Hour Five

The following takes place between 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. on the day Washington, D.C. was destroyed.

04:00:58

Megan was jarred from the moment by an insistent beeping. At first she didn't know where it was coming from, but eventually figured out it was the watch given to her by the dark-haired member of International Rescue. She pulled it out of her pocket, but realized she hadn't a clue how to answer it.

"How do I get whoever it is to come in?" she wondered aloud. Suddenly that same man's face appeared on the watch dial. "Oh!" she exclaimed. "Hello."

"Hi, Dr. Crawford."

"You...know my name."

"Yes. F-Erm-I checked the files to get it. How's Alan?"

Megan breathed a loud sigh of relief as she turned her attention back to the action beyond the viewing window. "He seems okay. I'll get the doctor to brief me in a few minutes."

"What aren't you telling me?"

Megan's eyes turned back to his. "They almost lost him." Scott closed his eyes for a moment. When he reopened them, he saw her watching him, concern etched upon her face. "But I think he's good for now. I'll let you know as soon as I hear from the doctor."

"I'm bringing other members of International Rescue to the hospital. Once we arrive, I'd like you back at the lab to assist Brains. He's verified UH-3 as the component used in these bombs, and they're trying to figure a way to disarm the ones Acronym's planning to drop on Southern California. Just in case."

"Okay, I'll keep a lookout."

"Thank you, Doctor."

"It's just Megan."

He smiled wearily. "Fine. And my name's Scott."

"Right. See you after a bit."

"Call me immediately if anything changes."

"I will."

04:05:01

Virgil, who'd returned to the Mole, was on his way to the White House. Without Firefly to assist, he and Scott had determined the best way to get inside the ring of fire that still burned steadily around it was to take a handful of emergency personnel down in the gigantic drilling machine. Brains had been given the task of piloting the Laser Beam Equipment, or "Elbee," as they called it. He would take on using the vehicle's powerful laser beam to cut away obstructions elsewhere so rescues could be carried out.

At the same time, Brains was on an open channel with Dr. Godfrey and the two International Rescue agents/scientists who'd gone back to the lab in Arlington to begin working on a solution for neutralizing UH-3. Brains would work the problem with them remotely, while Dr. Crawford would join them there as soon as Jeff, Penny, Scott and Ruth arrived at the hospital. Ten other agents were currently using a large crane along with several other pieces of equipment to hoist Firefly out of the area and back to Thunderbird 2 as quickly as possible to avoid potential breaches of security.

Before leaving, Scott reconnoitered where all the other operatives were, updated his charts and set about the task of ensuring people were deployed where they were needed. He was understandably upset by Megan's statement that they'd almost lost Alan, but also greatly relieved to hear he'd survived. And he was glad he'd be seeing him soon.

Given what some of the agents on the perimeter of the Danger Zone were saying, Scott was secretly glad Mobile Control had been set up further in. Apparently people were beginning to gather, and some rather unfriendly sentiments toward International Rescue were being expressed in no uncertain terms. Fortunately for the agents, however, no one outside the organization knew they were International Rescue. So they were, at least for the moment, safe from harm.

Now, as he raced Thunderbird 1 toward Los Angeles, he found it difficult to concentrate on flying her...fortunately, he'd been doing it for so long it was second nature. He was leaving Virgil out there in the thick of things, as well as Brains. His mind drifted to Gordon and Tin-Tin, both of whom were being held by that madman Acronym. And Alan, in the hospital fighting for his life. Everyone, it seemed, was in danger.

Little did Scott Tracy know that the danger was just beginning.

04:09:47

Gordon, who'd been lying on his back, rolled to the side and propped his head up on his hand. "How do you do that, anyway?"

"Do what?"

"You know, the stuff with Kyrano being able to read you. You feeling him."

"Well, my father comes from a long line of Practitioners. Being able to read me is an ability he has, and one that I have most likely inherited. But my blood is more diluted, so I don't have nearly his capabilities."

"Capabilities?"

Tin-Tin rolled over on her side, propping her head up on her hand as well. "Yes, such as being able to mentally connect with another mind, to ascertain how they're feeling, what thoughts they're thinking. Things like that."

"Oh. Wow. And, uh...you can't do that?"

Tin-Tin laughed in spite of their rather dire situation. "No, Gordon, I can't. Why, are you worried I might find out something about you that you don't want anyone to know?"

Had she been able to see him, she would've caught the slight blush that appeared on his cheeks. "No, 'course not," he replied, his voice light. "Just wondering."

She sighed. "They must be doing something. I just wish we knew what."

"Well, Kyrano'll probably let you know, don'cha think?"

She sighed. "Yes, you're right. I'm certain he will. I just don't like having to wait around here for someone else to decide our fates."

Gordon's mind began to work the problem. He came to his feet and began pacing back and forth across the room.

"What are you doing, Gordon?"

"Thinking Tin-Tin. Thinking."

"About what?"

"I'm gonna figure us a way out of here."

