Jeff grabbed Kai's belt before the girl fell. She groaned and doubled
over. Carefully, he settled her on the ground, propping her up against a
tree. He looked at her arm. Crimson patches were appearing on the
bandage. She was deathly pale, and sweat was pouring out of her body,
despite the chilliness of the morning.
He reached up to her forehead. Heat rose to meet his touch. "You're burning up."
"Ah, that's exertion," she replied, leaning her head against the bark. "Just give me a minute." She fought to find her breath. The loss of blood was catching up to her.
"I think we've come as far as we can go." Jeff unscrewed the top off the canteen and handed it to her.
"I agree," she said, taking a swallow. "McPhereson is just over that ridge." She pointed. "Go get help."
"I've already told you what I thought of that idea."
"And I'm telling you to go," the vehemence was surprising from her. "I am slowing you down."
Jeff knelt down in front of her, looking straight in to the gray eyes. "Kid, for whatever reason, you're stuck with me. I'm not going anywhere."
The steeliness of her gaze melted and Jeff saw tears forming. "It's funny the way things work out. Yesterday, I couldn't stand you, and now. . ." she trailed off, regrouping and smiled. "I think I found it."
"What's that?"
Kai reached out with her good arm and wrapped it around his neck. "An opportunity in the difficulty." She whispered against him "I've made a wonderful friend, no matter what else happens."
Jeff returned her embrace, pulling her body close to him. In only two days, this little snip of a girl, with her strange mix of stubbornness and compassion, fire and understanding, had come to mean so much to him. He owed her his life.
Somewhere, Kai found the strength to stand back up. "Let's get going, Mr. Tracy."
"Kai. . . "
"I can go a little further," she protested. "Now let's just go before I change my mind."
She sighed and moved forward again. Jeff followed, watching her carefully. She stumbled hard and Jeff reached out to steady her, again at the belt.
"It's a good thing I put that on," she kidded.
Jeff kept his hand on her, keeping her from falling as they went. She faltered more with every stride, but she kept her head high, visualizing her goal.
The trees opened up around them and they found themselves standing in a small glade. As the sun peaked through the lifting fog, Jeff caught the glint of metal in the light. The smell of spent jet fuel caught his nose, and suddenly he knew what he was looking at. They had stumbled across the hovercraft.
Before Jeff could move, Kai was ripped from his grasp. The girl's shriek was cut short as Jeff turned toward her.
The Hood was standing at the edge of the forest, with a large knife to Kai's throat.
"We meet again Tracy." He smiled cruelly.
"Where the hell did you come from?" Jeff asked.
"I had been watching you for a while now, since the unfortunate mishap at the slope."
Jeff's eyes narrowed "You sent that boulder down the cliff."
The smile widened. "It is a shame, isn't it Tracy? Such a pretty young thing in so much agony."
He had her injured arm wrapped around behind her. Jeff could see she was in intense pain caused by the strong fingers on her arm. But there was something else in her face that the Hood couldn't see. Jeff knew it all too well; the look of absolute fury-driven determination.
The Hood took great pleasure in the pain he was inflicting on Kai. His eyes danced with sick amusement when the girl inhaled sharply.
It was too much for him. Unflinching, Jeff brought his weapon to bear. The voice was deep and evil, in every sense of the word. "You will have to kill her in order to kill me."
"I don't think so," Jeff replied.
He chuckled. "Those are not sharpshooter rifles: quite inaccurate and messy contraptions they are. You wouldn't want anyone to get caught in the crossfire"
He wasn't telling Jeff anything he didn't already know. "Let her go."
"Now, Tracy, why would I do that?" The Hood tightened his grasp causing Kai to cry out slightly. "This little one has cost me too much to simply let her walk away."
"I'll kill you."
The knife pressed to the flesh of Kai's neck. "Not before I kill her."
"Then we're at a stalemate." The Hood never left his sights.
"Not necessarily," the malicious man drawled. "I would consider the possibility of releasing her, if a bigger prize were offered."
"Me, right?"
The Hood nodded "We have much to discuss."
"We have nothing to discuss." Jeff spat back.
"Oh, but we do," the Hood was getting agitated at the resistance. "I want all the details of those fantastic machines you are building."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
The Hood didn't answer, but twisted Kai's arm. She yelled, more out of anger than anything else, and began to struggle against him.
