Home » The Archives » Chapter 7 » Trouble Under the Hood
| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1847 is a reply to message #1846] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 16:14   |
Lillehafrue
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From: ArtisticRainey Sent: 3/18/2006 1:03 PM
"Shh, shh-shh-shh, come on lad, shh..."
Joshua's crying wouldn't abate, and Dominic shifted the tot in his arms, jiggling him and cuddling him, trying to get him to calm down. It wasn't teething, it wasn't a fever -- in fact he didnt seem to be ill at all -- so what was it? Dominic sighed and rubbed the back of Joshua's soft blond head as the kid grabbed at the long hairs at the nape of his father's neck and wailed louder.
"Jak, Jak, what's the matter with you?"
"Jak tired!"
"Shall we go to bed then?"
"NO!"
"But you're tired, son."
"NO!"
Dom kissed the side of Joshua's head and pressed his cheek to his face.
"I don't know what to do with you, you know."
Joshua kept on wailing, his face the all-too-familiar red of the past few days. Poor Joshua, I truly don't know what to do. I'm no good at this... The calming muttering and the harsh cries melded in disharmony and filled the apartment from floor to ceiling with pressure that was almost more than either father or son could bear. Eventually Joshua dropped off in a descending spiral of sniffles and whines, and Dominic settled the child down on his bed, and sat on the chair beside him, shaking his head.
"Just what am I gonna do?"
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
 
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1848 is a reply to message #1847] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 16:19 |
Lillehafrue
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From: Tikatu Sent: 3/19/2006 4:40 PM
Scott fidgeted in his seat in Thunderbird One. Even at the ruins where the sheik and his men had taken shelter, it was obvious that the sandstorm was too fierce for him to properly set up Mobile Control. So, after a brief consultation with the sheik, he returned to his 'Bird to coordinate.
I wish I was able to get closer! It sounds like the women could use a couple of extra pairs of hands out there. I feel pretty helpless just sitting here, listening to the talkback.
"Mobile Control from Frankie." Elise's voice filled his ears and the cockpit.
"Mobile Control here," Scott said, activating his boom mike and switching the audio to his earphone. "Go ahead, Frankie."
"We've managed to extricate all the survivors, and they're in Thunderbird Seven. Doc and Angel want to come back for the fatality once they've given the survivors a once-over, and treated those who need it. They're going to pull Seven back into the pod to do that. What's the plan for getting these people where they belong?"
Scott thought for a moment. "How many are able-bodied?"
"I'm not sure. I'm waiting on Doc for that information."
"All right. Once you have that information, let me know. In the meantime, do either of the trucks look salvageable?"
"From the looks of it, there's one that might be. MGM will be able to give you a better idea."
"Then here's the plan. Get the one truck that looks repairable into the pod so MGM can look at it. When Doc figures out who is relatively able-bodied, they should be brought back here with the truck. Seven can take the others on to a local hospital. I'll get onto giving the hospital a heads up, and get the coordinates for it."
"Won't Seven have some trouble with the storm?" Elise asked. "It is a hovercraft."
"My last reports from Thunderbird Five indicate that the storm should be abating within the hour. The winds are beginning to drop already. Thunderbird Seven should have no problem after that."
"F-A-B," Elise replied. "I'll pass the word along. Frankie out."
Scott sat back and sighed. Well, that helped... a little. I'll be glad to see the bulk of Thunderbird Two arrive. I hope it's soon.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1849 is a reply to message #1848] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 16:22 |
Lillehafrue
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From: TracyFan4Ever Sent: 3/19/2006 7:59 PM
After all the victims had been safely removed from the truck, Callie drove out to the scene in the Recovery Vehicle. The good news was that being inside the RV meant she could get out of her uncomfortable suit.
Kat scrambled in beside her, holding on to her mechanic's tool box. "Okay, ready to go." Kat said, taking off her helmet. "Phew, it's so hot! It makes doing anything such hard work. We shall have to try and drag the truck away from the other one. But it won't be easy; they are both so unstable."
Callie drove the RV to a point about 100 yards from the two toppled trucks. "The best thing to do is to get the top one off. I've got to aim the magnetic clamps carefully."
She used the crosshairs to find a point that was stable enough to keep the trucks from collapsing on each other. "Ah, there we go. Adjusting by 3.4 degrees right right."
Once the magnetic clamps were attached, Callie carefully reversed the recovery vehicle. The caterpillar tracks gripped surprisingly well in the unstable sand. Slowly, inch by inch, the truck was dragged clear of the upturned truck beneath it. She continued until the truck was well clear. "MGM, get your tools ready," she said. "I'm going to get this truck into the pod where you can fix it."
"F-A-B, Ursa. What about the other truck?"
"Leave it. It's too far damaged to be of any use." After about 30 minutes, the first truck was safely in the pod. "Mission accomplished on my end, MGM. She's all yours."
Kat opened up the hood of the truck and started the repair job. Somehow she managed to locate the fan belt and tightened it up. She checked the carburetor, and tightened some loose screws. "Ursa, can you help me see if this truck will start?"
"Sure thing." Callie stepped into the driver's seat and turned the key in the ignition. "Come on, baby." The engine spluttered and then died. "Come on, come on," she was praying aloud. She tried again but still the engine refused to fire. "MGM, can you double-check everything on the inside?"
"F-A-B." Kat climbed up and looked at everything under the hood again, finding nothing amiss. "I can't find anything wrong," she called to Callie. "Try it once more."
With a sigh, Callie turned the key, hoping the engine would finally start. Surprisingly, the engine spluttered into life. "Whoo! We got it!" she shouted excitedly.
"All right! It worked!"
"It wouldn't have worked without your mechanical skills, MGM."
Kat grinned at her colleague. "This was a real test of my mechanic's skills. I can't wait to see what Einstein has to say when I tell him."
"I think Einstein would be pretty pleased," said Callie with a chuckle. "Frankie from Ursa. MGM got one of the trucks working again."
Elise smiled. "Good work, MGM. I'll contact Doc and give her the good news."
******By TawnyAngel22 and TracyFan4Ever.******
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1850 is a reply to message #1849] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 16:26 |
Lillehafrue
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From: Tikatu Sent: 3/20/2006 3:44 PM
"My baby, my baby," the young woman moaned. The translation arrived in Dianne's ear a few seconds later, and she sighed. The young woman, so hysterical in the overturned truck, was lying on the surgical bed while it scanned her. The doctor increased the magnification on part of the scan, looking at it critically.
Suddenly, Elise's picture popped up in her visor. Dianne blinked quickly.
"What is it, Frankie?" she asked irritably.
"Mobile Control wants to know how much longer," Elise said in a rueful tone.
"You tell Maverick that Ah'll be done when Ah'm done an' he'll be th' second one t' know."
Elise chuckled. "F-A-B, Doc."
Her picture winked out and Dianne turned her attention back to the scan. Increasing the magnification once more, she peered at the screen intently, then her face relaxed and she smiled. Turning off the monitor, she took the hand of the young woman and caught the girl's eye.
"Hey, there," she said, waiting for the translation to catch up with her words. "You're going to be fine and so is your baby."
"I... I'm not going to lose my baby?" the girl asked, her eyes wide.
"No, you're not," Dianne said firmly. "You're just a bit shaken and you have a relatively mild case of whiplash, that's all. Now, let's get you down from here. You need to keep that collar on for the next two weeks, and I will give you a pain reliever, as well. All of you that will be joining your... uh... husband, will have instructions to follow so you'll heal properly."
She pulled Boushra into a sitting position and helped her down from the surgical table. Escorting the young woman into the medical cabin, she uploaded her doctor's notes to the computer. Nikki was busy with the little boy who had the broken arm; Dianne had set it, and now he was asleep on one of the beds.
