Home » The Archives » Chapter 6 » Celebrations and Challenges
| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1598 is a reply to message #1597] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 15:40   |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Tracy Island, Wednesday, 23rd May 2068.
The celebrations of the barbeque died down slowly and most of the Island occupants began to leave the beach and head to the villa in small groups.
Gordon frowned when he noticed that Tin-Tin and the new female recruits were walking off in a different direction. He also Dianne tenderly kiss his father before joining them. "Hold up, where are you going? The villa's this way."
"We know, but we had something planned for Kat over at Nikki's apartment," Elise explained.
"Really? What?" Alex asked sounding excited.
"Just a little girls' night."
Gordon put on a look of someone who just got their feelings hurt. "And you didn't invite me?"
"You're not a girl," Cherie replied snarkily, as she followed her father up to the Villa.
"Then why aren't you going?" Alex taunted.
"She's not old enough," Jeff replied. "Come on, boys, Cherie."
"Sorry, Gordon." Nikki shrugged. "Maybe next time."
The women left Gordon pondering on what would happen that night. His thoughts were interrupted by someone tugging at his sleeve. Gordon looked down at his younger brother.
"I bet it'll be boring anyway." Alex wrinkled his nose slightly.
"Maybe, maybe not. I want to know what they're going to be up to."
"Gordon, don't you dare," John warned as he walked past his brothers with Scott and Virgil.
"I wasn't going to." Gordon held up his hands as if surrendering to someone. When his father and elder brothers disappeared, he pulled Alan and Alex towards him. Brandon and Dom curiously joined them. Gordon looked at the group. "I've got a plan."
"If it has anything to do with crashing their little do, count me out." Dominic shifted Josh from one arm to the other.
"Same here," Brandon said.
"Ok, then. It's just my brothers and me." Gordon put his hand on Alan and Alex's shoulder. He then looked at them as he voiced his plan. "Right! This is what we'll do."
Kat looked back at the three Tracy brothers. "What do you suppose they're whispering about?"
"Probably up to no good, if I know Gordon," Dianne replied.
"Well, they had better not try any tricks," Elise added, laughing.
Tin-Tin and Dianne followed Kat and Elise to Nikki's apartment. Nikki had gone ahead to organise the drinks and nibbles. Kat and Elise brought in extra chairs. Soon everyone was chatting and enjoying the fruit punch that Elise had provided.
"So then, Kat, are you looking forward to seeing your parents?" Dianne asked.
"Will there be any old boyfriends waiting to see you again?" Nikki asked.
Kat shook her head. "I never had any boyfriends."
"Can't believe that," Nikki said. "Surely, there must have been one."
Kat laughed. "Well, yes, there was one."
"Do tell!" Elise and Nikki chorused together.
"He was more a friend than a boyfriend."
"There is a difference?" Tin-Tin asked.
"We went out with a crowd of friends, though sometimes on our own. Nothing serious. Bowling, skating, that kind of thing. His family moved away and we lost touch. It was never that serious."
Gordon crept along the balcony with his brothers. He was hoping that they could see and hear what was going on without being detected. Alex edged his way past Gordon only to feel a firm hand on his shoulder.
"I'll go first. I don't want you to get in trouble," Gordon said. "At least, if I'm seen, you can make a run for it."
Alex was about to protest, but then thought of what might happen if he got caught. "Go ahead."
Gordon continued his creeping until he reached Nikki's window.
Alan smiled before whispering, "Score."
Kat glanced at the others. "So who's next for the confessional?"
"I don't have any interesting confessionals," Nikki stated.
Elise laughed as she said, "Oh please. I know a certain story..."
"No."
"Where Nikki..."
"Elise. Don't go there."
"Was absolutely..." Elise saw Nikki's eyes narrow and laughed once more. "Never mind." A few faces had a look of disappointment.
Nikki shook her head at Elise.
Outside, a few other faces looked disappointed, too.
"I wonder what the story was?" Alan asked.
Gordon shrugged. "I don't know. Why don't you go in there and ask her?"
"Sure Gordon, sure," came Alan's reply. He lightly punched Gordon's arm. As Gordon wasn't expecting it, he stumbled forward ever so slightly and knocked one of the balcony seats. "Maybe they didn't hear it," Alan hoped.
His hopes were soon dashed when they heard voices calling, "Did you hear something?" and "It sounded like it was coming from the balcony".
Gordon turned to his brothers and whispered for them to run. When they reached the bottom of the steps, they hid in the shadows as they heard a door open and Nikki speak before closing the door again.
"Whoever it was is nowhere to be seen," Nikki said as she sat down.
"Why do I get the feeling it was the three whispering Tracys." Tin-Tin got herself a drink before relaxing in her seat again.
"Well, whoever it was, they're gone now. So we can continue," Kat replied.
"You know what I want to know is, if it's not too personal?" Nikki looked at Dianne. "How long did it take to realise that you needed to and could move on after your first marriage?" Nikki thought about it. "I'm sure there was a better way the phrase that. You don't have to answer it if you don't want to. It's just that after my mum divorced my father, she felt for a long while that she would be betraying us, her children, if she got into another relationship."
Dianne took a deep breath before answering. "About three years, I guess. My relatives, my mother and uncle in particular, kept pushing me to move on--not necessarily to remarry, but to get away from the sad memories and the bad feelings that had surrounded us as a family as a result of the bombing."
She sighed. "A lot of people had blamed my husband for the bombing, and as a result, I wasn't the most popular woman in town, especially since I refused to keep silent about my husband's innocence. I thought that as the investigation progressed, and it began to become clear that Rick had nothing to do with what had happened, that he'd been as much a victim as everyone else, things would change. But they didn't. And I was getting weary in spirit trying to defend him. That weariness didn't do my kids any good, and I could see that I had to do something to give myself a new purpose so I could be the mother that they really needed. Uncle Andrew's recommendation, and Jeff's hiring me seemed to be the perfect solution. Coming here was as much for my children as it was for me. It was an attempt to start fresh."
Dianne blushed and smiled. "It wasn't long before Jeff and I butted heads! I don't know if you've heard the story, but Jeff didn't tell me about IR right away." She went on to tell the listening women about her first weeks as the Tracy family physician and the stunning way she found out about the family's secret.
"I remember!" Tin-Tin said, shaking her head. "The next few weeks were not pleasant. Dianne was either giving Jeff the cold shoulder, or they were having shouting matches in the lounge. My father finally took a hand and told Mr. Tracy he should apologize."
"Did he?" Elise asked. She looked around at the other women. "I mean, if Mr. Tracy is anything like his eldest son, apologizing isn't high on his list of things to do."
The women chuckled, and Dianne said, "Yes, he eventually did. That broke the tension and we started getting to know one another better. And... here we are, married for a year and a half and very much in love." She paused, then said thoughtfully, "I think the difference is that my husband was gone, totally out of the picture, and so was Lucille. That left us free in a way. And the fact that Jeff really wanted to be a father to my kids was a big help. Alex had a real hard time with the idea of getting a new dad, but Jeff made it a point to reach out to him especially. It wasn't just the two of us having a relationship, it was about all of us having one on some level or another." She cocked her head at Nikki. "Does that make any sense?"
Nikki nodded. "Yes, it does. I wish my mother had realized that she could've moved on with her life when she felt ready and not wait until my siblings and I were older. I would never have thought she was betraying us. The same went with my brothers and sister. It's her life and she has the right to lead it the way she wants."
"Is she leading a happy life now?" Tin-Tin asked.
"Yes," came the answer from Nikki.
Dianne nodded her approval. "That's good to hear."
Nikki smirked. "Who wants to move onto something else?"
"You know, I would've loved to see your wedding ceremony to Jeff," Kat smiled.
"Me, too," Elise said.
Nikki held her hand up like she was in a class and wanted permission to say something. "Would it be too predictable if I said 'me three'?"
"Well, I can't say anything. I was there myself," Tin-Tin concluded.
Dianne smiled. "I do have it on vid, and you're welcome to see it if you like. It was quite a production! We knew that the press would be all over us if we held it away from home, so we decided to have it here, on the island. Jeff wanted to make it as private an event as he could, and everyone involved was sworn to secrecy, including the guests." She shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Not that it helped much!"
"An old friend of Jeff's, a former Air Force chaplain, performed the ceremony. My mother and brothers and their families were here, and so were my uncle and his family. There were lots of Jeff's friends and some of his business acquaintances. It was a pretty big party, and Jeff said it was one of the few times that both the Round House and the Cliff House were full. One of the doors that exited into Thunderbird Two's hangar was taken out and a temporary wall put in so that people staying in the Cliff House wouldn't suspect anything."
"What about IR?" Nikki asked. "What did you do about that?"
"We were on stand down for roughly four days. For the first time, Thunderbird Five was empty and on automatic, and we were not responding to calls. It was a tough decision to make, but necessary. All of us hoped and prayed nothing happened while during the wedding preparations and while the ceremony was going on."
"The wedding planners' crews built a big wooden platform between the villa and the Round House, covered it with a tent, and that's where we held everything. It was a really warm day and I have no idea how Jeff and the boys coped with their tuxedos! I was hot enough in my dress and it was sleeveless!"
"Tin-Tin was one of my bridesmaids, and Cherie was a junior bridesmaid. One of my sisters-in-law was my matron of honor, and Penelope was in the wedding party, too, as a bridesmaid. My attendants wore tea length, turquoise dresses with empire waists, spaghetti straps, and ribbons tied just below the bodice. They each wore an orchid over one ear, and carried bouquets of tropical flowers."
"What was your dress like?" Kat asked, her eyes wide and shining.
Dianne smiled. "Well, I didn't wear white. I wore a very, very pale blue that was a pastel of the turquoise. The dress had lace cap sleeves, and beaded A-line bodice, then a chiffon skirt. No train. But it was designed especially for me by François Lemaire, and was made of Penelon."
"Did you have flowers in your hair?" Nikki asked.
"No, Penelope lent me one of her tiaras. Jeff wanted to buy me one, but I didn't see the need for it."
"Jeff had Kyrano as his best man and Scott, Virgil, and Alex as groomsmen. The other boys were ushers. They wore pale gray tuxedos with white shirts and ties to match the turquoise dresses, except for Jeff, of course, whose tie was white. My uncle gave me away, and Tyler was the ring bearer."
"After the ceremony, we had pictures taken, and while that was going on, the crews cleared the platform for dancing and a buffet. We had a small band playing mostly early 20th century classics and both a male and female vocalist to sing. Kyrano kept trying to hover over the buffet; he was not pleased with the head caterer's attitude. But the food was wonderful, and Kyrano finally had to admit it."
Nikki grinned when a mental picture of Kyrano hovering over the buffet made itself present.
"Who caught the bouquet?" Elise wanted to know. "And did you do that... that garter thing?"
"Yes, we did," Dianne replied, giving Tin-Tin a playful look, which set the Malaysian girl to blushing. "Tin-Tin caught the bouquet."
"Oooh!" the other women said, with Kat adding, "Who caught that garter?"
Tin-Tin rolled her eyes. "Gordon."
That set the small group to laughing. "Oh, I can just see it!" Elise crowed. "I bet he put that thing as high up your thigh as he could!"
"Ahem... yes, he did," was all that Tin-Tin would say.
Kat laughed. "I'd like to see the recording of the wedding someday."
"Same here," Nikki replied.
"Just let me know when you would like to view it," Dianne said with a smile.
The night continued with the girls reminiscing about their past until they were too tired to remember.
Girls night brought to you by Tawnyangel22, Tikatu and Nikki-browneyes. Sent: 10/25/2005
  
[Updated on: Fri, 27 July 2012 15:43] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1599 is a reply to message #1598] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 15:43 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Thursday 24 May 2068, Tracy Island, 10.15am
Virgil found himself once more out on the balcony, a cup of coffee clutched in one hand. At least today it's at a decent hour! No more of those early mornings for me. And, once more, he found himself thinking back on the training of the new recruits. I think we've been lucky with who we've gotten, he thought as his eyes swept out across the churning ocean. Elise is coming along fine. She'll be trained up before we know it. Dom, on the other hand... Virgil took a sip of his coffee, his brows drawn, and thought back on the last training session he had scheduled for the man.
***
"Holy bejayzuss!"
Virgil chuckled as Dominic practically fell into the pilot's seat of Thunderbird Two. He did it every time. And it was always very funny.
"God, my back..." Dom shot a sharp glance at Virgil. "Who designed that thing? What about a nice, normal lift?" he asked as the seat straightened up and the steering gear pushed out.
"Myself and Brains came up with the idea," Virgil said, chuckling. "It's quicker. It's also useful for having people make ungraceful entrances."
Dominic sniffed pointedly and sat up in the seat. Virgil shook his head and tried to wipe the grin off his face, though he didn't have a lot of success. Instead, he was sure to stay behind Dom as the man went through the pre-flight checks and procedures that they had practiced so many times before in the simulator.
"There's a helluva lot to memorize," Dom commented.
"You say that every time," Virgil said.
"I know. And it doesn't change."
Virgil had been watching Dom closely. He was getting better. Certainly, he wasn't perfect, but he was getting better. Today wasn't the first time that he had taken TB2 up for real. Even so, there was a slight shake in Dom's hands, and Virgil twisted his lips into a frown. He's still hesitant, still worried. Maybe it'll take an actual rescue to get his confidence up. No offence to him, but I hope it doesn't come down to that any time soon. He's probably not ready for a baptism of fire just yet.
Soon enough they were heading up the runway, emerging from the massive cave hangar into the sunlight. The great ship was raised up on the ramp, and Virgil saw Dom mouthing the sequences as he went through them.
"Okay, here we go..."
The muffled roar of the massive craft's powerful engines burst to life, and Thunderbird Two rose up into the air, Dom's hands firmly clamped on the steering gear.
"Steady, now," Virgil said as Dom began to level her off. "Keep it gentle. Like we talked about before."
The rest of the flight didn't go too badly. Virgil chalked it up as a success. If only he would relax a little more. I know flying this 'Bird is a serious business; I would kill him if he didn't take it seriously, but hell, being as coiled as a spring doesn't help either. By the time TB2 was tucked up in her hangar, and the two men were ready to leave, Dom had unwound somewhat.
"How'd I do, Chief?" He asked as they headed for the lift back to the villa.
"You're getting better," Virgil said. "Some of the manoeuvres still need work, but you're shaping up nicely," he gave Dom a grin. "But..."
"There's always a 'but'," Dom said, the grin slipping off his face.
"You're too tense," Virgil said plainly. "You need to relax a bit more. You'll find that if you don't worry too much, things will come much easier. That's not to say," he hastened to add, "that you stop taking all of this seriously. I just think that you need to unwind a little bit when you're flying."
"It's not easy. Relax? Bloody hell, I'm flyin' about sixteen bazillion tons of metal and you say to relax a bit!"
"It'll come to you," Virgil said.
***
On the balcony, Virgil finished off his coffee, and let the mug dangle from his fingers. I only hope it does come to him, he thought, sooner rather than later. With a shake of his head, he deftly swung the mug up into his palm, and headed back to the kitchen for another.
From: ArtisticRainey Sent: 10/25/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1613 is a reply to message #1599] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:02 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Tracy Island, May 24th
Tin-Tin asked for clearance to take off.
"You're cleared for takeoff." Scott's voice came over the radio. "Have a good birthday, Kat. See you when you get back."
"Thanks, Scott," Kat replied.
Tin-Tin skillfully piloted the little Ladybird skyward and Kat settled down to enjoy the journey. Kat's thoughts went back to the previous evening and the surprise birthday barbecue her friends had held for her on the beach. It has been lovely, sitting on the beach, watching as Virgil and Scott had cooked. They made sure that there was plenty of vegetarian food. She blushed as she remembered that John had been particularly attentive, and she had enjoyed and encouraged those attentions. She also had fond thoughts about the girls' night that Nikki and Elise had arranged. She almost laughed aloud at the antics of Gordon and his brothers trying to find out just what was going on.
Thoughts of John brought back this morning and her present from him. She remembered clearly everything. He had sought her out, finding her in her apartment, doing a final check on her packing. She had been sitting on her case, trying to fasten it, when her door chimed. Sighing, she got off, and the suitcase instantly sprang open. Opening the door, Kat found a smiling John.
"Hi, John, come in. I am losing a battle to shut my case."
John entered, closing the door behind him and putting a small parcel on the floor. At her invitation, he sat on the case, managing to close and lock it.
"Gee, Kat, how long are you going for? A year?"
Kat smiled. "Only five days, but the British weather at this time of year can be so unpredictable. I'm catering for all weather types."
John shook his head and chuckled. He bent down to retrieve the parcel and handed it to Kat.
"Happy Birthday."
