VIRGIL explained everything that had happened whilst he'd been off the island. The laboratory. The Cabal. The attack. But it was the sudden betrayal by Silver Swan by getting The Hood out and leaving Techno, Shocker and Black Phantom behind that really took everyone by surprise.

"So let's get this straight, Virgil," said Scott. "You not only managed to convince one of our enemies to assist you in getting into a top-secret and concealed laboratory, but you also managed to take on The Cabal and start a fight that you not only managed to survive…but also cause them to be broken in half?"

Virgil thought for a moment before answering. "Pretty much, yes."

Everyone was in a stunned silence.

"Well, son…" said Jeff at last. "It seems we are all in your debt."

"I can't take all the credit, Dad," said Virgil. "Laura and Sophie did help."

"Oh, so you're actually calling Ghost by her real name now?!" asked Gordon.

"She's not a monster, Gordon," Virgil said. "She did help after all."

"Because you forced her to, right?" said Kayo.

Virgil shook his head. "I didn't force her. She came willingly."

"Not that we'd ever want to doubt you, Virgil, but I do find that hard to believe," said John.

"Boys, Kayo," Jeff said as he sat up straighter in the bed. "White Ghost, I mean, Laura, may have done some bad things in the past. But we wouldn't be alive now if it wasn't for her help."

"We wouldn't even have been in this situation if she hadn't stowed away aboard Thunderbird 2, Dad!" said Gordon angrily.

"True that, Gordon," agreed Jeff. "But we shouldn't have attacked her like we did. We acted irrationally."

"No…I did," said Kayo, coming to a realisation. "You told me to wait, Mr Tracy. I didn't listen. This is on me!"

"Nonsense, Kayo," said Grandma. "You were angry. You've wanted nothing more than to take down all members of The Cabal. You saw an opportunity to apprehend one and you took it."

"But Mr Tracy is right," said Kayo miserably. "If I hadn't attacked, that vial wouldn't have smashed and none of us would have been infected."

"There's n-no sense in dwelling on it now," said Brains. "Let's just be g-grateful that we're all alive."

"You can say that again, Brains," agreed Scott.

"Let's just be-"

"I didn't mean literally!"

This caused some laughter, but all in bed still weren't up to full strength.

"So what now?" asked Hayley.

"You'd better get me back before those at the hospital start to become too suspicious," said Sophie.

Hayley looked at the others. "Can you manage now?"

"We'll manage," said Virgil. "Thanks, Sophie."

Sophie managed a small smile. "My pleasure." She began to wheel herself towards the exit. As she went, she felt the eyes of everyone in the room looking at her. She got to the door and then stopped. "Hey. I know this probably means nothing now, but…I'm sorry for how I acted. Especially to you, Alan. I…I wasn't in control of myself. It's not an excuse and I don't want your forgiveness. I just hope you all feel better. Goodbye." And with that she headed out as The Mechanic held the door open for her.

Hayley followed her out. "Get well, guys," she said before leaving as well.

Silence fell across the Medical Room. Eventually it was John who broke it. "I never thought I'd see her again," he said.

"She looks well actually," agreed Grandma. "Dr Charles has done well with her."

"He's a good man," said Jeff. "The best I know."

He turned to face the others. "We need to do something for them."

"For who?" asked Scott.

"Sophie and Laura," said Jeff. "They helped save our lives. They should be rewarded."

"Have you gone crazy, Dad?!" spluttered Gordon. "One of them tried to kill Alan and Kayo! The other almost killed ALL OF US!"

"And did they?"

"NO! BUT-"

"Gordon, enough!" said Virgil. "I agree with Dad. I don't care if you don't like it either."

A beeping sound could be heard from outside.

"Someone's trying to call in," said Jeff.

"I'll go answer it," said Virgil. He hurried out of the Medical Room.

Kayo looked at Alan. He'd not said a word since waking up. All the time Sophie had been in there, he had been unable to take his eyes off her. Now she'd gone, he seemed to be just staring at his bedsheets, like he was in a trance. "Alan? Are you okay?"

Alan didn't answer.

Virgil went up to the lounge to answer the call. "This will either be Colonel Jennings calling in to check, or it's an emergency call," he told himself out loud. "I really hope it's not the latter." He reached the desk and pressed a button. "International Rescue here."

"This is Agent 47 speaking. Hello there, son."

Virgil was surprised. "Mr Tuttle?! Gee, I wasn't expecting you to be calling."

