famous' musician" Gordon teased, a smirk on his face as he shook his unruly copper head in amusement.
"How come they know you Virg? They know you're a musician and they know you live here. Where did they get this information from?" Scott inquired.
"Well, it says hear in the letter that they got my name from some colonel in the Air Global Corporation" Virgil answered as he continued to read down the long letter that was in his hands. Scott stood over him like a parrot on his shoulder, also reading the letter.
"Well this could be a problem for security if this colonel knows where you live, son" Jeff voiced the thought that was on everyone's mind. "Where is it being held?".
"Hey, it's being held at that new Air Global Corporation building. It seems that it's going to be a sort of opening ceremony to celebrate the corporation's achievements" Virgil read out loudly for the rest of the family.
Jeff looked thoughtful for a moment "Mom", absentmindedly running his hand over his chin then he continued. "Well, does this colonel fella at least have a name?"
Virgil looked down at the letter, then back up to his father, "Yes father, colonel 'Elsi Vans'.", everyone turned and stared at Virgil as he read out the name, ".. and I think you already gather that this 'fella' is a lady" Virgil continued looking mildly surprised at his family's stunned reaction.
"Exactly how do you know this woman Virgil?", Jeff enquired eyeing his son. Gordon grinned at Virgil 'Gee I can't wait to hear this one' he thought as he watch his brown haired brother go through the entire red color spectrum.
Virgil's face started to turn all shades of red as his own family started to interrogate him about his personal affairs. Being the more serious out of all his brothers, he found answering personal questions a little embarrassing. "Er..well.uh", he took a deep breath "well, I met her at the..uh.." Virgil found himself stalling as he tried to think up an excuse.
"Virgil?" Jeff's deep commanding voice now turned very serious.
Virgil's shoulders slumped and he sighed in defeat, he couldn't find anyway out of the question. "Ok, ok.w-we met at the flight academy.uh.and we had a little..er.. relationship for a while, but we didn't really get along ..so..so we just stayed friends from then on" Virgil finished lifting his gaze from the floor to gauge the reactions around the room.
"Hey Virg, you never told me you had a girlfriend in the academy. I was in my final year when you joined, why didn't you say anything?" Scott asked as he came round to stand next to Virgil, arms folded expectantly, small scowl on face.
"I don't know, we didn't stay together long so I guess I just didn't feel it was worth mentioning" Virgil sigh felling like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"Soooo Virgil, what's this 'Elsi Vans' like then", Gordon asked grinning as he stood, walked over and hopped up on the side of Jeff's desk. Virgil now had not only Gordon's undivided attention, but Alan's as well, "Yeah Virg, spill it!", Alan ordered, his blue eyes glinting with mischief.
"That's enough you two. Virgil doesn't have to answer that to anyone, it is a personal matter" Jeff shushed his two youngest.
"Well Virgil, are you going?" Tin-Tin asked curiously.
"Mmm?" Virgil looked up at Tin-Tin, "sorry what did you say Tin-Tin?" He was still mesmerized by the letter in his hands.
Sighing, Tin-Tin asked, "Are you going to the convention? You might see Col. Elsi there". Tin-Tin smiled softly at Virgil.
"Er..well I don't know. I mean, when it comes to playing for you guys it's all right, but there's going to be thousands of people at this convention. Plus, you all know I don't like playing for strangers let alone whole audiences" Virgil answered as a look of fear and apprehension appeared on his face at the thought.
"Oh go on Virgil, you play the piano beautifully and everyone else will think so too," Tin-Tin answered honestly. It was true, Virgil was an out standing piano player, but had always kept it as a hobby. Especially after the set up of International Rescue.
"Well..er..I'd like to go, just to see the convention mostly, but it all depends on what dad thinks" Virgil answered, still unsure if it was a good idea.
"Oh, my Virgil's going to be a concert pianist," announced Grandma Tracy as she came over and gave Virgil a kiss on the check, which even caused Scott to grin. Virgil shot a glare up at him.
"Now hold on there Mother, aren't you forgetting? This is International Rescue and as such, duty comes first," Jeff announced from behind his desk.
"Oh come now Jeff, I'm sure you can do without Virgil for a few days, after all; all work and no play, makes for very tired young boys" Jeff's mother stated with a smile.
"Yeah dad, all of us have had a recent vacation except for Virgil and Alan" Scott answered as he went and sat on the couch. At that statement Alan brightened and gazed at his father, almost pleading
"It is true Mr. Tracy, Scott, John and Gordon went to Tokyo last summer" Tin-Tin said matter-of-factly.
Jeff's gazed round the room looking for support, but all he could see was determined, pleading faces. Jeff's serious expression softened, "oh..fine you can go, but only if you take Alan with you Virgil," Jeff grumbled in defeat.
Alan turned his head round and smiled at Virgil. Seeing the triumphant expression on Alan's face, Virgil sighed to himself and propped his head up on his arm, leaning on the piano keys. "I guess I'm out numbered," he grumbled to no one in particular.