It was a fairly large, slim package, wrapped in pale blue wrapping paper. Kat opened it to reveal a painting of a Palomino mare and foal, grazing in a meadow in the summer.
Colouring slightly, Kat glanced at John. "It's beautiful. Thank you so much. I love Palominos." And standing on tiptoe, she kissed him lightly on the cheek.
"I'm glad you like it. I thought that something with horses would be okay."
"Okay? Oh, John, it's lovely and I know just where I'm going to hang it."
John had offered to help her hang the picture. She had been unable to offer him any refreshment, explaining that she would be stocking up with provisions whilst she was home.
And now she was heading towards home and the family that she still missed very much. Watching Tin-Tin as she piloted the tiny plane, Kat's thoughts led to Mr Tracy's talk with them all following Christopher's departure, and his expressing the need for more pilots.
"Tin-Tin," Kat said, "After Mr Tracy told us all that Christopher had left International Rescue, everyone began discussing cross training. So I was just wondering, would you, could you?" Kat faltered, remembering that Christopher had had feelings for Tin-Tin. "I'm sorry. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned him
Tin-Tin smiled. "Don't worry, Kat. Christopher is history now, I'm afraid. What were you going to say?"
"Well, I was wondering whether you would be prepared to give me some flying lessons. I have had some time in the simulator, but now I think that perhaps I should try piloting a real plane again. I have to say that I have tried in the past to learn to fly with Lady Penelope and also in the simulator with Scott." Here Kat sighed. "I wasn't exactly a shining success either time."
Tin-Tin smiled at the young woman. "I would be happy to teach you, as long as we get the A-OK. We'll sort it out when you're back on the island."
The two young women chatted about the latest fashions and Tin-Tin expressed her keenness to shop in London. Soon Tin-Tin was requesting permission to land at Creighton-Ward Manor.
"Permission granted, Miss Tin-Tin," Parker's voice was clear. "Welcome, and welcome back, Miss Kat."
Parker showed Tin-Tin and Kat to their rooms. After they had showered and changed into fresh clothes they came back down to the dining room where Lady Penelope had laid on a special meal for them.
From: Tawnyangel22 Sent: 10/25/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1614 is a reply to message #1613] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:04 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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England, May 25th -- Kat's home
Kat drove her beloved Lotus Elise through the estate, exiting at the gate by the West Lodge. Seeing Lofty in the garden, she stopped the car and got out.
"Hello, Lofty."
"'Ello, Miss Kat. I 'eard as what you wuz coming home for a few days."
Kat smiled. "I'm off to see my parents, but I shall be spending a day with Lady Penelope. We can catch up on news then."
Getting back into the car, Kat continued her drive along the familiar roads keeping away from the busy motorways. She pulled up outside her parents' house, sitting in the car for a few moments to collect her thoughts and calm herself. However, her mother had been watching, and as soon as the car pulled up she was out of the door and down the garden path.
"Kat! Oh my darling! It's so wonderful to see you."
Kat got out of the car and gave her mother a hug. "Mum, oh Mum! It's so nice to be home."
Laughing, mother and daughter, their arms around each other, headed indoors.
"Dad!" Kat hugged her father, and then she noticed Andrew and Melanie, and hugged them, too. She gasped in amazement, for entering the room were her eldest brother and his family.
"Timothy!" Smiling, her brother embraced her, and she stepped forward to hug her sister-in-law, Suzi, her niece, Estelle, and her nephew, Jake.
"We heard that you were coming home for your birthday. I had some holiday due and we felt that we should be here as well," her brother explained.
"Oh, what a lovely surprise, my whole family here! This is so wonderful!" Kat had tears in her eyes.
Her father brought a bottle of champagne and some champagne flutes. After he had filled one for each of them, he raised his glass, "To Kat! Happy Birthday, darling."
"To Kat! Happy Birthday," everyone chorused.
While her father, helped by the others, was preparing the evening meal, Kat found time to be alone with her mother.
"You're looking well, darling, though you're still very thin. They're not working you too hard, are they?"
Kat laughed and shook her head. "No, Mum, they are very kind, and the work is very easy, really, not much harder than when I was working for Lady Penelope."
"From what I have heard, there are five sons. Do you see much of them?"
"Mum, you're fishing," Kat replied. But she couldn't help the colour rising in her cheeks, something that her mother noticed.
"Aha? Is there someone you are interested in?"
"Mum", Kat blushed even more. "Well, one of the sons is very attentive, and he is so terribly nice."
Mrs Williamson looked delighted. "Oh, Kat, I would love to see you settled with the right man."
"MUM! I have only been there three months."
Mrs Williamson looked fondly at her daughter. "Okay, I'll not mention it again. But maybe..."
Kat breathed a sigh of relief; she didn't want her mother to ask any more awkward questions.
Kat enjoyed a very nice meal that night, and opened her presents. Her parents had given her a tiny gold watch. Tim and family had given her a set of her favourite pop group CDs, and Andrew and Melanie gave her a small gold locket on a thin chain. That night Kat went to bed in the tiny box room, and slept soundly, except for a dream about John, which sadly, she couldn't remember at all the next morning.
From: Tawnyangel22 Sent: 10/25/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1616 is a reply to message #1614] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:05 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Saturday, May 26; London; 12:30 PM (12:30 AM May 27 on Tracy Island)
Tin-Tin and Lady Penelope were seated at a quiet table in an upscale restaurant. They'd spent the morning at a fashion show, then shopping, and both were in need of rest and sustenance. Penny had sent Parker off to get himself some lunch and return two hours later.
"Oh my," Tin-Tin exclaimed after opening the large menu. "I'm going to have some trouble deciding what I want to order. It all sounds so good!"
"That's fine, dear. You take your time. But please excuse me; I have to go powder my nose," replied Penny.
Tin-Tin looked up at her friend. "Of course. I'll be waiting."
The aristocrat got up and walked off, leaving Tin-Tin perusing the menu. She was startled a moment later to hear a voice say, "Why, Miss Kyrano! We meet again. And London has just become lovelier because you are here. Why didn't you let me know you were coming? And why haven't you been in touch lately? Please don't tell me there is someone else; it would devastate me."
She looked up to see Giles sitting himself in the chair just vacated by Penelope. She looked coolly at him. "Mr. Tallman. Or should I say Mr. Hightower?"
His smile slipped slightly, then returned, but was not as congenial as before. "I am found out. Oh dear. How did you know?"
"Oh, come now. That virus you sent me in your all-too-brief email was a pretty good clue. Then when we found out that there were similarities to viruses sent to Tracy Industries branches in different locations and someone associated with the Hightowers - by his own admission -- planted another one in Lena Matumbo's personal computer, well we put things together and came up with the answer. Now, if you don't mind. . ."
"Tin-Tin, that virus was a surprise to me, I promise you. And I used a different surname for a very good reason. I wanted you to like me for myself, and not judge me because I'm a Hightower. And you did like me, didn't you?"
"What I liked was a lie. And I don't believe you now. So I suggest you leave."
Instead he reached across the table and took the menu from her with one hand, grasping her hand with the other. "Tin-Tin, don't say such a thing. You and I could be so good together. We had something once."
"Let go of my hand." She struggled to pull it away, but he held it tighter.
"Not until I've convinced you to come with me. You don't want to cause a scene now, do you?"
"Maybe she doesn't, but I will if you don't let go of her and leave the table this instant."
Startled, he looked up to see Lady Penelope standing beside him, eyes flashing. "Now why would I want to do that? Miss Kyrano and I were having a pleasant chat and getting reacquainted."
"It didn't look or sound that way to me. And since I am a good judge of situations, I must tell you, Mr. Hightower, that you are a liar. Get up and leave now, or I will have you thrown out.
He looked coldly at Penny. "I don't think you want to do that, Lady Penelope. It might give people the wrong idea about you. "
"You don't know much about me if you believe that. I'll say this only once more. Get up. You're in my seat." When Giles didn't move, she turned and gestured to the manager, who was standing not far away, watching. He hurried over.
"Is there a problem, milady?"
"Yes, this man is harassing my friend, and refuses to stop. He is also in my seat, and will not vacate it. I would like you to have him removed immediately."
The manager looked at Giles. "Sir, I'll have to ask you to leave now, or you will be thrown out."
Giles stood up, releasing Tin-Tin's hand. She immediately put it with the other in her lap. "I don't think you want to do that. You could lose a great deal of patronage if I told my friends how you treated me."
"But he'll gain a lot more than he loses, Mr. Hightower," replied Lady Penelope at her most aristocratic. "And they will be a better class of people."
Giles looked around at the other people who were patronizing the establishment. They were gazing at him in disapproval. He started to leave, when a waiter stopped him with a small platter. "Your bill, sir." Giles picked it up and looked at it briefly. Then, with an exclamation of disgust, took his billfold out, removed some money and placed it on the platter with the bill. As he stalked out, he was humiliated to hear several of the customers applauding.
From: Hobbeth Sent: 10/26/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1619 is a reply to message #1616] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:08 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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May 26th Kat's home
Kat awoke to a knock at the bedroom door and Estelle and Jake toddled in, accompanied by their mother, who was carrying a tray on which was Kat's breakfast. They sat on the bed and talked while she ate. At three years old, the twins were becoming independent. They were both bouncing on the bed, each trying to get their aunt's attention. Estelle, the elder by an hour, seemed more grown up than her brother.
"So," Suzi asked, "how's life in Kansas?"
Through a mouthful of toast and marmalade, Kat mumbled, "Oh, you know, not too bad; plenty of work, and plenty of recreation. Just a mechanic's job, but much, much better even than with Lady Penelope."
Pushing the tray to one side, Kat scrambled out of bed, heading to the bathroom. Suzi carried the tray back downstairs, followed by the twins.
As Kat took a leisurely shower, she groaned at the continual questions. It is so difficult. How can I continue to keep up this charade? she wondered.
After breakfast Kat watched as her father worked on his car.
"Need any help?" she asked. Immediately her father nodded, handing the spanners to her. For the next two hours father and daughter did what they used to do: work on a car. There was much laughter as her father asked if she remembered such and such. She replied that yes, she did; or no, she wasn't sure.
"Dad?" Kat looked serious. "Just how well is Mum? When I rang she said she was feeling really well. But I'm not convinced. She certainly doesn't seem fit to me. There are dark shadows under her eyes. She is more tired now and much thinner."
Kat's dad looked at his daughter. "For a while your mother was very seriously ill. Because she had concealed it for so long, by the time she collapsed it was almost too late."
Kat's face turned white. "I never realised she was so ill."
"She didn't want you to."
"Dad! She should have told me. I had a right to know."
"Sweetheart, she was wrong not to tell you, but she thought she was doing the right thing. She knew how much you wanted that job. And now that she has had surgery, she will lead a relatively normal life. The doctor has told her to take things easy. And believe me, I intend to see that she does just that."
After lunch Kat drove to the local farm where she used to ride. Mr Bannister had intimated to Kat's mother that, whenever Kat came home, she was more than welcome to ride his horses.
"Kat, my dear, nice to see you again. Would you like to ride Jet or Sunny?"
"Sunny, please," Kat answered.
Once tacked up, Kat rode out of the stable and across the farmland towards the bridleways.
Trotting across the familiar landscape, Kat was in her element. She felt totally at one with nature. There was no other being, human or animal, in sight. Urging the little mare into a canter, they sped across the fields and along the bridleways. The wind caught Kat's breath, and she laughed out loud, totally enjoying herself. Finally she brought Sunny back to a trot and then a walk.
"Good girl," she said, patting the mare's neck.
Whilst she was walking back towards the farm, Kat began to think about John and the picnic he had taken her on. She thought also of the talk they had had whilst he was making them both some hot chocolate after watching the stars on the roof. She has been expressing to him the joys of riding.
Suddenly, she stopped. Sunny began to try to crop some grass. Kat realised that she was beginning to have feelings for him. ~But does he feel the same way? She fervently hoped that he did. But if he didn't... no, she didn't want to even think about that. Kat continued her ride, heading back to the farm.
Sitting on an upturned bucket in a corner of the stable, cleaning the saddle and bridle, she wished that she could confide in someone about her feelings. ~Lady Penelope, perhaps. I have always been able to talk to her. I may be able to discuss this with her whilst I'm here in England. Then there's always Elise and Nikki. Maybe I can talk things over with them as well.
Just after she arrived back from her ride, Melanie approached her. "Kat, we are bringing the wedding forward from the end of this year to Saturday, 17th November. Please, will you be my bridesmaid?"
Kat nodded. "Of course I will, Melly, just as long as I don't have to wear pink or frills."
Melanie shook her head. "As it will be a winter wedding, I shall be dressed in white velvet, with my bridesmaids - that's you and Estelle - in aquamarine coloured velvet."
Andrew came over and put his arm around his sister. "When will it be your turn, Kat?"
Kat blushed. "Not yet for a while, Andy."
Later that afternoon Kat and her mother headed for the hairdressers'. Kat had wanted to have her hair cut and, at her request, her mother had made an appointment at Kat's favourite hair salon.
"It won't be Janine," her mother explained. "She is on holiday, so I have arranged for Madeline to cut your hair this time."
Kat was relieved. Janine was a very nice young woman, but, oh boy, she could talk for England, and Kat just didn't want to have to put up with the third degree.
"So, Kat, how do you want your hair cut?" Madeline asked. Kat explained the kind of style she wanted.
One hour later Kat emerged from the salon with a totally new look. Gone was the length. Instead she had an inverted bob, shorter at the back with the sides chin level. The ends had been cut in such a way giving the effect of a tousled look. A side parting fell into a long wispy fringe.
Suzi and Melanie then joined mother and daughter for a shopping spree. Kat bought herself some more underwear, night attire - mainly large t-shirts - some cropped tops, strappy t-shirts, shorts and one very long, pretty, gypsy-style cheesecloth skirt in bright orange and coffee colours.
That night, as it was Kat's last night, all of the family went out to a well-known restaurant for a really expensive meal.
From: Tawnyangel22 Sent: 10/26/2005
[Updated on: Fri, 27 July 2012 16:09] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1621 is a reply to message #1619] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:09 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Tracy Island, Saturday May 26th, 4:00 pm
"What a day," Brandon sighed as he walked on the beach. His training on Thunderbird Four was continuing and soon he would begin training on one of the other craft. I wonder which one I'll be assigned to. Looking up, he spied Tyler and Alex running along the beach, laughing at something only they knew about.
Brandon looked around for Cherie, wondering where she was. It wasn't like her to allow the boys to roam unsupervised. Shouting at them to wait up, he hurried to catch up with them.
Finally getting close to them, he looked at the two young boys, wondering how to ask what he wanted to know. Not wanting to appear worried, he decided to approach them slowly. "Hey guys, what's up?" he asked casually.
"Not much," Tyler piped up. "We're just exploring the beach. You should see some of the things we found." He proceeded to describe some of the small marine life they'd found in the tide pools. Alex backed his brother's description of things, adding a few scientific embellishments of his own.
"That sounds neat, you guys," Brandon said with a chuckle. Then his face turned serious. "Does Cherie know you're out here by yourselves?"
Both boys looked at Brandon with wide eyes and Tyler was the first to answer him. "Cherie's working on a report for school and doesn't know we're out here. But Mom does. She's the one that said it was okay as long as we're careful and don't get too close to the water."
Alex folded his arms and rolled his eyes. "Besides, it's not like Cherie is our babysitter or anything. We can go places without her, y'know."
Brandon met Alex's defiant gaze and stared at the boy questioningly. "How do I know you're telling the truth?"
"We are telling the truth," Tyler said, anger creeping into his voice. "If you don't believe us, you can ask Mom when we get back."
Brandon put his hands up in mock surrender. "Hey, Tyler, I didn't mean to upset you. I care about you and Alex and I didn't want anything to happen to you," Brandon said by way of apology, reaching out to ruff Tyler's stiff brown hair. The nine year old glanced up at Big Mac, a smile on his face. Satisfied that a crisis had been averted, Brandon asked the two boys," How about you guys show me what you found?"
"ALL RIGHT!" both boys shouted in unison as they took off up the beach, Brandon following behind.
The trio spent most of the afternoon exploring the beach and observing the marine life. At one point, Brandon pointed out a school of dolphins swimming offshore. The boys, in return, showed him a small octopus that had gotten trapped in a pool of water. The six inch gastropod was lying still, trying to be inconspicuous.
"Hey, Brandon, have you ever touched an octopus before?" Alex asked as he and his brother watched the small creature swimming in the tide pool. The intrusion of the boys caused the octopus to squirt out ink in an attempt to hide. Brandon squatted down beside the boys and looked at the small marine animal. He smiled, recalling an incident that happened while he was diving in the Bahamas.