Jeff's mind reeled. He knew the man in front of him was a cold-blooded killer. He would think nothing of murdering Kai to get to Jeff. If he lowered his weapon and complied, there would be no more use for the girl.
The Hood began to move and dragged Kai towards the hatch of the hovercraft. Jeff followed him to get a clear shot, but the Hood stopped at the base of the ramp and put the girl between him and the rifle. "We are going on board now," he said. "You have one minute to join us, or the next time you see this little one, it will be in pieces."
He began to haul Kai up the ramp, but the girl was fighting hard against him, ignoring him as he twisted hard on her arm. All she felt now was the anger and survival instinct. With everything she had left, she slammed her body against the Hood.
Kai caught him off guard. She felt the hold on her neck slacken as he lost his balance on the steep ramp. She threw herself to the right. A shot rang out, whizzing past her ear. The Hood roared as the bullet tore threw his shoulder. Kai fell off the ramp.
By the time Kai had cleared the hovercraft the Hood had disappeared into the ship. Jeff heard the distinct click of a magazine being loaded in to an automatic. He ran across the ground and grabbed Kai, dragging her in to the cover of the forest. A volley of bullets rang out behind them, tearing into the bark of the trees. The Hood was sparing none of his ammunition.
Jeff turned and answered with gunfire of his own. The Hood threw himself on to the ground.
"Oh no," Kai's words caused him to turn back around. "We've found the river again."
Jeff took cover behind a large tree, surveying the landscape. To the left was nothing but an open flood plain, washed flat by the previous night's torrent. The river wound behind them to the right, still raging with the rain from the storm. There was no escape and they were trapped.
"Tracy," the Hood's voice called a smug tone in his cruel voice. "It is very simple. I have you cornered. . ."
"He's right so far." Jeff said to Kai, who knelt beside him.
". . . if you come out now, I will make your execution quick."
Movement on the rocky hill behind the Hood caught Jeff's eyes. Just movement, the source of which was still lost in the fog. It vanished quickly among the forest. He blinked and then squinted. His eyes were playing tricks on him.
"I thought you wanted to talk."
There it was again, closer this time, taking on a human shape. Someone was stealthily making their way towards the Hood. The movements were very familiar. The catlike quietness was unmistakable as the person hunkered down in a rock outcropping. He knew that shadowy figure.
It was John and he was armed. Jeff chuckled slightly and Kai looked at him like he had lost his mind. "Stick with me, kid." He said. "The cavalry is here."
"I am done with you Tracy," The Hood was yelling again. "Any information I want I am sure I can find other sources for."
Jeff knew what that meant. The Hood would go after his family.
"I'll tell you something," Jeff countered, "You're welcome to try, but what you're going to learn in about three seconds is that nobody messes with the Tracy's."
A well-aimed warning shot sent wet dirt into the Hood's face. "Give it up!" John yelled strongly.
Through the scope John saw the man turn and slap another magazine into the automatic.
"Shit!" He ducked out of the way as the bullets ricocheted off the stone around him.
"You will pay for that!" The man yelled up at him angrily. "I can outlast you. I have more firepower."
John popped over the rocks again and sent off another round. The bald man was under cover. Neither John nor Jeff could get a clear shot at him.
John slid back down as a slight spattering of gunfire was sent first in his direction than his father's. He peered over the stones, watching his adversary closely
This could go on for hours and John had no clue if his father was injured or not. Just because Jeff Tracy was fighting back didn't mean he wasn't bleeding to death.
John keyed up on the wrist communicators. Scott's voice sounded. "What's going on down there?"
"You were right, as usual," John replied, still watching the Hood as he spoke. "One of those other two targets from the scanner is trying to kill Dad."
"Can you neutralize him?"
"This guy is certifiable," John said. "I made the mistake of asking him to come quietly."
John dropped his had to his rifle again and fired. The man had vied for a better site below him, moving towards his father's position. He leapt back quickly, reciprocating John's action.
"John!" Scott called, hearing the exchange.
"I'm right here Scott," John stated calmly. Now Scott knew how John had felt earlier. "I've got him pinned, but he has Dad and me, likewise."
"What's he packing?"
"One of those new JE-50's the Army is so proud of. This could go on forever."
The man had changed tactics. He darted from the rocks to a large tree, moving up the hill towards John, labeling him as the most immediate threat.
"Oh, no you don't," John muttered. John targeted the man through the scope again, waiting for him to show his face. But he didn't.
