Chapter Three
Tracy One
Tracy Family Private Jet
It was a very worried Jeff Tracy who came down the steps that had deployed from the side of the Tracy family jet. During the flight here from Tracy Island he hadn't been able to stop thinking and worrying about Alan and the fact that whoever had kidnapped him seemed to know of his connection to International Rescue.
Jeff wondered who it was who had kidnapped his youngest son. He had known for a long time that his sons were targets for would be kidnappers. There were any number of criminals who would have grabbed the boys given half the chance just for the chance to try and exact and exorbitant ransom from the Tracy family fortune.
And then there were the enemies that Jeff had made over the years building his corporate empire – some of them quite powerful. Some of the more ruthless ones wouldn't hesitate to grab one of the boys to get to him. But as far as Jeff knew none of them knew that he and the boys were the Thunderbirds – they would have used it as a blackmail weapon long ago if they had known – so they wouldn't have known to destroy Alan's watch.
The removal and attempted destruction of Alan's wristcom seriously narrowed down the list of suspects in Jeff's mind. In fact he could think of only one person who could have been behind the kidnapping of Alan and would have known to destroy Alan's watch.
And that individual was Trangh Belagant a.k.a The Hood.
Jeff shuddered at the thought that his families arch enemy the man who'd already tried to destroy them and International Rescue once could be the one behind the kidnapping of Alan. The stuff the Hood could do to Alan – or make Alan do with his mind control abilities – did not bare thinking about.
A car pulling up brought Jeff out of his increasingly dark thoughts – for which Jeff was actually grateful. The driver and passenger doors of the car opened and two people got out. One was in a police uniform the other wore normal clothing though Jeff knew he was almost certainly law enforcement as well either with the police or with the FBI.
The two men came forward to meet up with Jeff.
"Mr Tracy," the man in the suit said holding out his hand. "I am Detective James Howard I'm in charge of the investigation into your son's disappearance."
"Nice to meet you," Jeff replied shaking the detective's hand. "Have you found anything?" he asked as they walked over to the car.
"We found a chloroform soaked hanky in a bin next to the ally where your son was apparently abducted," Detective Howard said as he went around to the far side passenger door allowing Jeff to open the one on the driver side. "We believe it was most likely used to render Alan unconscious."
"That would fit with Alan," Jeff replied. "He wouldn't go with someone who could potentially wish him harm willingly."
"I see. Other than that we have found nothing yet though we did find traces of DNA on his mobile that doesn't belong to Alan or that other kid Fermat. We are hoping there is enough for the lab boys to identify, as it's possibly Alan's kidnappers. But rest assured we are doing all we can to find Alan and get him back."
"I hope so detective," Jeff replied as he got in the car.
"It would help if we knew who would want to kidnap your son," Detective Howard answered as he to got in the car and sat down next to Jeff "Do you have any ideas?"
"Not really," Jeff replied wishing he could tell the detective the truth but he didn't dare. The fewer people who knew about the Tracy families connection to International Rescue the better. Though if push came to shove he would tell the detective alone about who they were.
The police officer climbed in the front and started the engine.
"We will be taking you straight to your hotel," Detective Howard said. "I can arrange for you to speak with Fermat Hackenbacker if you wish."
"I would like that," Jeff replied.
"I will arrange it."
With that the car drove off heading out of the airport.
Disused US Airbase
At the same time that Jeff Tracy was speaking with Detective Howard the same man who had initially abducted Alan Tracy stood waiting patiently outside his van on the disused airbase where he dropped off the blond haired teenager. He now waited for the arrival of the jet that was bringing the teenager back.
Initially he had thought he was going to be ordered to dispose of the teenager's body but instead he had been told that the teen was alive and was to remain that way. The Hoods instructions had been very specific and the man knew better than to deviate from his orders. The punishments the Hood dished out for failure or disobedience were severe and could leave you pleading for death, just like the rewards he gave for success and obedience were generous indeed.
The sound of approaching aircraft engines caught his attention and he looked down the slowly disintegrating runway towards the east to see the jet had been expecting dropping out of the darkening sky on final approach. The man smiled grimly and waited for the plane to land.
A few minutes the plane a sleek, fast jet was down on the ground and had taxied to a stop in front of the man's van. The man moved up to the side of the jet as the hatch opened and the ramp was lowered to the ground.
A moment later the powerful and intimidating form of Mullion one of the Hoods senior lieutenants and enforcers came down the ramp carrying the still unconscious form of Alan Tracy in his arms.
The man followed as Mullion carried Alan to the side of his van. The man opened the side door and gently laid Alan inside.
"He's all yours," Mullion said. "You know your orders."
"Yes sir," the man replied grinning evilly. "I am to 'process' him." And have some fun in the process, the man thought to himself.
"That's right," Mullion replied. "But watch yourself Dennings we don't want any permanent damage."
"I know sir there won't be any permanent damage done," Dennings replied.
"Good make sure there isn't. Because if there is it will be the Hood you will answer to."
Dennings gulped and internally shuddered in fear at the thought of facing an angry Hood. He had seen what the Hood could do to people and was not at all keen to experience the Hoods wrath himself.
"I understand," Dennings replied.
"Good," Mullion said. Then Mullion turned away and walked back up to and aboard the jet.
Dennings for his part made sure that Alan Tracy was securely bound and gagged before closing the side door of his van. Then he went to the driver's door and got into the van himself.
He buckled up before starting the engine and shifting the gears into reverse and began carefully backing away from the jet. As soon as he was clear he returned the gears to normal driving mode and turned away from the jet and drove away towards the gates of the long abandoned airforce base.
Aboard The Hoods Jet
Mullion sat down in front of the radio as the pilot began taxing along the runway to take off. Taking a breath to compose himself Mullion called base and spoke directly to his master.
"Sir phase two has been implemented," he reported.
"Excellent Mullion," the Hood answered sounding very pleased. Mullion smiled glad that his master was pleased.
If all went well their plan for revenge was about to enter its first active phase.