Ch. 15

Gordon looked tired and rather ratty, so Scott let him into Thunderbird One without a word. He made his brother a coffee from the ration packs he kept in the back of the craft. The stuff was disgusting, nothing like proper coffee, but it was hot and it contained caffeine and sugar, which Scott suspected his brother really needed right then. Sure enough, Gordon gulped it down without complaint, and, as they took off, he began to look better.

"Well?" asked Scott.

"No luck," replied Gordon sadly. "Shadwa and I followed them as best we could, but they had several helicopters waiting. They flew away before we could do anything."

"Didn't you get Alan to track them?"

"We tried, but they're jamming any possible signal. The best we could do was note the direction they were headed and contact other agents to keep an eye out."

"What if they changed course?"

Gordon sighed again, rubbing a hand over his face.

"I know, I know. But there's nothing we can do about it."

"So Professor Meyer is their hostage, but they think he's Brains?" Scott shook his head. "They're not gonna be happy about that when they find out."

"Shadwa's doing everything she can to find him. She's got all agents on alert, so hopefully something'll come up." Gordon's eyelids dropped despite the coffee. "Hey, Scott, fancy asking Brains to make you a comfier 'bird?" He wriggled slightly on the seat. Scott laughed.

TB

Brains helped Catrìona out of Thunderbird Two, smiling at her shocked expression as she took in the enormous hangar.

"L-like it?"

"It's just..." She shook her head, laughing softly. "I just can't... it's incredible!" she gushed. Brains grinned, putting an arm round her and kissing her cheek.

"C-c-come and meet, ah, the others." He turned to Virgil. "S-see you at the, ah, d-d-debrief. John, I c-can show, ah, M-maria where to, um, g-go, if you w-w-want."

"Sure," John nodded, helping Virgil guide the laser equipment out of the pod. Virgil was muttering about some sort of fault that had occurred. John suspected Virgil just wanted it to go faster.

Brains led both women into the passenger lift. When it reached its destination, Catrìona turned round just in time to see the door slide back into place and turn into one of Virgil's paintings once more. She still wore a look of awe, as did Maria.

Jeff stood in the lounge with Tin-Tin, Grandma and Kyrano, waiting for them. Jeff stepped forward and shook both girls warmly by the hand.

"It's nice to finally meet my future daughter-in-law," he smiled. Marina blushed. "And you, Catrìona. It's always nice to see young people in the field of astronomy and the like."

"Thank you!" gasped Catrìona, blushing. Grandma smiled and stepped forward.

"I've arranged two of the guest bedrooms for you girls, if you'd like to follow me..." She led them off into the corridor, Tin-Tin following behind. Kyrano bowed and murmured something about preparing dinner, before slipping quietly from the room. Jeff sighed and sat back behind his desk. Brains sat on the couch in front of him. He knew that if Jeff wasn't careful, he could press a button that would send Brains off to Thunderbird Three, but Brains knew he wouldn't. He watched his employer lean back in his chair, waiting for him to speak first.

"How're you feeling, Brains?" he asked eventually.

"I'm o-okay, ah, M-mr Tracy."

"And John and Catrìona? I'm sure you've all had a rough time of it."

"J-j-john has, ah, r-recovered from his, um, allergic r-reaction. Catrìona s-seems, ah, just t-t-to be a l-little, um, shaken." Jeff nodded.

"Well, it looks like we're in for a hectic time over the next few months, with a wedding to plan, and-"

"Thunderbird One calling Tracy Island."

Jeff pressed a concealed button on his desk and Scott's portrait became animated as it showed Scott's face.

"Go ahead, Scott."

"Request permission to land."

Jeff pressed another button and Alan's portrait turned into a radar screen. Apart from a blue dot, the area around the island was clear.

"Permission granted. How's Gordon?"

"Asleep."

TB

Gordon grunted in a very unfish-like way, then turned his head away. Scott rolled his eyes and shook him again. This time Gordon actually opened his eyes just long enough to glare at his older brother.

