Ch. 14
Brains watched the procession through a gap in the doorway of the closet he was still hiding in. He reported what he saw to Scott, whispering into his watch.
"They've g-g-got Meyer of, ah, M-meyer E-electronics," he murmured, his eye glued to the tiny gap. He watched as, a minute later, the hostages filed past.
"Everyone's l-leaving! I'm going t-to, ah, f-follow."
Brains eased his stiff muscles and crept silently behind his fellow scientists. Once or twice, he was sure he'd been caught, but nothing happened. He hid in the hallway and watched the proceedings in the reception.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly; the soldier left, and Stephanie went to open the door.
"They're jammed!"
Brains watched as John tried to open them. He started to walk forward to offer his help, when Catrìona said, "Anyone else smell gas?"
Brains sniffed, and realised he, too, could detect the unpleasant smell. Already, his head was starting to throb. Either the soldiers weren't letting them go so easily, or it was an innocent leak.
"Try breaking open the doors," said John.
"It won't work, they're bullet- Professor Hackenbacker!" Stephanie stared at Brains like he was a ghost. Everyone turned to look at him, then Catrìona ran up and hugged him, John following behind.
"Hiram, you're alright!" exclaimed Catrìona, her voice slightly muffled by his chest. John grinned and punched him lightly on the arm.
"Good to see you, Brains," he murmured, just loud enough for Brains to hear. "Where were you?"
"In a c-closet," the scientist replied. "John, we h-have to call, ah, outside."
"That won't work," said one of the staff from behind the reception desk. "They've cut the phone lines, too."
Brains bit his lip. Catrìona had let go, but Brains still had his arm round her shoulder, and found he rather liked it. However, his watch was on the wrist that was currently resting on Catrìona's shoulder. He motioned for John to come closer.
"What's the t-t-time?" he whispered. Catrìona frowned her gaze moving between the two. John caught his drift.
"Time we were getting out of here," he muttered, pressing a button on his watch. Catrìona watched, wide eyed, as Scott's face appeared on the dial.
"Scott, the doors are jammed, and gas is pouring into the room. Think you can get us out?"
"F.A.B," replied Scott, though they knew it was anything but. Catrìona raised her eyebrows quizzically.
"I think I have a few questions, and I think someone owes me some answers," she said, and Brains smiled.
TB
Virgil powered up the laser equipment, already feeling better. Finally, he could do something, instead of waiting on tenterhooks for something to happen. Scott had called International Rescue's New York agent to go and find Meyer, and Gordon, despite his protests, had gone with her.
"I'm gonna start cutting... now," announced Virgil, moving forward to the glass doors.
"F.A.B, Virge," came the reply.
At times like this, Virgil's brothers often said he was "in the zone." They said this when he played his piano and when he painted, but they also said it when he operated International Rescue's machines. Suddenly, he was completely focused on what he was doing, feeling the machine's every need, knowing just when to move it, when to change the controls.
As always, he admired Brains' technology as the machine cut through the bullet-proof glass. Through the clear doors, he could make out the pale, frightened faces of the scientists, Brains and John. Virgil dimly registered the fact that Brains had his arms around a young woman, and filed it away for later.
Two and a half minutes later, the scientists were flowing out of the hole Virgil had cut, glad to breathe the relatively fresh air. An army of doctors and paramedics immediately pounced on them, hauling them over to the waiting ambulances and first aid tents. Scott was there too, "randomly" picking John, Brains and the young woman for examination. Virgil drove the equipment back to the pod and joined them. Brains was stuttering away happily, introducing them to the young woman. Virgil was rather surprised that Brains would breach security like this, as Scott seemed to be, but John simply sat back in his seat, grinning. Virgil knew that grin all too well. It was the grin that said, "I know something you don't know."
"John!"
They looked up as a young woman with dark hair ran to them, pursued by several police men. The woman embraced John, and kissed him. Virgil felt his jaw drop as he realised that this must be Maria. The police stood awkwardly, unsure.
"It's alright, officers," said Virgil with a smile. They nodded and walked away.
"Guys, this is Maria," said John, his arm around her shoulder. Scott smiled and shook her hand, Virgil and Brains doing the same. The young woman sitting beside Brains smiled weakly, looking a little shell-shocked.
"Ah, you know we're doing badly when the one who spends half his time in space is the first to get a girl," said Scott in a mock suffering tone.
"What about Alan?" asked John.
"Alan doesn't count. He hasn't exactly made any advances, has he?" replied Scott. Then he slapped himself on the forehead. "Sorry, miss, you must be feeling a bit confused," he said to the other young woman. She nodded, pushing her red hair behind her ears and laying her head on Brains' shoulder. Brains smiled down at her.
"C-c-come for some, ah, c-coffee, and I'll, um, explain everything t-to you."
"Sounds like a plan," the young woman murmured, allowing Brains to pull her to her feet.
TB
After the clean-up, Scott sent Virgil home with Brains, Catrìona, John and Maria. The two women had packed up for a short stay on Tracy Island. Scott waited behind for Gordon, chatting to his father over the radio.
"You know, father, it was one thing for John to get engaged before me, but for Brains to get a girl before me too..." Scott sighed and shook his head. Jeff chuckled.
"I think you'll find that Brains has always been a bit of charmer, Scott." Scott's ears pricked up.
"Eh?"
"Have you never seen him flirting with Tin-Tin?"
"He what?" Scott sat up bolt right.
"Nothing serious, just being nice to her when she and Alan had a row or something. And your Grandma's always been impressed with his polite manners. As for Lady Penelope-"
"Wait, are you telling me that Brains is the ultimate ladies' man?" asked Scott, slightly shocked.
"No, just not to be so surprised. The boy isn't quite so single-minded as he sometimes seems." Scott noticed that his father's face looked very amused. Scott shook his head, then caught sight of something through the small window.
"Sorry, Dad, I gotta go, Gordon's back."
"See you when you get back to base, Scott."
just a couple of more chapters to go. including... scott and virgil's revenge on gordon! funny thing. i actually forgot completely about it, then came up with something for scott to do to gordon to wind him up, then realised i still had that loose end to tie up anyway! funny how these things happen, isn't it? :D