"Who's left?" Dianne asked her nurse.
"One of the men from the truck you triaged, and two of the children," Nikki replied. "He's a bit higher on the triage list than they are since they were both in safety seats."
"Where is he?"
"He's been waiting in the pod."
"All right," Dianne said with a nod. "Bring him straight into the surgery through the back. That way he won't see the women."
"Yes, Doc," Nikki replied.
Dianne went into the surgery and took the time to clean her hands with gel and don fresh gloves. She also prepared a hypospray of sedative and put it beside the surgical table.
The back door to Thunderbird Seven opened, and Nikki escorted the next patient inside. The back emergency entrance was rarely used since opening it ran the risk of contaminating the surgical area. But even if it was opened, there were safety procedures in place to cut any contamination to the minimum. Besides, Dianne didn't foresee any surgery in this case.
She patted the table. "Let's get you up here, sir."
The man looked around suspiciously. "Where is the doctor?"
Dianne folded her arms and glared at her patient. "I am the doctor."
He glared back at her. "I do not believe you. Women cannot be doctors."
"Maybe not in your world, but we can in the rest of it," she retorted. "Now, are you going to get up here under your own steam? Or am I going to have to sedate you?"
"You cannot make me submit to your examination. I wish to see a male doctor," he replied with rancor.
"Listen, you. If you don't get up on this table right now, Ah will sedate you." She showed him her hypospray. "And my nurse and Ah will do what we need to. Then, when we deliver you to your leader, we will tell him an' all your pals you were so afraid of a woman doctor that you fainted dead away."
The translation on this took some time, but by the end of it, the man understood his predicament. Grudgingly, he climbed up on the table, and Dianne helped him to lie back. "Okay, Angel. I think I have this under control," she said. "If I need help, I'll holler."
"F-A-B, Doc," Nikki said. She passed through to the medical cabin and sighed. Men.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1851 is a reply to message #1850] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 16:27 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
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From: Tikatu Sent: 3/22/2006 4:44 PM
"One, two, three... lift!"
The two women, the doctor and the nurse, lifted the body bagged figure onto an antigravity stretcher. In the background, Thunderbird Two was powering up, ready to take the relatively able-bodied rescue victims to rendezvous with the sheik... and Thunderbird One. The winds had died down considerably, and Alan had provided Thunderbird Seven coordinates to the hospital in nearby Baris. Once Thunderbird Two had dropped off the repaired truck and its occupants, it would meet up with Seven on the outskirts of the city.
Nikki and Dianne maneuvered the stretcher to the rear of the mobile treatment center. The tiny morgue was back there, with access to the outside so that the dead wouldn't have to pass through the surgery to be stored. Nikki raised the strength of the antigravity field, bringing the stretcher slowly up to the level of the first long cubicle, then clamped the side of the stretcher to the opening. The man had been difficult to extricate, and he was heavy, so preparing him for his ride to Baris had taken time, and both women felt muscles that they knew they had, but hadn't complained until then.
"Again on three," Dianne said into her communicator. "One, two, three!"
Together, they slid the body over, grunting a bit at the bulkiness. Finally, he was in place, and Dianne unfastened the stretcher. Nikki folded it up while the doctor closed the cubicle up and locked it.
"Ready t' go?" Dianne asked.
"Oh yes," Nikki replied as they walked around to the front of the Thunderbird. She climbed in after Dianne, removing her helmet, and hanging it up on a hook. "I can hardly wait to get back to base and have a hot bath."
"Same here," Dianne replied, shedding her suit. She sat in the pilot's seat. Even though the winds had died down, they still had some surprises in them, and with Seven being a hovercraft, it was decided that Nikki would ride in the medical cabin at the doctor's monitoring station, and that Dianne would pilot.
Nikki stepped into the medical cabin. Of the seven women, seven children, and four men involved in the rescue, two women, one man, and four children were returning to the sheik, most of them with minor injuries. The five women who remained in the cabin had varying degrees of concussion, and the eldest, the sheik's favorite, had fractured vertebrae in her neck. Dianne had done what she could surgically, but it was for doctors with more specialized skill to fully repair the damage. The two men were also concussed, and the driver of the second truck had a severe case of whiplash. The two children included the boy with the broken arm, and a little girl who had broken ribs.
The nurse walked by them, tweaking a cover here, checking biosigns there. She pulled back the curtain separating the men from the women where the men's feet were located, and checked their biosigns as well. One of the men, who was conscious, grabbed her hand and kissed it. She stifled a smile and wagged a warning finger at him. Then she replaced the curtain, and sat down at the monitoring station, activating it. She strapped herself in, and called up to Dianne.
"I'm ready when you are, Doc."
"F-A-B," was the reply. The hovercraft lifted from the sand, and began the trek north to the hospital. Behind them, Thunderbird Two rose into the air and headed north-northwest for its own rendezvous with the field commander.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1852 is a reply to message #1851] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 16:30 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
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From: Tikatu Sent: 3/27/2006 8:50 PM
Scott sighed with relief to see the bulk of Thunderbird Two settle down in the sands behind the ruins. Seconds after touching down, the body of the cargo carrier lifted up and away from the pod.
"Package delivery for one sheik... whatever his name is," Elise's voice quipped in his ear.
"Very cute, Frankie," Scott muttered. "I'll let the sheik know that his people are here."
"F-A-B," Elise replied. "You should have him get someone else to drive the truck; the guy who's in there now really isn't fit."
"F-A-B."
Scott climbed out of Thunderbird One, and walked over to where the sheik stood, organizing his remaining men. The man turned to him, a bright, white smile flashing.
"Many thanks to you and your organization," the sheik said, bowing briefly. "It is good to know that my family has been rescued and returned to me."
"You're welcome," Scott replied. He gestured with his head toward the pod. "You'll need a driver for the truck that we brought back; the man behind the wheel now is injured."
"And my wives and concubines? My children? Are they all here?"
Scott shook his head. "No, just those who were most able-bodied and had the fewest injuries. The rest have been taken in Thunderbird Seven to the hospital in Baris. You'll find them there."
"Ah, I see." The sheik hesitated. "One... one of my concubines is to have her first child. I wonder... could you tell me if she and the child are all right? And my favorite wife, my beloved Fahime, what of her?"
"Certainly." Scott tapped his communicator, and called, "Maverick to Doc. What is your status?"
Dianne, overseeing the unloading of patients in Baris, responded, "We're about halfway through unloading the patients. What do you need?"
"The sheik is worried about the pregnant woman," Scott said. "What is her status?"
"She's in the truck. No signs of miscarriage."
"And the oldest of the women?" Scott glanced at the sheik, who nodded confirmation.
Dianne sighed. "I've done what I could for her here, but she needs surgery right away from a specialist. She's already been transferred to the hospital."
"F-A-B," Scott replied. "Thanks, Doc. Maverick out."
Glancing up at the sheik, he took a deep breath before he spoke. "There's good news and bad news. The good news is that the pregnant woman is fine, in fact, she's in the truck. The bad news is that your... Fahime... needs surgery. She's already at the hospital."
The sheik's face broke into a broad smile at the good news, then he sobered with the bad. "I will send some of my men on to the oasis. My place is at Fahime's side."
They both looked up as the truck, now driven by one of the other men, approached, and Thunderbird Two settled back down over the pod. Scott checked his watch, then tapped his communicator again. "This is Mobile Control to all stations. Situation is in stand down. Time: 1530 hours local. Acknowledge."
"Thunderbird Five, F-A-B." "Thunderbird Two, F-A-B." "Thunderbird Seven, F-A-B." "Base, F-A-B."
He turned back to the sheik. "We're finished here. Good luck with your family."
The sheik grabbed a startled Scott by the shoulders and kissed him on each cheek. "May Allah bless you for the miracles you have done today."
