THE waters of the Indian Ocean glistened in the beautiful sunshine. Peaceful and tranquil. The water was calm. It was also mostly empty. The peace was only broken by the faint rumble of an aircraft flying above.

High above was a Trans-Global Airways CV-9 Cargo Plane on a routine supply run from Darwin in Western Australia to Cape Town in South Africa. It was carrying food and other important things that couldn't always be found in the country of its destination.

Inside the cockpit of the CV-9 was a lone female pilot with blonde hair. She was busy checking the instruments to make sure everything was in order. "Height - 7,000 feet. Airspeed - 2.700mph. Course Two-Seven-Zero. Good," she said with satisfaction. "Right on course." She then looked at her watch. "And on time." She gave a satisfied chuckle to herself. "Autopilot on. Time for a cup of coffee."

Even though the aircraft had a sophisticated computer that could allow it to make the entire journey by itself, a campaign to keep a pilot on board had been won by the Aviation Authorities. The pilot however was quite content to let the plane do the majority of the work and only intervene if she had to. She therefore made sure that the autopilot was working correctly before getting out of her seat to make herself a drink. She gave a quick look at the radar screen before she went as well. "Radar's clear," she remarked. "Just me out here."

Thousands of feet below, the calm water of the ocean suddenly began to bubble as a large black unmarked submarine began to emerge from beneath the surface. It was an unusual-looking submarine. Long with its conning tower unusually located towards the stern rather than the bow. On the top of the tower were a number of radar jammers used to keep its location concealed. At the base of the conning tower was a revolving turret with two long eight-inch gun turrets mounted on it. In front of that along its long open deck, a hatch opened outwards on two sides before a launcher was raised out from within. On the launcher was a single yellow and black surface-to-air missile. Once the submarine had settled, the launcher rose upwards so that it was pointing towards the sky. It then sat there for roughly ten seconds…and then launched.

The pilot had made her coffee and returned to her seat. As she took a sip, a series of alarms rang out causing her to jump and send the coffee spilling all over her smart uniform. "WHAT ON EARTH?!" she exclaimed. She then looked around, trying to figure out what was wrong with the aircraft. She didn't think to look at the radar screen which was now showing a tiny contact closing in at very high speed.

Before the pilot could even find out what the problem was, the missile found its mark and struck the CV-9 directly under its tail-section. There was a powerful explosion as the entire rear section of the aircraft was obliterated. The pilot could do nothing but scream in terror as she found herself spiralling downwards towards the ocean at terrific speed. Less than twenty seconds after the missile had impacted, the CV-9 plunged into the water and exploded, sending a huge column of water high into the air and causing a loud boom that was heard on a couple of ships that were out of visual range.

Soon after the aircraft had crashed, the mysterious submarine submerged and disappeared, leaving the floating wreckage of what little remained of the CV-9 as the only evidence of its crime.


5!

4!

3!

2!

1!

"Thunderbirds Are Go!"


"THE HUNT FOR TIGERSHARK"

SCOTT walked into the lounge of the Tracy Villa. Only Jeff was there and he was at his desk doing some work. Scott felt uneasy because Jeff had specifically asked for him to come. This normally meant something bad had happened or was potentially going to. Once he'd reached the desk, he stood with his hands behind his back like a soldier on parade and gave a polite cough to tell Jeff he was there. "You wanted me, Dad?"

Jeff put down his pen and turned in his chair to face his eldest son. "Yes, Scott," he said.

"Is anything wrong?" Scott asked, noticing how serious his father looked.

"That depends," said Jeff. "But for starters, there's no need for you to be standing like you're being court-martialled. You can stand normally in this house, you know?"

Scott felt a little embarrassed as he relaxed his standing position. "Sorry," he apologised.

"Tell me, son," said Jeff. "What's going on with you and Kayo?"

Scott flinched slightly at the sound of the name. "K-Kayo, Dad? Nothing."

Jeff raised an eyebrow. "That was quite the stutter for something where there's not an issue," he remarked.