04:17:30

Los Angeles International Airport was buzzing. More so than usual. Abandoning his usual position as "First Man on the Scene," Ned Cook had taken on the role of Master Organizer. He found within Unity Airline's Horizon Club, which LAX had closed temporarily to assist International Rescuees in their efforts. Once there, group members would be given a debriefing as to their role in helping International Rescue.

Finding these people and getting them to the proper location was not, however, as easy a task as one might think. For starters, Southern California had been placed on the highest state of alert possible thanks to the threats made by Acronym. This had caused mass panic, so typical in situations such as these. Great hordes of people crowded LAX and every other airport, train station and bus terminal in the area. The freeways were jammed.

Ned, having covered several large stories from Los Angeles International Airport throughout his career, had become quite good friends with both the Transportation and Security Administration's top man and the head of Unity Airline's management. As such, he'd been able to finagle the use of several of their smaller aircraft to transport the Rescuees to different locales throughout Southern California.

The Ground Security Coordinator and head of Airport Police had their hands full with the crowds, so they truly couldn't be of much help. Once Ned got each person or family to the Club, it would be a matter of figuring out who was going where, and how to keep the press from interfering and discovering their plan of action. And how to keep them from finding out their connection to International Rescue, period.

That was where Ned came through again. His knowledge of how the media got wind of big stories like this almost completely ensured his ability to keep the whole thing quiet. And the desperate folks trying to escape the state were so focused on leaving they hadn't a care for the trickle of nondescript Average Joe's who were actually coming in to the airport.

Now, as Ned sat at a table inside the Club that he'd commandeered, he looked over his laptop computer screen, upon which a constant feed of his organization's passenger names, airlines and flights was coming through. While half of his brain was keeping up with flight information, the other half was checking people in and assigning them to locations as per the plan he and Jeff Tracy had worked out. It would be quite some time before the majority of the Rescuees arrived, but already Ned was feeling the pressure.

After all, International Rescue had saved his life. And the lives of all these people who were now arriving with their loved ones. It was their chance to pay them back. This was the biggest thing Ned Cook had ever done. And he couldn't fail those great men who needed him now. He wouldn't.

04:29:59

"Jeff, how much longer 'til we're at the hospital?"

He smiled, raising his eyebrows as he stole a sideways glance at Ruth. "Mother, do you remember a certain someone telling me that if I asked 'Are we there yet?' one more time she was going to stop the car and make me walk the rest of the way?"

"Jefferson Tracy, are you threatening to make me drop to Earth like a stone in order to see my grandson?"

"Of course not, Mother. I'll give you a parachute."

Penny gasped softly. "Jeff!" But Ruth and her son were laughing together, and Penny frowned in consternation. Heavens, if she'd ever spoken to her parents in such a fashion, the outcome would have been much more severe than laughter.

"Really, Mother, we're only just over 20 minutes out now. We'll be there before you know it."

"All right, all right," Ruth muttered, wiping tears from her eyes.

"Well, I never," Penny said softly. "You two never cease to amaze me."

Ruth looked over her shoulder at her. "Penelope, my dear, to quote good Kansas folk, you ain't seen nothin' yet!"

Scott, listening to the banter in Thunderbird One's Lounge from his spot in the cockpit, couldn't help but laugh. His grandmother was right. Penny hadn't seen anything yet.

04:31:03

Kyrano continued to watch the news coverage about Washington, D.C. and kept in regular contact with John on the space station. He also allowed part of himself to hover with his daughter, wherever she was beneath the sea. He could feel her quite clearly, and she felt calm, if somewhat perturbed. He smiled. Only Tin-Tin would feel annoyance instead of fright in the face of such danger. He was glad she was not alone, however. Gordon would take care of her, as best he could. For his presence, Kyrano was grateful.

But he began to get the feeling that something was wrong. On some level, he felt very strange. It was not an unfamiliar feeling, but it somehow confused him. And then suddenly he realized the connection with his daughter had been severed. Trying desperately to re-establish it, he jumped when the vidphone behind him rang. He turned to face it, trying to keep his mind steady, knowing full well who it would be. He opened the line and said, "Hello?"

Voice Only was selected. And it was the same voice from before. "You're not Jefferson," he said.

"No. I am not. What can I do for you?"

"I will only talk to Jeff Tracy!"

"Please hold the line for one moment."

Kyrano placed Acronym on hold and opened a channel to Jeff's com watch. "Mr. Tracy, this is Kyrano. Please come in."

"I'm here, Kyrano. What's happening?"

"I have Acronym on the video phone, Sir. He will speak only with you. I thought perhaps it would not be wise to state you are unavailable."

"Good point. Okay, can you patch us through?"

"I can do that for you, Father," came John's voice. "Gimme a sec."

Within moments, John had patched Jeff's Lounge vid phone directly through to his watch. Jeff quickly motioned for both Penny and his mother to remain silent.

"This is Jeff Tracy," he said.

"Ah, there you are. I was beginning to worry when you didn't answer your line."

"Well, I'm here now. What do you want?"

"I want to know what you're doing about our little agreement."