"Uh, thanks," Scott said hastily. "Goodbye."
He turned and hurried back to Thunderbird One, climbing in quickly. The men at the ruins all waved their arms and cheered as he lifted his Bird off the ground. He glanced over at Thunderbird Two, which was doing the same.
"Frankie, time to rendezvous with Thunderbird Seven at Baris," he said.
"You're coming, too?" Elise asked.
"Hell, yes," Scott muttered. "Have to feel like I've done something during this rescue!"
He could hear Elise's laughter in his ear as he turned his craft to the north, and matched speeds with Thunderbird Two.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1853 is a reply to message #1852] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 16:35 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
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From: MagicMaster8 Sent: 3/27/2006 9:54 PM
Tracy Island: 1 a.m. 7-06-2068
Brandon sat at his desk, trying to compose a letter to his parents. Each time he started, he looked at what he'd written and was dissatisfied with the wording. After several false starts, he gave up in frustration.
"I can't concentrate and I'm too keyed up to sleep," he said, throwing his pen on the desk. Used to being in the thick of the action, he couldn't stand being on the sidelines. He had attempted to keep himself busy and writing the letter was a last attempt at distracting himself. Finally he walked out onto the balcony. Leaning against the railing, he looked out over the landscape, deep in thought.
*I know they're capable of doing their job but there are too many unknowns. They could be buried by a sandstorm; the equipment could get fouled with sand. They could get lost in the desert or pass out from heat stroke.* Finally, he couldn't stand being still and decided to go to the gym and release some of his pent up energy.
He had finished lifting weights and was working out on the punching bag when a noise made him stop. Walking over, he answered the telecom.
"Hey, Brandon, where are you at?" Gordon asked.
"In the weight room at the apartments, why?"
"Stay put. I'm coming over."
Brandon shrugged. "Sure. I'll be here." He went back to his workout.
Within a few moments, Gordon had tracked him down.
"Hey, Gordon," Brandon said, reaching for a towel and wiping his face. "Why aren't you still in the lounge?"
"Stand down was called and I thought you and Dominic would like to know."
"Appreciate it," Brandon said, walking over and taking a drink of water. "I was wondering what was going on."
Gordon shook his head. "Why didn't you come up to the lounge? Almost everyone else was there. I know Dad wouldn't have minded."
"I know, but I didn't want to be in the way."
"You wouldn't have been in the way. You're a member of the team and have every right to be in the lounge during a rescue."
The two continued talking, Brandon telling Gordon about his worries.
"I know they're all trained to respond to any type of rescue call but, to be honest, I would have felt better if I had been there with them."
"Whoa, Brandon," Gordon admonished. "You'd better rethink what you just said. Women have come a long way in one hundred years. And, if you don't have faith in their ability to do the job, you don't have faith in the team as a whole."
"What do you mean, rethink what I just said?" Brandon asked, unsure of what Gordon meant.
"What I mean," Gordon said in reply, "is your remark made you sound like you think men are the only ones capable of doing the dangerous jobs. "
"Huh? Wait a minute. I didn't realize how that came out. I didn't mean to sound like I'm a male chauvinist."
"Well you did, whether it was intentional or not, and that type of attitude has no place in this or any other century."
"Geez, Gordon," Brandon said irritably, "slack off, will ya? I said I didn't mean to!"
Gordon calmed down, realizing he had upset Brandon with his blunt words and knew he had to say something to calm his friend down.
"Hey," Gordon said, giving Brandon a smile, "if it's any consolation, I would like to have been there, too. But, listening to the rescue, I can assure you that they had things well in hand."
"Thanks, Gordon," Brandon said, looking at his friend returning the smile, "that makes me feel better. So, how long until everyone's back on base?"
"They should be back in three and a half to four hours." Gordon stood up to leave. "Hey, Brandon, how about we go wait for them to get back? I know you want to hear what happened."
"You bet," Brandon said, grabbing his water bottle and following Gordon.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1854 is a reply to message #1853] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 16:38 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
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Friday, July 6, 2:45 a.m. (Tracy Island time), somewhere over the Indian Ocean
Elise fought to keep her eyes open. The long day, the long rescue, and now the long flight home, at a time when, by rights, she should have been asleep, were finally catching up with her. She shook her head briskly and blinked hard, trying to focus on the instruments in front of her.
Suddenly, there was the aroma of fresh coffee and, surprised, she turned her head to see Dianne crouching beside her, a steaming travel mug in her hand. "Need this?" the doctor asked.
"Oh yeah," Elise breathed, taking the cup from her. She took the cup in one hand and sipped. "Ahhh. That's great." A small, puzzled frown creased her brow and she asked, "How did you know how I like my coffee?"
Dianne smiled, a weary but mischievous smile. "I am the doctor. I see all, know all."
"Yeah, right," answered Elise, raising an eyebrow in wry challenge. "Try again."
Dianne chuckled. "I asked around. Nikki was able to tell me what I needed to know." She sipped noisily from her own travel mug. "If you need a break, you could put it on auto-pilot and get a stretch. I can keep an eye on it for you."
"You know how to fly Two?" Elise asked, confused.
"I'm a doctor, not a cargo pilot," Dianne quipped. Elise snorted a laugh, and Dianne continued, more soberly this time, "I have been trained to do it, but I don't like to. The thing's too damn big... and Virgil doesn't like the way I handle it. Or the way I call it 'it' and 'the thing'." She shrugged. "I'm very low on the piloting pecking order; I only know how in case of emergency."
"Well, then, I'll take you up on your offer. A stretch would do me good."
She unbuckled herself and rose from the pilot's chair, coffee in hand. Dianne slid into her place, and Elise stretched, yawning. "I'm going to see what the crew's quarters has to offer in the way of cookies. Be back in a few."
"F-A-B," Dianne replied.
As she passed through the cockpit, Elise heard Tin-Tin say to Callie, "I can't wait to get home and get all this sand out of my clothes. Those heat resistant suits were good, to a point, but I still feel like I have sand in every fold."
"I know what you mean," Callie replied, stifling a yawn. "I'm really looking forward to a nice hot shower."
Elise passed Kat, who was as curled up in her seat as she could be, fast asleep. She should have gone back to crew's quarters to get a rest, Elise thought. Maybe I should mention it to her.
She reached out and touched Kat on the shoulder. "Kat? Hey, Kat."
Kat stirred and looked up at Elise with bleary eyes, "Wha...?"
"Why don't you go sleep in the crew's quarters?" Elise said kindly. "You'll keep yourself from getting a crick in your neck if you're lying down."
Kat rubbed her neck. "Too late," she muttered. "But thanks for waking me. I want to be able to sleep when I get home and I know that if I sleep on the trip, I shan't sleep in my bed."
"Ah, okay. You're welcome," Elise said. She gave Kat's shoulder a brief squeeze, and continued her journey back.
There was a definite steamy quality in the air of the crew's quarters as Elise entered. She rummaged around in the cupboard, looking for cookies, and turned as Nikki came out of the tiny onboard shower, towelling dry her hair.
"Oh!" the nurse exclaimed. "That feels so much better! I couldn't stand another moment with all that sand in my clothes!"
She shook out her uniform slacks, and Elise heard the minute sound of sand grains scattering all over the floor. "Hey!" she cried. "Watch it! I've got to clean this place, you know!"
"I'm sorry," Nikki said sincerely. "I didn't think of that." She sat down on the bunk to pull the pants on over her legs. "Now that I think about it, Thunderbird Seven's going to be a bear to clean out, too. All that sand... ugh!"
Elise found a tightly sealed container full of chocolate chip cookies. She opened the container, pulled out two sizeable ones, then offered the rest to Nikki. The nurse shook her head.
"Thanks, but no thanks," Nikki said, waving a hand. "I'm fine."
