Eight

It was Scott who first heard the yells that night. His instinct was to get up and help, but decided that, this time, it wasn't the right thing to do. Especially when he heard Gordon's feet pounding down the hallway. He lay there listening, counting down the minutes, which blended into hours until he heard a door slide shut and footsteps patter back to the room further down the hall…

Next morning Gordon dragged himself to the dining room table. Scott looked at him in sympathy. "0120 hours wasn't it?"

"Uh, huh," Gordon confirmed.

"And you didn't get back to bed until 0335."

"Yup." Gordon looked at Scott. "You got your stopwatch operating or somethin'?"

"No. I couldn't sleep. Have you checked on him this morning?"

Gordon nodded. "He's getting changed. I said I'd give him ten minutes and then come and check up on him." He yawned.

John slid into his seat at the dining table.

"How'd you sleep last night?" Scott asked him.

"Okay, until Gordon did his midnight flight."

"Don't blame me," Gordon protested.

"I'm not. Just making a comment. Another nightmare, huh?"

"Yep."

"Was it the same dream?" Jeff asked as he lowered his paper.

"Dunno. He couldn't remember it again. I think it must have been, judging by the way he was screaming. Whatever it is – it's terrifying if it frightens Virgil that much." Gordon looked at his watch. "I'll give him another five minutes and then go see how he's getting on."

"What's today's itinerary?" Alan asked.

"First thing is for you to take John back to Thunderbird Five," Jeff told him. "Then we'll take things as they come. Virgil hasn't seen Thunderbirds One and Three yet…" He stopped. "It feels strange saying that."

"Are we taking him with us?" Alan asked.

Jeff shook his head. "No. Let him get used to the island first. The way he reacted in Thunderbird Two yesterday, I'm worried about how he'll react to Thunderbird Three. You can't exactly stop mid-flight and let him out for a breath of fresh air."

"Why did he do that?" Alan asked. "He's never suffered from claustrophobia or aerophobia before."

"Maybe he's suddenly developed brontoornithophobia," Gordon suggested.

His family looked at him in bewilderment.

"I'm not even going to try to pronounce that," John said, "let alone understand it. What's that?"

"Fear of Thunderbirds," Gordon explained.

"He didn't have any problems with Thunderbird Four," Alan reminded him.

"Just means he's got taste," Gordon said smugly, "and hasn't got hydrophobia."

"Thank heavens for that," Scott exclaimed. "I couldn't cope with him having rabies as well."

"What's the term for having a phobia of phobias?" John asked. "Because I think I'm getting it."

"Phobophobia," Gordon told him.

John groaned.

Someone new entered the dining room. "Hi," Virgil said shyly.

Gordon stood and held a chair out for him. "Grab a seat."

"Thanks," Virgil sat down and looked at the people about him. "Don't let me interrupt you. What were you talking about?"

"Phobias," Gordon blithely told him.

"And we'd finished that conversation," Jeff said warningly. "How are you feeling this morning, Virgil?"

Virgil shrugged. "Physically… fine."

"What would you like to eat, Dear?" his grandmother asked him.

"Oh… Ah. I don't know. Whatever you give me will be fine, thank you."

This morning's meal was more relaxed than its predecessor.

Everyone assembled in the lounge when it was time for Thunderbird Three's departure. Before he headed into the room, John made a point of saying goodbye to Virgil. "You make sure everything's back to normal by the time I get back, okay."

Virgil nodded. "I'll work on it."

"Good." John gave his younger brother an uncertain smile. "Look, it feels weird saying this, but give Scott a chance. He's not all that bad. You like him… we all do. He comes across as being bossy, but he's had to be… since Ma died..."

"John!" there was a call from the lounge.

"Coming!" John called in return. Then he turned back to Virgil. "I haven't got time to explain now, but give him time. You'll learn to like him again." He gave the smile again. "If you want to talk, get someone to show you how to operate the communicator… I should have done so myself. I invented it."

"You did?" Virgil asked, amazed.

John looked at him sadly. "You helped me with the assembly… I…" he caught himself. "I'll see you in three weeks. Take care."

"You too, John."

John joined Scott and Alan on the couch. Surprised at this development, Virgil went and stood beside Gordon who was leaning against Jeff's desk.

