Thunderbirds and the Tracy Family are the creation of Sylvia and Gerry Anderson

Author's Note: Thanks goes to my Geological Advisor, Fenestrae for all your helpful information.

Chapter 62

There was the agonising sound of grinding metal on metal. "Aggghhhhhh…..come on baby….just…a…little…..more," Alan gritted out, every muscle in his body straining and taut as he fought to pull her hard over, the adrenalin rush giving him a strength he didn't know he had. Thunderbird One shook violently, not with the wind this time but as the unyielding tower tore along her belly; her screaming engines sounding almost like a tortured soul in pain.

"ALAN…..ALAN!" Virgil called frantically. All he could do was watch helplessly, his heart in his mouth, at the fast unfolding drama.

"Al!….what's happening up there? Somebody talk to me guys," Gordon asked worriedly, his worry being all the more exaggerated by not knowing what was going on.

"Like…not…now…guys…..I'm kinda….busy…," Alan muttered to himself, straining to focus all his concentration in order to pull out of this calamity.

There was another shuddering jolt before relief finally swept through his body when he saw the edge of the tower clear his viewport. His heart was pounding like it was about to burst through his chest. "Man….that was close…what a rush!" he laughed, as he soared out into the safety of the open sky.

He wasn't the only one to laugh with relief. From TB2's cockpit Virgil shook his head. "Man….that kid's got nine lives," he exclaimed, finally letting out the breath he had been holding.

"Say…have you guys been abducted by aliens or somethin! You're startin to freak me out. Will somebody just tell me what's goin on?" a bewildered Gordon sounded over TB2's intercom.

"Oh yeah Gordy….sorry," Virgil apologised, forgetting that Gordon had no idea of what was happening. "Our little brother was just wanting to become a permanent fixture on the Awaji Tower….that's all," he explained, laughing with relief.

Gordon could tell from his obvious relief that Alan was safe. "Say Al….that true. You tryin to get One up close and personal with the tower?" Gordon grinned mischievously. Alan groaned. He was never going to hear the end of this he was sure. "Hey Al….if you've pranged Scotty's Bird he's gonna fry your ass for sure. So…what colour flowers do ya want…..and don't worry….we'll say something nice when we give ya a good send-off…..won't we Virg?" he added laughingly.

"Sure will, Gordy," Virgil joined in the good-natured banter.

Gordon's mischievous quip about pranging TB1 brought a sudden realisation to Alan's mind. He had been so relieved at being able to pull out of the near miss and escape with his life that he had almost forgotten the torturous sound of metal scraping against metal. He groaned inwardly, wondering now just what damage had been done to Thunderbird One, though it couldn't be anything too serious as she still retained her flight capabilities.

"Eh…Virg….say..could you do me a favour?" Alan asked tentatively.

"Sure Al…. name it," Virgil offered obligingly.

"If I fly over…will you have a look….see what damage there is," Alan asked, hoping and praying that it wouldn't be much or, indeed, that the sound he heard might have just been the wind through the girders of the tower.

"Yeah…of course Al….bring her over," Virgil replied.

Alan brought One, fighting and struggling like an unwilling child, slowly over the hovering bulk of Thunderbird Two, allowing Virgil to look out and upwards, giving him a clear view of TB1's underbelly.

At first Virgil sucked in his breath, then let out a long, low whistle. Alan groaned. "It's not that bad….is it Virg!" He closed his eyes momentarily, awaiting the news.

"Gee…sorry Al….but you've got a good 10 meter gash nearly the length of her belly….ripped her nearly right open from what I can see…and….eh….her lower tail fin's……kinda buckled," Virgil informed him, unable to make it sound any better than it was.

"So we're not just talkin a quick paint job….are we?" Alan replied despondently.

Gordon winced as the listened to the details. "Say guys…wait'll ya hear this," he announced lightly. He cleared his throat as though preparing to deliver a speech. "Here lies Alan Tracy…Thought he would get racy. Introduce One to the Tower…Though he met his final hour. When old Scotty got to hear….Was always gonna be bad, I fear. Ordering us to clean up the mess….Now, sadly, we're a brother less!" he merrily quipped, much to Virgil's amusement.

