Summary: With the world at war, Alan makes a hard call...
Notes: Should I be worried...?
The second shutdown of International Rescue
May 2099
Alan Tracy stared at the reports on the projectors, at the desk that he inherited from his father, as he waited for every adult member of his family, except for Piper and Kevin, who had already been briefed on the nature of the meeting and would be listening in as they watched over the children, to file into the island's comm's room.
He knew the information he was about to give his family wasn't going to go over well with them.
Never in the time, since International Rescue relaunched in 2059, had they ever had shutdown operations completely, although to be fair the Hatchling crews played a very big role in that.
International Rescue didn't completely shutdown when his Grandma passed away quietly in her sleep in 2069.
International Rescue didn't completely shutdown when Scott died when a building collapsed on top of him in 2083.
International Rescue didn't completely shutdown, when his father died from old age and a broken heart in 2088.
Heck, IR didn't completely shutdown, although it had been a close call, when the Mysterons murdered his oldest son…
Something about the way Colonel Blue told them about the Mysterons winning if they closed down because them killing Kallen, and the way he suggested that Kallen would be disgusted if International Rescue shutdown because of him dying, really rubbed Alan the wrong way at the time.
In fact, the Colonel was very lucky that he had told Alan this over a comm call, because if Blue told him in person, Alan would have slugged him.
Even though Blue was right, Kallen would have been disappointed if he was the reason IR ended.
Which made what he was about to announce to his family even more painful.
Because with the loss of Hatchling 2 and the world government declaring war on Bereznik, things had become too dangerous for International Rescue to function normally.
To make matters worse there was also the issue of IR members that were part of military reserves, which included both Scout and Sophia, being recalled to service in their respective units, meaning that International Rescue would be short on members, members that had the military experience needed to help protect personnel and assets, to work in the Thunderbird and Hatchling teams.
Alan sighed heavily, as the final members of the family entered the room, and looked at John, with all the craziness of the last few days, he had only been able to discuss the plan he was about to put in action with John, Belle, Piper and his wife Kayo.
He wasn't sure how Virgil, Gordon and the rest the family were going to handle the news he was about to tell them, "I'm sure you are all wondering why I called this meeting today," Alan started. "I wish it could have been under better circumstances, but as you all know war has been declared on the rogue state of Bereznik due to their unfounded and unprovoked attack on Hatchling 2," he took a deep breath. "I called this meeting to discuss the foreseeable future of International Rescue, while the Bereznik conflict is ongoing."
Penelope cleared her throat, "Excuse me, Alan," she cut in. "I hope you don't mind me cutting in but the world council contacted me a about an hour ago, they are demanding International Rescue's ships and personnel be turned over to their command for their safety and protection."
There was an explosion of outraged chatter across the room, Alan didn't blame his family for being upset, IR valued it's independence, but all this news did for him was confirm that he and John had made the right decision.
Alan held up a hand got everyone's attention, "Thank you, for letting me know that bit of information, Penny," he continued. "It has made what I am about to say a lot easier," he took a deep breath. "Due to war being declared, we are currently facing major security and personnel problems, due to the Thunderbirds and Hatchlings being tempting targets and personnel that are still military reserve officers being called back to active duty."
"You're right about the being called back to active duty thing, Uncle Alan," Scout cut in. "I have been ordered to report into WAAF headquarters by the end of next week to receive my orders."
"What!?!" Geoffrey cut in, before anyone else could respond. "No, you're the Thunderbird team leader on Thunderbird One, and a mother of two children, your superior officer knows this, why would he be recalling you?"
"It's not just Scout, Frey," Sophia put a hand on his shoulder. "I have been recalled to active duty as well."
Kesha growled in outrage, "I would have thought Commander Anderson would have more sympathy to your position," she snapped. "Considering that she is meant to be an old friend of your father's and she knows that you're the only parent your twins have."
"Before you start with the blame game, Keys," Gordon replied. "Melody contacted me to apologise, she did try and get Phia removed from the recall list, but our old politician 'friend' whose son Kal and Si beat the crap out of for not understanding no means no, decided to take it on himself and make sure Phia and, I'm willing to bet, Sky, as well, reported to duty and served their time."
"But they can't do this," Alex snapped. "I would have thought serving as an active member of International Rescue, would have made them exempt from military service."
"Hate to break this to you, Alex, but it doesn't," Alan gestured to the reports on his desk. "I've received several resignations from several members of the Hatchling crews that are part of military reserve units, in the last few hours and I'm expecting more."
Scout walked up to Alan's desk and looked at the pile of resignations, "Holy heck, Uncle Alan," she exclaimed. "It's bad enough that you're losing Phia and myself, but at least you have Mike and Si to cover the gap in the short term, but how do you expect to keep the current Hatchling crews going as well find and put together a replacement crew to rebuild Hatchling Two, if the military is taking all the best people for themselves?"
"The short answer to your question, Scout," Alan replied. "Is, we're not, at least not in the short term anyway."
The room was dead silent as the news sunk in.
"Alan," Virgil started in a shaky voice, a few moments later. "You are not seriously talking about shutting down International Rescue are you?"
