Chapter 22 - Contact

While the President had her eyes closed, Alan Tracy was pacing the length of the pit that they were in. Now that she was truly distracted, he looked up at the timer on the bomb and didn't like what he was seeing.

The timer was closing in on the eleven minute mark. He knew that his brothers were on their way, but yet he couldn't fight the growing unease that they were going to be too late.

That was when he heard a burst of digital static from his tele-com. Alan stopped his pacing and looked down at the instrument on his wrist. On the small video screen, he saw bits and pieces of a picture along with a partial picture. It was then that Alan started playing with every setting that he could get his hands on.

Alan continued his pacing as he worked until finally he heard the most welcome of voices. "Alan, can you read me? It's John."

He took a steadying breath before her replied. "John? You're a welcome voice. Please tell me you two are close to us."

The image on his watch finally solidified, and Alan could see John's worried face with trees and other scenery rushing past him. "Alan! We've landed on the island where you are, but there are so many rock formations we can't tell where you are. The scanners are claiming that you and the president are inside the rock. We need more to go on."

Alan's gaze never wavered from the timer above him as he thought hard. He had been conscious initially when Mr. Edwards had brought him in, and that was when he remembered one crucial detail. "John, they brought me through a hologram type of doorway. I don't remember on which side. Try scanning for the projector equipment or something, just hurry!"

He heard a derisive snort come from the communicator and Virgil's voice in the background. "I knew something would come out of all that money spent on our baby brother's education. Adjusting for projection equipment - aha! Found it! Ten feet straight ahead!"

John spoke hurriedly. "We've got a fix. Hold on Alan, we'll get there."

--

It had been a busy afternoon in the Silver Mark Pub, but as Parker entered the main room, he noted that there were still a lot of people inside, and some of them he immediately recognized. Being a thief in prison, one tended to make many friends with dubious reputations, and some of them had long memories. Parker silently prayed their memories had given out, but as he led Lady Penelope and Tin-Tin past one table, he heard a familiar voice nab at him.

"Well, if it isn't old Nosey Parker himself."

Parker cringed at the use of his nickname. Men had called him that due to the unique shape of his nose, and he made sure to let them know when he objected to the use of his name with a well placed haymaker punch. However, keeping in mind that this was a mission for information, Parker took a calming breath before turning on the man that had made the comment.

The man in question was Flint Masters, the explosives expert that had helped himself to one of the most secure vaults in history in the tower of London close to five years ago. He was older than Parker had initially remembered, and Flint's hair had enough gray streaks mixed in with the brown to illustrate the point. Dressed in a leather jacket and jeans, Flint looked like he had been out riding motorcycles. Parker remembered that Flint used to obsess over them all the time. Judging by the way Flint was leaning back in his chair and the pitcher of beer on his table however, he looked like he was one his way to getting smashed.

Parker kept his voice cool and even. "I haven't gone by that name since I got out of the klink."

Flint's smile revealed a few missing teeth. "Gone all fine and upstanding on us, have we? Or have you become a mere 'servant' to the ladies here?"

"What I am is none of your business," Parker countered cooly. "Now on the other hand, I have a few missing friends that I am worried about. Considering your profession, you might know where they are."

Flint's smile never wavered. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Oh come now, blowing things up just for the fun of it seems a little over the top, doesn't it?" Parker inquired, leaning against the table until her was nose to nose with Flint. "The ladies here will now ask you some questions, and I expect you to answer them, or you will answer to me."

Lady Penelope stepped forward and gave Parker a quick glance. "That'll do, Parker." She then turned to Flint. "We have information that operatives of Shadow Force frequently come here. They have kidnapped three members of International Rescue, and we need to know where they are."

"International Rescue?" Flint echoed. "I know nothing about International Rescue or Shadow Force or anything else you might ask me, so if you will excuse me-"

"He's lying."

Penelope turned at the obvious anger in Tin-Tin's voice. She tried putting a hand on the young girl's shoulder, but she shrugged it off.

Stepping forward, Tin-Tin grabbed for her pendant and looked at Flint.

The man by this point was growing panicked and he tried to scramble out of his chair. "Hey, I don't have to say a word. Get her away from me!"

--

John and Virgil quickly followed the readings to a particular rock formation through the trees. Feeling around the perimeter, they walked straight through what seemed to be a solid wall. Once they adjusted their eyes to the low level of light in the cave, they saw the hole a few feet in front of them.

They both rushed forward and set their equipment down. John ventured a look into the hole and saw the relieved face of Alan staring back at him. "We're here. Get the president ready. We're a little pressed for time."

"No kidding," Virgil muttered as he uncoiled the length of rope they brought and formed a quick loop and knotted the end. He leaned over the hole and called out. "Rope's coming down. Help the president into the rope."

Alan nervously looked at the timer. He didn't need to be told twice - after all the timer was just closing in on the eight minute mark. "FAB."

President Winters opened her eyes and slowly got to her feet. "I assume these are our rescuers?"

Grabbing the rope, he motioned to her. "We don't have much time. There is a bomb attached near the top of this pit, and it is set to go off in less than eight minutes unless we get out of here."

She nervously looked up and finally noticed the bomb in question. "You should have told me earlier. What do we do?"

Alan answered her question by looping the rope under her arms and with a quick check, cinched it to make sure it was a solid connection. He looked back up at his brothers. "Okay, haul away!"

Virgil pulled hard, and President Winters was able to climb up easily.

The ground trembled beneath Alan's feet, which made no sense, since that was the only bomb that he could see. Either these Organization people were making doubly sure this trap would catch them all, or this island was getting very unstable. "Guys, hurry. This place is coming down!"

John looked down and then back at the entrance. "Virg, get the President back to Thunderbird Two. I'll get Alan and meet you there."

"John-" Virgil protested.

He turned around in no uncertain terms. "There's now only five minutes left. Your first priority is to get the President out of the danger zone." John then stepped closer and spoke low. "I can get Alan out, don't worry so much."

Virgil reluctantly backed away with a scowl on his face. "See you two on the other side."

And with that, he turned and urged the President back towards the entrance of the cave.