Gia's P.O.V.
We got in contact with Colonel Casey as soon as I transmitted the data from my laptop to Thunderbird 5. With me and John communicating via hologram from our respected places, Scott started to speak with Colonel Casey, "It has to be the Hood, there is no other explanation" he explained, "Gia's voice recognition proves it"
"Scott" Colonel Casey said firmly, "Even if that was him, we can't just go off and chase random leads from an untested program. And as far as Global Défense is concerned the Hood is nothing but a phantom"
"So, what do you suggest, Colonel Casey, we sit around and do nothing" Virgil asked.
"You'll do what International Rescue does best Virgil, help people in trouble. We'll bring him to justice" Colonel Casey replied before ending the call.
"They don't stand a chance, do they?" Gordon asked Scott.
"They definitely don't stand a chance. I've looked at how the GDF handle things and lest just say, they are less organised than RAF cadets. And that is putting it mildly" I added, whilst checking my phone.
"If devices like these are causing earthquakes, we'll find a way to shut them down" Scott said, getting up from his seat.
"We still don't even know what we are even dealing with here" Virgil stated, trying to stop Scott from doing anything rash.
"I can give you a pretty good idea" John said, pulling up a map of the world. I couldn't help but keep quiet, fiddling with my hand to keep myself calm, "Seismic activity has been steadily growing since the last quake and is steadily growing since the first quake and it is spreading north along the pacific plate. This is a global catastrophe in the making"
"I think my return to island might have to be delayed boys" I said after receiving a text from the UN to come to an emergency meeting at once, "I am needed at the UN right away." They nodded, knowing my work would keep me away a little longer than expected. I could hear the vibrations of a quake from the island over the communication.
"Do you feel that. Its another quake" Scott said looking around.
"I'm receiving hundreds of distress calls from the southern pacific rim" John informed us.
"And on that note, I best get to my meeting" I said ending the call with them. I sighed and shock my head in disbelief at what I had just seen and heard. The Hood was once again getting away with murder, whist innocent people got hurt. I quickly freshened up and got a taxi to the UN building.
Scott's P.O.V.
I don't remember the last time Gia stressed out like she had just then. I don't think the others even noticed it, but I did. The only time she as ever been like this is when we lost Dad and she lost her parents. Mabey, she fears for our safety because she knows first-hand what people like the Hood can do and how it affects people. She was caught off guard by what Colonel Casey said and maybe she is right about how the GDF handle things. Now getting back to the people that need our help.
"Tell us where you need us Thunderbird 5" I asked my brother.
Gia's P.O.V.
My taxi had gotten me to the United Nations as fast as it could considering the amount of traffic that the morning rush had. To very little surprise of mine the press and news reporters were waiting outside for me to arrive. Once again, they showed little interest in the ambassadors that were entering the building, they all just wanted to find out what was going on and what International Rescue were doing about it. Thankfully, security was there to do their job and make sure I didn't get trampled. "Miss Ashworth, what are International Rescue doing about these earthquakes?" One reporter asked.
"Is there a way to stop these earthquakes" another asked trying to get their Dictaphone in my face.
"I will tell you what I know as of now. International Rescue are doing everything they can to help those who are in need of rescuing and they are working with local authorities and the GDF to do whatever they can" I said, but my effort to give them what they want only lead to more questions. The sectary for the head of the UN came out and headed to me.
"Miss, they need you inside at once" He said, keeping his voice down, "There has been a development" I looked at him in disbelief and got inside to the assembly hall immediately and took my place facing roughly 200 ambassadors and representatives. The head turned on the hologram projector in the centre of the room only to show the face that had recently reappeared after becoming what the GDF call a 'phantom'.
"People of Earth, you have seen the power I command. My demands are simple. I require three perfect spheres of dithulium alloy, an island above the 33suprd/sup parallel and the world council will deliver the Thunderbirds to me. All of them, before this day is done" I saw nothing but shocked, desperate stunned faces across the room. "Fulfil my requests and the earthquakes will stop. Ignore them and the suffering will see no end" before cutting hastily again. An uproar arose in the room.
"Give him what he wants" yelled a representative from England.
"Let the suffering end" Yelled the ambassador from Argentina. The head of the UN couldn't believe what was going on. After everything International Rescue had done for our planet, most of the people in the room were ready to through them under the bus.
"Mr. Jones, may I suggest we have everyone discuss with their countries leader for the best coarse of action so we can talk with the proper people about getting the other two requests, at least" I asked him since he was head of the UN.
"Excellent idea" He agreed with me, "Now please may you get everyone to be quite for just a moment"
"Sure, just cover your ears" I reminded him and those who were near me who have learned from the past to cover their ears. I whistled as loud as I could getting everyone to stop talking for a moment.
"Thank you, Miss Ashworth. Representatives and ambassadors please can you take a moment to contact your countries leaders to get their say on the matter at hand" Mutters started to emerge from the ambassadors and representatives, "Before you all protest, I need to get conformation about what to do with the demands from the GDF"
With that being said I made my exit for a secluded meeting room across from to get in contact with John to try and find out what progress they may of made on the earthquake machines. "John are you there" I asked.
"I hear you loud and clear Gia, what do you need" He asked.
"I need an update on what is going on. Over half the people in that room are prepared to through International rescue under the bus right now" I stated trying to stay calm, hoping for some good news.
