Jeff tugged at the cuff of his long sleeve shirt that Melissa had brought him after she'd been updated on their current crisis. The fabric was soft and blessedly dry, helping against the chill that ran through him from more than just the rain and ocean water. As he sat next to Virgil, still asleep after his wounds had been treated, anger boiled just under the surface of the elder man's visible calm. With the storm still raging, no communications, and an injured son, he felt helpless. Ready to move, but inexplicably stuck.

How had this day gone so horribly wrong?

The desire for action brought his hand up, away from the edge of his sleeve and into the palm of his second eldest. A gentle squeeze and Jeff was surprised out of his ire to feel one in return. He watched as dark brown peeked out between heavy lashes, smiling when the corner of Virgil's mouth attempted to tick upwards. The intent was well received.

"Virgil? How are you feeling, son?"

The partial grin fell as his concentration went to speaking, albeit with a slur, "B'n better… but 'm good." Virgil shifted slightly, stopping at the suspected aches and pains Jeff knew were there. His son didn't elaborate, instead focusing concerned eyes on the former astronaut. "You okay?"

Jeff couldn't help the chuckle, shaking his head in amused disbelief. His son was seriously injured and he was worried about his old man. Another squeeze of the hand he hadn't released and he hoped his answer calmed those fears. "I'm perfectly fine. I can handle a little swim in the ocean every now and then, thank you." Granted, the ocean in the middle of a storm was no laughing matter, but it was in the past. He was alive and determined to ensure Virgil stayed the same.

Virgil appeared to relax a bit, his gaze shifting over the room, "Still on Raoul?" His speech was improving, which helped Jeff feel that much better.

"Unfortunately, comms are out. We won't know what's going to happen until this storm passes."

"What?" The look of appalled confusion was surprising and something within the engineer was helping to clear the fog of sleep. "That doesn't make sense… Their communication systems are the same as ours. Gordon's idea…so we wouldn't lose contact in case of an emergency."

"Like a severe thunderstorm," Jeff felt his own suspicions rise with the information. "Something else is blocking them."

A curse echoed the elder man's own thought and Virgil continued, "but power's still on?"

"Yes, it's been finicky, but nothing like on Tracy Island," the dots connected as he spoke. "Two separate interferences. One for communications and one for electronic devices." The information wasn't exactly helpful, but it confirmed the extent that these people had gone to in order to take the island.

"Who are these guys?" It was asked in frustrated awe.

"We'll know soon enough," Jeff growled. "Once this storm clears, I'll take one of the ships as far as I can until I reach New Zealand or the comms activate."

"I'm coming with you," dark brown eyes pinned the elder with determination, but Jeff wasn't about to let his son put himself in harm's way for another minute.

"Not an option, kiddo. You're staying put until we can get you to a hospital, understood?" When it looked like Virgil might argue, a grey brow rose, silencing the words before they could emerge from his still exhausted son. Jeff's hand came up to brush back the salt stiffened bangs, his expression softening, "I'll be fine. No offense to Gordon's choice in sailboats, but I'll have a whole lot more to work with now."

The tease seemed to appease the worry, Virgil sinking back into the mattress with a slight wince. "When this is all over… tell him it sank while the shock is still fresh. He'll just be happy it saved us. I can't tell you how protective he is of his boat collection."

"Ah, best keep that between you and your brother," Jeff chuckled. "I'm sure we can bring her back up or get him a new one."

"Good plan," and the smile was worth the loss. Gordon would be okay.

OoOoOoO

The panel slid open, giving him access to the inner workings of the launch tubes. The space was meant for maintenance and traversed the three wall units while Alan's lay a floor below. Gordon hadn't spent much time in these areas, mostly helping Brains with repairs when Virgil was out of rotation. Their friend would always try to hide his slight irritation with having to work with the aquanaut, not because Gordon couldn't do the job, but more towards the constant string of one-sided conversation that came with him. Virgil had a way of tuning most of his ramblings out that the others had yet to master, always coming back in on the important bits. Gordon couldn't help the quiet laugh at a memory. He'd spun an entire tale that involved sneaking a sloth into Scott's room, his co-pilot politely nodding along until the subject had been changed to their big brother needing a day off. Virgil had emphatically agreed.

"What's up?" Said brother asked in a hushed whisper as they stepped inside, cracking a couple glow sticks as darkness swallowed them once the door closed.

