Inspired by a lil idea I saw somewhere


"Alright. We're here," Scott announced as he slowed his hover bike to a stop. They all followed suit as they came up behind him.

Scott hopped off his bike and turned to the rest of them as they did the same. John and Alan climbed off their bikes, whilst Virgil helped Gordon hobble off theirs. He handed their brother his crutches, and then Scott watched as his brothers took in the surroundings he had led them to.

Red cliffs and caves surrounded them. The sun broke through the cracks above to provide enough light for them to work, but the shadows of the high rocks blocked off the potential heat of an afternoon in the desert.

"What are we doing here?" Alan was the first with the inevitable question.

Scott was expecting it, after all he had dragged them all out here without telling them what he had planned for the day.

"We came to Gran Roca Ranch to train, and that's what we're going to do."

"Yeah, but why are we here?" Alan gestured to the surrounding area. "We usually just use the training facilities."

"And why did I get dragged out here? I thought I was told 'no training allowed'." Gordon let go of one of his crutches to make air quotes with his hand.

"Yes, and you're not training, but you will be part of this exercise."

All of his brothers sent him a questioning look at that. Scott was slightly enjoying the suspense he was creating, but he knew he couldn't keep this up forever. They were here and his brothers were waiting for answers. It was time for Scott to reveal his plan for the day.

"I thought that today we could try more of a realistic training exercise. There are many scenarios where we'll have to rescue someone at the bottom of a cave or stuck in a crevice between cliffs." He gestured to the area surrounding them, which was a tall cave with ledges towering above creating cliffs around them. "I know we usually use a rescue dummy for things like this, but like I said, I want this to be realistic." Scott turned to his second youngest brother, who was watching him curiously like the rest of his brothers. "So, today we'll be using Gordon."

"What?" Gordon straightened, but didn't look angry, just confused.

On the other hand, Virgil didn't seem too pleased with his plan.

"Absolutely not." He stepped closer to Scott. "He only broke his leg a few days ago, he should be resting. I can't believe I even let you drag him out here."

"Uh, he is right here." Gordon shuffled forward so he was next to Virgil. "And he can speak for himself."

"Is this even necessary?" Alan piped up. "We do these sort of rescues all the time, why do we need to train for them?"

"Because it's never a bad idea to brush up on your skills. Besides, I don't always get the opportunity to observe you guys to see if you're doing everything you should. Plus, some of you may benefit from the retraining." Scott glanced briefly at John, which his brother likely noticed as he rolled his eyes. "Anyway, if you are as good at this as you think you are, then we should have no problem with using Gordon as our training dummy."

"Emphasis on the dummy," Alan snickered, and Gordon managed to give his brother a shove without losing balance on his crutches.

"I think it's a good idea." Gordon shrugged after Alan narrowly avoided crashing into the ground. "I get to sit and watch you guys work, I see no problem with that."

Scott grinned in relief. He wasn't going to make Gordon do this if he absolutely didn't want to, but he thought it was a good idea and he was pleased that he could go through with it. Still, there was also another brother that needed convincing.

Virgil still seemed unsure, but upon looking over their injured brother, and seeing Scott's hopeful gaze, he sighed.

"If Gordon is up for it, then fine," he eventually agreed, and Scott internally cheered. "But if you feel any discomfort or pain, or just feel tired then let me know, okay?" That part was directed at Gordon.

"Yes, Doc," Gordon groaned, but Scott could still see the smile on his face as he hobbled closer towards him. "So, where do you want me?"


Gordon didn't know what to expect when Scott had come to them that morning saying he had a training exercise ready, and that Gordon was needed.

Just a couple of days before their planned training break, Gordon had gone and gotten his leg broken on a rescue. He knew that meant no training for him now, but seeing as he would need this time to rest and recover, his family saw no reason with rescheduling the break.

The plan was for his brothers to get their annual training in, whilst Gordon took the time to start on his healing process and catch up on training at a later date. They had discussed whether he should come with them or stay on the island, or even go and visit Penelope, but the ranch won.

Firstly, because his family were worried about leaving him alone, probably in case he tripped down the stairs on his crutches and knocked himself out, unable to call for help.

Secondly, because Penelope was too busy with her work right now to offer up enough time to look after him.

And thirdly, because even if he couldn't participate in the physical training, he could still watch, observe and learn the theory.

They had only been at the ranch for a couple of days so far. In that time, his brothers had taken part in their training in the underground facility, where Gordon was forced to stay on the sidelines and watch. Honestly, he was pretty bummed at getting hurt right before this trip. It alway sucked when you couldn't take part.

Which is why he was happy to go along with Scott's plan, even if he did try to disguise his excitement. He thought that his brother only wanted to bring him out here to watch, not play an active part in their training.