The following day Virgil and Alan were ready and waiting on the airstrip in front of Thunderbird Two's hidden hanger. The whole Tracy family, Tin-Tin and Brains had come to see them off.
"Now boys, I want you to keep in contact either with base or John in Thunderbird Five, understood?" Jeff stared at his sons.
"Yes father," they said in unison.
They said their goodbyes as they loaded their bags. There were only two roll bags, as they were only staying two nights. Once the bags were stowed Virgil climbed into the pilots seat while Alan got in the back seat.
"Fly safe Virgil" Scott shouted, his dark hair blow in all directions as Virgil started the engines.
"Don't forget to bring me back something!" Gordon shouted over the noise.
They all stood to one side as the small; black/yellow Titan jet zoomed past and into the sky.
The flight there was relatively boring. They talked most of the way, as Virgil demanded Alan leave his CD collection at home. Virgil was a classical, Jazz and Swing man, and hated Rock, Pop and Metal, which were all Alan's favorites!
As they approached a small airstrip just outside the city, Alan radioed ahead for clearance to land.
"This is Titan 22 requesting clearance to land", Alan said into the mic.
"Titan 22 you are clear to land at runway two, over," the female air traffic controller answered in a monotone voice.
Virgil swung the plane round to the end of runway two and brought the plane down gentle with hardly a bump. The plane came to a halt at the end of the strip and the two brothers climbed down.
"Nice landing Virg" Alan said smiling at his older sibling.
At that point a young man came over in a bright yellow jacket, "Mr. Tracy?" the man asked and Virgil nodded.
"Sir, while you stay in the city we'll keep your plane in the main hanger. It will be fueled and checked for your departure three days from now" the young finished.
"Thank you" Virgil answered, politely smiling.
"No problem. Welcome to Detroit" and the young man walked off to taxi the Tracy's jet to the hanger.
"Come on Alan, let's get to the hotel it's almost noon. We're supposed to meet with the event manager at 1:15pm in the A.G Corp building"; Virgil stated impatiently and started walking towards the main terminal, bag in hand.
"Don't you mean YOU'RE supposed to meet him, I'm hear for support only Virg", Alan grumbled picking up his bag.
"Hey what up, I'm coming" Alan complained as he threw his bag over his shoulder and quickly followed his brother.
TBC
Ok, this one is a little boring I know. I do have a bad case of the babbles at the moment. I promise things will start to come together in the next chapter. Thanks for reading!xxxx
"Virg that's great!" Alan said standing and marching over to congratulate his older brother. "You see, I always said you had talent".
Virgil raised an eyebrow. "No you don't Alan, you always tell me to turn the music down. But as I keep trying to point out to you, a piano doesn't have volume control".
Alan rewarded Virgil's attempt at sarcasm with a deep frown.
"Yeah Virgil, you never mentioned that you were a 'famous' musician" Gordon teased, a smirk on his face as he shook his unruly copper head in amusement.
"How come they know you Virg? They know you're a musician and they know you live here. Where did they get this information from?" Scott inquired.
"Well, it says hear in the letter that they got my name from some colonel in the Air Global Corporation" Virgil answered as he continued to read down the long letter that was in his hands. Scott stood over him like a parrot on his shoulder, also reading the letter.
"Well this could be a problem for security if this colonel knows where you live, son" Jeff voiced the thought that was on everyone's mind. "Where is it being held?".
"Hey, it's being held at that new Air Global Corporation building. It seems that it's going to be a sort of opening ceremony to celebrate the corporation's achievements" Virgil read out loudly for the rest of the family.
Jeff looked thoughtful for a moment "Mom", absentmindedly running his hand over his chin then he continued. "Well, does this colonel fella at least have a name?"
Virgil looked down at the letter, then back up to his father, "Yes father, colonel 'Elsi Vans'.", everyone turned and stared at Virgil as he read out the name, ".. and I think you already gather that this 'fella' is a lady" Virgil continued looking mildly surprised at his family's stunned reaction.
"Exactly how do you know this woman Virgil?", Jeff enquired eyeing his son. Gordon grinned at Virgil 'Gee I can't wait to hear this one' he thought as he watch his brown haired brother go through the entire red color spectrum.
Virgil's face started to turn all shades of red as his own family started to interrogate him about his personal affairs. Being the more serious out of all his brothers, he found answering personal questions a little embarrassing. "Er..well.uh", he took a deep breath "well, I met her at the..uh.." Virgil found himself stalling as he tried to think up an excuse.
"Virgil?" Jeff's deep commanding voice now turned very serious.
Virgil's shoulders slumped and he sighed in defeat, he couldn't find anyway out of the question. "Ok, ok.w-we met at the flight academy.uh.and we had a little..er.. relationship for a while, but we didn't really get along ..so..so we just stayed friends from then on" Virgil finished lifting his gaze from the floor to gauge the reactions around the room.
"Hey Virg, you never told me you had a girlfriend in the academy. I was in my final year when you joined, why didn't you say anything?" Scott asked as he came round to stand next to Virgil, arms folded expectantly, small scowl on face.
