ALAN screamed and jumped back from Jackson, losing his footing on the Astroboard and falling away.
"Alan?" Kayo asked. "ALAN?! Oh, my God!" She jumped up onto the second Astroboard and quickly exited the cockpit to go to the rescue.
"Thunderbird 3, come in?" John's voice was heard over the helmet radio. "What's happening?"
"Bit of a situation, John," replied Kayo. "Hold the line, I'll get back to you." She pushed the Astroboard up to its maximum speed and raced towards the spiralling Alan. She grabbed his left arm and pulled him back to his own Astroboard. "Stay there!" she ordered. "Go back to Thunderbird 3 if you can."
Alan was in too much shock to answer. Instead he observed, panting heavily as Kayo now dived after Jackson, catching her right at the last second.
"I got you!" Kayo said as she swung Jackson onto the back of the Astroboard and used all the power in its small motors to get them away from danger. "You're safe now."
"Oh, thank God!" gasped Jackson. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." She then glanced back over her shoulder in the direction of Alan.
Alan saw this and he felt himself crumble inside. His eyes filling up with tears, he managed to muster what little willpower he had left to get the Astroboard to take him back to Thunderbird 3.
"Is he okay?" Jackson asked Kayo.
Having now heard Jackson speak, she began to realise what had happened. Oh, no. Not again, she groaned to herself.
Alan by now had reached Thunderbird 3 and after closing the hatch, and parking his Astroboard, he left the cockpit, removed his helmet, dropped it on the floor, fell against the bulkhead, slid down to the floor and buried his face in his hands before beginning to sob loudly.
John, still anxious for an update, tried to make contact. "Alan? What's going on? What happened? Alan? Alan?!"
But Alan couldn't answer. The shame that he felt was too strong.
John now felt his heart sink as he realised what this meant. "Oh, dear," he sighed to himself. "I need to tell the others."
The inner airlock door of the WSS opened to allow Kayo and Jackson to enter the space-station. As medics rushed to check on her, Jackson removed her helmet and turned to face Kayo. "Please excuse me for asking, but what happened to your colleague?" she asked.
"You're from Australia?" asked Kayo.
Jackson frowned. "Yes…why?"
Kayo bit her lip. "Long story short. He recently split-up with his girlfriend. It was nasty. She too was from Australia. And I think he might have freaked out, mistaking you for her. With the greatest of respect, you do sound a bit like she did."
"Oh…" replied Jackson, looking sorry. "Please forgive me for that."
"There's nothing to forgive, Miss Jackson," replied Kayo. "You weren't to know and neither could we. Don't feel bad about it, please."
"Okay, I'll try," said Jackson. "And its Mrs, by the way. But not that that's relevant," she added with a small chuckle. "Thank you regardless. You'd better go check on him."
Kayo nodded. "You're welcome," she said, returning a smile and then heading back into the airlock.
As she re-entered the cockpit of Thunderbird 3, Kayo saw that the other Astroboard was discarded and floating around having not been put back in its proper place. She waited for the hatch to close and the oxygen level to return before removing her helmet. As soon as she passed through the bulkhead door leading out of the cockpit, she found Alan, his head now between his knees, still crying. Whereas at first she'd wanted to be mad at him for almost causing a mission failure and costing Jackson her life, she now felt immense sorrow and pity for the youngest Tracy brother. She didn't say anything, but knelt down beside him, put one hand over one of his arms and her other around behind his back, pulling him in in an attempt to try and comfort him.
John had already relayed the news of what had happened back to Tracy Island. Kayo and Jeff watched by the door as Grandma tucked Alan into bed, giving him a special drink she's created to help him have a long and well-needed sleep without having nightmares. This was something they'd gotten rather used to in the months since the mission to Planet-46 and Sophie's attempt at revenge for the death of her twin sister Grace, and it was not something that they could stand much longer.
"Mr Tracy, permission to let off some steam?" Kayo asked.
Jeff paused. "The lounge," he said. "Not here."
