Crash Focus

by DarkestWolfx

Sometimes they had to wonder if the world missed the right way, if ever it was possible to slip from the path. For it was certainly true for the track: none of them were going to allow him the focus he needed. So it would have to be crash. Yes, they'd go with crash for now. Yes, it was easily a far sight more than simply that, but he wasn't going to think on it anymore.

2. II: Two

This is just getting a whole lot longer, but hopefully it will remain enjoyable and you won't be in too much suspense for too long. Enjoy!

---

The morning had been quiet.

In fact, the previous day had been silent.

Alan's hopes were beginning to rise that they may get an opportunity to break their grounded record. He'd also love them to be able to get to a three-day streak again at some point and he tried to keep confident that it was possible.

It would be Gordon who jinxed it all though, wouldn't it?

So, there were – as EOS rightly pointed out – numerous reasons he was always putting off the trip. The noise was one, being away from Thunderbird Five when a call could come through at any moment was another. Leaving space, a third. The obvious fourth was gravity. Gravity had never liked him he was sure, for rarely had it worked in his favour. Since he moved to Thunderbird Five, that effect had only worsened everytime he returned to Earth, and considering he could never stay long enough to reacquaint himself with the force and necessary balance – well, they remained enemies.

The one reason he always wanted to return, was his brothers. The four members of family he had left, that he was closer to than anyone else, that he missed more than he enjoyed being able to see the stars he loved whenever he wished. Before – yes, he'd never admitted it – he had been lonely. It felt somewhat like becoming an only child with how little he saw his brothers when International Rescue became busy. EOS was welcomed thoroughly in that sense, but she added the fifth reason for not returning to Earth. She'd been lonely too when they met, and it didn't seem right to inflict that upon her again just so he could see those he loved. Because he knew, in a strange way that no one on Earth could understand (his brother's or not), that she loved him in her own unique AI way.

The one reason he always wanted to return was his brothers.

The time they got to spend together, uninterrupted and as a true family was always rare and Scott had only recently been saying how long it had been since he'd come down and stayed. But there was just so much going on in the world. The Mechanic, The Hood, not to mention the high range of natural disasters and the equally dangerous band of those which were man-made.

Still, an opportunity to see his brothers was gold dust. Yes, he'd complain endless about gravity whilst he was there, but he did enjoy it. There was no doubt about that. And maybe, just maybe, gravity was beginning to welcome him back. It felt like ages since he'd been able to even face the prospect of going down to Earth and a silent day had given him some hope.

Scott had contacted him that evening, desperate to make sure nothing had tried to murder him again – yes, EOS had left Scott's protective instincts running on high, even now so much time had passed with the AI being trustworthy. Still, the eldest had seemed very pleased at it being a truly quiet day and had suggested he head down for a bit.

He knew one of those reasons was to give Grandma another head to split her cooking between.

Still, he'd met the idea with contained delight. He couldn't let Scott believe he'd hit a gold mine, for the elder might attempt to never let him return now EOS could monitor everything in space. Yes, he'd love to live on the island with his brothers again, but he'd always be needed in space. Maybe, when Alan was older, they could start rotating. He knew the youngest had an unvoiced love for Five and often moaned when he was here for the occurrences of all the best astrological phenomena while the blonde was stuck on Earth.

The other reason he stayed was never going to have voice or be heard by new ears. Jeff Tracy had always been proud of him for moving to space. For giving up Earth for the sake of International Rescue. He'd never forced it upon his son, and that was another reason he gave him so much praise for it. It was something John held onto in the days he wanted to scream and be able to see his brothers.

So when Scott suggested it, he hid the bounce in his heart rhythm with a shrug and said they'd see what the morning brought.

When the morning too was filled with silence, Scott had once again pointed out little to nothing was stopping him. They might get a whole day, they may get a few hours, but it was time together.

And he couldn't argue with that. And he didn't want to.

EOS had promised to call and that had settled it.

Alan greeted him, diving out from behind Scott. The elder could only shake his head as though he'd been aware of Alan's plan all along. Still, it was an old and childish trick, but he supposed Alan had every right to fall into childish spells: he was a child growing up too fast. They all had been. It wasn't as though he was opposed to joining in either, just on very select occasions.

Virgil decided he'd play the piano if they were all going to be spending the evening together and that was a reason to return to Earth in itself. Alan spent most of the morning filling in the usual blanks; 'What's going on in space at the moment?' 'Is there anything interesting that I should see?' 'Can I come spend some time on Five soon?'.

There were usually standard answers to all of those questions, yet it was always Alan seeking to make the journey no one else did.

He'd wondered a few times up on Five, because there was plenty of time for that on occasions, exactly how alike he and Alan were or might be. Alan was definitely segregated from the four of them by age. He was the youngest and often restricted by his elders because of that. Gordon – four years older, and yet still Alan's closest in age – was already committed to International Rescue and though he often had a lot of time for his younger brother, there was only so much he could do to combat the loneliness at being left alone when those you loved flew out on a rescue.

It was Alan who – somehow – had seen it and asked it.

'Don't you get lonely up there, John?'

Whenever he thought about that day, what struck him was how untruthfully he'd answered it. And somehow, he was still sure the youngest had seen through it. Space had always been their connection and he believed now he'd underestimated just how strong that could be. Alan had come to space to work with him on rescues a few times now and he had nothing negative to say about the kid. In fact, it helped him realise how kindred their spirits were.

Alan had taken a liking to Thunderbird Five after the few occasions when he'd docked there, and it was impossible for John to forget the offer of a swap in order to give him a break – just as long as it 'collided with something spectacular you couldn't see from Earth'. But the blond had been entirely joking on the last part.

It didn't miff him anymore as to why Alan would want to spend so much time with a brother seven-years his senior.

Gordon didn't wake until midday and looked perfectly shocked to see him sat casually on the sofa, Alan on one side, Scott on the other: at least by the way the other blonde's jaw dropped.

"When did you get back in town?" Had been the greeting, and to some extent, he knew he should have expected it, maybe even expected Virgil's quip from where he was lounging on the sofa opposite them.

"Don't you mean back with gravity, Gordon?"

He definitely should have seen Scott's oncoming fit of laughter.

It was strange, he'd always thought, how normal their lives could be when no one was trapped or in need of 'impossible' aid. If you took away the fact they lived miles from civilisation, they could still be a pretty normal family; swimming laps of the pool, watching space documentaries, spending long evenings gathered around the piano, baking and tinkering with machinery… ok maybe not the last one, for he was sure not everyone's younger brother tried taking a toaster apart in order to put it back together – yes, looking at you, Virgil.

And when the middle child met his eyes, the smile itself told him they were on the same page. As Alan and Gordon delved into a new debate "big brother" had to try and settle, he knew it was impossible to withhold smiling like a joker for any longer.

That was saying something, considering few things were impossible for them too.

Alan had insisted (whilst Scott unknowingly distracted their brothers) he visit Thunderbird Three and as it was something he did rarely – but secretly enjoyed – he agreed. The youngest had developed a knack for this. Down time, especially when the red headed brother could come and visit, was the perfect opportunity to sit and have a mission retold inside the red rocket. He supposed that was another thing their love of space gave them. Solace from being inside a rocket.

Dad's rocket.

He could put on the façade, act as though he'd heard it all before – since usually, he had over the communications channels aboard five – but at the end of the day, it all slipped away into enjoyment. They were small things, but then it was always the simplest and smallest of things which had mattered to him. He was so glad only Scott was old enough to remember him asking for their family one birthday. But then, they were always at the heart of the small range of things which mattered to the spaceman.

When Alan had finally finished his tale and they returned to the lounge, Gordon complained it was unfair for the youngest to 'snatch' (in the midst of action, had been his exact words) the red-head away like that when his appearances were so rare, but before anything else could be said on the matter, Virgil insisted he come and listen to a new piece. And there was another of those valued things. The middle child was a master with the instrument, even if he'd never admit to having an artistic side – no Virgil was strong, calm, cool and collected. And an artist. The whole family added that label in their heads, because Virgil couldn't argue to that.

