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Thank you to the new follows and your reviews including Poke-ranger21. I hope you all enjoy this next update. I'm trying to keep to my routine updating wise but work is really picking up so apologies if its a little delayed from now on.
Virgil was in a secret hanger in the Mojave Desert. It was one of Tracy industries little known satellite sites where they usually engineered the top classified aerospace technology for the US Government and other government bodies from across the globe. Scott always referred to it as the Tracy equivalent of area 51, the security could certainly rival the infamous USAF base of old. After all; their father was brought up on the stories of the base in his early USAF days so it was very similar in design - Jeff had a keen interest in avionic military history. The Tracy version was simply known as the 'distribution centre' to the outside world.
Virgil strolled down the corridor to the large door that clearly stated Authorised Personnel Only in bold black capitals. Virgil scanned his ID before then placing his palm on the reader. Then he bent down to the screen's level for the retina scan. The screen flashed green with access granted and a whoosh of the door opening. He walked into the hanger. Virgil grabbed the tablet that was stored on the door pillar to the left before walking across the metal suspended platform high above the hanger floor. His footsteps resonated through the cavernous space. He flicked through; the assembly was complete as of yesterday which meant today was the final phase of checks before international rescue's newest craft could be signed off. It had been three weeks since Gordon's accident, he was still in a coma. Jeff had moved to the mainland temporarily so he could monitor Gordon's condition, Virgil visited as much as he could but he hated the sitting around and waiting. There was no guarantee his little brother would wake up and it filled him with terrible sense dread that made him feel sick. He just couldn't cope with seeing Gordon so…so lifeless and broken. He hated feeling so helpless. There was nothing he could do for his brother but he could for his father. With Scott still on tour, second in command naturally fell to Virgil. Virgil had offered to oversee the management of the company and IR so his father could concentrate on Gordon. Jeff was incredibly grateful. They had a tight deadline to the launch of IR and both were loath to delay it. The longer they took the more people went unsaved. Virgil knew Gordon would want them to continue regardless, so that's just what they would do.
The last space craft and the satellite were the easiest to engineer out of the lot; after all this was his father's trade and something he had passed on to Virgil. Jeff Tracy's now billionaire status was thanks to his cutting-edge design and ingenuity when it came to space technology. It really hadn't been difficult to complete these two final vital components that would complete international rescue. Virgil tucked the tablet in his breast pocket of his overalls before stretching his arms out on the railings to admire his and Brains' handiwork; all eighty-seven glorious meters of her. Virgil was halfway up and still had to strain his neck to see the top of her. She was a SSTO (Single Stage to Orbit) spacecraft capable of speeds of just over twenty-five thousand miles per hour making her the fastest spacecraft in existence. Perfect for deep space rescue. Chemical rockets to fire her to launch from a vertical position and an ion drive for propulsion in space. She was quite simply a breathtakingly stunning feat of engineering but not as good as his girl back home. His aircraft was a masterpiece of visionary engineering and completely unique.
"I – I'm s-s-till not sold on the err, red." Brains was referring to the British post box pillar red that the entire rocket was painted in.
"Alan wanted a red Ferrari but dad said no because it was too fast and flamboyant for an eighteen-year-old. So, this is Alan's little joke, Ferrari was a no. The fastest red rocket to have ever existed? At the tender age of 18? Alright son, why not?" Virgil gesticulated at the craft. "You have to admit it is very Alan."
Brains nodded. It was. They headed to the lift in companionable silence. Brains was desperate to ask about Gordon but he didn't want to upset Virgil. He could see although he seemed to be in good humor it was taxing him with the effort. He was obviously trying hard to remain strong for his father but Brains could see the taught line of his shoulders, the tense neck and the smiles that didn't quite reach his eyes in the way they usually did. Virgil was always the quiet and studious one in comparison to his more outgoing brothers (well except maybe John). Brains really hoped Gordon pulled through, for all their sakes. The Tracy's had suffered enough tragedy to last a lifetime.
