though november is a hectic time of year for me, it's now much more manageable. this means... updates! :P seriously, though, thanks for being patient
Ch. 13
Scott looked around the room as he entered, trying to spot John. His brother was sitting at the far end of the room, by the stage. They locked gazes, just for a moment. John had his arm around a young woman with red hair, who seemed like she was about to cry. There was a man lying on the seats beside him, a blood-stained bandage wrapped haphazardly around his leg. John himself looked even paler than usual, if that was possible. Scott's stomach lurched uncomfortably. He looked away.
A middle-aged woman with a green belt over her black uniform strode over to him. She was clearly the leader. She regarded him icily. He returned the gaze, trying not to show any emotion.
"I am here to negotiate," said Scott.
"As if I couldn't guess," replied the woman coolly. She was trying to wind him up, cloud his judgement. If there was one thing Scott had learned with four younger brothers, it was how to keep his cool.
"State your terms," he said, ignoring her first comment. The woman raised an eyebrow, one hand on her hip. Closer to her weapon. Scott kept both his hands down, palms open.
"We'll be taking Professor Hackenbacker with us, and we get free exit. In exchange, none of the hostages will be harmed... more than they have already."
Scott listened carefully to the voice in his ear. He had been searched, of course, for an earpiece, but this was one of Brains' designs. Virtually undetectable, as was the microphone in his watch that was transmitting everything that was said. Alan was muttering into his ear, relaying instructions from the police and from their father.
"Scott, we can't let them take Brains. The police are reluctant to let them get away, but, if they can't be turned, we'll have to let them go." Alan paused a moment. "Dad says to try and find out who's injured, and to try and negotiate medical treatment, even get them out of there." Scott nearly nodded, but caught himself in time.
"Why do you want Professor Hackenbacker?"
"Our client wishes to speak to him," the woman replied. This was interesting; another player.
"They didn't say why, at all?"
"Our job is to do, not ask," she replied archly, a small smile turning up the corners of her lips. It wasn't a kind smile.
Scott realised he wasn't going to get any more information than that. He also realised he wouldn't be able to convince them not to take Brains away. All Scott could do for now was to try to get medical attention for the injured man.
"I can see that one of the hostages is injured," said Scott. "I'd like to take him out and get his injuries treated."
The woman stared at him, unblinking. She was thinking it over. Scott blinked freely. What was the point in drying out your eyeballs?
After what felt like an eternity, she decided.
"You may take him out."
TB
John breathed a sigh of relief. It was obvious the old man was in pain, even if he tried to hide it. He saw Scott begin to walk over, but a gun pointed at his chest stopped him.
"You will wait here," said the leader. She pointed at John. "You, bring him over."
John helped Radcliffe get up, allowing him to lean heavily on him.
The minute I get home, he thought, I'm gonna have to use that gym more often.
"You want me to give a message?" whispered Radcliffe into John's ear as they slowly made their way to the front. John looked at him in surprise. Radcliffe smiled.
"It's obvious you're brothers. I saw the way you looked at each other. Don't worry, I won't tell a soul."
"Tell him I'm alright, we haven't seen Brains, and that they don't seem to know who he is," said John quickly.
"Brains?"
"He'll know who I mean. Explain everything they've said to us, too."
They reached the front, and John handed Radcliffe over to Scott. They glanced at each other again. John smiled, then went back to his seat.
TB
The old man- Graham Radcliffe, he'd said his name was- laid back after telling Scott everything he knew, allowing the doctor to finish bandaging his leg. Scott watched, processing the information.
John was alright! Scott felt the knot in his stomach loosen slightly, but he was aware that what John said and what John felt were often two very different things. They hadn't seen Brains, but Scott knew that anyway.
The revelation that they didn't know which scientist Brains was, however, was interesting. He thanked Radcliffe, and jumped lightly out of the ambulance to join his brothers.
"Is he alright?" asked Gordon, following Scott as he began to walk back to Thunderbird One.
"As alright as he'll ever be with a bullet in his leg," replied Scott. "Fortunately, it was only a flesh wound; otherwise there'd be a lot more damage."
"And what about John? Did he say anything?" asked Virgil.
Scott sighed. "He says John's alright, but I'm not gonna be properly happy until I see him for myself, rather than just a quick glimpse. He seemed alright when I went in, but that doesn't necessarily mean a thing." Virgil nodded.
"He usually copes well after a reaction, and I'm sure the old man would have told us if there was anything worse."
Scott ushered his brothers into Thunderbird One, where they wouldn't be heard.
"Professor Radcliffe said something else, too," he murmured. "According to John, they don't seem to actually know which one's Brains."
"Meaning we have an advantage." Gordon looked triumphant.
"Only for a short while," corrected Virgil sadly, shaking his head. "The minute each scientist has given their name, they'll know he's not hiding in their group of hostages, and that's when they'll start getting really nasty." He turned to Scott. "They didn't say who their employer was, did they?"
"Either didn't or couldn't," replied Scott. "That woman was giving nothing away, but it's just possible that she told me to butt out because she herself didn't know."
TB
Catrìona had calmed down a little since Scott had come in and taken Radcliffe away. Perhaps that was all she needed, John mused. Assurance that there was help.
The soldiers, on the other hand, were getting more and more impatient. The leader stood on the stage, and fired a shot into the ceiling. One of the lights fizzed out.
Several of the scientists whimpered at the bang, but the woman's stony gaze silenced them.
"I am going to ask you again," she said slowly, "And I want an answer. Where is Professor Hackenbacker?"
No one answered. The woman's lip curled into a sneer. She stepped forward and grabbed Catrìona by the arm, yanking her onto the stage. The younger woman simply glowered.
"Please, I'm not going to do the damsel-in-distress bit, if that's what you're thinking," she snapped, folding her arms as best she could in the woman's grip.
"Shut it," the leader said smoothly, holding her gun to Catrìona's head. Catrìona winced as the still hot metal touched her skin.
"I will ask one more time. Where is Professor Hackenbacker?"
John decided there was nothing for it. But, as he began to stand up and claim he was Brains, another voice beat him to it.
"I am Professor Hackenbacker."
Heads swivelled to look at Meyer, who had been silent all this time. He looked pale but determined.
"I am Professor Hackenbacker," he said again, and John had to prevent himself from rolling his eyes at his melodramatic tone. His expression changed to horror as Meyer walked forward and joined the leader.
"No!"
Meyer turned and smiled sadly at the other scientists, who were all protesting.
"It's okay," he said, and allowed himself to be dragged away.
"But he's not-"
"Silence!" roared the leader. She gathered her people round the door, pointing her gun at the scientists left in the room. "You will all go down to the main entrance after we have left this room, and stay there."
"But once you're gone, we could just walk out," Stephanie pointed out.
"You won't. One of my men will remain behind, to ensure your co-operation." She nodded at a small, weedy-looking man. However, no one would try to cross this weedy little man. Something to do with the big gun in his hands, which he cradled like a child.
They waited for the other soldiers to leave, then filed downstairs into the reception. The man stood facing them, his gun trained on them. The frightened staff stood clustered behind the desk.
The man with the gun slowly backed out of the doors. Through the glass, John could see dozens of police cars, a few ambulances, and the huge shapes of Thunderbirds One and Two. People were staring at the building, but no one moved forward to arrest the soldiers.
After several tense minutes, Stephanie asked, "Do you think we're safe, now?" She stepped forward and tried to open the doors. "They're jammed!" John went forward to help her. He pulled with all his might. They wouldn't budge.
"They've been locked!" cried Stephanie a little hysterically.
Catrìona sniffed.
"Anyone else smell gas?"