Hi! I am so sorry this has taken me so long to produce! Life has got pretty hectic now I am pregnant so this may be my last fanfic for a little while but I certainly aim to finish it! As ever I do not own the rights to thunderbirds, this is solely for entertainment purposes. Thank you! in response to RocketFan valid feedback, I changed my mind from bi-plane to jet at last minute but unfortunately forgot to mend my narrative entirely so my apologies.

12

Gordon and Tin-tin had taken to the air as soon as they had clearance from Jeff. Scott assured them he would catch up he was just landing TB3 now. Gordon took the lift with Tin-Tin down to the silo he couldn't bring himself to use the chute from the lounge, it felt like he was replacing Virgil if he used it. They got settled in the cockpit and taxied out onto the runway. Scott must have been running as Gordon watched him launch in TB1 above. 'Ready for take-off in 5-4-3-2-1'

'Thunderbirds are go!' Gordon chimed cutting his dad off.

'Careful out there, son'.

'Will do dad, see you soon'.

Jeff swung round in his chair; he hoped his boys would be safe. He was surprised to see Virgil on the other side. 'Are you ok Virgil?'

'Yes…father (The word still felt a little alien) I was just wondering if there was any therapy or ways to trigger my memory quicker, I…I want to help, like I did before.'

Virgil looked away towards the floor; Jeff could tell it had taken him a lot of courage to ask. 'Son I can get you access to the best physiatrist and doctors in the world, if that's what you want.' Virgil nodded. 'Very well after all of this we will have a look together at some options.' Virgil was now looking past Jeff's shoulder at the TV on the cabinet that their father sometimes watched the high-profile rescues on. 'Look!'

Jeff spun around to see that the TV news broadcast had become distorted; a shadowy figure appeared in a dimly lit room. 'Right now, history is unfolding as the largest terrorist attack in five years has hit America.' Images of people fleeing and screaming played as the voice continued to speak. 'There are not many organisations that could deal with this kind of attack except international rescue. International Rescue is always there to serve and protect – but where are they now? Hiding like the cowards they are in your time of need. How can we trust them when they never reveal their identity, how do we know they don't orchestrate these attacks themselves to gain recognition? 'That's preposterous!' Jeff shouted at the TV. He had already called Alan. 'Alan can you trace this transmission?' Jeff frowned at the shadowed figure on the TV as it cut back to the normal news. 'No, the transmission wasn't long enough but it was broadcasted over 450 channels across the globe.'

'I'm going to contact the GDF they need to find these men, this organisation and stop them!' Jeff cut the link with Alan and began to sift through his contacts.

'This is TB1 to Base, do you receive me?'

'Base to TB1, go ahead'

'I'm coming in to land now dad but my filming warning alarm is going crazy!'

'You'll have to get those reporters under control Scott'

Virgil cut in 'Do we always have a no filming policy?'

'Yes; it helps to protect our identity'.

'I think in this instance you may want to consider allowing them to film the rescue.'

'Why?'

'Well a stranger has just run your reputation through the mud to try and turn the public against you and used the fact that you protect your identity to tarnish the organisation. I think in this instance you need to show some face to create unity – so to speak.'

'Base what do you want me to do? I need to land.'

Jeff mulled it over, maybe Virgil was right they needed to show themselves at least partially to try and repair the damage of being un-operational for so long. People could do terrible things through being hurt, the public after this was likely to doubt and even blame international rescue for this incident.

'Scott let them film you and thunderbird two, use the speaker to warn them to blur your faces or they will face prosecution.'

'Yes, sir'.

'God this is a mess!' Jeff leant on his elbows on the desk and looked down. Surprisingly he felt a hand on his shoulder. 'Dad, I know it's hard but don't feel responsible for this. Now I effectively have an outsider's perspective, I see how much you give up time and time again helping others. You're a wealthy man but instead of wasting your wealth you use most of your capital to run and invest in this organisation and that's something to be proud of. You do more than most governments and other global organisations to protect people so don't beat yourself up. I'm proud to be able to call you my father.' Virgil looked earnestly at Jeff.

Jeff tried not to well up; Virgil's words and complete faith overwhelmed him. He literally couldn't express how he was feeling in words so he simply said 'Thank you son, you don't know how much that means to me'.

'That's ok, I'm going to check on John. I think it's about time I met him properly.'

'He might not be in the best mood..'

'I know, I'm the distraction he needs right now'.

Jeff smiled.

Gordon ears were assaulted by sirens, shouting and hysterical screaming as he descended into chaos from TB2. Tin-tin was not far behind him and was trying not to gag at the acrid smoke as it overwhelmed her temporarily. They had landed near a 'safe zone' but nowhere was safe here. People ran past him; others wandered past in a state of shock with blood pouring down their faces, some to his horror had limbs missing. Gordon didn't even know where to begin how on earth could three people help to make a difference to this nightmare? Thankfully Gordon was pulled away from the feeling of panic as his older brother raced towards him.

