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

To all my reviewers: Just taking this opportunity to thank you all for your positive and encouraging comments to this part of Scott's recovery process. Just see it as getting two stories for the price of one, though this one does and will interlink with the main story, it is what has helped to shape Scott's character to the man he is today and goes someway to explain his passion and fevor for saving people, perhaps he sees it as making up for those villagers he couldn't help. And yes, Elanor-G, believe it or not I am heading back to the present to see how everyone is holding up but we do want to know what happened to that nasty Major Bauer first, though, don't we and we want to see Jefferson Tracy kick some Pentagon butt, if we're honest, I know I do. I would just ask you to bear in mind, too, that Virgil would not be telling them every detail that you have read, as there would be conversations and actions he wouldn't be aware off, it's just that I, as the author, am giving you the whole picture.

Chapter 80

Sarah Conley raced to his side but already Cass had his fingers on Scott's carotid pulse, having felt him collapse and go limp. It was the longest moment for all concerned, the air heavy with unbearable tension, as they waited. Cass breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, as did Sarah.

"It's all right, Mr Tracy….your son has just lost consciousness. I'm surprised he has lasted this long already….he's been on the verge of passing out ever since we came in. Your son is very strong-willed, Mr Tracy," Sarah, first of all, reassured him before offering her opinion with a gentle smile, as she checked over his vital signs for herself.

"Tell me about it," Jeff responded with grateful relief, causing both he and Virgil to spontaneously hug each other and laugh, as you do from the release of tension in a very serious moment. It was not something Jefferson Tracy was prone to do but he felt this moment definitely warranted it. He only prayed his son would be able to use that strong will to get him through this and that he would prove to be all the stronger, otherwise he feared for his son's future.

"All right, Cass….I think it's time we made our young Lieutenant more comfortable. I'm going to bring the bed up…..we don't want to jar those ribs any more than we have to," she informed him to which Cass acknowledged her instructions.

Both Virgil and his father now watched as the top half of the bed was raised to its highest upright level against Scott's back. Only then did Cass gently withdraw his support from his back and the bed was lowered a little, affording Scott a more comfortable position. It was necessary and more comfortable for him to remain raised, allowing him to breathe more easily because of his ribs and this process would be reversed and used time and time again when his dressings needed changing and for his bathe until he was healed.

Cass couldn't resist the temptation now to turn round and look at the screen to get a good look at Scott's younger brother but had to admit they didn't exactly bear a striking resemblance. "You must be Chey'nah's brother….I'm Cass…..Cassidy Grey Wolf….I've been taking care of your brother. I guessed because of how you spoke with each other….I have younger brothers myself," Cass said, introducing himself, knowing he would probably be speaking to them again quite often, since Scott would be here for some weeks to come because of this set-back.

"Hi Cass….I'm Virgil….I just want to say thanks for what you're doing for my brother," he responded, pleasantly returning the greeting even though his mind was still so full of unanswered questions. "But last I knew his name was Scott…..what's going on there, Cass? What's with this, Chey'nah! And how did you know I was a younger brother…..has he been talking about us?" Virgil added, wanting to know every last little thing about his brother and had he been thinking of them.

Cass could tell the young man had a sense of humor despite these difficult circumstances. He smiled a friendly smile. "Let's just say…your brother was being less than co-operative when I first came in to tend him. He wouldn't let me use his name…so it is a name I gave him," Cass told him with a wry smile.

"You mean he was being pig-headed," Virgil offered, finding a little to smile about at knowing his brother's ways. "So what does it mean, Cass?" he asked, being a lot more direct than his father and, somehow, Jeff couldn't help but strain his ears to listen.

Cass smiled at Virgil's knowing his brother well. "I am Oglala Sioux and the names we give and receive all have meaning for us….but I'm sorry, Virgil….I cannot tell you the meaning of your brother's name….it is very personal to him and for him alone to tell you….if he chooses," Cass explained gently, to which Virgil nodded and accepted. Jeff, too, had to smile to himself for it was a good answer and earned Cass a deeper respect in the older man's eyes, as there were two things Jefferson Tracy valued, and that was loyalty and the ability to keep a confidence, things that were, later on, to become important, very important indeed.

