A Hard Place part five: Pieces of the Puzzle
by Angel Mouse
Tracy Island
Jeff had heard his boys moving around out in the kitchen and hallway. He had heard their soft voices but couldn't quite make out what they were saying from his hiding spot in the lounge. He was seated slumped behind his desk, a crystal tumbler in his hand that was full of dark brown liquid. A single malt scotch. His one indulgence in times of great stress.
And there was no greater stress on him at the moment of having his son being kidnapped and having no idea where he was. Jeff was inordinately proud of each and every one of his boys. They had given up their lives, their hopes, their dreams to join him in running International Rescue.
Each was unique and special in his own way and he'd give up his life in a second to save one of his boys. And they would do it in a moment for each other. But being in this position, where he had no idea where his son was or what was happening to him, that was frightening beyond belief. Jeff heard his boys quieten down and he drained his drink and stared out at the ocean.
Normally the sight of the stars and the sound of the waves on the beach would sooth his sometimes troubled soul, but not tonight. He got up, leaving the empty glass behind, and walked to the balcony. He looked up at the stars, his eyes automatically searching out the spot where Thunderbird 5 was orbiting.
His eyes locked onto the space where his quiet son spent most of his life lately. Jeff felt a pang of guilt run through him as he realised just how little he saw John. Out of a family of five boys, having one quiet son that played well with the others, was academically good and seemed to be so self reliant and self assured was a godsend. But it was that quiet son that held this family together most times.
Jeff knew that without John's calming influence Alan would sometimes have been out of control when he was younger. Without John's influence Gordon's pranks would be out of hand most of the time when they were younger. Where he got his red hair and his sense of humour from Jeff would never know, he suspected it was from his late wife's side.
Without John to encourage and spend hours listening to Virgil practice when they were younger Jeff knew that Virgil wouldn't be half as talented as he was. And without John, Jeff knew for a fact that Scott would not have turned out into the responsible and dependable young man he was now. Jeff gave a soft sigh as he turned his head away and walked back inside, mulling over that thought.
When his wife had died, Scott had been going through the rebellious teenage phase that all kids seem to have but he had always looked out for his brothers, even if he didn't want to. But when Lucy died, Scott had come to the fore for Virgil and the others, but it was John that had been there for Scott.
Jeff wasn't sure how, or what John did, but when he began taking more notice of life after Lucy's death he had noticed a change in Scott. Scott was more responsible, more caring and certainly more dependable. When Jeff had observed them occasionally, he saw it was John that Scott more often than not he turned to for advice or for someone to listen to when he was troubled, yet Scott's bond with Virgil was just as strong considering what they have been through since forming and beginning operations.
Jeff stopped just outside Scott's door and looked inside, a small smile on his face. He watched his three boys curled up all on Scott's bed and almost laughed at how they were arrayed. Virgil was curled up in a ball, his back against Scott's. Scott was on his side, an arm flung around Gordon, who was flat on his back.
"Just as well I let those boys have big beds." Jeff muttered as he closed the door and went to his own room. It was more than past time for him to get some sleep himself. He knew he was doing John no good by staying awake and worrying about John. Until the computers in Brains lab and in Thunderbird Five finished their analysis, they had nothing to go on. And as Jeff lay down in his bed, that thought was paramount in his mind.
Thunderbird Five
Alan woke to the beeping of an alarm call. He blinked a few times, trying to figure out where he was and after a moment he realised that he was in John's room. Looking at the clock as he stumbled to his feet he could see that it was after 8 in the morning. Shaking his head to try and clear the cobwebs in it as the alarm had failed to wake him; he ran into the control room and quickly sprang into action. He silenced the alarm and picked up the receiver.
"This is International Rescue, go ahead please." Little did Alan know that this call was the one that they had been hoping for. But not in the way they desperately needed it to be. It was the second piece of the puzzle of the abduction of John.
"This is Brazilian Fire Control. We have several Forest Fires on some of our southern Islands that are out of control. We have three scientists trapped on one of the Islands that we are unable to get to. Are you able to help us?" Alan had been working quickly, bringing up the information on the computers.
"We certainly can. Can you please transmit the location of those islands and the scientists and we'll get back to you."
"Thank you International Rescue. We're sending the information now." Alan glanced down and saw the information come in and nodded to himself.
"Thank you Brazilian Fire Control. I have the information. Be advised we'll get those scientists for you. We'll contact you again in a little while when we are on our way." Alan closed the channel and hit the button to call home. Moments later his Father's face came on the screen.
