Movie John 2004 POV
John was wondering if what Gordon was telling him was a practical joke. It would not be the first nor the last time his brother tried to ruffle his feathers. They had brought two complete strangers back home, to their island sanctuary. The place where only family and the most trusted friends could be.
They had picked them up from the ocean, at the end of their rescue. They appeared out of nowhere in the typhoon. It did not make any sense, whatsoever! John did not believe in the supernatural. Science and numbers could explain almost everything. In science and numbers, you could trust. People were much more finicky business. Perhaps that was why he enjoyed his life among the stars so much. Away from all the tricky human interactions.
Responding to rescue calls did not count in John's slight social aversion. It was his job, and he was good at it. He could follow his internal script, learned from analysing calls and choosing what word choice had the best results. Focusing on getting the people in peril to relay the appropriate information and follow his instructions. John could kind of see it as a game. A game of life and death. Being so far away from the disasters, but still so crucially involved.
He was the gamemaster, with a bird's eyed view of the situation, deciding where to best place his chess pieces for success. Success in this job was survival. The mission, increasing the numbers of lives saved.
John's job included directing distress calls to the right level of aid. Selecting which emergency would benefit from their machines and expertise the most. Referring the other calls to local rescue services. It was sometimes difficult for John to prioritise. In a perfect world you could help everyone who needed it. But the world was far from perfect.
International rescue had limited resources. They had five Thunderbirds and were one family. They could, unfortunately, not be everywhere at once. Their father funded international rescue completely out of his own pocket. Thank God that Tracy enterprises were doing so well, that dad could fund their entire organisation! Funding international rescue was like making a bonfire with stacks of one-hundred-dollar bills instead of firewood. You started it and money disappeared into thin air. The only difference was that running international rescue had saved countless lives. Sometimes John thought it was a shame that the Tracy's connection to international rescue was a secret. If anyone should be praised for philanthropy, it should be his father.
Even if John was a bit more of an introvert compared to his brothers, he loved them all very dearly. John was not antisocial by any means, but it took a while to really get to know him. If you managed to worm your way into his heart you were then stuck forever.
Hence John had trouble sleeping the first night after his earthbound family took the two boy's home. John was safe in his space station. But was his family?
Listening to Virgil's SBAR report at the end of the rescue was unimaginable. The boys claimed to be Gordon and Alan Tracy. But they were not Johns brothers. Virgil seemed convinced enough to bring them to their home. It did not help that it was his prankster brother Gordon, who had called him later that evening, informing John of the conversation in Thunderbird two between the boys he had unashamedly eavesdropped on. Further lending credibility to the incomprehensible claims. Gordon would not lie about something like this, but still! After a small eternity of twisting and turning in his personal quarters in Thunderbird five, John finally fell asleep among the stars.
The next day was fortunately a slow day, regarding requests that needed international rescues help. John was eagerly waiting on more information about the two boys. Around lunchtime, dad called to inform him that they were picking him up to bring home during the afternoon. His family apparently needed his help at home. He would assume it had to do something with their new guests. John went to work on completing his checklist for leaving Thunderbird five unmanned. They needed all hands on deck on Tracy island. Gordon and Dad were coming in Thunderbird three, promising to fill him in, in person, later. That meant that they believed them. This was going to be an interesting homecoming.
Arriving home to the beautiful sunset on Tracy Island was like a balm to John's soul. John was greeted by enthusiastic hugs from his family. The worries from the previous night, were washed away along with the waves hitting the shore of his home. His family was safe. He had confirmed it with his own eyes. John had missed them. It had been a couple of months since they had seen each other physically, and the human contact was reassuring and nice. They headed to the kitchen for a homemade family meal. John thought space was marvellous, but space food rations left much to be desired. Real fresh food tasted wonderful!
