Chapter 4

"EARTHQUAKE!"

It all happened so quickly. Virgil had jumped out of the way to escape the falling rocks, Scott and Gordon were safe in the Mole with the 3 injured men. The Mole sustained minimal damage but John, he was trapped.

"VIRGIL! JOHN!" Scott shouted from the entrance of the Mole. He couldn't believe his eyes. Virgil was passed out in one corner and John was trapped on the other side of the entrance of the cave. He could feel his heart begin to race, thoughts swirling around in his mind. He had nearly lost his family once, it couldn't be happening again. Scott ran over to Virgil, his eyes going wide at the extent of damage surrounding him.

"Thunderbird 5 to Virgil, are you receiving me?" Scott could hear the sense of panic in his younger brother's voice.

Thunderbird 5 to Virgil! Please respond!" Scott, sensing his brother was about to have a heart attack, went onto his own wrist communication to update his little brother and father. Just as he was about to press the communication button, a small groan could be heard from Virgil.

"Take it easy Virgil, you'll be ok." Virgil's eyes went wide with the realisation of John. He tried to get up but was pushed down again by Scott.

"No can do little brother, I know you;re the medic but you passed out. I've got to make sure you're not concussed." Virgil rolled his eyes in disbelief.

"We have to help John, and quick. I'm fine Scott, no headache, no pain anywhere apart from my leg." Scott nodded and pressed the communication button on his communicator.

"Scott calling Tracy Island and Thunderbird 5, come in please." Taking a deep breath, Scott waited for the ambush in questions from his father and youngest brother.

"Scott! What's happening? Are you safe?" The first response came from the patriarch himself.

"Dad, we've rescued the trapped men and we'll be taking them to hospital. There was an earthquake though. Gordon and I are ok and the three men are ok, Gordons with them in the Mole now. Virgil jumped out of the way of falling rocks and passed out. He has a gash on his leg and is currently giving me the leave me alone glare. But it's John…."

"What's happened to John?" Jeff replied anxiously, he knew he shouldn't have sent him on that mission, he should have gone himself and let John rest. Virgil grabbed Scott's arm and pulled the communicator closer to him.

"He had a pain in his head again dad, then he collapsed. He's stuck behind the rocks with lack of oxygen. We've got to get him out." Virgil pushed Scott's arm away and started to get up.

"Virge, please, your leg. It needs bandaging."

"Leave the leg Scott, dammit, our brother is trapped. I can walk. Now, you and Gordon take the men back up to Thunderbird 2 and prepare for transportation, one of you comes back with another stretcher and helps me with John, do you understand?" Scott nodded at the medics fiery temper.

"Ok boys,you do whatever it takes to rescue John, just get him out." Jeff was panicking but he couldn't let that show to his sons. Maybe another coffee would help relieve the stress he thought.

"FAB Dad"

Scott and Gordon took the Mole back up to the ground whilst Virgil started finding a quick entrance into the cave to help his brother.

Why can't I breathe properly? Why does it hurt so much?

Don't go to sleep. John! Look at me! Keep your eyes open!

Those words went around in John's mind, just as his father said to him on that terrible day. His legs were in so much pain, his back was in so much pain.

Is this how Gordon felt after the hydrofoil crash?

Re-entry

4 hours

Power

Mayday!

The pain shot through his head and he could feel his body start to convulse. Every sharp movement from the convulsion sent a lightning bolt of pain through his body. He couldn;t stop it. Was this the end?

After nearly 20 minutes of searching, Gordon had returned with The Mole and a spare stretcher with additional oxygen equipment. Virgil was nearly though, much to the relief of them both.

"How's it going Virge?"

"Fine Gordon '' He was worried, what were they going to find on the other side of the cave? What state would John be in?

Finally, a small opening appeared, Virgil and Gordon managed to push away the remaining rocks and climb though to the cave. The sight shocked the pair. John lied still, pale faced, blue lips, blood from his nose, rocks covering his legs. Virgil went in and tried to find a pulse. Virgil sighed in relief when he could feel it.

"It's there, it's faint but I can feel it!" Virgil smiled warmly at Gordon trying to reassure him that their older brother was going to be ok.

"We need to get him out and fast before the whole lot comes down on us." Gordon passed Virgil the neck brace and oxygen. Gordon smiled when he saw John's face starting to pink up a little bit. He stroked his hair, hoping John could feel his presence.

"That's it Johnny, we've got you." They got John onto the stretcher and made their way out of the cave and back into the mole.

It's warmer, i'm going to be ok, the pain has vanished, Virgil must have given me morphine

Why can't I move? I can't feel my legs!

"Mole to Tracy Island! We've rescued John and we're on our way back to Thunderbird 2 now." Virgil announced to Jeff. Jeff smiled at his sons.

"I'm proud of you boys, now, get the men to a hospital and I'll let you decide on John. Hospital or treatment here in the infirmary." Virgil nodded, he was happy to treat John himself, he had all the necessary equipment back on the island. If anything went wrong, they could always get him over to the mainland.

"Hold on dad!" Jeff's heart jumped into his throat.

"John's having a seizure!"