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reminder: disclaimer i don't own thunderbirds. Apologies for the delayed update once again and thank you for the continued follows, favourites and likes i've really enjoyed writing this story so its nice to know that some of you like it too :-)
The boys were lined up for inspection in front of Jeff's desk where he was walking in front of them, appraising their uniform. Scott and Gordon were stood to full regimented attention. The others were a bit slack for Jeff's standards but not horrendously, they still faced forwards with chin up and looking straight ahead. He couldn't be too hard on them after all, not all of them were military trained. They were in their new uniforms which were a dark sky blue in colour with a coloured sash and boot tops that differed for each of them. John's was lilac, Scott's was a light blue, Virgil's a pastel yellow, Alan's an off white and Gordon's orange. Having secret identities meant that they would need a simple way for other emergency services/ agencies they would be working with to identify them. If someone was to say they'd seen the man in orange for example it would be easy for them to know which one of the brothers was being referred to. The uniform was completed with a garrison gap with a black oval at the front with the letters IR emblazoned in sliver. The IR logo of a helping hand across the globe was imprinted on their sashes that also doubled up as a utility belt and a holster. Jeff was impressed; they did smarten up well when they put their mind to it.
"At ease boys, very well turned out. The uniform gives the air of professionalism that we are looking for. I think it's time to take some photos."
"Jefferson Tracy! Where is your uniform?" His mother piped up from her armchair where she had been quietly watching the proceedings. This was a very proud moment for her. "I made one for you too."
"Mother, I don't need one. I'm the head of operations and I'm not going to be seen. I'm too famous to be able to maintain a secret identity."
"Why don't you humor me son? I want to see you in uniform with the boys. Its laid out on your bed ready." The boys tried not to snigger; Alan's lips quirked upwards as he desperately tried not to make eye contact with anyone, especially his father. Jeff sighed exasperated. "Very well mother." With that he took himself off to get changed. Grandma went to find Kyrano and Brains so they could see the boys in their finery.
"I just don't get it. Why do we have to have photos when we're meant to be a secret organisation? Isn't it a bit pointless?" Alan complained.
"Pack it in Alan, you know how much this means to dad." Scott frowned at him, exasperated at his immaturity once again.
"I don't know why your moaning; your usually pretty adept when it comes to posing." Gordon quipped.
Virgil laughed out loud whilst John almost lost his drink down his front. Scott smirked, eyes twinkling in merriment. Alan positively glowered at Gordon and the others. Gordon decided to rescue the situation by adding; "Anyway, Tin's home soon - don't you want a picture for her to remember you by when you're in space? Girls dig a man in uniform right?" Gordon batted his eyelids at him, just as their father re-entered the room. Scott could see the cogs turning in Alan's head as his face suddenly softened and he became more compliant. Gordon had always had a knack for knowing how to handle Alan's outbursts by playing to his motivations. It was a devious talent Scott reflected but a talent non the less.
"No fair! She gave you a gold one!" Gordon exclaimed, referring to his dad's sash.
"It's to signal rank." Scott replied.
"looking good dad" Virgil added.
Jeff smiled. Grandma had come back in with Kyrano and Brains. She had a camera in her hand. "Right; come on boys line up and let's get some pictures of you all." Grandma shooed them into place.
They stood smiling as she took a picture, after a few seconds they noticed she appeared to be having trouble. "Grandma are you ok?" John asked.
"Damn new-fangled thing. Why can't it just be one button?" She peered at it over her glasses in frustration.
John stepped out and towards her to help her out. "It is just one button Grandma." John came up behind her shoulder and held on the camera to show her the settings. "Oh, I see, well they could have made that more obvious." He shook his head and smiled over her shoulder across to his brothers who were grinning back. He stepped back into place and this time the photos were taken successfully. "Gordon Tracy!" She scolded at one point as he held his fingers up behind Virgil's head and pulled a face. Virgil looked around at him suspiciously as Jeff leaned around to frown at Gordon as he wiped the expression off his face into one that could resemble innocence. Eventually they had one of just the boys, one with Jeff and finally one with Brains, Kyrano and Grandma with them all.
It was only then their attention was drawn to the portraits by Virgil who stepped over to one of the yellow sofas. "If I may have your attention, I can now show you what I have been working on. At the moment these portraits are the ones our mother digitally rendered which will be part of what I'm calling operation cover-up. I'm now happy to unveil my versions."
"What do you mean son?"
"Brains and I have been working on the portraits together so I could install these for operational use." At a flick of a button (concealed in the edge of the sofa) the pictures started to roll up. They all watched surprised as an identical portrait came into view that depicted them in their respective uniforms. "Cool!" Alan responded surprised. Scott was gobsmacked, they were stunningly detailed, they looked like photographs. "Virgil these are outstanding."
"You certainly have your mother's talent, thank you Virgil they are perfect." Jeff placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled warmly.
"Thanks father, it took me over ten months to design them once I knew grandma's plans for the uniform."
