Back at the park, Fermat was worried. The class was getting ready to board the bus, but Alan was nowhere to be found. Walking up to his teacher, Fermat got her attention, "M-ma'am, I c-c-can't f-find Alan."
Casting a worried glance at Fermat then scanning the group of boys, she noticed his absence. Looking off towards where she had seen him working, she didn't see him there either. "Alright, Fermat, when was the last time you saw him?" She questioned.
Jake walked up at this time, followed by Rob. "H-he w-was on t-t-the w-w-w-fence," Fermat's stutter getting worse with anxiety.
"I saw him over there a little before one thirty," Jake offered. Rob nodded that he too had seen Alan then.
"Ok, boys, let's not panic," She said quietly turning to the bus driver and another chaperone, "Get the rest of the students onto the bus. We have to find Alan, seems he hasn't been seen for a while now." The other two adults shared worried glances then nodded. "It's two twenty now, so Alan hasn't been seen for almost an hour," The art teacher said aloud as the other chaperone came back. The bus driver was staying on the bus to keep the other students calm and calling the school. "Let's look around quickly, Sherry," she said looking at her colleague, "Take Jake and Rob, and look in the restrooms then the pavilion. I'll take Fermat and look over by the wall. Hopefully he is just sitting out of view."
With a set plan, the two groups hurried off. As Fermat and his teacher reached the wall, they called out, "Alan! It's time get going."
Looking around, Fermat's breath caught in his throat, "M-m-ma'am! A-Alan's sk-sk-sketch b-b-b-pad!"
The teacher whipped around and saw Alan's sketchpad laying upside-down in the dirt. Picking it up, she cast a glance around the area. The ground looked scuffed up like someone had been kicking it or shuffling their feet. "Fermat," she called, seeing the young boy's distress, "You need to stay calm. It will be okay. He could have just needed to go to the restrooms in a hurry." It was a weak argument, but gave Fermat some hope; until his eye was drawn to the rock wall.
Pointing, Fermat said in a small voice, "T-t-there's h-his ph-ph-ph-cell! And w-w-watch!" A closer look revealed his wallet was sitting on the other side of the wall, without his watch or phone, we can't get a lock on him! Fermat thought sadly; thinking of their IR watches that had emergency features, like a distress beacon.
The art teacher quickly pulled out her phone and called the police. Wishful thinking was going out the window fast. "Fermat, I want you to go back to the bus and tell the driver what is going on. Then you and I will wait for the police while the rest of the students head back to school, got it?"
"Y-y-yes, m-ma'am," Fermat said sadly, "W-w-we sh-should c-c-call h-his d-d-d-father too."
"Yes we should," The teacher agreed, "But we need to follow school policy. The administration needs to decide what to do."
Fermat nodded his head, but thought, I am going to call no matter what! Mr. Tracy needs to know!
Tracy Island
All of the Tracy's and Brains were sitting in Jeff's office, debriefing from the avalanche rescue. "Scott, did you really have to drill into the wall?" Gordon said humorously.
"Yes," Scott glared, "I did! How else were we supposed to get in there!"
Jeff just shook his head, amused, "Gordon lay off. And Scott, please tell me you told the resort we would pay for damages."
"I took care of that, Dad," John said raising his hand, "Scott here was too busy listening to Virgil's ranting."
"Well deserved ranting," Virgil retorted, "An open window would have sufficed!"
"A-a-actually," Brains cut in, "T-the w-w-windows w-w-would not h-h-have allowed f-f-for a f-f-f-quick enough e-e-evacuation."
"Thank you Brains!" Scott threw his hands up.
"Alright," Jeff smiled, "We'll let it go now," he said with a stern look at all of his sons.
"Yes, Father," was the solemn reply from four mouths.
"Good," Jeff gave a curt nod, "Then this meeting is over. Go freshen up and get some food."
As they left, Scott, John, and Virgil responded with "F.A.B."
Gordon stayed on the screen a little longer, "Dad, you hear from Alan? I'm sure he saw that rescue on the news."
"Actually, today he wouldn't have," Jeff said looking at his only red headed son, "He had an art field trip and will only be getting back to school in a little while." Before Gordon to reply, a chime from the vid-phone signaled a call coming in, "That's probably him now," Jeff said, saying good-bye to Gordon. "Jeff Tracy," he answered the call.
"Mr. Tracy," a woman's face lit up the screen, "I am sorry to be calling you at this hour."
"That is quite alright," Jeff reassured, "I've been up for a while now. What can I do for you?"
"I am the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs here at Archer's," she introduced, "I'm afraid I have some troubling news."