"Who are you?" The low voice bounced off the rocks. "Not Search and Rescue, you are much too good for that."
"I'm a hunter," John shouted back. "Heard all the noise over here and found you shooting at someone."
"You lie," The Hood came back. "What would you be hunting with a high powered precision assault rifle?"
"Grouse," John replied. The thought of hunting those little ground game birds with the weapon in his hands was laughable. There wouldn't be anything left but a hole in the earth where the grouse had been standing.
"Indeed," The man sneered. "I find it more likely that you are perhaps one of the men involved in Mr. Tracy's project. Maybe even one of his own children"
John didn't let any surprise enter his voice as he shouted back. "I don't know what you're talking about, but if you put that thing down, maybe we can discuss it."
"There will be no more discussion. I want the secrets of your organization, now!" The man leapt from behind the tree, rolling for cover behind another closer to John, shooting as he went. The quick reflexes surprised John and his shot came too late."
"You want International Rescue's secrets, mister?" John muttered to himself, calling Scott again. "We'll give them to you."
The Hood began to cackle madly. Jeff gripped his rifle tightly. The only sound to be heard was that of the Hood. John had gone quiet and Jeff had no idea if his son had been hit.
A warm wind blew up sharply, bending the trees with its force and carrying away the wicked sound. Jeff's eyes never left the Hood as the wind became a gale, blowing hard against his back. The sound of a powerful engine came from behind him, but still he did not turn.
Jeff recognized the sound of a Gattling gun as the ground exploded in front of the Hood in a perfectly straight line. The man fell back, staring into the sky above him in awe.
He chanced a look behind him. The mists swirled and cleared as the dark shadow descended upon them like a massive bird of prey. Flames spewed forth, filling the air with the smell of fire and the feeling of raw power. Finally, the familiar hull of the rescue craft became visible, her silver skin gleaming in the intense daylight that had broken through the fog.
He looked back towards the Hood. The man had disappeared through the woods, driven back by the powerful Rescue 1. The sound of John's rifle cracked as he tried to bring the Hood down before he escaped. Jeff pushed away from the tree. Nobody shot at him or one of his sons and got away with it. This ended now. He had to get to the Hood before he made it to the hovercraft.
Jeff lit out through the forest at full speed, leaping fallen trees and rocks. He could not see the evil man before him. Determined, he moved faster, muscles in his legs pumping, the fever to achieve his goal was pushing him to go faster.
By the time he made it back to the clearing, the boosters on the hovercraft were already lifting it into the air. Jeff raised the rifle and emptied the magazine, but to no avail. The craft turned, and Jeff could see the Hood at the controls. The look on the man's face was pure hatred as the thrusters fired and propelled the hovercraft away from him.
Jeff stood and put his hands in his pockets, watching as the orange glow of the thrusters faded. The bastard was gone and, for right now, there was nothing he could do about it.
"Dad!" He turned, only to be nearly knocked down by the force of his eldest son running into him. He folded his arm around Scott. "God, Dad, you scared the hell out of us."
Hugging was not something the Tracy's did on a regular basis, but there were times when nothing could substitute for one of his son's embraces. This was one of those times.
Jeff clapped his son on the back and he let go. "It sure is good to see you son." One of Scott's famous half smiles lit up his face. "How in the hell did you find us?"
"Dumb luck," Scott replied. "John came up with the idea that you might follow the creek out of the crash site if you were in a hurry."
Jeff shook his head. "That damn river. It got us in to more trouble than anything else."
"It got you found, Dad," They began to walk back towards the river. "Who was that guy?"
Jeff waved off the question. "We need to have a long talk about that, but for right now, we have more important issues to concern ourselves with."
When they arrived back at the river bank, John was kneeling down beside Kai, inspecting her arm critically. "We need to get you to a doctor."
John reached down and scooped Kai up. "You aren't going to throw me at anybody, right?" she asked as she put her good arm around John's neck and settled against his chest.
John smiled down at her quizzically. "What?"
"Never mind," she told him tiredly
As he turned, John noticed his father standing before him. "Dad! I came down here looking for you. Did you get him?"
Jeff shook his head. "We'll worry about him later." He folded his arms across his chest and eyed his two sons. "All right boys," he said harshly, "whose idea was this?"
"John's," Scott answered quickly as he picked up John's rifle. Jeff was glad he had insisted on arming the ship as soon as it was operational.
John's eyes went wide as he carried Kai towards Rescue 1. "Mine?"