"Yeah…very funny guys….you're all heart," Alan returned dryly. Then a sudden realisation kicked in and that one word seared into his brain. "Scott!" "Say fellas…..there's no need for Scott to know about this…is there? I mean….you heard what Dad said….we weren't to worry him…..and after all….he doesn't even know we're out on a rescue," Alan reasoned out. "And I mean…it's not as if he's gonna be going inspectin her when we get back….I can have her fixed up before he ever gets to see her."

"Gee Al….don't know about that….you're asking a lot there, buddy. Whatda you say Gordy?" Virgil responded in mock seriousness.

"Well Virg…I figure we got ourselves one hell of a bit of information here…..could come in handy for the odd blackmail. Ya know…kinda like the Sword of Damocles hangin over him," Gordon replied, feeling rather pleased with himself. The phrase came from a classical myth whereby a sword was suspended above the head of Damocles by a single hair. Hence, the Sword of Damocles meant an ever-present peril and that's just what they intended for their little brother.

"Good thinkin Gordy…..but still….don't know how you'll keep him from knowin….I mean….she's his Bird…..then of course….there's Dad….it's gonna have to go in the report," Virgil returned, adding a new problem to the mix.

Listening to the teasing of his brothers and now being reminded of having to inform his father, especially after having been warned of such a danger, Alan was feeling, well and truly, wound up and irritable, the close shave beginning to tell on him.

"Yeah….well maybe she's not his Bird now. I mean…it's not as if he's capable of flying her anymore….and let's face it…..he's probably not gonna fly again….then One…she'll be mine…so there's no problem….is there," he retorted angrily.

There was stunned silence…then. "Alan!" Virgil exclaimed in surprise at the seeming callousness of his remark. "We don't know that for sure. And if there is a way for Scott to fly…he'll find it….he won't give up that easily….you oughtta know that," he continued, feeling suddenly defensive of his older brother.

A wave of shame engulfed the youngest Tracy as he realised the thoughtlessness of his outburst, knowing he had spoken without thinking. "Aw gee….I'm sorry Virg…..I didn't mean all that…really. I guess I'm kinda on edge," Alan apologised sincerely. It was one of Alan's less endearing traits; that he often spoke without thinking, letting his mouth run away with him.

"It's Ok Al….we know you didn't," Virgil said understandingly, guessing his near miss with the tower was just catching up on him and knowing Alan was worrying about the prospect of facing his father as well. "Look…why don't we just wrap this up and get home…..we'll sort this out later. And Al…try not to worry….I'll put in a word for you with the old man…..the conditions out here are pretty bad…and I can vouch for that," he added, feeling that as the older brother here it was his job to try and boost the younger man's confidence. Scott would have done the same, he thought wistfully, after though as Field Commander, he'd had a good rant and rave.

"Yeah…and me too, Al…..we'll stick by ya. There's not one of us hasn't got careless and put a scratch on our Birds at one time or another….even Scott," Gordon joined in, hoping to assure his brother.

"Thanks guys…appreciate it," Alan responded gratefully. "Though it's a bit more than a scratch, isn't it," he murmured to himself but since there was nothing he could do but go home and face the music, he took a deep breath and turned his focus again to completing the operation. "Now…just where are we on this rescue."

"I'm through, I'm through!" Gordon exclaimed delightedly. "Ok…I'm just gonna move around and attach the Electromagnet to the front of the cab and bring him up….be with you Virg in just over 10 minutes," he added, informing him of the next stage of the mission.

"Affirmative on that Gordy….I'll be ready," Virgil acknowledged.

Gordon now manoeuvred Thunderbird Four into position to face the front of the cab. Punching in the code the Electromagnet extended out from one of the forward tubes and as he slowly inched forward there was a thunk as metal bonded with metal.

