Welcome, welcome! Here is yet another chapter in the continuing saga of The Trouble with Tracys. As you can see, this is yet another Interlude. Lona and Scott are in this one, as are Tracy brothers and Lady P and Parker (no, I hadn't forgot about them-they just weren't doing anything interesting.) Thanks to all who have reviewed. I've been rereading through them. Please continue, as Katya and I want to know what people think and how readers are feeling about the story. Keep checking on us, cuz the next chapter should come out soon, and it's a good one. ; Thanks once again for the reviews and hope you enjoy.

Miss Elizabeth and Katya

Chapter 17: Interlude

Lona laid one of her lovely hands on her companion's arm, and raised her other hand to her lips, signaling him to be quiet. He quickly looked around and quickly found the reason for her actions. The temple the Hood used as his base of operations was peaking out from the forest about a quarter of a mile away. Quickly, Lona outlined her plan to Scott.

Our best bet would be to stay in the river from now on. He does have a couple of bloodhounds, and I know from personal experience that they are very capable. They will not be able to track our scents in the water, and it will provide us with the perfect cover if we happen to be found. Scott nodded. It was a good plan. Carefully and silently, they both slid into the murky water. They quickly swam over to the other bank as the overgrown foliage granted them perfect cover. Then they began walking towards the west and the town where all their hopes rested.

Mullion studied a large map in the command center of his boss's base. Here was one of the greatest collections of technology, second only to International Rescue. From here, Mullion was coordinating with over a dozen groups of searchers, combing the forest for their escaped prisoners. He was not going to mess this up; he knew his boss would have his head if he did. A half hour ago, a slave had reported seeing an opening in the wall of the temple. Mullion had gone and checked it out. Then he had ordered it sealed. He would have to inform the Hood soon about that secret entrance. The opening had faced east, so most of the groups-including his master and the group he led-had gone in search of the prisoners to the east of the temple, but Mullion was not so sure. He remembered the game of cat and mouse he had played with the silent one a few years ago. He had never told his master how close she had come to winning. Though he had reveled in the challenge, he shuddered to think how close she had come to beating him. He still broke into sweat when he thought of her hand so close to the microphone. Very few things scared Mullion, but his master in the full fury of one of his fits…well; it was best to prevent them from ever happening.

As dusk fell, first Scott and then Lona crawled onto the bank. Lona began checking herself for leeches and had Scott do the same. Though she did not think there were any in this river, it never hurt to be sure. After ascertaining that there were no slimy creatures hanging off them, they climbed into a nearby tree and prepared to spend the night. They each ate an energy bar and drank some water while waiting for their clothes to dry. They then wrapped their blankets around themselves and moved close together for warmth.

Scott could feel Lona's head resting on his shoulder. He gently wrapped his left arm around her, as she was shivering uncontrollable. She tensed for a moment, and then allowed herself to relax.

As he laid his head on hers, he whispered, "We'll make it, you know. Believe that." He didn't think he would get an answer, but suddenly he felt her head nodding up and down. They were going to make it.

The next day found them back in the water, still slogging through the mud. After several hours, they pulled themselves up onto the shore and ate a quick meal. Refilling their canteens with water from the river, they dropped in an aquasanitas capsule. Then they continued on their way. After a couple more hours, Lona suddenly grabbed Scott's hand. Without taking the time to sign, she grabbed his shoulder too and began to pull him under the water. At first, he struggled, but he eventually gave in as he could see her sense of urgency. As soon as their heads disappeared under the water, Mullion appeared on the opposite bank. Lona and Scott held onto each other as they waited for him to move. They were quickly running out of oxygen. Then, just before they ran out, he turned and walked off a little ways. Lona and Scott quickly and silently surfaced and gulped oxygen. She quickly grabbed two reeds that were nearby and broke off some on both ends. They could accomplish all of this because of foliage overhanging the bank of the river. Soon, they had two hollow reeds that would be perfect for breathing underwater. These they quickly stuck in their mouths and disappeared once again under the water. They found that they could sit on the river bottom and the tips of the reeds would still be above the water. They settled down to wait for their would-be captors to move on. They were in for a long wait.

Mullion stared into the murky waters of the river; he had forgotten its unimportant name. He knew they were close by, he could feel it. All of his men were spread out, searching the foliage and trees for any sign of them. Once again, he stared hard into the muddy river. They must be using the river to cover their scents because the bloodhounds had been useless during the entire search.

Truly though, none of this mattered. He had already set up a terrible plan, one that was more becoming of a fiend from hell then from a human being. No, these searches did not truly matter, for he and his employer had set up something special for the girl, the man, and International Rescue.

By the time the searchers had left the area, it was dusk. Lona and Scott crawled out of the river looking thoroughly drenched. They quickly found a tree with an adequate branch and settled down for the night. When Scott asked Lona if they were close to the village, she reckoned they were two or three days from it. He hoped they would get there soon. Both of them needed serious medical attention.

