Disclaimer
Thunderbirds and all the characters etc. belong to Gerry Anderson and Working Title films, I'm just borrowing them.
Accidents
Chapter 12 – Failed Negotiations
"International Rescue, you didn't waste any time contacting us. Good." Agent X said slyly, very confident.
"I'm in no mood for small talk. I want to speak to the hostages. Are they injured at all?" Lady Penelope replied sharply.
"They're fine, for the moment. I'll let you talk to one of them, if you agree to hear our terms."
"Alright. What is it you want?"
"Scott, someone's coming" Virgil hissed from by the door. The other two brothers had been trying to untie themselves, but quickly stopped what they were doing at Virgil's warning.
The door swung quickly open and a much younger, more relaxed looking man than before appeared, accompanied by several guards. He motioned to the guards beside him. "Untie them"
"Who are you? What happened to the other guy?" Scott demanded, as one of the guards walked behind each of them and cut the ropes around their hands.
"Agent X is…busy right now, talking to another member of your organisation. They have requested to speak with you."
"Who's he talking to?" Alan asked, hoping it would be someone they wouldn't be able to intimidate too much.
"How would I know?" Agent Zero started sarcastically. "You keep your identities a secret. The only name I was given were the initials L.P."
"Oh, we could have guessed that much. You'll never get anything from her you know. Nerves of steel."
"We have our methods. You, come with me." Agent Zero pointed at Scott, who was already standing. He was pushed rather harder than needed out of the door before it quickly shut once more.
"You've told us the other guy's name, an Agent X. Who are you?" Scott asked as they walked down a darkened passageway
"You can use the name Agent Zero. And it would save us a lot of trouble if you would tell us yours."
"No way Zero. Why would I want to help you?" Agent Zero didn't answer, but they carried on through the hallways in silence. Several minutes later, they arrived at a small room where Agent X was sitting at a radio.
He took off the headset and handed it to Scott. "You have 5 minutes. We'll be listening in."
"Hello L.P."
"Hello TB 1. I'm sorry about the code, but it's necessary. Who is there with you?" Lady Penelope asked, trying to keep both her and Scott's identities secret.
"TB 2 and 3. they caught us on our way back to the ship. Why are you calling, and not base?"
"I can't get through to base. No one's answering."
"Then they weren't kidding."
"What?"
"One of our captors, an Agent X, said that they had managed to infect some of the others with a slow acting knockout drug. I didn't believe him earlier."
"If that's true, then we have a serious breach of security."
"I agree. What do they want from us?"
"They want Thunderbird 1, and all Brains' technical drawings, or else there will be loss of life."
"You can't, no matter what the consequences. It would undermine everything."
"I know, and I've got good reasons. One, we can't get to base, and two, neither of us is capable of flying the Thunderbirds anyway."
"Good point. Do what you can. We'll see what we can do from here."
"F.A.B, TB 1. Good luck."
"You heard what she said. They're not qualified to fly any of the Thunderbird craft…"
"I don't want your excuses. I want that ship. I have given her 24 hours, or the blood will be on her hands." Agent X threatened darkly. "Take him back to the cell. I don't want them trying anything stupid."
"Approaching Tracy Island. ETA 2 minutes." The automated announcement made John jump. He had not been concentrating on where the ship was going. I'm glad this ship has an autopilot, or I never would have got here.
"Computer, remotely open silo doors as soon as we're in range" John said quickly, turning off the autopilot and going to the controls. "Now maybe I can figure out what's going on."
"Silo doors opening" the computer said about a minute later. With difficulty, John managed to land the ship, hopefully without having been detected.
As soon as all the systems were shut down, John made his way to the lounge sofa to carry him through the island and into the house. I like this bit. I don't have to do anything.
Before the sofa had even stopped, John could tell something was wrong. Jeff Tracy was sat at his desk, slumped forward, apparently asleep. Tin Tin was in a similar position on the sofa on the other side of the room.
"Dad! Wake up! What the hell is going on here!" John tried to wake them up, but was distracted by a woman giving a television news broadcast.
"Three hours have now passed since the kidnapper's ultimatum. Unless International Rescue hands over Thunderbird 1 and the blueprints for all their other technology, the lives of their captured operatives and supposedly hundreds of innocent children will be lost. We all know how much International Rescue depends on secrecy, but there appears to be no other way to avert this potential disaster…"
"This doesn't look good. Everyone on base is unconscious, and some of my brothers are being used as hostages. What am I supposed to do now!"
"M'lady, surely it would be easier to fly over to Tracy Island rather than go in FAB 2."
"Possibly Parker, but they might need our help. We can be of more assistance in the yacht."
"Of course." Parker turned his attention back to the front view screen and controls "At maximum speed, we should get to Tracy Island in about 3 hours."
"That really will cut down on time for the rescue mission. This is really going to be a tough one Parker."
"Yes, I…hang on. M'lady, that looked like Thunderbird 1 that just flew over us"
"What? How's that possible?" Penelope said quickly, before moving to the radio. "This is FAB 2 calling Thunderbird 1. If you can hear me, please respond. The radio was silent for a few seconds, before…
"Lady Penelope, is that you? Where are you?"
"We are on our way to Tracy Island, but it appears you have beaten us there. We have just seen you fly over us. Who's piloting?"
"You'll never believe me. Activate your view-screen and I'll show you." As soon as the screen came on, John's slightly battered and bruised face appeared.
"John…you're alive. How did you end up in Thunderbird 1?" Penelope asked, slightly lost for words.
"It's a long story, but I'm definitely alive. Maybe we should meet somewhere to discuss what's going on and decide what to do now."
"We could head back to the marina, as we only left it about 20 minutes ago. There should be enough space for you to land there."
"F.A.B. I'll meet you there."
TBC…