At that moment an ominous sound was both heard and felt, a deep rumble causing everything around him to begin to shake and shudder, increasing steadily in intensity. Even the water, as he looked out, seemed to vibrate with the shock waves, making Gordon take a firm grip of his controls. "Aw hell no….I don't believe this. Will somebody up there give us a break," Gordon exclaimed, gritting his teeth in obvious annoyance as he remembered the warning of the seismic shock that had come from John. "Gee….we're gettin everything chucked at us on this rescue."

From up above two very concerned pilots and brothers looked down, aware that something was happening in the depths below for the sea had now begun to bubble and boil, different from that of the wind whipping up the waves into white crests. The bridge, too, was visibly shaking, though everything remained structurally sound as it had been built to withstand massive earthquakes of up to Magnitude 8 on the Richter Scale; the Scale having been invented by Charles Richter in 1934 as a way of measuring the destructive force of an earthquake. What they were experiencing now was a quake of between Mag 5-6 and was the equivalent of detonating up to 1 megaton of TNT. While not being devastating in its destruction it had the potential of doing damage; the seismic waves that were being felt being the release of energy when a sudden break or shift occurs in the earth's crust.

"Gordon, GORDON! What's happening down there? Answer Thunderbird Four...come in Gordon," Alan called out in alarm.

"Re..mem..ber….th..at….sei..sm…ic…..sho..ck……John…sa..id…..wou..ld…..hit…..we..ll…..she's….he..re," Gordon's voice came back erratically over One's intercom.

"Gordon….get out of there…now. That's an order," Alan shouted as loudly as he could to make himself heard over the interference.

"I'm…..n..ot…..le..av…ing…..wi…th….out…..this…..guy," Gordon replied, struggling to maintain a hold on his controls and praying the Electromagnet wouldn't slip from it's grip. Hitting the reverse drive he boosted the power to pull them backwards. Thunderbird Four shuddered and jarred as the cabin was torn away from its body and not a moment too soon for just then, as the rumble intensified, the ground below opened up in a fissure that spread along the seabed. The body of the Juggernaut teetered momentarily then disappeared as it was swallowed up in the gaping chasm. Gordon gulped, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. "Gee….talk about in the nick of time," he laughed with relief. Once free he engaged forward motion and powering the turbo drive to compensate for the extra load he moved off with his precious cargo. As they headed off he keyed in a code and thanks to the adaptations that Brains had made to the Electromagnet it rotated in its housing, bringing the cabin into an upright position.

"It's Ok…I got him….I got him…..and I'm alright," Gordon assured his brothers. They sighed with relief as the rumbling began to die down. Within minutes all was quiet again and Gordon was left with just fighting against the currents.

Soon he was heading for the surface, clearing the shelf, which brought him from the deep channel into the shallower though still turbulent waters. "I'm about to break surface, Virg," Gordon informed his brother, giving him the co-ordinates for his position and within moments the yellow submarine with its life-sustaining unit broke surface. Already the great, green transport of Thunderbird Two was bringing itself into position, coming as low as possible due to the skill of her pilot.

Tapping into his console a section of TB2's steel plating opened beneath the cockpit and the massive magnetic grabs descended downwards on high tensile steel cable towards its target. Virgil kept an eye on the grabs monitor, which was feeding him the information necessary to place the grabs in the right position, all the time continuing the struggle to keep her steady. His face was taut with concentration; beads of sweat rolling down the side of his face as he willed the grabs to hit the right spot first time and hold. This was his part of the operation and he couldn't afford to make a mistake, a few degrees off and the heavy grabs would smash into the vulnerable windshield of the cabin, dangerously close to where the injured driver was still slumped over the steering wheel.

Using his monitor and with visual guidance from both Alan and Gordon the four magnetic fingers closed on the sides of the Juggernaut's cabin. Keying in the appropriate code the grabs were magnetised, each one locking on with a definite thunk. With everything now seemingly in place Gordon retracted TB4's Electromagnet and it slid back into it's housing. Virgil boosted Thunderbird's Two VTOL rockets and slowly she began to rise, the cable becoming taut as it took the strain of its load; the fact that the wind was also increasing in strength wasn't helping matters much, making the ship shudder and buck in protest. Just as the cabin cleared the water, however, Gordon's alarmed voice sounded over Two's intercom, at the same time the magnetic grabs monitor started to flash, emitting a warning signal.