It was a really nice piece – calm and quieting, one he imagined Dad would have liked, and even standing simply at the piano's side reminded him of family nights together. It made him long for them back. However, then he'd remind himself they were all still mostly here, and could enjoy them the five of them, with dad's honoured presence. This was one of those things he had to come back to Earth for.

His brothers were always the force that pulled him back, not gravity.

Finally annoyed at not being able to see his brother, Gordon pulled him from the piano – physically, yes – and insisted they sit outside by the pool, because it was impossible for him to get the recommended amount of sunlight in space. Virgil and Alan had chuckled and had the sense not to challenge or follow.

Gordon had been endlessly demonstrating his swimming prowess, popping his head up in sequence at the end of each lap to reply to their thread of conversation, when Scott finally came out and caught up with them.

"So this is where you've been."

He shrugged where he sat on the edge of one of the sunbeds. "I was dragged."

"Half dragged," Gordon gurgled as he popped his head up through the depths of the water. "Half walked."

"Well as long as he's in one piece, I'm happy." Scott answered, sitting on the bed opposite him. The sun seemed to work wonders for Gordon and Scott didn't appear opposed to it either. He was: the view was tarnished on Earth, far more exquisite from up in the cosmos.

It amused him when he noticed Virgil stepping his way out carefully with Alan hovering like a fly behind him. He supposed there was every chance they suspected Gordon to have set something up in the hour he'd managed to win alone.

"Nothing's going to attack you." He called out and Scott sniggered immediately, glancing over his shoulder to see their younger brothers braving the outdoors.

"Are you sure John?" Alan answered instantly, stepping back almost comically as Gordon surfaced and even Virgil seemed to twitch, all of which Scott found even more amusing. He was sure he would too if he had any ideas as to the unspoken context.

"You're not in on it, are you?" Virgil queried.

He held up his hands, trying to prove he was innocent of anything and everything at the moment, "Hey, I'm a safe field of quantum particles."

"We don't do science speak on Earth!" Gordon exclaimed, pulling himself to the side of the pool, an action which made Virgil side step further away once again.

"I do!" Alan exclaimed happily as he sat on the pool edge, clearly no longer afraid of whatever his direct elder might pull. Maybe he'd been able to tell it was safe through their brief moment of eye contact or just the link they shared as the resident 'Terrible Two'; all whilst Virgil still looked very, very unsettled and chose to hover nearer to he and Scott, almost unconsciously. It was enough to tell him that something had been said or done between the pair of them. He wasn't sure what, but it certainly seemed that Virgil was ready and waiting to be on the receiving end of some bad trickery, likely in return or her own. Those three could be so entertaining. It was definitely worth returning to Earth when these little debates were going on.

"Entanglement principles1, can explain luck." He explained simply. It was far more complex than that, but he could leave it that way for the rest of them. Alan would likely have tried to explain the process in whole to amaze everyone and he could see that leading to Gordon drowning, Scott going grey and Virgil kneeling over from anxiety. It would just take too long to explain – longer than the minds of their brothers could sustain at least. He gave an Alan a gaze and smile which explained that and the youngest blonde seemed happily settled with that.

"And you're meant to be good luck?" Scott asked, probably still trying to deal with the brief science lesson.

"There's five of us. By the Laws of physics, one of us should be."

"I hope it's me." Virgil answered, almost sounding a little bit desperate. If he was waiting on Gordon's hit list though, then it was probably warranted worry.

Gravity seemed to be in his favour for the afternoon, though he didn't dare test it by attempting to get into the pool. Virgil opted to sit out too and there was an obvious reason for that. Alan switched in and out, but with just he and Gordon, there were very few games they could play – not that could last for a while anyway.

Even so, it was a nice quiet family afternoon and when they finally all sat together to have some cold drinks, Gordon – padding across the floor, dripping wet and threatening to soak Virgil – had to say it,

"Hey, look up, we might even manage to break our three-day streak!"

"I'd rather not look up though, Gordon." Scott answered before taking a quick sip of his drink, almost racing away from the topic at the speeds Alan liked to fly Thunderbird Three, but he already knew it was too late. With the words out there and said, it was only a matter of time.

In fact, five, four, three, two, one-

"Scott's just afraid he'll blind himself if he looks at the sun."

-Not quite, he'd have to count to negative three for the effect to be true, but it wasn't that far off after all.

The call signal beeped.

"Well that should have been predictable." He answered quickly, getting to his feet at the same time all the while trying his best to maintain his balance and navigate the innumerous amount of stupid deckchairs spread around the place – the majority of which they just didn't need.

"You had to say it Gordon." Alan moaned, rushing off after him by the sound of his footsteps. He shook his head, smiling at the slight boisterous undertone there had been to what was clearly an angered stomp at their day being interrupted. Of course, he'd never tell the youngest exactly what his desperate rushing had actually sounded like. He managed to wipe the smile from his face as well by the time he answered EOS up in the lounge.

Else there would have been an awkward explanation necessary as to why he was doing so, and schooling EOS on another of life's human mysteries wasn't what he had time for now.

Now, was an end to the brotherly fun.

---

And that was how they came to this.

He'd returned to Thunderbird Five to assist EOS because from what she described, this was a massive accident with another impending disaster on the way.

So, Scott and Virgil headed off to launch and were leaving the island by the time he gave them their course, relaying to them the briefest of descriptions.

"But what exactly are we dealing with, John?" Scott had inquired straight away, first responder instincts clearly kicking in, and he desperately wished the eldest could have held his curiosity. For one, because he didn't entirely know himself yet 'what exactly'.

Save a very bleak picture.

"You just need to make your priority getting there, Thunderbird One. If that passenger train crashes into the back of the existing crash, then it will be an absolute disaster."

"More than it already is?" Gordon's voice questioned as Thunderbird Two's radio also registered on his systems. EOS seemed to be waiting in the background for her set of instructions and he knew his brothers would soon be doing the same when they reported their arrival, but right now it was hard for him to see any to give.

In the waiting silence, he was busying himself, studying what information he had on the situation and the whole time he wished for so many reasons that it hadn't happened.

EOS had already apologised profusely, claiming that she must have missed it, but he double checked on his way up in the space elevator. There had been no calls, no radio communications which forewarned it, nothing that led anyone to believe one of the trains had fallen onto the wrong track. No, unless he'd been specifically watching for it then there was no way he could have seen it. That any of them could have. He made a point of making EOS aware of that too. It wouldn't do to have her focus for the entire rescue on appointing blame. He could tell he was going to need her resources in order to be able to make this rescue possible.

"This isn't a joking matter, Gordon." Virgil insisted, his voice breaking strong and solemn through the quiet.

"I wasn't." The eldest blonde threw back.

It was a tell-tale sign to him that they weren't going to get anywhere like this. His brothers would have to know the situation if there was going to be any focus on this rescue. He'd never intended to send them in blind, but he'd wanted to wait until they'd passed the flight. All it was going to cause was upset. But upset it seemed was the way forward.

"Ok, listen up." That grabbed their attention; he'd learnt to recognise the signs he couldn't always see in his brothers. "You're on your way to stop a six-carriage passenger train from crashing into an existing accident. The existing accident is a crash between a cargo train and a eleven-carriage passenger train-"

"Which wouldn't happen to be the evening rush hour train, would it John?"

"Yes, Scott, it would. From what I can tell me, full to capacity as usual. The train is currently on its side and in a varied state. The cargo train has practically broken apart, but at the speeds they collided we're looking at a range of serious injuries, possibly fatalities." He knew they'd understand without him needing to confirm it so horribly, bluntly. "The authorities are already on their way, but I think this is beyond what they can deal with. Once we've managed to stop the train we'll need to evacuate the trapped passengers."