"Have you got everything, John?" Jeff asked.

"Yes, Sir."

"Good. We'll see you in three weeks then. Have a good trip, Boys."

Virgil was startled to see the couch suddenly disappear into the floor. Gordon grinned at him. "If you think that's funny, wait till you see how you board Thunderbird Two when you're going to pilot her."

"Where did they go?"

"There's an access tunnel that runs under half the island to the Round House. C'mon," Gordon led the way onto the patio. From there the Round House was visible on the skyline. "It'll take them about five minutes to get ready."

"Why the Round House?" Virgil asked.

"You'll see."

They waited patiently. Eventually they heard Jeff give the clearance for launch. He joined them on the patio.

The roar of the sound waves reached them slightly after their first glimpse of Thunderbird Three. She powered upwards through the Round House, straight as an arrow, on an unerring course to her target.

Virgil watched open mouthed. He was still watching when Thunderbird Three was little more than a speck in the sky. When he eventually looked back down both Jeff and Gordon were watching him in amusement.

"Did you like that?" Jeff asked.

"Uh, huh," Virgil articulated. "That was… amazing." He looked at Gordon. "It must be fantastic to fly in. Is it?"

"It's alright," Gordon replied laconically. "But I've found if you've been in one spaceship, you've been in them all. Now if you want real excitement you've gotta go in a submarine… But you'd probably prefer Thunderbird Two…"

"Hold on, Gordon," Jeff said cautiously.

"Could I?" Virgil asked eagerly

"What?" Jeff asked.

"Could Gordon take me for a flight in Thunderbird Two?"

"Are you sure about this, Virgil?"

Virgil was nodding vigorously. "That's if Gordon doesn't mind."

"I don't mind. What do you think, Dad?"

"Well… Okay. But I'm coming with you."

"Good," Gordon said. "You can take him down in the passenger lift."

"I'll let your Grandmother know where we're going," Jeff said. "You can prep Thunderbird Two while you're waiting for us."

"Which pod?" Gordon asked.

"She's already over pod four, so we may as well use that."

"Right," Gordon strode over to the painting of the rocket and stood with his back to it. "See you down there, Virgil."

"Okay…" Virgil started to say and was stunned when Gordon tipped backwards and slid off the painting. He frowned.

"What's wrong, Virgil?" Jeff saw his expression.

"I don't know. I had a strange feeling…"

"Déjà vu?" Jeff asked hopefully.

Virgil's frown deepened before he shrugged. "I don't know. It's gone now."

Jeff activated the in-house intercom and his mother's voice was heard. "Yes, Jeff?"

"Gordon, Virgil and I are going for a flight in Thunderbird Two. We won't be long."

"Thank you, Darling. Have a good trip."

Jeff straightened and looked at Virgil. "Ready?"

Virgil nodded eagerly and then looked askance at the painting. Jeff chuckled. "Don't worry. We'll go the more traditional way, there's an elevator over here." He led the way to the concealed doors.

Gordon was in uniform when they arrived. He was also seated at the controls. Virgil cautiously stepped off the lift's platform and looked around. He was glad to note that he wasn't experiencing any of the violent reactions he'd felt yesterday.

Jeff watched him closely and relaxed when he realised that his son didn't appear to be under any stress. "Sit here, Virgil, and put on your safety harness." Virgil looked at Gordon and managed a grin.

Gordon got the message. "Standard safety practice," he reminded him. "I can fly Thunderbird Two okay, can't I, Dad?"

Jeff was tempted to make a flippant comment but decided that it would be wiser to be honest. "You're perfectly capable, Gordon."

"Thank you."

"But you're not as good as Virgil was."

Gordon turned to look at his parent. "Well thanks for the vote of confidence."

"Just stating a fact. And it's also a fact that no one can pilot Thunderbird Four as well as you."

Mollified, Gordon's face broke into a big smile. "That goes without saying."

"I really used to fly this plane?" Virgil asked.

"Yep. No one could handle her better," Gordon said. "Not even Scott, and you couldn't get a better pilot than Scott."

Jeff agreed.

"All set?" Gordon asked.

"Yes," Virgil said eagerly.

"All set," Jeff confirmed.

