"This is Thunderbird Five calling base… Thunderbird Five calling International Rescue Headquarters. Come in please." John frowned as he adjusted the radio frequency. "Thunderbird Five calling International Rescue, come in International Rescue…" He waited expectantly.
Nothing.
He tried again. "Thunderbird Five calling International Rescue!"
Apart from the familiar chatter of the radio signals that Thunderbird Five was continuously receiving; there was no sound.
Now, seriously worried, he abandoned all protocol. "This is John calling Tracy Island. Can you hear me, Dad?"
…
"John calling Scott. Do you read me?"
…
"Come in, Gordon."
…
"Alan! It's John! Do you read me?"
…
Now, becoming increasingly desperate, he tried again. "Grandma…! Kyrano…! Mr Cook…! Anyone! Can – you – hear – me? Please – say something."
…
"Dad! Where are you? It's John…"
…
"Calling…"
Finally he heard a familiar voice. "John! We made it! We're above the cyclone…"
"Virgil…"
A clearly excited Virgil didn't appear to hear him. "We did it, John!"
"Virgil..."
"Thunderbird Two did it!"
"Virgil..."
"We kicked Sylvia's butt…"
"Virgil…"
"Man, I LOVE this plane!"
"Virgil!" John yelled, finally managing to interrupt Virgil's unaccustomed exuberance.
"What?"
"I've lost contact with home."
"You've what? Why? When?" John's announcement had a sobering effect on his brother.
"I don't know. I've been talking you through the storm and I thought they were leaving us alone to concentrate on that. I never thought there could be a problem."
"And you've tried contacting them…?"
"Tons of times. I've used different frequencies and haven't heard a sound. Weren't they in the storm shelter when you were talking to them?"
"Yes! Yes, they were… I think… Weren't they? You were talking to them last."
"The last real communication was when you talked to them. I didn't say much after that…At least I don't think I did."
"Father said he wouldn't send any more messages…"
"Maybe if I'd paid more attention I would have heard them say something. …"
"Maybe they've switched off the radio…"
"Maybe they tried to let me know there was a problem and I didn't hear them…"
"John! Calm down!"
"I am calm. You calm down!"
They both stopped to take a breath as Thunderbird Two soared beneath the black sky studded with silvery stars.
"Okay," John said. "Thinking rationally I'll bet I know what's happened. Were the winds knocking the house around at all?"
"I'll say. At times it was like we were in an earthquake." Virgil waited to hear his brother's hypothesis.
"That'll be it then. That system that Tin-Tin assembled was very temporary. The wind's vibrations have probably dislodged a connection. I'll bet anything that Alan and Scott are crawling around in the roof cavity right now, trying to mend the join with tin foil and bits of chewing gum. We'll probably hear from them any moment."
"Of course," Virgil said, greatly relieved. "That's got to be it. Still…" he added, "I won't mention it to Brains and Tin-Tin until we've dropped Joe off. They've got enough on their plates without worrying about this as well. In the meantime I'd better let them know that we're above the cyclone."
"Fair enough," John agreed. "You can tell them that I've alerted the authorities and they're waiting in this park with an ambulance." He gave the co-ordinates. "They've arranged to get Joe into surgery as soon as he arrives at the hospital."
Brains and Tin-Tin received the news that they were out of danger with relief. "H-How long before we reach the h-hospital, Virgil?" Brains asked.
"28 point six seven minutes. Is that going to be too long?"
Brains looked down at the unconscious Joe's vital signs monitor. "N-No. He's stable. I wouldn't want to l-leave it too much longer though."
"It should be a smooth flight from here on," Virgil reassured him. "I can't see us facing any more problems."
"I suppose everyone at home is relieved," Tin-Tin said. "Have you spoken to them, Virgil?"
"Ah, no," Virgil prevaricated. "I haven't had the opportunity yet."
Twenty five minutes later found John looking out of one of Thunderbird Five's viewports down onto Cyclone Sylvia. Tracy Island was hidden somewhere beneath that swirling morass of cloud and it had been half an hour since he'd realised that they'd lost communications with that tiny dot in the Pacific Ocean. Half an hour since that knot in the pit of his stomach had formed. What was Sylvia hiding?
"Thunderbird Two calling Thunderbird Five."
John crossed the floor and picked up the microphone. "Thunderbird Five. Go ahead, Virgil."
"Anything?"
"Negative."
"We're on the outskirts of the city. I've made contact with the hospital. Brains says we can't land soon enough."
"Is Joe deteriorating?"
"I don't think so, but he wasn't that hot to start with. Brains is being cautious."
"Understood. I've told Penny to expect you."
"Thanks, John. But I'd rather be heading home. I don't suppose Sylvia's dissipated, has she?"
"Sorry, Virgil. I've been watching her and she looks as fearsome as she was when you flew through."
"Well I won't chance flying through her again, not while Brains and Tin-Tin are on board," Virgil sighed. "There's the park… Talk to you soon, John."
"F-A-B. Hopefully I'll have news."
