Tracy Island

John and Gordon had come to sit with Virgil even after Jeff's warning. They, like Virgil, felt that if Alan was holding up and still fighting, the least they could do is silently support him. They all also agreed their father didn't need to watch the next live feed and so kept him out of room. They did have Scott on the phone though, so it was like all the Tracy brothers were there.

At first Jeff had protested, but with persuasion from Kyrano and Tin-tin, Jeff agreed to let John handle the next bidding.

Now sitting in the office, the four brothers waited for the timer to run out and see what their baby brother was going through this time.

"How much longer, John?" Scott asked a little impatient.

"Five minutes less than the last time you asked, Scott," John answered tiredly, "Ten minutes."

"I'm sorry," Scott sighed, "I just hate waiting."

"Did you just say you were 'sorry'?" Gordon feigned shock.

"Yes, Gordon! I did," Scott growled, "You got a problem with that?"

"I think you just surprised him," Virgil said, a smile in his voice.

"Alright, brothers," John cut in, "Five minutes. Do we want to go fast and high or wait and see?"

"I say fast and high," Gordon answered.

"Regrettably I agree with the fish," Scott replied, "See how many we scare off."

"Guess that's the way to go, 'cause I agree," Virgil said looking at John.

"Me too," John nodded, watching the timer slowly count down, "Think we should jump to $100,000 right away?"

"How much leeway did Dad give you?" Scott wondered.

"He said don't go over half a million," Virgil supplied, "But otherwise I don't think he wanted to think about it too much, and knows that we all will do whatever it takes to get him."

"Alright then, start with $100,000," Scott declared, "I don't want to think there are many people that would pay that much to buy Alan."

"Unfortunately there is at least one," John said sadly as he entered the bid. Almost immediately the bid jumped up another thousand. But then stalled. Alan was sitting in the chair again, with five black spots stuck to him; two on his chest, one on his stomach, and one on either arm, near the shoulder.

"Looks like there is some hesitation," Gordon said hopeful.

"I say we keep our next bids low, see how high this person wants to go," Virgil finally said.

"Virgil's on to something there," Scott supported.

"Okay, let's raise the bid to $104,000," John said as he input the value.

"Alright, now that we have a plan of action," Gordon spoke up, "What are those things?" He pointed to the spots.

"I have no idea," Virgil said.

"What are you talking about?" Scott questioned.

"Alan's got five things stuck to him," Virgil said confused. John looked up from his latest bid of $110,000 from the $108,000 that answered their previous one.

Suddenly, the three middle Tracy's gasped, "What's happening?" Scott asked worried about his brothers' reaction.

"Alan was sitting still," John said softly, "But now it looks like he's spazzing out!"

"How do you mean?" Scott asked, angry that he couldn't see, "How's he moving?"

"He's stopped now," Gordon breathed, "But he's shaking and breathing deeply."

"To answer you Scott," Virgil said, "He first kind of twitched his right shoulder then jumped a little in the chair. After that he jerked, trying to twist to the right then the left."

The bid jumped to $115,000, and Alan started to jerk again. "He's doing it again!" Gordon cried.

"John! Do not place a bid yet!" Scott suddenly yelled, "Now tell me, how much did the bid go up from Alan's first spaz?"

"It went from our $110,000 bid to an $115,000 bid from the other person," Virgil filled in, "Why? What are you thinking?"

"You guys said something about black spots, right?" Scott took a breath.

"Yeah."

"I think they're electrodes," Scott growled out, "That bastard! He's shocking Alan!"

"Well, there's a minute left on the timer," John said quickly, "Do we bid again, but just do a small one?"

"Yes, but only raise it $1,000," Scott ordered.

"Alright. Ours was the last bid," John said as the bid closed, "It stopped at $116,000."

"What's Alan doing?"

"He stopped jerking and is back to breathing hard," Virgil managed, "What got you thinking he was being shocked?"

"That is the best explanation for the jerking then hard breathing," Scott said flatly, "Make him dance for the buyers."

"Well, he isn't done shocking Alan," John remarked dryly, "Looks like he'll keep it up for the next three hours."

"How painful is that shocking?" Gordon asked in a small voice as he sat down.

"Not painful, Gordo," Scott informed, "Just an uncomfortable sting or tingling. And if he wasn't expecting it, it would explain his reaction."

"Doesn't really help much," Virgil growled as he sat next to younger brother and held him close.

"How do you know what it feels like to be shocked with electrodes, Scott?" John asked.

"Uh," Scott coughed, "Air Force for torture resistance training…and other things," the last part was muttered, but John heard it.

"And when you say 'other things'," John smiled, "Do they involve a girl?"

"I will not dignify that with an answer, John!" Scott growled embarrassed.

Virgil shook his head, and pulled Gordon to his feet. "Come on Gordo," he said softly, "You don't have to watch this." As he said that, Alan was trying to fight through another shocking.

"No," Gordon said weakly, "I have to stay. He can't do this alone."

"He won't be alone," John said helping Virgil lead Gordon out, "I will be here. None of us will think less of you, not even Alan, for not being able to watch this."

"Listen to them, Fish," Scott said from the phone, "You can still support him, but you don't have to watch."

John closed the door behind Virgil and sat back down at the desk, "Scott, I don't think any of us can take much more of this."

"I hear you, John," Scott replied tiredly, "He's already been with that sorry excuse for a human for twenty-four hours, and all we can do is watch."

John watched Alan's head droop, and his breathing become ragged. "Scott, be honest, "John finally said, "Does it actually hurt?"

Scott sighed, "It really depends on how high the setting is. It won't cause permanent damage, but it can be painful."

"I'm going with it's painful part of the time," John stated dryly as he watched tears fall from behind the blindfold.

"How bad is it?"

"His breathing is ragged and it looks like he's letting himself cry. He hasn't shown any tears, so far, if he knows we're watching, that tells me it isn't good."

"He could just be tired of holding it in," Scott tried to think more positive, "Letting it out now may be easier."

"You be ready to get him, Scott," John said harshly, "I'm going to try tracing this guy with Thunderbird Five's help. Maybe working off my last scan I can get a smaller circle." With that, the two brothers said good bye and John set to work with a new vigor.