"Do you have the details on that yet?" Virgil asked. He shook his head despite knowing they couldn't see it, but at least EOS chuckled.

"I'm currently focusing on finding a way for you to stop the oncoming train. You aren't going to have much time to act."

"FAB. Five minutes out."

And he'd used every second of those five minutes to come up with a solution, running several suggestions through with EOS until they found the one which would work, and he sent them all the details to his usual precision. He would have rather had more than five minutes, he would have rather been able to give them something he was certain on, something which was completely safe, as opposed to the best he could muster. Still, it would have to do.

"We're here, John. Talk us through this grand idea."

"You can't just stop the train: the sudden breaking force will cause serious injury. You need to take a tag team approach. Fire a constant series of grappling lines until you can force it to slow down. One of you will need to take the back, the other the front. I'd suggest you use Thunderbird One for the front carriage," Before Virgil could make his protest, he continued, after all the calculations were in his hands. Quite literally with Five's systems, "Ok, Thunderbird Two is stronger, but Thunderbird One's engines are more likely to help you compensate for the speed."

"FAB." He loved it when they could all answer at the same time.

What he didn't love was the waiting. The next few minutes when all he had was there few radio transmissions to go on, when he had no idea what was happening apart from the few things he could see on his screen. It was an agonising process, it always had been, and it was only made marginally easier with EOS at his side. It still hurt everytime to be so far away from the action, unable to help other than to call out names and bellow instructions which might come too late. There had been far too many times in the course of International Rescue when he'd been left, waiting, just as in the dark as his brothers on the ground sometimes. When their radios went dead or he got wind of only part of the story, it was always the same.

He was left playing the waiting game.

It had only taken two minutes at most, but it felt like ages. The train on his screen looked like it was touching bumpers with the crash, a narrow margin separating them. The narrow margin didn't matter though, because all his projections were suggesting that the train had stopped gradually enough to avoid any casualties and hopefully serious injuries.

He breathed a sigh of relief. They'd done it. Pulled off the impossible once again. Yet another reason for the world to love International Rescue.

"Good going guys."

"Thanks. It looked close for a moment."

"You're telling me." He could only breathe the answer. He'd been stuck without the correspondence between the brothers, but he could tell from the exhaustion already marching into Scott's voice that he'd been panicking, fearing they wouldn't do it. That hadn't remotely been his fear. His fear had been the constant, though rare – he'd calculated these things to the exact point of course – that either of them (Thunderbird One) especially, could have caught a dangerous backdraft if they'd failed to stop the train, or if the train had hit the crash.

But he could bury those fears now, because it hadn't happened like that. He could bury them and wait for the next ones to rise. He could bury them and try to get his heart rate to drop. He could bury them. For now.

"Woah…" Alan's voice breathed over the radio. A change of topics on the way then. "It's… It looks terrible down here."

"I know, Alan." He couldn't see it, but he could see the closest he had to it, he could hear the reports, he could gather the gist of everything which was going on, of all the things which his brother's eyes could view. He wished he could have his green eyes staring at the same as opposed to holographic images. These were the rescues he hated leaving his brothers to handle, because the things they saw couldn't be swiped away, those he saw could.

And he hated it.

It was an impossible situation always, but it was one he struggled to live down. Here he was, in a palace in space doing next to nothing compared to the work his family would soon be undertaking. This crash, this mission was a nightmare in progress. It was the incident you never wanted to happen for so many reasons.

Why did this have to happen?

It was like they were jinxed sometimes – and this was coming from the man who believed in science not luck – and that was only emphasised by Gordon's choice words right before this happened, him coming back down to Earth… It just seemed to happen that way every single time.

He shook his head. It was typical, yes, but it wasn't what he could be clouding his mind with right now.

There are more important things going on.

"You need to get down there as soon as possible. It's not just the extent of what you're going to find, but you're racing time. You've got about an hour before it goes dark." He hoped nothing had slipped, given him away in his tone. Yet, another thing for this mission's list of important variables; why did South America have to be four hours ahead of them? If they had to work in the pitch black, they'd be in a little bit more trouble.

It was easy to say that optimism was rapidly failing him where this rescue was concerned.

"FAB." Gordon mumbled his voice sounding chilled to the core, a complete turnaround for the usual joker. He couldn't say he wasn't feeling cold either, and not because of space's atmosphere though he'd like to be able to peg it on that.

"Um… I'm not seeing anywhere for us to land." Virgil's voice flooded the space station, bringing him back to this moment, this world which he needed to be in. "John?"

"You can't land anywhere near Virgil. The site isn't really stable for One and Two is going to need a much larger landing and standing space than you'll get. Hover for a moment, I'll direct you somewhere else. Scott, you should be able to land, a few clicks North of you - there should be enough space to keep you out of the way and as stable as possible."

He couldn't afford to send both of them away to land – there would surely be nothing left to save if he did so. It was a risk, but a calculated one, and so he added keeping an eye on Thunderbird One's landing gear and all near by slips in land stability to his holo-screen. It was almost like being in an all-round encased home cinema, except the film was a horror movie you were mis-sold and actually had no wish to watch.

"I see it John. Thanks. Heading down now. See you later Thunderbird Two." And with that Scott was gone, his screen the only thing which allowed him to see Thunderbird One was still in flight, still in the area, still safe.

And with Scott gone and making a simple landing, that turned is attentions to Thunderbird Two, to the drastic need to find somewhere for the infernal hulk of a ship (he did love it really) to land. Why couldn't things just be simple? Why couldn't there just be a space big enough to land the thing for once? Ok, it was a stretch of something to ask for in a situation like this, but if something could just go their way…

He'd thank the universe though it couldn't really answer back.

He flicked his fingers and brought up some of the details he'd need, picking up on specific sets of coordinates.

"Ok, Virgil head West for a few miles. I'm sending you the details. You'll need to head North West in a bit. I'm trying to find you a suitable landing spot, but I'm not having much luck. I've put you on the path towards the nearest disused runway."

"FAB John."

"By the way, what's with the GDF presence?" Gordon promptly enquired, voice sounding a little more like his own with the tell-tale Tracy annoyance creeping in, "They're swooping in now."

"I see them Gordon. I'll handle it."

"I'd rather you than me."

Of course the Aquanaut would.

He'd pass it on to EOS to deal with if it wasn't likely to require a human touch, or if she wasn't already watching the local emergency services, the train tracks, and obtaining the relevant schematics for the train they held a issue with. No, he was good at multitasking and he was the logical choice for it, however much he already had on his plate. He'd pass one of the other, more simplistic tech jobs onto EOS if he really had too.

"John, we're not going to end up too far away, are we?" Alan questioned suddenly, but his voice sounded somehow distant. That alone that him the youngest was probably attempting to look back out of the window. Maybe longingly towards the eldest brother… yeah, Alan, I feel it too...

"I'm going to do my best Alan." The dotted line on his screen. Started to curve, the green tracking light of Two almost atop it. "Virgil, North West now, you should see it soon."

"How soon is soon, John?"

"Five minutes, tops." He hoped, anyhow. He didn't want Scott to be struggling alone on the ground for too long. "Let me know when you get there."

He ended their communications link this time, because he needed the resource. EOS had been gradually looping in and bringing up every relevant conversation for them. He currently had individual updates from the tracks controller, the police and the incoming fire services. The ambulance services were also making a few reports and he had those displayed too. Not to mention he was keeping a very close eye on the GDF just as he'd told Gordon, for it was certainly unusual for Colonel Casey not to announce their helping presence was on hand and available. That missing common detail alone set his finally tuned nerves of. Yet, he didn't have all the time in the world to be babysitting the GDF and as such, the thought couldn't have all his attentions. In a situation like this, he had to prioritise.

