Summary: Timothy Rigby is not happy being in the GDF
Notes: This story brings back themes from For the want of a security camera.
Change of Course
May 2099
Captain Timothy Rigby, nervously looked at his superior officer as the man glared daggers at him.
"What is the meaning of this?" The GDF's Commander, Earnest Kennedy, snarled at him. "International Rescue was meant to hand over their ships and equipment over to the GDF for their safety and protection," he pointed at a news projector that was showing the Breaking News of International Rescue shutting down rescue operations. "Not shutting down operations and putting their ships into storage in a location we don't know about."
They were in the waiting area outside the office of the world president, whom, Kennedy had a meeting with, which included the commander of Spectrum, Colonel Blue.
A meeting that Kennedy was running late to, "You have until the conclusion of this meeting to convince your father-in-law, to hand those ships over," Kennedy hissed into Tim's face. "Or I am going to have you up on a disciplinary charge," he turned to the other GDF officer that was with them. "Keep an eye on him, and make sure he does it."
"Yes sir," Captain Leslie Johnson, Kennedy's literal lapdog, replied emphatically, grinning sadistically at Tim, as Kennedy walked into the president's office. "It would be my pleasure."
Tim sighed sadly as he made his way to an empty desk to make his call, it wasn't always like this, back before his father died, he could see himself working his way up the ranks in the GDF in the hopes to eventually land a leadership position like his father and grandmother.
But things changed when, his father was killed and Kennedy took over, now all Tim wanted was to get out of the GDF.
It was no secret, to those that were paying attention, that Kennedy hated Tim's father and was now using his new position to punish the younger man for his past grievances, even though on the surface it looked like Kennedy was actually doing Tim a favour by transferring him out of his previous team, to serve as one of his right hand officers.
The bullying was relentless, and every time Tim asked to be transferred to a different position, even career killing positions in some remote backwater, he was denied.
Joining a different military organisation was also out of the question as well, as Kennedy had made it very clear that if Tim tried to leave, he would not give him a shining recommendation, and make sure he was dishonourably discharged from the GDF.
Tim was not the type of person who liked using the people that he knew to help him advance in his career, which is why he hadn't mentioned anything to Alex about the issues he had been having so far, even though his husband had picked up on the fact that something was wrong.
The Tracy's had their own issues with Kennedy, Tim knew, with Scott Tracy apparently punching the guy out one time, but Kennedy, up to this point, hadn't been so stupid to get in the way of International Rescue's operations.
But after putting up with everything for over a year Tim had been seriously considering telling Kennedy to go fuck himself, and asking his mother or Alex if there was a job opening at TI or with the Hatchling or Stork units.
But then Hatchling 2 had been destroyed, and war had been declared.
To leave now would be seen as treason - he was trapped and Kennedy knew it.
Tim had reached for his communicator and was about to make a call when, he became aware that he and Johnson were not the only people in the office.
"Man, you guys weren't kidding," a Hispanic male, in a navy blue Spectrum uniform, commented to his two female colleagues in Copper and Coral. "Kennedy is a dick, it's probably a good thing Mahogany isn't here right now."
"You know I had my reasons for leaving the GDF," the Copper uniformed officer, that Tim was shocked to recognise as Yuniko Honda, one of the first officers that he had worked with when he joined the GDF, who had obviously left the organisation for Spectrum. "Kennedy was one of them."
Johnson, unfortunately, also recognised Honda, "I didn't realise the Rainbow Fairies were taking in GDF rejects, Honda," she snarled. "They must be desperate if they're hiring the likes of you."
"Last time I checked," Navy fired back. "We were talking about you, not to you Captain…?"
"Johnson," Coral finished for Navy, as she took a closer look at the person in question, with a disgusted look on her face. "I can't believe some idiot gave that cow a promotion."
Johnson saw red, "Excuse me!?!" She shrieked. "What the hell did you just call me?"
"I'm sorry," Coral replied. "Would you have preferred that I called you a slut or a whore?"