They returned to the lounge where it was only them. Scott, Virgil and Brains were in bed as well and had not yet been informed about Alan's latest episode. Once there, Kayo opened the taps. "I'm sorry to talk like this, Mr Tracy, but this has gone on long enough! We have a duty to rescue the lives of people in danger, and how the hell can we do that if one of our own can't even pull one off without having nightmares?!"
"You think I don't agree, Kayo?" Jeff answered grimly. "I'm just as sick about this whole Goddamn mess as you are. With Grafton's attempts at trying to take us to court and Alan's nightmares of Dr Telford, it's… oh, it's just getting too much."
Grandma then joined them. "Well, he's asleep," she said. "I never thought I'd have to make as many of these as I have done recently."
"We've just been discussing it," said Kayo. "We can't let this continue. We just can't!"
"Well, if you have any suggestions, Kayo, I'm open," said Jeff. "All we can do for him is let him rest."
"He doesn't just need rest, Jefferson," said Grandma sternly. "He needs help. Psychological help if anytime."
"But you're not a psychiatrist, are you, Mrs Tracy?" asked Kayo.
"No, dear, I'm not," said Grandma. "And I wouldn't be able to do anything if I was. The connection is far too personal." But then she had an idea. "However…" she said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "I do believe I know someone who can help."
Alan slowly opened his eyes. The sleep had been long and undisturbed and he felt better for it. However, what had woken him was the hum of engines and a soft vibration against his bed. As he looked around, he was surprised to see that he wasn't in his own bed. He did however recognise what kind of bed he was in. He was in the sleeping quarters on the Tracy's Private Jet. he pushed back the covers and got up. "Huh? What am I doing here?" he wondered out loud.
Passing through some doors to the main lounge area of the plane, he found Grandma sipping coffee. "Ah, you're awake," said Grandma after hearing the doors open. "Good."
"Grandma, what's going on?" Alan asked, confused.
"After I put you to bed, we had a discussion."
"We?"
"Yes," she said. "Your father, Kayo and I have decided its about high time that we got you some help."
"Help?" repeated Alan. "But I don't need any help. I feel fine after that sleep."
"Maybe, but how many times have you had visions of Sophie since that day?" Grandma asked. "One too many. Now we've done all we can for you, but even that's not enough. So we're going to see an old student and colleague of mine. He's the best I know at psychology."
Alan suddenly turned angry. "You're taking me to see a psychiatrist and you didn't even discuss it with me first?!"
"What's there to discuss?"
Alan turned to see Jeff emerge from the cockpit. "Alan, we cannot allow this to happen again. That poor woman would have died if I hadn't sent Kayo with you. Next time she might not be available. So we are taking you to get help. And it's NON NEGOTIABLE!" he added loudly, noticing Alan had opened his mouth to protest.
"Now, go and get dressed before having some breakfast, young man," instructed Grandma. "We'll be arriving in forty minutes."
"Arriving…where?" Alan asked.
"Chicago," Jeff replied.
Alan groaned and began muttering crossly under his breath as he went to get dressed.
Dr Daniel Charles shuffled through some papers to tidy up his office. There was a knock at the door. "Come in!" he called.
The door opened and a young, tall, slim woman in a white coat walked in. "Finished your paperwork, Dr Charles?"
"Yes, Dr Reese," Dr Charles replied, adjusting his glasses. "Am ready for a coffee. Would you like one?"
"Maybe in a bit, thanks," Dr Reese answered. "Your twelve o'clock is here, by the way."
Dr Charles gave a puzzled frown and glanced at his watch. "I don't remember having an appointment at twelve?"
"Ms Winters said it was rather sudden booking late last night," said Dr Reese. "Apparently you would make an exception for this one."
Dr Charles continued to frown. "Okay…" he began as Dr Reese stepped outside the office.
"You may come in," she said.
Dr Charles's jaw almost hit the desk at the sight of the grey-haired woman with purple glasses walking in.
"Daniel Charles!" said Grandma, opening her arms.
"Good heavens!" exclaimed Dr Charles, jumping to his feet and moving around. "Sally Tracy! Well, I'll be damned!" The two embraced in a hug. "It's been so long!" he said. "How are you?"
"Keeping busy," Grandma answered. "And its been what ten years or something?"
