61
Warning long chapter but hopefully worth it! This chapter depicts the episode trapped in the sky with some of the dialogue direct from the show (the comic follows this episode too.) so as ever I don't own thunderbirds and this is entirely for fan enjoyment only!
Concealed deep in the heart of the Malaysian jungle was a large temple covered in vines and lush undergrowth. The square stones rounded with age, some crumbling from erosion. Inside the base of the temple was a cavernous chamber split off into different sections by beaded curtains. There were several ornate bronze and brass statues depicting deities and idols mounted on large stone plinths. Behind the curtain stood the Hood, surveying a brass statue in the likeness of his brother Kyrano. He stared angrily at the statue. His brother had been getting stronger and stronger learning to resist his power. It didn't help he was so far away now and with his location unknown, it made it much harder to focus on invading Kyrano's mind, especially not being able to use physical contact. He still had some control through by focusing his power through the inanimate object in front of him, which operated very much like a voodoo doll. The statue contained Kyrano's DNA in the form of his hairs. It allowed the Hood to connect with his brother still.
Before his dear brother had departed with Jeff Tracy, he had bugged the house and discovered Tracy's plans to front a secret rescue organisation with technology of which had never been seen before. This had led him to heading to America to discover more about Tracy industries, through talking to the right people he had been able to infiltrate the operational warehouse and see the early development of the rocket before he had been discovered. Then Virgil Tracy had arrived and the Hood had not been able to get back in with the added bio-metric security. He had seen enough to realise this technology was far superior to any weapons deals he had a hand in previously. People would pay serious money for this; he may even keep the technology and use it in his advancement to become one of the most powerful men on the Earth. Jeff Tracy had stolen his brother away from him and his niece! How dare he take his family away from him! Since shutting down Kyrano's accounts and renewing his IDs all of Kyrano's remaining assets had been liquated overnight and the funds depleted. It was a heavy blow and one that the Hood was seeking retribution for.
Jeff sat on the edge of his desk, letter in hand. Kyrano stood a short distance from him. "According to this letter Tin-Tin has completed her tour of Europe and will be on the first flight home this Friday. London to Tokyo on the new atomic powered Fireflash. That's some aircraft! she's lucky to get to experience its maiden flight." Jeff was a little envious, it was a major development in commercial flights and Tracy industries had actually produced some of the parts and supplied the designs required for the atomic reactor. Some of IR's technology could be adapted for public domain and would serve to further IR's development through providing the much-needed funds to keep them operational. "Tin-tin will be returning with a full Degree including an American education." Jeff had convinced her to take a secondment to Denver university in her second year to complete her engineer studies, based on Virgil's experience there.
"You have done so much for my daughter Mr Tracy how can I ever thank you?"
"Don't mention it Kyrano -"
"Aggggghhhhhh" Kyrano raised a hand to his head as he collapsed withering on the floor in pain.
"Kyrano!" Jeff leap off the desk and placed a hand on his friends' arm.
"Kyrano! Kyrano! …. it's futile you cannot resist me!" the Hood's voice dripped with malice. "You may think your safe far away from me but I can still reach you wherever you are. You cannot escape me! Now tell me are International Rescue ready?"
"Noooo, no, Noooo" wailed Kyrano, still shaking on the floor. Jeff was getting concerned. "What's wrong Kyrano? Why won't you answer me?
Kyrano wanted to but he couldn't answer to Jeff without answering to his brother. The pain crashed through his mind like a burst dam, he tried to fight it but he was losing an uphill battle, the water carrying him away in a torrent.
"What's wrong Kyrano?" Sneered the Hood. "Why won't you answer me?" He shouted pushing more forcibly with his mind, assaulting Kyrano's central nervous system convincing his body it was on fire. Every nerve ending raged.
"AGGGHHHH! Their ready! … they are already in operation!" cried Kyrano defeated. Panting with the effort of staying conscious. He fell into a faint as his body finally relaxed on the floor and became still.
