Chapter 19 - Deadline

Onboard Thunderbird Two, John was settling in for the ride back to Tracy Island while he was waiting for Virgil to get back from dropping off Fermat. There was a lot of work to do and with Alan missing, he was wondering if there would be any other clues.

He then heard Gordon's hail and brought him up on the video screen. His brother was looking grim, and it set John on edge. "Gordon, what's wrong?"

"I've got Alan. Let me patch him through. He's got news for all of us."

John watched as Gordon hit a button, and John's view split in half. Gordon's face appeared on the left hand side, and Alan was on the right, looking jumpy and nervous.

He breathed a sigh of relief. "Alan. It's good to see you. Are you hurt?"

Alan shook his head. "Negative. I'm fine, just confined is all. Our captors have seen fit to leave us in a cave at the bottom of a very large pit."

Our captors? John looked puzzled for a moment till Alan shifted the view of his watch and he could see who was there with him.

The President! That affirmed the initial report they had. "Do you know how many people are involved?"

Alan nodded. "But we have more pressing matters. Let me show you something else."

John's view of their confines shifted again, and then came to rest upon a box on the opposite wall a few feet above where they were. From what he could see, it seemed to be wired to two bundles of dynamite, and the counter seemed to be counting down from fifty-seven minutes. The scene shifted again and then resettled on Alan's nervous face. "Do you understand?"

A cold numbness washed over John. His brother was not out of danger yet. "Stay tough, Alan. We'll get the both of you out."

"FAB," came the shaky reply.

When Alan's image disappeared from view, Gordon spoke up. "There's something else. With the sensor readings from Alan's watch, Dad and Scott were able to zero in on where he was, but soon after they landed they were surrounded and now I can't get in touch with them."

John shook his head in amazement. "Those guys think of everything, don't they? Do me a favor - adjust the scanners and communicators up there to preset frequency 5."

Gordon moved to make the changes then came back on the line. "Okay, I did as you asked, but I don't see-"

John interrupted him. "Gordon, we have been monitored all along. That's the only thing that makes any sense considering the way Dad and Scott were waylaid. That frequency is a special one I cooked up with Brains. Our communicators will still work, but they won't be able to monitor us."

"Well that helps us in the short term, but won't they find out and take action?"

John shook his head. "I hope not. Dad, Scott's and Alan's lives depend on it. Route what information on the island and Alan's signal you have to Thunderbird Two. Once Virgil is back on board we will get there. After you send the information, I need for you to contact Lady Penelope. I need her to check on something for me."

Once John received the information Gordon had on the island and Alan's location, he then relayed the information he wanted to go to Lady Penelope and then signed off.

Minutes later as John was programming his watch timer to match the time left in the cave, Virgil came back on board. "I got Fermat back to his dorm room and- uh oh I know that look. What's wrong?"

"Plenty." John replied tensely. "Let's get airborne quickly and I'll fill you in."

--

Lady Penelope sat out on the sun deck on the grounds of her mansion, and picked at her late breakfast. On the side table near her sat a plate containing one of her favorites, crepes with a side of raspberry jam, but something was bothering her. Jeff had initially put her on alert when he had discovered that the Hood had been broken out of prison, but there had been no further communication ever since.

This whole setup almost reminded her of the time that the Hood had invaded Tracy Island. Not a desirable outcome in any circumstance, but she knew Jeff's boys were out there judging by the news reports that were filtering through from her own sources.

"Something bothering you, milady?"

She had not realized that Parker had stepped out on the sun deck, and his voice jolted her from her worried thoughts. "Parker, do not startle me, so! I was simply thinking was all."

Parker motioned to the video monitor stationed by the table. "I know you wanted your calls held while you are out here relaxing, but something has come up. Gordon Tracy is on the line for you using preset frequency 5. Would you like to use the monitor or your phone?"

She arched a brow as she fished around in her pants pocket and brought out her phone. "There's trouble then. I think I will use my phone. That will be all, Parker." As her manservant left, she brought the phone up to her ear. "Gordon, this is an unexpected surprise. How can I assist you?"

She listened as Gordon detailed the events that had happened so far and what they suspected happened. A growing uneasy feeling settled in her, and she made a motion to her monitor to turn it on. Earlier that morning, Penelope had remembered the follow up reports on the kidnappings, but she had been preoccupied with the news of the Hood escaping to pay it any heed.

"Let me check with a few sources and I will get back with you and John ASAP. Gordon, don't worry, if there's one thing your father and your brothers have proven to me, it's that they can hold their own. John has given us enough information and I am sure we can find Shadow Force's base of operations. Goodbye."

She quickly put her phone back in her pocket, and got her feet. There was not much time to lose. She walked back into main house and called out. "Parker! Prepare FAB-1 to be taken out as soon as possible. We are going fishing for information."

--

Alan decided to sit near the opposite wall so he could get a better look at the device above his head. What little he knew about bombs would have been better served back in school. Judging by the multitude of dynamite, it looked like the plan was to bury him and the president unless they were able to get out of the pit soon. He looked over at her and realized that she was asleep. Alan had decided against telling the president. What good would it had done anyway? Besides, the walls looked suspiciously too smooth to do any climbing, and dismantling bombs was something that he did not want to have to try unless he was forced to.

Alan watched as the timer counted down. Fifty minutes showed remaining.

Hurry guys...please.

Well, where have I been, let's see - my car breaks, dental appointments, work stepping up on me - ugh. Let's just say I had some catching up to do. I therefore bring a triple play update as a peace offering. Hope you enjoy, and now I go forth to catch up on my own reading. (flees)