"As for you being a younger brother! I was trying to find some common ground….to make a connection with him…..I told him I was the oldest in my family….that my younger brothers were a bit of a pain in the old Indian….ahmm….butt. I asked him if he was the oldest…and he smiled a little…..oldest brothers understand these things. He would tell me nothing of your family, though….only to say…he had four brothers already and didn't need any more," Cass told him with a good-natured grin, feeling it would do the young man good to find something to smile about.

"Oh he did…did he!" Virgil returned, equally as good-natured, though his heart was breaking for his brother.

"Having four brothers and not needing any more, Chey'nah meant as a compliment, Virgil….he said it with great love and with pride," Cass told him, feeling he needed to hear that as well. "I am Oglala Sioux….I sense these things."

Virgil choked back his emotion and swallowed hard, feeling now the tears well in his eyes as he looked at his unconscious brother, battered and bruised, his chest rising and falling with rapid, shallow breaths and his face contorting in anguished torment at, who knows, what was going on in his mind. "He…he said that, huh," Virgil responded emotionally.

Jeff put a comforting hand on his second son's shoulder and told him that Cass was donating blood for his brother.

Virgil, now having composed himself, winced a grin. "Did you tell Scott that? That he's about to get a blood brother…whether he likes it or not," Virgil asked.

"Yeah….Chey'nah wanted to know if having my blood in him meant he would start chanting," Cass replied with a wry smile and a raise of his eyebrows.

Glad of the release of emotional tension both Jeff and Virgil let out a laugh. That dry, sarky comment was so very Scott and it gave them hope that the son and brother they knew was still there. "Well, at least, if he starts chanting around the house I'll know who to blame," Virgil quipped with a weak laugh.

Cass acknowledged with a friendly smile and, just at that moment, appropriately enough, the processed Native American blood arrived. Jeff and Virgil watched as Captain Conley changed Scott over from the blood substitute to let Cass's rich and pure life-giving Sioux blood course through his veins. He told them he needed to bathe Scott now that he was settled somewhat, being obvious that he had perspired heavily during his ordeal, though once he went to bathe his right shoulder Cass frowned with concern and called Captain Conley. Virgil and his father looked anxiously at each other, seeing that the two were obviously examining him. Captain Conley nodded and turned back to the screen.

She looked pale and Jeff had that sudden feeling that he was about to hear more. "Mr Tracy….we have discovered something else….it was overlooked because your son was being supported against Cass and we didn't see it until now….and his other injuries were the obvious priority," she began with apology. "You know your son has a broken right collarbone," Sarah continued and both Jeff and Virgil had that sick feeling they knew what she was going to say. Virgil automatically put his hand on his father's shoulder in a supportive gesture. "Apart from the bruising Cass has found finger marks on his shoulder….he says the Major has probably…clamped his hand…and applied….pressure," she added, barely able to bring herself to say it. "I'm so sorry, Mr Tracy."

It was another blow to an already heartsick father and one shocked brother. Virgil sucked in a breath as he imagined the pain and felt his father flinch and stiffen at the news. It was truly a remarkable feat that Scott had stayed conscious for so long and, indeed, that he'd been able to talk to them at all. After a few moments of taking in this added news Jeff told her he needed this evidence as well. Sarah Conley nodded understandingly. Puzzled, Virgil watched as their image was moved up close to his brother's shoulder and the finger marks could be quite clearly seen now over the original bruising, making him automatically flinch. As with before the picture was frozen in time.

The screen was pulled away and Cass resumed his bathing routine, allowing Jeff and Virgil to see how tenderly he was being cared for. They were grateful for the time they had been allowed to spend with him, feeling as though, in some small way, they were involved in his care, though when it came to the more personal aspects Jeff said they would sign off, that there were important things he now needed to take care of and thanking them for their information and help. It was hard, though, for them to end the communication after having talked with Scott for only a short time.

Once the screen went blank both men remained in silence for a few minutes, lost in their own thoughts, still barely able to take in what had happened. It was Virgil who broke the silence and spoke first. "So can you tell me now, Dad…just what the hell is going on…..you did say Scott had been tortured! I don't get this….I mean he's in an American hospital for goodness sake…..how could he have been tortured!" Virgil exclaimed, shocked to his very core, as he tried to make sense of it all.