Satisfied the Hood severed his connection before he fried his brothers mind past the point of no return. He may still have further use for him and the Hood was mindful of ensuring he cultivated his resources to their full use and potential. He had the answer he needed anyway. International rescue was fully operational. It was time to implement his plan. He booked himself on the next flight to London and picked up his already packed holdall with all he needed for a little trip to England.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
John was looking out the main window with thunderbird five emblazoned across the glass. He stared at Earth below, enraptured as always. At first the dead quiet of being alone up in space had been daunting but now the radio and communication signals were up and running the chatter was incredibly cathartic and helped put him at ease. His days were filled with conversation, some of the stuff he heard was fascinating, hysterical, terrifying or just downright amazing. He heard everything from police chases to military exercises, random acts of kindness to search and rescues. It was addictive listening to the Hubbub of conversations. He had been up here a week now and had just started to settle and was wondering what their first rescue might be. He'd had a few false alarms. A mining disaster in Peru. A bridge collapse in Italy but the local emergency services had handled both cases admirably so there was no need for IR's services on these occasions. It was just a waiting game now, he reflected gazing out the window once more.
A crisp British accent piped his interest; he titled his head initially before turning around to face the console, the tapes rotating as the conversation was recorded. All calls were recorded in case they were needed at a later date. John would delete the unimportant ones after a month when he scheduled his monthly data clean up.
"Well that confirms it. The call wasn't a hoax; there really is a bomb strapped to the hydraulic landing gear of the Fireflash. If they conduct an emergency landing the thing will explode on impact. Right; evacuate everyone except essential personnel within a five-mile radius of the airport. Use code RH - it's a radiation hazard."
"What are we going to do sir?"
"There's nothing they or we can do. If they stay up there any longer than two hours, they will surpass the radiation safety factor. All the passengers and crew will be exposed to a fatal dose of radiation. They can't land, can't reach the bomb, can't stay up in the air! Well; They could stay up in the air for six months on the atomic motors but that reactor needs servicing in two - They need a miracle!"
John looked at the console in concentration, thoughtful. "That's just what you might get." He retorted to himself.
Back on Tracy island, Jeff was dictating his latest report. "Top secret: International Rescue equipment is way ahead of its time, in the wrong hands it could be utilised to destroy life….."
Beep..beep…..beep..beep. Jeff pressed the button as his ashtray flicked up to reveal a speaker. John's picture burst into life with a real time video of him aboard TB5.
"Go ahead John."
"First emergency call father, the new mach 6 Fireflash is in emergency distress."
"Fireflash…..Why that's Tin-tin's plane!" Kyrano was still abed resting thankfully. Jeff hoped he would remain that way so he didn't have to find out about his daughters' dire predicament. Jeff had called out a doctor but he wouldn't be able to visit till that evening.
John signed off as Jeff pushed the button that would sound the emergency klaxon. The boys scrambled to the lounge in minutes. Scott and Virgil had taken seats next to each other on the conjoined armchairs with the glass coffee table in the middle. Gordon sat opposite his father's desk on a small brown upholstered chair and Alan stood behind Virgil resting his hands on the back of the seat. "Fireflash is in emergency distress after a bomb was found to be located within its hydraulic landing gear shortly into its flight from London to Tokyo. The flight has turned around and been diverted back to the London airport but it can't land or the bomb will detonate. It can't remain in the air much longer due to the atomic reactor needing servicing. If the radiation safety factor is breeched the crew and passengers will get radiation poisoning at lethal levels therefore it's imperative, we find a way to land her without detonating the bomb." Jeff looked at each of his sons in turn.
"So, boys that's the brief. This is your first assignment so make it good! As you know your uniforms are in your respective crafts to be worn whilst on call."
"Sure father, yes father" they chorused.
"Now off you go, Scott and Virgil take it easy" Jeff added.
"Yes Sir" replied Scott.
Scott strode over to his turntable whilst Virgil headed to the opposite end of the lounge and lay flat against the picture of the rocket before it flipped up and tipped him into his launch Shute. Meanwhile Scott had already disappeared and was aboard one getting dressed as she automatically made her way down the launch ramp. Scott flipped into his seat just as she docked in the launch bay. He fired the thrusters and shot up into the sky, the pool barely clicking into place as he ascended. He punched it to supersonic as he took the pre-programmed route to the danger zone.