Still, just like he'd promised, with the passenger train taken care of – and it was, everyone was in the process of being safely evacuated – he turned his attentions to the fallen train. He had general outlines of thermal and life scans from what Thunderbird Five was capable of discovering, but he knew that just wasn't going to be enough for this level of catastrophe. He needed to be able to give his brothers more than that if they were going to stand any chance.

"International Rescue, we need assistance." Oh no… he felt his heart drop towards his stomach, ribs a useless support. That was all they needed. Clearly everyone was now going to decide today was the day (of all days) that they needed rescuing. He listened to a bit more of the message to gain the rough situation, pin point the location, before reluctantly sending it on to the city's fire department. They'd just have to deal with it in house as best as possible, because there was no way International Rescue could respond.

He spent some time whilst listening in – he'd become very good at multitasking, well, technically he always had been. He'd just adapted to a new area over the last few years – studying the schematics EOS had located, and images of the train's fall. Judging by its fall angle and calculated force, not to mention the fact of it having eleven passenger filled carriages: International Rescue was going to be needed here for a while.

He muttered to himself as he worked, things about no seatbelts, and calculating the effect of gravity. It was likely on that basis - calculating through everything he had to hand - they'd end up with a lot of falls, a few impalements and a fair quantity of broken bones. Not to mention more head, neck and back injuries than he'd like, especially as it was likely a high proportion of those would be fatal. Of course, he wasn't going to pass on those scientific workings at any point - it was unnecessary for his brothers to have such in their minds, nor did he think it would remotely useful for them, as one they'd likely not be easily understood. And for two, they did paint a dire picture, and yes, the situation was exactly so, but he couldn't throw in anything which might knock his brother's further off course. There was no changing the troublesome and bad nature of the situation, but he could at least try to keep his brothers spirits up on the ground. He was guessing from what they'd seen, how they'd sounded and what they'd reported to him, that they were all already aware and expecting a high rate of fatalities.

And how could he lie to them if they asked? It wouldn't be right. That's why he was desperately hoping an exact question of the sort could be avoided. In fairness, he loved knowledge, he loved possessing knowledge. He liked being able to be privy to everything, to have the chance to work all these things out, but given the chance to be down there right now, he knew he'd take it – however much of a shock that may come as.

He'd made several mental notes of the useful things he heard, names, figures and the like, noting a few of them as well so they were ready at arm's reach. Actually, it seemed like he'd done a lot by the time another communication made its way in and he soon found himself hoping his elder brother wasn't cracking already.

"Um," His voice was shaky for a moment, even just on the simple sound and he feared that just maybe… "John… Where am I supposed to start?"

No, Scott sounded lost, but he seemed to be attempting to pull himself together. That was good. That was very good. As long as Scott could just keep a lid on his recklessness – damn him for being so protective of everyone else and yet ridiculously daring with his own life; John could swear it was a character fault – and keep trusting his instincts no matter what, then everything may work out still. At least until he could have some ground help.

He may have always been able to calm and reassure his elder brother (not that you'd hear Scott admit it), yet there was only so much he could do from up here especially with so many different channels to supervise. He was still surprised the GDF had made no contact.

But for now, Scott wanted to know where to start, and that he could give him.

He thought back to basic protocols, thinking that would settle well with whatever state Scott's mind was in, maybe even prompt it back to it's full state of working. He tried to move steps ahead of his own instructions too, so that he was never leaving Scott with a prolonged lapse.

"I would suggest finding someone to liaise with from the authorities. Hold on, I have a name from my preliminary communications."

And now, typically, it seemed the GDF were interested in making contact, as though someone had reminded them that with International Rescue attending, they should follow their Colonel's usual protocol and do so.

"International Rescue, Captain Sidwell. We are coming into land at the crash site. Preparing to drop altitude."

Idiotic, was the first thing to cross his mind, especially for an apparent Captain.

That baffled him completely. An apparently experienced pilot and officer thought it was a good idea to one descend on a crash site, two to descend on a cliff side in which their jets could end up over the fallen train. And there was no idea yet as to what problems that could create. He didn't think those jets would cause the train to roll again, but it could cause a magnitude of other occurrences, actually anything in effect, he had no picture for certain.

It was definitely a good thing he could listen to people's communications word perfect at the same time, because otherwise he'd have had to demand one of them, maybe even both repeat what they said. That was why he did this job though, because – not blowing any trumpets – he was good at it and that had only come through practise and hard work (and a tiny bit of natural skill which was likely nurtured by having five brothers)

Still, he hated to cut across Scott's conversation, however there was no choice, as the GDF fleet certainly seemed ready to move immediately on that action if he didn't shut them up.

"Uh, no Captain, I wouldn't advise losing altitude in your current position."

"John?" He was sure he could take one guess as to what Scott was currently thinking – something along the lines of 'have you gone mad' by the tone, he'd guess - and be right. Scott, on the other hand, would soon find himself proven wrong.

"Sorry Scott, I'm doing a lot of cross-channelling right now."

"You're a communications expert." It was nice to have a compliment, but perfectly unnecessary. To him, it was just a statement of what he could do and right now he wasn't even going to pick up on the sub meanings. Scott needed to know the situation up here if he was going to be able to understand any other sudden cuts across his conversation, because he was sure there could easily be more with how many resources he and EOS were currently using up between them.

"Yes, but I'm running short on resources even with EOS. I'm trying to keep my focus now on scanning the wreckage. Leaving you on an open channel where possible saves some of those dwindling resources."

Simple solutions. They were what he always had to strive for in moments like these. Priorities and proficiency.

"Understood John." Something of Scott's "field commander" voice seemed to return in that and so long as this talk was doing something beneficial, he was meeting his targets. "You were getting me a name?"

He already had the relevant log ready. Once again, multitasking. Having watched him do it over multiple rescues, EOS had marvelled at it to begin with, but when he explained to her that she could already do it naturally, the effect wore off and she began to consider it a normality between them: something else which separated them from 'other humans'. He was glad to know his family were no longer included in that dangerous category.

"Yes, a Police Chief, Martini."

Scott had sounded thoroughly confused and when he left him with, "Later, I think I could use a few," he decided he'd make sure that happened, later. He had a feeling they all might need a drink, even young Alan.

The GDF tried calling again. He had a bigger issue to deal with, and they could wait. He put them on hold.

In the meantime, he thought back to the previous puzzle, the continuing challenge they were being posed with today. His brothers weren't going to have much luck if life and thermal scans were all he could give him. They were vague and meant little. Brains had been in the process of developing him more advanced systems, Thunderbird Five's own version of what he could read from his brother's close up scans, yet those designs were nowhere near finished however. So maybe they'd just have to go it alone, improvise and create on the spot, see what they could work out. Because they needed something now, something which could equate to this level of catastrophe.

He'd been trying to find a solution before, but he knew now there was only one.

Intelligence was necessary, yes, but so was fast processing speed, one far faster and superior to his – one which could actually create the ideas he was capable of thinking up.

He wouldn't be able to do that alone. And it wasn't like there was nothing else for him to be doing either - he did only have two eyes and ears and one set of hands. He needed to be here to answer his brothers, to aid them, thus he couldn't be taking up all his resources with the task. But there might just be someone who could. So he turned to her.

"EOS?"

"Yes John?" She wasn't sounding quite as chirpy as usual, though still held something of her merry nature, so he didn't think the accident had caused her to have a sudden break in confidence. Because that could be a disaster ours occurrence for him right now.

"Can you find a way to boost our thermal and life scans?"

"I will start searching." He was grateful to her and hoped that she knew that by now without him needing to give voice to it.

The wreckage itself looked a terrible state from the images he could get up here and he knew it was going to be a far sight worse down there. He could only hope that Scott would be able to hold his head, keep following his instincts like the brilliant field commander he was.

