This chapter was super fun to write, enjoy!
The Tracy patriarch couldn't quite believe what was happening.
He'd been hauled out of bed by a gang of green intruders as none of the island's early defense warning systems had kicked in to warn them of the incoming threat, three of his sons were apparently missing, and now what appeared to be a royal aquatic alien was staring him down, ranting and raving about the actions of his fourth-born.
Was this all a bad dream?
Jeff felt Tin-Tin tense up beside him and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, as did her father the other side. His mother had her arms wrapped around Alan's shoulders and John stood next to his father, all on edge. They were all worried about how easily the security of the island had been breached, and what would become of them now these creatures had captured most of the family.
"How did you bypass our security measures?" Jeff demanded, angrily eying up the scaly monarch.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Titan's cackle reverberated through the villa. "You terraineans aren't as advanced as you'd like to think."
"Drop it, Titan. These folk have nothing to do with our fight with you. Stand down and let them go." Troy ordered. "It's me and Phones you want."
"Yeah, free these guys and we'll come with you willingly." Phones added.
X-20 seemed to giggle at this and Titan smirked. "That's where you're wrong, Tempest. "As I've already made clear, I'm after the one known as Gordon Tracy. He scuppered my plans and strained my alliance with the Sargassian Prince Aquanas! His marriage to Marina would have allowed me to gain power over half of his kingdom!"
"So that's why you did it!" Troy bellowed, feeling Phones' place a hand on his shoulder to temper his growing fury. "You had no right!"
Titan ignored Troy. "Rather than wallow in disappointment, I decided to change tact. My interest was piqued by the large green airship and little yellow submarine which rescued Stingray from the depths. I know the submarine was manned by the orange-haired one, so I sent my servant X-20 up to the surface world to learn more about these vehicles and the one known as Gordon Tracy."
X-20's back straightened proudly. "My research lead me to discover these vehicles were owned by a terrainean rescue organisation known as International Rescue. Nobody knew their true identity or where they were based, but knowing Gordon Tracy was a member, and that the one who flew the green airship was his kin, indicated it was a family endeavour and confirmed your involvement, Mr Tracy." he turned to Jeff, a sly smile appearing on his silver features. "Knowing that, it was easy to find your location."
"But that doesn't explain how you managed to bypass our security." Alan put in.
The duo chuckled again.
"Your security arrangements were given to us by a new ally of ours. He has a- shall we say, 'special' connection with a member of this organisation, and he was the one who gave your secrets away!"
"We know everything! We know this island houses four of the incredible machines known as the Thunderbirds, hidden in silos beneath the depths of this tropical paradise!"
Jeff's heart dropped. He knew exactly who the tyrant was talking about. International Rescue's own agents knew of a masked character known as the Hood who would frequently attempt to steal secrets of the organisation. His boys had had a few dealings with him too, particularly with him trying to steal photos of their beloved aircraft.
Then there was the issue of the Hood's unwitting pawn…
Jeff had long suspected Kyrano's dizzy spells and anxiety attacks were something to do with the mysterious villain. They seemed to always come on before an encounter with their disguised enemy, and he recalled his old friend had another so-called premonition about a week or two ago, so this practically confirmed it.
He locked eyes with Kyrano, who bowed his head in shame, reaching the same conclusion. He could never remember what happened during these encounters, but the fact of the matter was this time Kyrano had helped these creatures to invade the island.
"I'm sorry, Mr Tracy." Kyrano apologised. Jeff patted him on the back, showing him it wasn't his fault. It was the fault of the Hood for putting the manservant in that position, beating his subconsciousness into submission. He scowled.
Titan laughed and X-20 let out a gleeful noise. "So you see, I learnt all about you, Jefferson Tracy, son of Christine and Grant Tracy; billionaire astronaut whose wife Lucille died in a tragic accident. You're the father of five sons, Scott, John, Virgil, Gordon and Alan Tracy, and employer of Hiram K. Hackenbacker, Kyrano and Tin-Tin Kyrano. You were the founder of International Rescue. It makes sense you can hide your equipment so well, being the owner of this beautiful island. It's more impressive than Marineville by far."
"Alright, frogface, that's enough of that. Where's Marina, and the missing Tracy brothers?" Troy interrupted, getting sick of the surface agent waffling on.
"My, you're so impatient, Tempest. The treacherous Marina is with our new ally, as is the one you call Virgil."
John tensed up and felt Alan lurch beside him. Jeff's face was grim. "Why have you separated us?"
"Because Virgil Tracy is the pilot of Thunderbird 2, which is to be my new royal airship." Titan gleamed. "He will be my new chauffeur and show me how to fly it!"
"Oh no he won't!" Alan again tried to go for the tyrant, John gripping him tightly.
"Oh yes he will." Titan snarked back.
"And my other sons?" Jeff dared to ask.
Now it was King Titan's turn to frown. "The one you call Scott and the annoying redheaded one seem to have given my minions the slip. But don't worry, they'll soon be joining you, I'm sure. My army are all across the island. They'll soon be located."
"So what are you planning to do with us in the meantime?" Grandma Tracy asked, her stern face pulled taut.
"You are our prisoners! You will stay here under guard." he gestured towards his monstrous minions. "Guards, keep a close eye on them! In the meantime, I will explore this place you call… home. You!" he pointed to John. "You will be my tour guide."
"But-" John protested, causing the Aquaphibians to raise their weapons at him.
"Go on, son. We'll be okay here." Jeff consoled.
John sighed and made his way over to Titan and X-20.
"Lead the way, blonde one." X-20 chirped.
With a loud laugh, the sea tyrant and his servant followed a defeated John onto the veranda.