Jeremiah chuckled. "Please, young man. Call me Jeremiah. Is your Father about?"

Virgil hesitated for a second as he tried to think of what to say without raising suspicion. "Actually, no, he's having a well-earned rest. He's been overdoing it as usual."

"Ah, that's Mr Tracy for you," laughed Jeremiah. "Perhaps you could pass on a message to either him or your buddies in the GDF. I have something they're gonna want."

"Oh? What's that?" Virgil asked.

"I found one of your enemies hanging from a tree near my shack," said Jeremiah. "Poor guy's got no legs. Looks like they've been blown off! I'm amazed he's even alive."

"No legs?!" Virgil repeated. And then it dawned on him. "Shocker?!"

"I believe that was the codename he gave himself, yes," said Jeremiah. "He's not said much. He's in some discomfort. Ma's made him comfortable. He's caused us no trouble. My facial-recognition scanner told me who he was and what connection he had. I remember your Father giving me intel about a Cabal of which I believe he is a part of?"

"I'm guessing not anymore!" said Virgil. "I'll alert the GDF. They'll want to collect him ASAP."

"Much obliged, son," said Jeremiah. "Oh, and give my regards to your Father."

"Of course!" said Virgil. "Thank you."

Jeremiah smiled, nodded and then signed off.

Virgil was in disbelief. Could it really be true? If Shocker was critically injured then that could only mean one thing. The Cabal really was broken. He wondered what had become of the others, but there was no time to think about it. He immediately set about making a call to Colonel Jennings to inform her of the development.

Hayley's jet had arrived back at the hospital where Sophie was being treated. They were met by Dr Charles. "Did it work?" he asked.

"Thankfully, yes," said Hayley. "They're recovering as we speak."

"Thank God," said Dr Charles. He turned to Sophie. "Are you okay?"

"I guess so," Sophie answered. "I feel my consciousness is a little clearer. But I still feel I owe them."

"You'll probably find they will be owing you now," said Hayley.

"God, I hope not," said Sophie. "I don't deserve it."

"Stop talking like that!" said Hayley sternly. "You're a good person, Sophie. I know you are."

Sophie finally looked up at Hayley. She sniffled a little and wiped a tear from her eye. "Thank you, Hayley. That…that means a lot." She opened her arms and Hayley gave her a hug.

"You keep getting better," Hayley said. Once letting go, she bid them both farewell and returned to her jet.

She wasn't long airborne when Colonel Jennings called in. "Captain, what's your status?"

"Mission successful, Colonel," Hayley replied. "I'm heading back to base now."

"Not just yet, Captain," said Colonel Jennings. "I've just spoken to your man."

"Guessing he's told you what's happened?"

"Yes. I'm glad to hear they're on the mend. But I need you to go to the location I'm sending to your plane. There's an International Rescue agent waiting to hand you something of significant importance. Please be quick and bring the package back to HQ."

"Will do, Colonel," said Hayley. "I wonder what Virgil could have said about this?" she wondered out loud as she changed the course of the aircraft.

Hayley arrived at the location in Mississippi and landed the jet in an opening between some trees. After disembarking, she looked around. There didn't seem to be anybody about. "This doesn't feel right," she told herself.

"Are you GDF?"

Hayley spun round and pulled out her side-arm. A man she didn't recognise had appeared. "Identify yourself!" she ordered.

"Name's Tuttle. Jeremiah Tuttle."

"Tuttle?" Hayley was sure she'd heard the name somewhere before. "You're an IR agent?"

"47. You're a GDF Captain going by that uniform."

Disarmed, Hayley lowered her weapon. "You have something for me?"

"This way," said Jeremiah as he led Hayley towards his shack.

Entering the shack, Hayley stopped dead when she saw what was inside. Sitting in a chair with a blanket over him was someone she didn't expect. "Herman Schultz?!"

Schultz looked tired and weak.

Ma Tuttle came over to him carrying a tin. "You look like you could do with some food," she said. "Are you hungry?"

Schultz nodded slowly. "Yes…please…"

Hayley was stunned. She hadn't expected one of their most wanted to be so disarmed. "So Virgil was right," she muttered. "The Cabal really is fractured!"

Schultz was too weak to hold the spoon himself so Ma Tuttle pulled out some beans and went to put it in his mouth.

"You be careful of them beans, boy!" chuckled Jeremiah. "They'll do more than make your butt whistle!"

