Chapter 29 – Home Again

It had taken some maneuvering to escape the remaining Shadow Force subs in the area. Once Thunderbird Four and the procured Shadow Force sub had left the dock and cleared the loading tube, the other Shadow Force subs started converging on their location. It was only after the domes started collapsing that their pursuers lost interest and quickly fled the scene.

After getting back to the island where they left their vehicles, Virgil and Scott took off to deliver the world leaders to their respective countries while Jeff and John took Alan to be checked out by a doctor.

When they all finally met back at Tracy Island hours later, Jeff ordered Alan to the infirmary, and Scott and John escorted them there under Alan's protests.

They reached the infirmary, and Jeff steered Alan over to one of the beds. "All right, you need to get settle down and get some rest."

Reluctantly Alan sat down on the infirmary bed. "Dad, come on, I'm fine. The doctor in London said as much."

John shook his head with a frown. "Not the way I heard it. The doctor said the bruising around your throat will take time to heal and would require you to rest and recover. In addition with the bruised ribs and assorted contusions you had already received from your drop into the cave, the doctor wanted to keep you for at least one night so in short, you're lucky that we were able to talk the doctor into letting you come home."

Alan tried glaring at him, but John just laughed. "Don't even try it, sprout. I've had experience - just ask Scott."

Scott glared at him and John pointed. "You see? I've luckily grown immune to his glare."

Jeff couldn't help but laugh at his sons' antics. "Okay you two, cut it out, your brother needs his rest-"

A familiar voice sounded through the infirmary, cutting him off. "Thunderbird Five to Tracy Island, come in."

Scott shook his head with a bemused smile. "That would be Gordon ready to pounce on you, Sprout." He touched

a control on a nearby wall and spoke. "This is Tracy Island. Go ahead, mother hen."

Gordon retorted. "Seesh, give me grief why dontcha? I was only calling to see if Alan was okay."

"I am," Alan insisted with a croak, "but some people do not believe me."

"Sorry Alan, I think majority rules on this one," Jeff replied, "Alan simply needs rest and time to recover, Gordon."

Alan rolled his eyes. He knew he was out numbered. "When I get out of here, I want to do a rotation on Thunderbird Five first, dad."

Jeff turned in some surprise. "Why?"

"Well considering the summer I have had, I have had enough excitement to last a while. I want the nice quiet confines of Thunderbird Five."

Gordon gave an unmitigated snort. "Nice? Quiet? Alan, after the coronary you nearly gave me down there, you are welcome to this place. Thunderbird Five out."

Jeff laughed and turned to John and Scott. "As for you two, I could not be any prouder. Both of you kept your heads and showed ingenuity in the face of adversity, along with saving the life of your brother." He then glanced back at the bed to find that the youngest Tracy, tired from the mission and his near brush with death, was sound asleep.

--

Jeff, Scott, and John quietly sneaked out of the infirmary and headed to the lounge, where they found Virgil seated and eagerly waiting for them. "So, did you have to chain him down?"

John shook his head. "Nah, in fact he's sound asleep. It's been a rough couple of hours for him."

Scott dropped into the nearest chair. "Try a rough couple of days for all of us. I feel like I could sleep for a week, though I don't think I'm going to tonight."

"Me neither," Virgil agreed, "Dad, do you think the Hood is gone for good this time?"

"I don't know, Virgil," Jeff replied, as he walked over to his desk and sat down behind it. "He disappeared just before we were able to escape that base. I hope so, but my gut instinct says otherwise."

John shuddered. "This was way too close. All I can remember is seeing Alan on the ground not moving and the Hood gloating over us all."

Jeff stood. "Boys, I will tell you now that it's not going to get any easier. We help people, yes, but there is always going to be an element of risk that we won't always be able to avoid."

Scott nodded and then looked at his brothers. "I think I can safely speak for everyone here, dad: We aren't going anywhere. We are behind International Rescue one hundred percent."

Jeff smiled as he saw his sons all nod in agreement. "Then it's settled, but there is one last matter I want to address: As of this point, for future missions, I will stay and man the command and control center."

When Scott tried to protest, Jeff brought up a hand. "Hear me out, Scott. I'm not getting any younger, and I think in this phase of the existence of International Rescue, it would be best served by someone in the field who can think quickly on his feet, make decisions on his own where there's nothing else to draw from, and above all else someone that would be able to lead by example." He stepped forward and looked his son square in the eyes and quirked a smile. "It'll mean more paperwork on your part, Scott, but what do you say to becoming my regular field commander?"

Scott was astounded by his father's profound words. Laughing, he smiled right back. "You have yourself a deal, dad."

Virgil scratched his chin in thought. "Speaking of commanders, I wonder how President Winter's homecoming is going."

--

Vice President Gene Prescott was a happy man. In a few hours he would reveal that he received a notification indicating that the President was dead, and then the government would have no choice but to swear him in as her successor. It was so simple, Gene wondered why he didn't think of it years ago.

He walked through the familiar corridor to the oval office. How sweet this was all going to be.

Once he reached the doors to the oval office, he found strangely enough that they were closed. Not thinking much about it, Gene opened the doors wide, intent on fully exploring his new office.

What he encountered instead was a dozen secret service agents standing inside barring his way. Each of them was equipped a laser rifle, and all of them were pointed at him. Before Gene could protest the intrusion, a familiar voice came from behind the agents.

"Gene, welcome back. I bet that you were not expecting this type of welcome."

Shock gave way to disbelief as Gene spotted President Marilyn Winters standing a few feet behind the agents, obviously very much alive. He sputtered. "You- You- but how?"

She smiled grimly and folded her arms. "Let's just say that International Rescue has more ingenuity and bravery than the whole of Shadow Force combined. You really should be careful who you ally yourself with, Gene. Gentlemen, take him away."

--

Epilogue coming up shortly. Tis done, honest! :)