"Yours," Scott replied. "Who snuck out of the cockpit before I got a chance to move?"
"Paybacks suck, huh Scott?"
"See, Dad, I told you it was his idea."
Kai's weak laughter brought the argument to a halt. "I think it was a wonderful idea, personally."
"Then it was mine," John announced before Scott could say a word.
Jeff walked beside John and looked at Kai. She was pale and exhausted, as the last effects of adrenaline ebbed from her body. "We're going to get you to McPhereson, kid. You'll be there in five minutes."
Kai looked towards the silver craft that sat on the flood plain and then back at Jeff. "That does answer a few questions," she said. "So what exactly is this, Mr. Tracy?"
Jeff patted her knee as they began to move up the ramp. "This, my dear, is a Thunderbird."
************************************************************************
Jeff burst through the doors of the San Diego Naval Hospital with Scott and John in tow. He had done it, he had finally made it. The sea of people parted before him, clearing a path for the powerful, determined man. He had only one goal in mind. Nothing else mattered.
Distantly, he heard the desk nurse begin to complain about such a dirty disheveled man entering her sterile environment. To Jeff, her voice was little more than a fly buzzing around his head.
Scott pointed him in the direction of Gordon's room. As he entered the dimly lit cubicle, Virgil leapt from the chair beside the bed. Jeff went to him first, giving Virgil a quick squeeze to the shoulder.
Virgil moved to the side and offered Jeff the chair that he had previously occupied. Jeff sat down, taking in the tubes and the heart monitor, looking up at the IV that dripped fluid into his son's body.
Carefully, he picked up Gordon's hand, holding it gently between his own. "Gordon? Can you hear me son?"
To his amazement, Gordon's eyes cracked, revealing the unique amber color of his eyes. Jeff leaned in close. "I'm right here, boy."
The corners of Gordon's mouth twitched, despite the respirator tube taped in place over his mouth. Jeff felt his long fingers curl over and squeeze his hand ever so slightly.
Gordon's eyes closed again slowly and he drifted off into a drug induced sleep. Jeff looked around at the rest of his sons. Alan, who had joined them as they stormed the ICU, now stood between his two oldest brothers, with Scott's arm wrapped protectively around his shoulders.
John stood across from Jeff, watching his brother sleep quietly. He looked over at his father and smiled. They were going to be all right.
All of them.
He reached up to her forehead. Heat rose to meet his touch. "You're burning up."
"Ah, that's exertion," she replied, leaning her head against the bark. "Just give me a minute." She fought to find her breath. The loss of blood was catching up to her.
"I think we've come as far as we can go." Jeff unscrewed the top off the canteen and handed it to her.
"I agree," she said, taking a swallow. "McPhereson is just over that ridge." She pointed. "Go get help."
"I've already told you what I thought of that idea."
"And I'm telling you to go," the vehemence was surprising from her. "I am slowing you down."
Jeff knelt down in front of her, looking straight in to the gray eyes. "Kid, for whatever reason, you're stuck with me. I'm not going anywhere."
The steeliness of her gaze melted and Jeff saw tears forming. "It's funny the way things work out. Yesterday, I couldn't stand you, and now. . ." she trailed off, regrouping and smiled. "I think I found it."
"What's that?"
Kai reached out with her good arm and wrapped it around his neck. "An opportunity in the difficulty." She whispered against him "I've made a wonderful friend, no matter what else happens."
Jeff returned her embrace, pulling her body close to him. In only two days, this little snip of a girl, with her strange mix of stubbornness and compassion, fire and understanding, had come to mean so much to him. He owed her his life.
Somewhere, Kai found the strength to stand back up. "Let's get going, Mr. Tracy."
"Kai. . . "
"I can go a little further," she protested. "Now let's just go before I change my mind."
She sighed and moved forward again. Jeff followed, watching her carefully. She stumbled hard and Jeff reached out to steady her, again at the belt.
"It's a good thing I put that on," she kidded.
Jeff kept his hand on her, keeping her from falling as they went. She faltered more with every stride, but she kept her head high, visualizing her goal.
The trees opened up around them and they found themselves standing in a small glade. As the sun peaked through the lifting fog, Jeff caught the glint of metal in the light. The smell of spent jet fuel caught his nose, and suddenly he knew what he was looking at. They had stumbled across the hovercraft.
Before Jeff could move, Kai was ripped from his grasp. The girl's shriek was cut short as Jeff turned toward her.