"International Rescue from Thunderbird one to base. Any news?"
"Base to thunderbird one, there is a TX204 target carrying aircraft that's being diverted from a training exercise nearby. They are attempting to use the craft to place a man aboard Fireflash through the wing but don't know how as of yet but it still doesn't look too hopeful. Continue on course for now."
"Well let's hope they succeed." Replied Scott frowning. Knowing the speed and height of the aircraft that was doing to be a difficult exercise to execute. The man being placed on board could easily lose his life. Scott pushed the thrusters a bit harder, time was of the essence.
"Thunderbird five to base."
"Base receiving you, go ahead."
"Just to make you aware of the latest development. The targeting craft was successful in getting Bob Meddings on board and he was able to locate the bomb, unfortunately he lost his grip from the craft due to the altitude and differcult location of the bomb, thankfully his parachute eventually deployed and he landed safely but it means that Fireflash has just forty minutes until their safety factor expires. I've copied Scott in."
"Understood John, thank you."
Back in the control tower they were at a loss as to what to do. There last-ditch hair-brained scheme had failed. The airport and surrounding areas had been evacuated. They were out of options and out of time. Fireflash's Captain Hanson was explaining their predicament. "What else can we do? We only have forty minutes until our radiation safety factor expires…."
Commander Norton looked grim at his desk. He placed Hanson on hold "There is nothing else for it, they are going to have to prepare to come into land and we'll just have to pray the bomb doesn't detonate…."
"Sir" His colleague piped up. "There is an aircraft approaching from the east airspeed at….. 7,500 mph! at 2,500ft."
"What? have you gone mad?" Commander Norton dismissed him in disbelief. Nothing in the skies could reach that speed.
Scott was fast approaching the danger zone, no doubt the airport had picked up thunderbird one by now. "This is Thunderbird one to London Air tower, approaching London airport from the east, airspeed 7,500 mph at a height of 2,500ft, will be in touching down distance in two minutes."
"International rescue; what is this?" Commander Norton voiced out loud.
"Must be that aircraft I just picked up." replied his colleague.
"Now this I've got to see." Replied commander Norton.
"London Tower this is international rescue, thunderbird one. Fireflash is in trouble and we are equipped to help you, request permission to land."
"International Rescue, you are clear to land. Use runway 29."
"Will not need a runway, coming in vertically."
Commander Norton was really intrigued now, this aircraft must be quite something to behold he thought to himself!
Located on the outskirts of the airport in the English countryside was the Hood. He was sat in the back of a van with his binoculars pointed at the sky awaiting international rescues arrival and listening to the air traffic communications that he had hacked into. He spied what looked to be some kind of gunmetal rocket landing in the distance, it had a bright red nose cone and a blue section with the number one emblazoned on it. "As I thought, international rescue is arriving on the scene part two of my plan is ready to commence." He began to pack up ready to move out, his mask and uniform disguse hanging up ready to be changed into.
Scott eased the levers downwards as Thunderbird one touched down. This was it, make or break time. All of his father's dreams and ambitions had led to this moment. It was time to prove he and Virgil were up to the task along with Brains' machinery. First of all, he needed to lay some ground rules, his father had been very clear about the need to maintain secrecy and it was something Scott also agreed with. Thunderbird one in the wrong hands could easily cause wanton destruction and could be readily converted to a formidable weapon in the skies. "London Tower from Thunderbird one. Now listen carefully, I want men and transport to take my portable mobile control equipment to your control tower. I also want assurance from you that you will place guards around my craft and ensure that no photos are taken."
Commander Norton pondered for a moment before formulating a response. They did need help but at the same time he knew nothing about this organisation, how could they trust them? What were their true intentions and how did they know so much about Fireflash's situation when no communications or calls for help had been made public? Only Air control and the RAF knew about the predicament Fireflash was in. He walked over to the window where he could view the craft for himself, the pilot appeared to still be inside but there were no obvious windows or entrances to the craft to tell if anyone was in there. "International Rescue please give me information about your organisation, we can't facilitate your requests without knowing more details."