"I could have you up for insubordination, Lieutenant," Johnson snapped.
Coral rolled her eyes, "Firstly, I am not your subordinate," she growled. "Second, even if we were in the same chain of command, we somehow share the same rank, dumbass."
Tim blinked at the exchange, he didn't know what had happened between two of them, but considering that Coral's description of Johnson was pretty accurate, Johnson was a walking sexual harassment lawsuit at the best of times, it was only because she knew the right people to get off, namely Kennedy, that she was still even in a position at the GDF.
"You're a Captan?" Johnson snorted. "A violent little preschooler like you?"
"If you know what's good for you Johnson," Coral snapped back. "I would ask the president's secretary if she has a colouring book and some crayons, and go sit in the corner, until your master is ready to pick you up."
"I'd take her advice, if I was you," Navy added before Johnson could respond. "Besides," he put a hand on Tim's shoulder. "The grownups need to have a conversation."
"Excuse me-" Johnson replied.
"You're dismissed," Honda/Copper added, as Navy guided Tim to a seat beside her.
After a few moments of silence, Tim broke the silence by looking at Honda and asking her about what had happened that made her join Spectrum and how was she going in that position.
"Things are going better for me then they would be if I stayed with the GDF," Honda/Copper explained. "But what's happening with you, Tim?" She gestured to the president's office and Johnson. "Because it looked like Kennedy and Johnson were ganging up on you for access to International Rescue's ships."
"Kennedy claims he wants them in GDF custody for their own protection," Tim agreed softly. "Honestly I think Alan and John made the right call, taking the ships out of circulation, because I'm getting the impression that this is more about stealing the technology than keeping it safe."
"The human race doesn't need Mach nineteen fighter jets to destroy themselves," Coral muttered. "They can do a pretty good job of it with what technology they already have access to."
"Besides," Navy added. "No offence, but your security is Swiss cheese at the best of times, I hate to think what would happen if the Bereznik's got hold IR technology."
"Someone needs to tell Kennedy that," Tim muttered. "Not that he would listen."
"About that," Coral commented. "Are you okay? Because that didn't look like it was the first time Kennedy has spoken to you in that way," she shot a nasty glance at Johnson. "And we all know Johnson has some serious boundary issues."
"Johnson is the least of my problems," Tim grumbled darkly, wondering why he felt safe disclosing this information. "She thinks I'm defective, so other being a snitch for Kennedy, she leaves me alone."
"And Kennedy?" Navy asked.
"I hate that man so much I want out of the GDF," Tim broke down. "He only put me in his command team to use me as a punching bag, it's no secret he hated my father, and that he only got to the position he is in because he was the only supposedly capable high ranking officer after the missile attack…"
Honda put an arm over his shoulder, "Have you tried to put yourself in for a transfer?" She asked.
"Asshole won't let me," Tim muttered. "My only way out is dishonourable discharge."
Johnson chose that moment to cut in, "Cry to the fairies all you want, Rigby," she sneered. "But you better get on the phone to IR and convince them that they have made a mistake or else…"
"Or else, what, Johnson?" Coral snarled back dangerously. "Last time I checked International Rescue was an independent organisation, and the GDF alone doesn't have the power to seize their vehicles, because of the Janus clause in the agreement that allows IR to operate worldwide, so if Alan Tracy says no, there is sweet all the GDF can do about it."
Tim blinked in surprise, the Janus clause wasn't something that was well known about, even he had to explain it to Kennedy when he came across it when he was considering removing the Thunderbirds from International Rescue's control.
It was also apparently news to the other Spectrum officers as well, "The Janus clause?" Navy asked.
"It's basically a ruling that no GDF officer can commandeer a Thunderbird, Hatchling or Stork vehicle, without permission from IR or the world council," Tim explained, as he looked at Coral. "But how did you…?"
"It was something my husband mentioned, when he first started at Spectrum," Coral replied.
Johnson gave Coral a look that could melt steel, "Someone was retarded enough to marry you?" She asked snidely, as she walked towards her.
