"No, Scott. This is something you need to organise yourselves." Colonel Casey looked sternly at the young man before her. "And don't try telling me you don't know how. I know your professional backgrounds – all of you. And I've known you all since you were children. I know perfectly well what you are capable of. And you are capable of this. It just means that you need to start thinking differently on how International Rescue works."

Scott groaned. "It was working so well," he said.

The hologram seated opposite him laughed. "Actually, when you think about it, it wasn't working as efficiently as it could." Colonel Casey leaned forward. "Stop thinking like a child and start thinking like the Command Officer I know you are. Look at your resources. You have everything you need – you just need to utilise those resources more efficiently."

Scott frowned, his mind working. "But Dad put the structure in place."

"Scott, your father, admirable though he was, was your father first. And he always did have a problem in delegating authority."

Scott grinned suddenly, unexpectedly. "Terminology noted. Work he delegated well."

Casey laughed, her own memories of Jeff Tracy delegation of duties surfacing in her mind. "Oh hell yeah. But think on it. No matter what, he was your father. So he wanted to know what you were doing - for his own peace of mind really. You have John in Thunderbird 5 and he's badly underutilised. When I think what I could do with all that technology he has…"

"We could come to a deal..." Scott began but was cut off.

"Don't tempt me Scott. And you certainly are – but International Rescue needs to remain unattached to any of the world military bodies. I can contract your services for non-military uses, but I can't have a hand in running International Rescue except to provide advice and an ear to listen. And even that I need to do as a friend. You need to start drawing on your background. You were a fine Air Wing Commander – you wouldn't have reached that level without having leadership, strategic and organisational skills. You are a very good Field Commander for International Rescue. Start thinking of the whole organisation now and how best you can get things running without your father. And I suggest you start with Thunderbird 5."

"That wasn't the answer I was looking for." Even to his own ears, Scott realised he sounded like a thwarted child.

"Perhaps not. But it's the answer you'll get from me. Good luck, Scott, and let me know how you go. I'm always here for advice. Casey out."

To Scott's credit, he didn't groan that loudly, but he did rub his temples. "Why me," he moaned.

"Because you're the oldest," Virgil answered, having overheard as he entered the living area. "Next question."

"Can I not be the oldest for once?"

"Think carefully before you wish that one. Remember what happened when you wanted that and Father let Gordon be the oldest."

Scott winced. "Point taken. It's a no from Colonel Casey, by the way."

Virgil snorted. "Did you expect anything else? That woman delights in making things difficult for us."

"She said that she can contract International Rescue for "non-military uses"," he said. "I think that she's been stretching that phrase just about as far as it will go."

"I think she's stretched it beyond as far as it will go given what we've done for her in the past. Has she given you anything useful?"

"She mentioned Thunderbird 5 several times and that we are underutilising John."

It was Virgil's turn to frown, but not in annoyance but in thought. "I suppose…. You know she may have a point. We may want to think carefully about that suggestion. John surprised me when we were searching for Dad with what he could do from up there – and the number of things he was able to do at once."

"Yeah – he is good. Maybe I should talk to him. Ask him exactly what Thunderbird 5 is capable of."

"Thunderbird 5?" Alan came in with a cup of coffee which he inhaled more than drank. "It's amazing up there. Some of the things John's shown me when I've been up there have blown my mind. He's really been tweaking the systems."

"Does Brains know?" Virgil asked, knowing what happened when Brains found they had been "playing" with his creations.

"No idea, but John actually knows what he is doing – unlike some other people we could all name."

"Hey – I'm not a mechanical engineer! I didn't know!"

"We know. That's why you aren't allowed to play with some bits. At least not without strict supervision. Stick to strategy and tactics."

"So what's this about Thunderbird 5 then?"" Alan was curious.

"I think we need a family meeting, Scott," Virgil said. "That way we can talk to John and get his view on it all as well. Colonel Casey wouldn't be stressing Five if there wasn't a really good reason to."

Scott sat back in the chair. "I wonder," he said softly. "You're right Virgil. We need to discuss this together. Brains and Kayo too – as well as grandma." His voice trailed off again. "Definitely grandma. She knows more about all this than she's saying."