Scott could feel his stomach tense up. "I am…not aware of any-"

"Stop lying to me, Scott!" Jeff said sharply. "You two haven't been near each other in over a month now! I was trying to turn a blind eye in the hopes that you two would have sorted whatever's wrong out by now. But it would appear not. Now, what's the problem between you two?"

Scott wasn't sure what to say. There was quite the pause before he eventually plucked up the courage to speak. "I think…I think I might be in love with her…Dad…"

Jeff was taken aback by this. "Well I should hope so, Scott," he said. "We all love Kayo as much as each other."

"N-N-No, I don't mean like that, Dad," stammered Scott. "I mean…I think I'm in love with her…like, like…like how Virgil and Hayley and Gordon and Penelope are in love with each other."

"Oh…" Now it was Jeff's turn to have an awkward pause. "I…I see…"

"It's wrong, isn't it, Dad?" said Scott shakily. "Kayo is practically our sister! We brought her into our family after her father went away. How can I be in love with someone who's meant to be a sibling?!"

"She's not biologically your sister, Scott," said Jeff. "There's nothing illegal about it."

"There…There isn't?" Scott asked.

Jeff shook his head. "We had her surname changed but not to match ours. Is she Tanusha Tracy?"

"Well…no…"

"There you go then," said Jeff. "I can understand why you're feeling awkward about it though. How long have you had these feelings for her, son?"

"Well…on and off since the day I first met her I guess," said Scott. "I cannot forget the first time I met her."

Jeff tried to hide his amusement. The way Kayo had initially pounced on Scott in the module of the then Rescue-2 was amusing when she'd thought he was a hostile and had to be talked down by Kyrano. "No, she certainly left an impression on you and Virgil," he said.

"But then I guess I put it out of my mind and got on with my work," said Scott. "I focused on leading International Rescue all the while you were gone, and I guess I forgot about it."

"So something has started it off again," said Jeff. "Any idea what that might be?"

Scott tried to think. And then he remembered. "Yeah…Hayley!"

"Hayley?"

"Yeah. I overheard her saying to Virgil she was convinced there was a thing between Kayo and I. I tried not to believe it. But every time I see Kayo, there's just something that hits me that I can't shake off. And it's driving me crazy because I can't even bring myself to go near her, let alone talk to her." He turned away and sighed heavily. "Oh, Dad. What can I do about this?"

There was a small pause before Jeff answered. "There's only one thing you can do, Scott," he said.

"What?"

"You gotta do the very thing you've not been doing."

"Which is?"

"Talk to her."

"What?! No! I can't!" Scott cried. "It's-"

"The only way you'll be able to save yourself from the torture you're putting yourself through!" said Jeff sharply. He got up and walked over to his son, placing a caring hand on his shoulder. "Scott…I know this is hard for you. But I want you to know that you have my full support on this. But the only way you'll be able to get this off your chest is to talk to Kayo. Tell her everything, and see what her view on it is."

"But what if she doesn't have the same feelings for me?" asked Scott. "What if she ends up hating me for this, Dad? She might want to quit and leave the island because of-"

"That will not happen, Scott!" Jeff interrupted. "Kayo is just like the rest of you. She loves what she does too much. She'd never quit International Rescue. Would you? Is there any greater job than being the pilot of a Thunderbird?"

Scott thought about it. "I…I guess there isn't," he said. Even after several years of flying Thunderbird 1, the thrill had never gotten old.

"There we go," said Jeff triumphantly. "Now, Thunderbird Shadow is due back soon, so we'll sit down with Kayo and get you two to-"

A beeping sound cut Jeff off. Both men turned to look at the row of portraits and saw that the eyes on John's picture were flashing.

Saved by a mission? Scott thought to himself as Jeff went back over to the desk.

"Go ahead, Thunderbird 5."

John's hologram appeared from the projector in the eyes. "Dad, we have another one," he began.

"Another what?"

"Another missing plane over the Indian Ocean."

"Another one?!" said Scott. "That's what the sixth this month?"

"Sixth this year, Scott," said John. "But the last one was about two weeks ago."