In some cities it was hard finding clear areas with enough room for the behemoth that was Thunderbird Two to land. They were lucky this time. A cordon of official looking cars were blocking all the entrances to the park, and several ambulances stood nearby. Virgil brought Thunderbird Two down low and then gently, compensating for her reduced weight, landed on the grass. "Flight deck to sickbay. We've landed," he announced. "I'll come down and give you a hand."
"Th-Thank you, Virgil."
It was with infinite care that they moved Joe out of Thunderbird Two and into the hands of the paramedics. He was quickly borne away in an ambulance that had moved in to assist. One of the officials stayed behind and took notes as Brains and Tin-Tin detailed events leading up to Joe's accident and his subsequent care.
Virgil had decided that he didn't need to be involved in the debriefing side of things and was doing a circuit of Thunderbird Two. He had nearly completed his visual inspection of the 'plane's exterior, when he heard what sounded like an argument. Looking over to one of the park's entrances he saw a tall, overweight, well-dressed man holding a loud discussion with a member of the local constabulary.
"I'm telling you, Officer. I have to speak to International Rescue!"
Virgil recognised the man's build and his voice. He slunk into the shadow of the cavity where Thunderbird Two's pod should have been and watched as the man pushed past the policeman and strode onto the park. Every movement was that of a man who knew what he wanted and was assured that he was going to get it.
Virgil raised his watch. "John! Activate Tin-Tin and Brains' rescue alerts!"
"What? Why?"
"Just do it!" Virgil insisted as he crept along Thunderbird Two's bulkhead from port to starboard. Now he was able to see the man who'd been, yet again, accosted by the police officer. Glancing in his colleagues' direction Virgil saw the pair of them look at their watches and then each other with quizzical expressions. "Come on," he muttered. "Move!"
The man was once again loudly insisting that he be allowed to talk to the people from International Rescue and was gesturing towards the engineer and his assistant. "I am a friend of Jeff Tracy's. I need to know that he is all right!"
"John!" Virgil hissed. "Sound the alerts again. I'll talk to you when I'm on the flight deck."
"F-A-B," John replied.
A short time later and Virgil was seated in his pilot's seat; once again talking to John. "Are Brains and Tin-Tin heading this way?" he asked.
"Yes. They're entering Thunderbird Two now. What's wrong?"
"We had some unwanted company."
"Company? Who do you mean?" John asked.
"I mean Stanton Carr's here. He's asking about Father."
"Stanton Carr?" John queried. "'Uncle Stanton'? How did he…" his voice petered out. "Ah. Of course. He's the big wig of Mediaworx Corporation, which owns NTBS. I told the hospital that I didn't know Joe's next of kin, but I knew he was working for the network. They would have contacted his bosses to get more information."
"And his bosses would have known that he and Ned Cook were on Tracy Island. For some reason someone decided to tell 'Uncle Stanton' and he's worried that one of his major source of funds is about to dry up."
Although Jeff Tracy was a major shareholder in Mediaworx, the largest media organisation in the world, he, in general, loathed the media and media people. His main purpose for investing in the company was to keep track of what information on International Rescue was being collected by the press. At the onset of his involvement he'd simply mentioned that, like most people in the world, he was fascinated by this secretive band of white knights and wanted to know all that he could about them. Bowing down to his immense wealth and power within the company, the management had offered to send copies of every scrap of information that crossed their desks directly to him.
Stanton Carr was the Chief Executive Officer of Mediaworx. Arrogant, ignorant and fawning to power and money, he was universally reviled by the Tracy boys. They nevertheless tried to be polite to him in his presence. Having known him since they were teenagers they'd all called him 'Uncle Stanton'; the uncle being an honorary title without any honour attached.
"Wh-What's going on, Virgil?" Brains asked as he and Tin-Tin entered the cockpit.
"Stanton Carr wants to talk to someone from International Rescue," Virgil told him.
"Stanton Carr? Your 'Uncle' Stanton?" Tin-Tin exclaimed.
"He's not ours. We don't want him," Virgil said.
"What's he doing here?" Tin-Tin asked.
"He's heard Tracy Island's being clobbered by a cyclone," John explained.
"I'm beginning to think that Ned Cook's put a curse on us," Tin-Tin said. "He's determined to expose us in one way or another."
"How'd he get past the cops?" Virgil asked, watching the drama outside through a closed circuit video.
Stanton Carr knocked on Thunderbird Two's hull. It was like an ant knocking on a sealed jar of jam. A policeman politely took him by the arm and tried to drag him away, but he shook him off.
"Blast him with the VTOLs, Virg," John suggested. "Go on. You know you want to."
"Nah, I couldn't take out the police as well," Virgil said as he watched another policeman try to help the first. "I can pretend to though…" He entered a code into Thunderbird Two's computer.
Outside a synthesised voice sounded. "Attention! Thunderbird Two will be lifting off in 20 seconds… 19… 18…"
The International Rescue members watched as the police officers tugged harder at Carr's arms.
"17… 16… 15…"
Lights within Thunderbird Two's VTOL jet ducts started to glow red.
"14… 13… 12…"
The glow grew brighter and stronger.
"11… 10…"
The police officers looked at each other as hot air started wafting out of the jets. One of them withdrew his handcuffs.
