Thunderbirds: Welcome to Tracy Island

Chapter 2

After finishing their breakfast, John and Gordon went their separate ways, with Gordon going to work on the pool like Scott had requested earlier. He soon found himself leaning over the empty hole in the middle of the tiled garden area and watched blissfully as the chloronated water slowly started trickling into the pool, filling it up.

The sweltering morning sun was already raining down on the poolside with such intensity that Gordon could feel himself burning up, making the urge to jump into the water more and more appealing. The sound of the water was so inviting, reminding Gordon of the many days spent in Kansas at the local swimming pool he used to frequent, doing laps in the midwestern sun as he trained himself for various school competitions.

Once the pool was completely full, he switched off the hose, peering into the peaceful, light ripples in the water.

Gordon looked left and then right to see if he was still alone. After waiting a few seconds, the pool let out an almighty splash as the young aquanaut jumped in, fully clothed, unable to bear not being in the water for any longer. He started laughing to himself as he turned onto his side and did a simple backstroke, pushing up the length of the pool before making his way back down.

He gazed up at the cloudless sky and beamed, a feeling of pure joy eminating through his body. This joy was interrupted by a twinge of sadness and he reflected on his mother's absence, wishing she could be part of the family's new journey together.

"I knew I should've given this job to someone else." came a chuckle from across the patio shortly afterwards.

Pulled out of his thoughts by the hoarse voice, Gordon saw a red-faced Scott up the patio, carrying two bulging sacks of litter over his shoulder.

"I'm just christening it." Gordon grinned with a wink, swimming over to the side nearest his older brother. "How are things going your end?"

"A bit better, actually. I've cleared out One's hangar and did a bit of litter picking on the beach next to Two's new takeoff pad."

"Nice one. Bet it looks immaculate now."

"Almost." Scott replied honestly, lowering the two sacks. His eyes fell on the tropical ripples of the swimming pool. "Boy, that water looks good though. What's the temperature like?"

"Cool, like me."

Scott snorted. "I'll try it out later, after I've finished my chores."

"I hear you, Scotty." Gordon hauled himself out of the pool, his clothes heavily dripping water onto the floor. "Now that this is done, I'll take a quick shower and then I'll drag Alan on board Fisher King with me."

"Fisher King?"

"My yacht. I want to set about charting the coastal limits of the island so we know what's what."

"I thought you named your boat Speedy Gonzales?"

"That's my other boat."

"Just how many boats did you buy at the auction last month?"

"Three. A speedboat, a vintage pleasure boat and a yacht."

Scott just blinked.

"Where is Alan, anyway? Still being held hostage by Virgil?"

"I think so, yeah."

"I'll buzz him on my watch then. There's no way I'm going anywhere near Two's hangar."

"Fair enough." Scott nodded, picking up the litter sacks. "I'll think I'll have breakfast and see what John's up to."

"Wanting to spend more time with him before he heads into space?" Gordon asked.

Scott nodded. "To be honest, yeah. Besides, who else am I going to have intellectual conversation with when he leaves?"

"There's always my pet fish!"

Scott rolled his eyes. "Ha ha. Very funny. Keep it up and you'll be up there with him, wise guy."

Gordon laughed and flounced his way up to the house.

~~~~~

"Virgil, I have to go now."

"Hm?"

"Gordon wants me to help him with something. I have to go."

"Uh huh."

Alan groaned as he struggled to hold up two buckets of red and black paint for his brother who was standing above him on a rickety stepladder, leaning over the bulky vehicle known as the Firefly. Virgil was being particularly meticulous with his work, meaning Alan was having a pretty boring time just waiting for him to finish as he held up the paint for him.

"Virg, I have to go." Alan started once more, again being ignored by his brother who was completely lost in the 'art zone', as he usually was. Alan huffed loudly to get his complete attention. "Virgil!"

Virgil was shaken out of his artistic trance. He lifted his paintbrush away from the letters he'd just given an extra coat of black paint to and looked down at his brother. A splodge of black paint from the brush dribbled down his arm. "Yes?"

The droplet of paint fell off Virgil's arm and landed on Alan's nose. Alan pouted and wiped it away with his sleeve. "I have to go now. Gordon wants me to help him out with something."

"Oh, okay." Virgil said, ushering Alan away from the ladder so he could step down. He landed on the floor and held his hands on his hips, stretching his aching back out. "Well that's the Firefly done anyway. When you've done with Gordon are you coming back here to help me paint the Mole?"

"You don't really need me here still, do you?" Alan asked, hoping he wouldn't have to come back at all. "I mean, I'm not exactly doing much, am I?"

"You're holding the ladder for me so I don't slip. That's vital work, Alan."

"Can't you get John to do it? He's taller than me."

"John's working with Brains with the computer wiring. You're the next best Tracy." Virgil fought back a smirk.

"I swear you're doing this just to torture me." Alan mumbled.

"You're right, I am." Virgil laughed, knowing Alan was fed up. "I'm just kidding, sprout. I can finish up here on my own now." he took the paint cans out of his younger brother's hands and lowered them to the floor. "Just remember to put on some sunscreen when you go out. Don't want you looking like a tomato for the housewarming party."

"Okay Dad." Alan replied with a grin, making his way towards the elevator which would take him from the hangar back up to the house. "You gonna get some fresh air soon too? It stinks like the inside of a paint can in here."

"Yeah, I'll probably go up for some breakfast shortly."

"Okay then, see you later!"

"Bye!"

Alan stepped into the elevator and waved at his brother as the doors closed.