Hayley looked at him with raised eyebrows. Schultz in a split second found he was no longer hungry.

Two Days Later

Colonel Jennings and Hayley walked purposefully down a corridor in the Holding Area of the GDF HQ. They approached one of the cells where two guards and a doctor were outside.

"What's the news, Doctor?" Colonel Jennings asked.

"I'm pleased to inform you, he'll survive, Colonel," replied the Doctor. "His wounds were severe. How he survived I do not know. He's a lucky man."

"Is he good to talk?" asked Colonel Jennings.

"I wouldn't advise it, but I guess he is," said the Doctor. "Whether he'll want to, that's up to him."

That was good enough for Colonel Jennings. "Let us in," she said to the guards.

The guards opened the door to the cell and Colonel Jennings walked in followed by Hayley. The door was then closed behind them.

Schultz was sitting in a wheelchair next to his bed. He looked up and gave a sigh. "I knew you would come at some point, Colonel."

"We've been after you for a long time, Mr Schultz," said Colonel Jennings. "If you cooperate, I can promise things will be a lot easier for you."

"Sure," said Schultz. "Anything you say."

"You seem very certain of that," remarked Hayley.

"Well…I can't exactly do anything right now, can I?" Schultz remarked, gesturing to the blanket that was hiding the fact he had no legs.

"I hear The Cabal is no more," said Colonel Jennings. "What can you tell us about that?"

"Yeah…" said Schultz bitterly. "I can't believe we didn't realise it sooner. The Hood is an animal! He didn't care about any of us! I see now why The White Ghost betrayed him to save you and your boyfriend." He looked at Hayley.

Hayley held up her finger to reveal the engagement ring.

"Oh…" said Schultz. "Well…I guess congratulations-"

"Stop getting side-tracked, Schultz!" snapped Colonel Jennings. "What happened to the rest of your former team?"

Schultz tried to remember. "After escaping the lab, I went after the cruiser with Phantom and Techno. Swan came out and I started to fight with her whilst the other two managed to get aboard. They then threw The Hood out. Swan went to catch him. I tried to stop her. She threw two of her bladed wings at me and…"

"And what?" asked Colonel Jennings.

"There was some kind of explosion," said Schultz. "Everything went black. The next thing I remember, I'm hanging from a tree in the woods. Then this hillbilly guy and his dog find me and cut me down. He removed my suit and took me into his house. I seem to remember slipping in and out of consciousness a few times. Then you turned up, Captain."

"What happened to your suit?" asked Hayley. "It wasn't with you when I took you from there."

"I don't know," replied Schultz. "Guy undressed me before taking me to his house. I assumed you had it." The silence from the two officers told him they didn't. "It wouldn't be much use to anyone else anyway," Schultz continued. "It's biometrically linked. Only I was able to operate it."

"If it does turn up, we'll deal with it," said Colonel Jennings. She stood up. "But don't think for one second that we're going to give it back to you. Your days of being a supervillain are over, Schultz. You won't see freedom for a very long time."

Schultz didn't answer. He hung his head. He had nothing else to say.

Colonel Jennings knocked on the door. It opened and she walked out, followed once again by Hayley. As soon as they were out the door was closed.

Schultz hung his head in defeat and buried his face in his hands. "How has my life come to this?" he said before starting to sob.

"You weren't wrong, Madison," Colonel Jennings said once they were back in her office. "The Cabal really has been torn apart."

"Yes, Colonel," said Hayley. "But I guess we shouldn't celebrate just yet. We only have one of them in custody."

"And its one who won't be going to be a problem again," said Colonel Jennings. "It does however pose another problem. Whilst united, The Cabal were a force to be reckoned with. At least we knew where there was one, the others wouldn't be far away." She got up and headed over to her office window as she spoke.

"Now they're separated," said Hayley. "They could be anywhere."

"Exactly," said Colonel Jennings. "And given what they've been through, I can't imagine we'll be seeing any of them anytime soon."

"So…we wait for them to show themselves or do we try searching for them?" asked Hayley.

"That's a tricky question to answer, Madison," said Colonel Jennings. "They're gonna want to lie low. They won't draw attention to themselves."

"But they won't willingly give themselves up, will they?" said Hayley.

