"I don't like it."
"I don't pay you to like it," Micah countered as they watched the fight between Samuel Tucker and Greg Ainsleigh from an observation office.
"It's not that," the manager had his arms crossed over his chest as he eyed the competition. Pawns, really. They were his to move as he saw fit. The only problem was Tucker's entourage. He had too many eyes on him. Too many who could complain that Micah was trying to fix the competition. His job was to ensure that didn't happen.
"Then what?" The fighter stepped away from the window to grab the ice pack for his shoulder.
"We're gonna need a whole lot of leverage on that kid. He's got some kind of technique I've never seen before," and there was the other issue. "He decides he wants to win and all he's gotta do is get close enough to knock you out."
"You'll think of something. You always do," Micah gave a smile that read of the trust he had in his partner, but behind it was a tone that said he better or else. He wasn't about to take a hit for some new brat who decided it was his time to join the big leagues.
"Oh, I've got something that might just work," it would also involve a great deal of planning. A challenge - and he enjoyed a good one.
OoOoOoO
The ringing in his ears still hadn't faded after half an hour of taking it easy - Virgil's orders. The pain medication had taken the edge off his swollen jaw, however. The idea that he might have a concussion had been floated around, which was why Gordon found himself in Parker's company and a warm lump snuggled in his lap. Everyone else was talking to John as they monitored the trackers placed on the opponents who had lost, Seth included.
The aquanaut had wanted to bring his friend in on the situation, but that could potentially leave them open. What if he was part of this and using Gordon's emotions against him? They would just have to try keeping everyone safe on their own.
Sherbert wriggled in his lap and he absently stroked the pug's head, "Wish I could sleep - warm bed - lots of covers."
"H'I suggest a cold shower," the chauffeur added, not at all helpfully.
"Toe massage?" He tried with a grin.
"Not h'if your life depended on it," the answer was stern with a hint of warning.
"Worth a try," Gordon let his eyes drift shut and a gloved finger flicked his ear. "Ow - Parker, I wasn't gonna -"
"H'of course not, you just couldn't stand looking at the wall, too, eh?" Parker's tone said he wasn't going to take any other excuse and when the finger flicked his ear again, Gordon was forced to pry is eyes open with a groan.
"Can't we go for a walk or something?" He felt the drag of exhaustion pulling on him the longer he sat on the couch.
The older man was silent for a moment as he considered taking the aquanaut anywhere but the safety of the hotel room. His stomach growled in betrayal and Gordon almost laughed if not for the ache in his head. "Fine. We'll go get somethin' to eat and then h'it's back up 'ere."
"Yay," he cheered half-heartedly.
Parker left just long enough to explain his intentions and came back with the strict instruction that Gordon was to stay with the chauffeur at all times and do as he was told. If his head hadn't been full of mush, he might have reasoned that the last part was a stipulation created by Parker himself. Gordon wasn't going to complain, though, just happy to be out of the room.
Sherbert followed at his feet as they made their way down the hall and into the elevator. He found it surprising that the little dog was willing to stick close to him when his mistress was still within the suite. Not that he was complaining. Scott still hadn't approved a dog on the island, so it was nice to pretend, even for a few days.
The doors opened into the ornate lobby and it was much too short a trip to the restaurant entrance. He had to lean against the doorway as Parker placed their order, stifling a yawn. The pug jumped up to his shin and it took more effort than he would admit to reach down and pick him up.
As he stood however, someone collided with his shoulder, sending him stumbling back into the hallway. His arms wrapped protectively around Sherbert as he righted himself ready to apologise. The face before him sent the words back down his throat.
"Well, hey there, Tucker," Micah grinned, slapping his arm like they were old friends. Sherbert was more than happy to clarify the mistake immediately with a sharp bark and a lunge at the offending hand. "Whoa, call off your pup."
Gordon would've been happy to let Sherbert take a piece out of the fighter, but he kept his hold, smoothing a hand over his head. He frowned as it seemed the man wasn't about the take the hint, "Excuse me, we gotta get -"
"Oh, but I thought we could talk before our match tomorrow," and by talking, it seemed he was trying that intimidation tactic again.