"Go ahead Alan." Alan composed himself, pushing worry for John to the back of his mind. As always, innocent people trapped by circumstance and in danger had to come first.
"Father there's a Forest Fire on an island just south of Brazil. Brazilian authorities can't reach three trapped scientist on an island." Alan watched as his father nodded.
"Okay Alan, let them know we're on our way."
"Right Father."
"I'll have Scott contact you on the way."
"Roger that Father. Thunderbird Five out." Alan closed the channel and ran a hand through his hair. He'd co-ordinate with Scott and then once the rescue was done he'd grab a shower and some food. He slept longer in John's room than he had intended to. He watched the systems as he saw on the monitor's Thunderbird One launch. Saying a soft prayer under his breath for the safety of his other brothers he began to settle in to monitor the rescue.
Unknown Location
John finished eating the breakfast they had provided. He had thought for a moment about refusing it for fear of being drugged again, but he knew that he was going to need to keep his strength up and had eaten the rather hearty breakfast provided for him. He hadn't been able to taste any drugs and he felt fine.
He'd been woken earlier to the guards bringing him clean clothes he could change into. Meriza had made an appearance as well, stating that his uniform would be cleaned and returned to him, but he thought John would be more comfortable having a shower and some clean clothes for a few days. John was going to fight that as well but common sense won out and he had accepted. John knew if he was going to get out of this mess he'd need any and every advantage he could get. Meriza also said that once John had eaten he could also go outside and get some fresh air and exercise.
So for the moment, John was co-operating with his captors in the hopes of gaining that most important weapon – knowledge. John looked up as the doors opened and his guard walked in. Behind the guard came the person that had delivered the meal cart, he had the look of a servant of some kind. The guard motioned for John to step back and he did, moving off to one side. John looked at the servant and gave him a small smile.
"Thank you. Tell the cook that was very nice, I enjoyed it." The servant - a dark skinned man - looked startled but then nodded, scurrying out quickly with the cart. The guard didn't say anything but left the door open and moments later Meriza walked through it.
"Well I hope you have eaten your fill my young friend." John schooled his expression again.
"Yes, thank you." Meriza smiled. This young man before him had refused to rise to the bait and obvious openings in their conversations they had been having. He liked that in his prey. It should a sort of shrewd intelligence. This was one of the reasons when Meriza had hatched his plan he'd chosen to get a member of International Rescue. They had a tendency to do things no one else could.
"Good. Now, as I promised, you'll be allowed outside this morning to get some fresh air and exercise. If you behave you'll be allowed outside twice a day, morning and afternoon." John nodded, he expected as much.
"That's fine. What about the rest of the time," John gestured to the rather bare looking room, "I gather I'm to spend it in here?"
"Yes. Is there a problem with that?" Meriza's tone left no room for argument but John wasn't backing down. He'd never backed down from a fight in his life; he got that from having four brothers.
"Well, to be honest, it's boring. I'm used to having something, anything to do. You don't happen to have a library do you?" John was taking a gamble here. If he had his reading of Meriza's character right, he was betting heavily he'd have a library.
Pretenders like Meriza always had libraries, if only to impress people they entertained. People with no class and ambition always tried to impress those that did. John had spent a lovely evening once, just before they began operations, talking with Lady Penelope long into the night and early hours of the morning. He had been curious about the British class system that still existed in a much diluted form in this day and age.
Penelope had been full of wickedly funny observations and very accurate observations about her class. Meriza was looking at him, as if sizing him up, but John held his gaze, not backing down. After all, Meriza probably hadn't had four brothers who at one time or another tried to get something from John but could never beat him in trying to stare him down. After a moment Meriza blinked and then glanced away. John kept the smile he was feeling to himself. Good, he'd shown that he wasn't going to be intimidated. Score one for International Rescue.
"Yes I do have a fairly large library in fact. After your morning exercise I'll have the guard show you to it and you can choose some books to read." John inclined his head; he knew he had the reading of Meriza's character right.
"Thank you." Meriza just nodded and left him. The guard glanced at him and down at his watch. He didn't look up as he began to close the door.
"I'll be back in 30 minutes to take you outside." The door closed and John raised an eyebrow. That was the first time any of his guards had spoken to him and John smiled to himself as he sat down on the bed, leaning against the head board.