There was little to tune into at the moment and he supposed that meant Scott was still sorting things on the ground. He couldn't blame him for not wanting to enter that wreckage since it definitely wouldn't be on his list of things to do. He decided to try putting in a call to Colonel Casey to see if this whole GDF mess could be settled with ease. After his call bouncing back unsuccessfully, he sighed, perfectly ready to believe that this day was just doomed from the start, even before Gordon changed the equilibrium around them; the floating particles the blond would never believe in, as the only thing in his mind which floated involved water.

"John," EOS' robotic, yet calming voice reappeared. "I think I have some success, but I will need to over-run some of our systems." Really? Something couldn't go completely right, even now? Here he was thinking everything that could go wrong already had. Surely there couldn't be that many things left which could go array?

"Will it put us in any immediate danger?" That was the first point he had to address, because Scott would flip if he went through with something that crazy.

"No. Not unless we continue going past the limits, should we ever reach them." Ok, that sounded slightly more positive. He could settle with half and half cases, because really he wasn't asking for a miracle, just a little luck – yes, never before heard of where he was concerned and he was more than glad Gordon wasn't within his presence to witness it.

"Will we lose any of our communications in the process?" He was using every channel right now as it was, leaving just enough to be able to divert any and all other incoming calls. It was a tool he couldn't afford to give up for more precise scanning.

"No. Communications will remain stable. I will try to over-run as many of my own systems as possible before eating into yours or Thunderbird Five's resources. By the end of it, I may need some replacement processors though…" For EOS, that was a very sad thought and he understood it.

"We have many spares in the cargo bay."

That instantly made her brighten up. "Then I see no reason why it cannot at least be attempted."

Yes, he thought, something good at last!

"Try it, EOS. We'll give them whatever we can before we have to cut down our system usage."

"Certainly."

They'd have to make do. Running under pressure – especially this much – was never easy, but he prided himself on being unflappable and EOS was definitely fine unless he started dying on her, so all round, he couldn't see any foreseeable issues. This was International Rescue on a rare, but not impossible super busy day and they would just have to push on, make do and rely on each other, just like they always did.

They could do this.

They had to.

And he knew that if they could keep together (ironic, yes, he was aware considering how far away he currently was) then he was sure they could make this mission a success. Or at least as much of a success as it was possible to make the unstoppable. His hope was they'd be able to save a substantial amount of people. If not, they'd be able to know they did everything they could in the process of trying. And maybe the world would have to see that and learn that not even International Rescue were superhuman. Yes, they often made miracles; yes, they did what no one else thought was possible; yes, they were often the first point of call for disasters, but no, they couldn't put the clock back. And he knew from everything he was hearing and seeing, that was the tool they'd need to make this a situation International Rescue could have prevented, and on that front, he wasn't even certain. There still may have only been so much they could do, but yes, there was a possible chance they could have stopped the collision.

If anyone had actually been paying attention to spot it, or possibly not deliberately setting it all up. He wasn't going to make any assumptions and there weren't enough details in yet to prove either way, but that would just be the straw to add another complication – if there's someone else they should be looking out for.

"John, I have the system established. You should be able to utilise it soon. It should allow you basic vital scans too."

"Well done, EOS."

"I can't guarantee how long it will run for though. It's… how do you say… experimental?"

He gave her a smile, an attempt to at least try and brighten the situation for the young AI, "Well, you know as much as I do, that sometimes here at International Rescue, we go with experimental."

"Indeed, we do, John."

He soon heard over the communications that Scott had made contact with the police and that was a good start. He turned to check the tracking for Thunderbird Two, noticing now how close they were coming to their destination.

In light of that he took another quick flick over the schematics of the train, returning to the background calculations he'd been making. They were definitely going to need some kind of cutting equipment and it might be useful for them to take a general pod or two for travel purposes. And who knows? It might come in handy later. That would have to do, for there was a limit as to how much the three of them could lug over, even with Virgil being as strong as he was. At least if they had a pod, a trip back might be manageable if completely necessary. But it would be darkening fast and their journey across the land was going to take them longer than the flight away. It would be like being grounded for a pilot, he knew. From what he could see at the moment though, they'd need to get inside the train before they could even dare attempt to cut the side (now better labelled as the roof) off from the train. It was unlikely, but he couldn't be certain some people hadn't been able to remain in their seats, somehow.

"Thunderbird Five, to Thunderbird Two. Virgil, I thought you might like an equipment update."

He might as well fill the time Scott didn't need him and the communications were bringing up nothing of great significance, with something else. Besides Virgil and his crew might as well have the best updates possible in order to avoid them standing around.

The GDF as far as he was concerned, took second place still. Although he was still irked at not being able to get a hold of their inside friendly face.

"I'd love one, John. We've found the place. We're just about to land. I'll send Alan and Gordon to get it all ready."

"You're going to want your heavy lifting gear." Virgil didn't leave for many missions like this without it, but John knew he might be tempted to this time in order to help with getting there quicker and the medical evacuations, but Alan and Gordon could put their skills towards that, considering the middle child had the most strength and experience dealing with rubble which needed to be turned up.

"FAB, I'll suit up as soon as Two is on the ground."

"Get Gordon and Alan to configure a pod. You're going to want as much cutting and heavy lifting gear as you can get." Scott hadn't been able to give him a better inside update yet and so he was still stuck making judgement calls on what he could see. He wondered briefly if EOS had seen anything else, but when he sent that question her way through looks alone, she answered negatively. Picking up on an earlier conversation he'd overheard, he added something else. "You'd be best to take multiple first aid kits, as many as you can carry just to be certain. I don't know how willing the ambulance crews are going to be to get inside the train. Currently they're leaving it to the police and fire services, but maybe when there's inside access they'll join. The best advise I can give you is to think practically with equipment choices."

He hoped they would, for he saw no way it was fair of them to expect International Rescue to do everything. He checked the updated On-site Vehicle Reports as Virgil answered and was glad to see that all seven units had hung around. Not that he expected seven ambulances to be anywhere near enough. Besides, once his brothers were there, he knew they'd help where they could until it wasn't possible for them to do any more. It was the sort of people they were.

"I get it, no chances. Works for me."

"Right." He loved it when it worked out like this; all of them on the same page with such ease, "You might want to pass on an update to Scott. I'm sure he'll appreciate it coming from you." And that he did know. With how frazzled Scott had already sounded at points and the fact he was able to dryly joke about the Police Chief's surname, he knew his elder brother was crumpling beneath all the pressure. Considering he'd be receiving multiple and almost constant reports from John throughout the rescue and might still be waiting a while on the three younger family members arrival, a call from Virgil would just be a nice cherry to the situation, a new voice.

"FAB."

And that was the end of that call.

He turned his attention back to the communications, none of them displaying anything major or that he needed to note. That led him back to the latest of numerous calls he'd been trying to put through to Colonel Casey, as with a sickening beep, this one once again failed to connect.

"Damn." The GDF were really beginning to grate on his nerves: they were simply creating noise and obstructing from the skies. They still hadn't moved away, nor had they made any attempt at contact since their last call. And he didn't think that boded particularly well.

"We're having trouble here."

"We wouldn't be hearing it if you weren't." He muttered, flicking his eyes back to the relevant channel. It was a bit disappointing that his key word setting for any incoming transmissions was 'help', 'trouble', 'danger' and any of their affiliates. It certainly made him seem like a very sad and overly crime-conscious person. Of course, it wasn't like that, but it certainly sounded like the simplest explanation to outsiders.

"The door's completely jammed."

"We'll try and gain access through the windows."

"The windows aren't going to be large enough for access."

"But we can establish communications with the passengers." So someone else on the ground was able to think clearly and carefully too it seemed. That at least meant they might manage to get somewhere eventually. Scott could have a handful of half and half news when he next checked in at least.

The communications beeped again, the alert he'd specifically set up for the GDF. Just, great. They could really do without the extra hassle right now. It simply wasn't constructive. Captain Sidwell's voice boomed over the radio and he knew those tones alone were enough to give him a headache.