"I think we should leave it a surprise, don't you? Unless you're worried," a grin as he wandered into potential trouble. Nothing like poking a mountain lion as it toyed with it's meal.
It was the right thing to say if he wanted to wipe the smug grin of Micah's face, a glare taking its place, "Funny guy, worst kind if you ask me."
"Well, I didn't and I've got more important things to deal with, like dinner," Gordon made to move back into the restaurant when a strong grip caught the back of his neck.
"I think you can carve out time for this," Micah's voice was by his ear and the urge to elbow him in the side was calmed by the sudden presence of Parker.
"H'excuse me," the fingers left as the fighter seemed to realise he wasn't getting his way tonight. Gordon took the moment to get to the elder man who about faced and they made their way back to get their food. It didn't go unnoticed that Parker was sticking closer than necessary, only moving away to collect the containers.
The hall was empty when they left and Gordon could only assume Huller had abandoned his attempt to "talk". Once they were in the elevator, Parker felt the need to talk.
"What was h'all that?" The annoyance in the man's voice was almost humorous.
A short laugh as the little adrenaline he had left ebbed, "I think he doesn't like me."
"Figured as much," Parker groaned. "Don't suppose your fight tomorrow'll be as straight forward h'as it should be."
"Mmm - you think he's as good as everyone thinks he is?" There was a reason Lady Penelope trusted Parker. He was a good judge of character - most of the time.
"H'I think 'e believes you've got a good chance of beating 'im. Desperate comes to mind," the elevator chimed and the door opened to their hall.
"That's a word for it," Sherbert wriggled in his arms, giving his chin a lick as if to make sure he was alright. "You wanna tell her ladyship or should I?"
"You can 'ave that honor," Parker chuckled. "H'I'll just 'ave to bare witness."
"So gracious," Gordon tilted his head down to look at the pug. "You'll back me up, won't you, Bertie?"
A wet tongue hit his nose and he knew at least one of them had a good outlook. They also had food. Maybe the news would be dulled by whatever smelled so good.
One could hope.
OoOoOoO
Angry didn't even cover how he felt with the news about Gordon's encounter with Micah. Virgil had debated having John hijack the man's room and cause havoc. His little brother had assured him that he was fine and more than willing to show the fighter what it felt like to mess with a Tracy in the ring.
After dinner, he'd spent the rest of the evening with Gordon watching fights until he was comfortable letting the younger man fall asleep. It was only a suspected concussion, nothing confirmed. He simply wanted to be safer than sorry.
Leaving Gordon to his much needed rest, the engineer joined the group and it didn't escape him that Kayo was not included. She needed to be prepared as well for the next day's events.
Lady Penelope and Parker were currently monitoring the combatants they had tagged with trackers. John hovered not too far from the map of dots. None of them appeared to be moving.
"Still nothing?" It felt weird hoping for one of the dots to suddenly start leaving the area, but it would mean they were one step closer to ending this mission.
"Looks like most have gone to their rooms," the London agent observed. "A couple are at the bar, but so far everyone's accounted for. John, you'll alert us if that changes?"
"I will," the red-head confirmed. "EOS is monitoring basic life signs. If anything happens, she'll be the first to know."
"Wonderful, thank you, John," her smile was much warmer without the dark lipstick her persona wore.
They said their farewells and Virgil found himself alone with his immediate younger brother. The questions hadn't been asked with the others in the room and the engineer wondered if her ladyship was well aware that the brothers needed a moment. Besides the necessary check-ins with Scott, they hadn't delved too deep into how the mission was going.
"He's done good, so far," Virgil answered his brother's query, knowing full well John had footage from the fights and would have been watching. "I'm just glad he only has one more left."
"You and me both. It's a good thing he knows how to take a hit," subconsciously or not, John ran a hand over his jaw before picking at an image on his end of the feed. Nothing came of the actions, but Virgil knew the astronaut was on edge.
"How's Scott handling all this? And no covering for him. I know he's worried, but he's been keeping it bottled up whenever we talk." It may have had something to do with the room being well occupied by the entire team when the commander called. He wasn't a big fan of getting emotional in front of his brother's, much less Lady Penelope and Parker.
