Chapter 15! Yay! I can't believe how long this story is getting. Hopefully only about 2 more chapters to go… What else can I say…read on!
Disclaimer
Thunderbirds and all the characters etc. belong to Gerry Anderson and Working Title films, I'm just borrowing them.
Accidents
Chapter 15 – He's alive!
"So, what did happen? I can't believe you let yourself get caught." Scott exclaimed after a few moments silence. Lady Penelope looked at him incredulously, before giving in.
"If you have to know…we arranged to give them altered specifications for Thunderbird 3, containing a tracking device, so that we could track them here. Well, I was delivering the plans backed up by several security officers hidden in the area. Apparently, Agent X hid his men around the buildings as well. The plans were destroyed in the fire fight and they jumped me instead."
"It looks like even International Rescue isn't foolproof. What should we do now?"
"I'm just glad no one else got hurt. We have enough with John's…of course, you don't know." Penelope quickly realised what she was saying. The brothers looked at each other.
"Know what?"
"John's alive. He met up with us a few hours ago."
"But…how? That's impossible. Thunderbird 5 was hit badly, and from Brains' diagnostics the life support systems…"
"Listen Scott, I don't know how he survived." She interrupted calmly. "He wouldn't tell me. We had more important things to deal with. But he's smart, he'll figure out something to get us out."
Virgil ignored her change of subject, still shocked. "All this time…I can't believe it. Why didn't he try to call us, tell us he was alive. We certainly needed it."
"You'll have to ask him that, when we get out of this. But give him some time Virgil, he's been through a lot recently."
"I'm not surprised."
"Colonel, we're picking up a transmission, on a secure frequency." A technician said quickly. The man he was addressing turned around immediately.
"Who is it?"
"International Rescue sir. They're asking to speak with you."
"Put them on."
"…repeat, this is Thunderbird 1 calling NASA, I request to speak with Colonel Nigel Roberts." John's voice came over the speakers in the large control room.
"This is Roberts. It's good to hear from you. We were beginning to worry."
"We've had a few problems, but I can't talk for long, as you said we're running out of time. Permission to land?"
"Of course. We'll make sure there is room by Thunderbird 2."
"Good. As soon as we're down, one of our operatives will transfer to Thunderbird 2 and both ships will then take off again."
"We understand. I'll have the area cleared of traffic. Is there anything else we can help you with?"
"I don't think so, but keep this frequency clear, just in case."
"All right International Rescue. Good luck."
"Thanks." The transmission cut off. Colonel Roberts turned to the radio officer.
"Clear the area. Have the security around Thunderbird 2 move off as soon as Thunderbird 1 is in sight."
"Yes sir."
A few moments later, both craft were ready to take off again.
"Everything looks alright here Parker. Are you ready?"
"Yes John. I'll be waiting at the deserted airstrip we located 10 miles east of the base."
"Right. I'll call you as soon as I'm in position."
Oh God, what happened? I feel like I've been hit by a ton of bricks. He opened his eyes, but didn't go any further as the room started spinning wildly. Where am I? Oh, right, Thunderbird 3 silo. I've got to figure out what's going on. Find the others.
As Brains sat up, he turned on his watch communicator, but stopped when someone groaned from off to his left. "Gordon, is that you?"
"Yeah. What's going on? I can hardly even see straight." The red-head answered, grabbing the railing to pull himself up, but having to stop as his vision spun crazily.
"Give it a few minutes, it'll wear off. I'm going to call the others. See if everyone is OK."
"Good idea."
In the lounge, Jeff and Tin Tin were in a similar situation. They both jumped when the radio went off.
"Yes?"
"My Tracy? I'm glad you're awake."
"Brains, what happened? All I remember is suddenly feeling dizzy…"
"Well, I'm not sure. Gordon and I were out cold too."
"You'd better get up here. This is a serious breach of security, and going by my watch we've been out a long time."
"On our way dad." Gordon put in.
About 5 minutes later, Brains and Gordon walked into the lounge, still looking a bit unsteady.
"Do we know anything?" Gordon asked as he sat down. Jeff cut in before Tin Tin could answer.
"Nothing at all. It is very suspicious. Hang on…what's this?" Jeff held up a folded and slightly crumpled piece of paper. It had obviously fallen off the desk when he had sat up. It was addressed 'The Tracys' in very wobbly handwriting.
