Another week, another chapter! Thanks again to my reviewers!

Ms Hobgoblin: Why thank you. I'm glad you enjoy them. But I've said before and I'll say again. I'm not going to tell you what's going to happen!

The Eyes of the Beholder

By Phoenix Sparrow

Chapter Six – Contacting Mica

"Oh, my head." Kari sat up slowly and looked around. She was on her own again. 'They seem to trust me enough to leave me.' She looked up as Virgil walked over. 'Or maybe not.'

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Fine." She stopped as pain shot through her head. "Ow, yes, just fine, save for the headache, but that is an acceptable compromise, a headache for my freedom from that man."

Virgil smiled. "Would you like some pain killers or something?"

"That would be welcomed. Thank you."

He smiled again and walked off.

Jeff and Scott had been talking. "What do we do now? She's seen us, she's knows you're the, uh… Why is it saying head or leader always sounds so…?"

"Fake?" Jeff supplied the word.

"Yeah, I guess."

"I'm not really anyone's head or leader. I'm your father and just happen to run the organisation and organise the rescues."

"No, not a leader at all!" Scott said, laughing.

Jeff shook his head. "Come on, back to business."

"Yes! Right! Sorry!" Scott paused. "Where was I?"

Jeff threw his hands up in mock surrender. "Scott!"

"Ok, ok! Yes, she's seen us, knows you run the show, has seen the inside of this pod…"

"Alright, alright, no need to repeat yourself." Scott rolled his eyes. "Right. We've deactivated that chip, so the Hood won't be able to find her from now on, though I'm betting he's already on his way using information gathered before we deactivated it."

"You're probably right. So what can we do?"

"First thing's first. We get Kari outta here."

Just then the door to the lab opened and Virgil walked in. "Hi. Am I interrupting anything?"

"No, not really," Jeff answered. "What's up?"

"Are there any pain killers in the first aid kit?"

"Kari?"

"Yeah."

"I expect so. Hey, it's your Thunderbird, you should now exactly what's in each pod, right down to what's in the first aid kits!"

"Yes, sir. The error will be corrected at the earliest possible opportunity," Virgil said, saluting and marching across the room. "Affirmative. Presence of pain killers confirmed."

"Glad to hear it, soldier! As you were!"

"F.A.B., sir!" Virgil marched from the room, his shoulders shaking from his uncontrollable chuckling.

"So," Jeff said, turning back to Scott. "Where can we take Kari where she'll be safe?"

"As far away from Dartmoor as possible." They both sat thinking. There were enough places on this planet, but it was a case of finding one where she would be safe and looked after.

"I've got it!" Jeff suddenly shouted, making Scott jump. "We have to try and find out from her as much about her brother as possible."

Kari put her cup down. Her head still hurt, but she knew the pain killers would kick in eventually. She smiled at Virgil who'd crouched down beside her. "Thank you. I am sure my headache will subside soon."

Virgil grinned at her and sat down properly on the floor next to her, his legs stretched out in front of him and propped himself up on his hands, which he'd rested on the floor behind him.

"Kari?" a voice called across the pod. She looked about for the owner and saw Jeff walking towards her.

"Yes Jeff, sir," she called back then wished she hadn't as another stab of pain hit her head. 'I wish these pain killers would take effect soon.'

"I need to ask you some more questions. Is that all right? You don't have to if you don't want to."

"About what?"

He took a deep breath. "Your brother."

"My brother? Uh, ok."

He noticed her indecision. "Are you sure you don't mind?"

"Yes, I am sure. Please. Continue."

"Ok. Firstly, I need to know his name."

"Oh, good. A nice easy start. His name is Mica."

"Mica Hunter?"

"Yes."

"Just checking. How old is he?"

"He is three years older than me so he is nineteen. Twenty in February."

"Right, and do you know where he is?" This was the important question. If she did, they may be able to help her.

She looked at her bracelet. "Yes, I do. He has been living in America with his companion while he studies at university."

"Where abouts?"

"Um, Colorado, I think."

Jeff smiled. 'Same place as Alan.' "Have you and your brother ever fallen out?"

"No, he moved away before any of this happened. I do miss him."

"Ok, I think we can help you."

"You can? How?"

"We'll send a message to Colorado University. They're bound to have an address or contact number for him." 'They did for Alan, let's hope things haven't changed too much.'

He looked at Kari and the smile on her face was all he needed to know she was hopeful. "Thank you, Jeff, sir."

"Hey, less of this sir business! Just Jeff will suffice."

They put in the call to Colorado and got details of Mica's whereabouts after persuading them to part with the information. A little bit of IR initiative was called for, though.

They were now settling in front of Thunderbird 2's comm. unit and initiated a transmission with Mica.

"Hello? Oh my God! You're International Rescue!"

"Uh, yeah," Scott said. It was he who sat in front of the comm. system.

"So. What makes you call me?"

"I have someone here with me. I'm hoping you'll be able to help us."

"Huh? What are you talking about? Who have you got?"

"A young lady named Kari."

The man at the other end of the line stopped, shock registering on his features. He ran a hand through his ginger-brown hair, which had been left to grow out of a crop. "Kari? Is she there now?"

"Yes she is."

"Can I speak to her?"

"Of course you can." Scott turned round and signalled to Kari to come over. She walked over slowly, tears forming in her eyes as she saw her brother. "Kari, Mica would like to speak to you."

"Mica? Is that you?"

"Who else is it gonna be, sis? What happened to you? I've been sending letters every week, but you stopped replying."

"A lot has happened since I was last in contact with you. I will tell you about it all in good time. First, though, how is Soran?" She saw her companions look puzzled. "He is my brother's best friend."

They nodded their understanding. Scott leaned over to Virgil. "Strange names they have," he said quietly.

"Shhh!" Virgil said.

"Come on, we should leave them to it for now," Jeff said, putting his hands on his sons' shoulders.