"No I haven't, "he replied, "but I did have one swim up to me when I was diving in the Bahamas.
"Was he as big as this one?" Tyler asked.
Brandon laughed as he answered the young boy. "Oh no, he was a whole lot bigger than our friend here. He was closer to six feet long from his head to the end of his tentacles." Brandon described what it was like to see a creature that big reach out and try to touch his mask.
"Whoa!" Alex said in awe. "Weren't you scared it would do something to you?"
"I was a little scared, but I realized he was curious more than anything else. So I just stood still and let him look me over. After a few minutes he swam away."
In another spot, they observed small crabs scurrying about, jostling each other for space in the small pool of water. The hole was only eight inches across, too small for the fifteen tiny crabs occupying it. "No wonder crabs are so crabby," Tyler remarked. "I know I'd be if I had to share my room with that many brothers and sisters
The three continued their exploring, going from one spot to another, seeing how many species of marine life they knew. Besides the octopus and crabs, they found numerous types of shells that Alex and Tyler identified. They were checking out another tide pool when the sun's descent indicated that it was time for them to head home.
As they were walked up the path towards the villa, they started talking about the day's adventure.
"You wanna know what the neatest part was for me?" Tyler piped up.
"What was that?" Brandon answered, taking Tyler up on his shoulders.
"It was seeing the dolphins and finding the octopus. I never knew there was so much life in one place."
Brandon turned his attention to the other boy. "What about you, Alex? What did you like about our little outing?"
The older boy thought a moment. "For me, it was being able to see the octopus up close. The nearest I ever got to one of them before was seeing them on the vid shows."
The boys continued talking animatedly as they entered the upper level of the villa, Brandon bringing up the rear. Dianne heard the noise as they started down the hallway. "Did you guys have fun?" Dianne asked as she came out of her suite, taking notice of her sons' dirt stained faces and grubby hands.
"It was cool, Mom. We actually saw an octopus and crabs and all sorts of neat stuff in the tidal pools..." Both boys tripped over themselves trying to describe what they saw.
"You can tell everybody about your adventures at the dinner table. Hurry and get washed up. We'll be eating in a few minutes." The boys nodded and hurried to clean up.
After the boys left, Dianne faced Brandon, a puzzled look on her face. "Did they do anything wrong?"
"Well," he began, "I was on the beach and saw them by themselves. I was concerned about their safety when I didn't see an adult with them."
"Didn't they tell you that it was okay with me that they were out there?"
"Yes, they did. But, to be honest, I wasn't too sure. You know how kids tend to stretch the truth sometimes." Brandon ran his hand through his hair nervously.
Dianne sighed. "I've raised my kids never to stretch the truth. Considering, though, that we have so many new people here, I understand that it's not always so easy to judge that."
"I'm sorry I didn't believe them."
"Brandon, this is their home and they have a big backyard to explore. As long as they let me know where they are, I don't mind them going out on their own."
"Doc, I'm sorry if I tried to take over being a parent to them. I was just concerned."
Dianne smiled. "It's okay, Brandon. I understand how you feel. Any of the new recruits probably would've done the same thing if he or she saw Alex and Tyler by themselves."
"You do have a point there," Brandon acknowledged. He smiled, recalling the time he spent with the boys. "I hope we can do it again real soon. They were both a pleasure to be around."
"I'm glad to hear it. If you don't feel comfortable about something you see the boys doing, don't hesitate to come to me, okay?"
"I will, you can count on that," the young man replied. After making a little more small talk, Dianne excused herself and headed to dinner. Brandon walked away and thought to himself, I wonder how I would have handled the situation if I were a dad? Hopefully I won't find that out for a long time.
Post by Magicmaster8 Sent: 10/26/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1622 is a reply to message #1621] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:09 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Saturday, May 26, 2068, 6:30 p.m., Tracy Island
"So, Gordon? How is Brandon doing on Four?" Jeff asked.
Gordon looked up from his plate, his mouth full of steak. He hastily chewed and swallowed, putting up a finger for his father to wait, then washed his beef down with some red wine. "He's doing great, Dad. I'd say he's just about through training on her."
"Good," Jeff replied, mashing down some of his baked potato with his fork. "Scott, how's he doing with flying?"
"Very well, Dad," Scott replied. "He's ready for his final test. So is Nikki, for that matter."
"Excellent," the patriarch responded with a smile. "Get those two licensed as soon as possible, son. Then, Virgil, you take Brandon and cross train him on Two." He turned to his wife. "Has Nikki checked out on Seven yet?"
Dianne stopped to look at the ceiling as she considered the question. "She's all checked out on the diagnostic and monitoring systems. Done very well with them, too. But I've been holding off training her intensively in flying Seven until she got that pilot's license."
"Okay. I understand. But I'd like you to start using the simulator with her this week," Jeff told her. "That way she'll be ready when push comes to shove. There's no reason why we can't overlap the training somewhat." He turned to Virgil again. "What about Dom and Elise, Virgil?"
"Dom's going to be fine once he learns to relax," Virgil replied. He shot a look at Scott. "Scott and I are working on a new training schedule for Elise. The one we had wasn't working. But she's coming along."
"Good," Jeff said with a nod. "Scott? When you come back from taking John to Five next week, I want you to let Callie handle Three for at least part of the journey. And Alan? You're to give her some intensive training on how to land Three in the silo. You know how tricky it is to do that."
"Yes, sir," Alan said. He frowned, puzzled. "Shouldn't I be going up to Five with John? Scott's got an awful lot on his plate."
"Yes, I do, and I want to get away from it for a little bit," Scott said staunchly. "Taking John up to Five is a rest for me, and it may be the last time I get to go with the new schedule."
"Well, I guess so," Alan said hesitantly. "But after this, I want to do the run, whether or not I'm going up to stay. Three is my baby."
"Agreed," Jeff said quickly. He knew that John had specifically asked for Scott to go; it seemed that he had something to discuss with his older brother. He looked around the table. "Anything else?"
"I'm no closer to getting Kat that pilot's license than I was when we began," Scott said, disgusted with himself. "I'd appreciate it if someone else could help her."
"I'll do it if necessary," Jeff said, nodding. He glanced over at Kyrano, who was bringing in dessert with Lisa's assistance. "Have you heard from Tin-Tin, Kyrano?"
"Only that she and Miss Kat arrived safely," the retainer answered as he served a dish to Jeff. The bowl had a thick, homemade brownie in it. The confection was topped by a scoop of vanilla ice cream, which was in turn drizzled with a velvety fudge sauce.
"Very good." Jeff picked up his spoon and dipped it into the ice cream. The table then became quiet, except for the occasional remark about how delicious the dessert was.
From: Tikatu Sent: 10/28/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1623 is a reply to message #1622] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:10 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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May 27th - England
The next day, Kat made her farewells to her family.
"Mum, please don't cry. I shall visit again. If not before, I shall see you all at the wedding."
Finally, wiping away the tears, Kat got into her car and began the journey back to Creighton-Ward Manor.
Parker met her at the door.
" 'Er ladyship h'is h'in the drawing room with Miss Tin-Tin."
As Kat entered the room, Lady Penelope rose to greet her.
"Kat, your hair looks wonderful, so different! The Tracy's won't recognise you. Did you have a wonderful time with your parents?"
"Yes, I did, but it was hard parting from them."
"Now my dear, I have a present for you. Parker?"
Parker came into the room carrying a crate of wine bottles. Kat gasped
"Twelve bottles of wine, six red and six white. After all," Penelope added with a smile, "there may be occasions when you want to celebrate."
Parker handed her a small parcel. Kat opened it to reveal a beautiful carved wooden wine bottle opener. Kat hugged him. "Thank you, Parker. It's lovely."
Lil entered and gave Kat a hamper. "Some ingredients and herbs and spices to use in the wok."
Kat was quite overcome. "Thank you all so much. They're wonderful presents." Then excusing herself, she headed for the garage to have a quick word with Lofty. He was working on FAB-1 wiping his hands on a piece of cloth; he came over to chat to her. Sitting on the edge of the bench, swinging her legs, they talked for a short while, about FAB-1 and Lady Penelope.
"She's a luverly boss. The best I have ever worked for," Lofty said enthusiastically.
Kat nodded in agreement. She would always have a soft spot for Lady Penelope. She felt that even now, there was nothing that she wouldn't do to assist her Ladyship.
Kat headed back to the house. Lady Penelope and Tin-Tin were in the Drawing Room. As soon as Kat appeared, Lady Penelope rang the bell for Parker to bring in the tea. During tea Tin-Tin showed Kat her purchases.
"Wow, what lovely clothes Tin-Tin. You'll look so elegant." Kat said. Thinking of the clothes that she had bought herself, which were all very practical. Except for the long skirt.
And for the next hour or so, the three young women discussed Lady Penelope and Tin-Tin's day in London at the Fashion Show and Kat's stay with her parents.
However, the time was growing nearer for Kat and Tin-Tin to return to Tracy Island.
Soon the little plane was loaded with not only Kat's presents and shopping, but Tin-Tin's purchases as well.
Hugging Lady Penelope, Parker and Lil one last time, Kat boarded the plane and, once clearance was given, headed back with Tin-Tin to Tracy Island.
From: Tawnyangel22 Sent: 10/28/2005
[Updated on: Fri, 27 July 2012 16:11] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1624 is a reply to message #1623] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:11 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Monday, May 28, 2068, 11 a.m., England
"You're late," Desdemona growled as Giles entered the office.
"So I am," Giles muttered back. "I'm surprised you noticed."
Desdemona was about to retort, but Jacques cut her off. "Is there any particular reason why you are late, Giles?"
"No, not really. I was doing some more research on the lovely Miss Tin-Tin Kyrano. I found out something interesting the other day and wanted to pursue it." Giles flopped down into one of the leather chairs.
"Oh? And what was that?" Desdemona sneered. "That she made a monkey out of you the other day at that London restaurant?"
Giles glared at his sister for a moment, then turned his gaze to Jacques. "She wasn't the one who tried to make a fool out of me; her companion was."
"Whoever she was, she didn't have far to go to make you look foolish," Dez replied, a smug smile on her face.
"Children, children," Jacques said, intervening. "You can stop the petty bickering now." He read the printout on his latest acquisition, then glanced up at Giles. "Aren't you going to tell us what you discovered? You wouldn't have brought it up otherwise."
"Oh, yes," Giles said, rubbing his forehead with the long fingers of one hand. "Her companion and champion was Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward. A rather formidable member of the British upper crust. She and Miss Kyrano share a passion for the same English designer: Elaine Wickfen."
"So, this Lady Penelope and your little friend like the same clothes," Dez sneered. "There's nothing interesting about that."
"Possibly. But Lady Penelope is also a very good friend of the entire Tracy family," Giles went on to say. "In fact, there were rumors linking her name in a romantic way with Jefferson Tracy. That is, until his current wife, Dr. Tracy, came along."
"And what exactly is this supposed to mean for us?" Jacques asked, returning to his printout. "I do not see how we can use this information of yours."
"Well," Giles said with a sigh, "Lady Penelope's majo factotum is one Aloysius 'Nosey' Parker, a former cracksman and second-story man. He might be amenable to a little action on the side, for the right price. Get into her Ladyship's home, and one might have a back door for access to the Tracys. In any case, I think it's an interesting connection and one we should not overlook."
"Your opinion has been noted and filed," Jacques replied shortly. He looked up at both his brother and sister. "Do we have everything in order to receive our guest?"
"Yes," Dez said. "Our people have kept our target under surveillance and have a good idea of her movements now. They are only waiting for your word."
"Good," Jacques said. "Then it is time to put our American operation into action." He smiled. "We may have a plant within Tracy Industries yet."
From: Tikatu Sent: 10/30/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1625 is a reply to message #1624] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:12 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Washington D.C.; Tuesday, May 29; 5:30 PM (9:30 AM Wednesday on Tracy Island)
Lena shut down her computer with a sigh. It had been a long day, and she was tired. Only two of her staff remained to clear up a couple of minor problems; they, too would be leaving soon. She did her usual checks of her office, picked up her purse and walked out. Wishing the others a good night, she headed to the elevator and a few minutes later, was on her way out of the building.
Remembering her encounter with Giles Hightower, she looked around to see if there were any strange cars parked nearby, but saw none. She shook her head sadly, thinking that it was a shame she had to be on guard so much more than before. She turned and headed to the Foggy Bottom Station. Five minutes later, she was on the platform, waiting for the train to arrive.
When it did, she got on, along with several other people. It wasn't quite as crowded as usual, since many people left work by five and were already on their way to their destinations. But she still had to stand. She didn't mind; she'd been sitting all day, and it felt good to be upright for a while. There were only two stops between her station and Metro Center, where she would get off and transfer to the Red Line, taking her to Silver Spring and home.
But when the train stopped at the transfer point, she didn't get off. She wasn't on board, and neither were two men who had gotten on when she did.
From: Hobbeth Sent: 10/30/2005
[Updated on: Fri, 27 July 2012 16:12] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1636 is a reply to message #1625] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:27 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Tracy Island, May 30th 2068, 3.00 pm
It had been a quiet, peaceful day. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the pool. John lay back on his reclining chair and watched the antics of his younger brothers and sister as they played with the new recruits. A water fight was in play and Cherie was aiming her water cannon at Nikki and Elise. Both young women were trying to do some serious sunbathing. Virgil took the cannon out of Cherie's hands and aimed it at Elise who screamed and, on jumping out of her chair, knocked him into the pool.
John had enjoyed his two-month stay on the island, which was coming to an end. He watched all this and suddenly realised that someone was missing.
"Has anyone seen Kat?" He asked.
"Probably Brains has kept her working. You know how involved he gets. He's most likely forgotten the time." Virgil said as he emerged from the pool.
"Go and find out where she is," Gordon called. There was a chuckle from the others around the pool.
John looked around. He felt confused. He was not quite sure how to take his brother's teasing. "I might do just that," he said.
"I thought you would've done that sooner." Virgil laughed.
"Why? What do you mean?" John asked, frowning slightly.
"Oh, come on John! We've all seen the looks you give her," Gordon added, winking at the others around the pool. Nikki and Elise nodded in agreement.
John coloured slightly. "Well, I think she should be here enjoying a relaxing time like the rest of you." And he left to go to Brains' lab.
As John entered the lab, Brains looked up from his work and gave John a smile. "Hi John. What can I do for you?" he asked his friend
"I was just wondering if Kat was still around?"
"She left about ten minutes ago to go to her apartment and change," Brains said. "Otherwise, she said something about joining her friends at the pool."
"Brains," John said, thinking how he could say what he wanted to say. "What do you think of Kat?"
Now Brains was very curious.
"That's an odd question," he said. "Well, as I've said before, she is a very good mechanic. Conscientious, hardworking and she is becoming a very good and reliable member of International Rescue."
"No Brains," John said, running a hand through his hair, "what I really meant was: how is she as a person?"
Brains crossed his arms and shrugged.
"Well, from my point of view, she is very nice. She gets on with most of us here on the island. On the rescues that she has been on with me, she has shown qualities of kindness, thoughtfulness and determination. But why the questions, John?"
"Because I'm finding that I am beginning to like her as more than a friend." He looked hard at Brains. "I would like us to become, um, you know, closer. But I don't really know how to approach her. I don't want her to think that I am pushing my attentions onto her."
Brains looked at his friend. "She doesn't talk much about anyone in particular. But I do know that she very much enjoyed your evening with her on the roof looking at the stars. She talked about that for a long time." He looked at his watch, "I suggest that maybe you should go to her apartment now if you want to talk to her."
John hurried to the cliff house. Would he be in time? He hoped so!
Kat had just come out of the shower, and had changed into shorts and a strappy vest top. She had poured herself a fresh orange juice, added some ice, and was relaxing on one of the balcony chairs. She was just thinking about going to join the others at the pool when the door chimed. She opened the door and was surprised to see John standing outside.
"Oh, hi! Won't you come in? I was just enjoying a drink and debating whether to join the others or not."
John smiled at her, stepped inside, and shut the door.
"Can I offer you a drink?" Kat asked.
"Yes, please. I'll have an orange juice."
Kat poured another glass and went out on to the balcony to join John.
John was watching her. She noticed and blushed. "Are you enjoying your stay back on earth? It must be nice only being up in space only one month in every three."
John agreed. "Yes, it certainly makes a difference having three share the rotation."
After they had finished their drinks, they chatted for a while. Finally Kat got up. "I think I'll go and join the rest. Are you coming with me?"
"Well, I thought we might stay here for a while..." He gave Kat a shy, almost embarrassed grin.
Kat looked both surprised and pleased. She smiled at him.
"Why, yes, if you want to."
John looked out to sea. He didn't know quite how to approach her. He leant on the balcony rail gazing into the distance trying to calm his feelings. He took a deep breath and turning to face her said, "Kat?"