Perhaps the guards were getting used to him. He wasn't sure. But he was sure hoping to find out where he was once he was taken out side; thank goodness he was an astronomer by trade, seeing some stars would help him figure out where he was in the world. John just sighed as he leaned back. He wondered what his brother's were doing right now. Going out of their minds with worry most likely.
Meriza watched on the monitor the International Rescue operative that he knew as John. The young man had piercing blue eyes and didn't seem at all intimidated by Meriza. Yesterday had been different, as yesterday he had been getting over the effects of being drugged.
Meriza found that he was fascinated by the young man and the couple of little chats he had with him yesterday had intrigued him and felt that he'd like to get to know his prey before the hunt later on this week. He watched with interest as the guard came in and led him outside. He moved over to the window and watched him from his position overlooking the compound.
John walked outside and took a deep breath, smiling as the fresh air made him feel better. He walked out into the middle of a walled in yard and laughed softly to himself at the precautions they were taking with him. He stopped in the middle of the courtyard, looking around. There was a small grassed over area with some tree's and a bench. The rest of the area was concreted with a basketball ring in one wall and tap as well.
Obviously his outside excursions would be either brief or a long time, depending on his behaviour. He walked over to the grassed area and taking off the shoes they had provided for him, he began to stretch. One of the things John always did, and had done since he was young, was practice Tai Chi. John found from an early age when his father had been looking for something to help them all focus their energy that he enjoyed Tai Chi more than his brothers chosen art. His brothers had chosen Karate, except Gordon who kept busy with his swimming.
They found it helped them focus their energy, clear their minds and it also gave Jeff a welcome respite sometimes. Sure, Scott had made sure John knew the rudiments of self defence, and had even badgered John until he'd given in and joined a martial arts class with his big brothers until he had gained a brown belt.
He still kept in practice, especially when he was home as Scott liked to make sure they were regularly drilled. John cleared his mind now that he was warmed up and began to go into his normal morning routine. It always helped him think and clear his mind, putting his worries where they belonged and thinking things through.
Meriza watched as John began a routine, not even acknowledging the person that came to stand next to him. They watched as John went through his routine and Meriza thought to himself that the controlled, gentle looking movements certainly seemed to fit the person below. Finally he turned his head slightly to look at Mason.
"Are all the arrangements made?"
"Yes, the plane has been chartered and the invitations have been sent out. So far ten people have said they will come. The other five will let us know within the day."
"Good work. You've certainly earned the rather large fee that I'm paying you." Mason looked at the figure below and then turned to face Meriza.
"I'll give half of it back if you let me join the hunt." There was something in Mason's eyes, a lust for the hunt, for the kill that excited Meriza. That was exactly what he was hoping to bring back with this hunt of his. It was going to be the first of many hunts he had planned. In fact, he had even begun to plan his next hunt and already had his next target picked out. This time he was going after an aquanaut from WASP, but that was in the future. Meriza thought a moment and then he nodded.
"Alright, half your money and you can join the hunt." Mason smiled rather evilly and Meriza was pleased. He turned his head back to watching John and smiled. "Somehow Mason, I think even an expert solider like yourself is going to be hard pressed on this hunt." Meriza's tone was
chilling. "And I like that. I like that a lot." Mason said nothing, just watched as John finished his work out and began to stretch again. Mason's smiled became rather feral.
"So do I. So do I."
Oblivious to being watched and the conversation taking place regarding his fate, John finished his morning routine and grabbing his shoes, went over to the bench and sat down, putting them back on. He wrinkled his nose after a moment, looking around. He could smell smoke, rather strongly actually when he thought about it.
He stood and moved to the centre of the small area, looking around. There was a strong breeze that had sprung up in the last few minutes. John looked up and saw smoke flowing across the sky and then suddenly his ears picked up a rather familiar sound. John couldn't help the wide smile that appeared on his face as far up above he saw a silver blur race across the sky.
The pride and love he felt for his eldest brother was huge and he actually felt amazed and privileged at this rather rare opportunity to see his beloved brother in action. Normally he was watching from afar in Thunderbird Five or from behind in Thunderbird Two – on those rare occasions he got to go on rescues.
Moments later the door came bursting open and the guards came rushing out. John suppressed a smile as he shook his head and obeyed the unspoken command that he go inside. What he was going to do with Thunderbird One at least twenty thousand feet up in the air he didn't know but they knew they weren't going to take any chances with their star captive. Sighing John followed them back inside, waving a mental farewell to his brother.