"Virgil! Put her down, put her down……one of the grabs….it's slipping…..you're gonna loose her," Gordon called out. From his position, as TB2 had started to turn, he could now see one of the back grabs slid from it's place and loose it's magnetic hold. The cabin jerked alarmingly as the grab finally worked free and now hung at a precarious angle, held in place by the three remaining fingers. Before Virgil had a chance to react, though, a second warning sounded along with Gordon's shout that another finger was slipping. Virgil wrestled with the controls, his face taut with heavy concentration, as he lowered the cabin back into the water. He breathed a heavy sigh of relief as Gordon manoeuvred forward and engaged Four's Electromagnet to prevent her sinking, allowing him to disengage the grabs and reposition them.

Double-checking this time that there was no possibility of the same thing happening Virgil once more powered the VTOL engines and lifted his load clear of the water. "Ok Al I'm heading inland….where do they want this guy delivered?" Virgil asked.

"Affirmative Virg….they have a retrieval team standing by in the main dock area," Alan replied.

"I read you," Virgil acknowledged. As he turned and headed slowly across the Strait an amazing thing happened. Almost instantly the wind ceased and the sky brightened. The eye of the storm had arrived and one could have been forgiven for thinking there had never been a storm in the first place but they knew better than to be complacent for now it was a race against time. This haven of peace and tranquillity would soon be passing and they would find themselves facing much worse to come. "Gordon….you make sure you're in that Pod by the time I get back…..we're not gonna have much time," Virgil instructed.

"Don't you worry about me, Virg," Gordon assured him. "Just you get your ass back here in time," he added jovially, causing Virgil to shake his head and laugh at his foolhardy but extremely brave younger brother.

Virgil made good use of the window of calm and in no time at all he was approaching the main dock area for the nearby city of Kobe. The local emergency services were waiting to receive the retrieved cabin along with a paramedic team in what looked like one of the most up-to-date and hi-tech MRA's: Medical Response Ambulance. He carefully and skilfully lowered the cabin to the ground amid a spontaneous outburst of applause. On releasing the grabs the cable was retracted back up into the body of TB2 and giving the traditional pilot's acknowledgement of wagging his wings Virgil veered the mighty transport back out over the Strait to where he hoped Gordon was now ready to be picked up.

Meanwhile, as Virgil headed towards the mainland Gordon prepared to board the Pod. Within a short space of time, after the wind had ceased, the Pod gradually became more stable, making it unnecessary for Alan to have to repeat his acrobatic feat with Thunderbird One. Gordon initiated the boarding sequence and was soon reversing back up the ramp. Once the ramp had retracted and Gordon had secured his craft in place the door of the Pod was closed and now it only remained for him to wait until his brother returned to pick him up.

As Virgil approached the now gently bobbing Pod he could already see the darkening skies close in, signalling the end of the brief respite of calm and tranquillity. No longer seeing the little yellow submarine on the surface where he had left him Virgil assumed he was safely inside and even though Alan had given him a visual assurance it was his responsibility as the pilot to hear for himself.

"You all nice and tucked up in there, Gordy? Ready to be picked up?" Virgil asked.

"You mean like a date!" Gordon teased in a mockingly effeminate voice. "Why Virg…I didn't know you cared. Where are you takin me big boy?" he continued in a relaxed and easy banter. They had survived yet another rescue and with their victim safe they could afford to be a little light-hearted.

Virgil laughed, glad of his prankster brother's jovial and sunny nature. Totally professional when it mattered most, his bravery and courage never in any doubt, Gordon could always be relied on to bring a smile to their tired and weary faces when the job was done.

"We're goin home brother….goin home," Virgil announced thankfully. "Then I'm hittin that Jacuzzi and gettin something for this shoulder."