"Hey, International Rescue, what's going on? You gonna' let us land here?"

"They're very pushy." EOS commented, busy with her selected task, but clearly still putting some of her functions towards helping him listen in, even if it was on a base level. He had a feeling she was learning something of the common human method of eaves-dropping as well, listening into communications which might entertain her. And this was definitely one of those. If there was one thing EOS had learnt for certain, then it was definitely that the GDF were interesting – and worth keeping an eye on for many reasons, a prime one of which still being that the AI was certain the organisation couldn't be trusted. It had certainly taken him a while to convince EOS that Colonel Casey posed them no threat, and he had a feeling that had only been achieved through the family friend connection.

Really the GDF should be being more careful, because he knew EOS definitely had eyes on them.

"I know." He answered the link, not willing to keep them waiting for too long. He'd no prior dealings with Sidwell, however he didn't feel like the man was going to be one who waited patiently, "Captain, I have already told you, you cannot land three planes of that size at a serious crash site-"

"You landed a Thunderbird!"

"Yes, because we are trying to save lives, you are merely trying to investigate the crash. I can direct you to a safer landing site-" The man had gone to say something, but he merely raised his voice a tone and whatever it was off by speaking over him. "-the same site to which I have directed our other craft and crew due to the danger of landing so close. I suggest you head there and land or go back to your base."

"You get those orders from the Colonel?"

He couldn't help sighing, shaking his head to avoid… well, he wasn't sure what his reaction would have been at this point.

"No, but I'm making an executive decision. Do not, land at the crash site. I don't care if you get involved and start your investigations on the ground, but landing there could put hundreds of lives in danger. I've sent you the suitable landing coordinates, I suggest you head there."

He cut the link before the Captain had time to argue or ask how he was capable of sending data to them without their craft's individual communication details. What they didn't know wouldn't hurt them and all that.

He really didn't like that man, and they'd never even met face to face: he could only imagine what would happen if ever they did. Certainly, he could imagine the levels of crazy he'd been driven to having Fischler on board for a while and that had nearly resulted in an airlock failure, despite the fact he'd been initially joking (which in itself was a rarity). He wouldn't be joking if they somehow happened to come face to face now.

"I don't like the Captain." He liked it sometimes, how plain EOS was in her opinions of people. It was refreshing, considering people these days had to label and name things, even simple dislike had to hidden with other words in most parts of society. Lady Penelope had often commented on how ridiculous it was she had to 'mingle with men I severely dislike, not that I can say that.' He couldn't resist smiling at Parker informing them that was his job, and further that he enjoyed it.

His opinion of the man certainly didn't go any higher than his codes did, and it hadn't escaped his notice how quickly they thought the same thing, to the moment. Maybe there was something genetic in there after all. Although he'd hate for Alan to be proved right about he and EOS being alike. There were so many things which made that statement invalid, though he had to admit there were a few which proved it, he knew. He kept silent about those when the youngest was around.

"I can't disagree with you there, EOS."

"John?"

Scott.

He quickly changed his systems focus until his brother appeared before him, reconfiguring the screen as he went to load their trail version of a vital scan.

"Here goes EOS."

"I'm currently diverting ninety-eight percent of my capacitors. Anymore would be dangerous." He understood that and so it would have to be enough. He left the system loaded and made to answer his brother. It wouldn't serve to keep him waiting, definitely any longer as he could pass off for other conversations – and that in Scott's book was a short time window. He'd developed the knack of never being late for a check in save the eldest order their youngest up into space for no reason.

"Here Scott. What do you need?" He should be able to give Scott whatever the answer to that question was. Thunderbird Five was definitely more organised than Tracy Island. Yes, International Rescue was well organised, but when everyone had down time on the Island, you wouldn't recognise it as the organisation's base of operations.

"I've just had the update from Virgil." Nicely done, little brother, whatever had been said, Scott was finally sounding like himself again gradually. "For your knowledge, I'm heading into the wreckage now to search for survivors. I'll keep you in the loop and switch to an open channel when I find something. Do you have any notes for me?"

That was Scott's way of demanding the details he never saw. Usually he knew the pilot wouldn't consider them until afterwards, but with so much going on, he probably couldn't help being curious and he likely should know. The GDF were probably amounting to at least half of that problem at the minute. But still, he didn't need to know need to know the full extent. Scott liked to make clear headed decisions, nothing with a clouded mind.

"Nothing at the moment. I'm still trying to sort things with the GDF, but they can't get me a link to Colonel Casey."

He was sure by the temporary silence, Scott would be attempting to think that through and when he spoke, the frown was clear inside his speech, "Why are they so concerned anyway?"

"They're insisting on calling foul play." It was getting tiring; the constant repetitive insistence, Captain Sidwell putting in call after call which he was ignoring. If he could have spared a moment to sit down and catch his breath – so to speak of course – then he would have taken that opportunity, but right now it was something they couldn't afford. Thus, he let talking to Scott take over and reinvigorate him: they could share their anger. It always seemed to help as an outlet.

"Is there enough evidence?" It sounded like Scott had started trying to find a way into the train by the way his voice was straining, mirroring the physical exertion. He just hoped Scott – and Virgil, Gordon and Alan – wouldn't push themselves beyond their limits. Still, always return to the question, that was the basic underline to International Rescue: ask for all the details first and where possible. Oppositely, the GDF didn't work that way and he didn't think they ever would. This time he didn't dare hold back on the details. Scott would very much like to know them and he'd love to divulge them. It might even give Scott a chance to vent his own emotions. Besides, the elder would somehow be able to guess if he was holding anything back.

"That's the point: there's not. It's too early to tell anything really and the main focus should be on those involved in the accident. But they want to land and take a look. I'm trying to dissuade them, at least from landing so close."

He didn't see how hard it was for them to fly a five-minute journey and then make the trek back. They were doing it and they definitely deserved priority over the GDF as to where to land. Colonel Casey would understand, she'd tell them to deal with it and walk, then it would happen. Oh, why couldn't they just see him as the figure of authority for once? Didn't a suit with IR speak enough volumes? As far as he was concerned, they could walk, even if they loathed it, even if they despised him for it. It wasn't like he and Captain Sidwell stood a great chance at meeting face to face. It didn't seem Scott cared much for what they wanted at the moment either.

"Too right. We barely managed to get Thunderbird One down so close. Can you direct them to the same location as Thunderbird Two?"

"I'm trying. They're not having any of it." He almost gritted his teeth to throw the statement out there. The Global Defence Force just didn't seem to understand that they were taking up resources he needed. They needed. He was sure EOS was now very much understanding annoyance as an emotion, because he was definitely feeling in it rushing surges, the last straw taking a step closer to snapping as his most recent try to contact their friend in the force failed again. She had to be out of office for some irritating reason, as the AI informed him so on every update, "It's a stalemate unless I can get Colonel Casey on the line."

"Ok, John, keep trying." The strain seemed to have vanished from the elder's voice, but he didn't know whether that meant he'd actually achieved getting onto the top of the train or not. "Can you do me a favour and keep an eye on all those scans? I'd like to know if anything changes."

Scott had insisted on having a rough idea of what they were dealing with and he'd given the pilot a resource list, he'd just never explicitly made it clear until now how many of those he was over-running. He was just glad no alerts had come up for the track yet. He switched that to his monitoring as well, just in case anyone was being lax or there was indeed a set up. No other train was due on this route for at least an hour and he'd find a different track for it by then. He'd delay it if he had to. It was all just to be sure. He couldn't, after all, have some idiot let another train crash, into his brothers as well this time. Because an hour wasn't going to be enough to clear all of this unless they just called it a write off – and there was no way they could do that: it would live on their consciences forever to not at least try. Besides, considering all he could see and control from up here, it wouldn't make sense if he didn't put a foot towards protecting them. He'd complained when EOS through over-protective back as a label to him. She'd asked what the rest of the Tracy's were like and he'd been more than happy to indulge her, but that was the last thing he'd expected to be thrown back at him. All he could manage to get out was that it was inherited.