The lift rocked to a stop at the bottom floor before Brains and Virgil strode across the expanse of the hanger and into another circular caged elevator. Virgil depressed the button and they shot upwards into the centre of the rocket at considerable speed. When the cage opened, they found themselves in the take off lounge. It was a circular room with four large leather seats with harnesses. Part of the wall was covered in red padded leather the rest was a plain grey colour. There was one console and small chair in the corner. There wasn't a lot else in the room as it was simply the area where the pilots would remain seated for the duration of lift off. Once out of the earth's atmosphere they would then get up and head to the control room. Virgil pushed a button at waist level to reveal a small one-person elevator, he stepped in and went up first before sending the lift back down for Brains.
The control room had mellow yellow walls and a red circular port cover. There was a raised platform on which two red swivel chairs sat in front of a large console. There was a small L-shaped desk cut into the console, several leavers were located on the large arms to the left and right of the chairs. Brains' pulled out his checklist, he preferred a good old proper hard copy. He pushed his thick rimmed glasses up his nose as he began to systematically check off his action points. Him and Virgil took a side of the console each and tested each function looking for any obvious fault codes or poor connections. Virgil was concentrating on checking the current and electrics under the desk which had yet to be secured away. They worked in silence each intent on their own tasks, they couldn't afford to get this wrong.
They must have been working for about twenty minutes when Virgil's phone suddenly buzzed to the tune of Beethoven's Fur Elise. He dropped the voltage and continuity tester and arched his back lifting his torso off the floor so he could grab the phone from his back pocket. He was having all calls diverted from the island to him to save his father having to deal with them. He answered it without looking still intent on pushing a tested wire back into position. "Hello; this is Virgil Tracy speaking, how can I be of assistance?"
"Virg?" A surprised voice exclaimed.
"Scott!" Cried Virgil equally shocked. Shit! Dad's not been able to get through to tell him about Gordon yet. Oh god! How do I tell him? Brains gave him a worried look under the desk. Virgil shrugged back.
"Hey, Buddy long time no speak. It's good to hear your voice. I've missed you all." Scott sounded worn despite his cheery attitude.
"We've missed you too, what happened? We haven't been able to make contact for a while. Dad has been trying daily."
"Ah, I was on a classified mission I couldn't give you any forewarning I'm afraid but the good news is its over and for now I remain at base conducting some administrative duties."
"You're not hurt, again are you?" His brother was typically still actively flying and commanding squadrons from the air, admin was rare for him.
"No, I'm not hurt. Just got assigned to admin on this occasion, its not uncommon after numerous combat and reconnaissance missions." Virgil had now extracted himself from beneath the desk and sat in one of the chairs. Brains had left after signalling to Virgil that he would give him some privacy.
"Ok good…. well I'm glad your ok. It sure would be nice to have you home soon."
"I know, I can't wait. Especially now home involves a tropical climate and pina coldas."
Virgil chuckled. "No pina coldas; we've not created the mini bar yet, its just the usual whisky or a pale ale if you're lucky I'm afraid."
"Hey don't knock the whisky! I'm quite looking forward to the Woodford reserve double oaked that dad's been stashing." Virgil could imagine Scott with his lips quirked in a playful smile. He didn't want to be the one to spoil that. Maybe he could say he was busy and ask Scott to call back but what if Scott wasn't free for another month to call? He twitched his foot against the floor nervously. "So, what have you all been up to? Have I missed anything; I'm assuming Dad's around somewhere?" Damn! I'm going to have to tell him, if I mention dad wants to talk to him, he'll know somethings up.
"Virgil?" Scott enquired at the lengthy silence.
"Well Alan and John are on the survival training exam at the moment and Brains and I are just testing the third vehicle, you know that special one we're designing."
"Oh wow! I forgot the lads were on the training together, god I'd love to be a fly on the wall for that one. I wonder if they've throttled each other yet?"
"Not as far as I am aware. You know we don't always need our big brother to split us up, we are very good at defending ourselves." Scott chuckled that was very true. Alan could be very masterful with his insults; John had the cold shoulder treatment perfected and Virgil was so amicable he could pacify his way out of most situations. Gordon was a runner or a joker depending on what he thought his chances were at the time. "How has the project gone?"
"Yep, really well. Just swell actually. Should be ready to test next week." Virgil tried to keep his voice calm.
"What about Gordon have you heard from him? I've tried calling him a couple of times since I got back and I haven't heard a thing." Scott wasn't too concerned; it could be hard for them both to catch each other with what they did for a living.
"Well that's why dad was trying to contact you." The sweat from Virgil's hands was making the phone slip in his grasp. His voice took on a pitch that was out of character for his usual harmonious tones.