"Thirteen actually," said Dr Charles. "Please, take a seat. What can I help you with?"
"Not me actually," said Grandma. She beckoned outside the door. Jeff then appeared with a somewhat reluctant Alan in front of him. "Did you ever meet my son, Jeff?"
Dr Charles's eyes went wide with wonder. "Jeff Tracy! This is an honor, sir." He extended a hand.
"Likewise, Dr Charles," said Jeff as he shook it. "Mother spoke of you very highly."
Dr Charles blushed slightly. "Oh, please. I'm just a regular psychiatrist."
"You talk to low of yourself, Daniel," said Grandma. "You were never a top student for nothing."
Dr Charles went slightly redder. "You're too kind, Dr Tracy."
"Oh, come now," smiled Grandma. "You should know better than to call me that. It's Sally."
"Very well, Sally," smiled Dr Charles. He then turned to Alan. "And who do we have here?"
"This is Alan," said Jeff. "My youngest son. It is him who we've brought to see you."
"I see," said Dr Charles. "How do you do, Alan?" He held out his hand again.
Alan remained silent and still. It wasn't until Jeff hissed "Shake his hand" that he reluctantly did so.
"Okay, then," said Dr Charles. "Shall we begin?"
Dr Reese drew the curtains of the office and then left after Jeff and Grandma, leaving Alan alone to lie down on the couch whilst Dr Charles took a Tablet and Tap-Pen and sat in his chair close-by.
"How long is this gonna take, doc?" Alan asked.
"As long as it takes, Mr Tracy," replied Dr Charles.
Alan groaned. "I don't need to be here," he complained. "I told Dad and Grandma that I don't need any help."
Dr Charles wasn't offended. Instead he chuckled.
"Something I said funny?" asked Alan shortly.
"No, no, no," replied Dr Charles, clearing his throat. "You know, if I had a dollar for every time one of my patients has said that to me, I could be living on a paradise island."
Alan fell silent after that.
"Now then," Dr Charles continued. "Why don't you start from the beginning? When did these so-called nightmares start?"
Alan sighed and took a breath. He really didn't want to talk about it, but he guessed that he no longer had that option. "Well…it started back in early March I guess. I'd gone to Planet-46 with Kayo to try and make peace with the aliens that lived there after they attacked the rocket at Base Endeavour on the Moon. We found that they did not want peace and took us prisoner. Kayo was put aboard a rocket with a planetomic warhead and was launched towards Earth with the intention of destroying it. I managed to escape by taking their chief captive and gave chase in Thunderbird 3. I managed to stop the rocket, rescue Kayo and destroy the rocket. But then as we were about to head home for Earth, we found that my girl at the time, Sophie had-"
"Telford?"
"Sorry?"
"Sophie Telford?" asked Dr Charles.
"Y-Yes…" said Alan. "How did you-"
"I often go to Highlands Gate Penitentiary," said Dr Charles. "I did a psychiatric assessment of a patient there called Dr Sophie Telford. She was confined to a wheelchair. She told me a story that she tried to commit an act of revenge on some alien who apparently was responsible for the death of her sister."
"Grace," Alan said.
"Yes…yes!" Dr Charlies said. "God…I honestly thought she was just having some kind of mental delusions. I guess I was wrong. Sorry, please continue."
"Well…Sophie wanted to kill the alien chief but Kayo and I wouldn't let her," Alan said. "She got mad. Somehow managed to knock Kayo out and stole her gun. However she couldn't use it as they're censored to our touch only. She then broke down, realising that she'd failed to achieve her goal. When we got back to Earth, we handed her over to the authorities. As they took her away, she pleaded with me to help her. I couldn't and then…she was gone." He began to cry again and Dr Charles handed him a tissue so he could wipe his eyes and blow his nose. "Sorry."
"Never say sorry, Alan," said Dr Charles. "You need to let all this out. Take your time."