"Sounds good to me….and I'm gettin me a back massage…..a real deep, low back massage," Gordon said mischievously, though if he were truthful his back was aching.

"Yeah…sounds good to me too," Alan agreed.

As Virgil manoeuvred and lowered onto the Pod, the ominous dark clouds rolled in along with the first stirrings of the wind. They were almost out of time. Like a giant mother hen Thunderbird Two settled protectively over her chick, both Virgil and Gordon breathing a thankful sigh when, at last, they heard the magnetic clamps engage and seal the Pod in place. The winds began to pick up as Virgil fired the VTOL rockets into life and majestically the great green lady rose into the air, slowly turning to face the way they had come. Gordon decided to remain where he was, safely strapped into Four until they were in calmer airspace.

"Everyone all set," Alan called over the communication.

"Sure are Al……and I won't be sorry to see the back of this place," Virgil responded, voicing his opinion with Gordon joining in agreement.

"Yeah…amen to that," Alan agreed. "Ok guys….Thunderbirds…return to base," he ordered thankfully. "And…I…eh….guess I'd better report to Dad….let him know we're on our way home."

"Good luck Al," Virgil encouraged him, the same sentiment coming from Gordon.

The two International Rescue craft headed back down the Akashi Strait side by side as the weather closed in behind them.

Alan took a deep breath, his finger hovering over the communication console. He backed off. "Well..it's like this Dad….ya see…I…em….just didn't see the tower. Yeah….like he's gonna believe that," he mumbled to himself as he tried to mentally prepare a speech. Nothing for it but to just be up front. Again he took a deep breath. "Thunderbird One to Base…..come in Base."

"Base to Thunderbird One…..I've been expecting to hear from you Son," the imposing voice replied, the words intimating that he should have reported before now.

Alan swallowed hard, his mouth dry and parched at the thought of having to inform his father. "Well…we've been busy Dad…conditions here were pretty bad," he began, hoping it would be a reasonable enough excuse. "But I'm glad to be able to report that the rescue was a success, the driver is safe and on his way to hospital," he added then proceeded to inform his father of the events that took place. "……and Thunderbirds are returning to Base…ETA approximately 45 minutes," he said finishing his official report in a professional manner. "And…eh…Dad….there's something else I have to tell you. I….eh….had…a….kinda….mishap with Thunderbird One," he added tentatively, wincing at the expected rant that was sure to follow. Instead. There was an ominous silence, a silence that cut through the air like the sharpest of knives, a silence so uncomfortable that Alan would have preferred a good rant and have it over with.

"And…you're all right?" Jeff asked, the coolness in his tone being as ominous as the initial silence.

"Yes Sir," Alan acknowledged and proceeded to give his father a report of what happened.

"A MISHAP! We'll discuss this when you get back," Jeff continued coolly. "Base out."

Alan blew out a breath as he cut the communication. He was not looking forward to this at all.

Gordon had now made his way back up to TB2's cockpit and before taking his seat nodded towards the port side window, observing that their sister ship was keeping pace with them. "What's up with him….he could be well on his way home," he remarked to Virgil to which he just shrugged his shoulders until a worry crossed his mind that perhaps TB1 was more damaged than they had first thought.

"Thunderbird One from Thunderbird Two…..say…you all right over there Al," Virgil asked concerned as he looked across to the sleek, silver rocket. "You could be almost home by now…..have you got a problem?"

"Thunderbird One here…..eh…no problem Virg….just thought you guys might like a bit of company on the way home….just being the considerate Field Commander….that's all," Alan replied lightly.

"Hmm….since when did we need an escort little brother," Virgil mused suspiciously.

"I'd say since he decided to decorate the tower with Thunderbird One, like being the fairy on top of the Christmas Tree and not wantin to go home to face the old man," Gordon grinned as he stood leaning on the back of Virgil's seat before taking his own and strapping himself in.

"I heard that," a none too pleased Alan retorted, his face set in a heavy scowl.