"What's wrong?" Scott's voice lost its soft good-natured vibe and became all business. He leant forwards on his bed ignoring his protesting back.
"Oh Scott, I really don't know how to tell you this. Dad wanted to tell you but he just couldn't get hold of you. Scott are you sitting down?"
"Yes, just tell me dammit! What's happened to him?" A hundred and one scenarios flooded his mind each worse than the last. His brother was on deployment something bad must have happened.
Virgil took a dep breath. "Gordon had an accident, he was testing a new hydrofoil research yacht for W.A.S.P it….. well…. it suffered a mechanical failure and it exploded with Gordon onboard." A sharp intake of breath at the end of the phone. "He's alive but badly injured and in a coma. He has been for three weeks now. Father is with him. I'm so sorry Scott we wanted you to know straight away." There was a clatter on the line.
"Scott! Scott are you there?" Virgil stood up panicked.
Scott grabbed his smashed phone from the floor. "Yeah, I'm here" he replied hoarsely. "When you say badly injured in what way?" Scott was reeling on his knees, the broken screen of his phone slicing his fingers as he gripped onto it harder. Droplets of blood began to smear the phone; he didn't even register the pain.
"At the moment, they don't know the extent of the long-term prognosis but he broke his spine in two places, he's paralysed Scott." A small sob escaped Virgil. He'd tried to be strong but this was his eldest brother, Virgil had always let down his guard and confided in him. He couldn't hide it. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes.
Scott's hand flew to his mouth, he rocked back on his heels and collapsed backwards sprawling against the bed frame. It was far worse than he could have ever comprehended. Poor Gordon, if the kid woke up, he was going to be devastated. "Has he shown any signs of waking?" Scott voice was surprisingly strong despite the news he'd just received.
"Not yet, his vitals are stable but he's still on a ventilator in ICU. The swelling is much reduced so the doctors said if we are to see anything it will likely be in the next few weeks."
"How's dad taking it?" Scott was worried this would tip him over the edge again.
"As well as can be expected. I was worried, its so close to the anniversary of mom and grandpa's death but he seems to be holding it together for now. I think because he's holding onto the fact that Gordon is still alive which compared to last time…." Virgil sighed. "I guess he's focusing so hard on ensuring Gordon has the very best treatment he still feels he can achieve something and it gives him hope. I took over the company and IR for him so he can just focus on Gordon."
"And the others?"
"Not great, they didn't know straight away either as they were on the survival exam, dad didn't want to pull them out when it's so crucial to their course. Alan was angry at being told late at first, John's become insular again and is throwing himself into his studies but summer break is coming up. They will be coming back to the island. Grandma is coming too."
"Ok, well hold tight Virgil. I'm in a bit of a bind. All leave has been suspended because we are on high alert but I will do my best to get there just as soon as I can. Hang in there Virg, sounds like you are doing a swell job holding the fort. I'm really proud of you."
"Thank you, that means a lot, it hasn't been easy. I don't know how you coped so well after Mom and Grandpa and then with father missing." Virgil was amazed but at the same time worried. Scott had an unhealthy tendency of bottling his emotions. He didn't believe in talking things through with someone or crying publicly.
"Trust me, keeping myself busy and on task was key, making sure I was there to support you all. It helped. A lot." Scott paused. "Can you do me a favour? Even if I can't answer the phone can you just leave me a short message each day to update me on Gordon's condition or message me?"
"Of course, I will! Please be careful Scott and take some time to yourself. Go talk to someone if you can or I'm always here, you know that don't you?"
"I do but don't worry about me, I'll get by. I always do. Say hi to everyone for me... including Gordon and tell dad I'll try and get back soon. Where's Gordon being treated?
"The W.A.S.P rehab facility in Sydney."
"Good, that place is one of the best military hospitals internationally – he couldn't be in a better place."
"That's what father said."
"Well I've got to go I'm being hailed. Chin up and look after yourself Virgil, you need me you call ok? doesn't matter what hour and I'll get back to you as soon as I can."
"Thank you, I will. Bye Scott"
"Bye Virgil."
Virgil held onto the phone as Scott severed the call. His buried his face in his hands and tried not to cry, a tiny lone figure in the large spacecraft.