THE atmosphere felt tense. Hayley had been questioning herself all the way to the hospital. Why was she here? Why was she there to ask someone who had been willing to kill one of her fiancé's brothers because they were stopping her from avenging her dead sister? Then she remembered. Because Virgil had asked her to, and not just because of who she was, but because he was desperate. And for that, Hayley would do anything to help him try to save his family. She just needed to convince Sophie to come.

"H-H-Hello…?" Sophie said nervously. "It's…Hayley…isn't it?"

"You remember me then?" Hayley said.

"I never forget a face," Sophie said. "Even if it's one I've wronged."

"You're looking well," said Hayley. "Much better than when I last saw you."

"Are you here for them, or yourself?" Sophie asked.

"Them actually," said Hayley.

Sophie sniffed. "Of course you are," she said bitterly. "None of them have even called up to ask how I am. At least not directly anyway. There was a time they'd ask through Dr Charles, but I've not heard anything since last year. Hmph. Why am I complaining? We didn't exactly part on the best of terms."

Hayley knew this wasn't the time for discussing the matter. She turned to Dr Charles. "How medically fit would you say she is?"

"She's made excellent progress and I'd say her sanity has vastly improved to the point where she doesn't need constant monitoring," said Dr Charles. "However, for what you're asking of her to do, I'm not sure she's entirely up for that."

"Up for what?" asked Sophie.

"There isn't time to explain," said Hayley. "All I will say is there are currently seven people who are very close to me currently dying from a deadly disease. And Virgil has said you're the only one who can save them."

Sophie frowned. "What kind of disease?" she asked.

"Have you ever heard of K-14?"

Sophie's frown instantly changed to one of shock. "That's a thing?!" she asked. "I thought it was just a rumour?"

"It's very real," said Hayley. "And if you don't help, they have next to no chance of survival."

Sophie looked away, unsure of what to say. "They won't want me to save them," she said. "Not after…Not after what I tried to do to Alan. Wait, is he sick?!"

"He is," said Hayley. "Please, Sophie. I know you have your reservations as I expect they will as well. But we need you. They need you."

Sophie looked at Hayley. Then she looked at Dr Charles. He gave a nod to show he was going to support them both. She took a deep breath and then breathed out. "Okay…" she said. "But I can't be out of here for very long. If my family learned I was absent-"

"There are plans in motion to get the cure for the K-14," said Hayley. "But we need to go now before it is too late."

Virgil stood outside the viewing window of the Medical Room with The Mechanic who had come up from the Holding Cells after Kayo had been struck down with the virus as well. The White Ghost had been left with Braman as her guard whilst MAX was inside the Medical Room keeping his electronic eye on the patients.

The Mechanic was running simulations with an iPad on the conditions of each family member via a blood sample that MAX had taken and uploaded to the Pad. "Everyone is stable for now," said The Mechanic. "The supply of oxygen and water is slowing the spread of the virus down."

"Thank God for that," said Virgil. "Do we have a timeframe?"

"That's impossible to predict accurately," said The Mechanic. "The system is trying to make some rough estimates. Without sounding in any way disrespectful, I feel some may have a better chance than others."

Virgil felt sick. He knew full well that The Mechanic meant the two most at risk were Grandma and Jeff. seeing Jeff lying on a bed with an oxygen mask on and motionless brought back horrible memories of the time The Hood had poisoned Jeff.

"One thing doesn't add up though," said The Mechanic.

"What's that?"

"How come you and Ghost aren't affected."

"Well Hayley administered herself and me with the cure that The Cabal had carelessly kept in the same room as us," said Virgil. "As for Ghost. Her condition either makes her immune or The Hood had each member of The Cabal given an inoculation to protect them."

"Hmph," said The Mechanic. "With their suits etc I'd hardly think they'd need it."

Virgil shrugged. "Then there's you," he said. "You haven't been affected either."

"I expect that because I'm mostly machine now, it will make me immune to most things," said The Mechanic.

Virgil remained silent. He didn't know what to think about that. To be immune to illness, that sounded like a blessing. But to not be entirely human anymore, that sounded like a curse. It was something that he felt The Mechanic struggled with internally but never showed it.

