A Sacrifice too far?
Disclaimer: Please see Chapter 1.
Thanks for the reviews everyone. Well here is chapter two and it's longer and a little more drama ahead sorry Loopsta. This would have been up earlier but I had a little cut oops I mean big cut (is that right Sam?) which made it kinda hard to type. This is for Ollie for helping me out with the ending.
Chapter 2: Arson.
It was morning on Tracy Island and the boys had all been summoned to the Lounge. Scott took a seat beside Alan, leaving Virgil to sit by Gordon. Virgil and Scott exchanged looks to see if the other knew what was going on but they didn't. Meetings generally weren't called this early in the morning unless something was wrong.
Jeff had already contacted John who sat in Thunderbird 5 looking just as confused. "I have called you all here because I intend to bring John down today," explained Jeff, pausing for a moment, as he knew this would be a surprise to his sons. He turned to his second oldest and continued, "I know you aren't due to come down for another week but you look as though you need to come down earlier."
It was then Scott and Virgil both noticed just how pale their brother was. He looked washed-out and there were dark circles under his eyes. "You okay, bro?" asked Virgil, the concern evident in his own eyes.
John nodded and gave a tired smile. "I think I may have a touch of the flu." He had been feeling awful since the rescue yesterday but didn't want to make a fuss.
"Alan I want you to relieve John today and I know it's early but John has been up there for some time," said Jeff turning to his youngest son. Alan should have gone up three weeks ago but he had injured himself on a rescue so John had stayed.
"Okay Dad. What time do you want me to leave?" he asked, quickly hiding his annoyance at being forced to go up there a week early.
"Will an hour be long enough?" asked Jeff, wanting to get John down as soon as possible in case this was more serious.
"Yes Sir," replied Alan and then he turned to his older brother. "See you in a bit Johnny and take it easy."
John just grinned and nodded. Alan then turned and left the room. Virgil moved over to the piano and began playing softly whilst Gordon headed off down to the pool. John then signed off promising to call if he got worse.
"I'm just going to check on some maintenance of Thunderbird 1 before going to get John but it won't take long," said Scott and he also left the room. He was trying to avoid Virgil in case he brought up last night.
As Jeff watched his oldest son leave, he realized that Virgil's playing had faltered slightly. He turned to his middle son to see that his attention was solely focussed on Scott's retreating form. The frown that marred his brow told Jeff that his son had concerns for his older brother but he could also see that Virgil knew what was going on. The two brothers were almost like twins and were the only ones that could get through to each other. Jeff decided not to say anything yet as Virgil didn't seem overly worried and would soon tell him if there was real concern.
Virgil meanwhile had been wondering whether to say anything to his Father about Scott's words last night. Although Scott was doing a good job at pretending nothing was wrong, Virgil knew it was all an act. Scott would kill him if he said something, as he hated admitting he needed help. He was always the one they turned to and not the other way round but maybe this was something Jeff needed to know. Virgil sighed and decided to keep it to himself for now. After all, they had all had doubts before and Scott would soon snap out of it. If he didn't, then Virgil would talk to his Dad about it. With that decision made, Virgil changed his music and began playing a more upbeat tune.
Scott released his harness and made his way up to Alan who was in control of the huge red rocket. Scott couldn't fight down the worry that John might be more ill then he was letting on. After all none of them were known for being honest about that. It was like an unwritten rule to not admit you were ill. As he reached Alan, he could see annoyance on the younger man's face and felt himself fighting to stay calm. "Lose the attitude before we get up to Five, John needs a break," he said, taking a seat at the console.
"I know that and I don't have a problem going up. I just wasn't ready yet," replied Alan, a little surprised by Scott's sudden anger.
"Well John has been up there seven weeks now," retorted Scott, feeling annoyed that Alan was being so selfish.
"Oh forget it," said Alan, turning away from his older brother. He could see that Scott wasn't willing to listen to his reasons for not going up. Alan assumed he was going up next week so he had made plans with Tintin for this weekend. It was her birthday the following week and he wanted to do something special. Silence falls in the cabin and neither brother attempts to end it. Alan felt hurt that Scott really thought he was that selfish. He knew he had shirked his responsibilities in the past but he would never do it if John were ill.
They are now approaching Thunderbird 5 so Alan begins the docking sequence. As soon as they are safely locked to the satellite, Alan stands up.
"At least look happy so John doesn't feel guilty about going down," said Scott as he adjusted the controls ready for the journey home. Alan just turned and glared at him before exiting the cabin.
"Hey guys," said John as they approached him at the main console. "Are you okay with coming up early?" he asked, turning to Alan. He noticed Scott give Alan a glare and knew there had been trouble on the way up.
"Nah its fine. You need the break," replied Alan, seeing instantly that it was true. John looked relieved to be going home and it wasn't hard to see he was exhausted.
John and Alan completed the changeover and it was now time to head back to Tracy Island. John gave Alan a quick hug and then ruffled his hair. "See you soon, sprout and take care of my baby."
"I will," replied Alan, running his fingers through his hair to tidy it up. Why his older brothers insisted on doing that all the time, he would never know.
Alan then moved over to the main control panel ignoring Scott. However, John quickly noticed that Scott made no attempt to say bye either. Something had definitely happened on the way here and John was going to find out what.