"Did you pick-up a mayday, John?" asked Jeff.

"Negative," replied John. "I got a call from Trans-Global. It's one of their supply planes flying from Darwin to Cape Town that's gone missing. They've given me the last recorded signal from its transponder and have asked if we'd assist in the search for it."

Scott sighed. "Is there any point?" he asked. "The last five times we did this, we found absolutely nothing at all."

Jeff gave his son a stern look. "Scott…may I remind you we're a rescue organisation? If there's the chance someone could be alive out there and be needing our help, we have to go and provide it. Now get yourself geared up and launched. John, send Scott the location once he's airborne."

"F-A-B," said John.

Jeff looked back at Scott who was still standing by the window. "Scott?"

"Huh?" said Scott, snapping out of a trance he seemed to have gotten into. "What's that?"

"The sooner you get out there, the sooner you'll be done. Now go!"

Scott gave a groan as he began to walk reluctantly towards the revolving wall panel. "Fine! Fine, I'm going," he said.

Jeff and John's hologram watched as Scott pulled down the lamps from the wall before swivelling round and disappearing from view.

John looked at his father who'd sat himself at the desk. "Is he okay, Dad?" he asked.

Jeff sighed. "Honestly, John…no I don't think he is."

"Should we not get Virgil to launch Thunderbird 2 and…Oh, wait, Thunderbird 2 is already out on a mission in Bosnia."

"I know, John," said Jeff. "He's got something heavy on his mind. Keep in touch with him and try to keep him focused, please. I fear he may not be fully focused on the task in hand."

"Understood," said John. Although he didn't say it, he had a strong feeling he knew what it was about.


Scott was soon in his uniform and aboard Thunderbird 1, heading up the diagonal tunnel to the launching bay underneath the swimming pool. As it reached the bay, the pool began to open and once the trolley had brought the sleek, silver rocket into position, it was time to launch.

5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

Nothing happened. Thunderbird 1 sat completely silent and still on its pad.

Brains had joined Jeff in the lounge. Both men stood by the reinforced windows to observe the launching. Both became confused when nothing happened. "W-What's keeping Scott?" Brains asked. "Is there a p-problem with Thunderbird 1?"

Jeff went to his desk and turned on the live video feed to a CCTV camera inside the launch bay. They could see Thunderbird 1 was there, but just sitting there showing no sign that it was about to launch. Jeff flicked a switch changing to a camera-view of inside Thunderbird 1's cockpit. There was Scott, sitting in his chair with his hands on the controls, simply staring blankly into space. "Scott?" Jeff said into the radio. No response. "SCOTT?!"

Both Brains and Scott jumped at the sound of Jeff raising his voice.

"AAHH! WHA-WHA-WHAT?!" Scott gasped, looking around in confusion. "What's going on?"

"Are you gonna launch or what?" Jeff asked.

"Launch?" repeated Scott. "Oh, yes! Launch!" He pushed the levers forward. This was followed by a rumble and a roar as the chemical rockets of Thunderbird 1 ignited and the huge thrust pushed the craft upwards through the gap where the pool usually was and it soared away into the sky high above the island before levelling out and speeding out West towards the Indian Ocean.

"Well…That was w-weird," remarked Brains. "I've n-never seen Scott do that before. Is he okay, M-Mr Tracy?"

Jeff sighed heavily. He really didn't want to be letting anyone in on what he and Scott had been talking about.


Thunderbird 1 flew at speed over South-East Asia as it made its way towards the Indian Ocean. Scott remained silent as he went. That was until John called in. "Thunderbird 1, I'm sending you the last known position of the Trans-Global Aircraft," said John. "It's a CV-9 cargo plane. Although if it crashed there might not be a lot of it left for you to identify, but there's always a chance."

"Thanks," Scott answered bluntly.

John hesitated. He didn't like to be nosey, but he couldn't help himself on this occasion. "Are you okay, big brother?"

"Fine."

John took a deep breath. "I'm probably gonna regret this," he muttered to himself before talking to Scott again. "Scott, I'm sorry if this is none of my business, but…is this something to do with you and Kayo?"