"Don't worry Al…..the old man'll bluster…sure…..but it'll blow over. Heck….you survived worse back there," Virgil tried to encourage him.

"Yeah….well….I'd rather face what's back there right now than what's ahead," Alan moaned despondently.

The rest of the journey home was made in silence and eventually they neared their island base, their haven of peace and tranquillity from the storms of life, well at least that's how it normally was. Somehow Alan doubted it would be quite so peaceful and tranquil shortly.

Now that the boys were safely on their way home Jeff made his promised visit to the infirmary. "How is he Jenna?" he asked with fatherly concern.

She rose from the desk where she was updating notes to meet Jeff as he stood by his son's bedside. "He's coming out of his sedation but he's a bit restless…..still mumbling about Alan I'm afraid," she told him and if she wasn't mistaken she could have sworn Jeff's mouth twitched at the mention of his youngest son's name. "The boys are all right aren't they, Jeff…..they are on their way home?" Jenna asked out of concern for she had become very fond of these brothers, regarding them now as her new family.

"Yes Jenna….the boys are safe and well….and on their way home…..the rescue was a success," Jeff assured her, pleased that her interest extended beyond that of his eldest son. He sat by his son, stroking his forehead with tender concern. "And I have a feeling they're going to be in need of some of that muscle rub we have in stock," he added with a knowing smile.

"They need it often!…..I notice there's a lot of it in stock," Jenna queried, giving him a wry, questioning look.

Jeff laughed softly. "Yes I'm afraid they do….sore muscles are just part of the job."

She smiled in understanding. Jeff stayed a little while longer, watching his son restlessly toss and turn and every so often flinching as if he were experiencing some sort of pain. He then took his leave, needing to get back up to the lounge to prepare for the return of his sons.

"Thunderbirds One and Two to Base...come in. Are we clear for approach? Requesting permission to land," Alan said, following the normal procedures.

"Base to Thunderbirds One and Two….receiving. Area is secure and you are clear to land," the imposing voice answered back with professional courtesy. "I'll see you all in the lounge for debriefing." Alan took a deep breath.

As the island loomed large into view the two craft parted company to initiate their own landing sequences. Thunderbird One gracefully hovered momentarily high above the swimming pool then slowly rotated on an invisible axis from her horizontal flight to vertical and began her descent until her battle-scarred underbelly disappeared beneath the pool. The pool automatically closed over the hidden silo, the sloshing water calming within minutes. Thunderbird One was home. Her descent into the launch bay and her subsequent wounds had not gone unnoticed. A lone figure slapped his hands on the balcony rail, turned and made his way to his desk where he awaited, what he assumed was going to be, a rather interesting debriefing.

Thunderbird Two glided elegantly down onto the runway, the palm trees that disguised its true width having already lain flat to receive her, as though bowing in respect. Coming to a stop before the Cliff House the mighty bulk turned 360 degrees in a deceptive feat of agility and slowly reversed back into her hanger, coming to rest in her designated spot. The inner steel hangar door automatically swung upwards followed by the outer door, disguised as a section of the cliff face, rising up out of its trench, concealing its hidden secrets from the outside world. Thunderbird Two was home.

Flexing and rotating his aching shoulders Virgil keyed in the final sequence. The magnetic clamps holding the Pod shot back into their housing and slowly and majestically the mighty Thunderbird rose up on her four hydraulic legs, leaving Pod 4 exposed below. On completing final checks all three boys wearily exited their craft and made their way to the lounge for the debrief.

Alan studied his father's expressionless face as he sat behind his desk, hoping to be able to gauge his mood. But Jefferson Tracy was a master at concealing his emotions, adept at keeping his thoughts to himself until he was ready to unleash them, unlike his volatile eldest son whose expressions of displeasure were always quite clearly easy to read and Alan, himself, whose youthful impetuosity often caused him to vent his feelings without thinking things through.

"Well boys….let me first congratulate you on a job well done. Any rescue where there are no fatalities is a good job. You got the driver out and from what I understand from John he's going to be all right….a few broken ribs and a bad concussion but he'll recover," he began, informing them of their rescued victim's condition. They nodded thankfully that their efforts had been worthwhile.