Throughout the late dinner, he finally got to know all the gritty details they had concluded so far. John was finding himself surprisingly excited to meet their guests. All previous apprehension replaced with an unusual childlike glee. "This was so cool! Just like a sci-fi movie. Think about the science behind it!" John thought. Unfortunately, the alternative version of John's younger brothers were already asleep. John would have to wait until tomorrow to meet them. For now, he just enjoyed Onaha's wonderful food and the comfort of spending time with his family.
Onaha Movie 2004 POV
The Tracy's had brought two boys back from their last rescue mission. This was previously unheard of, letting strangers into their secret base. Mr Tracy explained the basic facts they knew so far and promised to update them continuously.
They claimed to be Alan and Gordon Tracy. It was strange, but Onaha was married to a man, whose brother had psychic powers he used for evil. Her beautiful daughter, Tintin, had also inherited the gift, thus making Onaha wary to judge the boys before meeting them. They should be impossible, but her family's powers should be as well. She did not want to turn into a hypocrite.
The one claiming to be Alan was injured. He was a boy who had nearly drowned. Frank, together with Virgil, was treating him in the infirmary. His brother, claiming to be Gordon, refused to leave his side. Onaha hated seeing children in pain.
When Scott politely asked her, if she could prepare some food for this other Gordon while he searched for clothes, she gladly accepted. Making soup and bread. Onaha was glad that she did not judge them before meeting them. This Gordon looked dead on his feet. Swallowed by borrowed clothes too big for him. Making him seem even younger. Her mother instincts welled up inside her, screaming protect, not a threat.
Although he had a distressing day, to say the least, he was very polite. Showering her in compliments and practically inhaling her food. She left them with some cookies and some calming tea, before retiring herself for the night. She suspected that he might need it to settle down.
Frank had called her for help the following afternoon. He needed more hands. The injured kid had gotten worse. Throwing up everywhere in the infirmary. Frank was busy preparing medications as quickly as possible. Scott was helping the child take a shower. Frank promised Onaha to take care of the next big mess on the island, apologising profusely for asking her to do the dirty work.
Onaha waved Franks needless apologies off. They were a team on Tracy Island. All inhabitants pitched in and helped each other to the best of their abilities. Onaha was not a physician, she could not help with preparing medications for the child. Cleaning efficiently on the other hand, she could do in her sleep.
Onaha immediately got to work cleaning up the infirmary. Opening a window, in order to air the foul odour out. She used her cleaning supplies, leaving a faint floral sent in its place. "There we go. Much better!" Onaha thought. Looking around she realised how sterile the infirmary room appeared. It was fine if you only had to be in the room for a while and was familiar with it.
Having now heard the latest update from Jeff, confirming that this was an alternative version of his youngest child, Alan. She thought that this would not do! Alan had his own special place in Onaha's heart. She was the closest to him out of all the Tracy's. Having known and taken care of him since he was a child.
They met about a year after the Tracy's had relocated to their Island. Her family was saved by Mr Tracy in more ways than one. First saving her husband's life, when the mine collapsed. Not having another way of supporting the family in their small village after all the miners lost their job. Mr Tracy offered to hire them. Apparently impressed with her husband's selflessness during the rescue. Onaha followed her husband, uprooting their entire lives with her young daughter Tintin. She had not regretted it since.
Alan was a lonely child when Onaha first met him. Having lost his mother at a young age and having a very busy father. With his older brothers, one by one leaving the nest for school or other pursuits, Alan felt left behind. He played with her daughter Tintin and Brains son Fermat, but it was not enough for him.
Alan started spending more and more time with her family. They had their own house in the island complex. Soon enough, Alan was seeking out their company every day. He spent countless hours helping her husband with gardening. Declaring it was a new hobby and he wanted to learn everything. When he wasn't with her husband, he liked to spend his time in the kitchen, helping her cook. With the stubbornness of a Tracy, Alan quickly became competent in what he set his mind to.