Alan gave himself a few moments to pull himself together and then continued. "Yeah, and ever since then, on occasion, she's appeared in my sights. Sometimes I'll look at someone and see her instead of who is actually there. Sometimes she just appears out of thin air, walking through walls and stuff. Its crazy because she cannot walk and I therefore know she's not real. And yet it feels so real. She screams and shouts at me for not helping her and…I just crumble. And then yesterday on a mission, I was helping an Astronaut who was also from Australia. As I looked into the helmet, I could have sworn it was Sophie. The facial features and the voice just looked and sounded so like her." He paused and groaned. "That poor lady could've died thanks to my error. I…I wish I knew how to make it stop." He finally fell silent, unable to think of anything else to say. He wiped his eyes again as more tears emerged from his eyes.
Dr Charles listened carefully and took confidential notes as Alan had been talking. He scratched his head thoughtfully. "You know a lot of that corresponds with what Dr Telford said in her assessment," he said. "But she never mentioned you by name. But she did say that she tried to kill the person trying to stop her and that she hated them for it."
Alan felt his stomach churn. "Hence why she's been coming back to haunt me ever since," he said.
Dr Charles thought some more. "Tell me, Alan," he said. "Did you take time off?"
"From what?"
"From your duties?"
"Not really," Alan replied. "But then the few times I have been off the island and especially in Thunderbird 3, that's mainly when she appears. For a few weeks I remained on the island and never saw her. It wasn't until yesterday that she appeared again. The previous time was Easter."
"I see," said Dr Charles. "So you didn't take a vacation?"
"Vacation? No."
"When was the last time you had one?"
Alan thought hard about that. "Like…never," he replied. "None of us tend to take vacations. We're too busy."
"Hmmm," pondered Dr Charles. "Tell me also, Alan. Are you afraid of her?"
Alan hesitated before answering. "No…Yes…Maybe. I dunno."
"Do you feel guilty about what's happened to her?"
"Hell yes, of course I do!" Alan snapped. "I've waited a long time to get a girl. I thought I'd found the perfect one. And yet it was one disaster after another. First she lost her legs in an accident. Then she lost her sister. And then…I lost her. And…And…"
"And?"
Alan began to tear up again. "She was prepared to kill me to get what she wanted," he said miserably.
Dr Charles said nothing and nodded glumly in silence.
"Man, that's rough!" Gordon remarked as Kayo placed a cup of hot coffee in front of him. "Thanks, Kayo. But about time if you ask me."
"Was Alan told about it before they left?" asked Virgil.
"No, he wasn't," Kayo replied as she went back to the kitchen area. "He was so sound asleep your dad and I had to physically carry him from his own bed to one of the ones on the plane once Gordon had returned."
Scott ran his fingers through his hair. "I bet Alan's none too pleased about it," he remarked.
"So l-long as Alan doesn't kick up any fuss, all should be fine," said Brains. "He n-needs this."
The others murmured in agreement.
"So, Gordon," Kayo said, sitting opposite the aquanaut. "What happened to your T-shirt?"
"My-?" Gordon glanced down. "Aah, dang it!" Instead of the normal yellow Hawaiian T-shirt that he was used to wearing, he'd accidentally put on one of the ones that Penelope had bought for him. It was that of a Pug like Sherbet.
"Yes, where's this come from?" asked Scott slyly.
Gordon turned red as he was forced to reveal the truth. "Lady P took me clothes shopping in London before I left," he said grumpily.
The others chuckled.
"I think it suits you," said Virgil.
"Huh," Gordon retorted. "I liked my Hawaiian outfit."
"Well, you d-don't have to wear it if Lady Penelope isn't here, you know, Gordon," smiled Brains. "Plus, MAX says he likes it."
Gordon turned to the Multi-Tool robot. "Hey, MAX. Will this fit you?" he asked.
The others burst out laughing.
"Really, Gordo?" laughed Virgil. "You're so embarrassed by it that you want to give it to a robot?"
Gordon turned even redder, but before he could retort, John's hologram appeared on the projector. "Morning, guys. Sorry to interrupt breakfast but we've got a situation."
"It's fine, John, we've just finished," said Scott. "What's the situation?"
