A BROTHER'S CRY
By: GrumpyMagrat & Magratconvert
Disclaimer: We don't own the Thunderbirds. Not now, not ever.
Chapter Fourteen – The Brothers SearchScott was getting angry. Alan had not responded when he had called for landing clearance. He used Thunderbird 1's scanners to make sure that the area was clear of air traffic. When he entered the lounge after landing, he was not surprised to find it empty. He could see that Alan had set up the tracking program, but it was still running. Scott flipped the switch to connect him to Alan's watch comm. "Scott calling…" Scott stopped when he heard his own voice coming from the desk. He moved a few papers and found Alan's watch. "Alan, when I…"
Scott's thoughts were interrupted when Virgil calling in. "Thunderbird 2 to Base, requesting landing clearance."
Scott checked the monitor. "F-A-B, Virgil, you are cleared to land. And Virgil, tell Brains that when he finds Alan visiting Gordon to tell him to get his butt back to the lounge. Rescues aren't officially over until all the 'Birds are home. He should know better than to leave before we returned."
"F-A-B, Scott." Virgil said. Turning to Brains, "Did you hear that?" Brains nodded. Virgil gave Brains a wry smile. "I sure wouldn't want to be in Alan's shoes right now."
"N-Neither would I." Brains replied.
Scott stared disgustingly at the vid-screen. The tracking program had only narrowed the area that the call came from to a three square mile area outside of Cusco. Maybe John could figure out a way to narrow the area down even more. John entered the lounge at the same time Virgil called Scott from the sickroom.
"Scott, we may have a problem. Neither Alan or Gordon are in the sickroom."
"What?" Scott exploded. "Where the hell are they?"
"I don't know Scott. When Brains and I got to the sickroom, it was empty." Virgil said defensively. "Gordon's IV was pulled out. I don't know if he did it himself, or if someone else did."
John had moved behind Scott. "What are you saying Virgil?" He asked.
"Think about it, John." Virgil said. "We get a false rescue call. Now Alan and Gordon are missing. Hey, has anyone seen Kyrano?"
"He was in the kitchen when I walked through." John said.
"Well, even though Kyrano is still here," Virgil continued. "We need to consider the possibility that the fake call was a ruse so someone could sneak onto the island. Kidnapping could have been their motive, or maybe robbery was their idea and Alan and Gordon could have just gotten in their way."
"Or it could just be coincidence." Scott broke in. "Let's make sure that they are really gone before we give into paranoia."
"Virgil," John said, flipping a few switches on the monitor. "I am reading Gordon's comm.-watch in his room. Why don't you check it out? Maybe he convinced Alan that he was well enough to leave the sickroom."
"Sure John, I will let you know what I find." Virgil said as he disconnected the comm.
John looked at Scott. "You don't think that Virgil could be right, do you?"
"No, I don't think that an outsider has anything to do with this." Scott answered. "I think that it involves Gordon."
"Just what are you implying?" John said angrily. He knew exactly what Scott was implying but he wasn't going to let Scott off the hook.
"Oh come on, John." Scott said, matching John's angry tone. "Three days ago Gordon left Alan bleeding and unconscious after a fight. If I find out that he hurt Alan again, I am going to make him wish that he was never born."
"That was an accident, and you know that, Scott." John would have continued, but Virgil called at that particular moment.
"Scott, I'm in Gordon's room. I found his watch on the desk. But neither he nor Alan are here." Virgil reported.
"Ok, Virgil, let's make a search of the grounds. I want you to go to the hanger and make sure all the planes are accounted for. John, you go to the boathouse and check out the boats. I'll search the house." Scott said, going into commander mode. "Call me if you find them. If not we will meet in the lounge in thirty minutes."
"F-A-B," Virgil said, disconnecting the vid-link.
"I wish that I had access to Thunderbird 5's thermal scanners. Then we would know where to look." John said as he headed out the door. "Maybe Brains and I could find a way to set up a link down here." Whatever else John said was lost to Scott, as John got farther away from the lounge.