"That's what happens when you find someone that you love and cherish," Coral replied. "And not throw yourself an every man, like some cheap hooker, whether he wants your attention or not."
Johnson shrieked, and slapped Coral across the face.
Just as Lady Penelope and Ginny Tracy walked into the room.
0o0o0
Colonel Blue looked at the World President, Steven Ronalds, with a grim expression, things were not good.
As it stood, there wasn't much in the way of military forces that the world council could throw at Bereznik, as most proper military units were for breaking up small skirmishes, not full blown conflicts, especially in the western nations.
The GDF handled most of the day to day peacekeeping of the world, but even they didn't have much military might, and that was geared towards defence not offence.
Blue looked towards Colonel Kennedy as he entered the room and frowned, the man was late, and was not someone that Blue would trust when it came to coordinating troops on a battlefield.
His opinion of the man hadn't changed over the years, and it hadn't escaped his notice that he got to his position of leadership of the GDF, only because the more worthy people for his position died in the missile attack.
To be honest, out of all the world military leaders that had to be replaced after the attack the only one that was showing any real promise as a worthy successor, to the role they had unexpectedly found themselves in, was WASP's Commander, Melody Anderson.
The rest, while some of them had some talent, were completely winging it, with varying degrees of success.
The GDF's track record, which wasn't all that great even with competent people like Casey and Rigby in charge, had nose dived under Kennedy, to the point where Spectrum ground officers actually had to go in and support the GDF ones, in standard jobs that they should have been able to handle on their own.
No, they were not in a good position to go to war, especially with most of the forces one would call a military in shambles.
"Sorry, I was late sir," Kennedy began. "I was looking into solutions for getting International Rescue to hand over their ships into GDF custody for their protection."
Blue couldn't help it, he had to snort at the audacity of Kennedy's claim, about an hour before the meeting started Lady Penelope made the announcement that the Rescue side of IR's operations was shutting down and the ships were going into hidden storage, to think the Tracy's would trust the safety of their ships to the GDF, especially with its current leadership was laughable.
"What's so funny Colonel Blue?" Ronalds asked.
"Kennedy, thinking International Rescue would just hand over their ships to the GDF," Blue snorted. "No offence, Kennedy, but even when the GDF was run by people they got on with, they have never completely trusted the GDF with anything."
"Are you suggesting that I don't have a good working relationship with International Rescue?" Kennedy asked.
"Unless IR have forgotten about the time Scott Tracy punched you out for hitting on his wife," Blue replied. "I highly doubt it."
"What makes you so certain about that?" Kennedy growled back. "Last time I checked IR didn't even like Spectrum."
"Our problems with International Rescue are more due to misunderstandings, than anything we have actually done," A bold statement, Blue knew, but Blue had the feeling, that if IR was ever allowed to know the full story, they would probably be some of Spectrum's strongest allies, especially when it came to keeping their Myst officers safe.
Blue snorted at the irony of that, considering it was the misunderstanding about the Myst officers that was causing the biggest issue with IR at the moment.
Not that he was about to tell Kennedy that, "As for what makes me so certain, I have my sources," Blue continued. "Some of which would surprise International Rescue themselves…"
There was a muffled shriek that came from the President's outer office, and Blue suddenly found himself hoping that Kennedy had enough common sense to drop Johnson as his right hand, because Coral was part of his security detail today, and he was pretty sure Coral hadn't forgiven the woman for manhandling her man without his permission.
"Leave the issue in regards to International Rescue with me," Ronalds cut in clearly trying to steer the conversation back on topic. "The reason why I called a meeting today was to discuss the the need to increase defences around Bereznik's borders to reduce the chances of the conflict leaving the area."
"Why don't we just storm the country and wipe them out?" Kennedy asked. "Before they can do anything against us."