Settling back in his chair Jeff fixed his gaze on his youngest son, making him feel decidedly uncomfortable. "I've re-read the report that you sent through, from the databank, Alan….and I just want to say….you all worked well as a team….I know that the conditions out there were bad…..and that little trick of yours….," he continued, in the same controlled manner, causing Alan to steel himself and think 'Here it comes'. "Getting Gordon out of the Pod…..although it was a risky thing to attempt…..it paid off……I'm proud of you for using your initiative……I can see you had no other option open to you," he said warmly and nodding with pride. The boys all collectively shook their heads and answered a 'No Sir'. Alan breathed a sigh of relief and allowed himself the briefest of smiles though something told him his father was far from finished.

Jeff now turned his attention to his other sons. "And you both did very well….I'm proud of you both….and you Gordon for risking your life like that." He now fixed his aquanaut son with a considered stare. "Though I understand you disobeyed a direct order….you were told to get out of there," Jeff queried.

Gordon stood his ground and returned his father's gaze, unrepentant for his actions. "Yes Sir….but I wasn't gonna leave…..," he began to explain.

His father held up his hand to silence him. "I'm sure that driver is mighty glad you did disobey that order, Son," he responded with a chuckle, admiring of his son's bravery. Gordon relaxed, breathing a sigh of relief. "Just don't go disobeying your Field Commander's orders too often," he gently chided him.

"No Sir," Gordon replied with a smile.

"Virgil….do you think we might be having problems with the magnetic hold on the grabs?" Jeff asked, leaning his elbow on the arm of his chair and rubbing his chin, as he turned now to practical matters after having briefly studied the report again on the Datapad.

"I'm not sure Dad….they seem to be slipping more often than they should," Virgil pondered.

"Well…maybe we should get Brains to take a look….see if the magnetic field needs recalibrated……get on it tomorrow," Jeff suggested.

"Sure thing Dad," Virgil replied.

"All right boys….that will be all for now…..you can do out your reports tomorrow…..you ought to get down to the infirmary and get Jenna to give you some muscle rub," Jeff advised as he noticed his sons wincing and flexing.

"Yes Dad," they all acknowledged, surprised that that was it as they looked puzzlingly at each other. They had all expected that their father would have had something to say about Alan's near miss with the Tower.

As they turned to leave though. "Not you Alan……you stay behind……you and I have things to discuss, young man," Jeff ordered in a decidedly sombre tone.

Alan gulped, looking to his brothers as if begging them to save him from the wrath to come.

Virgil turned back to face his father. "Dad…it wasn't entirely Alan's fault….the conditions out there were bad and……and I should have been keeping an eye out…..I should have warned him," he implored, hoping his interceding would bear some weight.

Gordon, too, jumped to his youngest brother's defence as he had promised. "And it was just as much my fault……if I hadn't been talkin to Virg…distracting him."

"Thank you boys….I'll bear that in mind…..now I said that will be all for now…..you can go," Jeff reminded them firmly, a little agitation creeping into his voice, though he couldn't help but smile inwardly to himself at how his boys closed ranks and would readily stick by each other. He couldn't help but think, too, that he was about to become the villain in their eyes to the dashing young hero but such is the burden of command and chastisement was something Alan was going to have to learn to take. He rose from his chair and turned to face the console behind the desk, contemplating what he was going to say.

Virgil and Gordon smiled weakly at their young brother, shrugging their shoulders, having done what they could but to no avail. They left the lounge and headed down to the infirmary.

The silence was foreboding. Jeff Tracy placed his hands behind his back, tapping his fingers together in agitation as though wondering what he was going to do with a wayward, foolhardy child. The anger that he felt rise in him now was that of a father anxious for his son's safety and who he felt had totally ignored his advice. Unable to hold back his displeasure any longer he turned to face his youngest son.

"And just what the hell did you think you were playing at Alan!" his father thundered.