He could understand why Virgil was hesitant, but he did worry too much. Like Alan said, this was something they did everyday. He trusted his brothers not to put him in harm, and he was looking forward to not sitting on his butt all day.

Scott had taken him to the base of a cliff, which was where he would be 'rescued' from. Apparently, Scott had already come out here and scoped the place out to work out where was best to conduct this exercise.

After Gordon had been told where to be, his brothers made their way up to the top of the cliff on their hover bikes, using a path that Scott had found, to save needing to climb and waste time.

Once Gordon was alone, he looked up at the cliff his brothers would soon be at the top of. He couldn't see the ledge, but it looked to be about as tall as Thunderbird 3, perhaps a tad shorter. It would take them a minute to get to the top, and then they would need to get their equipment set up before they would be coming for him, so he would be waiting a little while.

Might as well get in the spirit of a victim, he thought as he slumped down against the nearest wall, his injured leg laid out in front of him.

He wouldn't have admitted it to Virgil, but he was already feeling sore. He could tell this was going to be a long day, but he was sure the fun of it would outweigh the ache in his leg.

Before long, his brothers had announced to him that they were at the top and someone would soon be down to get him. Gordon had been given a comm so that they could still communicate with him, even if that part wasn't always realistic for a rescue. They didn't want to leave him all alone, just in case something did go wrong.

They were all going to take turns rescuing him, even Scott who would be assessing the rest of them.

"Alright, listen up, guys. We have someone who needs our help. They're stuck at the bottom of this cliff with a broken leg, so it's our job to rescue them."

Gordon chuckled as his brother's voice came through the comms. Scott liked to make these scenarios as real as possible, because out in the field it absolutely was real. Even though this was the opportunity to make mistakes, it was better to make as few as possible so they knew just where their faults would potentially be out in the field, so they could avoid them as best as possible.

"First up is Alan."

Gordon could hear the shuffling on the other end of the comms, and could picture what was going on. Alan would be getting the equipment together that he'd need, and he'd be doing so without the help of their brothers. Scott would be watching his every move, and would offer hints if it was needed or to avoid outright danger, but like Alan had said before, this was the sort of rescue they did all the time. He probably wouldn't need any help.

It wasn't long before Gordon heard Alan's voice calling out to him from on top of the cliff.

"This is International Rescue, I'm here to help. Just, uh, stay where you are and I'll get to you soon."

Gordon could hear the hesitation in his brother's voice, which was understandable when you were being watched by everybody else. He probably felt silly trying to be so serious when they all knew this wasn't real, especially being the first one up.

"I'll be waiting," Gordon called back with a smile. He was quite enjoying getting to sit this out, in a way at least. Although it wasn't fun not getting to join in properly, sometimes these training exercises could get boring.

From his spot at the bottom of the cliff face, he looked up and could see Alan as he started to make his descent. His brother was swift, which showed the experience he already had, and soon he had made it to Gordon's side.

"How're you feeling?" He asked as he unclipped his harness from the rope and came to crouch next to Gordon.

"Worse since you got here," he replied with a grin, which caused Alan to roll his eyes.

"Very funny." His brother then scanned his eyes over him like he would any other person on a rescue. "Well, I'm guessing from that cast on your leg, it's definitely broken. Can you stand?"

"Help me up?" Gordon raised his arms like a child and gave his brother his biggest eyes, which gained him his second eye roll of the day. Still, his brother hooked an arm under Gordon and helped him to his feet.

"You're loving this, aren't you?" Alan asked as he pulled out another harness.

"Yeah, I kinda am." And he was. It was the most he had done since getting hurt, and it was a nice distraction from the dull ache in his leg.

"I'm going to help you into this harness, and then we'll have you topside in a matter of minutes." Alan was getting a little more comfortable now, and less anxious of the fact he was being judged. Gordon liked to think he had a hand in easing his little brother.

Alan helped Gordon into a harness, and not before long had him attached to a line, ready to be winched up top.

"Alright, lets go, Dummy," Alan said as he clipped himself back in.

"Hey, you're getting points deducted because of that! Is that how you speak to someone in distress?" Gordon put a hand on his chest, pretending to be offended.

"You're hardly in distress, and you don't even get to choose how we're marked on this," he spoke as he double checked their locks were secure.

"Scott told me to let him know if I think anyone makes any mistakes. Besides, he's still listening," Gordon grinned when he knew he caught his brother out.

Alan's eyes widened like he'd forgotten that fact, and as if he was suddenly terrified of getting a worse mark than the rest of them, completed the rest of the rescue as swiftly and as professionally as he could. All without another insult to Gordon, even if Gordon did try to get a rise out of his brother on the way up.