"Right. Off we go." Gordon started giving a commentary on the procedures. Just as Scott had done the day before… "All systems are green…" He checked the radar. "We're clear… Now to move onto the runway… We open the hangar door…"

Jeff surreptitiously watched Virgil for any signs of discomfort. There were none.

Virgil watched fascinated as the great door ahead of them swung outwards and the sun streamed into the hanger.

Thunderbird Two moved forwards. The palm trees fell backwards and bounced gently. Virgil uttered a small exclamation and turned to Jeff with a questioning look.

"It's part of our camouflage," Jeff explained. "With the palms standing the runway is too narrow for a plane as big as Thunderbird Two. It's all part of our cover."

Virgil experienced that uneasy feeling again. It was a feeling that was forgotten when Thunderbird Two stopped its forward momentum and started tilting upwards towards the sky. Now Virgil was feeling the thrill of anticipation.

"Prepare for launch," Gordon commanded and Virgil felt the power of Thunderbird Two's aft jets burst into life. Then he felt gravity force him back into his seat as the mighty craft left the ground at speed.

Gordon took them to 1500 metres and switched to hover mode. He turned in his seat. "How was that?"

"That," Virgil said with feeling, "was amazing."

Gordon winked at his father. "That's nothing compared to how you used to feel about her."

"What do you mean?" Virgil asked in confusion.

"He means you're just as bad as your brothers," Jeff told him. "In your case no other craft could better Thunderbird Two in usefulness, reliability or flexibility."

"For some strange reason you thought Thunderbird Two is the best looking craft too…" Gordon chipped in. "Though I can't see it myself."

"I did?"

"You did."

Virgil turned to look back at Jeff for confirmation, but the older man just chuckled.

"Take a look outside," Gordon offered.

Virgil fumbled with the catch on his safety harness for a moment, before releasing himself and standing up. He walked over to a window and looked out. Far below him he could make out the irregular dot that was Tracy Island. He could also see a few neighbouring islands, but little else in the way of landmass. He suddenly felt very isolated.

"Where are we again?" he asked.

"In Thunderbird Two," Gordon said with a frown.

"I realise that. I meant which ocean is it?"

"Oh!" Gordon's frown cleared. "South Pacific."

"South Pacific," Virgil repeated as he looked back out the window. "That's a big body of water."

"It's ideal for our purposes," Jeff explained. "We rarely get any aircraft or shipping going past."

Virgil felt that uneasy feeling return.

"Let me show you what she can do," Gordon said brightly. "I won't do anything fancy, just give you an idea of her speed, so you can stay standing there."

Virgil watched as Tracy Island slipped away from beneath them. As the place he'd been told was home disappeared so did the uneasy feeling. He was starting to get a real sensation of speed as the angle of the sun changed. He remained glued to the window in fascination, watching the world pass by. Then he felt Thunderbird Two's angle change and he turned back into the cabin to see Gordon rotate the control yoke slightly. They were returning back to base.

Jeff saw him watching the pilot. "If you want a closer look, I'm sure Gordon won't mind."

Gordon glanced over his shoulder. "Yeah, sure. You can hang onto my seat."

Virgil did as he was instructed and watched how the various gauges and readouts responded to Gordon's slightest command. For a moment he felt envious. Why couldn't he do that? Then he remembered that he'd been told that he could fly this plane… That he did have the skills…

So why couldn't he remember?

They were coming in low and slow over Tracy Island. "Would all passengers please return to their seats and fasten their safety belts," Gordon intoned.

Virgil did as he was instructed.

The landing was smooth and precise. Gordon was about to send the plane backwards into its hangar when he had an idea. "Do you want to taxi her in?"

Virgil wasn't sure he'd heard correctly. "What?"

"Do you want to put her away in her hangar? There's nothing to it."

"Are you sure?" Virgil asked.

"I wouldn't ask if I wasn't. Come on!" Gordon relinquished the pilot's seat.

Virgil didn't need a second telling. He slipped into the seat and looked about him. "Now what?"

Gordon pointed out a lever. "That's reverse. The further back you pull it, the faster you'll go… And those two gauges show you where you are in relation to the sides of the runway. Lasers will guide you in, so there's no chance of going off course."

"How will I know when to stop?"

"See this light here," Gordon pointed it out. "That'll come on when you're in position."

"How much leeway will I have?"

"Heaps."

