TAG Universe, Tracy Island 2060. After the terrible twos disappearance
To say that everything was well at Tracy Island, would be the biggest lie in a century. The terrible two were missing. Some might interpret that as a pleasant thing, thinking about the less than flattering nickname. Oh, how wrong they were.
The Terrible two were the youngest of the Tracy's. Alan and Gordon were the heart and happiness of the Tracy family, without them, their family felt lost. The nickname, the terrible twos, were usually reserved for when they used their powers for mischief. Now, their family realised, the other side to the nickname. Life felt truly terrible without those two.
Big brothers POV, TAG universe 2060, Time of the terrible two's disappearance
International rescue had been called out, to rescue the scientists of one of the biggest nuclear energy research facilities. The facility was built in the ocean. The research facility had been experiencing strange anomalies, and an uncontrollable fire had broken out during a typhoon. None, but international rescue, had the resources necessary to aid the catastrophe.
John Tracy deployed all International Rescue operatives that were available on the ground. Monitoring the situation closely from Thunderbird five. Scott, Virgil, Gordon and Alan were on route with both Thunderbird one, Thunderbird two and Thunderbird four.
John was relieved when his brothers arrived quickly on scene. All the workers had evacuated to the emergency rescue platform outside the facility. Clinging on for dear life, not wanting to plummet to certain death into the rough, choppy waves below. Thunderbird fives sensors showed that no workers had fallen into the water yet, with the harsh typhoon winds, the risk was still high. The wind was howling, the rain was relentlessly hitting their faces. Making it hard to keep their eyes fully opened. Visibility was at an all-time low.
The typhoon was making it very hard to fly. Virgil and Scott focused all their attention on keeping their respective Thunderbirds in the air. Preferably in the correct position.
It was up to the two youngest, Alan and Gordon, to get all the scientist to safety in Thunderbird two. They may be the youngest of the brothers, but they were incredibly competent and worked great together.
With the help of Thunderbird twos deployable rescue platform, Gordon and Alan, made quick work of evacuating the trapped scientists. Alan oversaw helping the trapped scientists from the research facility's emergency platform on to Thunderbirds twos rescue platform. The intense wind made Thunderbird twos rescue platform, lowered into position with cables, swing dangerously back and forth.
Gordon had more experience working with Thunderbird two, as he often teamed up with Virgil. Therefore, he took the lead in their teamwork this time. Alan personally thought it was raining so hard that this should qualify as a water rescue. Perfect for his immediately older brother's expertise.
Alan carefully passed the scientists to Gordon, one at a time, when Thunderbird twos rescue platform swung back into the reach of the facilities emergency platform. Gordon received them, strapping them in securely before helping the next one. It was the natural work distribution, for the aquanaut and astronaut, for this kind of rescue.
Not that their other brothers were idle, not by a long shot! Virgil, fought with holding Thunderbird two steady in the harsh weather conditions. Scott, in Thunderbird one was scouting the facility, relaying the results back to John and EOS, in Thunderbird five, who tried to calculate the best way of fighting the fire.
The three oldest brothers were carefully listening to the rescues progress over the communication system. The toughest part, for all the Tracy's, was not risking their own lives, but risking their siblings. The older brothers were not liking that the two youngest had the hardest job on this dangerous rescue, but they trusted them to get the job done in the safest way possible.
Suddenly, both Thunderbird one and Thunderbird two were rolling to their sides. They had been hit by a shockwave. Scott and Virgil's excellent pilot instincts kicked in and quickly levelled their respective aircrafts. Simultaneously, EOS was starting to inform John about the explosion.
Milliseconds later the three oldest brothers were interrupted by a heart wrenching scream for their youngest brother.
"ALAN!" Gordon screamed, as his younger brother was hit by the explosion and was thrown off the nuclear research facility, hitting his head on the metal railing, plummeting limply towards the black rocky ocean.