"Yes, John," Kat replied.
"I know we haven't known each other very long. I'm really glad we met." He looked at her. "I would like us to become closer."
Kat blushed. Suddenly she felt elated and happy. This wonderful man wanted to get to know her better.
"John," she replied. "I would love us to be special friends. To become closer," she added softly, almost to herself. "Oh, let's take in the view on the balcony," she said.
They headed back to the outside and sat talking and enjoying the view.
"How's your mother now?" John asked.
"Getting better, thank you. In fact, she is home now. Dad has hired a part time nurse to take care of her while he is at work," Kat continued. "That email was such a shock. I really had no idea that she was so poorly."
John looked concerned. "How was she when you visited her?"
"She was feeling much better. It was so nice to see Mum and Dad and my brother Andrew and his fiancée. My other brother and family were over from the States. That was a lovely surprise."
"I believe you visited Lady Penelope?"
"Yes, and it was so nice to see Parker, Lil and Lofty again." Then she added, "It was nice to get back here."
They talked softly for a little while longer before Kat stepped away from the rail and stretched.
"Well, I think that I really should join the others," she said, heading for the kitchen with the empty glasses. "They'll be wondering where I am."
John was a little taken aback at the abruptness, but he said nothing.
Then they joined the rest at the pool.
From: Tawnyangel22 Sent: 11/1/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1637 is a reply to message #1636] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:28 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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******Wednesday, May 30, 2068; Thunderbird Five; 5:12 p.m.******
Callie was preparing her dinner of fried chicken and okra in the microwave oven. "Mmm-mmmm. That smells deee-licious." She looked around and sighed. "It's too bad there isn't a cooler on Thunderbird Three or a regular stove and oven up here, but cooking on a space station is a lot different than in the kitchen at home."
Looking at the calendar on the wall, she realized she was going home in two days. "I can't wait to cook in the kitchen again." An idea began to formulate in her mind. "Yeah, I'll try cooking for everyone on the island."
When she heard the microwave beep, Callie took her dinner out and walked to the table with it. "All right, mouth, teeth, and gums; look out, stomach, here it comes." She took her fork and knife and cut into the fried chicken. But seconds before she could take that first bite, she heard a beeping she hadn't heard before. "What is that?" she asked, curious. Putting the fork with that first bite of chicken on the plate, she stepped up from the table and went to the main control room.
Observing the console, she saw only a light flashing. "If I remember what John showed me, this means one of the agents is in trouble. I'd better contact Base." She pressed another button and said, "Base from Thunderbird Five, do you copy?"
Jeff was looking at his latest report when he saw the eyes on John's portrait flashing. Pressing the button on the desk, he said, "Go ahead, Ursa."
"Sir, I'm getting an emergency signal from one of our agents."
Looking at Penelope's portrait, he knew it wasn't from her. "Check to see who's--"
Callie had to interrupt him. "Wait, sir, I'm receiving audio."
"All right, keep the channel open so I can hear it."
"F-A-B."
Adjusting the volume, Callie and Jeff were able to hear pieces of a conversation.
"I want to know where we're going," said a woman with an African accent. "Who hired you?"
One man with a deep voice replied, "We can't tell you that."
After a pause, the woman spoke again. "I see dat we're crossing de ocean. You both have British accents, so we are probably heading dere, specifically London." Silence lasted for a few seconds again. "I also believe de Hightowers hired you. Am I right?"
"Very clever, lady. I'd lay odds on you figuring out why."
"Quiet, you fool!" said another man angrily. "You're getting too close to giving us away, and you know our orders!"
Jeff gasped; he knew who was in trouble. "Lena Matumbo's been kidnapped by associates of the Hightowers. She's sending us the conversation through her PDA."
The strange conversation continued. "Well, gentlemen," said Lena, "since I do have dat right, I tink the Hightowers want to make me join dem. If dat is true, dey don't have a prayer."
"Yes, well, neither do you," said the first man.
Closing her eyes, Callie silently prayed for Lena's safety. "Sir, is there anything I can do?"
"Just keep listening in and keep us informed."
"Yes, sir."
When Callie's image was replaced with John's portrait photo again, Jeff pressed another button. "This is Base calling International Rescue, England."
******By TracyFan4Ever. Thanks to Hobbeth for the Lena part.******
Sent: 11/1/2005 11:02 PM
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1638 is a reply to message #1637] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:28 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Wednesday, May 30, 5:30 AM, Creighton-Ward Manor
Lady Penelope was awakened out of a sound sleep by the call from International Rescue. She activated it, voice only (after all, she felt she had to look her best when Jeff saw her). "Go ahead, Base."
"Pink Lady, I'm sorry to have awakened you so early, but one of our agents has been kidnapped and is headed your way. We believe the Hightowers have arranged it."
"Oh dear," she replied. "Who is the agent?"
"Our newest agent; I believe you got her dossier a couple of months ago."
"Ah yes; I remember. But how on earth did they find out that she was an agent so quickly?"
"They didn't. They learned of her in connection with her regular job at our other family business. They want to recruit her to help them infiltrate our computers there."
"I understand. That is the reason Giles Hightower was so insistent on Tin-Tin going with him somewhere."
"Yes, I heard about that. We are all grateful for your help, although probably not as much as she was, but back to the present situation. I'll leave it up to you how to effect a rescue, but once the agent is safe, notify me and I'll have someone come to return her to her home."
"Of course I will."
Once the call from Jeff was terminated, Lady Penelope looked at her bedside clock. She realized that it was too early to speak to Parker, given the fact that it took time to rouse him out of a sound sleep. She, however, was now wide-awake. She dressed, and went downstairs to her study. Getting Lena's dossier out of her safe, she read it over once again, and looked at her picture for a long time. A handsome woman; I think I might enjoy having her as a guest here, if only for a day.
She leaned back in her chair, considering and rejecting ideas for rescuing the woman. One idea, however, intrigued her and she mulled it over. It grew, and became feasible to her. She knew it would take more people than just herself and Parker, and she'd need more information from Jeff, but she believed it would work.
Finally hearing her staff moving about, she called Parker into the room. When he arrived, she signaled for him to close the door and move close to her desk. "We don't have much time. An IR agent from America has been kidnapped and is being brought to London. We need to rescue her quickly. I have an idea how, but I'll need more than your help. Do you still stay in contact with your friends who own those large black cabs?"
"Yus, milady. Two h'or three h'of them."
"We'll need two of them for my plan to work. I want you to give them a call and see if they will be willing to cooperate. Tell them there will be a reward."
"H'Of course, milady. What is it you'll want them to do?"
"Here's my plan. Timing will be everything." She went on to explain the details to him.
From: Hobbeth Sent: 11/2/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1639 is a reply to message #1638] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:29 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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London; Wednesday, May 30, 10 AM; Jacques Hightower's office
Lena was "ushered" into the office looking only slightly the worse for wear. Jacques was sitting at his desk, checking something on the computer, but he looked up at her entrance. Two men were with her, each holding one of her arms firmly.
"Gentlemen, gentlemen. This is no way to treat a lady. Let her go. Mrs. Matumbo," he said, rising and walking around his desk to greet her. "I am Jacques Hightower. Please accept my apologies for the way you were treated. I hope you were at least made comfortable waiting for our jet, and on the flight over."
"Under de circumstances," she replied coolly, "I was fairly comfortable. But kidnapping is kidnapping, and de comfort level was severely lessened by dat fact."
"I know, I know," he replied sorrowfully as one of the men handed him her purse. "But it seems I had no other choice. I could not get away to visit you in America, and I really wanted to meet you. But I forget my manners. Please sit down. Would you like something to drink? Coffee, tea?"
She sat in the chair he indicated and as he returned to his seat, she answered, "De only tings I would like are to know why you brought me here and den for you to return me home."
He paused to open the handbag and look inside, then looked questioningly at one of the men, who said, "That's all that was in it, sir. No makeup, not even a lipstick. Just her wallet, card case, keys, tissues and a PDA."
Jacques reached in the purse and brought out the last named item. "This is a new one -- state of the art, too, if I'm not mistaken. Where did you get it?"
"It was a gift from a friend. My otter one was old, so it was given me as a replacement."
"That person must be quite a friend. This isn't an inexpensive gift." He looked at her intently. She only shrugged.
"Maybe. I couldn't say."
There was a long pause as Jacques continued to gaze at her. She met his look calmly, not betraying her hope that he, like his minions, didn't try to fool with it. During the flight over, she'd managed to get them to let her check it by saying that she might have appointments that evening, or the next morning, and would be missed. They never realized that she activated the emergency signal and opened communications, setting it for transmit only. She hoped that whoever was listening would contact Jeff Tracy, and someone would be sent to help her get away from these people.
Finally he put the PDA back in her purse and said, "Your first request I can easily answer. I wanted to meet the woman who not only came up with a program to block anything my sister can come up with to infiltrate the computers of Tracy Industries, or the Tracy family, but also put ours out of commission for several days. That was very naughty of you, Mrs. Matumbo."
"As opposed to what you or your sister tried to do to my granddaughter? I don't tink so. I told your -- I presume he is your brotter -- I told him not to try anyting, or I would retaliate. He -- or you -- didn't believe me, so you had to learn de hard way."
"Point taken. But I'm curious to know how you found the virus planted in your computer so easily."
"I had been working on modifying a program dat would detect anyting created by de person who develops dose virus programs. I'd finished it de night before it was planted."
"Oh come now. It couldn't have been that simple."
"Actually, once I knew what to look for, it was. And it didn't take me very long to find out what to look for. Anyone wit a modicum of computer expertise, de right tools and enough time would be able to spot it. I just happened to be de one who did."
A gasp of outrage caused her to turn and look to her right. A tall blonde woman was rising from a sofa, an indignant look on her face. As she approached the two, her eyes showing her anger, Lena stood up.
"How dare you say such things about my work! No one, no one can equal my expertise!"
"Calm down, Dez. Mind your manners. She is our guest. Mrs. Matumbo, this is my sister, Desdemona."
Lena nodded coolly at the other woman, who turned to her brother. "Manners are wasted on these uncouth Americans. Look at her. That outfit is so outmoded it's laughable. And it's so rumpled, too. And you expect me to believe that this -- person -- is so computer savvy that she could do what was done to my work and our computers?"
"I doubt you'd be perfectly dressed and coiffed if you'd been kidnapped, flown across the ocean and forced to come to your kidnappers all in de same close. As for my being fashionable or not, I don't follow what people who don't know me say I should dress in, like a sheep. I am my own fashion, and wear what I like, not what someone else tells me I'm supposed to like."
"A sheep?! Jacques, did you hear that? She called me a sheep!"
"Dez, will you calm down?" Jacques said, amused. "Mrs. Matumbo is evidently a formidable opponent." He turned back to the older woman. "Now that we've gotten to know each other a little, tell me what it would take to get you to leave Tracy Industries and join our company."
"You couldn't meet my price."
"Now, now. You must understand; we are very rich. I'm sure we could come to some kind of agreement. Go ahead, name your price."
Lena sat back down, crossing one leg over the other. "You would have to return all de secrets you've stolen and not yet sold, den turn etical."
From: Hobbeth Sent: 11/2/2005]
[Updated on: Fri, 27 July 2012 16:29] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1640 is a reply to message #1639] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:29 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Jacques gave a bark of laughter. "Now why would we do a thing like that, Mrs. Matumbo? Our methods have proved to be very profitable. I think you're very naïve, to think that we would accede to your demands."
"I knew you wouldn't. But you asked, so I told you."
Desdemona sat down in the chair next to Lena's. "Jacques, I have an idea. Why don't I take Mrs. Matumbo to the compound, where the two of us can have a nice talk?" She began stroking Lena's arm. "I've never had the opportunity to use my particular persuasive abilities on an older woman before," she purred. "It could be very informative, in more ways than one."
"I don't think that's a very good idea, sister dear." Everyone looked around to see Giles walking into the office. "Mrs. Matumbo, it's nice to see you again. But please don't think I had anything to do with your being brought here. I warned them, but they don't listen to me."
"Giles, what are you doing here?" his sister asked him sharply.
"The last time I checked, I was still a part of this family. I do have a right to be here, you know."
"Well, go away. You had your chance, and now it's my turn." She continued stroking Lena, who had stiffened in shock, and continued. "I'm sure I can convince -- Ow!"
Lena had grabbed Desdemona's thumb and bent it backwards. The younger woman's wrist followed, then her forearm. She screamed in pain, but couldn't do a thing about it.
"You touch me like dat again," Lena said in a low angry voice, "and I'll 'persuade' you right into a hospital bed."
Jacques appeared to be even more amused than before. "It seems your persuasive techniques don't work on everyone, Dez. Mrs. Matumbo, please let my sister go. Otherwise, I'll have to let my associates here stop you, and you won't like it."
Lena glanced around, then looked contemptuously at Desdemona. "I meant what I said. And I always keep my word. Remember dat." She let go of the other woman's hand.
Jacques continued. "Your idea of taking her to the compound is a good one, Dez, but not for the procedure you suggest. Giles, I want you to go with them. Make sure they don't kill each other. I'll be along later." He paused. "It will be a while before you can leave, however. The car you need to use was taken for servicing and won't be back for another two hours."
He sat in thought for several minutes, while Desdemona rubbed her arm and Giles went over to the sofa and sat down. The bodyguards watched impassively. Lena was outwardly calm, but inside was wondering if anyone could get there in time to help her.
"All right. Giles, why don't you and Mrs. Matumbo go to the lounge, while Dez and I have a chat? I imagine she hasn't had anything to eat for some time and must be starving. I know I can trust you to treat her well. And maybe she'll see us in a better light." At her look, he added, "I promise you, there won't be anything in the food or drink to drug you. And I keep my word."
Giles stood up and walked over to the chairs. "That sounds like an excellent idea. I could use a little something, myself. Mrs. Matumbo, would you please join me?" He held out his arm.
Lena looked up at him, then stood up and took it. "You won't persuade me, you know," she said, looking back at Jacques.
"Oh, I hope we will, madam. Otherwise, no one will ever see you again," he replied.
Her chin went up a fraction; she turned and left the room with Giles.
From: Hobbeth Sent: 11/2/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1641 is a reply to message #1640] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:30 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Wednesday, May 30, 1 PM; England
The Hightower limousine headed away from their office building, on the most direct route to their compound. Giles was in the back, seated between his sister and Lena, to keep anything from happening. The door on Lena's side was locked; it and the window mechanism were controlled by the driver, preventing her from attempting an escape.
In Desdemona's lap was Lena's purse. Jacques had given it to her, suggesting that she try to break into the PDA inside it. "It's just possible that it might provide us with a way to get some of those secrets that Tracy Industries has." She was looking forward to the challenge, to prove that she was much better with computers than the woman on the other side of the car seat.
A large black cab, of the type used in the previous century, turned onto the road behind them. They had come to a little-traveled area, and their driver had sped up, per Desdemona's request. They were coming to a four-way stop, and she told the driver to go right through. "You're eager to get to the compound, Dez, but let's try to get there in one piece," her brother admonished.
"Oh, stop whining, Giles. Nothing is going to happen."
But something did. Seconds before the limo got to the intersection, another black cab was seen at the stop sign on their right. It pulled out and the limo driver slammed on the brakes. The cars both stopped, the limo mere inches from the cab's passenger door. The cab following the Hightower's car pulled up behind them, effectively blocking them from backing up and leaving the scene.
The driver of the cab they nearly hit got out and walked around to yell at the limo driver. "'Ere, now. Wha' d'ye think you're doin'? You got a stop sign, same as me. D'you think you're such niff-naff toffs that you c'n just run the rest of us workin' stiffs down any time you please?"
The limo driver pressed the button to roll his window down. He started to tell the man to move his car - that there had been no accident - but he didn't get more than a couple of words out. The cabbie sprayed a gas in his face that knocked him out almost immediately.
Lena was sitting on the opposite side of the car from the driver, and saw what happened. Her eyes widened, but she said nothing. She caught a movement out of the corner of her right eye and glanced over. The driver of the cab behind them had come up to the passenger door and was looking in questioningly. Desdemona lowered her window and started to tell him to get the other man to leave, but he threw a small round object into the car. It broke open on impact with the floor, releasing another gas that had all three passengers unconscious within moments.
The two men grinned at and nudged each other in celebration of a smooth operation, then one of them took a large handkerchief out of his pocket and waved it above his head. Soon a pink Rolls Royce, driven by Parker, with Penelope in the back, was seen pulling up to the group. When it stopped, the men walked over to it.
"Well done, gentlemen. I must admit, it was most considerate of Jacques Hightower to keep Mrs. Matumbo's PDA with him, so we could learn where they would take her and by what route, then give it to his sister to work on. Now, let's get our agent out of there and into this car. Then we can leave these people to their nap."