"I know Virgil…I'm trying to make sense of it all myself. It's pretty hard to take in, Son," Jeff agreed.

His head was so full of questions that he barely knew where to begin. "Well who did this, Dad…and why! After what he's been through already…how could anyone do this?" Virgil asked, the pictures of his brother's face and the pain he was in still very much in his mind.

His father did as promised and filled him in on who carried out this interrogation and, as to the why! All Jeff would say was that Major Bauer had demanded an immediate in-depth report on what happened to Scott in his jungle ordeal and his brother had refused to give him the information, which was, for most part, the truth, leaving Jeff feeling satisfied he had both given Virgil an explanation and kept his promise to his eldest son.

Jeff set the print facility to run off a copy of each of the pictures for his file. The first one to come out was that last one taken, causing Virgil to winch again. The second one he lifted, feeling a whole range of emotions, including intense anger, as he stared at the battered and bruised face of his brother that looked back at him, eyes heavy with pain. He lifted the next one that came out with a queried frown, the picture of Scott's heavily bruised ribs. "I don't understand, Dad….wasn't Scott brought in like this? He already had cracked ribs."

His father drew a deep breath. Of course, Virgil hadn't known the extent of the abuse; he had only come in at the last to see his brother's face. "Son….your brother's ribs were broken….and if this Bauer is the type of man that I suspect he is….if he could do this in the first place…then my guess is he used his swagger stick to prod it into Scott's ribs long before he broke them to get what he wanted to know," Jeff informed him, feeling sick himself at the thought of the excruciating pain.

Virgil closed his eyes, sucking in a breath at the mental image it created. The final picture of the abuse to come out, that of his brother's back, horrified him and even made him feel nauseated, then came the anger and the rage. Jeff put a supporting hand on his arm, knowing it was hard for him to take in that his brother had endured all this extra trauma. The last picture, though, puzzled him entirely, not understanding what it had to do with anything, indeed, not understanding what it was, period.

"What's this?" Virgil asked, his face a picture of troubled concern.

"Yes…..that is a devious little gadget Bauer used to stop help coming to your brother," Jeff informed him, going on to tell him what it did. "Cass was smart enough to hang on to it….he's going to send it to our people in Houston to take a look at and then they'll send it on to us….I want you and….eh….Brains to have to have a look at it….see what you make of it," Jeff further told him.

Virgil shook his head in disbelief at the lengths this man had gone to. "Dad! What are you gonna do now? Are you going to get General Ryder on the vid-link…..and show him those pictures….see what he knows?" Virgil asked, knowing that Steve Ryder was his father's friend and had been their helpful contact in the Pentagon. He wanted answers and he wanted someone to pay for what happened to his brother.

Jefferson Tracy had already started gathering up the pictures and put them in a file cover. "I'm doing better than that, Virgil. I'm flying out to the Pentagon to see Steve personally…first thing in the morning…and by gawd I'll get some answers from him. I'll make sure something is done about that man," his father promised. "And by the way, Son…don't mention this to your Grandmother….she's upset as it is at what happened to Scott….this would kill her. And these pictures do not exist," he instructed, wanting to spare his mother, for her grandsons were her life, her pride and joy. She may be a tough old bird in many ways but she wouldn't have been able to bear her eldest grandson having suffered so much in such a way and Virgil agreed wholeheartedly with his father.

"Dad…I'd like to go with you….after all…he's my brother….and right now I'm madder than hell at what's happened," Virgil requested adamantly, wanting to support his father in this. "And I'll do the flyin…give you time to work out what you're gonna say," he added helpfully with a slight smile, giving his father no reason to refuse.

Jefferson Tracy nodded with a half laugh. His second son certainly was a Tracy and had his business know-how, covering all the angles and providing the solution. "Oh I know what I'm going to say, Son….but I would appreciate the company and your support," he replied gladly for which Virgil was thankful. "Just one thing, Son….I want to confront Steve Ryder alone," he added, which had more of an air of a condition about it, telling Virgil that was what he was going to do rather than asking his son's permission. Virgil agreed, for he guessed this confrontation wouldn't be easy on either of them since they had been friends a long time.