Jeff felt his heart skip a beat, Alan! "Is Alan in trouble?"
"Not with the school, Mr. Tracy," a look from Jeff told her not to beat around the bush, "Sir, it would seem…it would seem that your son has been kidnapped."
"What?" Jeff sat up, "What do you mean?"
"While on his art class trip, Alan disappeared," she hesitantly explained, "A few of his friends said they hadn't seen him for the last hour and when they looked around for him, they found his phone, watch, and wallet where he was last seen."
"Wasn't anyone watching him?" Jeff raised his voice; part in worry, part in anger.
"Mr. Tracy," she said looking down, "I am sorry. The point of the trip was to let the boys draw on their own. His teacher had checked on him halfway through the class, but believes that art is better done without someone looking over your shoulder." Taking a deep breath she look Jeff in the eyes, "She is now at the park, with a young Mr. Hackenbacker, talking with the police. Whoever took your son, knew when to grab him, but has made no contact with the school. The police ask that you stay at home, in case they try to reach you."
Jeff's heart ached with worry, my baby boy! Please, God, keep him safe! He prayed. Finding his voice, Jeff responded, "I will stay. But I am sending one of my other sons to Vermont," he held up a hand to stop any protests, "No, my oldest, Scott, will be there in a few hours and will stay there until Alan is found. Fermat's father will also be coming, to either bring Fermat back here, or comfort him, that will be his choice." Jeff paused, letting the woman absorb the order, "Now of you don't mind, I would like this line clear. I want to be updated with any news, so call the secondary number in Alan's file." With that Jeff disconnected the call, leaving no room for argument.
Pushing the klaxon alarm to bring everyone to him, Jeff waited for everyone to assemble. Gordon came onto the screen almost immediately, wondering why his father had called an emergency. Jeff told him to wait for his brothers before he would explain. Five minutes later, Scott and Virgil came in with wet hair and damp clothes, John following close behind with an apple. Brains came back a minute later, breathing hard.
"Scott, soon as we are done here, you are going to prep Tracy One. John you are going to get Gordon and set Five into automatic relay," Jeff said once everyone was settled.
"What's this all about, Dad?" Virgil asked, worry lacing his words.
Closing his eyes and taking a calming breath, Jeff steadied himself. Opening his eyes and looking at all his sons, he explained, "Alan has…has been kidnapped." He barely managed to say the words.
Silence filled the room, everyone processing the information. Out in the hall, Tin-tin gasped, entering the room she looked at Jeff with silent tears. "When?" Scott's hard voice broke the silence
"During a class trip," Jeff said, looking to Brains when the scientist gasped, "Fermat is okay, Brains, just shaken up." Brains nodded sadly in response, "Scott, you are going to Archer's to follow the investigation. Brains, you're going with him, to either bring Fermat back here or stay and keep him calm. Gordon you'll be coming down so the Thunderbirds aren't so short-handed." Jeff stopped any protests by raising a hand, "We still have a responsibility as International Rescue. And while I would rather shut down temporarily, we all know Alan wouldn't want that." Reluctant nods from everyone told Jeff that he had forestalled complaints.
"I want to get going a.s.a.p.," Scott said standing.
"Go ahead, Scott" Jeff nodded, "You and Brains get ready to leave." Tin-tin was still standing at the door, and when Scott passed her he gave her a quick embrace. "Tin, why don't you go lay down for a while," Jeff softly suggested.
Tin-tin shook her head, "No, Mr. Tracy, I want to help. I need to do something," she pleaded.
"You can come pick up Gordon with me," John offered, pulling her down on the couch next to him.
Jeff nodded, "Sounds good. Then because we are going to be short-handed, you may need to pick up some slack as a Thunderbird." Tin-tin nodded her head that was resting on John's shoulder; Virgil was rubbing her back gently. "Virg, you are going to be Field Commander while Scott's away."
"Yes, Father," Virgil sad softly. Looking at Gordon, he saw his next youngest brother was fighting his own tears, "Hey Gordo, when you get down here, we'll go over supplies and equipment."
Gordon wiped at his eyes, and gave a small smile at Virgil's offer of distraction, "'Cause that is my idea of fun."
"John, Tin-tin," Jeff said, "Why don't you get to Thunderbird Three and head up to Five?" They both nodded, and left the office.
"Tracy One, requesting clearance," Scott radioed in.
"Granted," Jeff replied, "And Scott?"
"Yes, Father?"
"Bring Alan home."
"Not coming back until I have him," Scott promised, his voice held an edge to it.