"The Cruise Ship Miranda has struck a reef in the Caribbean," said John. "It's currently still grounded but the hull is breached and it's taking on water. An evacuation is underway but the nearest rescue ship is over fifty miles away and there's no available aircraft in the vicinity. We need to go and assist."
"Okay then," said Scott, getting to his feet. "Virgil, Gordon, follow me in Thunderbird 2 and bring Thunderbird 4 just in case."
"F-A-B," said Virgil and Gordon together.
The three brothers hurried up to the lounge. Gordon reached his suit-up area first by the fish tank. He pressed his hand against the glass and it jingled before his express elevator rose up around him and then took him down to get his uniform attached. Scott was next, pulling down the lamps and swinging via the revolving wall panel before heading down his express elevator to where Thunderbird 1 was located. Finally Virgil reached the rocket painting and was tilted back before heading down the long twisty tunnel towards Thunderbird 2's vast hangar. He and Scott, like Gordon, had robotic arms attach their uniforms as they went. Scott reached his ship first and after boarding began to head up the diagonal tunnel to the launch bay under the pool which began to slide back as it approached. Virgil landed in Thunderbird 2's cockpit and after closing the hatch, he took his seat and selected Module 4 which was moved underneath and then the main body got lowered onto it just before Gordon arrived via the elevator in the floor. Thunderbird 2 moved forwards as the large rock concealing the hangar entrance slid down and out they went onto the runway. The palm trees moved back to allow it to pass on its way to the runway. Once on the runway, the wings folded out and the ramp was raised with the blast shield in place behind.
5! 4! 3! 2! 1!
Thunderbird 1 was first to launch, its powerful boosters pushing it up out through where the pool would normally be. Then Thunderbird 2 followed by firing its twin rear thrusters and soaring off the ramp and climbing into the sky after Thunderbird 1 which was now rocketing away at beyond the speed of sound.
"Thunderbirds are GO!" announced Scott as they hurried away from Tracy Island.
Alan sat in the waiting area outside Dr Charles's office whilst he had a talk with Jeff and Grandma about what his opinions and suggested course of action would be for the youngest Tracy.
Dr Reese saw Alan looking glum and came over to him. "Did it help?" she asked caringly.
"I'm sorry…I don't follow?" Alan asked sheepishly.
"The talk with Dr Charles," said Dr Reese. "Did talking about your problems help you feel better?"
Alan thought for a moment. "A little I guess," he said. "Maybe keeping my feelings to myself and trying to pretend they weren't there wasn't the best thing to do."
"We hear that a lot, it's fine," smiled Dr Reese. "Would you like some coffee? Or water?"
"Water, please," Alan answered.
Dr Reese smiled again and went to get it. "Would you like the radio on to distract you whilst you wait for them to finish?" she asked.
"Please," Alan said again.
Dr Reese turned on the radio and went to go and get Alan a cup of water.
Alan hadn't planned to take in the music playing on the radio. He'd only said 'Please' to be polite. But as the radio played, he couldn't help but be drawn to the last verse and chorus of the song that was being played.
"-here to guide me, on this rocky road.
And when I get to heaven, I think I'm gonna send it, a very fine thank you note.
And cause a Race to Dakar, doesn't really matter, if you win or lose.
Its cause the Race to Dakar, all that really matters, you got to see it through.
Is the Raaaaace to Dakar. Raaaaace to Dakar.
You got to see it through. See it through!"
Alan found himself mesmerised by the song. He began to have flashbacks to his early school race days with his old best friend Kenny Malone. They still got in touch occasionally but hadn't seen each other for years. Then he remembered something about Kenny saying about the Dakar Rally that ran through Africa. He had a vague recollection that Kenny had invited him to join their team, but he'd declined because of his work with International Rescue.
The song had now finished and the radio host began talking. "And that was Jim Penfold and the Race To Dakar. It's almost that time of year again when the world's most dangerous cross-country rally will be taking place through the deserts of North Western Africa. This year it will start in Lisbon and head down across the Mediterranean to Dakar. Its a tough challenge from what I've seen. Many motorbikes, cars and trucks take part, and not all of them make it back. However, people still take part and some go back year after year. I believe the closing date for entries is this time tomorrow so if you wish to take part, you'd better hurry. And next up we have Queen and David Bowie with Under Pressure."