"Not The Hood or Silver Swan," said Colonel Jennings. "Definitely not. As for Techno and Phantom, I could imagine them doing their own thing eventually. We just need to remain alert." She turned around. "You've had a long day, Captain. May I suggest you go and have that R&R you were due to have?"

Hayley was grateful for that. "Thank you, Colonel," she said. "May I inform the Tracy's about our little talk with Schultz?"

"Go ahead. But make sure nobody else hears you," said Colonel Jennings.

Having rested enough over the previous two days, the entire Tracy family were now out of the Medical Room and had returned to sleeping in their own beds. They were all feeling better but not at full strength yet. This was making the majority of them edgy as they were longing for some action.

Grandma had noticed that Alan had been very quiet. Unusually quiet. She found him sitting outside by the pool whilst the rest of the family were inside. She went to see what was wrong. "You've been very quiet these past few days, kiddo," she said. "Something on your mind?"

"I'm fine, Grandma."

"Now, now, don't give me that," said Grandma. "I've known all you boys long enough to know when something is bothering you. It's seeing Sophie again, isn't it?"

Alan let out a sad sigh. "Yeah…Yeah…" he said. "I just…froze…when I saw her. I didn't expect she of all people would have been the ones to cure us after we got infected. Why would she do that?"

"Guess she realised what she did on Thunderbird 3 and felt guilty about it," said Grandma. "I know I would have if I was her."

Alan sniffled and began to cry.

"Grandma pulled him into a hug. "Hey, hey, hey there, kiddo," she said. "There's no need for this now, is there?"

Alan wiped his eyes. "I wish I could have spoken to her, Grandma," he said. "I…I just wanted to say…I don't know."

"Thank you for saving me?"

"I…I guess…" said Alan.

"We can arrange for that to happen," said Grandma, "When the time is right. Your father and Brains are planning something for her."

"Like what?"

"Dunno. Guess we'll find out."

Whilst Grandma and Alan had been outside talking, Hayley had called in to tell Jeff, the other brothers and Kayo about the development. "Colonel Jennings and I had a chat with Schultz. He was very co-operative. A lot more than we thought. But then I guess his condition didn't give him a lot of choice."

"So it's true then?" said Scott. "About The Cabal?"

"Very much so," said Hayley. "Black Phantom and Techno are probably holding up in one of their hideouts trying to figure out what to do with themselves. As for The Hood and Silver Swan, I dread to think where they might have ended up."

"They won't stay hidden for long," said Jeff. "I know The Hood too well. His pride and ego won't allow him to remain in hiding. He'll want to take another shot at us. And we'll be ready for him when he does."

"There isn't much we can do until they do, Mr Tracy," said Hayley. "But if I know Colonel Jennings, she'll be making some contingency plans to try and lure them out into the open."

"I'm not sure I like the sound of that," remarked Gordon.

"Agreed," said John. "I hope she doesn't come up with something that'll endanger the lives of you or anyone else, Hayley?"

"She knows the importance of people's safety, John," said Hayley. "In the meantime, I'm going to take a nap if you guys don't mind?"

"Of course, Hayley," said Jeff. "Thank you for the info. Get some rest. You've earned it."

"Virgil, make sure everyone else here rests as well," Hayley said. "You all need it more than me. Goodnight."

"Night," everyone said as Hayley's hologram disappeared.

Kayo had been silent throughout the conversation. She now spoke up. "I'm not sure how I feel about Colonel Jennings trying to lure The Hood out."

"Are you saying you'd rather he remain hidden?" asked Scott.

"I'd rather him in a cell," said Kayo. "But The Hood won't come quietly. And especially with how loyal and protective Swan is off him. Any attempt to bring them in isn't going to be easy."

"What about Techno and Black Phantom?" asked John. "Do you think we'll ever see them again?"

"Possibly," said Virgil. "Phantom still holds Kayo responsible for the death of his father."

"Bullshit!" said Gordon. "She didn't directly kill him."

"But I didn't save him either, Gordon," said Kayo. "And I know men like Phantom don't let things like that go. The only reason Phantom hasn't tried to kill me yet is because The Hood wouldn't let him. Now he is no longer under The Hood's command, he's free to do what he likes."

"He'll still fail," said Scott. "He'd have to pull off something pretty major in order to best us."

"You shouldn't underestimate him either, Scott," warned Jeff. "These are dangerous men, and the Black Phantom isn't shy of taking innocent lives if it suits him. We shall be on our guard as ever. Whenever they pop up again, we'll be ready for them!"