EPILOGUE

The entire International Rescue team was assembled in the debriefing room of an underground complex located on the nearby island of Moyla, where, among other things, they kept a stash of supplies and parts for their machinery.

"Best we can figure, Brains, is when Kyrano contacted you, the Hood picked up on it and honed in our location. Knowing Kyrano's with International Rescue, it didn't take him long to use the new information to his advantage."

"But we've beaten him time and time again, we've even thought we've killed him a few times. He always seems to come back," Virgil said. "We only found four bodies in the ocean."

"He will not be coming back this time," Kyrano said. "I cannot apologize enough for what I have cost you."

"It wasn't your fault," Brains replied. "If I hadn't gotten trapped inside virtual reality, you wouldn't have been trying to contact me in the first place."

"And that wasn't your fault, Brains. We'll just have to make sure we have the mother of all circuit breakers when we rebuild."

"Good thing we've got this place on Moyla in the meantime," Gordon said.

"Yeah, and that none of International Rescue's equipment was damaged," Alan chimed in.

"We'll start cleanup tomorrow, boys," Jeff said.

"What was it like being inside that thing, Brains?" Scott asked.

"Well, uh, Scott, it was nothing if not interesting, to be certain. However, it's not an experience I wish to repeat. I have never felt so out of control. I-It's powerful technology…not something to be taken, uh, lightly."

"Precisely," Jeff said. "And that's why I think we might scrap the idea of a VRVS for the time being."

Scott nodded. "Yeah, can you imagine what would happen if the world realized it could project things like that huge bomber you made? Governments would never know whether the ships in the sky were real or fake."

Gordon opened his mouth, and then shut it.

"What's on your mind, son?"

"I never got to use the Thunderbird 4 simulation."

His brothers chuckled.

"Well, maybe Brains can make us another one," Jeff replied, smiling. "But not until he's certain no one can ever be sucked into it again."

"How on earth did you get sucked into it in the first place?" Virgil asked. "I mean, you're a human being…that was virtual reality. I don't get it."

"I-I'm going to, uh, write a thesis on just that," Brains replied. "You could, uh, take a look at it for your answers."

"Never mind. I probably wouldn't understand it anyway."

Everyone laughed as Gordon rose to his feet. "Okay, I'm making dinner. Who's hungry?"

A chorus of "I am!" and "Boy, I could sure eat!" was heard as most everyone followed Gordon into the mess hall.

Kyrano, still seated in his chair, looked up as Brains approached him. "I am glad you have returned safely," he said softly.

"Me, too," Brains replied. "But I'm only here because of you. Thank you."

Kyrano blushed and looked down.

"How did you do that, Kyrano? How did you talk to me that way?"

A smile upon his face, Kyrano closed his eyes. Brains started. He could almost hear Kyrano's voice in his head.

Like this.

"That's amazing," Brains said out loud.

You need not speak with your voice. Think what it is you wish to say.

Brains frowned. But I don't have your abilities, he thought.

Yes, you do. You have a powerful mind, Brains.

His eyes widened as Kyrano rose to his feet. "You heard me?"

The older man was looking directly at him. "Yes, I did. Come, let us join the others."

They entered the mess hall, where everyone was gathered at the large table that occupied most of the room. Kyrano looked at the fast-cook personal pizzas Gordon was serving up and made a face.

Suddenly, Brains burst into laughter. All eyes turned towards him. He laughed until tears began rolling down his cheeks.

"What the heck's gotten into you?" Scott asked. He had never seen Brains laugh so hard in his life.

Struggling to control himself, Brains wiped the tears from his face and took a seat next to Alan. "Nothing, I-I'm sorry, a-a moment of, uh, insanity about the pizzas."

"Well, you know what they say about genius," Gordon grinned.

Kyrano seated himself across the table from Brains. Unable to help himself, the engineer chuckled at the look on his face. Kyrano looked up at the others, who were still stealing glances at the two. His face flushed as he turned back to look right into Brains' eyes.

Don't ever tell anyone I thought that.

The End