Gordon hooked himself to the rescue platform with his rescue line, at the same time, he called his brothers on the communication system. "Operative down, I repeat, operative down. Alan was thrown into the ocean by the explosion. I'm hooking up a rescue line and going after him, be ready to bring us up!".
The last thing Gordon heard, as he dove into the stormy ocean after Alan, were a worried chorus of FAB from his remaining brothers.
Seconds passed by in stunned silence. John finally broke it, when he called his older brothers" Alan's suit is reporting deteriorating vital parameters.".
Closing the audible alarm sounding in Thunderbird five, informing John of his brother's distress, he continued "Gordon's, are still within acceptable parameters. But he needs to find Allie fast!".
"FAB" both Scott and Virgil responded, tightening their grip on the flight controls. Their fear increasing with every second.
There was another explosion. Even bigger this time. The flames lit up the dark ocean, like a torch out of a nightmare. Shockwave rocking both Thunderbirds on the scene, much worse than the previous one.
They heard a shocked gasp from John, followed by a panicked "No, no, no, no, no! That can't be possible! I lost both of their signals! EOS try reconnecting, use all available power!".
Both Scott and Virgil held their breath as they stabilised their respective Thunderbirds.
"I am sorry John. I am unable to locate either Alans or Gordons signals. One second, they were there and the next they just vanished. I am picking up another anomaly from the facility. It appeared during the second explosion." EOS reported, sounding terribly like a scared human child for an AI.
"They can't just have vanished! Scott and Virgil can you see anything? Can you find them? I lost them! Please, just find them!" John cried out to his older brothers.
It was scaring both Scott and Virgil more than they would ever admit, to hear the brother with the best reign on his emotions, completely lose it during a rescue. Not that they would ever blame John for it! Feelings of absolute terror for their siblings, was threatening to overtake them as well.
Scott was the first one who managed to push away his shock and anxiety, by taking command of the situation. He needed to do everything in his power to find his lost brothers. Feelings would have to come later. Currently, emotions would only paralyse Scott, if he let them out. He did not have time for that now. His brothers needed him! All of them.
Scott started barking out orders, falling back into his military training.
Virgil, I need you in Thunderbird four and in the ocean searching underwater asap!
EOS, you need to fly Thunderbird two remotely. You can do it!
John, enter Alan and Gordons last confirmed positions into Thunderbird fours GPS!
I will search after them on the surface in Thunderbird one!
John, take a deep breath and gather yourself! Call in everyone! GDF, Kayo, Grandma, Lady Penelope and Brains! We need all the help we can get! Let's go!
A chorus of "FAB" was the response to Scott before they went into action.
Ten hours later - Tracy Island TAG Universe
Virgil
Virgil was livid. With the world. With his brothers. But most of all Virgil was furious with himself.
His youngest brothers were missing. They had disappeared in the ocean, during a typhoon. Alan was most likely injured. Literary, blown off his feet and into the towering waves below.
Virgil was supposed to be there for him and help him with his injuries. Like he had done Alans entire life, from scraped knees to the more serious injuries. If Virgil just got to Alan, he could make everything better again! That was why he learned more about medical treatment. Someone had to put his stupid brothers back together!
Alans dive into the ocean had been an accident. But Gordon, his usual dependable mission partner, had jumped in on purpose! It was enough with Virgil's big brother, Scott "Daredevil" Tracy, who disregards his own safety every other mission. Virgil had spent enough time trying to talk some sense into his thick head.
Gordon was dependable on assignments, listening to orders well, not needlessly endangering himself. Gordon was calm on missions, but he made up for it off duty! He could be a pest! But hey! Brothers was supposed to be, as long as they had your back when it mattered!
So, what possessed Gordon to hurl himself off Thunderbird two, in the middle of a typhoon, without stopping to think for a second?