"I don't know, we didn't stay together long so I guess I just didn't feel it was worth mentioning" Virgil sigh felling like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"Soooo Virgil, what's this 'Elsi Vans' like then", Gordon asked grinning as he stood, walked over and hopped up on the side of Jeff's desk. Virgil now had not only Gordon's undivided attention, but Alan's as well, "Yeah Virg, spill it!", Alan ordered, his blue eyes glinting with mischief.
"That's enough you two. Virgil doesn't have to answer that to anyone, it is a personal matter" Jeff shushed his two youngest.
"Well Virgil, are you going?" Tin-Tin asked curiously.
"Mmm?" Virgil looked up at Tin-Tin, "sorry what did you say Tin-Tin?" He was still mesmerized by the letter in his hands.
Sighing, Tin-Tin asked, "Are you going to the convention? You might see Col. Elsi there". Tin-Tin smiled softly at Virgil.
"Er..well I don't know. I mean, when it comes to playing for you guys it's all right, but there's going to be thousands of people at this convention. Plus, you all know I don't like playing for strangers let alone whole audiences" Virgil answered as a look of fear and apprehension appeared on his face at the thought.
"Oh go on Virgil, you play the piano beautifully and everyone else will think so too," Tin-Tin answered honestly. It was true, Virgil was an out standing piano player, but had always kept it as a hobby. Especially after the set up of International Rescue.
"Well..er..I'd like to go, just to see the convention mostly, but it all depends on what dad thinks" Virgil answered, still unsure if it was a good idea.
"Oh, my Virgil's going to be a concert pianist," announced Grandma Tracy as she came over and gave Virgil a kiss on the check, which even caused Scott to grin. Virgil shot a glare up at him.
"Now hold on there Mother, aren't you forgetting? This is International Rescue and as such, duty comes first," Jeff announced from behind his desk.
"Oh come now Jeff, I'm sure you can do without Virgil for a few days, after all; all work and no play, makes for very tired young boys" Jeff's mother stated with a smile.
"Yeah dad, all of us have had a recent vacation except for Virgil and Alan" Scott answered as he went and sat on the couch. At that statement Alan brightened and gazed at his father, almost pleading
"It is true Mr. Tracy, Scott, John and Gordon went to Tokyo last summer" Tin-Tin said matter-of-factly.
Jeff's gazed round the room looking for support, but all he could see was determined, pleading faces. Jeff's serious expression softened, "oh..fine you can go, but only if you take Alan with you Virgil," Jeff grumbled in defeat.
Alan turned his head round and smiled at Virgil. Seeing the triumphant expression on Alan's face, Virgil sighed to himself and propped his head up on his arm, leaning on the piano keys. "I guess I'm out numbered," he grumbled to no one in particular.
The following day Virgil and Alan were ready and waiting on the airstrip in front of Thunderbird Two's hidden hanger. The whole Tracy family, Tin-Tin and Brains had come to see them off.
"Now boys, I want you to keep in contact either with base or John in Thunderbird Five, understood?" Jeff stared at his sons.
"Yes father," they said in unison.
They said their goodbyes as they loaded their bags. There were only two roll bags, as they were only staying two nights. Once the bags were stowed Virgil climbed into the pilots seat while Alan got in the back seat.
"Fly safe Virgil" Scott shouted, his dark hair blow in all directions as Virgil started the engines.
"Don't forget to bring me back something!" Gordon shouted over the noise.
They all stood to one side as the small; black/yellow Titan jet zoomed past and into the sky.
The flight there was relatively boring. They talked most of the way, as Virgil demanded Alan leave his CD collection at home. Virgil was a classical, Jazz and Swing man, and hated Rock, Pop and Metal, which were all Alan's favorites!
As they approached a small airstrip just outside the city, Alan radioed ahead for clearance to land.
"This is Titan 22 requesting clearance to land", Alan said into the mic.
"Titan 22 you are clear to land at runway two, over," the female air traffic controller answered in a monotone voice.
Virgil swung the plane round to the end of runway two and brought the plane down gentle with hardly a bump. The plane came to a halt at the end of the strip and the two brothers climbed down.
"Nice landing Virg" Alan said smiling at his older sibling.
At that point a young man came over in a bright yellow jacket, "Mr. Tracy?" the man asked and Virgil nodded.
"Sir, while you stay in the city we'll keep your plane in the main hanger. It will be fueled and checked for your departure three days from now" the young finished.
"Thank you" Virgil answered, politely smiling.
"No problem. Welcome to Detroit" and the young man walked off to taxi the Tracy's jet to the hanger.
"Come on Alan, let's get to the hotel it's almost noon. We're supposed to meet with the event manager at 1:15pm in the A.G Corp building"; Virgil stated impatiently and started walking towards the main terminal, bag in hand.
"Don't you mean YOU'RE supposed to meet him, I'm hear for support only Virg", Alan grumbled picking up his bag.
"Hey what up, I'm coming" Alan complained as he threw his bag over his shoulder and quickly followed his brother.
TBC
Ok, this one is a little boring I know. I do have a bad case of the babbles at the moment. I promise things will start to come together in the next chapter. Thanks for reading!xxxx