"I've made no agreement with you."

"You should reconsider that position, Jefferson. Especially considering that I now have two hostages. You were aware of that, were you not?"

"You told a television station, how could I have missed it?"

Acronym laughed. Jeff thought hard. Did he want to let the man know they were on to his identity? What purpose could it serve? The only result Jeff could see at this point would be the quick deaths of Tin-Tin and Gordon. No, best to keep that to himself until they had a better grasp of the situation.

"Well, then, I suspect you are most likely trying to come up with a plan to foil what I have in store for you and for Southern California. Mark my words, Jefferson: if you attempt to do anything but what you have been instructed to do, that is, reveal your identities to the rest of the world, your son and Kyrano's daughter will die."

Jeff's face hardened. His eyes were on fire.

"Not to mention the millions of innocent people in California," Acronym added. "And you'd better do it soon, Tracy. People out there are starting to say some nasty things about you."

Opening his mouth to reply, Jeff didn't get the chance as Acronym closed down. "That sonofabitch," he swore softly. "What I don't get is why he doesn't just tell the world himself! He obviously knows everything about us. It doesn't make sense. Damn him for putting Gordon and Tin-Tin in danger for no reason."

"Don't worry, Jeff," Penny said, hoping to calm him. "They're still all right. They'll be all right."

Jeff raised his watch to his face once more. "Kyrano, are you still sensing Tin-Tin?"

There was no reply.

"Kyrano?"

Silence.

"Oh, God," Jeff moaned, his eyes darkening. "Not now. Please not now."

04:45:47

Tin-Tin blanched, gasping at the jolt of pain that shot through her head.

"What is it?" Gordon asked, making his way to her side.

"Father," she breathed, tears coming to her eyes.

"Kyrano? What? What's wrong?"

"He's...he's left me. I-I can't feel him any longer."

"Maybe he's just busy doing something else."

"No," Tin-Tin whispered. "It doesn't feel that way. He's just...gone."

04:48:12

"Scott?"

"Yes, Father."

"As soon as we drop Grandma in Arlington, I need you to high-tail it back to the island as fast as your engines will go."

"What's going on?"

"We've lost contact with Kyrano."

"What? Why?"

"I don't know, son. But you, Penny and I need to get back there ASAP."

"F.A.B."

"I'll have Mother send Dr. Crawford to the laboratory in a cab. Brains will join them and figure out how to stop those UH-3 bombs."

"I wonder what's happened to Kyrano."

"Right now, I have no idea. But I've got a bad feeling. A very bad feeling."

04:51:10

From the Grand Chamber in the bowels of his majestic Malaysian temple, a man known to the world as arch-criminal the Hood stood with arms spread wide. Without a word, he slowly brought them together until his hands rested palm-to-palm. In front of him on a raised dais, beaded curtains swished closed, hiding a bronze statue behind their glittering shroud. The Hood grimaced, his eyes glowing with anger.

"Who does this Acronym think he is?" the evil man spat, turning to walk to a nearby table. "He thinks he will have all the glory for unmasking International Rescue?"

Kyrano, though more difficult to get through to this time, had served him well. And whoever this Acronym was, there was no way the Hood was going to let him continue with his plot to unmask International Rescue. He felt their secrets were his and his alone. He had worked so long to own them, and now someone else was threatening to take his place as the one who brought them to their knees. He headed for his dressing room. Now was the time for action. Honestly, for that simpleton to think he could so easily take from the Hood what was rightfully his. The nerve!

"Fool!" he barked as maidservants came to disrobe him. "He shall pay for this. He shall not prevail!"

04:53:04

"This is Thunderbird One on broadcast. We're landing at the hospital now. I'll be in touch as soon as we're on our way again."

Scott was having a very hard time with this. All he wanted to do was get out of his Thunderbird and go see his baby brother. But if Kyrano wasn't responding to his father's hails, it could mean very menacing things...things which should not be left alone. In the end, he knew it was best to stay put and continue trying to get through to the island. If only he could get his mind to stop wandering to all the possible horrors that might await them there...

04:55:56

Kyrano didn't move a muscle. This last attack by his half-brother had been worse than any to come before it. The Hood had probed so deeply into his mind, so completely overtaken him, that his body began shutting down in an effort to protect the man from the mental invasion. Continued cries trying to rouse him came over the speakers placed here and there throughout the Lounge, but Kyrano did not hear. He could not. For as each second ticked away, as each grain of sand passed through the hourglass, so did his heart slow.

He could not raise his consciousness, could not locate his daughter's mind.

And slow.

He couldn't make his voice work, couldn't get a single word to form upon his lips.

And slow.

I will not allow this to take me.

Ba-bump. Ba-bump. Ba-bump.

I cannot leave them now. They need me too much.

Ba...bump. Ba...bump. Ba...bump.

They don't even know that he knows. They don't know the Hood knows. They...they don't...

Ba...ba...bump.

Ba...ba...ba...bump.

Bump...

04:59:58

04:59:59

05:00:00