Scott finally snapped out of his still position and actually now looked at John's holographic eyes. "What?!"

"You have feelings for Kayo, don't you?" said John.

Scott stared at him. "Who told you?!" he demanded. "Dad, told you, didn't he?!"

"Actually, he hasn't," said John. "But I am well aware that you and Kayo haven't been on speaking terms since she attacked you that evening."

"I don't wanna talk about this, John," said Scott crossly. "You're right. It's none of your business. Why are you even bringing this up?"

"Because I know how you feel," said John.

"Yeah, Dad said that as well," said Scott, rolling his eyes. "None of you can possibly imagine how I feel!"

"Except I do," said John. "Because I have had feelings for Kayo as well."

Scott blinked. "Say what?"

"I used to have strong feelings for Kayo," John confessed. "You remember when she and Alan got into trouble when going to that asteroid and we thought they weren't going to get them back?"

"Yeah?"

"I was actually more scared of losing Kayo than I was Alan," said John, trying to hold back tears of guilt. "I hate myself so much for that. Alan is my biological sibling. Kayo is not. And yet, she's still family."

"Which is exactly the problem, John," said Scott. "Kayo isn't related to us, and yet she's still part of our family. How can I possibly have a relationship with someone who we all see as a sister?"

"I don't know, Scott," said John. "What did Dad say to you about it?"

Scott shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "He said that Kayo and I need to sit down and talk it out," he said.

"Well, I'd have to agree with him on that," said John.

"But, I can't, John!" said Scott shakily. "It's just too awkward. I can't bring myself to do it."

"Scott, do you want this awkwardness between you and Kayo to end?"

"Yes, of course I do."

"Then talk to her," said John. "Believe me. It's the only way you'll feel better about it."

Scott didn't answer for a moment. He then swallowed. "Do you still have these feelings for Kayo?" he asked.

"Not anymore," said John. "Not since I met Ridley. Kayo is a sister to me and nothing more."

Scott thought hard as he took in everything John had said. But before he could answer, a beeping on his controls told him he was approaching the search area. "Okay, I'm almost there," he said. "I'll use my metal-detecting scanners to see if I can find anything."

"I'll leave you to it," said John. "Good luck."


The last known position of the CV-9 was in a grid-space of one-hundred miles up and across. The range of the scanner on the front of Thunderbird 1 had a range of twenty miles ahead and to each side. He therefore would have to make five passes of the area in order to cover it completely. A task that would take hours in a ship or a slower aircraft. But for Scott and Thunderbird 1, the time was considerably less. The first three passes East-to-West, then West-to-East and then East-to-West again brought no results.

"Any luck?" John asked.

"Nothing," Scott replied bitterly. "Just like the other five times. A waste of time and fuel."

"You still need to make sure, Scott," John reminded him.

Scott sighed heavily. "Yeah, yeah, I know."

Thunderbird 1 made the turn at the end of the third pass and began to head back East to commence the fourth. He'd barely been going for thirty seconds after starting the run when the scanner suddenly beeped as it detected multiple contacts.

"Holy-!" Scott exclaimed.

"Found something?" John asked.

"Yeah. Multiple metallic objects detected about eighteen miles ahead!" said Scott. "I'm going in for a closer look." He boosted Thunderbird 1's speed in order to get to the location more quickly then slowed right down to a hover when he reached it. Peering down through the viewing hatch at the base of the cockpit, he could see several pieces of debris floating on the surface of the water spaced out over a large area. "Gee - that's a hell of a lot of wreckage," he remarked.

"The CV-9?" asked John.

"I can't tell from up here," said Scott. He put Thunderbird 1 onto autopilot and put on his jetpack and helmet. "I'll fly down there and take a closer look."

"F-A-B," said John.

The hatch underneath Thunderbird 1 opened and Scott made his way down using his jetpack. He then began to fly close above the surface of the water making careful observations of each piece of wreckage as he went. It didn't take long before he found a large section with grey and blue paint on it. He could just make out the letters NS-GLO on the metal. "Thunderbird 5, contact Trans-Global and tell them we've found their missing plane," he said.