"In regards to the Thunderbird and Hatchling units, yes I am," Alan replied heavily. "The Stork medical units are going to be needed now more than ever, and hopefully I will be able to redirect the remaining Hatchling personnel into those units to fill the gaps left in the Stork units by the military," he sighed. "At the end of this meeting, the Hatchling units will be ordered to lockdown their bases and I want you, Scout, to take One, and drop off Frey, Keys, Mike, Virgil and myself to pick up the remaining Hatchling craft, to transport them to our secure storage location, where they will be stored until it's safe to bring them out again."
"The world council is not going to like this," Penelope warned.
"The world council can go screw themselves, and be thankful we are taking our planes out of circulation," Alan growled back. "We all know the reason why they want our bird's under their control," Alan looked at Brains, who was sitting pale faced in the sunken lounge. "Brains didn't design our aircraft for military use, so by shutting down the Thunderbirds and the Hatchlings and hiding them away, we remove the temptation they pose."
"Wait! Does that mean…?" Scout asked.
"Yes," Alan answered. "Thunderbirds One and Two are going to be locked down as soon as the Hatchlings are secure, Thunderbirds Three, Four, Five and Shadow, are still going to remain functional because they are required for the island's security - which is now more important than ever."
"That's all and very well," Shane snapped. "With Sky and Phia rejoining WAAF and WASP, but what about the rest of us? Are we just going to sit here a just wait for the war to end?"
"Of course not, Shane," John replied, speaking for the first time. "The Stork units are going to still need the support of the island's medical and security personnel, regardless of whatever else is going on, but we don't expect anyone to sit idle while there is a war going on."
"In fact," Kayo added. "The plan is to utilise parts of our organisation that the general public don't really know about."
"You don't mean…" Briar gasped.
"I think they do," Kesha cut in. "Five has always been a very powerful spy satellite, in every sense except offical title."
Gordon looked at John in wide eyed horror, "Holy shit, Johnny, are you fucking serious?" He asked.
"Bereznik owes us big time, for the Bullshit they have pulled over the years," John snarled. "From Uncle Tom and Aunt Ann, to Scott's time as POW in that rat invested country, Wayne's death in the missile attack and now Hatching Two…" John ran a hand through his hair, proving how angry he actually was. "They have messed us around way too much…" his tone turned deadly. "It's time they got their really stupid prize."
Everyone was now looking at John in quiet horror, they all knew what John was capable of when he was angry, but this…
Alan cleared his throat, "Okay then," he said, as if John hadn't just promised to make the lives of the leaders of Bereznik a living hell. "We better get a move on, Scout meet us at Thunderbird One, I want to get those Hatchlings secured before, the world council realises we are not handing them over to them," he looked at Aaron. "Aaron, I want you shadowing us in Shadow, to make sure we pick them up cleanly and are not followed by anyone."
There was a chorus of "F.A.B.'s" as all the main pilots of International Rescue moved to obey their orders.
"I'll inform the Hatchling bases to lockdown, and await new orders," John added, he turned to his son. "Briar, I want you and EOS to keep an ear out for any chatter that might point to somebody making a move against us, before we are ready."
"Penelope," Alan turned to his sister-in-law. "As soon as the Hatchlings are secure, I will need you to announce that the rescue side of International Rescue is shutting down until further notice due to war being declared in Bereznik, with the reason being that we not being able to guarantee an acceptable level of safety for our workers in the field."
"F.A.B." Penelope acknowledged. Si, Winry, Ginny and I will head to London and start making the arrangements."
"I'm going to gather my equipment and head to the decontamination site," Kayo added. "And double check the area to make sure it's secure, so we can make sure nobody is tracking the Hatchlings to their new location."
"Mind if I tag along?" Shane asked.
Kayo nodded, "I could do with an extra set of eyes," she replied as left the comms room with him.
"Phia," Gordon called out to his daughter. "I know you will want to be spending the next couple days mostly with your twins, but can you help me install a few more sensors in the waters around the island using Four?"
Sophia nodded, "As much as I want to spend with them," she replied. "I need them to be safe."
"F-Fermat and I w-will get them f-for you," Brains cut in.
Gordon nodded, "F.A.B." He replied, as he gestured to Brains. "Lead the way."
John put his hand on Alan shoulder, as Gordon left the room, "You better not keep Scout waiting, Alan," he said.
"I know," Alan acknowledged, as he watched Willow, Belle, Stephane, Hana and Alex, start to go over the personnel files of the Hatchling and Stork crews. "Do you think we as doing the right thing?"
"You already know the answer to that question, Alan," John pointed out. "Get going, I will hold down the fort until you get back."
Alan nodded, "F.A.B." He replied, as he started to leave.
"See you soon."
Notes: Did I just shutdown IR? yes, yes I did.
Scout and Sophia, as part of their IR training, joined the military as reserve officers, they are now being recalled for duty.
WASP Commander Melody Anderson, is Liam Andersons daughter, Gordon's friend (and unknowingly a cousin to the Tracy's)
So the 'Stork' division of IR is the previously unnamed medical support units of IR.