Obviously the fire he could smell was nearby and had caused his brother's to be called in for some reason. The door closed with a rather large clang behind him and John gave a soft sigh as he was led back towards his cell. He was trying to give the impression of someone that had resigned himself to his situation. But he had the first part of the puzzle of where he was. He'd saw a few stars and now he was ready to try and figure out where he was in the world.
Tracy Island six hours later
Scott dried his hair from the shower he had just taken. It had been a long hot rescue but the scientists were fine. Scott frowned, as a fragment of something interesting tugged at his mind now that the rescue was over. When he had been flying towards the island where the fire was located, he'd flown over quite a few deserted islands.
All expect one.
It had only been a flash out of the corner of his eye but the events of the past days had him on a heightened awareness of strange occurrences. When he had asked Brazilian Fire Control about any other people in the area on other islands that might be in danger they had advised that as far as they were aware the island's surrounding the one where the scientist's were working were all uninhabited.
On the way back Scott had flown back slightly slower and had taken some photos of it, curious as to what might be going on there. It may be nothing, but he wasn't willing to take chances with his brother out there and missing. Scott didn't know it yet but he now had piece number three of the puzzle.
Scott dressed quickly and made his way into the lounge room, joining Virgil and Gordon. His father was already waiting for them, with Alan and Penelope already watching from the video screens. Scott went over and poured the three of them drinks – his father frowned but didn't say anything.
Jeff tended to frown on his boys occasionally having the odd drink but never said anything about it. Scott poured himself and Virgil a whisky, and then opened the small bar fridge and grabbed a can of soda for Gordon. Gordon had never been one for drinking and after his accident he kept off alcohol completely. He stood up and tossed it at Gordon, who snatched it out of the air one handed. He took their drinks and handed Virgil his.
Just then Tin-Tin and Brains came bustling in. Scott was glad they were here. When he had gotten back, he'd asked Tin-Tin to specifically process the photo's he had taken and find out about that island. He got up and got them both drinks as well - tea for both of them and a coffee for his father. He sat back down next to Virgil and his brother glanced sideways at him, giving him a small tiny smile.
"Finished being drinks waiter now?" Scott just snorted as he raised the glass to his lips, unable to help the small smile. The tiny little joke bought a sense of normality to the otherwise totally unreal situation they had found themselves in.
Jeff was talking to Penelope softly and Gordon was teasing Tin-Tin and Alan about something or other, it was almost normal. Unwittingly his eyes were drawn to John's portrait. His brother's blue eyes looked out at him and Scott silently promised again that he'd see his brother home in one piece. He felt a hand on his arm and he looked over to find Virgil looking at him. His brother's brown eyes were just as worried as his. Virgil kept his voice low when he spoke.
"It'll be okay Scott. We'll find Johnny and bring him home." Virgil gave Scott a warm smile, his tone encouraging. "Think about it a minute Scott. John's the smartest guy apart from Brains we know. He'll keep his head about him and he'll find someway to let us know where he is if he can. If not, he'll find a way back to us." Scott knew the truth of Virgil's words but he still couldn't help feel worried.
"I know that Virgil, I really do. But I... oh I don't know." Scott wasn't sure how to put what he was feeling into words. When ever he was at a loss for words, John usually was the one to fill in the blanks for him. John had a way with words. This time though it was Virgil did it for him, lowering his voice even more.
"Johnny's special, to all of us. We think of him as safe, secure, untouchable don't we, immured all that time up in Thunderbird Five. To be honest Scott, it's frightening for all of us to think that John's in danger because someone took him from us." Virgil's soft tone turned hard as did his eyes as he spoke his next words. "But who ever took him is going to get their's Scott, don't you worry about that. I think that's a promise we've all made ourselves."
Scott wasn't stunned by Virgil's words, but by the way his brother seemed to see to the heart of the matter. On impulse Scott put down his glass and pulled Virgil into a hug. Seconds later Virgil's arms were around him and then moments later a third pair joined them as unseen to either of them, Gordon had come over and over heard the last part of the conversation.
He had thrown his arms around his two older brothers, just wanting to feel close for a few moments. Finally after a few moments Jeff cleared his throat to get their attention and blushing slightly, the three brothers crowded together on the couch and looked at their father.
Jeff kept the smile he was feeling from his face as he watched his three boys embrace. He was so proud of all of his boys. Each of them was unique, special and he loved them all. And it was times like this, times of stress, worry and pain that they drew together and acted almost as one when one of them was in danger.
