Inner Strengths

Disclaimer: I do not own Thunderbirds but my Grandma's neighbour does…-cheers!- I get free merchandise! W00t!

Summary: When a Rescue Mission goes horrifyingly wrong, its Jeff Tracy's Worst nightmare to find out his youngest son has disappeared from the Danger Zone on his first official 'Rescue.' What has become of the youngest Tracy? (-Movie Take-)

Warnings: Psychological references, prepare to be confused! XD, ok my mind has changed completely now…there will be a Rape Scene in this fic hence the rating…it is all written out and there will also be ancient powers, but not as ancient as it seems, again I will warn you on chapter heading so watch out for those…

Ok as I have said in the warnings, there will be a 'Rape Scene' in this fic at some point. I have it all written out and ready to post but I haven't written the chapters in between yet, so if you do take offence to it then don't read that chapter…I will post all the warnings I can so watch out for those. Also there will be a bit of Wiccan action too. Warning you now… but that said I'll leave you to Chapter Five…

Enjoy!


Chapter Five: As Night Falls…

"You have it?" The Hood wasted no time on pleasantries. The man was here for business reasons only and that was all.

"Yes sir." The Hood looked down on him from his dais. The man was holding a small box and offering it to him personally. The Hood ignored it of course and turned to one of his more trusted followers.

"Transom, replicate it. I have waited too long already." He ordered. An aging nerd stepped out from the shadows and walked with a forced grace to where the man knelt with the package.

"Yes sir." She said with a purr as she took the package and quickly but seductively walked toward another door. The Hood sighed in annoyance; yes she was a perfect loyal follower but did she have to do that all the time? She had no tact or grace and yet she still persists in her devious ways. He'd have to have a talk with her later…

"Now I have a new shopping list for you," He said addressing the man still knelt before him. "Bring me all the items and your salary will be tripled, fail and you had better pray I don't find you, ever." He warned with a small mental shove. "Do I make myself clear?" The man nodded nervously, not daring to speak lest he was bid to.

"Good, Mullion will give you the list on your way out. Dismissed." He gave a small shooing gesture with his hand and the man obediently moved away. When he was finally alone, The Hood allowed himself a smile of victory.

The GMR was now in his possession, a creation he partly helped in; a creation that would help him become powerful in body as well as in mind, and at the same time bring about the downfall of his sworn enemy; International Rescue.

Things were finally going his way.


"Gordon!" Virgil grew frantic at the lack of his brother's response. He'd seen the explosion; seen the chaos that it brought about and even felt the vibrations through the cables that were now holding the vast ship on the water's surface, preventing it from sinking. With all the action above water, Virgil knew that there were some forces at work underwater too. His brother's silence was proof enough of that.

In a flash Virgil's panic turned to anger and he turned to the retreating submarines that had caused all this chaos in the first place…

"That's it! That's the last time you ever bully in this Neighbourhood pals…" He muttered as he quickly turned Thunderbird Two around. There was no way they were going to get away with hurting innocent people like that. He took aim at their engines, hoping to disable them.

"You aren't hurting anymore innocent people…" He snarled and fired several small missiles at the three submarines and did a small victory dance in his chair as each one hit home.

Their engines were now offline and each submarine now sat, stationary, in the waters. He wasn't a killer, but he sure as hell wasn't going to let them get away with hurting his brother very easily either. At that sudden thought he quickly turned his attention back to the unresponsive Thunderbird Four and tried again to reach his brother.

"Gordon can you hear me?" He waited a beat; nothing, "Gordon!" another beat; silence, "Damnit Gordon! Alan and Scott have already gone MIA on us; I do not need you to follow them too! Now answer me!" Silence. Virgil collapsed in his seat. There was nothing more he could do until Gordon responded. That was even if he was still…

"An' if I don'?" Virgil didn't think he'd ever been so happy to hear his brother's voice. He quickly snapped up the mini vid com and smiled as the relief washed through him.

"Thank Gods! Don't you ever scare me like that again you hear?" he half yelled through the mic. He saw Gordon wince at the volume but he didn't rightly care. He'd been worried sick.