A strong authoritative American voice clipped back over the airwaves. "Look there are six hundred people up there with under forty minutes to live, now you can't help them but I believe that we can; so, look what's it going to be?" Scott frowned at the speaker in frustration, why wouldn't they just comply already? They were wasting time.
"Alright international rescue, I just hope you know what your doing." The commander replied stiffly.
Scott was met by a team of men and women and was escorted with haste to the air tower where he quickly made the acquaintance of the commander in person. He was a tall man with stern features including a long moustache that matched his grey peppered light brunette hair. He was dressed in a khaki brown uniform with brass buttons. He shook Scott's hand firmly.
"Now let's recap; As I understand it the bomb is located by the master cylinder with the hydraulic landing gear. Fireflash must land within the next thirty minutes because its atomic reactor needs servicing. After that the radiation safety factor is up."
"That's right."
Scott stood next to the red mobile control unit looking serious. "The specialist kit I need will be here in twenty leaving us just ten minutes to put our plan into action. Scott sat down at his station and picked up the sliver handheld micro phone. "Thunderbird two, this is radio mobile control, please confirm your estimated time of arrival."
"Ok Scott arriving in 19 minutes from now." Scott internally facepalmed at his brothers slip of using his personal name. Never mind he would have to remind him later. "As soon as you arrive unload the high-speed elevator car with the two radio-controlled cars. Proceed to the end of runway 29 and report in."
"F.A.B"
Scott turned in his chair and flicked open another frequency. The green, red and amber lights flashing across the controls. "Fireflash this is London air tower, mobile control. In eighteen minutes, I will request that you come in with your landing gear up, I repeat with your landing gear up. Make a completely normal approach…. And keep your head." He added.
"Fireflash to London tower, understood now; Wat's the action?"
"Listen carefully, we can't afford to make any mistakes."
Meanwhile the Hood armed with his new disguise (He had stolen the identity of a airport police officer) had driven his way over to guard the aircraft known as Thunderbird one. He sat in the car and waited for his moment or opportunity. "Now to make sure no one takes photographs of Thunderbird one…. Well except me of course." He smirked to himself. He got out of the patrol car and straightened his cap, inside the badge of the cap was a concealed spy camera. He straightened up and walked over to the two guards stood outside the craft. They stood to attention responding to their superior. The Hood made direct eye contact with them, his muddy green eyes flashing an amber gold. One of the guards yelped in surprise but both were knocked out before they could radio for help crashing to the floor in a dead faint. The hood wrinkled his nose at the inconvenience of their bodies, stepping over them before locating the lock and access hatch. He managed to override the controls easily with his tablet before stepping inside. This was the moment he had been waiting for, his glee barely contained. He walked past the pilot's chair, photographing it as he did so. He was interested in the gimble mechanism it was suspended on. He then began to take photographs of the instrument panel. He didn't notice the subtle flash of the automatic photo detector above his head. It was a silent alarm so as not to alert the intruder.
Scott had just finished taking Captain Hanson of Fireflash through the plan when the automatic photo detector alarm was triggered on his control panel. He pulled up the live feed and was alarmed to see an intruder in his thunderbird taking photos. "The automatic photo detector has been triggered on Thunderbird one! Someone is taking pictures of the instrument panel, Quick! Its imperative that you get this man, you need to stop him."
Commander Norton was straight on the radio. "This is London tower to airport police, someone is taking photographs of Thunderbird one, intercept him and bring him in for questioning."
"Thunderbird 2 to mobile control. Have landed and am in position." Scott could hear the pistons as thunderbird two pitched upwards to release pod three ready for the deployment of the cars.
"Ok Thunderbird two stand by."
"London Tower, this is airport police, we have lost contact with the get away car. Vehicle last seen turning off of the M1 heading for Birmingham."
Scott let out a sigh of frustration, this was a complication they didn't need. Luckily there may be an ally that could help. "Ok leave it with me." He scanned his eyes across the control panel that he was not yet fully familiar with despite numerous training exercises. After a moment he found the icon he was looking for. It was a silhouette of an old-fashioned tea pot on a white illuminated background.
