Chapter 14 - The Devil is in the Details
John and Virgil were racing to the site in Thunderbird Two while monitoring the transmissions between Thunderbird One and Tracy Island.
When they heard Scott announce the jet lost a wing, they were both grim.
"We better step on it," John muttered. "Taking on two planes and helping the jet is going to be a lot for Scott to handle."
Virgil replied. "We're nearly there now. ETA is five minutes."
--
Scott sped into action, pouring on the speed until he was within a hundred feet of the scene.
The jet was wobbling wildly as it was trying to find it's own balance, but the first order of business was getting the two planes that were staying close to bug off.
He pressed a button on his instrument panel, allowing targeting information to appear on a small monitor within the panel. Scott adjusted the aim and then fired two rockets.
The two projectiles sped forward and split off, each barely clearing above the two Shadow Force planes.
Seconds later, each plane accelerated off into the distance.
He took a deep breath. Scott had hoped the warning shots would be simple enough to scare them off. One problem down, one to go.
Opening a comm channel, Scott spoke quickly as he was working out the plan in his mind. "JetFrance One, this is International Rescue. Now I'm not far behind you in my craft. Keep her as steady as you can. I am going to come under and prop you guys up."
A nervous affirmation came over the speakers.
Scott maneuvered Thunderbird one swiftly to match the speed and managed to make it under the jet. Slowly, he increased the burn of his vertical thrusters while maintaining his forward momentum until he felt a jarring bump.
Sensors screamed at him that things were far from normal, but Scott managed to shut those out of his mind as he poured on the thrust. After a few tense moments, the sounds of groaning metal finally subsided and a check of his speed and altitude indicated that they were leveling off.
He smiled as he heard from the jet once more. "International Rescue, this is JetFrance one. I don't know how you did it, but we have some people on board that are very grateful to you."
"All part of the service," Scott acknowledged.
Seconds later, John's voice came through. "Thunderbird One from Thunderbird Two. We are behind you now. How about we go above and use the magnetic clamps to take some weight off of your shoulders?"
Everything was now under control. Scott smiled. "FAB, Thunderbird Two. Let's get these passengers to safety."
--
President Marilyn Winters leaned back in her seat and stared out the window as Air Force One touched down with a jolt. The sun was low in the sky, and it cast the surrounding airport in shades of red and orange. There was little activity it seemed, and for that she was thankful. Ever since the kidnapping of the world leaders had started, she had found herself having to justify her activities to the press along with her own cabinet.
When the countries affected by the kidnappings started seeing ransom demands, they had panicked and turned to the United Nations for assistance and reassurance. She had offered what resources the United States had to offer, but then they expressed concern for her safety. Offering reassurances in the Secret Service and her own information network, Marilyn effectively stated to the masses that she wasn't about to change her schedule for terrorists.
She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to find the head Secret Service agent on her security detail. "Madame President, are you ready to go to the governor's mansion?"
It had been the only concession she had made for the trip. The head of the Secret Service had reasoned that with the recent kidnappings of the world leaders it stood to reason that she would be better protected as compared to a hotel. After a brief counsel with the Governor last night, everything was agreed to and the arrangements were made.
She took off the seat belt and stood, stretching out the kinks that she had developed in mid-flight. "Yes, let's get going."
--
The drive to the Governor's mansion was uneventful, and soon Marilyn found herself ushered into the library of the mansion. It had been a few months since she had seen Governor Jack Saunders. They were old friends from their time in school together so when she entered the library, Jack got to his feet and smiled eagerly. "Marilyn, it is good to see you safe and sound. When we received the report about the kidnapping attempt on the president of France, we were thinking the worst."
Truth be told, she had received the news of the attempt about twenty minutes into her flight from Washington.
The news of the attempt had left her with an uneasy feeling. "So I heard. My security detail has been fully briefed."
Jack visibly relaxed. "Of course, our local Police force is at the disposal of the Secret Service. You can keep to yourself here in my home or tour the city over the next two days until the race. My people have been over the plans of the track and have come up with a few contingency plans-"
She nodded and yawned at the same time. "There will be plenty of time to go over this in the morning, Jack. In the meanwhile, if you can show me to a nice warm bed, you will make this sleepy politician very happy."
He nodded with a grin. "I think that can be arranged."
--
Vice President Gene Prescott sat in his study and stared at the message he had received from his source from within Shadow Force: Plans are in place. In two days, make speech to United States and take command.
He smiled as he looked at a small framed photo that sat beside his computer screen. It was a photo of him standing beside Marilyn Winters on one of their many photo-ops during their last campaign.
It was such a shame that she would have to disappear, but after all, it was just politics.