Chapter two

January 13th

Tracy Island

Jeff's point of view.

Oh man! Wont' they ever leave?

   The journalists kept asking stupid, pointless questions to Molly about her new movie. Molly gave them answers as stupid as their questions.

     Molly was our agent in L.A., but she was also a very notorious Hollywood actress. These events were occurring the morning before the première. Alan, Tin-tin and Gordon were supposed to go to Hollywood with Molly for that huge movie event. I agreed that she made the interview right here in the lounge. What was I thinking? Scott was on a mission.

     Reporters,  they have a job that implies everything except taking care of their own business! I have to tell a word or two to my agents about that. I have to explain them that for IR's sake, they have to stay out of the spotlight as much as possible, even as movie star, car racer, Olympic champion or whatever else. Pretty hard compromise to do, I know I had to do it!

   I left the room so I could use my communicator. I called Scott to ask him If he had any  new developments on the Fireflash case. The high-tech planes were crashing anywhere without any apparent reason. We were investigating with Europe Airlines to know what the problem was. We had not other choice than to let TB 1 escort a non-commercial flight of the aircraft to figure out the problem. That's another decision I regret because it's not I.R.'s job to try to save material, but human lives.

    -TB one from base, TB one from base. Anything new, Scott?

    -Nope, nothing! No motor problem, nothing! It's just like the pilots drove the place in the forest.

   -Where are you now, Scott?

   -I'm flying over California. E.T.A. 45 minutes.

   -Look, Scott. There are civilians at the base right now. We're in Operation cover-up. I'll call  you when they leave. If they don't' leave before your arrival, I'll tell you where to land.

   -FAB!

   I got back into the lounge. Oh! Was I glad to see these damn Entertainment Now journalists pick up their things and leave.  They left by jet. I waved politely at them, they did'nt knew how glad I was to see them leave!  As soon as they were beyond the horizon, I ended the operation cover-up and the island became the IR base again.  I called Scott to tell him that he could land at the usual place.

*    *   *

   A few moments later Scott was with us and we were all discussing about the Fireflash case when all of a sudden, I saw something unusual on the control panel.

-Quiet! There's someone in Thunderbird one.

   They all knew what to do in such situations. All the agents grabbed their guns and quickly all exits of TB1 bay were blocked by someone and there was no way out for the saboteur.

   I took the megaphone and said; "Whoever you are, get out of there. We know you are in there."

   No answer.

  - We are serious! If you don't get out of there, we'll have to shoot!

  -Tirez pas! Tirez pas! Je vais sortir! ( Dont' shoot! I'll get out!) Answered a little girls voice. I decided that there was no point in having guns to handle the situation and told the guys to lay down their weapons. Then a little face emerged from the open door of TB one.

  - Tirez pas! J'voulait pas. ( Don't  shoot, I didn't' meant to.)

   I was sure upset, but this was the worse time show it. The girl seemed  absolutely terrified. It was not time to be mean with her. She didn't had a clue where she was.

   I had the strange feeling that she was not there for nothing. and I felt like protecting that poor girl.

   -"You don't have anything to fear from us, you're safe here." I said that as protective and gentle as I possibly could.

* * * * *

  We brought the kid in the lounge. I asked Tin-tin to bring her some hot chocolate.  The girl sat on the couch, without taking off her winter clothes. She was looking down at her shoes. I sat in front of her.

  -"Maybe she was scared when she saw the plane crash and ran in TB1 for protection." Said Scott, trying to explain things.

  " Well, what's your name, girl?

   -Cynthia

   -At least, you can understand English.

   -Juste un peu, je peut pas le parler"

  Unfortunately, I did not understood a single word of what she was saying. I looked towards Molly who learned the language while she was shooting a movie in Paris.

   -"She says that she can understand some English, but cannot speak it," translated Molly.

   -How old are you?

   -Dix..eh.Ten!

   - « Hmmmm... You know you shouldn't have gone in the plane. It was dangerous and now you are miles away from your home!" Oh, that's just fine! I just hope  now that  she won't start to cry!

   Although her eyes seemed filled with tears, she didn't cried. She was visibly intimidated. I think she was just puzzled and scared because she couldn't understand my words.

   -"I know, monsieur. I wanted to see. what it was .like .inside" the girl said, taking long brakes to find the right English word.

   -"What you did was bad, but it's not all your fault. Tin-tin, take Cynthia away. Find her a place to sleep. I need to talk to my boys."

  Tin-tin walked away, holding Cynthia's hand. I went on;

  " Scott Tracy, what the hell were you thinking? Now, what are we going to do with this kid?

  -"Dad, it was an accident!"

  -That should have not happened. You should have watched your aircraft! Since this is your mistake, you'll be taking her back to her home as soon as TB1 is ready again. Clear?

  -Clear."

  -As for the rest of you, this has already happened before, I know, but this time, shut up!

   We didn't talked about this after. Tin-in came back with us and said the girl was sleeping in her bedroom.

   Just minutes after she entered the lounge, the noise of shattering glasses caught he attention of all of us. Kyrano, obviously ill, dropped the plate that he was carrying and fell on the floor, absolutely delirious.

-" Oh!!!! NO!!! Leave me alone!!!!NOOOO!!!!"

  We all rushed to Kyrano. None of us knew what was happening.

   That has also happenedbefore, but it's always as scary since we still don't'  know why he gets like that. It's always a shock to see a good and devoted friend of yours suffer. No one ( not even me) ever gets used to that.

  If it was a shock for me, try to figure out what it was to Tin-tin! The poor girl was not able to make a single move. After Kyrano's crisis ended, se went into her room. She came back right after, screaming;

  -"The little girl is gone!"