Lady Penelope was sat in her drawing room that overlooked the front of the manor, giving her a splendid view of the driveway and formal gardens. She was just set to pouring herself some tea (She was very particular about her tea the only other person she was starting to tolerate making it for her was Parker and only her bedtime night cap.) The teapot handle flashed with a light beeping sound. Penelope held it up and twisted the black knob. "Mobile control calling International Rescue; England." Hmmm she wasn't fully familiar with all the Tracy boys just yet but that sounded like Scott. he had a confident tone that screamed authority whereas Virgil's had a softer more melodic tenor that made you feel calm regardless of the situation. "International rescue, at your service"
"We require your assistance. Man, with photographic records of Thunderbird one. Proceeding down the M1 in your direction; registration 695 CMO. Over." Scott's delivery was so fast it was a good job she had good memory recall. He must be in a tense situation.
"Mobile control, F.A.B" she signed off. "Oh dear, how inconvenient, just as I am expecting visitors – three coach loads too! Oh well. She looked out the window as she rang the bell. A few short moments later two tailored arms could be seen pulling back the double doors as Parker appeared. "You rang Milady?"
"Get the Rolls Royce please Parker, we are going for a little drive."
"Very good Milady." He wondered what their objective was.
Back in the cabin of Fireflash, things were getting tense. Time had all but run out for them and they hadn't even started their descent yet. Hanson's co-pilot was getting techy and it was getting on his nerves, the teams on the grounds were doing their best with a shit situation. They just had to hope for the best and run with it. He had been told by the International rescue guy to keep the frequency clear but Barret was making him jumpy. "Mobile control from Fireflash. We now only have five minutes, unless you can start the rescue operation straight away – we've had it!"
"Stand by Fireflash."
"Thunderbird two from mobile control are you ready?"
"Mobile control and Fireflash, I'm ready"
"F.A.B Thunderbird 2"
Scott took a breath, this was it. Time to put the plan in motion. "Fireflash, this is mobile control; commence landing. After this transmission, no further calls – keep this frequency clear."
"Understood mobile control; starting approach….however this turns out…thanks."
The air controller cut in. "Aircraft approaching five miles to threshold."
"Standby Virgil"
"Fireflash on final approach." the air controller kept them up to date with live commentary.
"Scott! I've got a fault in radio control car three."
"Ok, check it out. Fireflash, continue your approach." He added.
"Three miles to threshold…"
"Have the crash tenders stand by." Scott interjected. Commander Norton relayed the instruction directing them to runway 29.
He realised he hadn't heard from Virgil. "Hey; what's the situation Virgil?"
"fault cleared." He replied calmly.
"Well; what was it?" Scott pressed for more information.
"Don't know, its just cleared." That's real helpful Virgil Scott thought to himself, annoyed.
"Well lets just hope it holds up." He quipped back biting back on the sarcasm. When Virgil said he was going to take a look he didn't think he meant in the literal sense.
Scott took over the countdown. "Standby Virgil. One and a half miles from Threshold….One and a quarter miles from threshold… one mile! Start tracking.
"F.A.B mobile control."
"Fireflash 750 yards, 130 knots. Increase to 108 mph Virgil."
Virgil could see Fireflash in his rear-view mirror now, this was insane. He was literally about to try and land a plane on top of himself and two other remote-controlled cars. An atomic powered plane with a bomb in its landing gear he might add. Not what he had imagined on the first day of the job but there you are. He would just have to have faith in his and Brains' engineering. He frowned in concentration as he had to focus not only on lining himself up but also making sure the other two were in place. Then disaster struck, the third car became unresponsive. He desperately fought with the controls trying not to give in to the building adrenaline coursing though his body. "Fireflash! Overshoot! Overshoot!" The third car had spun out of control and crashed into a row of nearby stationary small aircraft that had been abandoned when the site was evacuated. The emergency vehicles screamed into action to put out the inferno.
He watched as the shadow of Fireflash engulfed him briefly, he could see the white signage on the underbelly of the cargo hold as she passed, she was that close. He breathed a sigh of relief as she cleared airspace again. "Sorry Scott, fault in number three's radio transmission again."
"Ok Virgil. Backtrack and start again and bring the reserve car into use." Scott addressed Fireflash. "Fireflash; this is mobile control, what is your radioactive safety factor control now?" Scott waited with baited breath for the reply as it crackled out of the speaker.