"You think it would be that simple?" Blue shot back. "Spectrum has been working on the Bereznik issue for years now alongside our other duties," he gave the President an irritated glance. "They have dug themselves in, even if we had the manpower to storm the country, they have hundreds of tunnels bunkers and assorted escape routes in which they can hide, run and attack from."
"So we don't use men initially," Kennedy countered. "We airstrike all their surface targets and cut all supplies from entering the country."
"Except most of the weapons and materials they keep on the surface are kept near hospitals and schools, places that are guaranteed to have civilian casualties if attacked," Ronalds pointed out. "If we directly attack those targets, the Bereznik's will accuse us of senselessly killing their women and children, not that they actually care about them, But…"
"They know we do," Blue added grimly. "And you can bet they will use that sympathy to their advantage."
"You can't win a war without a few casualties," Kennedy countered.
"That's true," Ronalds agreed. "But we would like to keep them at a minimum."
"That means the only option for us is a slow and systematic takedown of the country," Blue commented. "Which isn't going to be easy to maintain in the long term."
"Which is why in the short term, I want you to focus your forces into making sure Beneznik troops can't invade their neighbours, and as many of their supplies are cut as possible," Ronalds ordered. "If we can't make them burn through their stores, it will make the invasion a lot easier."
"Why do you insist we wait?" Kennedy demanded.
"Because we don't have the men or equipment to support an invasion," Blue replied. "Not without massive military and civilian casualties - have you not been listening to a word we have been saying?"
"The world governments focus for the past few decades has been demilitarisation," Ronalds pointed out. "With the GDF, WAAF, Spectrum and WASP, getting the majority of the defence based funding."
"And you know we only have the resources to break up small skirmishes," Blue added. "Not full scale assaults."
Kennedy reply was cut off by another loud shriek and a muffled thud coming from the President's outer office.
Ronalds pressed his intercom, "Fiona," he called. "Is everything alright out there?"
The words "-off me, you Bitch!" were heard through the intercom, before the president's secretary, could respond.
"There has been an altercation, between Captain Johnson, and Captain Coral," Fiona answered, as Blue facepalmed. "Also, Lady Penelope is here to see you in regards to International Rescue's shutdown."
"I see," Ronalds looked at both Blue and Kennedy. "We will be out there in a moment."
Kennedy spun on Blue, "Don't your people have any self control?" He hissed at him.
"Last time I checked it was Johnson, that had the self control issues," Blue fired back. "A smart man would have booted her arse the first chance he got, not given her a promotion."
"I could say the same thing about Coral," Kennedy snapped back, as the President opened the door.
"The only times I have known Coral to get violent, is when she is under physical attack, or protecting someone from physical harm," Blue snarled.
"Gentleman, please," Ronalds cut in. "We are in the presence of a Lady."
0o0o0
"What on earth is happening here?" Lady Penelope asked her nephew-in-law, as a female Coral uniformed Spectrum officer slammed a female GDF officer into a wall. "What triggered this?"
"Johnson was been a nosey busybody," the Spectrum officer in the Navy uniform answered, before Timothy could reply. "She and Colonel Kennedy were giving the Captain here a hard time about IR's shutdown, and we were trying to offer some support."
Johnson grabbed Coral by the hair and managed to pull it out of its bun, before Coral got a better grip on Johnson and threw her to the floor.
"Shouldn't we be breaking this up?" Ginny asked, as she subtly showed Penelope her Mysteron detector, confirming that Coral was indeed a Mysteronized human or the daughter of one, that Spectrum claimed to have.
It also confirmed that Coral was the only Mysteron in the area, meaning everyone else in the room was a normal human.
Navy and a third Copper coded Spectrum officer looked at each other, "Nah," Navy replied, as Coral pinned Johnson to the floor. "Coral's got it handled."
"Get off me, you Bitch!" Johnson screamed.
"Shut up!" Coral snarled back, "And be thankful I don't feel like killing you today."
Any response that Johnson might have had was cut off by World President Ronalds entering the office, "Captain Coral," the President stated, as he entered his outer office. "Is there any particular reason to why you pinned Captain Johnson to the floor?"