Parker got out of the car and went to the door by Lena. He tried to open it, then turned and said, "H'it seems to be locked, Milady."
"How unfortunate. But that would be expected. Can you get to the lock, or do we have to remove the others to get to her?"
"Wait a minute, yer Ladyship," one of Parker's cronies said, "I seen this type of car before, I did. There's a control on the dash that should unlock it." He pushed the driver aside and scanned the controls for a minute. "Ah, got it." He pressed a button and they heard a distinct 'click' from the rear door. Parker tried again, and it opened. He was just in time to keep Lena from falling out onto the pavement.
"'Ere, Nosey, let me give yer a hand there." The other man hurried around to help Parker, and they quickly got the older woman into the back seat with Penny. The man who unlocked the door walked over and handed Lena's purse to the aristocrat.
"Thought you'd be wantin' this."
"Thank you, sir. Parker, please give them their reward."
Parker handed an envelope to each of the two men. They looked inside and their eyes lit up. They both touched the brim of their caps to Penny and one of them said, "Thankee, yer ladyship. Any time ye want summat done, just call on us."
"Thank you, gentlemen. I shall certainly keep that in mind. Now I suggest we all leave. We don't want to be anywhere in sight when these people regain consciousness."
The two cabbies touched their hats again, and went back to their vehicles. Penelope and Parker watched them go, then he got into FAB-1. Soon they were on their way back to Creighton-Ward Manor, leaving the two Hightowers and their driver asleep in their vehicle.
From: Hobbeth Sent: 11/2/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1642 is a reply to message #1641] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:30 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Wednesday, May 30, 3:30 PM; Creighton-Ward Manor
Lena woke up to find herself in a richly appointed room. Her shoes had been removed and an afghan was covering her. She closed her eyes again, trying to remember just what had happened. Images of the near accident, and of Desdemona letting the window down, then there was something tossed into the car, and a hissing sound. We must have been knocked out, she thought, but by whom?
Just then she heard the door quietly being opened. She sat up and turned in that direction, to see a young blonde woman look in. She remembered the picture in the lounge of the Villa on Tracy Island, and realized the identity of her rescuer. "Oh, good," said the woman. "You're awake. How do you feel?"
"Better, tank you. I believe you are Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward." Lena smiled. "De picture of you in de Tracy home is a very good likeness."
Penny smiled back and walked into the room. "Yes, it is, rather. Now, I've contacted Jeff, and he will be sending someone to pick you up and take you to the island. Then you will head for home. Since you don't have your passport with you, it will bypass all the red tape and questions that would be asked if you returned from here."
Lena blinked. "I hadn't tought of dat. But what about my family and my job?"
"Don't worry. Jeff contacted someone in your office and told him or her that you would be away for a few days. As far as your family is concerned, you can call them in a while and let them know that you are all right. But right now, why don't you refresh yourself and then come downstairs for tea? I took the liberty of purchasing some items you might need, since you've been in those clothes for over twenty-four hours. They are in that bag on the chair. I hope they fit."
"Tank you, Lady Penelope. Dat was very toughtful of you. And I could use a cup of tea."
"More than one, I should think. Well, I'll leave you to freshen up. The stairs are to the right. Come down when you are ready." Penny smiled at Lena again, turned and left the room.
Lena picked up the bag and went into the bathroom. She decided to take a quick shower, and was glad of it, for she felt much better when she was through. Lady Penelope has excellent taste, she thought as she pulled the clothes out of the bag and put them on. They fit her excellently, and were the colors she loved to wear. She went back into the bedroom, put her shoes back on, and left the room.
She found Lady Penelope in a room near the bottom of the stairs. "Come in and sit down, Mrs. Matumbo. I'll pour you some tea."
"Please call me Lena. I'd prefer it."
"Then you must call me Penny. It would make me feel better, since you are my elder. I don't normally call them by their first names, unless I've known them for a very long time, like Jeff. And please, help yourself to some biscuits or anything else we have here. Lemon? Sugar? Cream?"
"Just a lump of sugar, please."
The two women sat and chatted. Penny told Lena that Jeff had called her again. Scott and Alan would leave in a few hours to pick her up and take her to the island, as she had been informed earlier. "But he expects you to remain there for a few days, to recover from your ordeal. Actually, he insists that you do so." She looked mischievous.
Lena laughed. "Well, since he's already taken care of my being absent at de office, I suppose I could stay wit dem for a bit. But I do have to call my family and let dem know I won't be home for a while."
"Of course. Now, since there is a twelve hour difference between here and Tracy Island, I don't expect the boys to arrive until the middle of the night. So I'll make sure they have some rest, and a good breakfast in the morning, and you'll leave tomorrow afternoon. That should put you on the island some time during the morning of the first."
"I suppose I'd better get used to de time differences all over de world. I tink dat will come in handy in de future."
The women sat and chatted companionably for some time, then Penny showed Lena where she could call her family. She left her alone until Lena had finished, and sought her out. She gave her new friend a tour of her mansion and grounds, and introduced her to Parker, telling her how they were able to rescue her. Lena was highly amused by Parker's descriptions of Giles and Desdemona after they were rendered unconscious.
After dinner, and some more good talk, Lena went upstairs to bed. She was more tired than she would admit. She found a nightgown in the same bag the other clothes had been in, and after carefully hanging her new clothes up, put it on, brushed her teeth, and got into bed. Soon she was asleep.
From: Hobbeth Sent: 11/2/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1643 is a reply to message #1642] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:30 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Thursday, May 31, 2068, 8:30 a.m., Creighton-Ward Manor (7:30 p.m. Tracy Island)
"Good morning, Lena," Penelope said, as the older woman entered the dining room. "Did you sleep well?"
"Good morning to you, Penny," Lena replied with a smile. "I slept very well, tank you."
"Come sit here beside me," the younger woman said. "So often my guests sit across from me at the other end of the table and I feel like I must shout at them to carry on any conversation."
Lena laughed, and took a seat to Penelope's right. Parker came out with a teapot.
"Tea, madame?" he asked.
"Yes, tank you, Parker."
He poured for her, then offered her the sugar bowl with its silver tongs. Lena selected a lump of sugar to add to her tea.
"Breakfast will be h'out shortly," he announced, and he made his way back to the kitchen.
"Did de Tracys arrive safely last night?" Lena asked after a sip of her tea.
"Yes, they did," Penny replied. "Though I must admit I was a trifle surprised. It seems that Jeff sent Brains along with Alan, instead of Scott. I am at a loss as to why. He rarely makes such errors."
"Perhaps he changed his mind for some reason or otter," Lena suggested.
"Perhaps. I shall have to ask." She looked up to see the door to the dining room open. "Oh, here is Alan now."
"Good morning, Penny. Good morning, Lena," Alan said, smiling. "I see I'm in time for breakfast."
"Your timing is impeccable as always, Alan," Penny said, returning the smile. "However, I did think you would sleep longer than you have."
"So did I," Alan admitted as he took a seat across from Lena. "But the time zone change made it a little difficult. Plus, I'm a light sleeper anyway. Comes with the territory as space monitor."
"Ah, I understand," Penny said, nodding. She discreetly rang for Parker and let him know that Alan was ready to eat.
"Space monitor? What is dat?" Lena asked, curious. Then she shook her head. "You don't have to answer dat if you don't want to."
Alan and Penny exchanged glances, then Alan shrugged.
"I might as well," he said. "Our communications are handled through a space station, which we have christened Thunderbird Five. It's in geostationary orbit just to the west of the island. Whoever is up there is dubbed the 'space monitor'."
"Ah! I see."
At that moment, Parker came out with plates of Eggs Benedict for the ladies. "Ay will return wiv yer breakfast momentarily, Mr. H'Alan. Would you like tea or coffee?"
"Coffee, please, Parker," Alan answered.
As Parker went off for the coffee pot, Lena asked, "Where is Brains? I understand dat he came wit you instead of Scott."
"He's still sawing logs," Alan replied. "Father thought about the situation a bit and decided that, since Scott is making the run up to the space station tomorrow, he shouldn't be flying for long hours beforehand. This way, Scott will be fresh to fly up to Thunderbird Five with John."
"I understand," Lena replied. "Which one of dem will remain?"
"John will," Alan told her. "He and I and now Callie Spencer share duties as space monitor." He smiled widely. "It sure is nice to stay down on Earth for two months at a time."
"Speaking of time off, how was Monaco?" Penelope asked.
This started a discussion on the Grand Prix and how things developed there as the trio ate breakfast together.
From: Tikatu Sent: 11/4/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1645 is a reply to message #1643] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:31 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Tracy Island. May 31st. 7:40pm.
"I'll never get the hang of all this!" Dom huffed as he pushed the manual aside.
"Sure you will. It just takes a little time, and it's not like you've never had flying experience," Elise replied helpfully.
The two pilots-in-training were in Dom's apartment. Joshua was thankfully asleep taking a much needed nap, judging by the sprawling mess of toys on almost every available piece of floor space. Earlier, Elise had bumped into Dom and Virgil in Thunderbird Two's hangar and the three of them had discussed concerns they all had. Afterward, Elise had offered to help Dom with some training issues he had. They'd decided it would be easier to work at Dom's place. That way Dom wouldn't have to haul the baby and his collection of 'stuff' anywhere, and Dom would be more relaxed. They'd been going over flight controls of the huge cargo transporter.
"That's easy for you to say, but I've been at my wit's end worrying 'bout it all! I have helicopter experience, not great, big, cargo plane experience." Dom looked frustrated and tired; feelings Elise knew only too well.
"Dom, I flew choppers in the Air Force, and a couple of fighter jets, plus I have private jet and helijet experience. I know where you're coming from, but once you get the hours in Two, it will get easier. It did for me. Of course NOW I have to fly Scott's precious baby, and God help me if I get a scratch on it! Now that's stress!" They both chuckled.
*"Ah, Elise, it's just this whole back up pilot thing that's makin' me nervous. I'm a medic not a full-time pilot."
"I know, Dom, but this cross-training is something we've all got to do. The Tracys need the help. C'mon, let's go over this one more time, and then we'll move onto pod procedures. You do know that we're going to be training together with Virgil and dropping a pod, right?" Elise wasn't so sure Dom knew what she was talking about, as he'd gotten a little paler. "Dom?"
"What? Oh yes, right. A pod. Will there be anything in it?"
Elise thought for a second or two and then answered "I dunno, I didn't think to ask Virgil."
"Guess we'll find out then." said Dom.
They both sighed and went back to the manuals. The pod dropping was scheduled very soon, sooner than either of them wanted, but they had no choice in the matter. Flying Thunderbird Two was one thing, but dropping large parts of it into the ocean was a whole different ball game!
From: FrankieCTB2 Sent: 11/8/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1649 is a reply to message #1645] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:36 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Tracy Island, May 31st -- early evening
John was in his room packing his case ready for his stay on Thunderbird Five. He realised that now that he and Kat had declared their desire to become closer, he really must have a farewell chat with her and arrange to communicate whilst he was up in Thunderbird Five. He knew that tomorrow Scott would want to make an early start so that Callie could be relieved and brought back to base as soon as possible.
He wanted somewhere quiet, someplace where they could be alone. Not surrounded by his family or her friends, somewhere that even Tyler wouldn't find them. Then he realised: they could go for a walk along the beach. At the far end, there were some rock pools. That would certainly be quiet enough. He called her on her communicator.
"Kat?"
"Yes, John?" Kat answered.
"Will you meet me at the pool, in say, twenty minutes time?"
Kat hurried down to the pool. She was a little apprehensive. ~What does he want? After yesterday when we both declared our desire to get closer, has he changed his mind? she wondered. She knew he was going to Thunderbird Five for the next month. She really was beginning to like him very much. And by what had transpired yesterday, it seemed he felt the same for her.
John was waiting. "I thought we could go for a walk on the beach."
As they walked, John spoke. "You are doubtless aware that I'm leaving for my spell of duty in Thunderbird Five. I really wanted to say goodbye to you without an audience."
Kat smiled at him. "I shall miss you, you know." She whispered.
"I'll miss you too. But I'm sure we can communicate. In fact, I make communication an absolute must." John replied.
"How will we communicate? Won't your father object?"
John looked serious and pinned her with a steady gaze. "We'll work something out." He added thoughtfully. "We can always send each other emails."
Kat nodded and returned his gaze, "Yes, you're right, of course," she said.
"Now, shall we head back for the Villa? There's something I want to give you," John said.
Turning, they headed back to the Villa. Kat was intrigued. Whatever did John want to give her?
They walked back through the lounge and headed for his room. John picked up a small portable telescope.
"This is for you Kat." he said, smiling at her amazement. "You can use it on the balcony."
"For me? John, how wonderful."
Picking up the small telescope and its tripod, John led Kat through the corridors of the Villa, going downstairs to the monorail.
Once in her apartment, John carried the tripod out on to the balcony and placed the telescope on it.
"There! Now you can watch the stars easily. When you send me an email, you can try and explain what you have been looking at."
"That's so kind of you, John. I shall certainly spend quite a few evenings looking at the stars. It will be fun trying to explain in an email just what I have been looking at.
Now, can I offer you a drink?" She asked him. "I have orange juice or wine."
"Just juice, please," John said. "My father always told me never to drink and fly a spaceship."
Kat chuckled and fetched the drinks. She joined John back on the balcony. While they were drinking, John explained to Kat how to work the telescope.
A short while later he took his leave of her, promising to be in touch as soon as he could.
From: Tawnyangel22 Sent: 11/9/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1650 is a reply to message #1649] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:38 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Tracy Island, June 1st, early morning.
"You know, I always knew you were crazy. Even though you tried to hide it for years, I just KNEW you were!"
Virgil rolled his eyes at his younger brother and the drama he was creating all by himself.
"Do you seriously think I am going to let your two wonder-pilots-in-training drop Pod 4 with moi inside it?" Gordon asked, emphatically pointing to himself.
Virgil sighed. "Yes Gordon, I seriously do think my 'wonder pilots' are going to drop you! Now get over it, and get into Four so we can get going!"
Gordon started to protest, but instead looked past Virgil. Virgil followed his brother's gaze and turned around to see Dom and Elise approaching. Both had their flight suits on, and Elise had her blonde hair in a ponytail pulled through her baseball style cap.
~Looks kinda cute~ Virgil thought to himself. "Morning. You both ready?"
They smiled and said their greetings.
"Yep, I guess it's 'do or die' day," said Elise.
Gordon knew an opening when he heard one and wasted no time jumping in. "Die? Did you say die?" " He clutched his heart in true Shakespearean style and moaned loudly before dropping to one knee, grabbing Elise's hand as he did so. "Please! I beg of you, I don't want to die today! Not in my Thunderbird! I'm too young! I deserve more than this! Please tell me you won't dump me into the depths unknown to suffer such a fate?"
Throughout this whole performance, Elise had looked at Gordon as if he had totally lost his mind. Dom had much the same look and Virgil just rolled his eyes... again. Elise then looked at Virgil, who stood with his hands casually on his hips, shaking his head pitifully at his brother who was now 'sobbing' for mercy at her feet.
"Gordon, I take it this means you're actually going to be inside the pod we're dropping today?" she asked carefully.
"Oh, bejazus." Dom muttered.
Gordon raised his pitiful face and meekly replied, "Yes. I will be at your mercy, so please, I beg you, don't just dump me. Virgil does that and it really hurts!"
Virgil glared at him. "I do no such thing and you damn well know it!"
Gordon winked at Elise and she immediately started to play along.
"Gordon, trust me, I will drop you down with velvet gloved hands. I promise you won't feel a thing except the softness of the waves caressing the pod." Her voice almost purred as she spoke.
Gordon grinned like the Cheshire Cat and looked at her. He was still holding the hand he'd grabbed earlier and he now kissed it as he asked, "Oh baby! Marry me right this minute!"
Elise cracked up laughing to the echoes of moaning in disgust from Virgil and snickering from Dom.
"Get up, and get outta here you jerk!" Virgil shoved a laughing Gordon to his feet and pushed him towards the pod.
"Hey, Virge, how come you never offer to drop me with velvet hands, hmmm?" the red head yelled back.
"Because I grew up in the same house as you, and I know things about you that are just plain wrong!" Virgil shot back, starting to laugh himself.
Gordon disappeared into the pod still laughing. Virgil turned to Elise and Dom smiling.
"See what I have to put up with? Either of you two want a brother?"
They laughed along with Virgil and both shook their heads no.
"Well, can't blame a guy for trying. Now, let's get this training underway before Gordon has too much time to think on his hands!"