"Mobile control from Fireflash, safety factor is expired, we are now down to just a couple of minutes before passengers and crew receive fatal exposure, over."
"Ok, Fireflash commence second approach."
"Roger"
Commander Norton got on the radio. "Crash crews, return to position, let those aircraft burn. Fireflash is carrying passengers, those are not." Scott nodded his approval.
"Mobile control, clear for second approach?"
"Fireflash; clear, please no further transmissions. Ok, here we go. This is the last time." No pressure he added silently.
"four miles to threshold." The air controller commentated.
"Standby thunderbird two, Fireflash on final approach."
"F.A.B Scott."
"5000 miles, descending, three miles from threshold."
"Crash tenders to centre of 29" instructed Scott once again.
"Fireflash one mile from threshold, start tracking." Scott commanded.
"F.A.B"
"Increase approach to 105" Virgil opened up the throttle. Oh god this was it, he could see her dropping down on him like an eagle on its prey. "Fireflash, engines!" instructed Virgil before he lost his gall. Oh no they were coming in too wide. "Fireflash lift port wing! Lift port wing!" Virgil almost yelped. It was unlike him to get flustered but they had almost missed supporting the wing there for one horrible moment. "Cut power!" he instructed again. "Ok, Fireflash reverse thrust!" The cars screeched as they took the impact of the plane, straining under its weight. The flat roofs of the cars were pushed downwards with the force, buckling the suspension. "Applying brakes." The screeching increase to a shrill squeal of rubber on tarmac, Virgil could smell that horrible unmistakable scent of burnt rubber as they careened out of control towards the end of the runway. It was coming up too fast! his eyes widened in shock as his foot pushed even harder on the brakes.
"We're not going to make it! we're running out of runway!" hailed Captain Hanson over the comms.
"Hold on Fireflash, applying maximum brakes." Virgil tried to reassure them but this was going to be tight. The pressure on the car was unbearable now, Virgil glanced up as he heard the groan of metal as the roof buckled under the pressure. Then he heard one of the front tyres blow with a bang, he careened off towards the left before he even knew what was happening, Fireflash's nose smashing into the runway, tearing up the tarmac. Virgil felt the car tip before it flipped over and over and over as he tumbled off the runway in a spin, there was nothing he could do as he was thrown against his restraints.
Scott saw the car spin over and over off the runway, his heart in his mouth but his face remained controlled, composure maintained as the Fireflash finally ground to a halt. She came to a stop and after a few seconds when she didn't implode everybody started breathing again. Some even cheering and clapping. "They made it! Jolly good show!" exclaimed the commander. "They made it!" shouted another guy to his colleague in the control room next door. The air that had been laced with tautness and frayed nerves only moments before broke out into relieved celebrations.
"Come in Virgil! Are you ok?" There was no reply. Scott subconsciously leaned closer to the viewing window. "Virgil!" he called again his tone tinged with a hint of underlaying anxiety. Was he hurt?
"Ok Scott, good timing." Virgil flopped back against the chair his legs and arms spread akimbo from how he had landed. He'd pull himself up in a minute…...when the damn cab stopped spinning.
"Just great Virgil. Just great!" Scott allowed himself a smile now he new he was ok. There first rescue had been a success! They had just saved 600 people in one day. It was a pretty surreal feeling. Job satisfaction times one hundred. Let's just say any fears he had about missing out on action in the air force had been put to rest. That was one hell of a ride!
He turned around to see the commander waiting for him. "How will we ever thank you?" The immense gratitude could be heard in his tone.
"Well for the reasons I told you it's essential that out organisation remains a secret. I want you to contact the authorities so that there are no aircraft within one hundred miles as we take off and assurance that we won't be tracked – whatever happens. Secrecy must be maintained at all costs." Scott leant against the desk.
"Very well, I'll try. Talking of secrecy – what about that man that got away?"
"Don't worry he'll be taken care of."
Somewhere just off the M1 towards Birmingham a pink Rolls Royce flashed through the derestricted zone in hot pursuit of the dusty car in front with a large trailer. "We're closing in Milady." Parker checked his mirrors.