Alan's new interests might have been affected by the positive attention they gave him. He shined brighter than the sun with every compliment. One late night Alan confided in Onaha, that he felt like he only was noticed in his family when he did something wrong. Only seeing his father when he was called into his office, often ending in a shouting match. To say their relationship was strained was an understatement. Alan was a child who just wanted to be seen. Feeling pressured by his father and brothers' big accomplishments.
After finally getting used to his new circumstances, Alan felt the carpet being pulled out under his feet. His father had decided to send him away to boarding school. Just as he had gotten comfortable and his brothers starting to come back from college.
Alan was sent to a rich and pretentious boarding school. His only comfort was that Fermat was coming with him. Unfortunately, Fermat was being targeted by bullies. Being a year younger and very smart did not sit well with their classmates. Alan got into trouble when he stood up on his behalf and protected Fermat. Mr Tracy refused to hear his explanations, stating a no violence policy in his household.
Because of this Mr Tracy missed hearing what had actually happened, that privilege had fallen onto Onaha, when Alan was crying his heart out explaining it in her embrace. Onaha assured him that he did the right thing and that she was proud of him. Alan Tracy had a heart of gold.
Onaha secretly thought of him as her own son. She was sure her husband thought the same. With the way Alan and Tintin looked at each other lately, Onaha suspected that he would become her son in law in the future. Cementing his presence in their family even further.
Onaha snapped herself out of her walk down memory lane and went back to the matter at hand. The infirmary looked too sterile. Her Alan hated waking up in it. Having confessed that it did not feel safe the same way his room did. Her Alan loved space; she was betting on that this one did too. She managed to find space themed bed sheets, hoping that Al would prefer them to the previous white ones. It looked a bit better than before.
Onaha heard rumblings and laughter from the bathroom. Suspecting that Al and Scott were soon ready to come out. Onaha left the now clean infirmary. Walking to the medicine room the next door down, informing an almost finished Frank that they were soon ready for him. Frank thanked her profusely as he loaded up all the different medications, he just finished preparing, on a rolling cart. Not wanting to get in the way, Onaha left them to it. Hoping her small contribution made a little difference. Onaha had to admit that she was curious about Al. Whishing she could meet him soon.
Her wish came true, that evening, when she met Al for the first time. Onaha was walking to the laundry room to start the next machine, when she saw him. He had just woken up with another coughing fit. Al sounded like he tried to cough up his lungs. His brother, Gordon, was trying to help him. Sitting next to him, but not having much success. Both looked so young and distressed.
Of course, Onaha decided to act, she was not heartless! She would never admit it if you asked her, but she missed taking care of children. Decision already made, to abandon the laundry for now, she walked into the infirmary.
"Hello boys!" She announced her presence with a smile.
"Good evening, Onaha!" Gordon greeted her, then turned to Alan fake whispering "Al! This is the food goddess I told you about! She calls herself Onaha, but I think she might be Annapurna, the Hindi goddess of food, in disguise!".
Al looked thoroughly confused, after a few seconds his manners kicked in "It is an honour to meet you! My name is Alan Tracy!".
Every woman liked to be equated to a goddess, Onaha was no exception. "The honour is mine, Alan. Although I appreciate the high compliment Gordon, I am not a Hindu goddess, just a Malaysian mother who likes to feed the people around her. I help the Tracy family take care of the household chores.".
"I am not sure I entirely believe you, Onaha. Because the food you served me yesterday had to be divine, with the way it tasted." Gordon continued.
"Hey, Gordie! What did you eat? I also want to eat divine food for a change! No more feet tasting cookies!" Alan excitedly asked, his coughing fit finally calming down a bit.
"It was just some quick soup and bread. Nothing to praise me about!" Onaha replied.
"That is blasphemy, my dear Onaha!" Gordon exclaimed, while dramatically jumping up on his chair. "Do not listen to her modesty, Allie! I had an out of body experience when her soup first touched my tongue! Her homemade bread was softer than clouds, dancing on the horizon. Her cookies were the exact opposite of grandmas. Her tea would even have made Lady P cry tears of joy!"