From: FrankieCTB2 Sent: 11/9/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1651 is a reply to message #1650] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:38 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Thursday, May 31; London; 10 AM
Giles stood outside his brother's office, wishing he could be somewhere else -- anywhere else. He remembered his brother and sister's rage when they realized that Lena had slipped through their fingers once again.
xxxx
When they had regained consciousness, it took the three of them to realize what had happened. He was all for calling his brother there and then, but -- as usual -- Desdemona had overruled him. She told the driver to get them to the compound as fast as he could; they would call Jacques from there.
Once they arrived, he went to his quarters, leaving his sister to break the news. He freshened up, then went to the study, and found Dez there, her back to him, still on the phone, whining that it wasn't her fault. He could hear his brother's voice all the way across the room and knew that he was furious. He quietly left before she could discover his presence and try to make him talk to Jacques.
He went to the library where the staff brought him some coffee and crumpets. He helped himself, and sat in his favorite chair, to await his sister. Ten minutes later, she walked in and sat down nearby.
"Jacques is furious, and it's all your fault."
"My fault? How on earth could it be my fault?"
"Why didn't you do something? I can't think of everything, you know."
"Oh, come now, Dez. For once in your life. . ."
"Shut up, Giles. I'm not in the mood to hear it." She helped herself to some coffee. "Anyway, Jacques wants to see you in his office tomorrow. And he wants every detail about what happened."
"You were on with him long enough. Didn't he get everything from you?"
"He wants to hear about it from you. He was so angry, he probably didn't listen to half of what I said."
Giles sighed and finished his coffee. Then he stood up and headed for the door. His sister's sharp voice stopped him.
"Where do you think you are going?"
His hand on the knob, he turned and said, "To talk to Roland. I want to get his point of view of this whole thing. Perhaps he can furnish us with a description of the cabbie. It pays, sister dear, to get as much information as possible. Oh, and I suggest you spend the night here, instead of returning to whomever your latest paramour is. If Jacques were to find out you returned -- and you know he probably would -- I wouldn't put it past him to have someone pick you up and bring you to him."
She paled at his words, but said nothing. Satisfied, he left.
xxxx
Reluctantly, he opened the door and walked in. He winced as his brother looked up at him and said, "Well?" in a clipped tone that told Giles he was still in a foul mood. Assuming an insouciance he was far from feeling, he walked over to the desk and sat down. He gave his brother a detailed -- and accurate -- version of the previous afternoon's events. He also told Jacques what their driver had said when he was questioned.
Jacques sat forward. "So, two black cabs in an area where one is seldom seen, and no one is even a little bit suspicious. And two drivers, whose descriptions would fit half the males in London -- and several females. Why on earth didn't you call from the car instead of waiting until you reached the compound? You wasted precious time by doing that."
Giles shook his head. "I know, and I wanted to, but Dez overrode me -- as usual. I've told you and told you not to mess with Lena Matumbo. She has friends. But would you listen to me? Oh, no. You two know better." He shifted in his seat. "Well, you were wrong and I was right."
"What about her PDA?"
"What?"
"Her PDA. It was in her purse. I gave it to Dez."
Giles frowned. "Whoever rescued her, must have taken it. The purse was gone when we woke up."
"Damn!" Jacques stood up suddenly and began pacing. "That's something else we need to get. That PDA has technology no one else has. I want it!"
Giles said nothing. He sat there, thinking. It was a while before his brother noticed his silence and he stopped in front of him. "Well? Are you just going to sit there like a block of wood? Or don't you have anything to say?"
"Would it matter if I did?"
"Giles." There was a warning in his brother's voice.
"Okay, okay. There is someone else we might try to get. I've heard of someone else affiliated with Tracy Industries, and he would have far more secrets that Mrs. Matumbo."
"Who?"
"Hiram Hackenbacker."
From: Hobbeth Sent: 11/10/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1652 is a reply to message #1651] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:39 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Tracy Island, 7:30 a.m. June 1st.
"Pod selection complete, lowering main frame: now."
The vibration of Thunderbird Two lowering down on the pod echoed around the hangar. The resounding 'thump' followed and Dom immediately announced, "Electromagnetic docking clamps secure."
Elise sat in the seat just behind and to the right of the pilot. She noted how calmer Dom seemed and more confident he was since they had gotten together to go over some issues. Virgil was standing to Dom's left and softly talked to him every now and again, coaching him along.
The huge hangar door opened and they taxied to the takeoff strip. The engines roared to life as Dom continued to verbally check off his take-off procedure. Elise know knew it by heart; she'd done it enough times. Thunderbird Two pushed forward and upwards and in no time Dom was leveling her off and banking around to the left.
"We'll circle the island a couple of times to warm up and then we'll bring her down for the drop," Virgil said. Dom nodded trying to show a confidence he really didn't feel. "Once we've done a drop, we'll move off, circle and return for the pod pick up. Then you guys can switch and Frankie can do her drop and pick up... with velvet gloves. After that, she can return Two to base." Virgil grinned.
"HEY! I'm still here ya know!" Gordon added. He'd been listening in on his radio to Virgil's instructions and Virgil knew it.
"Just making sure you're taken care of little brother!" Virgil replied. A not-so-polite grunt was Gordon's answer.
Dom did great banking slowly around then leveling the transporter for a slow descent to the spot where the drop would take place.
"Thunderbird Four from Thunderbird Two, approaching drop zone, ETA 2 minutes."
"F-A-B, Thunderbird Two. Ready for drop on your word." Gordon replied all business now.
~Amazing how he does that, thought Elise. ~From clown to serious rescue operative in .5 seconds~ Then she remembered when she and Gordon had been in New York after the accident. He'd been playful one minute and dead serious the next.
She glanced out the window and a sudden wave of fear washed over her, causing her to catch her breath. The ocean was moving up towards them and it threw her off her momentum for a second.
Virgil heard her and turned around. "You okay, Elise?" he asked, genuinely concerned.
She looked at him, not sure what to say, but she needn't have said anything because Virgil immediately knew what had startled her. He walked back to stand closer to her, out of Dom's earshot.
"It'll be okay, Elise, I promise. You'll do fine, just try not to think about it, okay?" His words were gentle and she smiled weakly at him.
"I'll try."
"Good girl." He winked, smiled softly, and returned to his position next to Dom.
Without much coaching, Dom powered down the turbine engines to operate as turbo fans at hovering speed. He advised Gordon to prepare for the drop and announced "Releasing pod: NOW!" He flipped the small switch and the sound of the magnetic bolts releasing the pod from the main frame could be heard in the cockpit.
"GERONIMO!" Gordon's voice crackled over the radio.
"Knock it off, Cousteau!" warned Virgil.
"Sorry, Dak," answered the voice on the radio.
"Not a problem. Are you down safely?"
"Yep! I'll just bob around down here 'til y'all come and get me!"
"F-A-B, Thunderbird Four."
Dom powered the engines up and moved off slowly, but as he increased the thrust Thunderbird Two shot foward faster than he'd anticipated.
"Bloody Hell! What just happened?" Dom suddenly became a little panicked.
"It's okay, Dak. You forgot to take into account that, with a pod no longer attached, there's a significant weight change in the main frame."
"Ah, is that what it was then? Scared the bejazus outta me!" Dom managed to collect himself and settle down to flying Two around the island.
Elise had been taking mental notes the entire time. ~Damn, I'd completely forgotten about the fuselage weight differential. Poor Dom. She made a note to herself to apologize to him later.
In no time at all they were back hovering over the pod.
"Thunderbird Four from Thunderbird Two, preparing to pick up pod now."
"F-A-B," Gordon replied.
Dom took a deep breath and lowered the aircraft. Reading his computer guidance system, he steered the main frame onto the pod. Once again securing the magnetic bolts, Dom made the green monster whole. Remembering what Virgil had just said about weight adjustments, he was careful not to thrust the engines too quickly.
As the craft moved away, a cheer could be heard from Gordon.
"Woo-Hoo, Dak!"
Virgil clapped him on the back and praised his performance. Dom, visibly relieved, smiled and said, "Ah, 'twas nothing!"
"Yeah, I'll bet!" added Elise as she switched places with Dom. Once in the pilot seat, she immediately became the professional pilot she'd always been. Virgil watched admiringly as she maneuvered the controls with ease, totally settled now with flying his baby, after such a rocky start with her training.
"Thunderbird Four from Thunderbird Two, approaching drop zone in 1.5 minutes. Be ready." Down in Thunderbird Four, Gordon was quite taken back by the female voice of authority which was now sitting in his brothers' seat!
"YES MA'AM!" he immediately replied.
"Smart ass." said Elise under her breath, but loud enough to make sure Gordon heard.
"Hey, I heard that!" complained the aquanaut.
Elise smirked, "You were meant to. Now get ready, we're over the drop zone." She glanced at Virgil, who looked very impressed with her quick wit with his brother. She grinned.
"Hey, Cousteau?"
"What?"
She lowered her voice and said, "I just want you to know I'm putting on my velvet gloves now... just for you... and like I promised, you won't feel a thing!" Virgil started laughing and Gordon didn't have time to think of a reply before she announced "Releasing pod NOW!"
Pod 4 hit the water gently and started bobbing up and down.
"Damn! That was smooth, girl! What d'ya say we do it again?" Gordon suggested provocatively.
"In your dreams!" Virgil interjected bluntly.
Elise shook her head, laughing softly. "You boys are a mess!"
"Boys? Did you hear that Van Gogh? She called us boys!"
"Don't go there, Cousteau," his brother warned.
The bantering stopped as Elise suddenly heard an alarm on the control panel. Scanning quickly she said, "Possible shut down in starboard vertical take-off ram jet." Virgil scanned the control panel for further indications of the problem.
"Shutting down starboard ram-jet," Elise continued "Vertical take-off power now controlled by port ram-jet. Hold on, I'm taking her up."
Elise gave the port ram-jet full throttle and the aircraft lurched upwards to the left, almost knocking Dom out of his seat. Once they'd recovered and were at low level cruising, Virgil was able to work on the computer interface and re-set the faulty ram-jet via the sophisticated flight controls. Once he confirmed that all was ok, Elise banked around again, and advised Gordon to prepare for pick up. When the pod was safely retrieved and Thunderbird Two was on approach to base, Gordon appeared in the cockpit.
"Everything okay, Virgil?"
"Yeah, starboard ram-jet cut out on us. I'll get Brains to check it out and run diagnostics on it when we get home."
Gordon nodded in agreement.
Elise landed smoothly and despite having to turn twice to line up for the reversal into the hangar, she shut down Two with ease and the four team members made their way down to the hangar.
They waited for Brains and his verdict on what had happened. The engineer wasted no time in correcting the problem and assured the pilots that they had followed protocol to the letter.
As they walked toward the elevator to the main villa, Virgil and Gordon both let the two 'wonder-pilots' know what a great job they'd done. Now all they had to do was practice it for real!
From: FrankieCTB2 Sent: 11/10/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1653 is a reply to message #1652] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:41 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Friday 01 June 2068, en route to TB5, 10.30am
John had always thought that Thunderbird Three seemed to be alive. He knew it was a stupid notion; the rocket was nothing more than a man-made construction of cahelium alloy, held together by bolts and seals, running on fuel, not blood. Even so, sometimes he felt that every thrum was a heartbeat, and that the great rocket, the big sister of the other 'Birds, was alive. He imagined her knowing the well-travelled route to Thunderbird Five by heart. John shook his head. It was a dumb notion.
There was a dull swish amongst the harmony of humming, and John turned to see Scott enter the control room with two cups of steaming coffee. The smell was rich, and John accepted his drink gratefully. It smelled so good, and it was actually liquid. That meant it wasn't Scott's. Kyrano thought of everything.
"Thanks, Scott," he said, taking a deep sniff of the aroma.
"I don't think we could survive without Kyrano," Scott commented. "He sent a whole carafe with us."
"I'll be taking that on board," John said.
Scott took a sip of his drink, and then cradled the cup in his hands.
"Are you looking forward to going back up to the Tin Can?" he asked, casting a sidelong glance at his brother.
John shrugged, and cast his eyes across the flickering displays on the control panels.
"I guess so. It'll be kind of nice to get some peace and quiet for once," he said with a grin. "The island's sudden population increase has made that a rare commodity."
Scott chuckled.
"You can say that again." Immediately he held up one silencing finger just as John, with a sharp grin, opened his mouth. "I meant that metaphorically."
John clicked his fingers and muttered an unconvincing, "Damn," before laughing.
"You know me too well, Scott."
"That's true." Scott's face sobered. "Speaking of which, how goes that thing that we talked about a few weeks back?"
"I'd say pretty good," John said after a moment. "We've talked a bit, and we're going to get to know each other some more. We'll see where it goes."
Scott nodded sagely and leant back in his seat, taking another sip.
"And have you finally got it into that blond head of yours that you physically can't bring IR crashing down around you?"
John reddened lightly, but rolled his eyes. "Yes, Mom."
"That's Auntie."
"What?"
"Nothing."
From: ArtisticRainey Sent: 11/10/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1654 is a reply to message #1653] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:41 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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9 AM Friday, June 1; Tracy Island
"Here they come," Jeff said to his wife, immediately after giving the jet carrying Brains, Alan and Lena clearance to land. "Shall we go down and meet them?"
"By all means. I want to see for myself how Lena is. From what Alan said, she'll probably need some counseling. What happened to her is apparently just starting to sink in."
Frowning, Jeff looked into Dianne's troubled eyes. "You may be right. I hope we can help her get over the trauma."
Together they left the lounge, remembering what Alan had told them.
"Just before we left, Penny asked me to keep an eye on Lena. She said the woman had been too calm during her stay. She thought that Lena might have a delayed reaction to what happened, once she was in the jet. She seemed to be okay, but a couple of times, when she didn't realize I was watching her, I saw her shaking, and she would mutter something and make a visible effort to stop. She hasn't really smiled the entire trip, nor has she slept."
They arrived at the jet just as the door opened. Both were shocked at Lena's appearance. She was fatigued and rumpled -- which they expected -- but the worst part was the lack of emotion. She also appeared to have aged years since her last visit. She returned their hugs of welcome halfheartedly.
"To the guest room with you, for as long a sleep as you need," Dianne said immediately. "No arguments -- doctor's orders."
Lena smiled wanly. "In dat case, I will obey. It's been a very tiring couple of days. Lead on, doctor."
The two women turned and headed to the Villa. Jeff turned to Alan and Brains. "Okay; talk to me."
"Dad, I can't tell you much more than I already did. She didn't sleep, and she barely ate anything; she said she wasn't hungry. You saw her; this whole episode did something to her. When I tried to talk to her about it, she closed up. She said it had nothing to do with International Rescue, and for that reason alone she was sorry she used her IR equipment to call for help. But she had no other way of contacting anyone for help. I told her not to be silly; that as an employee of Tracy Industries, she had a right to expect our protection."
"And you were right. Brains, do you have anything to add?"
"Not really, Mr. Tracy. Except that I heard her mutter something about being Masai. I'm afraid I don't really know what that means."
"Okay. I'll tell Dianne what you said. Now go get something to eat, then some rest. Brains, no going to the lab until you do both." He smiled at his engineer, who looked slightly chagrined. "I know you; you'd go straight there if no one prevented it. But you need food and sleep as much as anyone else does."
"Okay, Mr. Tracy."
"See you later, Dad."
The two headed up to the Villa, and Jeff contacted Kat on the commlink, asking her to check over the jet as soon as she could. Then he followed his son and engineer up to the Villa.
From: Hobbeth Sent: 11/10/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1655 is a reply to message #1654] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:42 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Tracy Island -- Friday, 1st June, 3.30pm
"Okay. I think we'll call it a day." Gordon said. He had been doing more extensive training with Brandon on Thunderbird Four. "I'll have to hurry. I promised Alex and Tyler I would take them fishing after school."
Then he looked at Brandon. "Say! Why don't you come along as well? It will be nice to relax after the work I've put you through. Besides, I may need help with my younger brothers."
Brandon grinned. "Yep, it would be kind of relaxing. I haven't been deep-sea fishing for quite a while."
Once changed and refreshed. Gordon and Brandon headed for the boat pen; to be greeted with two eager young boys. Soon the boat was speeding through the water. A small pod of dolphins decided to follow the boat. Alex and Tyler pointed excitedly at them.
"Are there whales in these waters, Gordon?" Tyler asked.
"Yes, Ty," Gordon answered. "Whales do sometimes frequent these waters."
As soon as the boat was far enough out, Gordon weighed anchor and set about sorting out his fishing rods. Brandon sat down on the deck and watched as Gordon cast his line. Tyler and Alex were leaning over the sides, watching for something to tug on Gordon's line.
"Don't you want to fish?" Gordon turned to Brandon.