The Hood was standing at the edge of the forest, with a large knife to Kai's throat.
"We meet again Tracy." He smiled cruelly.
"Where the hell did you come from?" Jeff asked.
"I had been watching you for a while now, since the unfortunate mishap at the slope."
Jeff's eyes narrowed "You sent that boulder down the cliff."
The smile widened. "It is a shame, isn't it Tracy? Such a pretty young thing in so much agony."
He had her injured arm wrapped around behind her. Jeff could see she was in intense pain caused by the strong fingers on her arm. But there was something else in her face that the Hood couldn't see. Jeff knew it all too well; the look of absolute fury-driven determination.
The Hood took great pleasure in the pain he was inflicting on Kai. His eyes danced with sick amusement when the girl inhaled sharply.
It was too much for him. Unflinching, Jeff brought his weapon to bear. The voice was deep and evil, in every sense of the word. "You will have to kill her in order to kill me."
"I don't think so," Jeff replied.
He chuckled. "Those are not sharpshooter rifles: quite inaccurate and messy contraptions they are. You wouldn't want anyone to get caught in the crossfire"
He wasn't telling Jeff anything he didn't already know. "Let her go."
"Now, Tracy, why would I do that?" The Hood tightened his grasp causing Kai to cry out slightly. "This little one has cost me too much to simply let her walk away."
"I'll kill you."
The knife pressed to the flesh of Kai's neck. "Not before I kill her."
"Then we're at a stalemate." The Hood never left his sights.
"Not necessarily," the malicious man drawled. "I would consider the possibility of releasing her, if a bigger prize were offered."
"Me, right?"
The Hood nodded "We have much to discuss."
"We have nothing to discuss." Jeff spat back.
"Oh, but we do," the Hood was getting agitated at the resistance. "I want all the details of those fantastic machines you are building."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
The Hood didn't answer, but twisted Kai's arm. She yelled, more out of anger than anything else, and began to struggle against him.
Jeff's mind reeled. He knew the man in front of him was a cold-blooded killer. He would think nothing of murdering Kai to get to Jeff. If he lowered his weapon and complied, there would be no more use for the girl.
The Hood began to move and dragged Kai towards the hatch of the hovercraft. Jeff followed him to get a clear shot, but the Hood stopped at the base of the ramp and put the girl between him and the rifle. "We are going on board now," he said. "You have one minute to join us, or the next time you see this little one, it will be in pieces."
He began to haul Kai up the ramp, but the girl was fighting hard against him, ignoring him as he twisted hard on her arm. All she felt now was the anger and survival instinct. With everything she had left, she slammed her body against the Hood.
Kai caught him off guard. She felt the hold on her neck slacken as he lost his balance on the steep ramp. She threw herself to the right. A shot rang out, whizzing past her ear. The Hood roared as the bullet tore threw his shoulder. Kai fell off the ramp.
By the time Kai had cleared the hovercraft the Hood had disappeared into the ship. Jeff heard the distinct click of a magazine being loaded in to an automatic. He ran across the ground and grabbed Kai, dragging her in to the cover of the forest. A volley of bullets rang out behind them, tearing into the bark of the trees. The Hood was sparing none of his ammunition.
Jeff turned and answered with gunfire of his own. The Hood threw himself on to the ground.
"Oh no," Kai's words caused him to turn back around. "We've found the river again."
Jeff took cover behind a large tree, surveying the landscape. To the left was nothing but an open flood plain, washed flat by the previous night's torrent. The river wound behind them to the right, still raging with the rain from the storm. There was no escape and they were trapped.
"Tracy," the Hood's voice called a smug tone in his cruel voice. "It is very simple. I have you cornered. . ."
"He's right so far." Jeff said to Kai, who knelt beside him.
". . . if you come out now, I will make your execution quick."
Movement on the rocky hill behind the Hood caught Jeff's eyes. Just movement, the source of which was still lost in the fog. It vanished quickly among the forest. He blinked and then squinted. His eyes were playing tricks on him.
"I thought you wanted to talk."
There it was again, closer this time, taking on a human shape. Someone was stealthily making their way towards the Hood. The movements were very familiar. The catlike quietness was unmistakable as the person hunkered down in a rock outcropping. He knew that shadowy figure.
It was John and he was armed. Jeff chuckled slightly and Kai looked at him like he had lost his mind. "Stick with me, kid." He said. "The cavalry is here."