Als glossy, feverish eyes sparkled in the dimmed light. Hanging on to every word of his brother. "Wow! That sounds amazing!".
"It was!" Gordon jumped down from his chair. "So, Mr Pukey, you better start working on getting better, so that you can try all of it!" Gordon tried to bribe him.
Alans dejected look made Onaha step in "Alan! Even if your stomach is not ready for food yet, I have a secret healing tea recipe, passed down in my family for generations, that might be something you could enjoy now. Would you like to try it?".
Alan perked up again "Yes please! Mrs Goddess Onaha!".
"I'll be right back. Gordon, would you like something?" Onaha asked with a big smile on her face. These boys would grow up breaking hearts left and right. Charming, funny and polite.
"Thank you very much for the offer! If I could possibly have a cup of the divine tea, that you served me yesterday? It would make my night! I literary slept like a baby after it, but only if it isn't too much trouble!" Gordon requested.
Onaha went and prepared the different teas and put it in separate thermoses, before returning to the infirmary.
"Here we have your tea Alan, it is made with lots of ginger, lemon and manuka honey, and of course, some secret ingredients." Onaha winked at Alan. "It should help with your cough and nausea. You need to be careful, because of your nausea, we don't want you to throw up again if we can help it. Begin with only drinking a mouthful every five minutes to see if it agrees with your stomach. Would you like to try it now?".
"Yes, please! Mrs Goddess Onaha!" Alan eagerly took the cup and tasted it. "It is delicious! Thank you so much!".
"Just Onaha, Alan! You are very welcome. If you must use my last name, which I prefer that you don't, it is Kyrano" Onaha explained.
Startled, both Alan and Gordon looked at each other saying "Kyrano?".
Alan recovered from his shock first "Wow, Mrs Kyrano! Are you Kayo's mother? She is our sister! This is so cool!".
"Kayo? Is that a nickname? I have a daughter named Tanusha Kyrano, but she prefers to go by Tintin." Onaha answered.
"That must be her! She is so cool! No wonder you're so awesome Onaha, you are Kayo's mum! It must be in your genes!" Alan exclaimed.
"It is lovely, that you know my daughter, in your world! I'm guessing that, if she is your sister, me and her father are not around anymore?" Onaha asked, sad at the realisation that she wasn't there for her daughter.
Both boys turned a bit green, at that realisation.
Now it was Gordons turn to answer "Unfortunately not, I am afraid! Me and Alan were too young to know the full details. Kayo is one year younger than Scott. After your deaths, about eleven years ago, dad adopted her. We grew up as siblings. She is an extraordinary strong woman, who we all are proud to call family!".
"If I couldn't be there for her, I am grateful that she had you boys, and wasn't left alone! I hope you realise, that this gives me the right to take care of you when you are here! Any family of my daughter, no matter what universe, is my family!". She gave both boys a big hug." Thank you, for taking care of her in my stead!".
"It is often more of her, taking care of us! I have forgotten how many times she saved our lives from a tight spot. I think she is an amazing big sister! You can't ever tell this to anyone, either of you, but I think that Kayo is the most inspiring woman I know! And I know both Grandma Tracy and Lady P, as well! She has taught me so many cool things!" Alan confided.
"I will not betray your trust, Alan!" Onaha smiled and winked at him "Your secret is safe with me! It appears like you are taking good care of each other. Just as a family should!".
"Thank you, boys! For the wonderful conversation! Gordon, here is your tea, same blend as last night! I want you to promise me, to ask me for anything you need. It doesn't matter how small, big or silly it seems! I would be honoured to care for you, in her stead, while you are here. That is what family is for!" Onaha appealed to both boys.
"It is us, that must thank you! And we will! Right, Al?" Gordon asked.
"Sure! Thank you so much for everything! I only have one very important question. Does this mean that you can tell us about the secret ingredients in this amazing tea, and teach us how to make it?" Alan asked.
He was met with laughter from both Onaha and Gordon.