"Now, let's get down to business." They immediately paid attention as they got down to the serious business of finding their brother. Jeff looked down at the notes he had prepared while they were away on the rescue. "Now our agents across the world have swung into action with a vengeance, but nothing really concrete has come through yet. Alan, I understand you and Brains have some joy on those flight plans." Alan looked at his father and nodded.
"Yes we have. The computers have finished analysing the data Lady Penelope provided and we've narrowed down the flights that didn't log flight plans and eliminated quite a few of them – military and private contract flights and the such. Anyway we've managed to narrow it down to half a dozen flights that end up somewhere off the coast of South America. There are hundreds of islands though that they could have landed on, so narrowing it down even further will take some time." Scott looked up at Alan's words and then over at Tin-Tin. Perhaps the puzzle pieces were beginning to fall into place, he wasn't sure.
"Tin-Tin, did you get that information I wanted?"
"Yes I have Scott, although I'm not sure what you wanted with it." Scott frowned and shrugged.
"I don't know to be honest Tin-Tin. But when I was flying towards the rescue site today I noticed a compound on an island that the Brazilian authorities told me was deserted. It's was just something that caught my attention is all." Tin-Tin nodded and began to look over her notes.
"The island was bought three years ago and immediately a small contracting company was brought in to build a compound." Tin-Tin looked at her notes and then up at the boys. "The island is apparently owned by a corporation but I did some digging. I guess that Scott's curiosity won me over as well." Scott gave her a grin and she grinned back at her. Tin-Tin kept going. "Anyway after some rather long digging in front of the computer I managed to trace it all the way back to a person called Meriza."
"Did you say Meriza?" All eyes turned to Lady Penelope's figure on the wall. Jeff broke the silence first.
"Penny? Do you know this person?" Penelope shook her head.
"No, but I know someone who does. Last night I was called by an acquaintance who told me he's been invited to participate in a hunt held by a person called Meriza. All he said was that the hunt was going to be not of an animal but of the greatest hunter of all time."
"What? What could that be?" Scott's tone was curious. Brains finally spoke softly.
"Some p.. p.. people believe that man is the greatest hunter there is." His words stunned the family. As each one looked at each other in stunned silence, no one wanted to put the pieces together. Finally Jeff broke the silence.
"Penny, any idea where this Meriza person is holding this hunt that you've been told about?" Penelope shook her head.
"No I'm afraid not. But the person that told me about it did invite me to go along. Why Jeff, you don't think that this hunt is where John is being held do you? That would be too much of a coincidence don't you think?" Jeff sighed.
"I don't know Penny, I truly don't. But when you put the pieces together it seems to fit. John is abducted. The police traced his tracks to an airfield and then we've managed to trace an illegal flight to somewhere off the South American coast. Then Scott overflies an island that's inhabited that shouldn't be and then Penelope is invited to a hunt by the same person that owns the island that shouldn't have people on it." Scott frowned, putting the pieces together in his mind. But it was Gordon that broke the silence. None of them liked the look of the picture that was slowly being painted by what little they had found out.
"I don't know Father, it seems rather slim."
"I know Gordon. Alan, are you able to get a fix on this island?" Alan nodded.
"Yes Father once Tin-Tin gives me the co-ordinates."
"I'll send them to you in a moment." Scott looked at his Father.
"Dad, do you really think John's being held there?" Jeff sighed.
"Well I didn't until Penelope told me what else she had found out. It all makes sense once you hear what she has to say." All eyes turned to Lady Penelope. Penelope gave them all a small smile and looked down at her notes.
"Well that lovely young policeman that's helping with the investigation, Captain Striker, has picked up some rather disturbing information." Penelope held up a picture. "This is Andrew Mason. He's ex-US Special Forces. He was dishonourably discharged from the army four years ago for conduct unbecoming an officer. The workers at the construction site confirmed that he was the other man in the rescue site. When I found this information out I contacted some old friends in various intelligence organisations that owed me a favour or two. After a bit of digging we found that for the last three years he's been working as a mercenary for hire. The kind you hire if you want something done that's completely illegal and you don't care if there's a body count or not. His last known employer is some person in South America. We are trying to find out exactly who, but it looks like that this Mason is the one that kidnapped John. For what purpose and under who's orders, we are not sure yet. But one thing I am sure of is that where ever this Mason took John, I don't think we'll be hearing a ransom demand for him any time soon."