"Well done, Alan." Scott patted his brother on the back once it was over and Gordon was reunited with his brothers. "You did everything by the book, and you were quick without rushing it. However, there is one thing you forgot to do."

"What was that?" Alan suddenly looked very worried, like this one fault was what stood between him passing this exercise.

"You didn't splint his leg, which you would have needed to do to avoid any further damage being caused on the way up. But I will let that pass, seeing as you did point out it was already in a cast. Just remember that won't typically be the case out in the field. Other than that, you did great."

Alan slumped in relief at finding out it was only a little mistake he made. Gordon knew that in a real situation Alan wouldn't make that mistake, and likely overlooked it this time as Gordon had already received the help he needed for his injury.

"Ready to head back down?" Scott turned to Gordon, who was quick to nod.

"Sure thing!" Gordon smiled, but from the corner of his eye he could see Virgil watching him, trying to find if anything was wrong with him. Gordon turned his smile to his brother to ease his worry and show that he was alright. One little exercise wasn't going to exhaust him or injure him further.


Next up was John. For someone who wasn't usually out in the field, he still knew everything that needed to be done. He asked Gordon all the right questions and did all the right checks, and was fast at it too.

When he had taken Gordon to the top, quicker than Alan had, Scott told him that he had also passed. Although, he wasn't free from his faults either.

He was marked down for his lack of compassion. Seemingly too caught up in doing everything by the book, he had forgotten to stop and comfort the victim. What he gained in speed, he lost in not checking on the mental wellbeing as well as the physical. Although in this case it was Gordon who didn't care, in a real situation the victim would be scared and anxious, and would need a smile and a few words to know that everything was going to be okay.


For Virgil, Gordon put on his most dramatic performance yet, just to annoy him. He really played the part of a distressed, panicky and simultaneously annoying victim. To his brother's credit, he barely batted an eye, whether that be because he was used to dealing with those types of victims, or he was just used to dealing with Gordon.

Still, even as Virgil thoroughly went through his checks, Gordon could see the smile that crept into the corner of his mouth and the lightness in the edge of his eyes. Even though Virgil was trying to stay professional, Gordon could tell it put his brother in a better mood, which eased his unnecessary worry towards Gordon.

He got a near perfect score, which wasn't surprising to any of them. Gordon was sure that Scott only gave him a negative so he had something to work towards and didn't get too complacent. The only thing he could have improved on was being a bit quicker, but the only reason he was longer was because he took his time to do extra tests, like checking Gordon for a concussion or any further injury.

Gordon had a slight suspicion that it wasn't just for the simulation, and he was genuinely checking Gordon over in case he was hiding something. If it made his brother feel better, then Gordon left him to it. Gordon didn't exactly make it easy for him, after all.


By the time Scott's turn came around, Gordon was starting to feel the effects of the long day. His leg was aching, and so was the rest of his body, and he was tired. But he knew he didn't have long until this exercise was over and he could take a break. He didn't want to be the one who got in the way because he needed a rest, and anyway, it wasn't like he was doing anything strenuous. He just had to sit at the bottom of a cliff for a little longer.


Scott could honestly say this exercise was going even better than he'd imagined. He was very pleased with himself for managing to come up with something that involved Gordon, so his brother didn't feel left out whilst he was recovering.

Although the training dummies were effective enough for these sorts of exercises, nothing beat the real thing. Replacing the dummy with Gordon was as close to the real thing he could think of that wasn't just straight up them heading out into the field, which would have defeated the point of this being 'training.'

Scott had carefully considered the order of which his brothers would be taking this little test in. He wanted who he considered the least experienced to go first, so that he could see how they would truly work in this condition without having picked up some tricks beforehand.

That is why Alan and John went first. Although Alan had done this sort of thing quite a bit, he still hadn't been out in the field as long as the rest of them. Even when he was, he was mostly up in space, where he was less likely to find someone trapped at the bottom of a crevice. John had been involved in International Rescue longer, but he wasn't as used to being on the physical side of things as he was from a viewing point far away.

Virgil went next so that their other brothers could now learn from him. Scott knew he would do well, and he wasn't wrong. It was honestly hard to find a fault in his work, and even what he did find was hardly a negative. Virgil was efficient, Scott gave him that. Even if Gordon tried to make it harder for him.

Once all his brothers had gone, it was Scott's turn. He left himself until last so that he had a chance to analyse all his brothers before he would have his go. He didn't worry about making any mistakes, he knew exactly what he was doing.

He had done this sort of rescue a million times already, and some of them had even been his little brother, so he had no worries about making any mistakes. This would give the rest of his brothers an opportunity to learn whilst giving Scott the chance to refresh his skills. It was going to be a breeze, and Scott was already looking forward to the lunch they were going to get soon after.