"You're positive?" asked John.

"Yes," said Scott. "It matched the livery of their planes plus I can see part of the writing. It's got to be it."

"I'll let them know at once," said John. "But I guess we'll never know what caused it to crash."

"No, I guess not," replied Scott. He looked around at the wreckage. And then he noticed something. There was something small in the water that didn't look like part of an aircraft. He flew over and landed on what looked like a piece of broken wing so he could lift the object out. It was a hat. "John, hold off telling them for a moment," he said. "I've just found a pilot's hat."

"You have?" replied John. "Any sign of its owner?"

Scott looked around. "I highly doubt there's-" He cut himself off abruptly as something else caught his eye. He gave a gasp. "John, I see a body!"

John gasped too but said nothing as he waited for Scott to check it out.

Scott took off from the piece of wreckage he'd been on and flew over to the body that was lying face-down in the water. He carefully took hold from under the arms and lifted it out of the water. He saw instantly that it was female and he carried it as quickly but as carefully as he could back up to Thunderbird 1. He didn't need to check whether the pilot was alive. They were quite clearly not and hadn't been for some time. He remotely operated a medical bed to lower out from the side wall of the inside of Thunderbird 1's cargo and passenger area and he carefully placed the body down onto it with her front pointing upwards. "Sorry, I couldn't save you," he said softly even though he knew she could hear him. It was at that moment that he looked at her face for the first time and he found himself frozen to the spot. There was something about her that looked familiar. "John, can you ask Trans-Global for the name of the pilot?" he asked.

"Sure," John answered. "Although I don't why you'd want to know-"

"JUST DO IT!" Scott shouted. "P-Please…" he added hastily.

"Er…right away," said John, taken aback by Scott's outburst.

Scott looked back at the deceased pilot. There was something about her petite little face and blonde hair which was in a right mess having been in the water that seemed so familiar. And yet he couldn't think why. He looked over the shirt to see if there was a name tag on it. He hoped it hadn't been lost during the crash. He then noticed it on the left side and looked at it. It read CAPT. J CARTER.

Scott stood upright again, his face went pale. He could feel his blood running cold and a sickly feeling came over him. Then the events of a past rescue came flooding back to him. Visions of being inside another aircraft that was about to fall over the edge of a cliff and then using his grapple to save him and a female pilot from falling to their deaths when it did eventually go over. He took off his helmet and walked slowly back to his seat, sitting down and remaining completely still as he tried to process what he'd just discovered.

John then called back. "Trans-Global have been informed," he said. "I have the name, too. Captain-"

"Carter."

John blinked in surprise. "Say again, Scott?" It was then that he noticed the look of sadness on his brother's face. "Scott? What's wrong?"

Scott looked up at the hologram of his brother as tears began to trickle down his cheeks. "Her name is Jane Carter. I rescued her once before. She was the pilot Virgil and I saved during the C.A.T.C.H. incident."

"Oh, my…" said John. "I, er…I'm so sorry, Scott." Both were silent for a moment before John spoke again. "Trans-Global have asked if you can take Captain Carter's body back to Darwin. They will then make sure she is returned to her family. Can you do that?"

Scott didn't answer for a moment. But then he lifted his head and nodded grimly. "Yes. Yes, I can," he said as he took the controls of Thunderbird 1 and raced away from the scene.


Kayo had returned from her patrol mission and had gone to see Jeff in the lounge at his request. As he'd done with Scott, he had asked Kayo what was going on between them, but like with Scott, he hadn't gotten anywhere.

"I don't know what's gotten into him," Kayo was saying. "He's been acting weird towards me ever since we rescued Virgil and Hayley from The Cabal. I just don't understand it."

"You have no ill-feelings towards him then?" Jeff asked.

"What? No, of course not!" Kayo insisted. "Look, I'm sorry, Mr Tracy, but what is all this about?"

"Well I was hoping either you or Scott could have told me," said Jeff. "I asked him earlier."

"What did he say?" asked Kayo.