"And I just steer with the steering wheel?"

"Yep."

Virgil gripped the control yoke. "Ready?"

"Ready when you are."

"Okay… Here we go…" Thunderbird Two started to reverse.

Virgil took no notice as the scenery slowly slipped by. His full concentration was on the gauges and lights in front of him. A couple of times he corrected his course, but otherwise had little trouble. Eventually the light telling him to stop was ignited. He pushed the reverse lever forward and Thunderbird Two halted. Now he took the time to look outside and was somewhat surprised to realise that they were inside the hangar.

Gordon clapped him on the back. "How was that?"

Virgil sat back and gave him a smile that stretched from ear to ear. "That was fantastic!"

Gordon gave him a smile in return and winked at their father.

John checked out the interior of Thunderbird Five. "Looks okay. I haven't had any unexpected visitors popping in."

"Who were you expecting?" Alan asked. "Your local alien?"

"You never know," John grinned.

As Alan returned to Thunderbird Three, John turned to his older brother. Scott was looking decidedly unhappy. "What's up, Scott?"

"I… I wish you didn't have to come back here this time."

"This time? Does that mean you've been glad to see the back of me every other time?"

"No," Scott managed a wry grin, "of course not. It's just… I've appreciated the support you've given me these last couple of days."

John looked at him sympathetically. "Well if you want to talk, you know where I'll be. It's not as if I'll be heading out on a hot date or something."

Scott chuckled. "Thanks, John. I appreciate that."

"In the meantime, go back, take him for a ride in Thunderbird Two, show him how good his plane is, and you'll probably find that everything'll be fine between the pair of you."

"Yeah…" Scott decided that he needed a more positive outlook. "Yes! You're right. I'm worrying unnecessarily again."

"Of course you are. Now get going and give him a ride he'll remember until he gets his memory back and thinks of something better."

Scott was still chuckling as he walked down the connecting tunnel that led to Thunderbird Three.

After an uneventful flight home, the oldest and youngest Tracy son emerged through the floor into the lounge of the Tracy Villa.

"Any problems?" Jeff asked.

"I think John was hoping to find some company onboard Thunderbird Five," Alan told him, "and was disappointed when there wasn't anyone."

"Company?" Virgil asked.

"He was hoping some alien had popped in for a coffee,"

Virgil frowned in confusion.

"It was a joke," Alan explained. "What have you guys been up to? Had a good morning?"

"Brilliant!" Virgil told him. "Gordon took me for a ride in Thunderbird Two."

Scott was stretching after being cramped up on the couch for the last couple of minutes. "He did what?" His face fell.

Virgil was still on something of a high after his trip, and didn't notice. "He let me back it into the hangar too."

"You enjoyed that, huh?" Alan asked.

Virgil nodded emphatically. "It was fantastic! How fast did we go, Gordon?"

Gordon had noticed Scott's reaction. "3000 kilometres per hour," he said with considerably less enthusiasm.

"Amazing," Virgil said. "I would never have thought that any plane could go that fast. Especially one that looks as un-aerodynamic as that."

"It'll go faster," Alan told him.

"Alan," Jeff said, "why don't you and Virgil go and tell your Grandmother and Kyrano you're back and see what's for lunch."

"Okay," Alan agreed. "Come on, Virgil. You can tell me about your trip." Virgil followed him talking excitedly. The rest of their family remained silent until they were out of earshot. Gordon was the first to speak. "I'm sorry, Scott. I didn't think! He was that enthusiastic after seeing Thunderbird Three launch, that I thought he'd like a flight in Thunderbird Two."

"He obviously did," Scott said quietly as he prodded at a loose thread in the back of the couch.

"I was worried about how he was going to react during the flight," Jeff admitted. "I didn't remember that you'd promised to take him today."

"It's okay," Scott said dully. "Gordon's Thunderbird Two's co-pilot. It's his job to fly Two when Virgil's not available. I was overstepping the mark when I said I'd take him yesterday."

"No you weren't," Gordon protested.

"Don't worry about it," Scott said to him. "It's only one flight. There'll be others… If you'll excuse me," he looked at his watch, "I've got a few minutes before lunch. I think I'll put in some time in the gym… Give me a call when lunch is ready, Gordon."

"Not a problem," Gordon said unhappily.