Breakfast next morning was kept as normal as possible with Jeff reading his morning paper while reaching round his hand for his coffee. Brains normally joined them for breakfast and Jeff casually informed both he and Grandma that he was taking a trip to Washington, to see his friend General Steve Ryder, to thank him in person for all the help he'd been and Virgil was going to fly him there. Virgil almost choked, though, on a mouthful of cereal when Grandma had asked how Scott had been when Jeff had been put through to him. She had known Jeff had a vid-link organised but because it was so late in the evening she had went to bed but told him to be sure he passed on all their love, which Jeff had promised he would do and he did, to some extent, telling Scott they wanted him home, how much they needed him and how much his father needed him. The question had been so unexpected that Jeff, too, almost knocked over his cup, misjudging it as he reached for it, causing it to rattle on its saucer but he quickly composed himself and said they hadn't stayed on long as Scott was very tired and added that, of course, he sent his love.

Winging their way across the ocean towards the States the mood in the smaller of the Tracy private jets became more sombre and quiet as Jeff reflected on this coming confrontation. He had no idea if Steve knew of this Major Bauer, his only information being that he was connected in some way to Intelligence, though it all sounded rather shadowy and he just hoped Steve was not going to prove difficult or obstructive for he had already determined that, despite their long friendship and the help he had already given him, if Steve was not prepared to do anything then their friendship was at an end, such was the anger that this father felt.

Once they had touched down at Tracy Enterprises, Washington and taxied to the private hangar their car was waiting for them. Jeff had wanted to go to the Pentagon right away now that he was suitably primed and ready to do battle and also he wanted to arrive unannounced, not giving anyone the chance to conveniently disappear should news of his arrival in Washington leak out.

Within a short space of time they were walking into the main lobby of the Pentagon and Virgil began to wonder just how they were going to gain admittance, as seeing they had no appointment but he had reckoned without his father's natural charm and wily ways that had made him the astute businessman he was. As soon as he had mentioned his name it was, 'Yes Mr Tracy….it's good to see you….and who would you like to see?' It was known that Major General Ryder was good friends with the wealthy businessman and former Space Agency hero and when Jeff said he was just in town for a brief business meeting and would like to surprise his old friend there wasn't a problem and they were admitted easily, for Jefferson Tracy's credentials were impeccable.

When they entered the outer offices of Major General Steve Ryder they were met by the frosty, questioning glare of a mature woman sitting behind her desk. "And how may I help you gentlemen?" she asked officiously.

"I'm here to see General Ryder," Jeff returned bluntly and equally officious as he made for the inner double doors to Steve's office. "I'm Jefferson Tracy…Jefferson Grant Tracy….this is my son, Virgil…..and don't bother to announce me," he added curtly with brief introduction.

She had heard, of course like everyone else, of Jefferson Tracy but, even so, she was not prepared to let him just barge into the General's office as he seemed intent on doing. She prided herself on being efficient and making the General's day run smoothly and that didn't include any unscheduled visits, no matter how important the person may be. With that in mind the woman quickly got up from her desk and placed herself in front of him, barring his way to the door. "I'm sorry, Mr Tracy…but you don't have an appointment with General Ryder today….and he has a very full schedule….it's impossible for him to see you," she explained stiffly and trying to maintain her professional decorum, being taken aback at the suddenness of his appearance. "And you certainly can't just go barging into his office….he has an important meeting with some very important people," she added, as if to reinforce her point.

"Oh I think General Ryder will see me….and see me now. And I certainly can go barging into his office, ma'am…because he has no meeting that's more important than the one he's about to have with me," Jeff stated, beginning to feel more than a little irate at her obstructive attitude. "And as for his very full schedule…well..I'm sure we can take care of that….relieve the General of his appointments, can't we, Virgil!" he added, turning to his son.

"Sure thing, Dad," Virgil replied, knowing right away what his father had in mind. He immediately headed for the desk and began tapping on the touch screen, bringing up the General's appointments for the day.

The secretary headed back to her desk, appalled at the younger man's boldness and highly inappropriate behaviour; she was even more aghast when she saw what he was doing. "You can't do that!" she exclaimed, for what Virgil was doing was typing 'Cancelled' beside every one of Steve Ryder's appointments, which would automatically send the information to the people concerned.

"There…now it seems the General has free time, after all," Jeff responded sarcastically.