Virgil's attention was then caught by a beeping from his communicator. He saw it was Hayley calling and quickly answered it. "Hayley?"

"Virgil, I have her," Hayley said. "We're on our way to the island now."

Virgil breathed a small sigh of relief. "I'm glad to hear it," he said.

"How are you and Kayo holding up?" Hayley asked.

"I'm afraid Kayo's been struck down with it as well," said Virgil with a heavy heart. "Only myself and The Mechanic are left."

"He's not affected?"

"No," said Virgil. "Reckon being part machine helps."

"I…guess so," said Hayley. "We're about an hour from you with the speed this jet goes."

"We'll be ready for you," said Virgil. "Over and out."

Sophie, who was sitting in the back seat of the jet, frowned curiously. "Who's part-machine?" she asked.

"The Mechanic," Hayley replied. "Did you ever meet him?"

"I thought he was called Brains?"

"Totally different person," Hayley said.

Sophie said no more, curious and a little afraid to meet this Mechanic person.

Virgil went back to The Mechanic who had some news. "Simulations complete," said The Mechanic.

"Are they good or bad?" asked Virgil.

"Mixed," said The Mechanic. "For your brothers, Brains and Miss Kyrano, at their current rate, I predict that they have about four hours." He trailed off.

"What about Dad and Grandma?" asked Virgil.

The Mechanic gave him a look of sorrow. "Two hours…maximum I reckon. Maybe less."

The sick feeling in Virgil's stomach returned with a vengeance. He almost threw up but managed to hold it in. He looked back inside the room. Jeff and Grandma were the furthest away, but seeing their still bodies due to the virus putting them in that state made him burn with anger. He clenched his fists and resisted every urge he had to punch the glass.

It was at that moment that he came to a decision. "This cannot wait any longer," he said as he made for the express elevator. "We need that cure now."

Virgil swiftly made his way down to the Holding Cells and once again opened the door to The White Ghost's cell. "You want to make things right? Now's your chance," he said as he released the cuffs. "Don't you dare try anything!"

"What do you need me to do?" asked The White Ghost.

"Where's that laboratory you talked about?"

"The Arizona Desert."

"Then you're gonna get me in there and get as much of the cure as we can," said Virgil as he ushered her to the elevator. "And we have less than two hours to do it in."

The White Ghost gulped. "Two hours?! That's not a lot of time," she said. "Is your Thunderbird fast enough?"

Virgil was about to retort to defend Thunderbird 2 but stopped as he realised something. Thunderbird 2 was a fast ship, but he quickly realised that actually there was a faster option. "No, she's not," he said. "We're gonna take Thunderbird 1. That has plenty of speed. But first…" They'd exited the elevator and Virgil took her over to the viewing window so she could see the patients inside. "Take a look, Ghost. Look at each and every one of them. I know you didn't mean for this to happen, but you still brought that virus onto the island. Therefore, what happens now is on you. Their lives…are in YOUR hands!"

The White Ghost looked at each and every immobile patient inside the room. The guilt that she was feeling was indescribable. "Then let's get started," she said.

As Thunderbird 1 made its way up the diagonal tunnel towards the launch bay, Virgil couldn't help but feel so many different emotions all at once. One was fear. Fear of failure. One was concern. Concern that The Mechanic, Hayley and Sophie would be able to keep his family safe until he returned. And the other was bemusement. This was the first time he would ever have taken control of Thunderbird 1 on a proper mission. Sitting in Scott's seat wasn't the most comfortable of fits until he took his green utility sash. The White Ghost sat in one of the passenger seats. She remained silent as Thunderbird 1 pulled into position as the swimming pool slid back to allow it to launch.

5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

The engines of Thunderbird 1 roared into life, the thrust pushing it upwards out of the launch bay and climbing high into the sky above Tracy Island. In some strange coincidence, the usual beautiful Pacific Sun had been replaced by some rather ominous dark clouds. Whether that had anything to do with the situation of those on the island or whether it was literally just bad weather was on the way, Virgil couldn't tell. Nor did he care at that moment. He set Thunderbird 1's course for the United States of America and placed his hands on the controls. "Is your belt fastened tight?" he called back.