"Okay." Elise sealed up the container again, and sat down at the table with her coffee and cookies.
Nikki frowned, and looked from her to the door. "Pardon me for asking, but if you're in here... who's flying Two?"
"It's on autopilot," Elise informed her around a mouthful of cookie. "Dianne's watching it."
"Oh, okay."
They spent a few more moments talking while Nikki finished getting dressed again, and Elise ate her snack. She lifted her mug to the nurse and said, "Thanks for telling Dianne how I like my coffee. I really appreciate it."
"No problem," Nikki replied with a smile. "I figured you could use the caffeine."
"You were right," Elise replied. "The coffee, cookies, and the stretch were all I needed to wake up. Now, back to the cockpit and flying this 'Bird."
The two of them chuckled, and left the crew's quarters, heading back to where the rest of the women waited.[/size]
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
[Updated on: Thu, 23 April 2015 01:30] by Moderator Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1855 is a reply to message #1854] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 16:43 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
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From: Hobbeth Sent: 3/28/2006 1:40 PM
As the two Thunderbirds vessels disappeared into the distance, Sheik Farees al-Rahman opened the door to the truck containing the relatively uninjured women, children and guards. The women immediately made obeisance to him, and he looked around at them.
"Is everyone all right? Boushra, how do you feel?"
"I am fine, Farees. The women who helped us also reassured us. The baby is well, also."
"Sharifa, tell me what happened."
His third wife took a deep breath. "There was a loud noise, and the truck started skidding. I understand that a tire blew. The truck behind us hit us and we went off the road, tipped and rolled over. I am sorry, Amin died in the crash." She looked down, then back up at him with tears in her eyes. "It was frightening, especially for the children. At first, when the women got there, they were in strange garb, with masks over their faces. The children were so scared, I was afraid they would harm themselves more. But our rescuers went to work to help everyone, and once the children were safe - and Loulou took care of them, calming them down - they did everything they could to treat the injured. Those who needed more help, they took to Baris General Hospital. The truck that rolled they left behind. I do not believe it can be repaired."
The sheik's face showed his approval. "Thank you, Sharifa. Loulou, well done." The two women beamed at his praise. "Sharifa, you and Boushra, along with little Negma, will accompany me and Mehdi to Baris to check on those who were taken there. Loulou, you remain here with the others and continue to take care of the children. Cover yourselves; we have no way to prevent some of my men from seeing you."
He gave orders and soon the switches were made. The two women and the child were now in the back seat of his truck, he and his driver in the front, and Mehdi and one guard were in the middle. The rest would go on to the oasis, along with the supplies. They soon headed out.
The sheik was quiet during the journey. Those women of International Rescue seem to have been very intelligent and capable, to have piloted that huge craft, gotten my people out, got one of the trucks going again, and given the injured the medical treatment they needed. Perhaps my father was not wrong when he said on his deathbed that times were changing and women should not remain so subservient. But I must think on this. I cannot change everything at once. I know that in greater sheikdoms they have allowed women more freedom. But here in the remote areas, the old ways prevail. I believe small changes over a long period of time will be best.
"Father?"
Farees turned to look at his son. "Yes, Mehdi; what is it?"
"Why are we going to see Mother? She is only a woman."
He realized that here was the perfect opportunity to put his thoughts into practice. "She is your mother and my first wife, my son. And it is only right that we be there to support her. Besides, it was 'only women' who saved her, along with the other women, your little brothers and sisters, and the men who were with them."
"Except for Amin."
The sheik nodded. "Except for Amin. But I understand that Amin died before they arrived. Even another man could not have saved him." He paused, gazing at the boy -- no, not a boy. He is a young man. "What does this say to you?"
Mehdi frowned in thought for a moment. "I suppose it means that women are capable of much more, if they are given the chance. And they deserve our respect, as well as our love."
His father smiled slightly. It was a start. "Very good. So we will go see your mother, as well as the others who were taken to the hospital, and give her our love and respect."
The rest of the trip was made in silence as everyone who heard the sheik's words thought about them. When they finally arrived, they were surprised to see that members of the press were there. As soon as the sheik and Mehdi emerged from the vehicle, some descended on them.
"We learned that an International Rescue vehicle brought some of your people here. We understand they were badly injured during a sandstorm. Can you tell us more?"
"You probably know more than we do. I am here to see my people, especially my wife, who had to be operated on."
Another reporter aimed a mike at him. "I understand the rescue was performed solely by women. Is that correct?"
"Aside from one man who was with me, coordinating, yes. The women of International Rescue did all the work, including medical treatment for the injured and repairing one of the vehicles so it could bring the uninjured, or less so, back to me."
He came to a decision. "I want to thank International Rescue for coming to our aid. I wish to express my respect and admiration for the women of that organization - although I never got to meet them - and to tell them they have given me much to think about. Change is never easy, especially that of long term beliefs and traditions, but it may be time to begin. Now, if you will excuse me, I wish to check on the condition of my people."
He turned and beckoned to his son, Sharifa and Boushra. They followed him inside.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1856 is a reply to message #1855] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 16:45 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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From: TracyFan4Ever Sent: 3/29/2006 5:12 PM
******Friday, July 6, 2068, Tracy Island Lounge, around 3 a.m.******
With the rescue winding down and the team coming home, John waited for everyone to clear out of the lounge so he could have a chance to speak with his father about Callie's birthday situation.
After Jeff saw everyone drifting out of the lounge (since it was so early in the morning), he noticed John stayed behind. "Do you need something, John?"
"Yeah, Dad. I learned Callie will be in Thunderbird Five next month during her birthday. I know it's not a problem between Alan and myself, but I really don't want her to miss her week-long birthday time."
Jeff nodded. "I understand, son. Before we added the new recruits, it was never an issue because it was just between our family. Now it's a completely different story. I don't want Callie to spend her birthday working at the space station, either. She could use that week to visit her family and just go on a little vacation for herself."
"That's exactly what I was thinking," said John. "If it's okay with you, Dad, I'd like to switch shifts with Callie. This way, she won't have to miss her birthday and can see her family."
"You go next month; then Callie returns in September? I don't see anything wrong with it. In fact, I may reorganize the schedule shifts so none of you have to be on Thunderbird Five during your birthday month unless it's absolutely necessary. We'll talk about that sometime before the end of the month."
John nodded, then looked at his watch. "I'm going to hit the sack for a while. I'll talk with Callie about it when she's well rested."
"Okay, son. Sleep well."
"Night, Dad." John left the lounge with a smile on his face, knowing he would give Callie the chance to be at home for her birthday.
Jeff looked out the window and smiled. "Yeah. Everyone deserves to spend time with family."
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1857 is a reply to message #1856] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 16:46 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
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From: Tikatu Sent: 4/3/2006 7:59 PM
Friday, July 6, 2068, 5:30 a.m., Tracy Island
"All right, ladies, Maverick, we'll call this debriefing quits," Jeff said. He yawned widely. "You all did stellar work out there today... yesterday... whenever it was."
The women around the table chuckled wearily and began to rise from their seats, wishing each other goodnight as they did so. Scott did, too, waving goodnight to Alan, whose yawn echoed Jeff's and who promptly cut communications. His picture winked out mid-yawn.
Elise came up to Scott. "Can we put off my training today until I've got some sleep under my belt? I'm afraid I'd crash your baby if we didn't."
"Yeah, sure. in fact, let's cancel it for today. Give you a couple of days off... at least from me," Scott said. He grinned. "I'm sure that Virgil will want to see you in Thunderbird Two for post flight maintenance as soon as you're coherent."
Elise groaned. "Well, he'll have to wait until I am coherent. Right now... I wouldn't know one end of a wrench from the other."
"Hmm. I know what you mean," Scott replied as he stretched with a loud groan. "I'm sure he'll wait for you."