The woman informed him that she did not like his attitude and she didn't care who he was and that if they didn't leave she would have no choice but to call security.

Jeff was in no mood for any more delay. "I wouldn't do that if I were you, ma'am…..for what I am about to lay down on the General is heavy….very heavy indeed….and if you do not want me to include you as an accomplice for your obstruction….then I suggest you leave well enough alone," Jeff told her sternly, his tone heavy with threat.

She realised that this was something very serious. "Look, Mr Tracy…I don't know what this is all about," she began to say, trying now to be diplomatic.

"You're right, ma'am…you don't know….and if you want my advice…you'll keep it that way," Jeff replied icily. "Virgil….why don't you keep…eh….Miss Stillwell…company and see that Steve and I don't get disturbed," he added with a knowing nod, having checked the name plate on her desk, to which Virgil acknowledged.

Only one objective stood in his way now, the inner double doors to Steve's office. Without any consideration for might be going on in the private office Jeff unceremoniously swung the doors open, first one set then the doors to Steve's office itself, leaving one very stunned General Ryder as he looked up from where he was perusing over a map along with some other top brass Air Force officials.

It took him a few moments to gather himself, having been taken totally unawares by the surprise visit. "Gentlemen….you all know my good friend…Jefferson Tracy," he said, introducing Jeff warmly to everyone. They all acknowledged each other politely and, indeed, the officials welcomed him with enthusiasm, Jeff's reputation being very well known. "Jeff….you know it's always good to see you…and I know you've been through a lot…but…this just isn't a good time," Steve flustered slightly, as he took his friend to one side and wondering what had prompted him to come to see him now. "We're in a very important meeting here, Jeff."

"Well you'd better tell them this meeting is at an end, Steve….because you and I have important things to discuss….and I'm not leaving here until I do," Jeff insisted strongly. "Now…we can discuss it with everybody here present….but somehow…I don't think you're going to want to do that, Steve…..the choice is yours," he added coldly.

Steve could tell something was wrong, something was badly wrong and his instinct told him it would be better discussed in private; he could see his friend was both upset and angry. "Gentlemen….I fear we're going to have to reschedule our meeting for another day…..I do apologise but something important has come up that demands my attention," he said smiling, with all the practised ease of a diplomat, as he ushered the officials to the door. They mumbled complainingly among themselves at the inconvenience of it all, wondering just what pull Jefferson Tracy had on General Ryder that he could cancel such an important meeting in an instant.

Jeff slammed the doors shut and strode back to the desk where Steve now sat, waiting for an explanation. "What's this all about, Jeff? Why the sudden urgency?" he asked, somewhat bewildered then it struck him. After what had happened in the past week there could only be one thing. "Jeff! Has something happened to Scott? He's not….," Steve asked concerned.

It was all Jeff could do at this point to hold his anger at bay, remembering again the images of his son in pain. "Yes, gawd damn it, Steve something has happened to Scott….and no….he's not….but I don't know how….it's only by some miracle that he's not….after your people got through with him," Jeff stated, rounding on his friend. "Just what the hell is going on, Steve….tell me that."

"Jeff! Take it easy….I don't know what you're talking about. Now…what has happened to Scott…and what do you mean…my people!" Steve asked, now totally bewildered.

"Take it easy! I'll tell you what I'm talking about, Steve. My son was tortured by one of your officers," Jeff informed him.

General Ryder stared at him incredulously. "You can't be serious, Jeff….torture! That's pretty strong. We don't torture our own men…we're United States Air Force officers, for gawd's sake," Steve replied insistently, wondering if the recent events had been a bit too stressful for his friend.

"That's what I used to think, Steve….but I'm not sure I know this Force anymore," Jeff responded, his voice heavy with sorrow and anger. He withdrew the file from his case that he had set on a nearby lounge chair and pulled the pictures from it. "You think torture's too strong….well take a good look at these, Steve….take a good hard look at what was done to my son…..by United States Air Force officers. I've seen him for myself and…this is…what he looks like," he added, throwing them onto the desk in front of him and bringing his fist down hard in a release of anger.