"Aye, it is," replied The White Ghost. "Why?"

Virgil slammed the controls forward and Thunderbird 1 soared away from the island at its highest speed.

"WHOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGH!" screamed The White Ghost in alarm. She hadn't quite expected the ship to fly that fast.

Hayley and Sophie's jet was also fast, but nowhere near as fast as Thunderbird 1. It was by pure chance that the two aircraft happened to pass each other on near enough similar flight-paths. However the two never got any warning of Thunderbird 1's approach until a streak of silver went zooming past in the opposite direction causing turbulence that almost caused them to stall.

"Oh, my God!" Sophie gasped once they'd managed to recover themselves. "What…was…THAT?!"

"There's only one thing it could have been," Hayley replied. She opened a radio link. "Calling Thunderbird 1? This is GDF Captain Hayley Madison. Are you receiving me?"

Virgil's hologram appeared from the projector. "Hey, Hayley. How's your progress?"

"Halfway to Tracy Island. Although you nearly knocked us out of the sky!"

"Did I?" Virgil asked. "Sorry. The Mechanic ran a simulation. Time for Dad and Grandma is worse than we thought. We need to get that antidote and fast."

"How are you going to get it from wherever it is?" Hayley asked.

"Ghost is with me," Virgil said. "She's going to help me get it."

"Who else is with you?"

"Nobody. It's just us."

"What?! But-"

"Hayley…She didn't sneak her way onto Thunderbird 2 with the intention of causing us harm," Virgil said. "She needs help, and I'm prepared to make sure she gets that help. She saved our lives, remember? Now she can help us save my family."

"And you trust her?" asked Hayley.

"Do we have any other choice?" asked Virgil.

Hayley thought. "I guess not," she said. "Can I speak to her?"

"Of course."

"Ghost, can you hear me?"

"Yes, Captain, I hear you."

"Let me make this clear," said Hayley sternly. "I tried to reach out to you once before. Like Virgil said, you saved our lives from The Cabal. I am prepared to take Virgil's word on what you're claiming. Do not screw this up and double-cross him! Or I will hunt you down personally. Am I clear?"

The White Ghost nodded. "I've been betrayed multiple times, Captain," she said. "I will NOT betray any of you. And you have my word on that."

Hayley gave a nod whilst retaining the stern look. "Very well," she said. She turned back to Virgil. "Get that antidote. We'll do what we can for your family, Virgil."

"Thank you," said Virgil. "Sophie?"

"Hello, Virgil?"

"I'm sorry to have dragged you into this, but I didn't know who else medically qualified to help my family. Take care of them for me, please?"

Sophie nodded. "Like I said to Hayley, Virgil, I did a terrible thing to your brother and I will do anything to make up for that. You also have my word on that."

Virgil nodded gratefully. "Thank you. Will go radio silence until we have the antidote. Over and out."

Hayley and Sophie fell silent for a moment. Then Sophie spoke. "Who is this Ghost?"

"A former member of The Cabal, if you've heard of them?"

"I think so," said Sophie. "Aren't they that supervillain group who tried to freeze the whole of the US with strange ice-machines?"

"I was able to take down the machine that White Ghost was guarding," said Hayley. "I tried to get through to her but she escaped. However, maybe she did take my words seriously. When The Cabal kidnapped me and later captured Virgil, she was the one who told me where the antidote for the K-14 was located. Then she caused a distraction that allowed us to escape."

Sophie was left in a stunned silence. "Virgil said he wants to get her help. What did he mean by that?"

"Ghost's got some strange condition that's unknown to mankind," said Hayley. "If she doesn't wear that phasing suit, the molecules in her body could evaporate and she'd cease to exist."

"Geez…" said Sophie. "That sounds…frightening."

"Indeed," agreed Hayley. "She's in almost constant pain from what I understand. She joined The Cabal in the hopes of being cured, but The Hood never kept his promise. Neither did Warren Grafton when they were working together."

"Ugh."

"Ugh?"