Lady Penelope had never felt so depressed in all of her life. Though she was trying as hard as she could to discover the location of the Hood's base, so much time had gone by, and they had nothing to show for it. If Scott was still alive…of course he was alive. What was she thinking? She sighed. The problem was that the master criminal was disgustingly wealthy and had used it to buy off most of the island. Those that could not be bought off were intimidated into silence.

That was when Penny's brilliant idea came into being. She quickly contacted International Rescue's base. John answered.

"Lady Penelope, how are you? Are you making any progress?" She shook her head.

"Not yet, but I just had a brilliant idea, dear boy. Moreover, I need your help with it. You are phenomenal with computers, correct?" He nodded. Both he and Gordon were rather practiced with using computers as there was a ton of them on THUNDERBIRD 5. In addition, though most people did not know it, both of them were very adept at hacking.

"Well then, how would you like to trace the Hood's assets? That to me would seem to be the easiest way to catch him." John's brow was furrowed in thought, and then his countenance lit up.

"That's a fantastic idea, Penny! What's more, I think it just might work. If Gordon and I worked on it continuously, we could have something within a couple of days!" She smiled.

"We will continue our investigation here, but I think our only chance of success is with you and Gordon."

John quickly found Gordon and practically dragged him into his room. All of the Tracy boys had their own suite of rooms, and privacy was greatly respected. They would not be bothered at all in here.

Gordon had no clue what was going on and said as much to his older brother. When everything was explained to him, he was very excited.

"That's fantastic! And our hacking abilities are a bonus. We'll be able to track him down in no time! Let's move my computer in here tonight after everyone is asleep, and we can get started." The rest of the day, the two brothers whispered conspiratorially to one another causing the family to worry. Generally, when Gordon started whispering with one of the brothers, a prank or practically joke was not far behind. Jeff was more angry then worried; he could not believe his sons could joke around while their brother was still missing and might be dead.

A quick, silent knock sounded on John's door at 1:00. He quickly opened the door and jammed it in that position, then followed his younger brother back down the hall. Entering Gordon's room, he found his brother's computer already unplugged and ready for transportation. Grabbing the 3D holographic screen, he started for his room. After two trips, all the equipment was moved. They quickly plugged everything up, and Gordon booted up his computer. John's was already running, and he jumped straight into his search. When he had been Alan's age, he had…accidentally discovered a way into the Swiss Bank's computer system. He had replicated it for Brains about three years ago, and the scientist was astonished. It was a secret they shared, as John was sure his father would not be as pleased or impressed as Brains had been. Now, John could use his discovery to help his brother. Hacking his way into the system, he began his search.

Gordon was searching known black-market sites hoping to find some mention of the Hood. He was not having much success until he came upon a chance reference to a "friend" who could help dubious people in Malaysia. Sitting up straight, he hurriedly clicked on the link. He hoped this was it.

Jeff sat back in his chair with a worried frown darkening his face. He had finally read all of his family's papers, each one echoing the others. Everyone agreed that Tracy Island must be defended from another attack, but everyone was equally vehement that the search for Scott not be terminated. How both of these were going to happen, no one knew.

Virgil walked up to his father's desk and sat on the edge of it. He looked down at the sheets of papers lying haphazardly on the desk and winced. Dad had read them; what was the verdict?

He waited until Jeff caught his eye and then asked seriously, "What's the verdict?" Jeff shook his head.

"Everyone wants Scott's rescue to continue, but they agree Tracy Island needs to be protected. I just don't see how we can do both." Virgil sat thoughtfully, taking everything in. Then he raised a possibility he had been considering.

"Why don't we send one or two of us to Penny and have them continue the search, while the rest stay behind and guard the island?" Jeff nodded.

"I had thought about that, but it puts Lady Penelope in a lot of danger." Virgil snorted. "I know she revels in danger and would not mind it one bit, but I have to admit I loath to be the one to place her in that situation. And let's not forget she is still in Malaysia; she could be in danger even as we speak." Jeff was not far wrong.

Parker slammed his foot on the brake, then shifted quickly back to the accelerator. The long, shocking pink car rocketed down the narrow stone alleys of Kota Kinabalu, but it could not shake its pursuer. The long, black sedan hugged the corners and kept right on their tale; then shots rang out. Nothing happened. Lady Penelope had not flinched nor moved an inch. A glance at the back window showed why. The glass did not even show an indention where the bullet had hit. Penny sat back to watch Parker's attempt at trying to lose their pursuers.

The Hood sat in the back seat of the sedan and allowed himself a satisfied smile. Mullion assured him that he was on Scott and Lona's trail, and he was currently working on the remaining International Rescue operatives. He was pleased with himself that his attack on Tracy Island had rid him of that cursed family. He would not admit it to anyone, but he had been…nervous with the idea that the Tracys were so close. This young lady was getting too close. He had to…to neutralize the threat although he knew they could have searched for years and never found his temple base. Knowing Jeff Tracy and his affection for those vile sons of his, he would keep them on the island for a while, as he would not want to risk more of his son's lives. That decision though, would kill him.

The smile grew broader. He was the greatest criminal mastermind in the world, and he would prevail over International Rescue. He was, after all, the Hood.