"Not just yet. I just think I'll watch you for the moment. Is there any beer on board?"
Gordon smiled. "Yes, in the small fridge in the galley. While you're there, please bring me one as well."
"And us," Alex cheekily added.
"There are some bottles of juice or lemonade for you two," Gordon said, as he concentrated on the line, which was moving gently in the breeze. He opened his bottle of beer and took a long swig. This was the life. The sun shone from a cloudless sky.
Brandon closed his eyes and relaxed. He began to think about everything that had happened in the three months since he had been appointed as a member of International Rescue. The rescues had been dangerous but at the same time exciting. He was working with a crack team. Not only the Tracy family, but the other new recruits like him. He was suddenly awakened from his daydream by the rocking of the boat.
"Hey, steady, Gordon."
"Brandon! Quick! There's a fish on Gordon's line!" Tyler was waving his skinny arms wildly, urging Brandon to join them at the side of the boat.
All four stared at the line, which was being pulled taut. Gordon tried to reel in his catch.
"Play it a little," Brandon suggested. "Otherwise it may snap the line."
Puffing, Gordon said through gritted teeth, "I am trying to bring it in.
"Can I help, can I?" Tyler was jumping up and down in his excitement.
"I want to help bring it in," Alex said. "Besides, you're too small." He gave his brother a look that clearly showed his seniority.
After half an hour of arm wrenching, Gordon finally managed to bring the fish to the surface.
"Wow! Just look at that!" Brandon exclaimed. "What do you think it is?"
"It's a small Skate," Gordon answered. "Kyrano will be pleased."
Carefully, and with the two youngest Tracy brothers' help, the fish was landed on the deck. Although it wasn't as big as they had first thought; it still thrashed its fins and head. Quickly, Gordon killed it.
"Can we have a turn, Gordon?" Alex asked his older brother.
"I think we'll move a little further out to sea," Gordon said, as he went and restarted the engine. After cruising for a further ten minutes, Gordon once again weighed anchor. Eagerly Alex and Tyler watched as Gordon put more bait on the hook; before showing them how to cast the line. Both Alex and Tyler tried to hold the rod together.
"Hey," Gordon laughed. "One at a time, guys."
"Can I go first please?" Tyler begged. "Alex always gets to do things before me."
"I don't," Alex began to argue back.
Brandon stood up. "There's more than one rod. I'll help you, Tyler."
For the next hour, all four continued fishing. All that could be heard was either Alex or Tyler calling
"Look! I've got one!"
"Aww, it got away."
"Steady. You're rocking the boat."
"I'm trying to reel it in."
"I've caught more than you." That was Alex, who was having more success with Gordon helping him than Tyler was with Brandon.
Eventually, Gordon looked at the ten fairly good-sized fish lying on the deck alongside the larger one he had caught.
"Looks like we'll all eat well tonight," Gordon said with a pleased look on his face.
"Well, I think we had better head for home," Brandon replied. "I promised Dom I'd meet him in the gym. We've planned to do a work out together." He looked meaningfully at Gordon.
"We landed some fish!" Tyler was capering around the deck, while Alex was trying to conceal his excitement. "Wait till we tell Mom and Dad!" he added.
Gordon just looked at Brandon. "I think that we helped them a little, don't you?"
Brandon laughed and nodded.
From: Tawnyangel22 Sent: 11/13/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1656 is a reply to message #1655] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:42 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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]******Friday, June 1, 2068; Thunderbird Five; 6:00 p.m.******[/I]
For the first time, Callie Spencer was putting what she had learned on the Thunderbird Three simulator to the test. She had flown the red rocket with ease away from Thunderbird Five and through Earth's atmosphere. The only part that had plagued her in the simulator was landing it upright in the Round House silo. She had finally succeeded two weeks before she left for her run as space monitor. Practicing the landing at least twice a day, she eventually got the landing down on the simulator. While she was prepping herself for the real landing, she thought back to when John and Scott arrived to change personnel.
******Flashback to 1:00 p.m.******
Callie had already packed her clothes, and after making sure the system checks were completed, she waited patiently for the arrival of Thunderbird Three.
John's voice was soon heard over the radio. "Thunderbird Five from Thunderbird Three. Request permission for docking."
Pressing a button on the control panel, she checked the cameras for anything that could jeopardize the docking sequence. She nodded and said, "Hatch is clear, Thunderbird Three. You are clear for docking."
"F-A-B."
Within fifteen minutes the two machines were connected. John and Scott entered the space station, John holding his suitcase.
"Welcome aboard, John," said Callie jokingly.
"Thanks, Callie. You had a fairly quiet month, didn't you?"
"Yeah, except for that call from the boy and Lena's signal from her PDA when she was kidnapped. Speaking of Lena, is she all right?"
"We don't know for sure. Dad knows more of the details than we do."
Scott said, "We do know she's on the island now. Come on, we've got a lot of loading and unloading to do."
For an hour-and-a-half, the three took the supplies off the spaceship and moved them onto the space station. Then, they loaded the trash and empty water containers into the rocket for return to Earth.
John looked at Callie. "Dad told us about the lack of peanut butter, so when it's your turn in August, we'll stock up on it for you."
"Aw, you don't have to do that. Anyway, I'm ready to go back to the island."
After another 15 minutes, Callie was at the controls of Thunderbird Three. "Ready to leave, Quasar."
"F-A-B, Ursa. Good luck flying her home."
"Thanks."
******End flashback******
This is it, she thought. I hope I get this right. Concentrating on the controls, she said, "Base from Thunderbird Three, requesting permission to land."
Jeff said, "F-A-B, Ursa. You're clear to land."
She pressed a few buttons to allow the rocket to do a complete flip to place into its position. Pushing the button to fire the retro rockets, she carefully watched her angle of entry. "Dead straight," she whispered. "Now just keep it at this angle..."
Scott noticed her talking to herself. You've almost got it, Callie. Just one thousand feet left.
For every hundred feet, the retros fired out more exhaust, slowing their descent into the silo. After about seven minutes, the rocket landed softly on the blast ducts.
"Congratulations, Callie," said Scott. "You successfully landed Thunderbird Three safely."
She exhaled a deep breath. "For a little while, I didn't think I could do it."
"Hey, you practiced the landings on your own in the simulator, and you did really well for your first time on the real thing. Before too long, it'll become second nature to you."
The pair went down the elevator to the sofa, which decended from the rocket and started its trip back into the lounge.
"I really need to talk to Mr. Tracy about the cross-training, because there are so many people training in Thunderbird One and Thunderbird Two already," Callie said. "I'm not sure I'm even needed for cross-training."
"We'll talk with Dad about that when we get to the lounge."
"Okay."
They continued on the railroad car, until a long hydraulic lift pushed the sofa upward into the lounge.
When the sofa emerged in the lounge, Jeff said, "Welcome home, Callie."
"Thank you, sir."
From: TracyFan4Ever Sent: 11/14/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1657 is a reply to message #1656] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:44 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Friday, June 1, 2068, 5:45 p.m., Tracy Island
"Ewww! That's gross!"
"No! No! That's cool!"
Tyler and Alex stood by, watching as Gordon and Brandon helped Kyrano prepare the fish they'd caught for dinner. Tyler had his eyes half open and was standing with his hands held palms out and his face turned away as the men beheaded, gutted and filleted the fish. Alex eagerly watched the sight, trying to pick out the various organs as they were removed from the dead bodies.
"I'm getting out of here!" Tyler said, making a face. He turned and hurried away.
"He's not going to make a very good fisherman, is he?" Gordon commented. "This is all part of the sport, especially if you want to eat the catch."
"Aww, he'll probably get used to it as he gets older," Brandon disagreed. He put the fish that he had just finished with onto a tray, and stood up. "Can you finish the rest?"
Gordon looked around. "Yeah, I think we can." He looked up at Brandon from his seat. "You going to eat with us? Enjoy some of our catch?"
"No, but thanks for the invitation. There's a shindig planned for Callie's homecoming tonight, and I'm doing the grilling. I'd better get over there and get things ready."
"Okay, man. Thanks for helping out."
"Indeed, Mr. Brandon," Kyrano said. "Thank you for your contribution."
"No problem, Kyrano. And I didn't catch the fish, I just helped Tyler do it," the aquanaut said with a chuckle and a grin. "Later guys." He raised a hand in farewell before going inside to wash his hands.
Alex and Gordon both bid him goodbye, and Gordon finished up with the last of the fish.
"This will be a tasty meal tonight," Gordon said. He glanced over at his younger brother. "Do you think Tyler will eat this now that he's seen how to clean a fish?"
"If Mom has anything to say about it, he will," Alex said. He glance over at Kyrano. "What else are we having, Kyrano?"
The Malaysian smiled. "Your Tracy grandmother is making some of her apple pies, while your Parkhurst grandmother is making green beans almondine and a rice pilaf. She told me she would rather make hush puppies and cole slaw, but since I will be steaming the fish instead of frying it, she agreed to make the lighter fare."
"Next time, can we have a fish fry with hush puppies? I love hush puppies!" Alex pleaded.
"I will take your request under advisement, Mr. Alex," Kyrano said, nodding. He lifted the tray with the fish on it. "I must begin to cook these. Thank you for cleaning them, Mr. Gordon. And thank you, Mr. Alex, for catching them."
"You're welcome," Gordon and Alex both answered.
Alex followed Gordon as he stepped into a utility room to wash his fishy hands. First he washed them, then he squeezed a half a fresh lemon, left there by Kyrano for the purpose, over them to get out the fishy smell.
"I'm going to go clean up before dinner," Gordon said. "I think you should, too."
"Yeah, I guess so. I'll see you at dinner, Gords," Alex replied saucily as he skipped from the room.
"Little brothers," Gordon said, shaking his head. "You can't do a thing with 'em."
From: Tikatu Sent: 11/14/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1658 is a reply to message #1657] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:44 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Friday, June 1, 2068, 6:15 PM; Tracy Island
While Emily and Lisa took the side dishes out to the dining room, Kyrano removed the fish from the steamer and placed them onto a platter. He had found a way of adding certain spices to enhance the flavor, and this particular dish had become a family favorite. Now it was ready to eat and smelled wonderful. He turned to take the platter into the dining room and place it on the table.
He returned to the kitchen, and heard Durian meowing plaintively from the wire enclosure that Kyrano had put in the kitchen, so the kitten could keep him company. But Durian had found a way out earlier and gotten into the trash, where the fish heads were prior to being ground up for fertilizer. Kyrano had hurried over to him and picked him up, managing to get him to drop the head in his mouth. He'd put the kitten back into the enclosure, found how he'd gotten out, and fixed it so he couldn't do that again.
Once the food was served and the family was eating, he took Durian out of the enclosure and, sitting at a small table, held him on his lap, petting him. He grew concerned as he noticed the kitten seemed listless and unwell. He lifted him to look at his eyes, but saw nothing to tell him what was wrong, so put him back on his lap and continued to pet him.
About twenty-five minutes later, the door to the dining room opened, and Grandma Tracy walked through. "The dinner was delicious as usual, Kyrano, and the boys all say that the only thing that can top it off is my apple pie. Land sakes, I -- dear me! What's going on?"
They heard a yell from the dining room. "Please excuse me. I had Durian on my lap when you came in, and he ran through the door when you came in." He hurried out.
"Ewww!" "Gross!" "Oh, yuck!"
Kyrano stopped in his tracks, appalled. Durian had jumped onto the table, and was hunched in the middle of it, vomiting. He coughed a little, and looked up to see Kyrano and mewed pitifully. Kyrano picked him up and looked into the kitten's eyes once again. "He had been in the kitchen earlier and was eating the fish heads; how he got into the trash, I don't know. But they shouldn't have affected him like this; not that much time has passed since they were caught." He cradled Durian in his arms.
Just then the kitten tensed and coughed up a fish eye on the Malaysian's sleeve. Paling at the sight, Cherie suddenly put her napkin to her mouth and got up quickly, running out of the room. Dianne glanced at Jeff, and left, following her. Everyone looked at each other, wondering if the fish would make them sick, too. Gordon frowned; Alex and Tyler looked worried, since they had been the ones to catch the fish.
Kyrano shifted Durian to one arm and reached out to take the platter with the remaining pieces of fish back into the kitchen. "I will save this in case he becomes worse, so we may find out what is making him ill. I hope this does not affect any of you. Please extend my apologies to Miss Cherie for having to witness such a thing."
"Of course, Kyrano. And despite the unintentional floor -- or should I say table -- show, dinner was up to your usual standards."
"Thank you, sir. And now I must attend to things in the kitchen. And to this little one." He turned and left.
From: Hobbeth Sent: 11/15/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1659 is a reply to message #1658] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:44 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Friday, June 1, 2068, 6:30 p.m., Tracy Island
"Oh, this is wonderful, Brains," Tin-Tin declared as she stretched upward. She was sitting on a blanket that she had spread on the sand.
"Yes, I have to agree," Brains said as he rummaged around in the picnic cooler he had brought along. "It was nice of your father to prepare this supper for us."
"Actually, it was Lisa who did most of the work," she replied. "My father was busy preparing the fish that the boys brought in. I'm sorry to have missed it, but a light meal is more what I need."
"Me, too," Brains said, smiling. "Here's a salad with chicken, some iced tea..."
"Oooh! Lisa's sweet tea! She makes the best!"
Brains poured out some of the tea for each of them, then served the salad. Tin-Tin took a deep swallow of the drink and made a noise of satisfaction.
"I am so glad to be away from the lab. Upgrading all the visors with the heads up tech was so tedious," she said. Sitting crosslegged on the blanket, she took a bite of the chicken, and waved her fork a bit. "But it's all done. I just have to return them to the team members."
"You've been busy lately, Tin-Tin," Brains commented. He took a drink of his own tea. "You've basically thrown yourself into your work. Why?"
There was a moment of quiet, then Tin-Tin sighed. "My encounter with Giles Hightower in England, I suppose. Working hard helps me forget what a fool I was to trust him."
"How could you know what kind of creep he was?" Brains replied. He chewed thoughtfully on a bite of salad, then continued. "You have nothing to be ashamed of, Tin-Tin. Anyone can be gulled by someone charming who pays particular attention to them."
She gazed at him with an eyebrow raised. He noticed her looking at him, and asked, "What?"
"Have you ever been gulled by someone charming who paid particular attention to you?"
Brains blushed. "Well, yes. But she couldn't hold a candle to you, Tin-Tin." He looked back down at his salad. "And that's all I'll say about the matter!"
From: Tikatu Sent: 11/19/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1660 is a reply to message #1659] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:45 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Friday, June 1, 2068, 7:30 p.m., Tracy Island
"How's Durian?" Lisa asked as she sat across the kitchen table from Kyrano.
The Malaysian sighed, "He is lethargic and will not eat. I fear I shall have to send him to a veterinarian."
The older woman picked up a forkful of rice and slipped it into her mouth. She usually ate with her family of an evening, but this time she had decided to wait for her beau before having dinner. Neither she nor Kyrano had counted on the cat's disgusting performance in the middle of the table.
"Do you think the fish is contaminated?" she asked. "I know that you cooked it well, so there should have been no chance of food poisoning."
He shook his head sadly. "I do not know. I have saved some of the fish and may ask Mr. Brains to analyze it for us, just in case." He glanced up at his companion. "I am sorry that Cherie..."
"Don't worry about it," Lisa said, waving her free hand. "Cherie's at that stage where she overreacts to that sort of thing. I would have thought her to have a stronger stomach considering all the creepy things Alex has brought home over the years."
She took a bite of the chicken breast that Kyrano had prepared in lieu of the fish. "Now, let's eat and not worry. Sometimes animals pick up things that human's don't and vice versa. No sense borrowing trouble."
Kyrano smiled slightly and nodded. He reached a hand across to cover hers. "Yes, you are right. We should enjoy this time together."
Lisa returned the smile, looking remarkably like her daughter as she winked at him.
From: Tikatu Sent: 11/20/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1661 is a reply to message #1660] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:45 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Saturday, June 2, 2068, 6:15 a.m., Tracy Island
"Ugh," Dianne moaned as she rolled over. Her wristwatch communicator was buzzing for her attention and she picked it up to answer the call.
"Yes?" she asked thickly.
Alex's pale and worried face stared back at her. "Mom," he said. "Tyler's throwing up. And I don't feel so good either."
She sighed. "I'll be right there."
"Okay, Mom."
Dianne rolled out of bed, feeling weary and tired. She went to her closet and pulled out a modest robe. As she donned it, Jeff stirred.
"Wassamatta?" he slurred from his side of the bed.
"Tyler's sick, and probably Alex, too," she replied, tying the belt of her robe. "I'm going to check on them."
"'Kay," Jeff muttered. He rolled over and his steady breathing told her that he had gone back to sleep.
