Thunderbird Five Is Go {John Tracy}

3 - Solution

3

Gordon sprinted out to the docking pad for Thunderbird Three. Of course, he knew from Alan's reassurances that John was fine, but he had to see for himself.

Though Thunderbird Five saw significantly less action than the others, it was as important as the others, maybe more so. She was the space monitor, the central relay station, the heart of the communication, their coordination throughout rescues, and their eyes and ears in the sky. Everyone relied on John's guidance, his calm reassurances to those they endeavored to rescue, and steady flow of key information as to the danger zone and conditions before they even entered it. Thunderbird Five was their anchor.

"Gordon!" Alan was waving at him triumphantly. Always cheerful, Alan was.

He jogged over, "Where's John?"

"Yeah ..." Alan scratched the back of his head, "Virgil already took him to the infirmary, and he's having a great time with Scott and Grandma yapping at his heels."

Gordon relaxed visibly, "Good to hear."

He walked over just in time for Virgil to usher Scott and Grandma forcefully out with a firm, "He needs rest, and you're depriving him of that. Ah yes, Gordon, come in. John wants to see you."

"Gordon!" John brightened up at the sight of his brother.

"Having fun being grounded?" he joked to cover up his concern at John's wan face.

John rolled his eyes, "Scott was ranting about how he'd forgotten that I'm taller than him and worrying that I'm too skinny, etc. and Grandma wanted me to try some cookies she'd baked. Good thing Virgil convinced her that all I can handle right now are pain meds – and Scott."

Gordon chuckled a little, then grew solemn, "Seriously though, if ... I – I'm glad you're safe."

"So am I," John replied, deadpan as ever, then smiled reassuringly.

***

"Hey, Scott. I was starting to think I had to forcefully remove you from the pilot seat."
He almost jumped at the unexpected voice. John, dressed casually in a loose black oxford shirt and red jeans, smiled openly at him. He looked almost like the old John of Harvard days, not like the deadly calm business-like man in uniform who rarely came down to Earth. Scott did a quick visual check, something he had gained as a habit of doing in the last few days. John's right wrist was in a bulky cast, his left arm in a sling, and Scott knew that underneath the bulge of his shirt were swaths of bandages and another brace to keep his collarbone in place.

It had taken John a few days after coming home to recover from the blows his body had taken. He had slept a lot and been of little entertainment value when he had been awake, but now things were going back to normal. Except for some nagging from Virgil about how he was too thin, didn't eat enough in space, yadda yadda.
"Hey John," he managed.

"The rescue went well... I can't thank Brains enough for allowing me to remote access all of Thunderbird Five's controls..." his brother went on conversationally, falling in step with him.

Scott just stared. John was so casual and unruffled. True, John was close to unflappable. He was their anchor when it came to rescues, he was guidance and information and control and a lifeline if things went wrong. He was the heart of International Rescue.

***

"Alright," Scott rubbed his hands together nervously. He had big shoes to fill, and he was terrified of making a wrong choice.

The Tracys were gathered together in a circle in the living room.

"Go on," Gordon encouraged – not really helping. "Yeah!" Alan added.

Scott sighed. Alan and Gordon were the loud ones. Virgil at least was mature enough not to interrupt. John and Kayo were the quiet ones. Grandma and Brains stayed silently in the background as always.

"Alright so..." Scott trailed off again.

Alan groaned theatrically, "Aww, this is the umpteenth time you've said alright. Can't we just get to it?"

Kayo warned, "Alan." As always, this was enough to silence him.

Scott took a deep breath, then said, "I think... well, it's my opinion that we should begin search for another Thunderbird to join our ranks." A thundering (no pun intended) silence descended. Scott scrambled to explain himself, "I mean, from previous incidents, like with the Hood luring us out of the island, I think it's obvious that we need more members to help us out."

Virgil said, "I think it's a good idea. Like having one more Thunderbird wouldn't hurt, especially to accompany John on Thunderbird Five."

John added quietly, "I'm game. Though of course we must ensure that International Rescue's whereabouts and technology remain largely clandestine."

Scott nodded, "We need to put applicants through a rigorous screening and evaluating process. In fact, when I mentioned this idea to Lady Penelope, she recommended a few people that she says 'have immense potential' as a future Thunderbird."

Alan pumped his fist, "Yeah! About time we got a new member of our family!" Gordan and Kayo nodded assent.

"Cool," Scott said, "I will contact Lady Penelope so that she can reach out to those people, and we'll go from there. Meanwhile, Brains will devise the evaluation."

"Cheers. John, wanna go for a swim?" Gordon got up, "I'll help you get your sling off, and you can paddle around like an old lady."

John fake-growled and followed Gordon out of the room, close on his heels. Presently, there was a thwack, and Gordon's enraged howl, "Hey! That's not fair! You've got a metal wrist brace on..."