Scott jogged to a halt. 'Right. I have just spoken to the fire and police services the biggest priority they have right now is the google offices located just here.' Scott pointed to the coordinates on the map on his watch. 'They estimate that there are still at least 90 people trapped in there and the building is on fire trapping most of these people upstairs however scans have also picked up life in the lower basement. Our Job is to use the specialist fire kit to evacuate these people before the building collapses. Gordon, I want you to operate firefly and start trying to manage the fire with the fire department, Tin-tin and I will work together to evacuate the people inside'.

'F.A.B' they both chorused. They started to run back to two.

'Scott how will we evacuate these people?'

'Well Tin-tin, I'd rather not have to go in the building for all the civilians as they are trapped up at the higher levels due to fire and debris. So, I have requested that the fire chief uses the speakers to order the civilians to the roof where I can collect them in two. You will need to go down in the elevator and manage the evacuees to ensure that they remain calm and don't overload the elevator. Can you do that?' By now both of them had reached the cockpit and firefly was out of the pod.

'Yes Scott I will go and harness up now'. She already had the harness in her hand.

'There's a girl! I'll radio when we are in position.' Scott slipped into the cockpit. He had piloted two before but he did not have Virgil's extensive knowledge of the craft or his finesse in holding her steady. He would just have to do his best.

Gordon was surprised at the ferocity of the flames and the searing heat which was making him feel like firefly had no fire insulating properties at all! Phew! It was hot and he was sweating buckets already as he began to push tonnes of debris away from the building so he could work on creating a path through the fire to reach the people in the basement. He just hoped that they wouldn't suffocate or burn before he got there. Just then a massive chunk of the buildings external wall plummeted downwards. 'Oh boy!' Gordon slammed Firefly into reverse but he was still going to get hit! He raised the shovel above the cab to protect himself as the large chunk of wall shattered and landed all around him. Mighty thuds could be heard as concrete impacted metal with enough force to throw Gordon backwards in the cockpit. His back ricocheted into the recline of the the seat and he was jarred to the core. It took him a moment to recover, groaning as he did so. 'Come in Gordon, are you ok?' Scott's best professional but tense voice echoed across the controls. Nothing. 'GORDON! Will you respond!' Silence and then…. 'Alright! Keep your hair on, I'm battered but alive. I am going to bruise like a peach!' Gordon heard an audible sigh from Scott. 'Good, what's Firefly's damage?' Gordon winced in pain as he surveyed the consol. 'Well it's just alarms and warning lights in here, I'm operating but there are no defences left. If I take another hit like that well, let's just say I might not be walking out of here.'

'Ok then you need to retreat.'

'No there are people in that basement and I'm going to help them.'

'Well I'll bring the mole and you can drill in'.

'I can't Scott you know that the foundations are weak, it's not structurally sound enough.

'Ok, just please be careful. I'm already one brother down, I couldn't cope with another'. There was a light pleading in Scott's voice. He never referred to them as siblings on a rescue out of professionalism; Gordon knew Scott had still been blaming himself over Virgil. This confirmed it. He would mention it to dad later.

'Scott, I will be fine – Lighten up!' Gordon tried to inject more positivity then he felt. He started to inch forwards to the building again.

Tin-Tin was on the roof; her hair being whipped back in its ponytail as she tried to assemble some order. Everyone was trying to push past her onto the evaluator but she wasn't opening the doors until they listened. She was finding it hard to make herself heard across the wind, people shouting and arguing and the sirens below. 'Please will you listen to me? I need you to remain calm' – A large man shouted at her. 'Stop telling us to be calm and let us on, this building ain't gonna last much longer lady and I want to get outta here. Scott heard the commotion through her comms and turned on the microphone. 'This is international rescue. You will all be rescued but first you need to listen to my colleague and follow her instruction or you won't be leaving here. Now calm down and listen up!' Scott tried to conceal the frustration in his voice but Tin-tin knew it was there. 'Thank you' she said. 'Right, now we have your attention I need all the injured and elderly first then the rest of you will follow in groups of 20.'

The crowd started to buzz and shift with movement as the injured were pushed or supported forward. Tin-tin pulled out a few of the lower priorities still trying to get on first, much to their disgust. 'Ok Scott you are clear to go'. Tin-tin let go of the elevator and turned to assemble the next group.