Coral looked down at Johnson. "Johnson didn't like me commenting about her past behaviour," she answered. "And made the mistake of slapping me."
Ronalds sighed and looked at his secretary and security guards, who had happened to be in the room yet had done nothing to stop the fight, "Is that what happened?" He asked his secretary.
"Pretty much," the secretary answered. "Colonel Kennedy and Captain Johnson when they came in were being hostile to Captain Rigby and the Spectrum officers picked up on that, offering support to Rigby, apparently Captain Copper had some bad history with Kennedy in the past."
Kennedy glanced at Copper, "Honda…" he growled menacingly.
Captain Blue shot Kennedy a warning look, as Penelope spoke up, "About that," she asked. "Why were you grilling Captain Rigby about International Rescue, Colonel Kennedy?"
Kennedy looked uncomfortable, "Well you see milady," he tried to explain. "I believe the Thunderbirds and Hatchling craft would be safer if they were kept on a GDF base."
Penelope gave Kennedy a stink eye, "Considering that the base that was under your command failed a Spectrum security check, in 2094," she replied in a dark tone of voice. "Tell me how you would keep our ships safe from thieves?" Penelope had reason to remember the incident, because both Wayne and Spectrum's Captain Mahogany, had called them to warn them about Kennedy's incompetence.
Kennedy blanched at the mention of the security failure, as the President turned to Captain Blue, "Do you remember the details of that inspection?" He replied.
"I do," Blue commented, as he walked towards Coral and Johnson. "Coral let Johnson up."
Coral reluctantly let the other woman go, "Johnson," Blue snapped at the disgruntled GDF officer. "You're to go and stand beside Kennedy and kindly keep away from my people in the future, if you were a Skybase officer, I could of had you thrown off the station for what you had done and nobody would have cared."
Johnson scurried back to Kennedy's side looking fearfully up at him, which Kennedy ignored.
"The issue with the base was half its security was offline," Blue explained. "But even in places where the security was working there were blind spots that could be exploited," Blue nailed Johnson with a glare. "Not to mention that the first team that I sent in had a major fallout with Johnson in regards to her behaviour."
Penelope glanced at Coral who was standing next to Blue with her arms crossed, it was obvious Coral had been involved with whatever went down during that inspection, with the look of pure hate that she was giving Johnson, "What kind of fallout?" Penelope asked the young Mysteron girl.
"The don't leave your male colleagues alone in the same room as her kind," Coral snarled.
Both Kennedy and Johnson paled at the look Penelope and Ronalds gave the pair, "And this wasn't dealt with when it happened because?" Ronalds growled.
"Lack of physical evidence, of Johnson's harassment of Mahogany, due to there being no cameras where the incident occurred and the only witnesses only saw Mahogany's final rejection," Blue replied, with a warning look at Johnson. "And the fact that Coral gave her quite the beating at the time was seen as punishment enough."
Penelope frowned, so it was Mahogany that was the one who was attacked by Johnson, no wonder why Coral was so angry with this woman…
From what Kesha had revealed about what she knew about Coral and Mahogany, when John, Alan, Kayo and Penelope herself demanded that Kesha and Sophia reveal everything they knew about the Spectrum officers they knew, suggested that the pair were in a relationship, and it was obvious that Coral hadn't forgiven the other woman for what had happened in the past.
But Coral's issues with Johnson had nothing directly to do with International Rescue, or her family, she was more concerned with Johnson's and Kennedy's behaviour in regards to Timothy's well being, after hearing that the two officers were giving her nephew-in-law a hard time because of IR, made her not want him under their command from this point on.
She looked at Ronalds, "It appears we have a lot to discuss, Mr. President," Penelope commented. "Starting with the request that Captain Rigby be removed from Kennedy's command, as I fear for his safety and mental wellbeing under it."
"Excuse me!?!" Kennedy snarled at Penelope. "Last time I checked civilians had no say in military matters."
"I second Lady Penelope's motion," Coral growled.