"Ha!" remarked Alan as the song began to play. "I have certainly been feeling that."
"What's that, sorry?" asked Dr Reese who had returned with the cup of water.
"Ah, nothing," Alan answered. "Just thinking out loud." He took the cup. "Thanks." He took a swig as Dr Reese smiled and walked back to check on some more patients that were coming their way.
A thought then struck Alan. He took out his phone, looked through contacts until he found Kenny Malone and typed a text message.
"Yo, Kenny, it's Alan. Didn't you race in the Dakar Rally one year?"
He hadn't expected an answer straight away if even at all. But to his surprise. Less than a minute later he got one back.
"Yo, Alan! We sure have! Five out of eight years we've attempted it. Never won it though. Last year we came sixth! It was crazy. We did enter for this year but our driver has fallen ill and can't take part anymore. It really sucks, man. How are you?
Alan suddenly began to feel butterflies in his stomach. Could he be in luck? It was worth a chance.
"Life's been tough, man. I mean, really rough. So rough that I'm probably going to be forced to take a vacation. Hey, I know this might be out of the question but, could I be your driver?"
He chuckled to himself. The idea sounded crazy. The wait for a response this time was much longer but soon it did come.
"Oooh, really? I mean I'd need to check with our Team Manager but if they say yes, will you be able to?"
Alan typed back.
"Provided Dad and Grandma let me, yes."
He then waited for the response.
"Check with them and I'll check with our manager and I'll get back to you ASAP."
Alan could feel the excitement growing. But he also knew that he couldn't get his hopes up in case Jeff and Grandma refused to let him do it. Despite this he texted back.
"Cool! I'll also let you know when I know."
At that moment the door opened and Dr Charles appeared. "Alan, could you come in, please?"
"Of course," said Alan. He got up and walked inside to sit in a chair between Grandma and Jeff.
"You look happier, son," remarked Jeff. "Has this session helped?"
"I'd say so," Alan replied. "Although I've just been in touch with an old friend. Do you remember Kenny Malone?"
Jeff thought for a moment. "Malone? Malone? Kenny? The name sounds familiar. Were you at school together?"
"Yes!" said Alan. "We were in the school go-kart racing team."
"Ahh yes, of course," said Jeff. "Anyway, about your position, Alan."
"We've discussed your case and think we have a possible solution," said Dr Charles. "You told me that you were afraid whenever you saw Dr Telford's spectre, shall we call it? That's the case in a lot of what I've dealt with over the years, Alan. Now a vacation may well be what you need, but there's also a chance that this fear could continue to haunt you. And there are some cases where the best thing to do is not try to hide from it, but to confront it. If this spectre wants to torment you because of the guilt you feel, it will potentially continue to do so. But if you find a way to show it that you're not afraid, then its purpose will no longer exist and it will go away."
"Do you…really think that?" Alan asked.
Dr Charles shifted his hands on the desk. "I can't say I've ever known anyone to experience that and triumph over it," he said. "But anything's possible. However, we would never be able to predict when and how you'd be able to confront Dr Telford's spectre. You're a bright and smart young man from what I've seen, Alan. But my recommendation would be that you need a vacation."
"Agreed," said Jeff. "Where we could send you though is yet to be decided."
Alan felt his phone buzz again. He took it out and looked at it. It was Kenny's reply.
"Good news! Our manager has said yes if you're available! Please let me know what your folks say!"
Grandma scowled. "Alan, you should know better than to-" But Alan's big grin stopped her.
"You won't have to find me anywhere to go," Alan said. "I've already got somewhere."
Thunderbird 1 soared over the Caribbean Ocean towards the location of the stricken Cruise Ship. As Scott checked his radar, he noticed it appear on the screen and was getting close. "Thunderbird 5, how's the ship?"
"Not much has changed since the mayday came in, Thunderbird 1," John said. "It's still grounded on the reef but the flooding is stable. They've managed to seal watertight doors so hopefully it should remain where it is."
"And what about the crew and passengers?" asked Scott.