It didn't take him long to get down to Gordon, who seemed grateful to see him. Scott wouldn't be surprised if his brother was getting tired. It had been a long day, and even if Gordon hadn't been doing much himself, he had still been hiked up and down this cliff more than any of them. Plus, he was recovering from a broken leg, which was sure to take a lot out of him anyway.

That was why Scott picked up his pace just a little, so that this could be over with sooner. He got Gordon strapped up in a harness, and then they began their ascent.

Now, if Gordon hadn't been so tired he may have noticed Scott's mistake. And if Scott hadn't been so overconfident that he would do well, he might have noticed it too.

Scott was rushing and letting his arrogance get in the way of doing his thorough checks. Maybe there was also a voice in the back of his mind telling him to get the fastest time. Later, Scott wouldn't know what let him be so stupid.

Up on the side of the cliff, Scott didn't realise his mistake until it was too late.

For when he had strapped them in, he didn't double check the knots or clasps, so he didn't notice they were loose.

Without a worry, Scott took them up the side of the cliff. But when the rope lurched and they dropped a few inches, he stopped still. He looked over to see Gordon watching him with a worried glance.

That glance was the last thing he saw before he felt them abruptly plummet towards the ground.


Scott's head felt like it was trapped in a vice, whilst something continuously banged on the side of it. He would've given anything to have gone back to sleep, where he was free from the throbbing ache, but now he was awake, the pain was not letting him sleep anytime soon.

He let out a frustrated sigh, which came out more like a pained groan, and opened his eyes.

Which he immediately regretted. He was not expecting the bright light, nor the pain behind his eyes he'd receive upon opening them. He squeezed them shut a split second later, willing the new pain to go away.

"Scott?"

He heard movement and then steps approaching. He was tempted to open his eyes again, but remembered what good that did him, and decided to keep them sealed shut for now.

"Can you open your eyes for me? I've dimmed the lights." The voice was louder now, like they were right next to Scott.

He decided to trust them, and peeked his eyes open, slower this time to ease them into the light.

Just like they'd said, the room was much darker and gentler on his eyes. It was still bright enough to see the room around him, and it was no surprise that it was Virgil who stood next to his bed.

That was when Scott realised he was in a bed, he looked around just enough to realise he was not at the island, but in the ranch's infirmary. That wasn't much of a surprise with how much his head was hurting.

"What happened?" He grumbled, his mouth feeling a little dry.

"You were an idiot, is what happened," was all Virgil provided.

Scott frowned for a moment as he thought about what Virgil meant, but then the memory quickly hit him.

"Oh yeah."

He remembered the training exercise, and his idea to use his injured little brother as their rescue dummy.

"Gordon!" The thought of his brother had him shooting upright, which was a big mistake. Pain shot through his whole skull as a hand was placed on his shoulder.

"Don't try to sit up," Virgil coaxed him to lay back down, which Scott gladly complied to. "You hit your head pretty hard."

Scott closed his eyes again as he waited for the pain to subside back to the throbbing it was before. When it did, he looked around the room once more, now slower and without trying to move his head too much.

Gordon was laying on the bed next to him. His leg was still in a cast, but now he had an arm in a sling and a bandage around his head to accompany it. He was sleeping soundly, unaware that he was being watched.

The sight filled Scott with immense guilt. It was him who put their brother in here, even more injured than he already was. It was all his fault, and he should never have gone through with that training exercise.

"He woke up just a short while ago," Virgil said as Scott's eyes never left their brother.

"He's going to be okay, Scott." Scott felt the squeeze of his shoulder where Virgil's hand still sat. "Although, you probably set him back in his recovery a little while, but now you're in it together. You're matching."

Scott eventually tore his eyes away to shoot Virgil a questioning gaze, trying to understand what he meant. His eyes followed his brother's to his legs, to find one of them wrapped in a cast.

Scott groaned, and would have flopped his head back against the pillow if it wasn't already sunken into the soft cloud.

"I really was such an idiot," Scott spoke to the ceiling, not wanting to look at Virgil. "Why did I think that would be a good idea? He was already injured, I should have just let him rest, even if he did complain about being bored."

"Yeah, maybe you shouldn't have gone through with it."

From the corner of his eye, Scott saw Virgil sit down in the seat next to him.

"But we were all there, and none of us stopped you. We all took part, so if anything we were all the idiots."

Scott let out a soft chuckle as he thought about his brother's words, and looked away from the dim fluorescent lights above to his brother.

"Dummies, more like."

Virgil laughed, and it eased Scott's worry just a little.

"Yeah, dummies."