"9… 8…"
Stanton Carr protested as his hands were fastened behind him.
"7… 6…"
"The guy's an idiot," John said as he watched as 'Uncle Stanton' was marched away from Thunderbird Two by two policemen.
On the count of 'one', when he was sure those outside were clear of the heat and fumes from the real VTOL jets, Virgil launched his aircraft into the air. As Thunderbird Two swung around so she was facing towards England, Brains and Tin-Tin watched the police release the media mogul. They were rewarded with a tongue lashing as Stanton Carr withdrew a Personal Digital Assistant from his pocket.
"I don't believe it," John said. "They've just saved his life and he's getting their numbers!"
Tin-Tin laid a hand on Virgil's shoulder. "You look exhausted. Would you like me to fly Thunderbird Two for a while?"
He flashed her a smile. "No thanks, Honey. I'm okay." Before she could protest he turned back to his brother. "You realise it won't be long before 'Uncle Stanton' will be giving you a call, John."
John grimaced. "I might be lucky and he'll try to ring you."
"Won't do him any good," Virgil reminded him. "I don't have my 'phone with me. Besides, you know he works. He believes in following the rules of hierarchy. He won't be able to reach Scott, so you'll be next in line."
The 'phone' on Thunderbird Five rang.
"Told you," Virgil said as John rolled his eyes and picked up the handset that would mute all the extraneous sounds of Thunderbird Five. Then pushing the button that would allow those on Thunderbird Two to hear both sides of the conversation, he spoke. "John Tracy speaking."
"John. It's Stanton Carr."
John pretended to be pleased to receive the call. "Uncle Stanton. How are you?"
"Worried," Stanton Carr didn't sound it. "I hear your father's been trapped by a cyclone."
"Yes. Most of the family's stuck on the island."
"International Rescue have just dropped that cameraman fellow..."
"Joe," John interrupted.
"What?"
"His name is Joe."
"Whatever. Anyway my sources told me he was filming Alan on Tracy Island..."
"Gordon," John informed him. "They wanted to film Gordon."
He doubted if Stanton Carr heard him, as the man carried on without a beat. "... And I was worried about your father. How is he?"
John hesitated a moment. "To be honest, Sir, I don't know. I haven't been able to contact home."
Brains and Tin-Tin looked at each other and then at the man in Thunderbird Two's pilot seat. "V-Virgil?" Brains asked.
"He's telling the truth, isn't he?" Tin-Tin was looking frightened.
"I'm sure they're okay," Virgil tried to be reassuring, "but John lost contact at least half an hour ago. Don't worry," he added when he saw Tin-Tin's expression. "He reckons that the wind's probably loosened one of the connections in your antenna. They'll be fixing it as we speak."
Tin-Tin shook her head. "That's unlikely. John discussed this with me when he explained the plan. All the wires are securely crimped together and then bound with electrical tape. It would take more than wind vibration to loosen them."
Stanton Carr was oblivious to the concerns held by those in Thunderbird Two. "As you know, your father is a dear friend of mine, John."
"Yes, Sir," John said, not really believing him.
"I would hate for anything to happen to him."
"I wouldn't like it either," John told him. "To him or anyone in my family."
"No, of course you wouldn't. How are they by the way?"
"I don't know. They're on the island."
"Ned Cook went out there to interview Alan, didn't he?"
"Gordon," John corrected again. "They went out to film Gordon."
"Oh that's right," Stanton Carr agreed. "They were doing a documentary about his, ah, um, communication inventions."
"No," John said slowly. "They were filming, at least they wanted to film, Gordon about his Olym…"
"I know your father was excited to know that we were making a documentary about his son."
"No he wasn't," John said through gritted teeth. "He and Gordon both asked Ned Cook to leave them alone."
"Really?" Carr appeared surprised. "Why?"
"You know how private my father is," John reminded him. "That's why he lives on an island."
"Oh, yes. Of course," Carr gave an ingratiating laugh. "Though I'm sure I don't know why he wants to hide away. There's no such thing as bad publicity."
"Uncle Stanton," John said. "I hate to be rude, but I'd like to try and see if I can get hold of my family again. Would you mind if we…"
"Why? Can't your brothers do that?"
"They're on the…" John gave up. "I'll call you later. Bye." He disconnected the phone call.
"You're going to be in his bad books, hanging up like that," Virgil noted.
"Nah. He'll get us mixed up as usual. He'll probably blame Scott, the artist."
"John," Tin-Tin cut through the banter. "We sealed the connections like you said. And we triple checked them. The wind can't have jarred them loose."
"I was hoping you weren't going to tell me that, Tin-Tin."
"Could the cyclone be creating some kind of interference?" Virgil asked as he steered Thunderbird Two through a fluffy white cloud.
"Unlikely," John said. "What do you think, Brains?"
"I have to agree, John. The signal output at h-home might be weak, but the receivers on Thunderbird Five are designed to compensate for that. Th-The only way Thunderbird Five won't pick up a message would be if there's not one being transmitted."
Tin-Tin wrapped her arms about her body and tried to squash the feeling of fear that flooded her system…
To be continued…