I also created this too. He pulled the sheet off to unveil a portrait over the other side of the lounge. It depicted a beautiful blonde woman with a shoulder length bob and a white clasp in her hair to match her crisp white jacket. Her cobalt eyes were framed with long black lashes and her lips were a dusty pink. She wore one statement piece of jewelry in the form of a pink pearl necklace. It depicted their newly recruited London agent. "She's our main operative so Brains and I figured she ought to have a portrait so we can communicate with her easily." Virgil tried not to blush as his father scrutinized him. Jeff had a sneaky suspicion that his son was quite taken with her but he knew Penny was a mature and responsible women so there was nothing to worry about at this stage.
They all took a minute to admire the portraits.
"Well, I guess it's time I get going." John shouldered a bag and turned back to look at his family.
"Are you sure son? a couple of more days won't hurt until our official launch. I know you only came back three weeks ago."
"It's ok father, I'm going to head up to double check the communications and radio transmission software are fully functioning. There's a couple of updates I want to install too while I'm at it." John was already double checking the software he needed had downloaded onto his tablet.
"Alright, Scott and Alan can give you a lift and make sure your happy with everything up there."
"Yes Sir" Scott replied as he sat on the couch. Alan took his place next to him trying to not look too ecstatic at an opportunity to get to take his bird out for a run. John hugged his grandma before getting clapped on the back by Gordon "See you in month buddy."
"Good luck John, you'll be the first one of us to be operational!" Virgil pulled him into a hug in which John tried not to look stifled; hugging was really not his thing, only reserved for his grandmother and his mother once upon a time. His brothers knew this and they pushed his limits for all it was worth. Virgil, he didn't mind so much, he always kept it brief.
"G-g-good luck John. C-all me to let me know how the updates go and I'll check it f-from my end here t-too."
"I will, see you soon Brains, I expect to resume that chess torment when I return."
"Oh, we w-will you won on an - ah m-minor technically, if I remember."
"You keep telling yourself that my friend."
John laughed at Brain's expression.
Kyrano came forward. "Goodbye Mister John, don't get too lost in space; there is beauty to behold here too."
"Don't I know it, just look at where we live! Give my regards to Tin-Tin, I'm sorry I'll miss her return from university and her trip next week. Tell her I look forward to hearing all about it when she comes home."
"I will" Kyrano stepped back to allow Jeff to say goodbye.
Jeff placed both his hands-on Johns shoulders at arm's length. "You call every day to let us know how you are and if you need anything just tell me. I know this is a huge sacrifice to ask of you John but thunderbird 5 is the heart of our operation."
"I will, honestly dad, its fine. I have plenty to be doing up there for now and I've never been a socialite anyway. I'm much happier in my own personal space, especially in space! I plan on making several discoveries and documenting them while I'm there. I have a journal on nebulae to complete too - as well as doing the day job of course." He winked and smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes. His mind was playing over the tough goodbye to Chloe three weeks before, he was sacrificing a lot, more than perhaps his family would ever guess… but he was young and he figured he still had time for relationships in the future. Right now he could make a difference to hundreds of people, he could literally be that connection between life or death and if that meant that another person made it home to their family at the end of the day then that's what he would do because no one should have to endure the premature loss of a mother, daughter, father or son. Of a family member never coming home, not like they had. If there had been a rescue organisation like this in place over eighteen months ago his grandpa and mother might still be here.
Jeff smiled back. "Well then I look forward to seeing you a month from now. Good luck up there son."
"Thanks dad" he took his place in the middle of Scott and Alan who all waved as the couch disappeared into the floor below.
Gordon started to move towards the door that led out onto the villa. "Where are you going? They're about to launch!" Called Jeff out the door.
Gordon leaned his head back around. "Exactly! They're about to launch! I've not seen three go out yet so I'm nipping over to the roundhouse. I want prime seats!" he dashed off as fast as he was able to with his awkward gait. Jeff sent Virgil after him "Let me know when you get there safe."
"Sure thing."
It was good to have Gordon home again even if it did mean his stress levels rose at the mere sight of the redhead. Yes, he did bother him sometimes (Usually at the most inopportune of moments) but he wouldn't have it any other way. He was his son and he loved him dearly, as he did all of them. Since his accident Jeff had been a lot more lenient with Gordon.
Jeff sat at the desk and waited for Alan to call in. Grandma had sat back in the armchair with Brains sat in the other next to her. Kyrano had brought in some hot drinks before taking a seat of his own. "This is Thunderbird 3 requesting permission to launch."
"We're here father." Virgil's voice cut in on the other transmission.
"Thanks Virgil"
Jeff switched back to Alan.
"Permission granted. Prepare to launch in 5,4,3,2,1!
TB3 bolted out of the roundhouse and cleared the island in seconds. Jeff sat back satisfied. This time in two days they would be classed as fully operational. It was just a case of waiting for the first rescue call to come in. All his and his families hard work was coming together at last.