"Just remembered something. Not important," Gordon answered, stowing his amusement away in order to focus on the moment. The access hall to their launch tubes was cramped, solely to preserve space in the villa, forcing the two brothers to walk single file towards their destination. The goons hadn't located the space yet, giving them a break from tiptoeing through their home and allowing them a chance to see who they were up against. Another whisper over his shoulder, "Almost there. We'll go through your tube, figure out who's in there and regroup in mine."

"Wouldn't it be quicker to attack through mine?"

Gordon thought for a moment, considering the angles and escape routes. It wasn't a bad idea, but only offered one way out if things went south. "If we do that, I think we should split up. You pick off anyone you can see from that location. Lock it down if they get too close."

"And you?" Scott didn't sound thrilled with the plan, but was willing to listen.

"I go through my launch tube and into the hallway. I'll be able to come around from behind while they're distracted. Couldn't be…" he stopped himself before he could finish the statement. If only their situation could be simpler. If only Scott wasn't hurt and they had proper weapons or the GDF to back them up. "It'll be the easiest way to flank them without bottling us in."

Quiet settled in around them where there was usually the hum of machinery. Scott was thinking, going at the idea from angles Gordon might have missed. That was one reason his big brother made a great leader. His focus wasn't on defeating an enemy, rather keeping them all safe in the process. Victory was meaningless if they both didn't survive.

A resigned sigh, "Okay. Stay in cover as best you can. With any luck, they'll all be in range and there won't be many."

"Optimism, I like it," the aquanaut grinned, coming up to a bend that indicated his launch tube. As they stepped around it, the light from their glow sticks did little to pierce the darkness below their walkway. It was only an inch of space between the wall of his lift and the walkway, but enough of a reminder that this section was hollowed out to fit the elevators and their emergency brakes should something go wrong. "Have I mentioned how much I hate it back here?"

"No… not to me anyway," there was a hint of confusion in the answer.

"Just a metal walkway between us and a plumet to our deaths," which was a silly thought since Brains expected them to wear safety harnesses when working on the tubes. As it was, they had grappling gear if anything broke.

Scott was more than willing to remind him of that ever happening, "You realize Brains reinforces the walkways to withstand direct blasts if anything explodes… which it won't."

"I know," Gordon affirmed as they came around the other side of his launch tube and began the short walk to Scott's. Reality seemed to settle in at the sight and both operatives grew quiet. It wasn't for fear of being heard, the walls insulated to help reduce the noise of the rockets within, but to focus. They had taken out quite a few of the invaders and could only guess how many remained. If their family was on the other side of the wall, then their attack would need to come with lightning fast reflexes. These people weren't going to get the chance to use anyone as a hostage.

Reaching the ladder that led to the roof of the elevator, Gordon ascended, listening to Scott follow closely behind. A panel at the top slid open and he dropped in, reaching up to help his brother follow. In that moment of vulnerability, the blonde was thankful for the locking mechanism that could be engaged if Scott needed it. Climbing back out would take time and be difficult enough with the busted ribs.

Now came the tricky part.

As slowly as he could, Gordon unlatched the lock to the lounge door, wincing at the small click he prayed no one could hear. A breath and he inched the wall open until a sliver of artificial lighting spilled into their space.

The light was coming from the center of the room, completely unaffected by whatever was shutting down power throughout the villa. Around it were tables holding open cases and tools. Larger crates were set on the floor with wires coming from them and connecting to devices Gordon couldn't see. What he was more interested in, however, stood around those crates. People with data pads - nine that he could see - were working while another six stood guard if their stance was any indication. Behind their father's desk, another man and woman studied what looked like schematics, but they were too far away to make out.

Lifting his gaze upwards, he found Scott making his own assessment of the situation. When their eyes met, the commander gave a sharp nod and Gordon carefully closed the door.

"We focus on the guards first," Scott started, already prepping his gun for the quick cartridge change he would need to pull off once their plan was initiated. "I don't see Dad, Virgil or Brains. They could be holed up in one of the safe rooms."

"Let's hope," Gordon checked his own cartridge of darts before handing another set to his brother. "You'll need these more than I will."

Hesitantly, Scott took the ammo, his blue eyes shining an odd green in the yellow light from the glowstick. "No unnecessary heroics, got it?"

"Same to you," a knowing smile and Gordon stood. The climb up to the emergency hatch was an easy one once the ladder indents were manually activated. When he was out, the aquanaut turned and offered a thumbs up.

Sixty seconds.