"I hope so. In any case, goodnight, Scott."
"Goodnight, Elise."
Jeff and Dianne had their arms around each other as they left the dining room; Dianne rested her head on his shoulder during the ride upstairs in the elevator.
"I am whipped," she murmured. "Totally whipped."
"You should be," Jeff said. "You worked hard and under difficult circumstances. You all did."
"Actually, Nikki had it worst of us all. She was trying to triage in that rolled over truck. She did a great job, too."
"I know." He turned her head toward him and kissed her softly on the lips. "Now, enough shop talk. Time for some sleep."
"Yes, sir," she replied sleepily. Then she pointed a finger at him. "But when we're both awake and able to think again, I have a thing or two to say to you, Commander."
"Okay, okay," he replied. "I won't even ask what about. Just come in here and get a shower, then let me tuck you into bed. Then I'll tuck myself in right after you."
"Sounds like a plan," she said as she let him steer her toward their bathroom. "I need to get this sand off before I hit the sheets." She raised an eyebrow and gave him a small smile. "Will you... scrub my back for me?"
Jeff blinked, then shook his head. "Dianne, you are... something else. Yeah. I'll scrub your back for you - if it will get you between the sheets faster!"
"Oh, and why do you want me between the sheets so fast?" she teased.
"Diannnnnne," he warned. "I'm too tired."
"Okay, okay. Shower then bed... to sleep," she conceded. Grabbing his hand, she pulled him into the bathroom with her. "Now, get in here and scrub my back, mister!"
"Yes, ma'am," he replied with a smile.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1858 is a reply to message #1857] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 16:55 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
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From: Tawnyangel22 Sent: 4/5/2006 11:17 AM
Tracy Island, and Christchurch, New Zealand - July 7th
Callie, Kat and Nikki waited in the hangar for John. Kat had a list from Dom, who wanted some purchases from a health food shop.
John joined the trio and soon they were airborne, heading for Christchurch. Having gone through the customary arrivals, they got into a car, made available through Tracy Industries, and headed for the large shopping mall.
Kat looked in awe. This is awesome, far larger than anything in England she thought to herself. I hope I don't get lost.
At the entrance they stopped, deciding who was going where.
"Well, I'm going to do some serious clothes shopping," Callie announced.
"Me, too," Nikki added. "Are you coming with us Kat?"
Kat shook her head, "No, I bought enough clothes when I went home for my birthday. I want to find a health food shop, so that I can shop for myself and Dom."
"I know where there is the kind of shop you want, Kat," John said.
Having agreed to meet back at the entrance at a certain time, the two groups went their separate ways.
The shop that John showed her sold almost everything a vegetarian could dream of. Fully laden with both bags of shopping for her and Dom, John led the way back up the mall.
"John, would you like to stop and have a cup of coffee?"
He glanced down at his watch. "Sure! Breakfast was a while ago, I'm starving."
They both laughed and found a little cafe in the food court.Kat sat at the table, and John went and bought two coffees. Noticing a plate of jam doughnuts, he bought two.
Kat bit into her doughnut and the jam oozed out onto her nose. Giggling, she reached for a napkin.
"You just can't eat jam doughnuts politely," she apologised.
John grinned at her, thinking again how nice she was, and that she was such a good friend.
They sat for a while enjoying their coffee and doughnuts and watching the shoppers passing to and fro, giggling at some of the people who were dressed in odd clothes. Parents were getting frustrated with their children. Mums were trying to maneuver their prams between the multitudes of shoppers. Just then they saw Nikki and Callie struggling with large bags. Kat tapped the window to catch their attention.
"Hi there," Callie and Nikki said as they joined John and Kat.
"Phew!" Callie flopped onto the chair. "My feet! If I ever see another clothes shop, drag me away."
The others laughed. John went and bought three more coffees.
"Let's see what you've bought," Kat asked, eyeing the shopping eagerly.
Bags were opened and articles thoroughly inspected.
"While you three are finishing your coffees, I'm just going to do some shopping," John explained, as he rose and headed for the door.
"Hey see you later. Bye for now," the three chorused.
Chatting away, they didn't notice two young men come in and sit at an adjacent table until one of them glanced at the three young women.
"Good day, ladies. Can my friend and I join you and buy you all coffee?"
"No, thank you. We are waiting for a friend," Callie answered politely.
The young man didn't appear to take the hint.
"We wondered if you'd like some company?"
"We are perfectly okay. And, like my friend said, we are waiting for someone," Kat answered.
"Oho, English and Americans. Are you tourists? Maybe you would like a guided tour around Christchurch?"
Callie was just about to reply, when John reappeared.
The two men looked at the tall, athletic young man and thought better of it and slouched out.
"Were they annoying you?" John asked.
"They were getting kind of irritating," Callie replied.
"We were sure glad to see you," Nikki added. Kat nodded in agreement.
Nikki looked at Callie. "Remember that nice pair of trousers I saw? Well, I've decided to buy them."
Callie laughed. "If you can remember which shop you saw them in."
Nikki rose from her seat. Looking at both Callie and Kat, she asked, "Would you two like to go back with me?"
Callie nodded. "Sure, I'll go back.
But Kat shook her head. "Sorry, Nikki, I want to buy some CDs and books. I've read the ones I brought with me. Plus I want to update my CD collection."
"I want to buy some books as well. Let's go together," John remarked.
The four left the café, and headed for their various destinations.
"Kat and John seem to be getting on very well," Nikki observed. "Do you think there is something going on between them?"
"Could be," Callie said thoughtfully. "But I guess we'll know more all in good time."
Meanwhile, John led Kat to a very nice store selling both music and books. Leaving her to wander around to her heart's content, he headed upstairs to the book department. Later, having found and purchased what he wanted, he went back to the music store. There was Kat, with some earphones on, foot tapping, obviously enjoying some music.
"Hi, found something you like?" He said, tapping her on the shoulder.
Kat took off the earphones, "Sorry, John, I couldn't hear you."
"I said: have you found something you like?" He repeated, grinning at her.
"Oh, yes, this is a New Zealand group; the music is so cool. I have been looking for music by the Electrics, that's my favourite pop group. They have a new album out but I don't think it has reached the shops here yet. I shall have to ask Lady Penelope to send me the CD."
Kat bought three CDs and then headed towards the book department. John followed her. By this time she was struggling with her bags.
"Here, let me help." John took three bags off her.
"Phew, thanks, I was beginning to think that my arms would be stretched to the ground."
Having bought herself some books, Kat followed John to meet the others, and start making their way back to the airport.
Once more back in the plane heading to Tracy Island, everyone was chatting away, discussing what he or she had all bought.
Kat, was thinking of the time she had spent with John. He really was so nice. She hoped they could spend more time in each other's company. Kat's eyes began to feel heavy and she fell asleep, dreaming of a tall, blond haired young man.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
[Updated on: Sat, 28 July 2012 17:01] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1859 is a reply to message #1858] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 17:03 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
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From: Tikatu Sent: 4/7/2006 9:40 PM
Saturday, July 7, 2068, 4:30 p.m., Tracy Island
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Jeff asked his wife as they took a walk along the beach together. "I know with sleeping in and all the vehicle maintenance yesterday we really didn't have time to talk, did we?"
"No, we didn't," Dianne said amiably. She took a deep breath and tugged her sweater around her a little bit more. "A bit chilly today, I think."
Jeff nodded. "It never gets too wintery, but once in a while there's a nip in the air." He put his arm around her. "Now, let's talk about whatever's bothering you."
Dianne sighed heavily. "It's just that this last rescue would have been so much easier if some of the men had gone along. I really could have used Dom's skills in Thunderbird Seven. Having Nikki along was great, just... not quite enough. We needed more personnel, especially since we were dealing with a lot of injured people." She looked up at him, her forehead puckered in a frown. "Why must we adhere to the cultural mores of the people we rescue?"