"Who can that be from? There's no one else in the house except Kyrano, and we passed him on our up."
Jeff opened the letter and read aloud:
Dad, and anyone else who is there,
If you're reading this then it means you've woken up before I can get back. I'm sorry I couldn't be there, but we had a limited amount of time. You probably don't know what's going on, so I'll explain. When I reached the island, everyone was unconscious. It seemed to be some sort of knockout drug, but I'm not a doctor, so there wasn't much I could do. That's when I heard the ransom demand on the news. No one was answering my calls, so I left in Thunderbird 1 to investigate. I'll be back as soon as I can, but call me whenever.
Love, John.
P.S. Thanks for fixing Thunderbird 3. It was about time!
Jeff's voice trailed off as he saw who it was from. He was just staring at the signature at the bottom of the note. Gordon quietly took the paper from him.
"It looks a bit like his handwriting, but it is very wobbly. But…that's impossible, isn't it!" Gordon looked slightly accusingly at Brains.
"I…I don't really know Gordon, but there is a way to find out." Jeff quickly turned to the radio "Tracy Island calling Thunderbird 1, come in please."
A surprised looking face replaced Scott's picture moments later, but it wasn't who they were hoping it to be. "Mr Tracy, I'm glad to see you are all awake now."
"Parker? What are you doing in Thunderbird 1? Where's John?"
"It is a rather long story Mr Tracy, but as we couldn't get help from Tracy Island, we had to come up with a different plan."
"Parker, is John really alive?" Gordon asked desperately
"Yes he is, but I can't exactly say uninjured. He is in Thunderbird 2, and I'm expecting him to call in any minute."
"What's the plan? What can we do to help from here?"
"John has gone to England to track down and diffuse the bomb, which we believe to be hidden in one of the old underground train tunnels under London. When that threat is gone, I will go and get Scott, Virgil, Alan and Lady Penelope out. The police are standing by to contain the kidnappers on our signal."
"Brains, Tin Tin, do your best to find a map of the London underground tunnels, we may need it." Jeff said to the scientists.
"Yes Mr Tracy." They both quickly left the room
"That should help." Parker said once Jeff turned back to him. "Hang on, someone's calling."
"Thunderbird 2 to Thunderbird 1, come in Parker." John's voice said over the speakers. Parker quickly hit the reply button, just noticing the very hopeful look on Jeff and Gordon's faces as they recognised the voice too.
"I'm here John, and there's someone else here who would like to speak to you."
"Oh, I was only calling to say I've picked up FAB 1 and am heading off again, but put them on."
"John? Can you hear me son?"
"Dad! Thank god the drugs wore off. I'm sorry I couldn't be there but…"
"We're just glad you're alive, big brother." Gordon teased, just saying what he was thinking.
"Thanks Gordon. And I would have told you earlier, if I could."
"We understand. Go, rescue your brothers, then there'll be time to talk."
"OK dad. Parker, I should be in position to go after the bomb in about 10 minutes. Be ready."
"F.A.B. John"
About 15 minutes later
"OK Brains, I've 'parked' Thunderbird 2 and asked Scotland Yard to keep an eye on it for me. Where do I need to go?"
"From the information you sent me, the bomb appears to be somewhere within the centre of London. There are a number of old underground train lines running in different directions in this area." Brains answered over the radio in FAB 1. John had decided to pick up the Rolls-Royce on his way as it would be much easier to get around London quickly in the car.
"From the way the kidnappers have been talking, I think that they have set it up so that it will be mainly children who are the target. Are there any children's centres or orphanages in that area?"
"There's Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital."
"Knowing what sort of men we're dealing with, that's bound to be it. How do I get there from here?"
"Take a left at the next turning." Brains said quickly, looking at the various maps he had in front of him.
"F.A.B."
TBC…
A/N – I have had a couple of people asking me to explain things that have happened so far (and I'm not surprised, it doesn't all make sense), so I feel I have to say something. I will explain everything eventually, but it'll probably have to wait until everyone is safe and back on Tracy Island, or at least the end of the rescue. I'm sure you'll notice in the story that you reviewers aren't the only ones who don't entirely understand!