"The ship has ten lifeboats and so far seven of them have managed to launch without problems," said John. "There's still three left to be loaded."
"Alright, I'll land on the ship and make sure everyone gets out," said Scott. "Thunderbird 2, when you get here, drop the module and take as many people aboard as you can. Then we can transfer some to any rescue ships that join us."
"F-A-B, Thunderbird 1," acknowledged Virgil. "We're five minutes out."
"Awh, you mean Thunderbird 4's been brought for nothing?" grumbled Gordon.
"Well, I did say bring her just in case, Gordon," Scott said. "But you'll be too busy helping get people out of the boats and into the module. You think you can handle that?"
"Handle it?" repeated Gordon. "This isn't my first rodeo, Scott! Of course I can handle it."
Scott smirked. "Good man, bro," he said. "I see the ship! Going to hover Thunderbird 1 above and go in now."
"Be careful, Scott," warned John. "The ship is stable for now, but that doesn't mean it might not suddenly become unstable very suddenly."
"Duly noted. Thanks, John," said Scott as he approached the vessel.
The remaining passengers aboard the Miranda gazed in amazement at the sight of Thunderbird 1 coming in. There had been a lot of tension aboard the ship whilst the evacuation was underway, but seeing that International Rescue had arrived lifted spirits and made the last parts of the evacuation more disciplined.
Scott brought Thunderbird 1 into a hover above the Miranda and used his jetpack to drop down onto the top deck of the ship. He then hurried down the decks underneath, checking as many rooms as he could to see if he could find anyone. "Thunderbird 5, I don't think I'll be able to check each and every room on this ship," he said into his helmet radio. "Any chance you could point me in the right direction?"
"The top decks look all clear, Scott," said John. "I'm detecting some still on the bridge but my guess is that'll be the Captain and some officers making sure everyone gets off safely."
"Yeah, we don't want a captain like that one in Italy all those years ago," Scott remarked. "Didn't he say he fell into a lifeboat?"
"I'm really not sure what to believe with that," John remarked. "Head down to the Boat Deck. That's where everyone seems to be."
"F-A-B."
Thunderbird 2 was now arriving on the scene. Virgil and Gordon gazed down at the large white ship with a red stripe around its hull and its stubby red and black funnel mounted on the top of the superstructure.
"Woah, she's big!" remarked Gordon.
"Yeah, but at least she's remained upright," said Virgil. "Get to the module. I'll drop down and place it on the surface rather than drop it."
"F-A-B!" said Gordon, undoing his seatbelt and hurrying out of the cockpit.
As Virgil brought Thunderbird 2 down towards the surface of the water, he activated the ship's tannoy and called out: "Attention all lifeboats! Attention all lifeboats! I'm going to place my module in the water. Please make your way over and we'll load as many of you as we can and then transfer you to safety."
At once, every lifeboat that was already in the water began moving towards where Thunderbird 2 was descending. Once he was within five metres of the surface, Virgil lowered Module 4 until it was touching the water and then released it fully, rising upwards to be clear of it so that the door ramp could be lowered.
Gordon stood by the door and watched as the white and orange lifeboats began to approach. There were already two on the side they were on. The rest were on the other side and were making their way around. "At least I won't get swamped just yet," he remarked to himself. "Hey, Virgil? Would it not be easier if I took Thunderbird 4 out so that we can fit more people inside and save ourselves more trips?"
"That would help," Virgil admitted. "But where exactly would you leave Thunderbird 4?"
"Scott will be here," said Gordon. "He can keep an eye on it."
"Hmmm. Good point," said Virgil. "Scott, did you get that?"
"Actually I did," Scott replied as he came out onto the deck where the lifeboats were located. "You guys do that. I can keep my eye on Thunderbird 4 if need be."
"F-A-B!" his brothers said together.
Scott hurried over to the nearest lifeboat where some of the last people were being boarded. "Hey there. Is everything okay?"
"Apart from the ship's in danger of sinking, I guess so," grunted the crewman.
Scott looked to see the lifeboats in front and behind the one he was standing next to were starting to be lowered.