"Hmm. That's an interesting question," Jeff said, nodding gravely. He was quiet for a bit as he considered his answer. "I guess that we do it because, in some respects, we now have the capacity to do it. Before the women came aboard, we just didn't get calls that made it necessary for us to consider the culture of those we rescued. I'm under the distinct impression from Alan's report that if we hadn't had female crew to handle the situation, that sheik wouldn't even have called us."
"You're probably right," Dianne admitted. "Still, I think this is a dangerous precedent to set. There are going to be times when adhering to those cultural or religious standards is going to hinder us from rescuing people."
"How so?" Jeff asked. "Give me an example."
"Welllll," Dianne said, thinking hard. "Okay, try this. What if we need to use the Mole to get to some people trapped underground, but the safest and most direct route is through some sort of holy place, maybe a burial ground of some sort. What do we do then?"
Jeff stopped walking for a moment and thought over the question. "I suppose that we'd have to consult with the people whose holy place it was and see if we could come to an agreement. Or we'd have to devise an alternate route. But if we had to have that alternate route, we'd have to make it clear that the time we spent devising it was putting off the rescue, and that the people in danger might end up being there too long for our help to be effective."
Dianne shook her head. "You know that wouldn't be acceptable to the powers that be or to the public. We're not allowed to fail, Jeff. We are the 'miracle workers'."
"We've failed plenty of times since we started operations, love. You know that very well. But we have to at least give the people involved a choice; let us destroy their holy place and get to the people who need us in time, or avoid the holy place, and suffer the possible consequences." He sighed. "Being sensitive to a culture doesn't mean we always have to bow down to it. But it does mean that sometimes we have to make allowances."
"Even when those allowances get in the way of our effectiveness as a rescue team?"
Jeff nodded. "Even so. It doesn't hurt to have the full and eager cooperation of those who are waiting for us to perform that miracle." He raised an eyebrow in challenge. "Why do I get the feeling that this isn't so much about cultural mores in general as it is about the specific cultural barriers we faced in the last rescue?"
Dianne folded her arms. "Maybe because it is. It was frustrating, Jeff. Knowing that we could have done the job - not necessarily better - but much faster if one or two of the men were along. Even if Scott had been able to be right there, lending a hand. I know he was pretty frustrated to be so far away from the action; especially since none of us knew what we were going into." She shook her head. "It seems so backwards for women to be treated like... property in this day and age."
"I agree," Jeff replied mildly. "But... you and the other women gave that sheik something to think about."
"Huh?" Dianne's puzzled reaction was very real.
"I didn't see it myself at the time, but your mother emailed me about it and I checked it out. It's quite interesting. You'll have to see it for yourself, though."
"Hmm. I guess I will." Dianne put her hands on Jeff's shoulders and gazed up into his face. "How did you get to be so wise?"
"Uhhhh," Jeff said, stalling for time. Finally, he smiled mischievously. "Trade secret?"
Dianne's eyebrow went up in challenge and she folded her arms again. "Yeah, right. Try again... wise guy."
Her expression made Jeff laugh, and he pulled her to him, trying to get her to abandon her mock-belligerent stance. After a few minutes, she unfolded her arms and put them around him for a steady, loving embrace.
"We'd better go back," he said. "Dinner will be ready soon."
"Okay," she replied. He took her hand and they walked back to the villa together, their fingers entwined.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1860 is a reply to message #1859] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 17:04 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
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From: Nikki-browneyes1 Sent: 4/8/2006 10:43 AM
Sunday, July 8, 2068, 3:00 p.m.,Tracy Island
Nikki adjusted the volume of the music that was flowing through her earphones and got comfortable on her beach towel before continuing the book she was reading.
"Tia read and re-read the papers in front of her. She couldn't believe he did that. Sure, Jack had a right to know about who she was, but going behind her back and getting her background information from a computer was downright out of order.
She would have told him everything but all in her own time. Tia had it all planned until she found the printouts.
Hearing the door open and Jack's voice waft through, Tia looked up with fury in her eyes..."
Nikki was so engrossed in the book that she didn't notice when Brandon sat down close by. And even worse, because of the volume of her music, she didn't hear a word he was saying either.
"Hey, Nikki. What've you been up to today?" Brandon cocked an eyebrow when he didn't receive an answer. "Nikki? Hello?"
He smirked when he realised why Nikki wasn't answering. Leaning over, he tapped her on the shoulder, making her jump slightly. He smiled when she removed her earphones and turned down the corner of her current page before closing her book.
"Good book? What's it about?" he asked.
"It's all right. Not exactly award-winning. I've read better." Looking at the front cover of the book, Nikki smiled at the picture. "It's about families. There's this guy named Jack who grew up most of his life without a family. His parents died when he was young. He'd been living on the streets until he was 17, not knowing that his relatives were looking for him."
"Do they find him?"
"Actually, it's the other way round. A friend, thinking she was doing the right thing, located and made contact with them. The only thing is, Jack becomes angry with her for interfering with his life. He thinks he's done pretty well without them and doesn't need them."
"Sounds like a lot of drama to me."
Nikki laughed slightly. "It is, and it gets worse. Reading this makes me think about my own family back home in England."
"Is there that much drama in your family?"
"No. Well, unless my brothers butt heads. Strangely, I miss that."
"Are you going to go to England when your birthday rolls around?"
"Yeah. It'll be good to catch up with my family and friends."
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1861 is a reply to message #1860] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 17:06 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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Evil Genius |
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From: TracyFan4Ever Sent: 4/8/2006 3:07 PM
******Monday, July 9, 2068, Tracy Island, approximately 11:30 a.m.******
John searched for Callie so he could tell her about their schedule switch in Thunderbird Five duties.
She had just walked out of the lab and was on her way back to her apartment when she saw John. "Hi, John."
"Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?"
With a nod she answered, "Sure. What's up?"
"I know your birthday's next month, and you're scheduled to be on Thunderbird Five, but I want us to switch next month and September out. Dad and I had a discussion, and we both agreed that you should have time with your family for your birthday. I'll go up in August, and you head back in September."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Are you serious?"
"Yes. Dad also said he's going to revamp the schedules so none of us will be on duty during our birthday."
"Oh, John!" she yelled as she hugged him tightly. "You have no idea how much this really means to me!" Planting a quick kiss on his cheek, she added, "Thank you, John. I need to go thank your father, too! Oh, wow!" She ran off like an excited little girl on Christmas morning, hoping to catch Jeff before lunchtime.
"Dad's on his way to lunch, so maybe we can find him before he gets to the dining room."
While riding on the monorail, Callie started talking about what she wanted to do during her vacation time.
After the ride, they both saw Jeff about to walk into the dining room.
Noticing Callie's quick approach, Jeff said, "Whoa, Callie, is everything all right?"
Giving him a tight hug, she said, "Mr. Tracy, thank you for giving me the chance to go home and see my family next month."
"I'm glad to do it, Callie. You need time with your loved ones."
After releasing the hug, she said, "I'll bring something back for you. Hopefully my brothers and I can go fishing along Lake Martin. There's some excellent catfish."
Jeff chuckled. "I look forward to that. Now go relax."
"Yes, sir." She walked towards her apartment with glee in her voice and a big smile on her face.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1862 is a reply to message #1861] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 17:10 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
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Location: Northeastern USA
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From: Hobbeth Sent: 4/8/2006 5:03 PM
Monday, July 9, 10 AM; A hidden temple in Malaysia
The Hood was in his hideaway, pacing back and forth. I want to bring down the Tracys and their do-good International Rescue once and for all! I need to get more information on those new recruits, but the last time I tried to contact my fool of a brother, I ended up with a raging headache, and it took me three days to recover.