"As do I," Copper added. "An officer of your calibre doesn't deserve someone of Captain Rigby's talents in your command, Kennedy."
"And that's not a compliment, Colonel," Navy growled.
Kennedy spun on Blue, "I suggest you muzzle your officers, Colonel Blue," he warned.
Blue snorted, "They are only being honest, Colonel," He replied. "Besides, I would have tried to poach him for Spectrum well before now, if I didn't already know that his family would object to the idea."
Penelope cocked an eyebrow at Blue for his comment, but before she could question him, Ronalds cut in, "That's enough," he said firmly. "Considering that we are all meant to be on the same side, this fighting is pointless," he sighed. "Colonel's Blue and Kennedy, you are to return to your organisations and to order your people prepare to seal off access to and defend the borders around Beneznik - they are not to be able to expand their territory or receive supplies understood?"
"Yes sir," Blue and Kennedy replied.
"Also," Ronalds added. "Captain Rigby, I want you to stay back, for a moment - I have new orders for you."
"Sir?" Tim asked, confused.
"Excuse me?" Kennedy snarled. "I'm his commanding officer any orders you have for him has to go through me."
"Are you forgetting I am your commander in chief, Kennedy?" Ronalds snapped back at the GDF commander. "Watch your tone with me, Colonel, your job isn't that secure."
Kennedy grumbled and left the office with Johnson in tow.
"With all due respect sir," Blue commented, as soon as Kennedy was out of earshot. "You are going to have to find someone else to command the GDF, Kennedy is only going bring you trouble."
"I'm well aware of that, Colonel," Ronalds frowned. "If it wasn't for your 2IC's condition, I'd be poaching either you or him for the role."
Blue cocked an eyebrow at Ronalds in response, "You do realise," he commented. "The only reason he is still alive, is because of his condition, right?"
Penelope frowned, they had to be talking about Colonel Scarlet, but he died in the missile attack…
Didn't he?
And if he survived did that mean Mahogany…
What thoughts Penelope had on the matter were interrupted by Ronalds changing the subject, "This is a topic for another time," he stated. "And you have your orders Colonel Blue, now, if Lady Penelope and Captain Rigby would like to join me in my office?"
0o0o0
"- Technically I'm no longer part of the GDF and I'm to act as liaison between IR and the world government forces, in regards to the Stork units and whatever John, Kayo and Penelope have cooking up for the Benezies," Tim was explaining to his husband, Alex, and Kevin Tracy later that evening on Tracy Island.
Shane Tracy at a work station across the room, was half listening to the conversation, as he was looking for information on this Leslie Johnson woman, after hearing that the bitch went after Kallen, not that Tim or his cousins realised that Kallen was Mahogany, he wanted to know exactly what had happened, because after what had happened with Kevin, Shane had a hard time believing that Kallen would let anyone like that off scot free.
Shane had managed to find the reports and was in the process of reading them when Kevin lost his temper, "I can't believe that Mahogany would an abuser like Johnson of the hook," he snarled. "So much for Keys belief that he was a good person, even though he's was a Mysteron."
Shane looked around the room, to check if Kesha was in earshot, "Don't let Keys hear you say that," he growled. "Not without knowing exactly what had happened in the first place," he pointed to the screen he was reading. "I have found the report, Kev, do you want to read it?"
Kevin, Alex and Tim exchanged looks with each other and came over to work station that Shane was at and silently started to read over the reports.
That was until they reached the evidence report on Johnson's injuries that she had received from Coral, "Jesus," Tim muttered. "That fight that they had in the Presidents Office, was friendly sparring match compared to this."
"I'm starting to see why Mahogany made that deal," Alex added. "There is no way Coral could've avoided assault charges otherwise."
Shane nodded his head in agreement, and made a note in his head to find a way to thank the Mysteron girl for standing up for his cousin.
"But surely the fact that she was defending Mahogany would have been taken into account," Kevin protested. "He didn't have to drop the charges to protect her."