"I am done with you Tracy," The Hood was yelling again. "Any information I want I am sure I can find other sources for."
Jeff knew what that meant. The Hood would go after his family.
"I'll tell you something," Jeff countered, "You're welcome to try, but what you're going to learn in about three seconds is that nobody messes with the Tracy's."
A well-aimed warning shot sent wet dirt into the Hood's face. "Give it up!" John yelled strongly.
Through the scope John saw the man turn and slap another magazine into the automatic.
"Shit!" He ducked out of the way as the bullets ricocheted off the stone around him.
"You will pay for that!" The man yelled up at him angrily. "I can outlast you. I have more firepower."
John popped over the rocks again and sent off another round. The bald man was under cover. Neither John nor Jeff could get a clear shot at him.
John slid back down as a slight spattering of gunfire was sent first in his direction than his father's. He peered over the stones, watching his adversary closely
This could go on for hours and John had no clue if his father was injured or not. Just because Jeff Tracy was fighting back didn't mean he wasn't bleeding to death.
John keyed up on the wrist communicators. Scott's voice sounded. "What's going on down there?"
"You were right, as usual," John replied, still watching the Hood as he spoke. "One of those other two targets from the scanner is trying to kill Dad."
"Can you neutralize him?"
"This guy is certifiable," John said. "I made the mistake of asking him to come quietly."
John dropped his had to his rifle again and fired. The man had vied for a better site below him, moving towards his father's position. He leapt back quickly, reciprocating John's action.
"John!" Scott called, hearing the exchange.
"I'm right here Scott," John stated calmly. Now Scott knew how John had felt earlier. "I've got him pinned, but he has Dad and me, likewise."
"What's he packing?"
"One of those new JE-50's the Army is so proud of. This could go on forever."
The man had changed tactics. He darted from the rocks to a large tree, moving up the hill towards John, labeling him as the most immediate threat.
"Oh, no you don't," John muttered. John targeted the man through the scope again, waiting for him to show his face. But he didn't.
"Who are you?" The low voice bounced off the rocks. "Not Search and Rescue, you are much too good for that."
"I'm a hunter," John shouted back. "Heard all the noise over here and found you shooting at someone."
"You lie," The Hood came back. "What would you be hunting with a high powered precision assault rifle?"
"Grouse," John replied. The thought of hunting those little ground game birds with the weapon in his hands was laughable. There wouldn't be anything left but a hole in the earth where the grouse had been standing.
"Indeed," The man sneered. "I find it more likely that you are perhaps one of the men involved in Mr. Tracy's project. Maybe even one of his own children"
John didn't let any surprise enter his voice as he shouted back. "I don't know what you're talking about, but if you put that thing down, maybe we can discuss it."
"There will be no more discussion. I want the secrets of your organization, now!" The man leapt from behind the tree, rolling for cover behind another closer to John, shooting as he went. The quick reflexes surprised John and his shot came too late."
"You want International Rescue's secrets, mister?" John muttered to himself, calling Scott again. "We'll give them to you."
The Hood began to cackle madly. Jeff gripped his rifle tightly. The only sound to be heard was that of the Hood. John had gone quiet and Jeff had no idea if his son had been hit.
A warm wind blew up sharply, bending the trees with its force and carrying away the wicked sound. Jeff's eyes never left the Hood as the wind became a gale, blowing hard against his back. The sound of a powerful engine came from behind him, but still he did not turn.
Jeff recognized the sound of a Gattling gun as the ground exploded in front of the Hood in a perfectly straight line. The man fell back, staring into the sky above him in awe.
He chanced a look behind him. The mists swirled and cleared as the dark shadow descended upon them like a massive bird of prey. Flames spewed forth, filling the air with the smell of fire and the feeling of raw power. Finally, the familiar hull of the rescue craft became visible, her silver skin gleaming in the intense daylight that had broken through the fog.
He looked back towards the Hood. The man had disappeared through the woods, driven back by the powerful Rescue 1. The sound of John's rifle cracked as he tried to bring the Hood down before he escaped. Jeff pushed away from the tree. Nobody shot at him or one of his sons and got away with it. This ended now. He had to get to the Hood before he made it to the hovercraft.
Jeff lit out through the forest at full speed, leaping fallen trees and rocks. He could not see the evil man before him. Determined, he moved faster, muscles in his legs pumping, the fever to achieve his goal was pushing him to go faster.