"Of course. I'll keep contacting you in intervals."

"FAB." He wondered now more than ever what Scott could see down there, because those three letters were said with more thought than he'd heard in his brother's voice in a while. He could only imagine… "Keep an eye on the police and fire services as well? They're meant to be mobilising now, making their way from Carriage Eleven to meet me in the middle. I'd like to know how they get on too, if you have the time."

Why did Scott seem to think that was going to be a problem? Even with everything he was already doing, he could make time for something else if it was what Scott needed. He was sure his brother should know that by now. He smiled, for no reason other than the kindness his brother was clearly trying to enact by avoiding dumping any more pressure on him. But it was fine: he thrived under pressure. With their family life, that was just the way it had always been and he couldn't see it changing any time soon. He didn't panic, he didn't get side-tracked and he didn't break. Pressure was his second natural place of living, second to space, one above Earth. It was an environment he sat in all the time. One more job didn't bother him, even now, even with all this.

And what better moment than now for their experimental system to truly come into working order. Ok, it could only show him a small field of viewing at a time it seemed, but that was good enough. It would aid them massively he was sure. And so far… yes; it was only going to be one person, but it was one person whose vitals were looking strong, one person who may be able to give the more details tell them things they hadn't known. Saving one person from this wreck, might just help to put Thunderbird One's pilot on the right starting track too.

So long as a backlash didn't evolve from it.

"FAB. Scott, as a last-minute pointer, I'd recommend you start from the engine cabin as opposed to the first carriage, I'm picking up a strong selection of vitals."

"Vital signs now?" He could tell Scott was interested as to how that came about, because he would have known if it was something Brains had installed. They all had regular updates from Brains on the state of each other's relevant Thunderbird, just in case of emergencies. His brunette brother was definitely sounding confused. "I thought you could only get life signs?"

He was glad Scott was impressed considering how quickly they'd devised the whole idea, but praise was never his aim, unlike Alan and Gordon who would sometimes seek to show off their manoeuvring skills. No, this was all about what he could do to make his brother's lives easier (thus enabling them to show off a little to their adoring public). That was the work he did without bother in the shadows. Once again, he didn't dare give Scott the full explanation – one, it was far too lightly to set the elder off on a rant about danger (not what they wanted or needed) and two, it would distract him from the task at hand (also not what they wanted or needed right now).

But he would have to at least try and explain it to Scott in order to settle the man's worries.

"EOS is focussing most of her capacitors on boosting our signals. We're marginally overloading our servers, but I'm directing all other calls to the appropriate organisations, so it shouldn't become a problem."

None of the immediate shoot backs he was expecting came, and so that had to mean something good at least. It's not like Scott could stop him running the program from all the way down there, but if the elder had serious concerns over it, he'd probably have to in order to allow the pilot peace for the duration of this rescue. On the other hand, it's effects would help greatly, and so he had every intention to use it for as long as possible, even if that had to be subtly and behind Scott's back. The answer he did get was definitely toned down, to say the least.

"FAB John, but I don't like it. Promise you'll stop if you start hitting disturbances." He couldn't argue with that even for a moment. If that was the cost of using this new technology then he'd take it. He and EOS could do their best to make sure nothing went wrong and if something did, then they'd respond as they usually did. They wouldn't panic and they'd find a solution. They'd always managed it before. Besides surely Scott could trust that he would actually follow those warnings.

"Loud and clear. Best of luck, Scott."

"Thanks. I'll need it." Now that, hardly sounded like the usual Scott on a grand rescue. He could only hope that finding and pulling someone from the train would help him feel a little bit luckier. He could only hope that effect would take hold anyhow. It would be for the best. He wondered how long Virgil was going to be… Scott could steel his nerves and hold his own, he knew, but the sooner he could have some ground company the better his working mind attitude was going to become.

He had a list of tasks to get on with by himself anyhow so plenty of other things he could turn to, to keep himself occupied with. And he'd have to do and manage with just that. He could listen in on his brother's the entire time, but that would mean keeping extra channels open and he just didn't have the resources dots do that if he was going to keep this new vital-scan program going – which obviously he did, and besides, it wasn't like his brothers needed him to babysit them, especially considering he was already watching their every move from the sky. If he needed to contact them for any reason he could, he just couldn't eaves-drop as much as he might like in this kind of situation. Yet so many other tasks beckoned his resources first, and as bad as it sounded, when International Rescue was needed, his brothers had to come last, and complete strangers in need of help became the first priority. It was a slightly skewed way of working really but it was the life they'd chosen, and so it was and always would be. So, he had to focus, work through tasks, just as he always did.

Now-

It seemed like only seconds had passed when Scott reappeared over his designated communication channel, looking more than little worried. "John, one last thing."

"Yes Scott?" He had a feeling now he knew what it was going to be. If the team which had joined Scott was having trouble with the doors… He immediately began to search through the files for the relevant document he just knew Scott was going to enquire about. EOS had left a nice little highlight on the schematics for this model of train, and so it was a relatively quick process for him to sift through and find the one he wanted.

"Do you have the schematics for this train, because… I don't have door."

Yes, he could see how that wasn't going to be ideal, and definitely as to how that explain Scott's current expression. He was trying to hide it, and he was doing it well, but he knew the elder was stressing. And he had a feeling, a fear rising up from the brief reading he'd done earlier, that he wasn't about to help those stress levels.

"Hold on. I have them here. There is one-" And there Scott went, stealing the words right out of his mouth, just as he'd expected: the elder knew the problem before he even asked. He'd likely only asked to confirm it for definite.

"But let me guess, it's saying hello to the ground right about now?"

"Correct." The single word made his heart drop, but how could he lie?

He couldn't entirely work it out from the angle his holo-version of Scott was thrown, but clearly his brother didn't think much of the answer either. It did make you wonder who built these things. He wasn't sure anymore if he'd personally trust the building of anything which Brains didn't approve of first. He didn't want to make Scott's day any worse either, but this was also something he probably needed to know.

"From the angle the whole train has gone over, you're only going to have door access to Carriages One and Eleven. That means for the main part of the evacuation, you're going to have to keep moving through the carriages."

He wished for once that he could be telling a joke, and that was a rarity in itself, that he wasn't even good at on the best of days when he was trying.

Scott sounded completely perplexed at how something like this was given worthy status for passengers, let alone for general running. They shared that too then. He supposed that the view down there really was what made the eldest of their family so certain when he answered, "There's no way that's going to be possible for everyone."

Didn't he know it. But 'everyone' wasn't the concern of the world these days, only the few.

It was danger territory, that he recognised and there was no way Scott would be able to deal with a carriage full of alive, injured and dead people later if he continued like this. The pilot would burn himself out too quickly, and yes, that was a lot easier to do when you were spread thin on resources and stuck with yourself: he knew that all too well! Yet he also knew how strong his brother could be and that was the side he needed to bring out. The easiest way he could see to do that in this instant was to take a responsibility from Scott's shoulders – to do all the calculations and thinking for him so he could do the rest. That, and to give the slightest push of an order towards him.

"Leave that to me, Scott, I'll dissect the plans in detail now and see what I can find for you. In the meantime, you need to make yourself a door."

This time, he could sense the focus had returned. "FAB."

And with that, the eldest was truly set to go and their link was no more. He waited a breath to see if he called back, but it seemed things had definitely been settled and that finally Scott had been able to get to work with a clearer mind.

So now that Scott really did have all his questions answered, he looked towards answering his own. The GDF problem would just have to stagnate until they acted on something else, though from the direction that two of their planes were beginning to move in, it seemed like they'd heeded his warning or someone aboard had started to speak sense, maybe worried as to what their Colonel's backlash would be if she found out International Rescue had been ignored. He could guess that Captain Sidwell was in the remaining plane, just trying to keep an eye on the scene below him from directly above and leave all the ground work to his Officers most likely. At least it was a start though, a dwindle to the interference they were creating.