Meanwhile on the ground Gordon had now successfully cleared a path near the building. With the information that Brain's had sent on the buildings specs Gordon had been able to locate a trap door to the rear of the building on the pavement that led straight to the basement. On the scans it didn't appear to have been compromised so Gordon suited up and got ready to leave firefly. He had left the fire extinguisher cannons on automatic which would give him approximately 20 minutes to get in and out before the fire started to engulf the site again. 'This is Firefly to Thunderbird 2 commencing second stage of the operation, will keep you posted.'

'F.A.B Firefly.' Gordon stepped out and ran quickly across to the door, head turning side to side to sweep for potential hazards as he went. He used a laser to cut the bolt before wrenching the doors open and jumping into the dark space below. Looks like all the power had already cut out in the inferno. Gordon flicked on his headlamp, keeping his hands free as he inched carefully down the corridor. He was careful not to touch the walls which were like hot coals. Heavy smog was just starting to billow above his head so he quickened his pace. Around the next corner he came across two double doors again he cut these open, relieved that there was no fire yet but still concerned at the amount of black smoke. They must be near here; he was detecting that he was less than 10 metres from the civilians. 'Hello?' can you hear me? International Rescue here to help!' Gordon thought he heard a reply but it was no more than a whisper on the wind. He tried again. This time a louder response but the voice was ragged from the fumes and muffled. 'Over here!'

Gordon rounded the corner and discovered the cave in. Below the cave in was a man semi trapped under ceiling and a woman sat reassuring him. She had a wet rag over her face and a half empty bottle of water on the floor. She was also holding a soaked rag on the other man's face. Oh boy! this was going to take more than 20 minutes.

Scott and Tin Tin's rescue went much more swiftly and without complications allowing them to successfully rescue all the civilians trapped up above. Scott now turned his attentions towards assisting his brother who had radioed for assistance. Tin-Tin took over Firefly, with the whole operation being filmed and the strong police presence around the Thunderbirds they felt that the vehicles would be safe without their protection. Scott had suited up and was now inside with Gordon.

'Hey'

'Hey we have 10 minutes before firefly runs out of steam, so to speak.'

'Ok we better get moving then. Laura here is unharmed physically but suffering from smoke inhalation so I have her on oxygen. Her work colleague is semi-conscious but with a rapid pulse. I suspect internal bleeding.' Gordon muttered the last part so that the casualties couldn't hear. Scott could tell that this guy might not make it, the biggest risk in moving him would be that once the pressure of the ceiling was removed the blood would flow freely internally and he would bleed out in a matter of minutes. This was going to have to be swift if they were to stand a chance.

'Ok. What's his name?' Scott asked.

'Ben, he's 22' Scott tried not to look appalled, the poor guy.

'Ok, Hi Ben my name is Scott and we are going to get you out of here but we don't have much time ok?' The lad managed to nod. 'I'm going to administer some strong pain relief and then we need to move you, we will then get you on a stretcher and out of here ok?' again another quick nod. Gordon had already moved a stretcher into place and had the trauma kit to hand. He then gently moved Laura to a safe distance before returning back to Scott's side. Scott was still talking to Ben and trying to distract him from the situation. Gordon nodded that he was ready. Scott rose and produced his laser; he set it to the correct intensity so that it would cut through the depth of the concrete only and not through Ben underneath. It was going to take longer but it meant that the load would be more manageable. Gordon had conducted a gas check a few minutes before so they knew that it was unlikely to cause an explosion. Scott started to cut slowly, beads of sweat forming on his head from the additional heat as he did so. Gordon continued to talk to the patient for the whole time.

Scott cut the rock in record time but they only have 5 minutes left before firefly was out. Not wasting anytime Gordon started to help Scott shift the smaller chunks that weren't going to directly compromise Ben before they were left with the bit that was trapping him. Gordon and Scott both grabbed the sides securely 'on the count of Three…One, Two, Three. They both lifted it clear to a heart wrenching scream of agony from Ben. Scott praised him and pleaded with him to stay still, if he moved too much he would damage himself further. They then reassessed together quickly for any potential fractures or external bleeds. It looked like his leg was broken and unfortunately Ben's chest cavity had taken the blow. They rolled him deftly and expertly on to a stretcher before collecting Laura and quickly vacating the area. They had given Laura and Ben protective fire blankets to protect them from the now deadly hot smog which would literally singe and burn them. Laura walked with it over her head engulfing most of her and keeping low as they made their way out. Luckily there were no further cave ins and they emerged onto the avenue as the flames began to start licking towards firefly that was now empty of foam. Scott and Gordon quickly loaded the casualties and got Tin Tin to get them out as quick as possible. Laura was released to the emergency services and Scott said he would fly Ben himself to try and get him emergency care in time. Gordon and Tin-Tin reported to the fire and police chiefs for the next rescue response. It was going to be a long night.