"Grafton," said Sophie. "I've heard all about him. If snakes had legs…"

"An interesting description," remarked Hayley. "But I wouldn't say you were wrong."

They both fell silent as they continued their way towards Tracy Island.

The atmosphere inside Thunderbird 1 had felt awkward. Neither Virgil or The White Ghost had said anything other than when they'd been talking to Hayley and Sophie. Eventually, it was Ghost who broke the silence. "I'm sorry. For everything."

"You keep saying that," Virgil replied.

"I know, but…I mean it," she said. "I really don't know how I allowed myself to go down the path that I have done."

"I've often tried to wonder what exactly causes people to do that as well," said Virgil. "I kind of know how The Hood ended up the way he is, but Havoc, Black Phantom, Shocker, Techno. I just don't get what can possess people to think that doing something wrong is right to them."

"All I ever wanted was to be human again," said The White Ghost. "But I am way beyond getting that wish now."

"Don't say that," said Virgil. "There has to be some way to cure your condition."

"Even if there is, it won't do much," said The White Ghost. "With every passing day, I feel less alive than I did before. Even if by some miracle a cure is found, it'll only be a matter of time before I die anyway."

"I won't let that happen, Laura."

She blinked. "You used my name?"

Virgil put Thunderbird 1 on autopilot and came round to face her. "I'm done calling you Ghost," he said. "Under that suit you're a person. A human being. You might not think you are, but you are still. You're just one that's in a very bad place with a lot of pain. And currently, I can relate to that."

Laura hung her head. "I shouldn't have had that vial on me," she said.

"That can't be changed now," said Virgil. He bent down. "Laura, look at me. When we get that cure and save my family, I will do everything I can to find you the help you deserve. International Rescue has a duty to save everyone."

"Even…people like me?" Laura asked.

"Even people like you," said Virgil. He held out his hand. Laura hesitated, but then took it, and he gave it a friendly squeeze.

Hayley and Sophie had arrived on Tracy Island. Sophie no longer had her special hoverchair although The Mechanic was able to give her a regular one for her to wheel-about in as it wasn't possible to get one on the GDF jet.

"Hey, Juan," Hayley said. "Good to see you."

"And you, Captain Madison," replied The Mechanic. He turned to Sophie. "Dr Telford?" He held out his hand. But Sophie didn't take it. Instead, she moved back uneasily.

"Sophie, it's okay," said Hayley. "He's on our side."

"Sorry," said Sophie, sounding uncomfortable. "I'm not entirely comfortable being near someone who isn't entirely human…"

"I can understand that," said Hayley. "But-"

"It's okay, Captain," said The Mechanic. "I understand completely. I'm surprised anyone here tolerates me, to be honest. That's why I stay in sleep-mode most of the time."

"Well you shouldn't," scolded Hayley. "Brains has a lot on his hands keeping the ships maintained as well as designing new equipment. Having you around to help him would lighten his workload."

"I suppose so," said The Mechanic.

"We're getting side-tracked," Hayley said. "How are they doing?"

"Not great," said The Mechanic as he led them over to the Medical Bay. "The vitals on the brothers, Brains and Miss Kyrano are satisfactory at present. "But those of Mr and Mrs Tracy are starting to fade. I fear that even if Virgil gets the antidote, he may not get it back here in time for them."

Hayley looked in through the viewing window at the family. Seeing their completely red skin colour made her feel sick and brought back horrific memories of when she watched Virgil look like that whilst she'd been bound to a chair unable to do anything. A loud gasp snapped her back to reality and she turned to see Sophie had now seen for herself what they looked like. Her eyes were wide like saucers and both of her hands were covering her mouth. Hayley didn't think she'd seen anyone look so horrified before.

"Horrendous, isn't it?" Hayley said.

"Is that…what the virus does to people?!" Sophie asked.

Hayley nodded. "I had to watch Virgil look like that until I was able to escape and inject him and myself with the antidote."

"Where's Alan?" Sophie asked.

Hayley looked, trying to distinguish who was who.

"Second bed closest to us on the left," said The Mechanic.