Point two, he needed to know what damage their new system was causing. The likelihood was, that it was holding up straight away, it would continue to maintain itself. Or at least, that's what EOS' calculations would suggest unless something was to drastically change on a freak occurrence in the snap of a moment. Even so, it was worth keeping a check on so that any problems could instantly be in hand or hopefully eradicated. Unless this day was just going to bode out of their favour.

"EOS, system update?"

"I'm still maintaining my capacitors at full, though my subroutines are going to kill. Communications – incoming and outgoing – are still holding steady. Thunderbird Five is both secure in orbit and atmosphere. I can't see any negative occurrences so far."

"Good. Keep a constant check on all our systems. Update me if they drop below eighty percent. I'll minimise our usage of any back-up process and unnecessary equipment."

"That should help."

"Let me know if you start losing power." That would give any issues away immediately and hopefully leave him enough time to react.

"Immediately."

With EOS handling all those extra details, it freed him up to continue dealing with the front line and another two calls for help. He shook his head, knowing it just wasn't possible. He re-directed those to Grandma on the Island, she could pass them onto the relevant authorities and that simply freed up another resource for them to use to aid.

He continued to work with the train's schematics in whatever bits and pieces of time he could get whilst monitoring everything else in turn, attempting to deconstruct and reform everything according to the train's current standings. So far though, he wasn't having much luck in finding anything Scott could use and without having a visual of what state the passengers had fallen into inside the carriage, he couldn't be certain what plan to devise for Virgil. It would be key to this rescue to have at least the beginnings of a strategy in place for the middle child by the time he arrived. It would be nice to have something to give to Scott too, but it just didn't seem like he could get anywhere with these schematics. To put it bluntly, they were an absolute mess, and he was certain some coop nets were missing or misplaced anyway. He sent a copy across to Brains just for a second opinion since he needed his eyes on too many things to focus on the schematics alone.

In the end, he decided to completely pull them apart, turning them to the way the train currently lay in order to start analysing the best options from that angle. For the carriages in the middle, he was struggling to think of any hopeful options, because from what his holo-screen's rough vital readings were showing him, it was likely that those people never stood a chance. Double checking that with the schematics of the train seemed to prove it – and really, how did these people get designs like this passed! – as the coupling for these carriages was weaker, designed to navigate bends in the track at high speed. As such though, their connections were weak, buckling highly likely and it seemed those couplings had broken under the pressure. That would certainly explain how Carriages Five, Six and Seven ended up pressed together a little like sardines.

It was just sickening and he needed a moment to look at something else. Besides, he wanted to see how far the authorities aiding Scott had managed to get now that the latest matter was settled. He wondered whether they'd made any progress since he last listened in. He decided he should set his default hope status to unlikely, just so then things would have to look up if even the slightest thing went well.

"Are you having any luck with the door?"

"No."

"I'm trying to get the windows off, see if we can start conversing with anyone below. What do you estimate for that door?"

"Give me five."

Great. At least the fireman seemed to have a procedure.

"International Rescue have just handed me the driver." There was another of Thunderbird Five's key words and that news was good news from the police reports, "I'm going to question him now."

That was another one better. Although, he wasn't sure just how much the driver would know, especially as he was probably going to be in shock right now, likely to ramble.

"Scott is calling." EOS spoke.

So he was. He enhanced that link to be his focus, pulling his ear away from the report Police Chief Martini was giving on being handed the driver.

Good going, Scott.

At least it was one to put on the rolling tally. And that couldn't make the rescue a complete loss. One life was always better than none. And every life was just incredible.

He was sure his only elder brother would be delighted something was starting to go their way. And he could more than oblige to tell him.

"John?"

"Here Scott. I've been listening in on the reports from the police and fire services." He wondered if he'd get any retelling of what it was like down there. He would hop down in a second if he could be of any use, but then again, his elder brother would likely end up 'babysitting' (as it had been nicknamed by, guess who) him against the evil forces of gravity. Nor would they have eyes in the sky either and that would be a bigger loss. Someone had to watch that lots back whilst they were down there, and it was fair to say – even if by himself – that he had the best reflexes. Still, he just wanted to know how the brunette was faring, because he doubted for a second that 'well' could cover it. In fact, he was hungry to know that information. Here he was, eyes on and knowing everything, but the pieces of the puzzle missing were those closest to home. He'd heard nothing from the younger three of the family in what felt like eons and his elder brother had been silent for just as long. That was his fear, if he was ever to be honest: that maybe, one day, Earth would come to an end, and all he'd be able to do was view from up here. The one worse, was the prospect that he wouldn't even know it. He wasn't going to push, but maybe Scott had the time to talk for a moment. He certainly sounded a little calmer now and that was likely due to the fact he was riding the winds of his success. As long as it didn't go straight to the elder's head, then he could deal with that.

"You know the driver's out?"

"Yeah, EOS is monitoring their conversation for me whilst we speak." He could imagine Scott's face at that, but he knew his brother's opinions on the now trustworthy AI had shifted somewhat, he just wasn't overly keen on showing it. It was meant to warn his code off from attempting anything malicious again, but when he'd explained that to her, she assured him loneliness was a greater threat. He never disclosed that to Scott though, because then he'd definitely attempt to try harder. John knew the elder loved her really. "You want a quick update?"

Goodness knew he wanted one. He'd gone past wanting really.

"I've managed to get a door to Carriage One open. I'm going to head in."

What? Really? And he thought he'd had the top of the good news to hand over. Scott was picking one higher. Like usual then.

"Ok. The made-up crew assisting you from the other end still haven't managed to cut a way in." He was sure he'd heard Scott breathe despair. Though, he thought he'd have to disturb that considering the other things he spent his time finding out, the sickening things, the ones he didn't even want to dare considering. But Scott was going to need to know: he couldn't let his brother walk blindly into that. "I think most of the trains systems are going to be down. I'm trying to find any still alive which I could gain control of, but I'm not having much luck – not even a spark. I'm looking for the backup power controls in the schematics, but I can't see them yet. If I can find them I might be able to light a spark. But that means you're going to have to either cut or pull open the sliding doors which separate the carriages."

He supposed anyone else might have tried to find a way to say that with a softer blow, but then, he'd always said things as they were whilst on a mission, and his playing it down wasn't going to do anyone any positive favours. He couldn't keep them in the dark now that he wasn't living in it too.

"EOS is still increasing the range of my scans. Thermal and life scans are showing some positivity for you, in this first carriage at least. I'll move the focus of the scans to match your pace. That way we shouldn't miss anything."

It would save some of their processors too, however he didn't say that considering what Scott's reaction could be. It was always so hard to tell; sometimes the eldest could be as impulsive as the youngest. It was no wonder he criticised Alan for it – he was likely where the kid had got it all from to begin with.

He hoped though, that would at least make up for all the bad news he'd been forced to give all evening. Thus, from simply knowing Scott so well, he could read his brother's mind without needing to see his face or hear an audible sigh of relief. The field leader's next question would be obvious.

"Are you able to-"

"We're mimicking the same effect for the authorities assisting team. I'll send them the same information whenever I can."

He'd grown quite used to being a head above his brothers. Plus, he wasn't ever affected by any jet lag. He knew it always got Gordon on the return journey - it was why the blonde would never go to London. Maybe other than at the call of a certain Lady, which was just ironic.

"Great going, John. I'm going to head in. If you need me call. Give me a second to answer though?"

He could give the brunette all the time in the world, though he'd prefer another call sooner, as opposed to later. Still, calm and collected he had to be, so he played it down.

"I'll give you five."

One for each of them. And he was sure, there'd always be five of them.

1. Entanglement principles are actually quite an interesting read of physics. I recommend them.