His stupid Tracy heroic genes! Gordons stupid bravery, made him defy Poseidon's anger himself, diving straight into the diabolical waters, to save Allie. Of course, Virgil also wanted to save Allie! But to hear Gordon's, bordering suicidal, attempt to save their precious youngest brother, felt like someone tried to crush Virgil's heart, while still beating in his chest. Now, two of his brothers were in mortal peril!
Virgil waited, while holding his breath, for them to resurface. His brothers were stubborn. They would defeat the insurmountable odds of surviving and resurfacing. They had to!
But they didn't resurface! Virgil couldn't breathe properly. He had to find them! His lost little brothers, had to find their way back home.
Scott finally took control of the situation and ordered Virgil to search for their tiny brothers in Thunderbird four. Scott was always the reliable, strong older brother.
Virgil was so thankful for his orders. Virgil couldn't think, but he could follow orders on autopilot. Long experience, as a part of international rescue, kicked in. Body was working, doing what was necessary, while his mind was spinning.
Virgil wasn't an aquanaut. Not at all as comfortable in Thunderbird four as Gordon was, but he knew the basics. The basics were much harder to accomplish with the harsh currents caused by the typhoon. Virgil did it anyway. He did not have a choice. His brothers needed him! Time seemed to disappear and lose its meaning, the only thing on Virgil's mind was finding them.
Virgil had searched the area in Thunderbird four for nine hours, before he was ordered to abort the search. He did not want to go! How could he return without his brothers? It was unthinkable! What if he missed them? How could he go home and leave them here? Floating in the black stormy waters?
Virgil knew deep down that the odds of his baby brothers being alive, were miniscule at best. If Gordon had managed to find Alan, he would not have been able to keep them over water during the storm for nine hours, never mind the certain hypothermia. Gordons stubbornness and previous Olympic gold be dammed.
When Virgil was searching for his brothers, he could pretend. Pretend that it happened to someone else. Pretend it wasn't real. Pretend that they weren't dead.
When Virgil walked into the living room, in their home on Tracy Island, reality resurfaced, and it suddenly was real. They were not here. Alan wasn't here to suggest building a pillow fort, with his childlike innocence he only showed at home. Gordon wasn't here joking around, lifting everyone's spirit and being excited for a new episode of his favourite show, Buddy and Ellie.
It was real. They weren't here. They were gone! They were gone, and it hurt! It hurt so bad! This was so much worse than everything he had ever been through! It was not fair! Virgil was so furious!
John
John was in a state of shock. Alan and Gordon were missing! John froze, turned useless, crying out for his older brothers to please save the younger ones. He couldn't handle it. He was a professional when it came to other people's tragedies. But now, faced yet again, with another one of their own, John felt himself fall apart.
He had used all his weaning strength to call in the cavalry, as Scott ordered. Pleading for assistance from all resources available. John had just barely managed to ask EOS for help, managing Thunderbird five and coordinating rescue efforts.
Task completed, he shut down, shattering into a million tiny pieces. John had not bawled like this since just after their mother's death. His never-ending tears floating around in zero gravity. John was shaking, curling in on himself into a ball, making himself as small as possible. It was like he was trying physically to hold himself together.
John was floating away, both physically and mentally. A tiny ball of a broken man in space. John wanted to disappear. He could not handle this! This could not be happening! He heard voices but he could not make out what they said. He was too far gone in his own head to even care.
John's thoughts were like spinning planets in their solar system. John's head was the sun, surrounded by planets hurling around him in circles. Around and around, never ending. It was happening again! Mom gone! Dad gone! Alan and Gordon gone! No! Why was it happening? It couldn't be happening! Were their family cursed? Who was next?
Why? Why did John send them on this call? It was his fault! He should have never been this stupid! All their family did was to try to help people! Why his younger brothers? Why were his family punished, at every twist and turn. Why did he fail everyone he loved? Why did everyone he loved die?
