The Choice
by Girl-Detective

Interlude- Of Life and Risks

He didn't know what time it was.

It wouldn't have mattered. The darkness made it tough to see anything anyway, let alone a watch. His wrists still burned from the escape from his bonds, no doubt by dirt that had gotten ground into his broken skin when he tried digging his way out. At least the pounding pain the errant boulder had caused him had subsided to a dull ache.

Alan took a breath and nearly choked. The air was growing stale, making it harder to breathe. Just another problem to add to his growing list.

And to top it all off, The Hood had taken every gadget from Alan when he abandoned him in this cave to die.

He shuddered. That was the first time he thought about the D word since he was trapped by the Hood in the remnants of the old diamond mine.

Sitting and leaning his weary body heavily against the cave wall, Alan pondered his life.

The funniest thing about it all was that regret was not on his mind. His father had drilled into him the possible risks he would run into if he chose to get into "the family business. Alan knew it could very well come to a scenario like this one to test his patience, stamina, and everything else that he had ever learned.

Even after he was instrumental in helping to capture the Hood, his family was slow to accept what he wanted to become. After all was said and done, his father had praised him in one breath, and then the next, he accused him of being reckless. Apparently he had talked to Fermat and Tin-Tin and had learned about the events that had transpired in the jungle. If he was going to be a part of this team, he had to learn, and grow. Recklessness wasn't going to be tolerated, his dad had told him, all that he asked was that Alan learned to think smarter and work harder, and he would provide the rest.

Sure enough, his dad was true to his word. He made arrangements at the academy to where Alan would still go for a good portion of his classes, but as for the arts and the sciences, Alan received that tutelage directly from his family. It made him almost long for school, because between his father and his brothers, they challenged him more than the Academy ever had. As long as his grades showed improvement, he would be allowed to continue with International Rescue.

Soon enough, Alan was whisked into a hectic schedule of classes, training, and even the flight testing and training that he was so eager to get over with so that he could prove himself to his family. If it hadn't been for Tin-Tin's constant encouragement along with informal tutoring with Fermat via vid-link every night, he probably would have gone crazy from the pressure.

The opportunity came when the flights started to bring necessary parts and make crucial repairs to Thunderbird Five. His dad decided to turn four of those trips into his test. He would be given the controls, and Gordon and his dad would each ride along and monitor two of those trips.

Brains had modified the craft to where if it was being used for supply runs or simple missions, then the controls would be centralized all to one control panel, thus allowing one pilot to man the craft.

In the days leading up to his testing, Alan studied Thunderbird Three intently, even putting in time with a flight simulator computer program that Brains had designed. Tin-Tin had accused him of having a chip on his shoulder, but he didn't care. If he was going to prove himself, then it would be worth it.

However, it was interesting what one could hear when no one thinks you are listening...

-He sat in the cockpit of Thunderbird 3 the day before the testing, studying the modified controls Brains had implemented. Between the planning the repairs to Thunderbird 5 and the modifications to Thunderbird 3, he was an extremely busy scientist. However, after a little pleading, Brains had allowed him into the cockpit do some studying.

Propulsion, check. Guidance systems check. So far, he was able to follow the modifications with ease. Brains' designs throughout all of the Thunderbird craft were quite consistent, which was a big help in helping him learn the controls of Thunderbird 3.

Over on the side panel, he noticed the communication controls, and decided to play with them. As long as he wasn't starting up the ship, what trouble could he possibly get into?

As he flicked one of the switches, he heard the ambient noise of the silo come through the speakers,
and then footsteps and voices.

"Dad, are you sure you want to test him this quickly?"

"Gordon, I am sure. With the increased among of rescues we go on, along with people like the Hood that are out there, I want to make sure Alan knows what he is asking for. Thunderbird 3 is one of the more intricate ships out of all the ones that Brains has built, even with the modified controls. If he can prove to me that he can fly it without a hitch, then I will feel good about letting him continue training and letting him go solo. With all of the repairs that Thunderbird 5 is going to need, along with any rescue calls we may receive, we are going to need all the help we can get."

"But what if he can't hack it, dad? I snuck a look at his last report card- his grades are improving, but they still aren't all that stellar."

He heard his father chuckle. "I also seem to remember someone else whose grades were not stellar at that part of their lives either, Gordon. But you are right, if he can't handle flying Thunderbird Three, then I will send him back to school until he learns to focus. This is all about helping people, it is not about grandstanding or acting reckless. I am sure we will see what he is made of soon enough."-

Alan remembered leaving the cockpit that day in anger. His father seemed willing to give him a fair shake, but Gordon didn't beleive in him, that much seemed evident.

However, when he went to confront Gordon about it, he got a much different reaction.

-"Look, little brother, what you asking for is a lot. Once you get up there, there is not going to be a lot of time to think or act. One mistake, and we may very well lose you or any one of us. That's a lot for you to have on your shoulders, and I just want to make sure you know what you are asking for."-

Gordon stalked off soon afterwards. Confused, Alan decided to ask his father about it. He didn't want to at first, but his dad finally revealed to Alan that on the day their mother died, they were out searching for Gordon, who had gotten lost during a ski trip. During the searching, one of the mountains unexpectedly unleashed its fury, sending an avalanche of ice and snow down that ended up burying and killing her. Gordon had felt like it was all his fault, regardless of what they did to console him.

Alan went on to prove himself on all four missions, and soon his father gave him permission to go solo. Gordon had congratulated him as well, which meant a lot. He made a promise to Gordon that he would always be there to help, and that he would do his best to stay safe.

And now, when his family needed him, Alan wouldn't be there to help. That's what hurt the most.

He felt hot tears sting eyes. Alan had only cried once before, and that was the day his dad had told him that mom wasn't going to be coming home. After that, he learned to keep much bottled in, and that was probably where that blasted chip on his shoulder came from, as Tin-Tin liked to put it.

And now, his family would probably have another death to mourn.

A moment after he thought it, Alan shook off the thought. The helplessness he was feeling coupled with the diminishing air was leading to some very fatalistic thoughts.

Closing his eyes, he willed himself to relax and finally after a few moments, drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

Why the interlude? Alan has been trapped in a cave for quite a few hours. I know all too well that being alone with your thoughts can be a double edged sword. They can allow you to relive your joy, your pain, and your sorrow. I thought I would go ahead and show that. Besides, the rest of the brothers Tracy are going to be quite busy next chapter.

Thanks for the support you guys. Next chapter will be up soon, I promise.

Take care,

Girl-Detective