The timer started as soon as Scott returned the gesture and their hands fell. At that point, everything was a blur as Gordon ran. He didn't think about the drop beneath the metal platform or the lack of machinery that made their home seem alive beyond the plants and animals.

A quick check and he was through his elevator and in the hallway, his run replaced by quiet footfalls of a brother who was used to sneaking around his home. The tranquilizer gun was up as he came to the edge of the fishtank, pressing himself against it with the seconds ticking down in his head. He could see the stairs that led to the kitchen, considering them as possible cover or a point of retreat. He wouldn't be aborting the mission though. Not when they were this close. Not when they already had the sub taken care of and a handful of patrols in restraints. This had to be it. Take out the base of operations and the rest would fall apart.

Five.

Four.

The blonde steadied himself, peering around the edge of the wall and found his first target.

Aim.

One.

The shot sailed across the lounge and into the big man's neck. He was falling a moment after yanking it free and a second figure joined him at the same time. There was a pause in activity as the sound of them hitting hardwood floor echoed through the room.

Panic set in a beat later as another guard toppled and voices shouted for cover as others fell into combat stances, searching for their attackers. Gordon ducked back around his corner, lowering himself into the shadows where the light couldn't reach and took out two more of the goons. He couldn't see beyond that, but assuming his brother's position still held, the aquanaut could assume the intruders were being dispatched at the same rate.

Another hiss of a dart from Scott and someone yelled a direction that sent Gordon's nerves screaming.

"Get that panel open!" A woman commanded, her voice similar to the one over the radio.

A moment of action, his thoughts centered solely on his brother, Gordon dove for the stairs, turning in one fluid motion to take out one of the figures advancing on One's launch tube. Confusion set in after that, no one knowing which angle to attack or defend from. He pulled the trigger, aiming for an individual who was trying to pull the elevator door open and … nothing.

He was out.

A curse before Gordon reached into his baldric, pulling out a handful of syringes, and he was running, leaping into the recessed seating area. The look of terror on the closest invader's face was of pure terror as the aquanaut jabbed the syringe into his neck, wide eyes slipping shut as he fell. Gordon didn't give him a second thought as he leapt forward and slammed his fist into the next figure's temple.

Movement to Gordon's left and the syringe was embedded into another goon's chest as hands tried to wrap around his already abused throat. They quickly lost their grip and Gordon stepped aside as the man fell.

A quick survey of the chaos showed him a few of the intruders shaking on the ground, not willing to fight back. Scott's hiding spot was now wide open and to his dismay, big brother was fighting the man who'd opened it. The commander snuck in a quick punch to the man's nose and there was a wave of relief at Scott's newfound advantage before Gordon shifted his sights on the man and woman behind Dad's desk.

Only, the woman was moving.

She was fast, a blur of dark fatigues as she rounded the lounge, heading for the steps. Gordon's feet kicked in a second later, warnings yelling at him to gain common ground and he jumped onto the nearest sofa, springing up to land on the hardwood with a syringe at the ready.

Her eyes burned with anger as she shifted her direction to meet him, fists clenched and ready to destroy him if the chance arose. After countless combat drills with Kayo, Gordon knew better than to underestimate his opponent. This woman would kill him.

When they collided, it was with a brush of fabric and neoprene as Gordon dodged, ducking to her left as she swung out. He moved with her momentum, aiming to wrap around her back and end the fight. An elbow to his jaw was enough to disrupt that plan, sending him in a daze and barely able to fall into a defensive stance as she sent a booted foot into his gut.

Distance, he needed to gain a buffer back if he was going to have any chance… but a few steps back and she was already charging. No time.

A whistle, quiet in the ruckus, but ever so welcome, and a dart embedded itself into the woman's neck. Pain and realization flashed across her face before she crumpled into a heap in the aquanaut's arms before he dropped her with as much care as he could muster.

Gordon's head spun and he found Scott slamming the butt of the dart gun onto his own opponent's head. Their eyes met a beat later, understanding conveyed in an instant and the blonde turned, ready to take down the last man standing.

The man behind the desk was scared, eyes wide now that he realized his bodyguard had gone down. He would be a much easier target to subdue… except, Gordon's hand was empty. The tranquilizer had slipped away with the last blow.

Without another thought, his fist clenched, anger fueling his muscles as he ran. All he saw was the face of someone who had come into their home, had tried to kill him and his brother. This man was the end of a situation his family didn't deserve to be in. And then, Gordon saw the gun, heard the sharp crack, and felt the punch just as his fist slammed into his enemy's face.