Steve Ryder picked them up and began looking through them, one by one. Horrified and appalled, he couldn't believe what he was seeing, paling visibly and feeling tears well in his eyes as the picture of a young man's swollen and bruised face, eyes heavy with pain, stared back at him, frozen in time. He closed his eyes briefly, feeling almost sick at the sight of his open wound, while Jeff drew his attention to the marks made from the swagger stick. The picture of Scott's bruised ribs puzzled him, though and he mentioned the fact that he would have been bruised from the ejection seat.

"Yes….but now his ribs are broken….broken by that gawd damn stick," Jeff informed him angrily.

Steve sifted through the pictures again, wincing and understanding now why his friend was so angry. There was one picture, however, that was missing, that of the device, which Jeff had cautiously kept back.

"This how the United States Air Force treats its Medal of Honor heroes now….is it!" Jeff snapped, unable to keep the sarcasm from his tone.

"Gawd Jeff…I am so sorry this has happened…and I'm not surprised you're angry….and no, of course it isn't….but honestly…I can't believe this was done by our people….and I don't understand….we haven't sent anybody to see Scott…I assure you," Steve replied, bewildered by this turn of events.

"And I can assure you it was….I have the reliable testimony of two of the medical staff treating Scott….and Scott himself….when his is able," Jeff stated confidently, though his voice trailed off as he thought of his son.

"How….how is Scott?" Steve Ryder asked tentatively.

"How do you think, Steve….he's in a hell of a worse condition than when he was brought in. He's in agonising pain….he's shocked and traumatised….and now he's unconscious…and I've been told he now has a fever because of infection….because of whatever the Major used on him," Jeff informed him, venting his anger. "Like I said…it's a miracle he's still alive. So are you telling me this…Major Bauer and Captain Decker…they're not your people? They said they were Intelligence," Jeff demanded to know. He didn't fail to notice the effect the name had on his friend, as General Steve Ryder suddenly stiffened in his chair and drew in a short breath. "So you do know these men?" Jeff continued to demand, his eyes narrowing at his friend and determined to get every last ounce of truth from him.

Steve sighed heavily and nodded. "I know of Bauer….and Captain Decker is his aide…but I swear to you, Jeff….they do not belong to us. I had heard he was ambitious….a little over zealous…but I never thought he would resort to this," Steve admitted but it cut no ice with Jefferson Tracy.

"A little over zealous! Steve….the man is ruthless….how can he be allowed to continue in the Air Force? This obviously isn't the first time he has done this….this man is using practiced torture techniques….on our boys….on my son, Steve. This isn't 'a little over zealous' as you put it….this is systematic torture. You want more proof," Jeff responded enraged by the fact nobody seemed to know what Bauer had been doing. He threw down the picture he had kept back and observed how Steve Ryder reacted to it.

Steve picked it up and frowned heavily. "What is this, Jeff?" he asked concerned, as he studied the device.

"That is what Bauer used to stop help coming to my son…that is how prepared he was…that is how ruthless he is," Jeff informed him, telling him exactly what it was used for. Steve paled visibly and Jeff could tell his friend had no idea what it was, for which, in some small measure he was thankful for he didn't want to think his friend had a knowledge of such a device otherwise Jeff would had to have assumed Steve was aware of the brutal purpose for which it was used.

"Jeff, I swear to you…we have never seen this before….we had no idea it existed," Steve insisted to which Jeff nodded, believing he was telling the truth. "So where is this…device…now, Jeff? And how did you come by this picture?" he asked cautiously.

This picture was taken from my screen when I put through a call to my son…..to find him like that. It was shortly after it was found on Scott's heart monitor….Major Bauer obviously forgot to remove his incriminating evidence. As for where it is now! I believe it has been passed on…to an appropriate authority," Jeff explained, with ice cool calm for, after all, he was used to keeping his cards close to his chest in the most high-powered business deals and it was, for most part, the truth.

Steve eyed him somewhat suspiciously but then, what could he say.

Now take a good look again…take a real, good look," Jeff insisted strongly and just to be sure he did Jeff grabbed Steve by a handful of shirt and tie, hauling him forward from his chair and forcing him to look again at the pictures. "That is my son, Steve….and I'll be damned if I'm going to let anybody get away with that. Now….you're Intelligence….just where does he come from."

Once Jeff had let go Steve straightened himself, coughed and readjusted his shirt and tie, beginning now to feel just a little bit apprehensive as to what Jeff Tracy was going to want. "I…I understand how you feel, Jeff….," Steve started, trying to placate his friend.