At that moment, two more crewmembers appeared, one in an officer's uniform, they were dragging a large beefy man with long black hair and a beard. The man appeared to be struggling. "GET OFF ME! GET OFF ME! GET OFF ME!" the man bellowed.
"SIR, YOU HAVE TO GET IN THE LIFEBOAT!" one of the crewmen shouted.
"NO WAY!" shouted the passenger. "I WAS PROMISED FREE DRINKS! I AM NOT LEAVING UNTIL I GET THEM!"
"Seems like you've already had a few," Scott remarked, noticing how unstable the man was.
The man turned on him after breaking free of the officers. "You want some? YOU WANT SOME?!" he yelled and took a swing at Scott. Scott ducked and the man instead punched one of the metal cranes that held the lifeboat. "YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGHH!" he screamed as a sickening CRACK was heard within his hand. He then fell to his knees, wailing in agony.
"Karma, sir, I believe that's called," remarked Scott as he helped one of the crew guide the unwilling and now injured passenger into the lifeboat.
"He's the last passenger," said the crewman.
The officer then spoke to Scott. "Please, you need to get the Captain!"
"Where is he?" asked Scott.
"Still on the bridge," said the officer. "He thinks he can save the ship!"
Suddenly there was a rumble and a shudder as the Miranda shifted slightly. The passengers in the lifeboat cried out in alarm, several grabbing each other for comfort. Scott and the officer almost fell over but managed to catch themselves. "Yeah, I don't think that's gonna happen," said Scott. "I'll get him. You get these people over to Thunderbird 2."
"You got it!" said the officer. He pressed a button on the side of the crane. "EVERYONE HOLD TIGHT! WE'RE LEAVING!"
Scott stepped back as the cranes began to move the lifeboat out over the side before starting to lower it down towards the water. He then used his jetpack to fly up to the Starboard wing of the bridge. He found the door to be open and made his way inside. Sure enough, there was Captain Pringle struggling with the ship's wheel and engine telegraphs.
"Come on! Come ON!" growled Captain Pringle. "Work, damn you!"
"Captain!"
Captain Pringle turned to Scott. "Who are you?" he demanded. "How did you get in here?"
"International Rescue," Scott replied. "And you left the door open. I've come to get you out of here."
"Your job is to save my passengers, Mister!" growled the Captain. "My job is to save this ship."
"Sir, your ship is about to go down," Scott said. "Everyone else has been evacuated. Now it is your turn."
Captain Pringle turned back to Scott and looked him stern in the eyes. "Listen, buddy. I spent twenty-two years on this ship working my way up from cadet to Captain. This is my first voyage as Captain. I can not lose her. I just can't!"
"Captain, I get it. She means the world to you," Scott said understandingly. "But-WOAH!"
There was another sudden lurch followed by a horrendous scraping and rumbling sound. All the eyes from the passengers in the lifeboats plus Virgil and Gordon turned in the direction of the ship to see that it was sliding backwards off the reef. As it went, the sharp rocks that had punctured the initial gash in the Port-side of the hull was made even larger, breaking one of the watertight bulkheads and allowing gallons more water to flood into the lower decks. Almost immediately the Miranda began to list heavily over to the left. Scott and the Captain were suddenly thrown off their feet towards the far end of the bridge and as they landed heavily on the glass, the door that Scott had come through slammed shut due to the angle.
"SCOTT, GET OUT OF THERE!" Virgil yelled. "SHE'S GOING OVER!"
But there was nothing Scott could do. All three of the doors leading into the bridge were shut tight and with it continuing to tilt over, it was impossible to try and get any of them to open. The one leading to the Port bridge wing was now entering the water.
Scott tried to speak but found himself being bombarded by frantic cries from his brothers.
"SCOTT, SHE'S GOING DOWN!"
"GET OUT OF THERE!"
"SCOTT?! SCOTT!"
But it was too late. As the Miranda capsized, more water gushed in through the upper deck doors and some open windows and cabin balconies. Unable to remain afloat and with a groan of dying metal, it slipped beneath the surface and was gone, leaving everyone watching horrified and taking Scott and Captain Pringle down with it.
TO BE CONTINUED…!