"Go 'way," he murmured, closing his eyes again. Scott sighed and straightened up, weighing his options. He could carry Gordon out of Thunderbird One, but he really didn't fancy doing that after a long flight. He could continue shaking him until he woke up, but Scott was already getting bored. He could leave him in the 'bird 'till he woke up, but he knew he'd get in trouble for it. He could-

Scott grinned evilly, his eyes glinting. He raised his watch and whispered.

"Virgil?"

TB

John shoved the last of the bandages back into the first aid kit and closed the lid. Somehow, Virgil had managed to cut himself on a piece of equipment, and, in true Virgil fashion, hadn't bothered to tell John until he'd managed to leave a bloody handprint over John's favourite shirt. As he snapped the clasp in place, Virgil's watch began to beep. John watched as Virgil whispered into his watch, sniggering occasionally and grinning evilly. Finally, John caught him saying "Alright, Scott," then end the transmission. John raised an eyebrow at his younger brother. Virgil grinned that evil grin again.

"Get your camera Johnny-boy. I'm off to get that new shipment that came in yesterday."

"What new shipment?" John wondered, but Virgil had already gone.

TB

Catrìona leaned onto Brains' arm, sipping at her coffee. Her face was bathed in an orange glow from the sunset.

"I could just paint that... except I can't paint sunsets," she sighed. She pulled her camera out of her pocket and took a photo instead.

"You c-c-could always get, ah, Virgil t-to paint, um, it f-f-for you," Brains suggested. She smiled up at him.

"I might just do that."

They sat listening to the chirps of tropical birds, and Brains felt Catrìona dropping off at his side. Suddenly, the peace was shattered by a yell from inside, and the previously hidden birds took off, squawking loudly. They scrambled to their feet, as did Jeff, Tin-Tin and Grandma in the lounge, and ran down to the Thunderbird silos. The yelling still floated up from below, but so did the sound of laughter.

TB

Gordon spluttered awake as icy water splashed over him. He coughed, frantically looking around for the culprit. Scott stood in front of him, holding a big bucket that, presumably, had contained freezing cold water a few seconds ago. He had the biggest grin Gordon had ever seen plastered over his face. Beside him, John stood grinning at the pop up screen on his precious video camera. With a growl, Gordon launched himself at Scott, how dodged easily.

"Look, John, the fish doesn't like the water anymore," he said, running backwards out of Thunderbird One. John followed, still filming Gordon.

"Sounds more like a big cat to me," called John, leaping gracefully down the stairs towards Thunderbird Two's silo. Gordon ran after them, yelling obscenities that would probably leave him with the nasty taste of soap once Grandma was through with him. He followed them into Four's pod, then froze. Virgil stood beside Thunderbird Four, paintbrush in hand, grinning as widely as John and Scott. Gordon stared in horror at his precious 'bird. then let out an almighty yell that had all the island's other occupants running. By now, Scott was rolling on the floor, helpless with laughter, and Virgil was close to joining him. Only John managed to stay upright, his camera still pointed at Gordon.

"Boys, what is going on down here?" asked Jeff, stepping forward. Then he saw Thunderbird Four.

All credit to Jeff Tracy, he managed not to laugh... for a few seconds. Then his deep laugh joined those of his sons, the others' following moments later. Gordon scowled.

"It's not funny," he muttered sulkily, pouting. "Virgil wouldn't have liked it if I'd painted Thunderbird Two pink."

"I also don't like it when people put bits of paper inside of pianos," retorted Virgil coolly, having finally managed to control his laughter. "And, since Scott's still insensible on the floor, I'll speak for him when I tell you he doesn't like to be disturbed when he's having a nap." He clapped Gordon on the shoulder. "Anyway, it's just latex. It peels right off, look." Virgil tore of Thunderbird Four's pink covering to reveal the yellow glowing from underneath. Gordon sighed with relief.

"It was worth it for your face, though," chuckled John, waving his camera. "This is gold, and it's going to Alan tonight."