John's POV:
"What's up there, Mama," I asked her following her gaze up to the night sky above. The pinpoints of light twinkling down at us as I sat in her lap.

"No one knows for sure, Angel," I heard her soft voice answer in my ears, as she wrapped her arms tightly around me. "It's a whole new world waiting to be discovered."

"Do you ever think people will live in the stars?"

"I'm sure they will someday. I think there will come a day, when space travel is as common as traveling to the next state. That there are space stations in the sky. Colonies on other worlds. The possibilities are endless."

We sat there in silence. Both of us gazing at the night sky above us. Both of us lost in our own thoughts.

"I'm going to live among the stars someday."

"I'm sure you will, Angel," she told me with a soft laugh. "And knowing my little boy, he'll probably be one of the pioneers. Paving the way for others to live among the stars."

"Well Mom, here I am. I'm living among the stars," I said softly to myself as I watched Thunderbird 3 make its turn outside of the station, as it prepared to head back to Earth.
I was excited and scared at the same time. This was a start of a new adventure. Like Mom had predicted, I had become a Space pioneer. I would be living in the most advanced space station of our time. Technology that I'm sure at some point would be used in space colonies throughout our galaxy. For now though, it remained a secret. It was technology that in the wrong hands could be dangerous. Technology that the world as a whole probably wasn't ready for.

I was now the eyes and ears of International Rescue. From Thunderbird 5 I would have a bird's eye view on what was happening on the planet down below. Would be able to keep track of storms and seismic activities. Monitor communications from every nation. Keep track of the other Thunderbirds during rescue operations. Would be able to relay information to my Dad and brother's that they wouldn't have other wise. See things from a different angle which might prove to reveal a better solution to whatever problem we faced.

In the two weeks since we had brought it online, Thunderbird 5 have proven to be just that. Even though it had been Scott and I on the missions and Brains from time to time when the situation had warranted it, Dad had still been able to guide us through it. Give us advice and provide us with valuable information. The Tsunami that had hit the Japan coast last week, had even been caught in time to evacuate the people. Although entire communities had been wiped out along the coastal areas, only five people had lost there lives to the wave of water. Five people who had just refused to leave their homes no matter what. Still, given the destruction of the area, a death count of five would have been unheard of even a month ago. I had no idea how we had ever gotten by without the station. Without the vision that it provided for us.

I looked around my surroundings. Taking in every console and switch. The way the lights glinted of the silver walls. The way the shadows fell in the corners. It was strange but I felt like this was my home just as much as the house on the island with my family was. Even though this was my first night here it didn't seem new to me.

I had been a part of designing and building Thunderbird 5. Had pointed out flaws in the design and suggestions on how to fix them, granted timidly at first. I hadn't been sure how Brains would take getting advice from a fifteen year old. More so than Thunderbirds 1, 2 and 4, I had felt like I was really apart of creating Thunderbird 3 and 5 especially this station. Suddenly, I knew exactly how Scott felt when he was behind the controls of Thunderbird 1, the craft he had more or less claimed for his own. Although I had piloted all the others, Thunderbird 5 felt like home.

A beeping sound brought me out of my thoughts. I looked down to see the light signaling a call from the island blinking.

Flipping the switch my Dad's face appeared on the screen. I glanced at the chronometer and saw that I had been day dreaming for quite awhile.

"So the trip home went okay," I commented as the familiar colors of his office came into view.

"Yeah, just business as always," he replied. He wanted to say more. I knew it. I knew my father better than any of my brothers.

"Guess the others are enjoying the pool," I said my thoughts going to my brothers. I missed them already but we couldn't stay together our whole life. It wasn't how things worked.

"Yeah. Gordon and Alan were there when we came back and Scott and Virgil made a beeline for it as soon as Thunderbird 3 was in the silo. I just hope they don't drown Alan."

I had to laugh. Poor Alan, being the youngest often got ganged up on by the rest of us. It was all in fun though. When the chips were down we all stuck side by side and if you needed a friend it was nice not having to look any further than your brothers. That's just how close we all were, though some of us were closer than others.

"I miss you already John," my Dad said softly, bringing an end to my laughter.

"I'm always just a call away Dad. Anytime of the day."

"I know. It just won't be the same."

"Someone has to be up here and I'm the best suited for it Dad."

"The practical side of me knows that but . . ." as he voice trailed off.

"I know exactly how you feel Dad. I'm going to miss you all too."
Before I could say anything else the sound of my brother's voices filled the air. I could hear Alan's tears. Gordon yelling at Virgil about something and Scott's pleas to Dad that he didn't have anything to do with it. For the first time in my life, I couldn't play peace maker.

"I'll talk to you later Dad," I said trying to mask my disappointment. "Sounds like you have your hands full down there."

"Bye John," Dad said quickly even as he turned to deal with the situation.