"Sorry bro' musta fallen on me 'ead or summit, was ou' like a light." He replied. Virgil took on a slightly worried look, and Gordon knew the next question before it even left his brothers lips.

"Are you ok?" he asked quickly but had to smile as Gordon mimicked his words, he watched in playful annoyance as Gordon waved a hand at the camera,

"I'm fine, nothing a band aid and a few painkillers wont cure." Virgil nodded, and took the liberty to bring him up to date. They still had people to save and time was running out.

"Well the subs aren't going anywhere for now; I put a stop to their engines." He saw Gordon's eyes widen in mock shock, and knew he wouldn't like the retort that was about to come.

"Th' big green bug actually fired! Thought those canons were jus' fer show…" Virgil inwardly fumed; big green bug! Just for show! How dare he insult Thunderbird Two! The nerve!

"What did you call my baby?" He playfully shrieked. Gordon knew he was in for it as soon as this was all over. But that was just how he and Virgil were. Virgil being way too overprotective of his 'baby' and Gordon being the mischief maker and making fun of the big green machine just to annoy him.

"Nuthin', wha' else is 'appening?" He said trying to distract his brother's attention from his imminent punishment. He saw Virgil glower and caught the silent threat before his brother continued with his status.

"Well I'm struggling to hold the ship up with only two cables; I can't move her without the third cable, and the Rescue teams aren't doing so well." He reported with a slight frown. At Gordon's confused look he explained.

"They're running low on people, fuel and space and are constantly going back and forth to the shore. There aren't enough of them to work as quickly as we need them to." Gordon gave a nod but Virgil continued. "I need the third cable installed before I can try to pull her back to shore. What's your status?" He asked hoping Thunderbird Four wasn't damaged enough to stop Gordon from installing the final cable. Gordon looked away from the screen then back again. Virgil knew it wasn't good news by the small frown on Gordon's face. Just his luck…

"No' good." He said gravely. "I 'ave no power righ' now but I can fix it from th' outside, will probably jus' need an ol' fashioned kick start. But th' right 'fin' is wedged in th' rocks; I slammed into 'em pretty hard. I can get 'er free as soon as power is back online bu' it might take few minutes." He said referring to the mechanical arms that could help to free Thunderbird Four. Virgil nodded and quickly took charge of the situation in much the same manner Scott would have done. A pang of worry hit him at that thought but he dismissed it quickly; he had a job to do, he had to stay focussed.

"Ok Gordo, you get on that ASAP, I'll try moving the ship slowly toward the shore with only two cables, and someone needs to let Dad know what's going on." He said with a small hint as to who was to contact Jeff Tracy. Gordon smiled, he didn't dare add to his punishment list right now.

"I'm on it bro' I'll tell 'im while I'm fixing." Virgil nodded, glaring at him through the vid com, to which he grinned guiltily in response.

"Good I'll contact the rescue teams and let them know what we're doing. Let me know when you're done." He said with another glare. Gordon gave a small chuckle.

"F.A.B Virg."


The heat of the building hit them as the two stepped out of the new International Rescue machine. As was expected, a lot of people had crowded around and were awed by Thunderbird Six, but that didn't give Jeff and Fermat the right to show it off, no matter how tempting.

Jeff wasn't really in the mood to show off anyway; he'd just watched his youngest son being butchered unintentionally by amateurs just before the transmission cut off. He had no idea if Alan was still alive and it pained him to think that he'd joined his mother at such an early age. Jeff had scolded himself almost as soon as the thoughts invaded his mind; Alan wasn't dead. He'd know if he was. He had to be strong. He had to believe.

Besides, Tin-Tin would be there soon and be able to take care of things, so he had no reason to worry. She'd call the paramedics and get help, then find Scott and give him what-for for scaring both her and himself before calling in and reporting that both were packed up and safely on their way to a hospital.

Jeff gave a wry smile before putting his professional attitude on show along with his famous poker face. They quickly unloaded The Firefly and moved into position; Jeff behind the hose. He still had a job to do.

Fermat, having finally learned how to move the machine; jumped into the driver's seat and began handling the controls. He moved it to the door of the building and aimed the front of the machine at the entrance. He quickly put the brakes on and gave Jeff the signal to go. It was important that all was done properly because this was a new fire extinguishing substance that Fermat had been working on as a pet project. He'd certainly been busy that summer and hopefully all that hard work would be paid off with this rescue.