Jeff rounded on him. "You have no gawd damn idea of how I feel…so don't give me those platitudes," he snapped angrily.

"You're right, Jeff…I'm sorry," Steve apologised, holding up his hands in a submissive gesture. "Major Bauer….belongs to a….a section within a section, Jeff…..that's the only way I can describe it. We have no jurisdiction….they operate independently," was the explanation Jeff was given. "What did Major Bauer want with Scott anyway?" Steve asked, not understanding why he would be there.

"I can't believe this, Steve. What are we running here! This is the United States Air Force for gawd's sake….not some….some secret, covert shadowy unit," Jeff replied incredulously, trying to fathom why the Air Force would need such a section. "What did he want with Scott? I'll tell you what he wanted, Steve….he wanted to know about that damn course my son was sent on…..he wanted to know from my son what it was like to hear a man's neck snap in his hands," Jeff informed him coldly and imitating the action, making Steve sweat a little and flinch. "He wanted to know if my son had any emotions when he killed….he wanted to know whether that damn course was a success. Scott wouldn't tell him….and for that he tortured my son to get his answers. Gawd dammit, Steve…hadn't he been through enough….he should've been allowed time to heal……and he should've been safe where he was. Well…I swear, Steve…there is nowhere that man is going to be able to hide. I want something done….and I'm not going to stand for any cover-ups either….is that understood!" Jeff demanded with authority.

Steve drew in a breath and silently cursed the man for his ruthless impatience for now Major Bauer had angered the world's wealthiest and most powerful businessman and who knows just what Jefferson Tracy would demand by way of satisfaction. "You're right, Jeff….of course Scott should have been safe…and I'm sure we can see that Major Bauer is severely reprimanded for his actions….and that this won't happen again," General Ryder promised sincerely.

Jeff Tracy laughed outright. "Severely reprimanded! Steve….this is not some misdemeanor….or…or….getting caught with your pants down with the Base Commander's wife," he replied, unable to believe what he was hearing and giving Steve a very pointed reminder or was that, perhaps, a hint of a threat.

"I don't understand, Jeff. Just what is it you want?" Steve asked, almost reluctantly, hoping he had been able to solve this with diplomacy.

"This man deliberately tortured my son….are you hearing what I'm saying, Steve…and I have the evidence to prove it…..he is not fit to wear the uniform of the United States Air Force…..and, by gawd, I intend to see he doesn't," he said, stating what he wanted. "Steve…I want this man court-martialled….a dishonorable discharge….nothing less…..and that goes for Captain Decker as well. I have it on good authority that he stood by and watched…and even held my son….my helpless and injured son, Steve...while….that….that butcher did his work."

General Ryder gulped nervously. "Jeff…I told you…Major Bauer doesn't come under my authority…this section works independently, in fact…they might even have a certain protection," Steve fumbled out an excuse.

Jeff narrowed his eyes at his friend. "I don't care if he's damn well protected by the President himself…and I do know the President personally…but I swear, Steve…I will bring down the President, the Government and every last one of you in the Pentagon if I have to if this man is not removed. Now…you've got to ask yourself, Steve…is this one man really worth all that because I'm telling you now…my son is worth more than every last one of you put together….and I will do it," Jeff assured him with steely determination.

Now Major General Ryder was getting just that little bit worried. His diplomacy didn't seem to be working. "Jeff….I know you're angry….and, gawd knows, you've every right to be….and I'm sure we can get something done but I just don't have that authority," he continued trying to explain but what he had come up against was one very angry father, intent on seeking retribution for his son and he wasn't going to let anything stand in his way, not even the might of the Air Force.

It was time to up the anti, for Jefferson Tracy did not intend to be fobbed off with weak excuses. He drew a deep, calming breath. "You're concerned with the image of the Force…aren't you, Steve!" Jeff conjectured, to which Steve nodded suspiciously, wondering just where his friend was going with this. "Well…think how this is going to look to the world's press and media," he continued, beginning to pace a little and thinking of an imaginary headline. "United States Air Force TORTURES its newly decorated Medal of Honor hero," he recited with cold calmness, emphasising the torture.