Thunderbird 3 was soon on its way home so John turned to his older brother who was silent and had been since they boarded. "So what did Alan do then?" he asked, hoping Scott would talk to him or else this was going to be a long ride home.
"He was annoyed about having to come up here."
"What's new about that? He hardly ever wants to come up here," replied John, thinking about all the times Alan had made excuses to get out of his shift.
"I know but he could have made more of an effort. It's not like you just want to come down for a swim." Scott fought to reign in his anger, knowing it wasn't John's fault. He also knew that if he didn't chill soon, John would realize this was more then annoyance at Alan.
John grinned slightly at his brother's words and then asked, "Did you ask him why he didn't want to come up?"
Scott hesitated for a moment. "No but he probably has a date or something," he added quickly, covering up for the fact that he didn't even think to ask.
John wasn't convinced by that answer. Alan may have wormed his way out of his shifts for various things in the past but he had never done it when John was ill. There was probably a good reason for it but Scott obviously had not been in the mood to listen to it. He had a feeling something was bothering his only older sibling but could see now wasn't the time to talk about it.
Scott suddenly felt guilty about how harshly he had spoken to Alan. He had been pretty hard on the kid and maybe he did have a good reason. He decided to call him later and clear the air.
Scott took a quick fly over the danger zone and knew it was bad. They had been called to a large Industrial estate in England where there had been an explosion. 30 people were still unaccounted for and Scott could already see there was high chance some of them would not be found alive. He found a safe place to land and began unloading Mobile Control. The station officer for the local Fire Brigade soon joined him.
"Boy, am I glad to see you. This fire is out of control and we just don't have the facilities to deal with it," explained the man.
"Have you been able to get any help from other services?" asked Scott, surprised to see such a small amount of fire fighters for such a large fire.
"We have some more crews on their way but there has been an RTC on the main road out here so they are stuck trying to get through and helping out."
Scott suddenly remembered Alan mentioning something about a car crash on his way here so that explained the lack of help. He knew that the Firefly could handle the blaze; it was just a case of locating the missing people. "Any idea what caused the fire or where the missing people are?"
"It was arson and it originated in a body workshop for cars so as you can imagine the place was full of flammable materials. The people who are still unaccounted for all work for the same company and are all trapped in that building," he replied pointing to a large warehouse. "We know that at least 15 people are trapped on the first floor but we just can't get to them. Their only exit is there," he gestured to an area consumed in flames. "The others we believe are in the basement but as to how they are, well I can't say."
Scott nodded and studied the building closely. The Firefly should be able to douse the flames allowing them to rescue those trapped on the first floor. If the foundations were still stable then the Mole should be able to rescue the others.
He then heard the familiar and welcoming sound of Thunderbird 2. She landed gracefully beside her sister ship and his brothers had soon joined him. Scott quickly explained the situation to them and Virgil agreed with his plans to use the Mole and Firefly.
Virgil turned to the Station Officer asking, "Can you and your men, rescue those on the first floor if we put out the fire?"
"Yep," nodded the man.
Virgil was relieved to hear that as it now meant they could concentrate on those trapped in the basement. "Gordon you take the Firefly and douse those flames. John and I will take the Mole and search for the others." Virgil had been reluctant to bring John along but after arriving on the Island and having a nap, John seemed a lot better. He also really wanted to come on the rescue as he hardly ever got the chance. Jeff had relented but only on the condition that John let Virgil know the minute he felt worse.
"FAB," said Gordon and he jogged off to get the Firefly. The station officer then went off as well.
Virgil and John then set off to get the Mole. Scott set up Mobile Control to examine the structure of the building his brothers were about to tunnel into. From here, he could see if there was any sign of weakening. A noise drew his attention to the front of the building and he saw four people stumble out carrying another between them. He raced quickly over to see if he could help but the police and Paramedics beat him to it. As he drew nearer, he could see that it was a young woman who had been carried out and she was no longer alive. His heart sank and he slowly moved back to Mobile Control knowing there was nothing he could do.
"Mole to Mobile Control?"
Scott activated the communicator on Mobile Control so he could speak to his brother. He hadn't even noticed the Mole emerge from Thunderbird 2. "Go ahead."
"We are ready to tunnel and have a possible fix on where the people may be. How many are we looking for?" asked Virgil.
"Just ten. Four have emerged from the building with another who was deceased. The structure is holding but don't take long," replied Scott, trying not to focus on the one death that had already occurred.
"FAB." Virgil signed off and Scott continued to concentrate on the structure of the building.
Scott looked over to where Gordon was and could see that the Firefly had almost put out the fire. The fire Brigade were ready to rescue those trapped as soon as Gordon was done. His attention flicked back to the console and he could see that the structure was still stable but there were hints of weakening to some of the inner supports.
So focussed on making sure that the building wouldn't come down, Scott never heard the approaching the footsteps. He never saw the arm raised, behind him and didn't see the brick headed for his skull until it was too late. His body slumped to the floor but was quickly picked up again and carried away.
So who has attacked Scott and why? How will the boys react when they realize Scott is missing and how many of you want to hurt me for hurting him, hee hee?