He went over to the statue of Kyrano he'd had made. As he stood in front of it, memories of the other times over the years he'd contacted the older man and the information he'd gotten flooded his mind. Suddenly one memory popped into his brain and his expression changed as he considered the implications.
I'd forgotten that he has a daughter. She was so easy to put under my spell. Maybe I can reach her wherever she is now. But without a statue of her to focus on, I must prepare myself.
He moved over to the area where he did his meditation and sat down. Slowly he cleared his mind of all thoughts but those of his niece. Finally he was prepared and he began to reach out to her.
xxxxx
3 PM; Tracy Island, Brains' lab
Tin-Tin and Brains were together in the lab, working as usual. Suddenly she stopped and clutched the sides of her head leaning over. She slipped off her chair and was on her knees, bent over in obvious pain. "Who . . . what. . . Go away!" A sob escaped her lips and she held her head tighter.
You cannot resist me. Tell me what I want to know. Tell me about the new people in the organization.
No. I won't. I won't!
Foolish girl! Obey me! Stop trying to resist me. The pain will only get worse.
Brains turned quickly when he heard her fall to the floor and was at her side in an instant. He put his arms around her and lifted her up, hearing her muttering. Almost immediately he realized what was happening and he hit the intercom button at her workstation. "Kyrano! Come quickly! The Hood is trying to get information from Tin-Tin!
"I am coming!" Kyrano moved faster than he had in a long time, concern for his daughter written on his face. He headed to the monorail, praying for her welfare.
Everyone in the Villa heard the call and three people headed for the monorail at the same time. Dianne had been in the clinic at the time and grabbed a syringe filled with a sedative, then took off on the run. Jeff dropped a business report he'd been reading, pressed a button, calling the car to the Villa and headed out of the lounge. Kyrano had been in his garden. They arrived at the terminal almost simultaneously, where a car was waiting for them, thanks to Jeff's foresight.
Brains held Tin-Tin tightly, encouraging her. "Fight him, Tin-Tin. Your father is on his way to help you. Don't give into him, my love. Keep resisting him. Help is on the way."
Go away! I won't help you. Father, help me!
That weakling brother of mine can't help you.
Then go ask him. Leave me alone. Leave me alone!
Tin-Tin sensed rather than heard Brains' words, and they gave her the incentive to continue to resist her uncle. But she felt herself weakening slowly but surely.
Father, please hurry!
You silly girl. No one can help you. Obey me!
It seemed like an eternity before help arrived. The lab door opened and Kyrano was the first through it. He rushed over and knelt in front of his daughter, taking her head in his hands. As Dianne knelt down, syringe at the ready, he looked at her and said, "Let me try to help her first, please."
She nodded and he gazed into his daughter's open eyes, concentrating. Daughter, it is I. Hear my thoughts. Let me help you.
Father? Kyrano heard the weakness in her thoughts and felt distressed, but he pushed the emotion back. He knew he would not be able to help her if he gave in to it.
I am here, my daughter. I will help you repel him.
He began to breathe heavily then her resistance to him faded and he was able to merge with her. Once he did that, he turned his thoughts to his brother.
Leave my daughter, brother, and do not return. You will not do to her what you did to me! Leave, now.
Don't be foolish Kyrano. Even the two of you together cannot resist me. I want information and I will have it!
No! You will get nothing from either of us. Leave! He felt a surge of mental energy from his daughter as he 'said' the last word.
You cannot stop me, 'brother'. You are not strong enough. You are not. . . Aagh!
Suddenly Hood was gone. Tin-Tin collapsed and Kyrano sagged, too. Jeff knelt down and braced his friend, who remained still for a few moments, then reached out to his daughter. He lifted her up, surprised to find that she was still conscious.
"You showed great strength and courage in resisting him, my daughter. I'm very proud of you."
"Thank you, Father. But I have a terrible headache. Will you teach me how to resist him better, so it won't hurt?"
"I have not been able to do that for myself, not completely, yet. But I will try." He looked at her tired face. "Maybe tomorrow. Right now, you are exhausted and need to rest." He started to reach out to her again, but Brains took her in his arms and stood up.
"I'll carry her to the monorail. You can make sure she gets to her room from there."
"And you get some rest yourself," Jeff added as he helped his friend up. "You are tired, too. In fact, Dianne and I will accompany you, to make sure you two reach your rooms."
Dianne nodded as she stood up and said, "And I'll give you something, Tin-Tin, that will help ease your headache. But you're to sleep as long as you need to, both of you."
"Yes, Dr. Tracy," Kyrano replied with a faint smile.
Tin-Tin kept her eyes closed, but when Brains placed her in the monorail car and started to move away, she reached out for his hand and squeezed it. "Thank you," she whispered.
"You're welcome." He stood back and turned to Jeff, who had put a hand on his shoulder.
"I don't like this. It hasn't been that long since the recruits did the solo rescue in India, and someone tried to steal a hoverbike. I think I need to question Kat about that some more."
"Why don't you let me do that, sir? I see her a lot and she's more comfortable with me."
"That's a good idea. Okay, but make it soon. We need to get to the bottom of this as soon as we can. Let me know what she says as soon as possible."
"I will."
Brains watched as the others entered the car and it pulled away. He remained at the platform for several minutes, gazing in the direction of the Villa. Finally he sighed and headed back to the lab.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
[Updated on: Thu, 23 April 2015 02:03] by Moderator Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1863 is a reply to message #1862] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 17:15 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: Tawnyangel22 Sent: 4/11/2006 11:15 AM
Tracy Island -- July 9th -- 5.30 p.m.
After work, Kat was in the laundry room, putting some clothes to wash. Her wrist communicator bleeped and John's face appeared.
"Hi, Kat. Can you meet me on the beach in about twenty minutes? There's something I have to talk to you about."
Kat was puzzled. What on earth could John have to say to her that had to be said immediately? I hope he doesn't have any bad news.
John was waiting when Kat arrived. "Let's go for a walk," he suggested.
They walked for a while in silence. Then when they were completely out of sight of the villa, he sat down on some rocks. "Kat. There's no easy way to say this. I'm going to Thunderbird Five for August."
Kat was totally taken aback. "Why?"
"Because Callie's birthday is in August. I think she should have the chance to spend it with her family."
Kat couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her voice rose. "So. Then because Callie wants to spend her birthday on earth, you have to cover for her? That's so unfair. I suppose she just happened to ask, and you decided to cover for her."
John shook his head. "Callie didn't ask, but I knew of the problem and decided on my own to do this. I wanted you to know as soon as possible."
Tears filled Kat's eyes. "Why can't Alan cover?"
"It's not fair for Alan to spend two months in a row up there, and that's why I'm covering."
"Of course, Alan wouldn't put himself out, now would he?" she shouted as she turned her back on John and walked towards the sea.
He watched her walk away. From the way her shoulders drooped, he could sense that she was unhappy and that she wasn't taking this too well. She was probably feeling disappointed. He was a bit disappointed, too. He had been looking forward to spending some quality time with her. But he could also understand Callie's feelings. She should be able to spend her birthday at home, like the other recruits. This is just the right thing to do. I hope that Kat can see the reasons behind my decision.
At the water's edge, Kat stood, staring out to sea. She thought back to the first time she had met John and how much she had liked him. She remembered that he had been the one to tell her about International Rescue after her interview. She had been so angry and upset. He had been very solicitous when her mother had been so ill. He had given her a lovely birthday present. She smiled when thinking how he had told her he wanted them to be special friends and how his emails had become warmer and friendlier during June. And now, he was calmly telling her he was going to Thunderbird Five in August so that Callie could have time with her family. It just seemed so unfair.