"Good, wait until we reach a clear bit or road, we wouldn't want to cause a scene." Penelope pulled out her compact and diligently replaced her pink lipstick ready for her guests when they returned. She should still have time to meet them at this rate.
"Very good milady." Parker pressed the sliver button to the side of the steering wheel which opened the front grill of the rolls to reveal a small machine gun. Penelope snapped down the lid of her compact. "Parker; go ahead."
"Yes milady." He fired a successive round of shots, automatically locked on to shoot at the car in front's tyres. Both the rear wheels exploded sending the car into a spin before it lost control and toppled off the steep hill. It was still rolling as Penelope and Parker shot past before wrapping around a tree.
"Well done Parker."
"Home Milady?"
"Home Parker."
The hood watched the expensive pink car speed off into the distance as he extracted himself from the airbag. He was pretty sure his nose was broken but the thing that vexed him the most was that the film was cascading all down his face from the camera in his hat. "My pictures are ruined! Someone will pay for this! International rescue has not heard the last of me!"
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXO
Tracy island was quiet that evening, it had been an eventful day, what with Kyrano's collapse, their first rescue and Tin-tin returning home. Virgil was winding down by playing a jaunty piece on his baby grand. Alan had somehow managed to coax Tin-tin out onto the balcony, he wanted to hear all about her adventures to try and cheer her up. Since she had found out about her father, she had been terribly anxious for him. One bright smile and those twinkling blue eyes was enough to spark something in Tin-tin as she took him up on his offer to moon gaze. He was pointing out the different craters and regaling her with his and John's first space rescue up on moon base. It was a welcome distraction for her whilst she awaited news on her father's condition. She had been most worried to return home to find he'd had one of his episodes and was confined to bed but Mr Tracy had been taking good care of him and had even managed to convince him to see a doctor who was visiting him at this very moment.
Scott's mind was still racing from todays earlier events, they were meant to be looking 'normal' as they had visitors but Scott was never very good at just sitting around but their dad had insisted, they all needed to show face so he had jumped on the opportunity of playing a game of chess when Gordon offered. Gordon was currently doing his best to throw Scott's queen under a bus. Gordon knew he relied on his 'right hand woman' as Gordon called her too much. Scott was currently so busy building his fortress around her that he's left his king almost defenceless. Scott was very much a go hard or go home kind of guy. Gordon was wily and would often bide his time before striking like a barracuda out of seemly nowhere from a move he had set up five turns ago.
Jeff was reading the paper; they had already made the evening edition. International rescue saves Fireflash from bomb threat – Who is this mystery organisation?
Brian's popped his head around the lounge door. "Eer, M-Mister ah Tracy. The Doctor would like t-to see you."
Jeff pushed the button on the end of the sofa he was sat on. Operation cover up flicked into motion, the civilian portraits of his sons replacing the international rescue ones, his desk lifting up into the ceiling. "Ok Brains show him in."
"Ah Jeff Tracy its good to see you!"
"Likewise, Doctor. How is he?"
They both stood in front of the portraits. The doctor noticed Alan and Kyrano's young daughter come in. She stood anxiously within earshot.
"Oh, he's A ok Jeff! I can't account for that dizzy spell earlier but there's nothing wrong."
"That's great news, well thank you for flying out here like you did."
The Doctor noticed the paper in Jeff's hand. "Well how about that! Some story eh Jeff? Isn't it great? Why it has to be all cloak and dagger I don't know, I'd sure like to know who these people are. One thing I would like to do is shake them by the hand."
Not missing a beat, Jeff extended his hand. "Well thanks doc" they both shook hands firmly. Gordon and Scott shared a knowing look.
"So long" the doctor replied before heading out.
"So long" Jeff replied as the boys waved. Tin-tin went with the doctor to escort him out.
Jeff looked around at his sons. "Well I think that handshake was for all of us, boys I think we're in business!
That's it! that's the end! Thank you so much for the two hundred reviews, messages, follows and favourites you have all been incredibly supportive and I am so glad that you have enjoyed it hopefully as much as I have wiring it. I will miss this story! I'm having a little break now until work quietens but I will be back probably around Christmas. So stay tuned!