Sophie looked and could just make out Alan under the oxygen mask. The sick feeling she'd had worsened upon seeing him and she felt like crying. "Can I go in and see them?" she asked.

"Have we got PPE?" Hayley asked The Mechanic.

"Of course," said The Mechanic. "I'll get you both some." He hurried off.

Sophie and Hayley were left to gaze through the window at the family until he returned. Even though Hayley felt she was immune to the virus having taken the antidote herself, she still put on a mask, eye-protectors and blue latex gloves before holding open the door so that Sophie could enter. Seeing them through the window had been hard enough, but now they were inside it was even worse. Everyone was motionless, eyes closed and the sounds of their hoarse breathing through the oxygen masks was almost too much to hear.

Sophie went straight to Alan. It was very hard to try not to cry. Nervously, she reached out and took his hand. "Oh, Alan…" she said miserably. "I'm so sorry…for everything. Please hold on…"

Hayley had gone to the other side of the room to give Sophie some alone time with Alan. She went to check on Jeff. He looked really rough. She gave him a gentle rub on the shoulder. "These boys lost you for eight years, Mr Tracy," she said in a low voice. "Please don't leave them now. Not like this." She turned and looked out of the window at the dark clouds that covered the island. Rain had started to fall from the sky as well and a distant rumble of thunder could faintly be heard. "Come on, Virgil…"

Darkness had fallen over Arizona by the time Thunderbird 1 arrived. As Virgil looked down at the area via the infrared scanners, he was struggling to anywhere that the supposed laboratory would be. "I'm guessing you've been here before?" Virgil said to Laura.

"It's where The Hood initially got the samples," Laura answered.

"So you can point out where we need to be?"

"You see that giant rock that looks a bit like a lemon squeezer?"

Virgil looked. "Yes?"

"It's under there," said Laura. "Land here and we'll go by foot."

Virgil thought that was a good idea. He brought Thunderbird 1 down, lowered the landing legs and touched down in an area of open ground about a mile from the enormous rock. After disembarking, they headed towards the rock, with Virgil stopping momentarily to activate some optical camouflage that concealed Thunderbird 1 from view.

"Is that necessary?" asked Laura. "There's nobody else out here."

"If there's anything we've learned since starting operation, never leave anything to chance," replied Virgil. "There is a highway over there, and although its dark, the Moon is out. A silhouette might be seen by some curious passer-by."

"Good point," said Laura.

They continued on until they got to the rock. Laura put on her suit helmet and lifted the hood over the top. She composed herself

"Take my hand."

"Hmm?"

"I can phase you through as well," said Laura.

So Virgil took Laura's hand and then she pulled him right into the rock. Virgil expected to feel it rock all around him as they passed through. But instead he felt nothing at all and was very surprised when they came out the other side in a small chamber inside the rock. "Woah…that felt weird," he remarked.

"In here," said Laura, indicating an elevator beside them. She also gave him what looked like a black sweatband. "Also, put this on."

Virgil did so. "What does it do?" he asked.

"It'll render you invisible to security cameras," Laura said. "It wouldn't look good if there's video evidence of you sneaking around inside a facility that nobody is supposed to know about."

"Fair point," said Virgil as they entered the elevator. "What about security?"

"It's minimal," said Laura as she pressed the button to take them down. "Last time there were only two guards on patrol. They never saw me as I was able to get past them easily."

"Easier for you than me I expect," Virgil muttered to himself. "Do you have a special vision that will allow you to see them coming?"

"Aye, I do," said Laura. "We're getting close. I'll just check." She tapped the side of her helmet. "Damn!"

"What is it?"

"Two heat signatures near the exit of the elevator! Quick, I have an idea."

Inside the corridor adjacent to the elevator shaft, two Security Guards were going about their routine. They were bored. Nothing exciting ever happened whilst they were on shift. Both were surprised when they realised that the elevator was coming down.

"Are we expecting anyone?" asked the First Guard.

"I don't think so," said the Second Guard.

They drew their weapons and aimed them at the doors of the elevator. They waited anxiously as it got closer and closer before finally reaching the bottom. There came the ding of a bell and the doors opened.