Jeff set the pressure to high and aimed the hose at the doors that were closed in front of them. The two put up their heat shields, rechecked their heat proof uniforms and scanned the vicinity to make sure the area was clear. As soon as the doors were open the fire would leap out at them fuelling itself from the new supply of oxygen and neither wanted to see what would happen to a person if he got caught in that.

After securing the area, he gave the 'go ahead' to Fermat who, in response, extended the new extending arms that had been installed less than a week ago. He inched the two mechanical arms closer to the door and braced himself for the heat that would breach the shields. Four nudges later and the door began to break away, he gave a final nudge to the door and it fell open.

Flames the size of a sky scraper jumped out of the building as if making a run for freedom. The Firefly was totally engulfed by the flames and the onlookers gasped as shock and worry hit them. Surely they couldn't have survived that!

But as the witnesses looked on they saw the flames die down and the Firefly, unmarked, shooting an unnamed substance into the building. A chorus of cheers echoed throughout the clearing as the Firefly hosed the fire down, dousing it far quicker than any other rescue machine known to mankind. They'd managed to clear the entrance but the rest of the building was still in peril, not to mention the poor Scientists still trapped inside.

Another cheer roared over the flames as the Firefly gave a rocky jolt and slowly moved into the building disappearing into the dark smoke filled entrance hall. A hush fell on the crowd as the last of the firefly finally vanished from view.

Fermat navigated carefully through the smoke and debris making his way to the lecture room which was where the last know transmission had occurred. The scientists had attempted to communicate with the people outside after hearing the sirens and had been told by the local rescue teams to stay put so that the rescuers could find them. That was assuming the room they were in was safe…

The transmissions were lost after another small explosion wracked the crumbling shell that was once the BSI and the rescue teams feared the worst.

Jeff kept the hose busy as Fermat moved along different halls and passageways, keeping the fire and flames at bay whilst creating a flame free path behind them. The new fire extinguisher created a foam-like substance that seemed to keep the fire from relighting in that area and it awed Jeff as to how Fermat had managed to invent this incredible stuff.

He trusted Fermat to get them to the scientists and so took no heed in where they were going. That said; he still looked up when the Firefly came to a halt in front of a pair of double doors. Debris littered the floor in front and blocked the doors from opening.

Fermat looked up to see a soft yet terrifying orange glow from the floor upstairs through a gaping hole directly above him. He shivered and quickly spoke into the communications device that linked his and Jeff's helmets within the Firefly.

"This is the place where the s-s, people were reported to be." He reported as he took the controls to the mechanical arms again and began removing the debris and rubble that stood in their way. "Removing the r-rubble now." He muttered as he manoeuvred the long extendable claws.

"Hurry Fermat; the fire from upstairs is trying to pay us a visit, we don't have much time before the integral structure weakens enough to turn us to pancakes." Jeff's breathless voice half yelled into his ears. The fire, although mostly upstairs now, was still deafening and persistent in trying to come down. Fermat moved the debris as quickly as he could but time was still running out.

Jeff worked hard to keep the flames inside the hole above the door, inwardly rushing Fermat to hurry up. He could see the structural beams groaning and bending in the heat from above and wished he had his boys here to help. A small crash alerted him to the doors they were trying to get to and he smiled in relief as he found them wide open allowing them full view of the people trapped inside.

Fermat wasted no time; he jumped out of the driver's seat and quickly called out strict instructions to the abled men and women in the room; taking charge of a panicky and dangerous situation.

"Ok, every body s-stay calm. I need to know who is hurt and who c-can move?" he called out through his helmets mini PA system. "How many of you c-can move?" The majority of the group raised their hands and he quickly counted the number of people who couldn't easily escape, then assigned people to help them. It was a quick procession as the adults took in the instructions and began to carry them out, helping the less abled people to safety while escaping imminent death themselves.

Fermat had taken control of the situation and turned it into an orderly procedure, no questions asked, and Jeff couldn't be prouder of him. Had he shown even the slightest hint of fear, the adults would have panicked and fled leaving him to rescue the injured alone. And although Fermat stuttered he took on a level headed persona; he became a Rescuer in control.

