Chapter 1: The Glass Castle
It was supposed to be one of the most beautiful places in New York City. 19 year old Scott Tracy knew that New York wasn't half as glamorous as the media made it out to be, but even he couldn't deny the spectacular sight which now dominated skyline.
"There she is Scott, the Glass Castle building."
Flying about the city from a good distance as to not attract to much attention, Virgil maneuvered the newly painted Thunderbird 2 with practiced ease. The freighter ship had only been in use for a few months, and already the third Tracy son had made a home in her cockpit, "sure is something, huh?"
"Yeah, something." Stuck in the copilots seat for once, Scott fiddled with the rocket shaped cufflinks he wore, "I still don't know why you couldn't go instead, Virgil. You love parties."
"Sure, but I've got studying to do. You know how dad can be when it comes to that. And grandma, yikes, she'll have my skin when I get back for slipping out on her."
"She's able to handle Gordon and Alan just fine on her own. Please Virge? Switch places with me?"
"No can do, brother of mine. Dad's orders were to drop you off and return to HQ stat. He wants TB2 on standby in case that fire in Cambodia goes out of control."
Grunting unhappily, Scott sighed in resentment and pulled at his stiff collar. He knew that father was happy to get away from another corporate event. The man didn't get enough action anymore, what with Scott now the full-time pilot of Thunderbird 1. Unfortunately, he had been just a bit to convincing about a business trip to New York for Scott not to step up for him to have a break. That was a mistake he'd never make again.
"Alright, approaching the drop off zone. Ready?"
"As I'll ever be, don't hit the thrusters till I'm out of the way. Grandma spent hours on my hair."
"You got it, pretty boy." Virgil chuckled, hovering TB2 over a building not to far from the Glass Castle. Being quick as to not attract to much attention from the passerby on the road (impossible, honestly), Scott leapt out as gracefully as possible in stiff pants. The gravel of the rooftop crunching under shined shoes, he watched the craft blast off back towards the Atlantic Ocean with a pang of jealousy.
Sighing again and readjusting his hair to sit correctly over his forehead, Scott looked out across the road at the Glass Castle. It truly was a magnificent sight, being one of the largest buildings in America. The glass walls were illuminated by lights, and the courtyard below had been set up for VIP arrivals. Being one of those VIP's, the second eldest Tracy son turned to make his way down to the street. Here a limo was waiting, and he would make his grand entrance as though he hadn't just jumped out of an aircraft.
—
Across the city, Penelope Creighton-Ward (also 19) was focused on her compact. New York was always a splendid visit, especially in the evenings when it glittered and dazzled it's visitors. But she was much to busy fixing her mascara, and fluffing her hair so it fell just so.
"You look lovely h'as always, m'lady." Parker spoke from the front seat, his droopy eyes glancing at her from the rearview mirror. He wore his best black tonight, though Penny knew he had brought a suitcase of bills to help keep himself busy when she was at the gala.
"I feel like a mess," Penelope retorted lightly, snapping her compact shut with a satisfying click. She had not been at all prepared for an event this week. Lord Creighton-Ward had taken ill after a visit to Switzerland and was bedridden back in London. As it was important for all investors of the Glass Castle to be present for opening night, a Creighton-Ward had to be present for the ceremonies. Hence her current state of (always fashionable) disarray, "I wish the flight wasn't so tiresome. Thankfully my new minx came in last week, or I would have been horrendously underdressed."
"Of course, m'lady."
"I assume you have what you need to occupy yourself respectably tonight, Parker?" Penelope asked, once again eyeing the black case which had been her seat partner since leaving the airport, "or should I simply be blissfully ignorant?"
"The latter, m'lady."
"Very good, I shan't be asking then."
"Are you sure you don't want h'an escort, m'lady? I don't like the idea of you goin' up alone."
"I'll be surrounded by at least a dozen other people, Parker. And equal amount of security; my father didn't invest for nothing you know. I'll be fine."
"Of course, m'lady."
The Rolls Royce falling into a gentle silence, Penny finally looked to their now visible destination. The Glass Castle truly was a spectacular feat of engineering. Of course in her line of work, she had seen many incredible things. However, something else caught her eye. Turning to the side, something was hovering over one of the buildings nearby. It was big and green, with lights affixed to the bottom. It hovered impossibly low for something so gigantic, and Penny could see the big number '2' plastered in white on its nose. 2?
"We are arrivin', m'lady."
Shaking out of her thoughts as the ship once again became a mere distraction for the long night to come, Penny fluffed out her hair again and straightened her diamonds. She was at home on the red carpet, despite any and all inner turmoils, and as she stepped out to a sea of lights her heart pulled. How she wished to be anywhere else.