"If it weren't for the occasional rescues and the testing of the T-drive engine, I think our brother would be bald," a knowing chuckle had a smile tickling the engineer's lips. Virgil wondered what that could possibly mean for the eldest Tracy, but upon further thought, he could also see a great deal of grey in Scott's future.
"Tomorrow should be the end of it, at least for Kayo and Gordon," he found some comfort in that fact. "You think Lady Penelope has enough information to find these people?"
John frowned, never a good sign, "Well, at the very least she knows who is being targeted. Finding them is going to be a little more complicated. If the people you guys tagged don't go missing, there might not be another chance until the next competition. And if these people decide to target a whole different one, we may never rescue the fighters."
Keeping the curse to himself, Virgil's frown deepened, "We might not have a choice then." The uncertain sound from his brother forced him to explain, "One of them is going to have to lose."
"Scott's not going to like that idea," the obvious statement wasn't necessary, but a reality they would need to address.
"Should we tell him before or after?"
A chuckle that almost answered that question for him, "Would it make much of a difference?"
"Probably keep him from ripping our heads off if we let him know beforehand," being second eldest to a group of trouble seekers meant he also felt what his big brother went through. They needed to tell him.
"When he gets back, I'll give him the news," better John than Virgil. He might lose his nerve and change his mind.
"Thanks, John."
"Don't thank me just yet. He'll probably want an open channel as soon as I tell him," the astronaut actually sounded apologetic about the whole thing. It wasn't their fault that the job might require something a little more dangerous than hand to hand combat in a structured competition.
"FAB, we'll be waiting," Virgil gave his brother one last tired smile before signing off. Less than eighteen hours and they'd be back in the convention center for one last round. He would be there to make sure his family stayed safe.
For Gordon, however, safe was relative.
They'd started their day with more training to counter Micah's skills in the ring, followed by a quick location confirmation of the fighters they had tagged. Seth joined them looking much more haggard than the day before. Apparently, he hadn't gotten much sleep while trying to contact his girlfriend.
Gordon had turned up his usual charm to help distract the man and give him some focus. It seemed he didn't have many nice things to say about Huller. Together, they'd toured the convention that took place before the main event, both happily taking selfies and signing autographs as they went. Kayo had stuck to Virgil's side and managed to scare off anyone requesting her picture. They couldn't have images of international rescue's security officer floating around.
It had all been a way to survey, question and see just what people knew about the missing fighters, yet they still came up empty handed. When Scott had called, Virgil had hoped to offer some good news. As it was, they were already discussing Kayo taking the fall. She was better skilled to handle herself in the event she was captured. Gordon had still offered, indicating that she would be the most tactical for infiltrating whatever facility the fighters were being held. The commander had immediately shut him down. The GDF would be waiting on standby should anything go down and John would guide them via Thunderbird 5.
So that was the plan. All of them were ready. All they needed to do was hope Gordon could take down Micah.
Simple.
"You better kick his ass," Seth warned with a grin as he left the locker room to join some of the other fighters waiting to watch the grand finale.
Gordon had a wide smile on his face as he waved his new friend off, but as soon as he and the engineer were alone, the jovial affect fell.
"Do not lose it on me, Squirt," Virgil groaned, squaring up in front of the smaller man. "You've got this."
A breath escaped Gordon as he tried to steady himself, "Yeah, I know. It's just - I had no intention of getting this far."
"Surprised me too," the laugh left him just as the rear entrance to the room opened. The wide-eyed look on Gordon's face set off alarms and Virgil turned just in time to see the group of masked individuals.
His little brother was already moving to counter the first two, but Virgil could already see they were over their heads. The first attack missed Gordon by inches before the second slammed into the smaller frame and they were pushing him into a set of lockers.
Virgil moved to help, but a fist slammed into his gut, sending him doubled over as he tried to breathe. Strong arms caught his, pulling them behind his back and a gloved hand slammed over his mouth. He tried to scream - to alert the rest of their team - but his gut burned and he was being taken. Whoever these people were, they were fast.
His next thought was John. The way his heart was hammering, it wouldn't be long before the cavalry arrived.
And then, he was thrown onto the hard flooring of a van, a cloth covering his head before the doors slammed shut. It pulled away from the building a second later and away from the closest thing to help he had.