"Well thankfully I do" He said. I took a deep sigh of relief, "We found a way to shut the devices down"
"Thank the San Andreas fault line, so how do we stop them and catch the Hood" I asked looking more relieved than I had for most of the day.
"There is a satellite linking the devices together, over 500 of them" He stated, "Alan and Kayo have already gone up in Thunderbird 3 to attach a bypass module, so we will have control of the devices"
"John that is the best news I've heard all day" I responded smiling, "About stopping the Hood I mean" John couldn't help but smile back.
"That's not all, when the Hood checks in on the satellite, we will have his exact location" John continued. Before I could even answer there was a knock at the door.
"John, see if you can get Lady P to try and by you some time, I don't think the ambassadors and representatives will be easily persuaded by what I have to say" I asked before ending the call suddenly. "Come in" I asked, only to see the ambassador from Taiwan come in, "Ambassador Loa, is there anything I can do for you"
"I was coming to see if you were alright Miss Ashworth" Ambassador Loa asked, genuinely concerned for my wellbeing, "You seem more distracted now compared to how you were this morning" He walked over and sat in the chair next to mine.
"Well, its not every day you find out that someone who has hurt your family has returned after six years, trying to ruin everything they have worked so hard for and tarnish the memory of a loved one" I explained. I was never this open about anything like this to any ambassador that I met, but this was the first time I had met someone who I work with being concerned about me.
"I can't imagine what you must be going through, but I hope this can be resolved soon" Mr. Loa reassured me in a way I hadn't felt in a long time.
"We should get back to the meeting. I'm pretty sure these discussions are going to go into the night" I joked.
"Well I just wanted to see if you knew what was going on with the solar collector in Taipei. My family said that International Rescue were there" Mr. Loa asked.
"I am sorry but I wasn't aware that International Rescue was in Taiwan, but as soon as this meeting is over I can try and get you an update" I responded, trying to hide my shock at the fact that John didn't inform me of what was going on. Before Mr. Loa could reply one of the other ambassadors came in.
"Miss Ashworth, Ambassador Loa the meeting is now resuming. So please make your way back into the hall" The ambassador asked us, and we exited the room and hurried inside the assembly hall. To my surprise everyone was quite. I definitely don't remember the last time it was this silent.
"Miss Ashworth do you have any updates regarding what International Rescue are doing with this situation" Mr. Jones asked whilst keeping a firm look on the audience to try and keep the quite.
"Yes I do" I said walking up to the projector and bringing up a map that had the locations of the earthquakes, "These are the locations of the devices that are causing the earthquakes along the ring of fire. I have just been told by Thunderbird 5 that they have found a way to stop the devices and end this catastrophe" The room was silent for a moment before my phone went off. "And I have just been informed that the earthquake machines have been deactivated and the GDF have gone to catch the person responsible for this." Cheers erupted from the room. It was once again a privilege to give the world good news with disasters like this.
"Thank you, Miss Ashworth, for that outstanding news. We will have a meeting in a weeks' time to discuss what to do to help the countries affected" Mr. Jones stated. Everyone started to exit the assembly hall and I started to look for Mr. Loa to tell him what happened at the solar collector.
"Ambassador Loa" I called out, locating him in the crowd, "I thought you would like to know that all of the engineer's that were working at the solar collector got out a little shaken but unscathed"
"Miss Ashworth, that is most grateful of you to get that information for me, my cousin works there you see and…" Mr. Loa started.
"You were concerned about a family member that is very dear to you" I finished.
"How do you know that?" He asked.
"Because I am in that exact same position you were in everyday, when the Thunderbirds answer any rescue call I know their lives are on the line and I don't know if I will ever see them again" I answered. Mr. Loa expression couldn't agree more with what I said. I called for a taxi and headed back to my hotel room and not getting swarmed by reporters was a bonus. I got changed into more casual clothes, a white and grey striped shirt that hung over my shoulders with a silver skirt and white and silver sandals. Finally relaxing after a most stressful two days. But before I even had the chance, my phone went off. The boys were calling me, "This better be good you lot because I have had a stressful day" And by the looks on their faces, Grandma must have been cooking again. "Pizza, Italian or Chinese?" I asked Scott, Virgil, Gordon, and Alan.
"Pizza" They said simultaneously. I couldn't help but shake my head and laugh.
"What did Grandma cook this time?" I asked.
"Meatloaf surprise" Gordon replied. I shuddered at the thought alone.
"Are Kayo and Brains joining us or did you pull the 'we need to do a rescue' card on her" I stated, they just looked at me, "Fine, your all off the hook, this time" I scolded the boys, "And Scott what in the world gave you the idea to use Thunderbird 1 as a surfboard"
"How did you find out?" He asked.
"Its all over the internet" I told him. I noticed Gordon and Alan looking at something on the screen.
"He's not the only one, some ambassador gave a speech about you today" Gordon piped up. My cheeks went bright red and that was only when I was embarrassed.
"It must have been Ambassador Loa from Taiwan" I responded. They all gave me a look of confusion, "You meet a lot of people when you do what I do" We couldn't all but laugh. "See you lot at Joe's Pizza in an hour"
"FAB Gia" They all said. I went to my balcony to watch the sunset on the city, looking at my family hier loom like I had done only when I knew everything would turn out all right.
Author's Notes:
Gia's family heirloom is the necklace I have used for the cover picture. Any artwork that I will do for this story will be posted on my Instagram accout, eliseleigh2019, and please keep reviewing.