Jeff kept the hose primed at the hole that was letting the flames from above rain down as the scientists made their way past the Firefly and down the passage way that had been cleared for them. Fermat quickly counted the number of survivors and compared them to the total he was told were missing. He smiled as he helped the last three people through the hole…they matched. That was everyone.

"T-that's everyone Sir, we got them all." He reported and began to climb through the doorway himself.

"That's a good job Fermat; now let's get out of here." Jeff replied glancing down to see the young genius fumbling through the doorway. Yep he was definitely proud of this one…

A sudden snapping sound immediately turned his attention upwards and to his horror he found the beams twisting violently above him. Sudden realisation hit him as the beams finally twisted free and swung down to the two rescuers. Jeff had just enough time to jump out of the Firefly and throw himself at Fermat forcing both of them down into the rubble before the beam hit its target with a loud thud. Seconds passed like the speed of light before another roaring sound was heard. The heat around them intensified ten fold and before they knew it a loud explosion shook the building to its final limits…

Outside the onlookers cheered as the scientists finally emerged and were taken care of. But as the seconds drew on it became apparent that the Thunderbirds had not come back out. Silence weaved among the people as they desperately looked for the two people who had risked their own lives to save those of others…and still they didn't show. The noiseless worry deafened the area as each witness held their breath, hoping, praying for their safe return.

Instead a sudden rumble made them gasp and cry out as the grass beneath them shook slightly. A confused buzz hummed, mere minutes before the building collapsed in on itself. Shrieks and cries of shock rose in volume as they watched the BSI fall and crumble…trapping, if not killing the two Rescuers inside.

Was this really happening? Did the famous rescuers need rescuing? Did International Rescue finally find a Disaster they couldn't escape from?

The crowd could only guess…


Scott finally neared the bottom of the cliff. He hadn't stopped for 20 minutes and was now aching all over. He looked back up to find the four miners following him down the cliff and he gave a brief smile at their willingness to help.

But the smile vanished as his eyes narrowed and swept down to where Thunderbird One lay still. Alan was in there, most definitely hurt in some way, and Scott needed to contact his family too. He had no time for admiring four complete stranger's show of compassion and worry and although he appreciated it, it wasn't helping him get to Alan as soon as possible.

He jumped down onto a fairly large rock and quickly slid off onto the forest floor before taking off on a sprint down the path of destruction that his machine had created in its fall. Every step he took brought him closer to a brother in need and he struggled to quicken his pace. Time seemed to slow down as his feet gradually ate up the debris and forest floor beneath him.

Please don't be too late… please be ok Alan…his thoughts stopped immediately as he came to a halt outside the main body of Thunderbird One. His hands automatically went for the hatch despite the gaping hole in the side of the body work and he jumped inside making his way quickly to the cockpit. He had to dodge several sparking wires and hanging metal work but he did it quickly and efficiently before reaching the door to the cockpit.

His heart stopped.

Blood was the first thing he noticed. The entire floor was flooded with it and it took all his effort not to puke at the sight of it. But where was Alan? His thoughts were a muddle but he visually searched for his little brother and almost died at not being able to find him.

"Alan!" he called out hoping that his brother was awake and could hear him. Panic rose inside him as his brother's silence deafened him. "Alan!" He turned away from the cockpit and began searching the rest of the massive Rocket for any sign of his youngest sibling.

But there was no sign of Alan anywhere…just a whole load of blood.

"ALAN!"


The Airport was noisy and very busy. But he didn't mind that at all. If anything it helped him to blend in more, helped him hide in plain sight. He looked down at the piece of paper in his hands.

The first line read; 'Pei Xi-Lan. (Pro. Pay Zee-Lan)' That was the first item on the 'New Shopping list' he'd received from Mullion. Pei Xi-Lan was a Martial Arts expert and Doctorate in Biology, located in Northern Hong-Kong; his next stop.

He didn't know why The Hood wanted her, but he didn't rightly care either. His orders were simple; bring the required items to The Hood alive, and he'll get his Tripled salary on the delivery of the final item.

No games, no tricks, no questions asked.

He was going to enjoy this…