She sighed a long-suffering sigh and, taking her communicator with her, left their suite. Standing outside the door was a pale Cherie.
"Mom, my stomach hurts and I feel hot," the teen complained.
Dianne raised the back of her hand to her daughter's forehead and said, "Yes, you've got a fever. Go back to your room and I'll be there in a few minutes. I need to check on the boys first."
"Okay, Mom," Cherie said wearily. The two walked together, past Scott's room, and to Cherie's suite, where the teenager stopped and stepped through the door. Dianne continued to the room on the corner.
Entering the cluttered sitting area, she passed through the double sliding doors to the boys' even more cluttered bedroom. The light was on in the bathroom and she could just hear the toilet flushing. Stepping inside, she found both boys. Tyler was sitting on the floor next to the commode looking totally wiped out and holding his stomach, while Alex was rinsing out his mouth.
"I threw up, too, Mom," the older boy said, sounding miserable.
"So I gathered," Dianne replied. She made her way over to her youngest son. "I think we'd better take you down to the sick room."
"I don't wanna go there," Tyler whined, shaking his head. "I hate it there! Can't I stay here and sleep in my own bed?"
"Please, Mom, let him stay," Alex pleaded. "I don't want to be up here alone."
Tyler's eyes grew wide with panic, and he climbed to his knees, leaning over the toilet to vomit again. Dianne held his head steady as he retched, then found a washcloth to wipe his face with when he was done. She noticed how hot he was and glanced up at Alex.
"I think you both should go down to the sick room, at least until we figure out what this is and have an idea of how long it's going to last," she said. "And until I can call in some back up to help take care of you. I have a feeling this has something to do with the fish we ate last night..."
Alex cut her off. "We didn't do anything bad to the fish, Mom! I swear we didn't!"
Dianne put an arm around him. "I know, Alex, I know. If what I think has happened is true, you had nothing to do with it." She sighed heavily. "I'm going down to the sick room for a couple of emesis bowls so that you'll have something to throw up into should you need to on the way down. But you're both going down there, at least for a little while. We'll need to take blood samples." She squatted down beside Tyler and pushed his stiff hair from his sweaty brow. "I promise that once we get things squared away down there, and the nurses are here to help me, you can come back and sleep in your own bed, okay?"
Tyler nodded. She stood, breathed out another sigh, then headed down to the sick room.
On the way, she contacted Kyrano and Brains, asking them to meet her at the infirmary. Her mother came along as well, and Dianne was glad to see her.
"All three of the youngest children are sick, but especially the boys. I'm going to bring them down here for a period of observation. Kyrano? Would you please contact Dom and Nikki and tell them I need them? Mom, please go up and check on Cherie, then stay with the boys until I can get back up there. Brains? I'm going to take blood samples from the boys and I'd like you to analyze that fish for us. See if that's the culprit."
"You know what it will mean if it is," Brains warned.
Dianne nodded. "Yes, I do. It means the whole family will be sick, from Tyler all the way up to Em. Myself included."
"Lisa and I did not eat the fish, nor did Mr. Brains or Tin-Tin. And I did not send any to Mrs. Matumbo, either," Kyrano informed her.
Dianne sat wearily down at her desk. "I'd hate to ask Lena to help out if this turns out to be as bad as it looks, but we might have to." She glanced over at the three people before her. "Well, I'd better things ready for those blood samples. Ma, I'll be up for the boys in a few minutes."
"Right. When you bring them down, I'll look in on Em," Lisa said, nodding.
"Okay. Let's get going. Hopefully there'll be some time before the adults come down with symptoms. And pray, really pray, that we don't get an emergency call," Dianne said seriously. "International Rescue may be non-functional for a few days here."
From: Tikatu Sent: 11/21/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1662 is a reply to message #1661] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:46 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Saturday 02 June, 6.15am, Tracy Island.
Buzz, buzz, buzz.
The noise roused Dominic to somewhere between sleep and waking, and he pressed his face into the pillow.
Buzz, buzz, buzz.
Heaving a deep sigh, he reluctantly raised his head and glanced over at the bedside table, where the noise was coming from, and frowned. What on earth is that?
Buzz, buzz, buzz.
It took a few moments for the fog of sleep to lift enough from his brain before Dom realized that it was his wrist comm., and at -- 6.20am?! -- it could only be sounding for something bad. He sat up and reached across for it, rubbing his face with one hand.
"Dom here," he said.
"Mr Kelly," came Kyrano's voice, "Doctor Tracy has requested your presence in the sick room immediately. The youngest Tracys have come down with an illness."
"I'll be right there. Will someone be able to take Joshua for me?"
"I shall tend to him."
"Okay. Thanks. Dom out."
Dominic sprang out of bed and started to get dressed, followed by setting a record for getting washed. He was ready in a snap and went to Joshua's room. The child was already awake, as per usual, and Dom quickly washed and dressed him too.
"Ready for an adventure?" He asked. "Daddy has to work, so you'll be spending time with Kyrano, okay Jak? Come on."
Joshua obediently took his father's hand, and the two headed for the monorail.
***
Dom had met Nikki on the way to the sick room, and as soon as they got there, they were informed of the situation, and were following in Dianne's wake to get the Alex and Tyler.
"We can only hope that it wasn't the fish," Dianne said, "although it's the likely culprit."
In a flash, they had transferred the boys back down to the sick room, and the nurses set about taking the blood samples. When Dianne took them for testing, Dom glanced at Nikki, a worried twist to his lips.
"I hope this doesn't turn out to be a family-wide occurrence," he said.
"I know. It could be a disaster if there's a call..." Nikki commented.
They didn't stop to ponder upon it any further, and set about making the miserable young Tracys comfortable, and waited.
From: ArtisticRainey Sent: 11/23/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1663 is a reply to message #1662] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:47 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Tracy Island -- late morning June 2nd
Virgil was tossing and turning in his sleep. He woke suddenly. What had wakened him? There was a terrible pain in his stomach, and waves of nausea swept over him. Groggily he rose and, with a sudden urgency, rushed for his bathroom. He had never felt so ill. He was dizzy and hot, then he was shivering. He tottered back to his bed. Glancing at his bedside clock he couldn't believe his eyes. It was nearly noon. Groaning, he rested his head back onto the pillow. But no sooner had his head hit the pillow than the same urge as before made him rush to the bathroom again. Resting his head in his hands, he felt the dizziness nearly overcome him.
Virgil didn't know how long he stayed in the bathroom. He just felt that he didn't ever want to move again. Eventually he felt that he could make it back to bed
He lay down on his bed, feeling very weak. It was no good; he had to use the bathroom again. The gripping pains in his stomach were relentless in their intensity. He began to retch and this time failed to make it to his bathroom.
Feeling decidedly wobbly, he was just returning to his bed when Dianne entered. Taking one look at Virgil, she said, "You too, huh?"
"Mom, I've never felt so sick in my life. What's wrong with me?"
Dianne placed the back of her hand on his forehead. He felt hot and sweaty, although he was shivering violently.
"Hm, seems you're suffering the same as Grandma Tracy, Alex and Tyler. Looks like the fish we ate was contaminated. Brains is analysing the remains," Dianne said, pulling his covers up over him. "At the moment, the only thing to do is to try and sleep it off."
Virgil smiled weakly. "I don't think I have anything left inside to part with."
"I'll have Dom or Nikki bring you a bowl and some hydration fluid. I'm going to check on the rest of the family. I have a nasty feeling that everyone who ate the fish will be affected."
"Mom? How long will this last? What if a call comes through?"
"I'm not sure. It could hang on for days. We'll just have to hope we don't get a call," Dianne replied wearily. She smoothed a hand over his forehead and hair. "Now try and get some rest."
"I'll try," Virgil said sleepily. He snuggled under the covers like a little boy, sighing.
Dianne smiled wanly back at him and echoed his sigh as she left the room to check on Alan and Gordon.
written by TawnyAngel22 Sent: 11/24/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1664 is a reply to message #1663] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:47 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Saturday, June 2, 2068, noon, Tracy Island
"Dianne? Dianne?" Brains called through his communicator. There was no answer and he frowned. ~I'd better go up and find out what's going on in the sick room.
He walked into the infirmary to find it nearly empty. The boys and Emily had been moved back up to their rooms after it was deemed that they'd be better off in their own beds. Nikki was cleaning up a mess on the floor, her face covered by a mask and wearing medical gloves. The smell of antiseptic was heavy in the air.
"Where's Dianne?" he asked Nikki.
She sighed, and indicated the rest room with her head. "In there. It's finally caught up with her."
"Oh," he said, blinking behind his glasses.
The door opened and Dianne came out, one hand on her abdomen, looking pale and wiped out. She noticed the scientist standing there and asked, "What is it? Do you know?"
Snagging an emesis bowl, she headed for her office, Brains following along. "Yes, I know what it is... sort of."
"What do you mean, sort of?" Dianne asked, sitting heavily in her chair and looking up at him with bleary eyes.
"It seems to be a form of shigellosis, but a strain that has never been catalogued before," he replied, sitting on the edge of her desk, folding his arms. "In fact, this may end up being named for us if it's truly a new strain of the bacteria."
Dianne let out a long breath. "How long do you think it will last? And do you think it will respond to regular shigellosis meds?"
"How long? I don't know, but the onset is a whole lot faster than the usual strains of the diseases, so I'd say that it shouldn't last as long," Brains responded. "And I don't see why it wouldn't respond to meds."
"Okay." Dianne closed her eyes and breathed deeply for a few moments, then opened a new window on her computer. "I'm sending in a prescription for the meds to our usual pharmacist in Wellington. Can you see that it's picked up and distributed?"
"Sure," Brains told her. "Tin-Tin would probably be best to pick up the meds. I'll send her on her way right now."
"Good," Dianne muttered as she perused the pharmacist's lists. "Because by the time she comes back, I'm going to be in my own bed, hopefully sleeping this off." A few clicks of the mouse and she said, "There..." But her next words were cut off short as she put one hand over her mouth, picked up the emesis bowl, and headed at high speed for the sick room's toilet.
Brains watched her go, then settled down behind her desk. He checked on the pharmacy order, then raised his communicator. "Brains to Tin-Tin. I have a job for you..."
From: Tikatu Sent: 11/24/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1665 is a reply to message #1664] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:47 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Saturday, June 2, 5:30 a.m., Banihal Tunnel, Pir Panjal range, India (noon Tracy Island)
The worker wore warm clothes and had an oxygen mask, just in case. The heavy-duty halogen light he carried on his helmet illuminated his workspace within the dark tunnel. Though the tunnel did carry lighting, it wasn't activated until a train passed through, thus saving energy.
His gloved fingers worked clumsily at the device he was setting up. He had used a collapsible ladder, one that could be anchored in the smooth cement ceiling of the long monorail tunnel, and had worked on his first device from that precarious perch. It had been the more difficult bit of hardware: a motion sensitive transmitter that would trigger the device he was working on now.
This one was an explosive charge that would sit on the ceiling itself and was powerful enough to bring down tons of the concrete that made up the tunnel. The transmitter would send a signal to the explosive once the engine of the train that he was interested in passed beneath it. Then, it would trigger another explosion, right where it was situated, once the entire train had cleared the spot.
He smiled as he worked. There was a particular piece of hardware aboard that train, an anti-aircraft scanner that could detect anything. "Including those blasted Thunderbirds," he muttered under his breath.
He checked his watch, noticing that he still had enough time to get down to the station and board the train in his current guise. Then he would be handy when the power went out and the train had to stop. "I will check the maintenance tunnel once again," he murmured. "I cannot allow myself to be trapped here with the rest of the passengers." The tunnel would deposit him on the side of the mountain, from which he could access a helijet he had hidden not far away. Earlier, he had unloaded a four-wheel drive truck from that helijet so he could get back down the mountain.
"There, done!" he exclaimed softly. He didn't like the echoes of the long tunnel; they reminded him how far beneath the ground he really was. "Now to check my escape route, and then into my truck for the journey down to the station. In a few short hours, the train will come by and the tunnel will collapse, trapping it and making the acquisition of that particular bit of technology very, very simple."
He laughed softly under his breath as he climbed down to the floor of the tunnel. Pressing a button, the pitons that held the ladder released and it fell, ready to be picked up and stored for another use. He loaded it into his truck, then headed for the maintenance access point to reassure himself of its usefulness.
From: Tikatu Sent: 11/24/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1666 is a reply to message #1665] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:48 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Saturday, June 2, 8:30 a.m., Banihal Tunnel, Pir Panjal range, India (3 p.m. Tracy Island)
The India Star monorail train made its way into the long Banihal Tunnel. The passage through the Pir Panjal mountains was over seven miles long and had taken years to build. It was used by monorail trains carrying both passengers and freight to and from the central portions of India to the northern ones.
A swarthy man, not particularly noticible in his unassuming clothes and his bland face, paid close attention to his PDA as the train entered the tunnel. The exterior lights switched on providing a glimpse of the smooth walls as the monorail flashed by. Two miles into the tunnel, words appeared on the man's PDA: "device 1 triggered". This was accompanied by a strong vibration in the monorail, strong enough to make the train slow down. Then, moments later, the words "device 2 triggered" appeared on the PDA, followed by an actual shaking and a jarring screech as the rails holding up the train from the back tore from the roof and fell, twisted, into the pile of debris that was now blocking the tunnel.
The man smiled inwardly even as he reacted to the situation as he would be expected to: with fear and confusion.
The train came to a halt less than a quarter mile from the farthest blockage, saving itself and the passengers from a devastating collision with a wall of rock. However, the rails were twisted, and groaned precariously as the weight of the train threatened to pull the still standing threads from the ceiling. To the rear, the back of the monorail was already dragging on the ground as the rails they passed over had been weakened more and had fallen from their overhead stanchions. Power to the tunnel was disrupted; lights went out both inside and outside the train, and the giant ventilation fans ceased to turn.
The passengers were reacting with panic despite the best efforts of the crew to calm them. The swarthy man disappeared into the milling crowd, heading for the rear of the train where the piece of technology he was looking for had been stored.
Unbeknownst to the would-be thief, the explosions he had set off had another, unforeseen affect. A slope of talus, pieces of loose rock that littered a part of the mountain almost like a glacier, were shaken loose from their positions and had flowed like a stony avalanche downward, covering both the ventilation shafts that brought fresh air into the tunnel... and the maintenance exit that the culprit hoped to use to make his escape.
From: Tikatu Sent: 11/24/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1667 is a reply to message #1666] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:48 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Saturday, June 2, 2068, 3:15 p.m., Wellington, New Zealand
Tin-Tin loaded the last of her purchases into the car. She had been given a list of medical supplies and special foods by Brains, Dom, and her father when she left the island. The family's usual pharmacist had found himself without enough of the medicine that Dianne had ordered, so while he tried to get an emergency delivery from his wholesaler, Tin-Tin took a Tracy family car - one of the ones they kept at the airport - and went shopping.
She glanced at her watch and sighed. ~The pharmacist said he should have the medication by three. I hate seeming to pester him, but I've got to get that medicine to the island as soon as possible.
Shaking her head, she got into the car and started it up. ~I hope traffic is light. I'm really pressed for time here. The little boys in particular need this drug now. With that thought, she pulled out of the parking lot and drove back to the pharmacy, hoping that the prescription Dianne had emailed would be filled by the time she arrived there.
From: Tikatu Sent: 11/25/2005
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| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1668 is a reply to message #1667] |
Fri, 27 July 2012 16:48 |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma: 2
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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The electronic doors meant that there was no chance to slam the door, something that Nikki was very glad for. Alan had just finally dropped off to sleep after waking up to the unpleasant surprise that he was about to lose his lunch (So to speak, she thought), and that was a lot of hours to be awake and miserable. Nikki kept a firm hold on the tray she was carrying, which bore a now-empty water jug. She made her way back down to the sick room to replenish it, but bumped into Kat on the way, who was taking care of a certain someone.
"Hello Nikki," Kat said, gently tugging Joshua's arm to urge him onwards.
"Hey Kat," Nikki said.
"It's awful what's happened, isn't it?" She asked. "Whenever I heard, I just had to come and help. I think Lisa and Kyrano were glad to have Joshua off their hands for a little while."
Nikki grinned and tipped a wink to the little boy.
"Your daddy's working hard today," she glanced at her watch and said, "and so am I. I've got to get going. Be a good boy, won't you?" she said to Joshua. Her eyes rolled up to Kat, and she grinned slyly. "And you be a good girl and don't hide him away to keep him."
Kat chuckled and shook her head. Joshua glanced up and giggled at her mirth.
"We'll see," she said.
Nikki gave them a wave before heading off again, shaking her head.
From: ArtisticRainey Sent: 11/28/2005
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