Steve winced and gave a nervous laugh. "You don't mean that, Jeff…..we deal internally…you know that. We don't take our dirty laundry outside," he tried to remind his friend.

Jeff wasn't in the mood. He slammed his hands down on the desk. "I don't give a hoot in hell about keeping your dirty laundry inside…this dirty laundry is going to get hung for all the world to see….if you don't give me what I want. I have the pictures to prove it….and I will use them. I will show the whole gawd damn world the way our boys have been treated….when they have been to hell and back for their country….and this is how their country treats them….well I don't intend to let him do this to any more of our boys," Jeff stated adamantly, knowing that his son wouldn't have been the first and he wouldn't be the last if something wasn't done about Major Bauer now.

He realised that he had a unique position here; he had the power and wealth to do something about this, compared with who knew how many distraught families who had nowhere to turn. "You once told me, Steve…that I was too high profile to be able to go and be with my son….well, by gawd, I will use that high profile to its fullest," he threatened, throwing Steve's own words back at him. It wasn't as if Jefferson Tracy had any love for the press or the media, in fact, he shunned publicity whenever he could but he was astute enough to use whoever and whatever means he had available to ensure the right and just outcome. He was sure, though, that it wouldn't come to that, General Ryder would have no intention of letting this become public knowledge and really Jeff didn't relish the thought of plastering his eldest son's agonised and bruised face all over the world's press but he was prepared if it was the only way and he certainly was angry enough.

"Now Jeff…I'm sure there's no need for all that….," Steve tried again to use diplomacy to see if they could come to some satisfactory agreement. It wasn't that he was trying to protect this Major Bauer or Decker, what they had done was reprehensible, it's just he wasn't sure of what he, personally, could do.

To Jefferson Tracy, though, it sounded very much like stalling tactics. So, it was time to up the anti again, turn the final screw. Jefferson Tracy was about to play his trump card, to hit them where it really hurt. He looked Steve coldly in the eye. "We handle the Air Force contracts at Tracy Aerospace…don't we, Steve…….develop a lot of new and important technology!" Jeff stated with cool iciness, knowing very well that Steve knew.

Steve nodded and whether the air conditioning was playing up or not he began to feel rather hot under the collar, as he ran a finger round to loosen it. He was getting a very bad feeling about this for he knew his friend was far from joking.

Jeff put his hands squarely on the desk and peered hard into Steve's eyes. "Well, understand this, Steve. You get onto whoever controls this man…whoever holds his leash….and you make sure he gets removed…and I mean I want proof….or by gawd, I will pull every last contract the Air Force has with us and all development will stop forthwith. It'll hurt us, sure…but I'm prepared to start over if I have to…but I swear…I will leave the Air Force high and dry without us….I will cut you dead….before I'll let this man get away with this. Do I make myself clear? Do we understand each other?" Jeff Tracy promised with terrifying assurance.

General Ryder choked at Jeff's words, realising now just how deadly serious he was. "You can't be serious, Jeff! Those contracts are worth billions of dollars and we need that technology," he spluttered, diplomatic decorum fast disappearing out the window along with, it seemed, the contracts, as he desperately tried to keep a hold of this situation.

Jefferson Tracy really was playing hardball. One should never, ever underestimate the power of a father's love, especially when that father happens to be the world's most powerful and wealthy businessman.

Jeff gave him a chilling smile. "Oh I'm serious, Steve….in fact…I've never been more serious in my life," he took pleasure in assuring him. "Now you had better get onto your people and decide how much that one man is worth to you because…you see, Steve….my son is worth every last dollar I have and a big mistake...a very big mistake….was made when he was let loose on my son and I intend to see he never gets his hands on any of our boys again. And I swear, Steve….if nothing is done…if you sweep this under the carpet….then, in my book, that makes you equally as guilty and I will hold every last one of you personally responsible….and I will do everything I said I would do," Jeff promised, his rage now unstoppable and in full flow.

"I will shout this from the highest hill in Washington….from the floor of the Senate….and by gawd…I will shame and disgrace this United States Air Force…I'll bring it to its knees if I have to….because nothing….nothing is as important to me as my sons. If nothing is done…then it's not the Force that I knew…that I was proud to serve in. You have 24 hours, Steve. 24 hours."

And with that Jefferson Tracy swept from the room.