Scott got up from the desk and headed to the kitchen to talk to Kyrano. "Kyrano, have you seen Alan or Gordon since we left for the rescue?"
"I have not seen Mister Gordon." Kyrano replied respectfully. "But I did offer Mister Alan coffee while you were away. He was in the lounge."
"Did you see or hear anything unusual while we were gone?" Scott asked.
"No Mister Scott. I am unaware of any usual occurrence. Is there a problem?" Kyrano asked.
"Alan and Gordon seem to be missing." Scott answered. "I'm sure that they are around here somewhere. If you happen to see them, keep them here and call me please."
"I will, Mister Scott." Kyrano said with a bow.
Scott checked Alan's bedroom and found it empty. He even rechecked Gordon's room just in case he had returned to it after Virgil left. The gym and the game room were also empty. It was close to the time to meet John and Virgil. So Scott headed back to the lounge. Both brothers were waiting for him when he arrived.
"Well?" Scott asked.
John was the first to answer. "All the boats are accounted for. There was no sign of Alan or Gordon."
"Same in the hanger. All the planes are there except Tracy One which Dad has." Virgil said.
"Ok, they didn't leave the island using one of our crafts." Scott said. "They are not in their bedrooms, the game room, the gym, or the sickroom. The last time Kyrano saw Alan, he was here in the lounge. So that leaves the silos, the round house, and the grounds. I really don't want to have to search the grounds in the dark if we don't have to. You two go search Thunderbird 1 and 2's silos. Just because we didn't see them when we returned doesn't mean that they weren't there. I'll go check the round house and Thunderbird 3's silo. Call if you find anything." After giving the instructions, Scott left the lounge.
Virgil looked at John. "I'm going to head to Thunderbird 2's silo. Why don't you check out Thunderbird 1?"
"Sure thing, Virg. I'll meet up with you in Thunderbird 2's silo if I don't find anything." John said.
When Virgil reached Thunderbird 2's silo, he smiled to himself despite the situation. The sight of his 'Bird always sent a thrill through him. He knew that his brothers felt the same way about their own 'Birds. "Of course, Pod 4." He thought to himself. "If Gordon isn't with Thunderbird 4, I'll eat my hat."
Virgil practically ran to Pod 4. When the door opened, he felt weak with relief. There were his brothers safe and sound. They were wrapped in each other's arms, leaning against Thunderbird 4 sleeping soundly. It reminded him of when they were young, and Alan would have a nightmare. Gordon would hold him and eventually Alan would fall asleep in his protective embrace.
John was about to enter Thunderbird 1 using the portable lift. So far his search had revealed nothing. He couldn't think of a reason why either brother would be hiding inside Thunderbird 1, but he wasn't going to leave this stone unturned. He watch began to beep.
It was Virgil. "I've found them, John. They are in Pod 4." He said smiling.
"That's great news, Virg. I'll be there as soon as I can." John answered, feeling relief wash over him.
Scott was at the round house. The house seemed empty, but Scott looked in each room just to make sure. Scott's watched beeped.
"Hey Scott, I found them in Pod 4." Virgil informed him.
"Is Alan all right? Have they been there the whole time? What do they have to say for themselves?" Scott began asking Virgil questions.
"Scott…Scott, stop." Virgil commanded. "I haven't asked them any questions because they are sleeping."
"Sleeping?" Scott asked incredulously. "All right Virgil, I'll be right there."
By the time Scott got back to Thunderbird 2's silo, John was already there with Virgil. He could hear them talking.
"It reminds me of when they were little." John said.
"Yeah, me too. Gordon was always protective of him." Virgil said.
"We all were." John reminded him. "It comes with being the baby of the family."
Scott took in the scene before him. He saw his two brothers drawing comfort from each other even in their sleep. It should have been heart-warming to Scott, but it wasn't. It enraged him.
TBC
Author's note – Nasty Scott is back. How bad will he get before someone knocks him down? Find out soon.