John did not know what had happened after he had shattered. Somehow, John wasn't in space anymore. He was on earth, in his home again on Tracy Island. How had he gotten here? He did not even remember the journey. Did he take the space elevator? Did someone pick him up in Thunderbird three? No, it couldn't be, Alan was gone! Did it even matter? Did anything anymore?
John was sitting on the couch, in the living room, a fluffy blanket wrapped around him. Still curling in on himself, like a ball, hugging his knees so hard in a desperate attempt to hold himself together. Not that it worked before! John then realised that his older brothers had at some point walked in.
Scott
Scott did not know what to do! He had to find Allie and Gordie! Scott was the commander of international rescue! He had to take charge of the situation! He owed it to his brothers, all of them! He managed to bark out a few orders before spending nine hours searching through the ocean's waves from Thunderbird one, trying to find any sign of them.
Scott had looked everywhere from the air! Virgil had looked everywhere below the surface. His wonderful baby brothers were nowhere to be found! Scott feared that this rescue might be a recovery mission. So many hours missing, but he refused to give up hope until he saw the truth with his own eyes.
Scott used to joke that the terrible two were a force of nature. His baby brothers were strong, brilliant and brave! But what if that wasn't enough? Could his baby brothers have been defeated by a real force of nature? Could the world be so cruel to steal his youngest brothers? Weren't both of their parents enough?
This was Scott's worst nightmare! He had lost his youngest brothers! He had failed them! It was all his fault! Why did he let them join international rescue so young. Sixteen and nineteen years old was nothing! They were teenagers! They had not even gotten to live! Why did he try to follow dad's dream. He should have let it stay buried.
International rescue had brought so much pain and suffering to their family. Was it even worth it? Were the lives they had saved worth the life of his baby brothers? No! Nothing was worth that! Call Scott inherently selfish if you wish, but a life without his brothers did not seem like a life worth living.
Why must their family sacrifice everything? How could it have taken his little brothers. Scott had raised them for most of his life. They were practically his sons. Scott had taught them how to tie their shoelaces, how to ride a bike, how to fly and how to help people in need. Scott had wiped their tears when they were sad, carried them to bed when they had fallen asleep on the couch and read countless bedtime stories. He had walked them to school on their first day, carried them on his shoulders and comforted them when they had nightmares. They were his! His family! They were taken from him!
To Scott, Alan and Gordon, were everything that was right and good in the world. How could they be gone, and Scott was still here? It was never supposed to be like this. If anyone should lose their life on a rescue it was him! He was the oldest one! He was supposed to protect his brothers. He was the daredevil! Usually not waiting to think about the safest option, but only concerning himself, not his brothers. Scott wanted to help save people, and their family from experiencing the agony of losing loved ones. Why couldn't Scott help himself from suffering the same fate, again and again?
Scott thought that his family lives were worth much more than his. Scott had butted heads with John and Virgil countless times, regarding his own lack of self-preservation. When it came to his family's safety, he turned in to a smother hen. Alan used to say, that the definition of overprotective in the dictionary was just a picture of him.
Scott would do anything to take Allie's and Gordie's place! It was not fair! It was wrong! The world had made a mistake! Give Scott his brothers back and take him instead! Just give them back! Please!
No one answered Scott's prayers.
Having arrived home to Tracy Island, after ten hours of searching, Scott walked into the living room. He found Virgil and John already there. Both looked worse than he had ever seen them before. Scott suspected that he did not look so hot himself, but he could not muster up the energy to care. He fell on the couch, looking out the window. Not ready to face his devastated remaining brothers yet.
The Typhoon was relentless, rain whipping against their panorama windows. It was almost like the weather knew that the unthinkable had happened and was grieving with them. Having a screaming temper tantrum with its displeasure.
Their rage, shown with thunder and lightning. The rain symbolised their sorrow, endless tears falling. No amount of weather could wash their agony away. The strong wind was the rejection of reality, desperately wishing that it could blow this horrible nightmare away!