Disclaimer
Thunderbirds and all the characters etc. belong to Gerry Anderson and Working Title films, I'm just borrowing them.
Accidents
Chapter 9 – Ashes to Ashes…
"Heck, this is going to take forever! By the time this link-up is done, I will have already fixed half the rest of the systems on the station!" John exaggerated. "This better be worth it."
Three days later
"Scott, I know it's difficult, but you'll have to be careful as to what you say. Even now, we still have to stay secret. Perhaps more than ever."
"I know father. I won't give us away. I know that John would have wanted us to carry on rescuing people even if he couldn't be here to help us."
"But dad, do you think this is such a good idea. If anyone finds out who we are talking about they could link it to us."
"Gordon, stop worrying, we'll be careful. I thought that was why you weren't coming with us. To make sure that no one takes advantage of having all of International Rescue in one place." Virgil whined.
"And I agree that he shouldn't go, that we can't leave this base unmanned. But I still have sent Brains down to put the Mole and the Firefly into the pod, just in case." Jeff said quickly, ending the discussion
"OK. See you later guys." Gordon said as they went down in the lifts to Thunderbird 2. "I've still got a bad feeling about this, dad."
"I know. We'll stay on alert."
"Yes Jeff, what is it?"
"Hi Penny. Is everything arranged?" Jeff asked, getting down to business.
"Yes. NASA has cleared an area for Thunderbird 2 to land and the press are being given strict orders that they are not allowed to get any of the boy's faces on film." Penelope explained calmly
"They'd better keep to it too. When will they be ready for us?"
"About 2 and a half hours. They are taking a long time running security checks on all base personnel."
"Right, we'll leave in about 2 hours then. Bye Penny."
"International Rescue, it's good to see you again. I just wish it were under better circumstances." Colonel Roberts said as Scott, Virgil and Alan entered the control room. All the personnel on duty has been screened and checked to make sure nothing would go wrong. Hopefully.
"You know, one of our members suggested this morning that we should sue you for all the trouble you've caused, and if secrecy weren't so important we might have done." Scott said jokingly.
"I assure you, we are doing all we can to help. We are following leads to find the saboteur…" Roberts started
"Don't worry, we don't really blame you." Virgil said quickly, then turned to Alan and whispered "I knew Tin Tin's idea wouldn't go down too well."
"Right, we're on air in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, now." The cameraman said as they started live broadcast. The young red-haired reporter took a deep breath and began
"Good afternoon to all our worldwide viewers. We have been planning this for several days, and the time has finally arrived. I am standing in NASA headquarters along with 3 members of the International Rescue team, who have a very important notice to tell the world. That's enough of me, so I'll hand you over to the pilot of Thunderbird 1."
Scott took the microphone nervously, but got the 'thumbs up' from Virgil and Alan. "Hello viewers" He began. "I know you can't see me, but I'd like you to listen to what I have to say. 8 days ago, sabotage caused a NASA test missile to hit the International Rescue Space Station Thunderbird 5. There was one astronaut aboard at the time. The impact caused a chain reaction in the station's life support systems and…and the operative did not survive." Scott paused, and looked again at Virgil and Alan. Everyone in the room sympathised with what Scott was saying. "Although we cannot reveal his name, you should all know that we were so close that we were almost brothers. He didn't go on many rescues, but he put his very best into everything that he did for our organisation and for the people that we strive to save. We hope that you won't forget him. F.A.B brother, may you always be looking over us."
"Inter…nation…al…rescue" came a voice through the cackling radio. John looked up suddenly from his repairs, confused. I must be more tired than I thought. Now I'm hearing things. John thought bitterly, and tried to concentrate. "Thunder…bird…5…" came the voice again.
"OK, it isn't me. Computer, boost power to the radio receiver." John said as he pulled himself to his feet. He wasn't exactly pleased about a possible emergency call. After a few minutes, the channel cleared and John could easily hear Scott's wavering voice.
"…you won't forget him. F.A.B brother, may you always be looking over us." After Scott finished, John just stood there, stunned, and it was a few moments before he slapped the button to turn off the radio.
"They think I'm dead!" he exclaimed, amazed. "Right, that gives me even more reason to get the damn communications fixed!"
"You did well Scott. John would have liked it." Virgil whispered to Scott as they moved away from the press.
"Lindsey, what are we doing here? The real story is over at the Control centre with the International Rescue guys right now." A young man holding a camera complained to the dark blonde reporter he was following. "This building's hardly ever used."
"Exactly. That's why my source set the meeting here. While everyone is concentrating on the Control Tower, there won't be any security over here." Lindsey Acclebourne explained, looking into yet another door off the corridor. "He has to be around here somewhere"
"What has he got for you anyway? Did he tell you that?" the cameraman asked, almost accusingly
"Oh, quit complaining Mark, I know you don't trust him. He's from a very well-to-do family, and I do trust his information." Lindsey said, turning on him.
"And where abouts in the world would this well-to-do family be? I know I don't recognise his accent" Mark demanded, more than a little concerned about her wellbeing.
"Malaysia. His father died a couple of years ago and…" Mark cut her off quickly with a wave of his hand, listening.
"Lindsey, shh. Did you hear that?"
"Dad, good news. Brains just reported that the spare parts for Thunderbird 3 have arrived. I'm going down to help him now."
"Get to it Gordon. I would like the ship ready to take off by the time Scott and the others get back."
"We'll do our best."
"International Rescue, wait!" a messenger called breathlessly from behind Scott, Virgil and Alan on their way back to the ship. They stopped and turned around. "We need your help. Emergency services have reported a fire in one of the outbuildings of the base, and there a couple of people trapped. We think it was a bomb…"
He had barely finished when Scott demanded, "Where?"
TBC…
A/N - Well done to zeilfanaat who guessed part of my storyline, but there is still lots to come yet!