"That's not for me to say, Kayo," said Jeff. "I do know what's up with him, but I wanted to see if you'd shed some light on it. However, it is clear that you aren't aware of the cause."

"No, and it's annoying the hell out of me," said Kayo. "What is it?"

"Like I said, it's not for me to say, Kayo," said Jeff. "The only way I can see to resolve it is for you and Scott to sit down alone and talk about it. That's if you're willing to talk to him?"

"Yeah, of course," said Kayo. "Hell, I still feel guilty for attacking him the way I did. I'm willing to listen to whatever he's got to say."

"Good," said Jeff. "We've had enough dramas in this family recently. I'd like things to be back to what they were."

"So do I, Mr Tracy," agreed Kayo. "When will he be back?"

"As soon as he's finished his mission," said Jeff. At that moment, John's portrait started beeping again. "And we may have that answer. Go ahead, John?"

John's hologram appeared again. "Dad, Thunderbird 1 has located the wreckage of the missing cargo plane. We've alerted Trans-Global and Scott will be on his way back once he's delivered the body of the pilot back to Darwin."

"Oh…right," said Jeff. "I feared this wouldn't have a good outcome."

"It's actually a worse outcome than you think," said John. "Scott knew the pilot."

"He did?!" Kayo gasped. "Who was it?"

"The pilot he and Virgil rescued during the C.A.T.C.H. incident," John explained. "Safe to say he's taken the realisation pretty hard. I think he liked her."

Kayo and Jeff looked at each other. "Well…this complicates things," said Jeff.

"If you want my opinion, Dad," John continued. "I don't think Scott's gonna be in any state to talk about his troubles anytime soon. I think all he'll want to do is be left alone when he gets back."

"Agreed, John," said Jeff. "Keep your eyes on him as he makes his way back to base. I'll see to it that he is left alone."

John nodded and the transmission ended.

Jeff and Kayo looked at each other again. Neither of them knew what to say.


Singapore was the location of the main base of the World Navy's Asian Fleet. Its docks were often full of warships from the different navies that covered from the Indian Ocean to the middle of the Pacific. Inside one of the rooms in the main headquarters building, a drinks party was underway. But this wasn't a birthday or celebration party. It was a retirement party for the man who up until now had been in charge of this section of the Navy - Admiral Wilson Beatty. He'd been in the Royal Navy for well over twenty-five years before becoming head of the World Navy's Area section. He was standing by a panoramic window that overlooked the harbour and at the number of ships that were there. Far out in the back stood the ship that he had commanded on many occasions - the Aircraft Supercarrier Indiana, one of the largest warships ever built. She along with her sisters Pacifica, Atlantica, Caribbeania and Mediterranea, was the spearhead of any joint World Naval force that operated in a specific area.

Admiral Beatty couldn't help but feel a little sad. He had loved his job, being at sea and commanding such a powerful force, but at the same time, he'd reached the point where he no longer wanted the constant headaches of being in charge and wished for something a little more peaceful.

Admiral Tom Jellicoe, another high-ranking officer from the Royal Navy had been personally picked by Beatty as his replacement. Jellico walked up to his former boss with a small brandy in hand and the two men greeted each other warmly.

"I have to say, sir," Jellicoe began, "I am honoured that you picked me as your replacement."

"The honour is all mine, dear boy," replied Beatty. "I've known you long enough to know that you are a most excellent leader and that you will make the Royal and World Navies proud. I have to say also, this is quite the party you've laid on for me."

Jellicoe tried not to blush. "Thank you, sir. And after forty-seven years of service, it's the absolute least we could have done to send you off."

"You know, you can call me Wilson," chuckled Beatty. "We are both the same rank now after all."

"Sorry," chuckled Jellicoe. "Force of habit, I guess."

The two men laughed and clinked their glasses before swigging at the brandy.

It was at that moment that a young Petty Officer came walking up to them both. He saluted Beatty before holding out a small hologram projector to him. "Message for the Admiral, sirs."

Beatty politely gestured towards Jellicoe. "That's not me anymore, young man," said Beatty. "Admiral Jellicoe is in charge now."