"Kev, are you forgetting Coral is some sort of a Mysteron/human hybrid?" Shane pointed out. "Any sort of accusation that suggests that she is mentally unstable and could attack someone could land her in a lot of trouble with some very bad people," he ran his hand through his hair. "Hell, you've seen how much faith the elders have in Spectrum's judgment of their Mysteron officers - even when all they have done to us is actually help us save people's lives, including my own."
"Heck, I didn't even think of that," Alex muttered. "They would probably treat her like a rabid dog."
Shane snorted, "And that's if they're being nice," he replied. "I'm not supposed to know this, but Dianne sent some information through to Willow about a former colleague of hers that is apparently working for Spectrum's research department, some of that information detailed what those Doctor's want to do to the Mysteron officers."
"Mom's going to kill you for going through her files, her information is meant to be confidential," Kevin hissed, as he looked around the room. "But since you have already stuck your neck out, what did Dianne have to say?"
"That the researchers want to do some pretty unethical experiments on those officers," Shane replied quietly. "They obviously want to use Coral as some kind of stud mare, regardless of her wishes, but one of those requests mentioned dissecting one of those officers alive to see how much pain they could tolerate before they died."
Alex, Tim and Kevin, stared at Shane, "Holy shit," Tim muttered. "Those people do realise that those officers are still mostly human don't they?"
"If anyone tried to do that to Kal or Dianne…" Alex added. "Makes me glad that they are dead."
Shane gave Alex a side eye but said nothing, he knew Kallen wasn't dead, but saying anything without proof was a one way ticket to the funny farm.
"I take back my comment against Mahogany," Kevin whispered. "At least Johnson did receive some punishment for what she did to him," he sighed. "But that doesn't change the fact Johnson is still a free agent."
Tim put a hand on Kevin's shoulder, "That might not be for much longer," he commented. "Ronalds hinted that he wasn't happy with Kennedy being in command, even suggesting that he would have poached Spectrum's 2IC for the job."
"I thought that the only person that would have had that level of experience was Scarlet," Alex commented. "Unless there was somebody else that was coming up through the ranks we don't know about, the time of the missile attack."
Tim looked uncomfortable, "From the way the President and Blue were talking," he replied softly. "I think Scarlet's still alive."
"Wait! Scarlet's alive!?!" Alex exclaimed. "How the hell would have survived something that killed everyone else in the room."
"He is not exactly human though," Kevin pointed out. "Maybe there's something about the Mysteron officers that Spectrum hasn't told us."
"Well, duh," Shane added flippantly. "Of course they haven't told us everything, we aren't meant to know about Mysterons in the first place."
"So does that mean…?" Alex questioned.
"Mahogany's still alive as well?" Shane answered. "Probably, I bloody hope so anyway, I still owe that Mysty Prick a knuckle sandwich."
Alex, Tim and Kevin stared at him.
"What?" Shane held his hands up defensively. "I have my reasons to want to have a few words with him, Swiss Cheesing my memories being at the top of my list." Not to mention calling him an overprotective idiot and dragging his sorry arse back to at least the Manor or the ranch, he added silently.
There was a beep from Alex's comm, "Hey, Roslyn," Alex spoke into it. "Yes, Tim is here on the Island with us, do you want to speak with him?"
Shane exchanged a quick look between Kevin and Tim, while Alex listened to Tim mother's response on his earwig.
"What was that?" Alex replied, sounding stunned. "You've had GDF knocking on TI's doors looking for Tim?"
Tim gave Shane and Kevin a shocked look, "I know Kennedy wasn't going to like the fact that I was no longer under his thumb," he exclaimed. "But going to TI to find me? That's crazy."
"I'm calling John and Penny," Shane snarled in response, as he looked at Alex who nodded.
"The last thing we need is to be going to war with the GDF as well as the Benezik's…"
Notes: Roslyn is Tim's mother, Colonel Casey's daughter, who also had a friends with benefits relationship with John when they were in high school.