"What the hell?" said the First Guard.

The elevator was empty. The Second Guard walked in. He looked around and even felt around.

"Anything?" asked the First Guard.

"Nothing!" replied the Second Guard.

The First Guard lowered his weapon and cursed in annoyance. "Stupid thing's on the fritz again!" he said. "Better alert the maintenance crew."

"I agree," said the Second Guard. He stepped out of the elevator. The doors then closed and it started to go back up again towards the surface. "Don't come down until you bring the relief," the Guard told it even though he knew it wouldn't be able to understand him.

No sooner had the two men walked away when Virgil and Laura phased through the nearby wall and disappeared down the second corridor out of sight.

"Phew," whispered Virgil with relief. "Never thought your phasing skills would actually be of use to us."

"They have their uses," Laura whispered back. "I used to love them, until I realised what they were doing to my body."

"Where do we need to go?" Virgil asked.

"The main chamber can be accessed by either corridor," said Laura. "The guards went the other way. We should have no trouble accessing-"

"Oh, for CHRIST'S SAKE!"

They froze and then glanced behind them. It was one of the guards who'd shouted, but it wasn't at them. However they could hear hurried footsteps coming towards where the elevator was.

"Quick, in here," said Laura, pulling Virgil into a store cupboard through the door.

Once inside they waited. They listened in case the guard came down the corridor. But what they heard instead would send chills down their spines.

"WHAT THE?! FREEZE! STAY WHERE-AAAAAAAAAAAAARGGH!"

"MARTY?! OH, GOD! NO! AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGG!"

The screams had been accompanied by what sounded like a laser firing. And then it all went silent. Laura phased slowly through the wall and looked down towards the elevator. She just caught the back of a figure disappearing from view but couldn't see who it was. Once she was sure the coast was clear, she pulled Virgil out and they headed to see what had happened. As they rounded the bend, they both stopped dead in horror at the sight of the two guards, deceased on the floor. Both had been blasted by some kind of laser. A quick glance at each other showed the fear in their faces and that they were both thinking the same thing.

"No…" said Virgil. "Not them. Not here. Not now!" He then hurried off down the corridor with Laura in hot pursuit. She managed to catch up to him and stop him before he rushed round a corner. They then heard a voice. One that was all too familiar.

"We'll get the samples and anything else worth taking. Stand guard outside, Shocker."

"Right."

"Nobody gets in. Understand?"

"Yes, I understand."

"Good."

The sound of a door closing was then heard. Laura used her infra-red vision to look through the wall. A familiar figure was indeed standing guard outside. The Shocker. "It's them alright," she whispered to Virgil.

Virgil felt like screaming but he knew he couldn't. "I do not need this right now," he whispered. "Is there another way in?"

"There's a way upstairs to an upper level," Laura whispered. "Back this way."

They hurried back as quietly as they could. They found the stairs and went up to the next level. They then entered a room which turned out to be a viewing gallery of the large laboratory. In the middle was a what looked to Virgil like a giant rotating vending-machine. It contained many coloured samples of different liquids inside. Several of which Virgil could only assume was the K-14 virus along with whatever other deadly cocktails the laboratory scientists make have cooked up. However, his attention was soon moved to the four figures that were walking around the lab. The Hood was there along with Techno, Silver Swan and The Black Phantom. Each was heading to a different area. The Hood seemed interested in what looked like a control room on the far side of the lab.

"Techno, my boy. Use your skills to get us all the K-14 samples out of that machine," The Hood said. "I am going to take a look at what other secrets this lab has created."

Virgil could feel his blood boiling. The Cabal were after the virus again, and this time it was looking to be on a much grander scale. "Where's the cure?" he asked Laura.

"The antidotes are kept in another sealed dispenser over there," Laura replied.

"Swan and Phantom, find where the antidotes to these diseases are and destroy them," The Hood then said.

"We have to do something," Laura said. "If they get hold of-"

"They won't," said Virgil, who was looking more fired up and determined than he'd ever done before. "We'll get that antidote…even if we have to fight each…and every…one of them!"

***TO BE CONTINUTED...***