"Oh, I'm sorry, sir," apologised the young officer, handing the device to Jellicoe.

"Thank you, Collins," said Jellicoe. He pressed a button on the side of the device and a small holographic image with a message on it could be seen.

Beatty couldn't read the message as it was backwards to him so he took another swig of his brandy. He didn't fail to notice a worried frown appear on Jellicoe's face but chose to remain silent.

Jellicoe turned off the device and handed it back to Collins. "Thank you," he said. "Tell them I'll deal with it tomorrow."

"Aye, sir," said Collins, saluting again. He then turned to Beatty. "Hope you have a good retirement, sir. It's been an honour to serve under you."

Beatty smiled warmly. "Thank you, son. He couldn't salute back as he didn't have his cap on. So instead he held out his hand for the young man to shake. "I hope you go far with your career."

Touched by the former Admiral's kind words, Collins saluted yet again and left with a big smile on his face.

"A good young man," remarked Beatty. "He'll go far."

"Mmm, yes," replied Jellicoe who was now looking out of the window at the anchored ships again.

"Nothing too serious, I hope?" Beatty asked, noting the concerned look on Jellicoe's face.

Jellicoe looked around at the other officers who were in the room. They were all busy chatting and drinking and weren't paying them any attention. "Potentially," he replied. "Another aircraft has been lost over the Indian Ocean. Only this time the wreckage was found. International Rescue recovered the body of the pilot as well."

"Oh, dear," replied Beatty. "There's been a few of those this year, haven't there?"

"Five in the last two months," said Jellicoe grimly. "And eight in total this year."

Beatty finished his brandy and put the glass down on a nearby table. "Bad business," he said. "I had hoped to have solved this mystery before my retirement came. Alas, it is not to be. I guess that job now falls to you."

"I guess so, sir," replied Jellicoe. He cleared his throat. "But that can wait. Let's get back to you, Wilson. What are you going to do with your retirement?"

"Something I've been promising my family for a long time," said Beatty with a smile. "I'm going to take them on a cruise to the Seychelles aboard old Lady Gray.

"You still have her?" asked Jellicoe in amazement. "Thought you'd have traded her for something more modern?"

"Now, now, watch yourself," warned Beatty with a wicked grin. "The old girl's been completely refurbished. She's got plenty of life left in her."

"Of course, forgive me," said Jellicoe. "I hope you have a good time."

"Thank you, Tom," said Beatty warmly. "I have every confidence that we're gonna have the time of our lives."


Thunderbird 1 had now returned to Tracy Island after taking the body of Captain Carter back to Darwin. Scott hadn't said a word on the entire flight back and neither Jeff nor John made any attempt to make conversation with him. The only time words were exchanged were when Scott asked for permission to land and it was granted.

After landing and changing back into his regular clothes, Scott headed to the lounge. He hoped only Jeff would be there, and to his relief, he was. "Hello, son," said Jeff. "John's filled me in."

"Oh, right," said Scott grimly. "I guess we now have to-"

"No," said Jeff. "I honestly don't think now is the right time." He got up and walked round to his eldest son and gave him a hug. "Go to bed, Scott. You look awful," he said. "Get some sleep. I've told the others not to disturb you."

Scott felt a sense of relief run through his body. "Thanks, Dad," he said gratefully. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, son."

Jeff watched as Scott disappeared upstairs and then looked out of the window at the sky which was now at dusk. Normally it was a beautiful sight, but Jeff felt too sad to take it in this time as he felt sorrow for his eldest son.

Scott walked along the hallway to his bedroom and went inside. All the while, he head was facing down and he let out numerous sad sighs as he went. He didn't notice Kayo who had begun to exit her own room further back watching him.

Kayo walked up to Scott's door and raised her hand to knock on it. She wanted to talk to Scott so badly as she felt so sorry for him. Seeing him look so sad made her feel sad. And yet, like Scott had been, she found that she couldn't bring herself to do it. So with a sad sigh of her own, she turned and walked slowly away.