By the time he made it back to the clearing, the boosters on the hovercraft were already lifting it into the air. Jeff raised the rifle and emptied the magazine, but to no avail. The craft turned, and Jeff could see the Hood at the controls. The look on the man's face was pure hatred as the thrusters fired and propelled the hovercraft away from him.
Jeff stood and put his hands in his pockets, watching as the orange glow of the thrusters faded. The bastard was gone and, for right now, there was nothing he could do about it.
"Dad!" He turned, only to be nearly knocked down by the force of his eldest son running into him. He folded his arm around Scott. "God, Dad, you scared the hell out of us."
Hugging was not something the Tracy's did on a regular basis, but there were times when nothing could substitute for one of his son's embraces. This was one of those times.
Jeff clapped his son on the back and he let go. "It sure is good to see you son." One of Scott's famous half smiles lit up his face. "How in the hell did you find us?"
"Dumb luck," Scott replied. "John came up with the idea that you might follow the creek out of the crash site if you were in a hurry."
Jeff shook his head. "That damn river. It got us in to more trouble than anything else."
"It got you found, Dad," They began to walk back towards the river. "Who was that guy?"
Jeff waved off the question. "We need to have a long talk about that, but for right now, we have more important issues to concern ourselves with."
When they arrived back at the river bank, John was kneeling down beside Kai, inspecting her arm critically. "We need to get you to a doctor."
John reached down and scooped Kai up. "You aren't going to throw me at anybody, right?" she asked as she put her good arm around John's neck and settled against his chest.
John smiled down at her quizzically. "What?"
"Never mind," she told him tiredly
As he turned, John noticed his father standing before him. "Dad! I came down here looking for you. Did you get him?"
Jeff shook his head. "We'll worry about him later." He folded his arms across his chest and eyed his two sons. "All right boys," he said harshly, "whose idea was this?"
"John's," Scott answered quickly as he picked up John's rifle. Jeff was glad he had insisted on arming the ship as soon as it was operational.
John's eyes went wide as he carried Kai towards Rescue 1. "Mine?"
"Yours," Scott replied. "Who snuck out of the cockpit before I got a chance to move?"
"Paybacks suck, huh Scott?"
"See, Dad, I told you it was his idea."
Kai's weak laughter brought the argument to a halt. "I think it was a wonderful idea, personally."
"Then it was mine," John announced before Scott could say a word.
Jeff walked beside John and looked at Kai. She was pale and exhausted, as the last effects of adrenaline ebbed from her body. "We're going to get you to McPhereson, kid. You'll be there in five minutes."
Kai looked towards the silver craft that sat on the flood plain and then back at Jeff. "That does answer a few questions," she said. "So what exactly is this, Mr. Tracy?"
Jeff patted her knee as they began to move up the ramp. "This, my dear, is a Thunderbird."
************************************************************************
Jeff burst through the doors of the San Diego Naval Hospital with Scott and John in tow. He had done it, he had finally made it. The sea of people parted before him, clearing a path for the powerful, determined man. He had only one goal in mind. Nothing else mattered.
Distantly, he heard the desk nurse begin to complain about such a dirty disheveled man entering her sterile environment. To Jeff, her voice was little more than a fly buzzing around his head.
Scott pointed him in the direction of Gordon's room. As he entered the dimly lit cubicle, Virgil leapt from the chair beside the bed. Jeff went to him first, giving Virgil a quick squeeze to the shoulder.
Virgil moved to the side and offered Jeff the chair that he had previously occupied. Jeff sat down, taking in the tubes and the heart monitor, looking up at the IV that dripped fluid into his son's body.
Carefully, he picked up Gordon's hand, holding it gently between his own. "Gordon? Can you hear me son?"
To his amazement, Gordon's eyes cracked, revealing the unique amber color of his eyes. Jeff leaned in close. "I'm right here, boy."
The corners of Gordon's mouth twitched, despite the respirator tube taped in place over his mouth. Jeff felt his long fingers curl over and squeeze his hand ever so slightly.
Gordon's eyes closed again slowly and he drifted off into a drug induced sleep. Jeff looked around at the rest of his sons. Alan, who had joined them as they stormed the ICU, now stood between his two oldest brothers, with Scott's arm wrapped protectively around his shoulders.
John stood across from Jeff, watching his brother sleep quietly. He looked over at his father and smiled. They were going to be all right.
All of them.