She knew she was reacting badly, that she was behaving selfishly. Maybe he was just as disappointed as she was.
After a while she turned and headed back towards him. Sitting beside him on the rock., she said, "John, I'm so bitterly disappointed. I was so looking forward to spending time with you." She sighed, a heavy and resigned sigh. "But I guess this sort of thing will happen from time to time, and I shall just have to accept it. I suppose Callie deserves to spend her birthday with her folks. After all everyone else has."
John took her hand. "Kat, I know you're disappointed. I still want us to be friends. But it's no fun spending your birthday alone on Thunderbird Five. I know from experience."
"Oh, well, I suppose I can understand that. I enjoyed my birthday at home. I probably would have hated not being able to go. But John, it will really be hard saying goodbye to you again so soon. Will there be some days we can spend time together, before you leave?"
John smiled. "Yes, there will be, and we will make the most of the time we have left. And if you think about it, this switch means I'll be home in December. We could go Christmas shopping together. Plus, you still have my telescope so you can watch for the comet. It should be very visible during August. I think that this time we could communicate via our watches as well as emails. I'll ask Dad; I think he'll agree."
She gave him a watery smile. "You know, I was half afraid you were going to tell me you had someone else you wanted to be friends with."
John squeezed her hand. "No, Kat. I want to be friends with the others, but not the same way I do with you. Once I'm back in September, we can spend September and October really getting to know each other well. Now how about we finish our walk? We'll head back to the villa and I'll make us both some coffee."
Back in her apartment, the enormity of what John had told her suddenly hit her. She felt so angry, angry with him, angry with Callie. I 'm not going to take this submissively. I'm going to confront Callie. I think she should know just how she has upset everything.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1864 is a reply to message #1863] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 17:17 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
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From: TracyFan4Ever Sent: 4/11/2006 8:02 PM
******Monday, July 9, 2068, Tracy Island, approximately 6:30 p.m.******
Callie was in the kitchen of her apartment, working on her dinner, homemade spaghetti and meatballs. "Mmm...just these ingredients make this look good already."
Making dinner helped her think about what she planned to do for her birthday. "Boy, I can't wait to go home and see Mom, Dad, Joe, and Bri. Do some fishing, shopping... ah, I wish my birthday had fallen at the beginning of football season, not about two weeks before it."
Kat decided not to take the lift down to the first floor. Instead, she took the stairs from the balcony and crossed the patio to Callie's French doors. Taking a deep breath, she knocked sharply on the door frame, then stood back, arms folded, waiting.
Slightly startled by the sound of the knock, she put down her utensils and cleaned her hands. "I'll be right there." After washing her hands, she walked up to the door. She opened it and saw Kat. "Hi, Kat," she said with a smile. "Please, won't you come in? I'm starting dinner."
"Thank you," Kat said coolly, her face looking composed but unsmiling. She stepped inside and turned to face Callie. "I would like to speak to you."
"Sure, Kat," Callie said, slightly surprised by her friend's tone of voice. "Is something wrong?"
"Yes, there is." Kat took another deep breath to try and keep herself under control. "I understand that John is going to Thunderbird Five next month, so that you can spend your birthday with your family."
"That...is true. I was originally scheduled to go next month, but John and I switched next month and September so I can be at home for my birthday. Why?" Callie looked at Kat with some suspicion.
Kat could no longer keep the sarcasm from her voice. "I suppose you went to him and just happened to mention your birthday, knowing that he would be generous and offer to switch."
Her eyes widening with shock, Callie said, "What the heck are you talking about? I didn't tell John anything about my birthday. He told me first."
"I don't believe you. I can't think of anyone else who could have told him," Kat retorted angrily. She paused then, before Callie could respond, she asked, "Do you realize what you've done?"
Callie shook her head, frowning. She put her hands on her hips. "No... I don't! Suppose you tell me just what it is you think I've done!"
"Are you aware that John has admitted to having feelings for me? That we are trying to forge a relationship?" Kat asked angrily. "We were planning on spending a lot of quality time together next month, getting to know one another better." She threw her hands in the air. "But now that's all ruined, thanks to you!"
Her own anger fuming, Callie said, "Me!? How dare you accuse me of trying to break you up! John and his father did this so I can get the opportunity to visit my family back home. You and I both know how tight we are with our families! I haven't seen them since just before I left to join IR!" Trying to fight tears, she snapped at Kat. "So you have to postpone spending your quality time together for a whole month? Big deal! If it's really that important to you, I'll ask John to switch the rotation back to what it was. Now get out of here!"
Kat took a deep breath again. "I am leaving. I shall be waiting to hear that the rota has been returned to the original schedule." She turned and, without another word, stalked out the door to the patio.
Trying to cast what just happened out of her mind, Callie went back into the kitchen and attempted to finish her spaghetti and meatballs. However, the argument had made her lose her appetite. "Ugh... I'm not hungry anymore!" she said angrily. "Now what am I going to do?"
She shook her head and left the kitchen. She went into her bedroom and lay on the bed as she stared at the ceiling. "I'll talk to John tomorrow. Hopefully I can get things back to the way they were."
Kat jogged quickly up the stairs back to her own apartment. She had done what she set out to do, confronted Callie and stood up for herself and her rights. Still, there was a butterfly in the pit of her stomach that wouldn't go away, and a thought niggling at the back of her mind that perhaps she had overstepped her bounds.
"No," she told herself as she entered her sitting room. "I was perfectly justified in what I said. Now to wait and hear that things are back to the way they should be."
******By Tikatu and TracyFan4Ever.******
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1865 is a reply to message #1864] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 17:18 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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From: Hobbeth Sent: 4/12/2006 11:48 AM
It was late when Brains headed to his quarters in the Villa. The emotion filled event that took place earlier had drained him, and he'd fallen asleep at his computer -- not that it was unusual. But his nap didn't rest him; it was filled with dreams that he couldn't remember when he woke up.
He got to his door, and hesitated. He walked to the end of the hall and stopped, looking toward the entrance to Tin-Tin's room. Should I? If she's asleep, I wouldn't want to wake her. But I'd really like to know that she's okay.
Several minutes later, he walked silently down the hall to her door. He was just about to knock, when it opened and Tin-Tin was standing there looking at him. "Hello, Brains."
"H-hello, Tin-Tin. I-I just wanted to see if you were okay. Um, how are you feeling?"
She smiled. "Much better, although I still have a little of my headache. I'm glad you stopped by. I wanted to talk to you."
"T-to me? What about?"
"Please come inside. It's silly to stand here in the hall, where we could wake my father or Grandma Tracy up. I'll leave the door open."
She moved back into her room and he followed. She went to a sitting area and sat down in one chair, indicating that he was to take the other. Once he was seated, she said, "I've begun to remember some of what you said to me before my father and the others came. It helped me to fight my uncle. And I thank you for that."
"You already thanked me. You don't need to do it again."
She looked down at her hands, which were folded in her lap, then back up at him. "There's something else. You said, 'my love' when you were telling me to hold on."
"I-I did? I don't remember."
"Yes, you did. Did you mean it?"
Brains swallowed hard. He was tempted to say no, that it was just something he said in the heat of the moment, but he couldn't lie, not to her. "Yes, I did. I know it's too soon, but I've loved you for a long time. I-I'm sorry if it distresses you."
"Distresses me? No, but I'm happy to hear you say that it's too soon. Brains, I do care for you, but after - after certain experiences I've had with other men, I don't want to rush into anything. I need to be sure, not of you, but of myself. Oh, I'm explaining this badly. I don't want to hurt you, but I can't commit to anything at this point. Do you understand?"
He smiled. "Of course. I do understand, and I don't want you to rush into anything either. It's wonderful that you want to see me and work with me still -- you do, don't you?"
She laughed and his smile got bigger. "Of course I do. I'm so relieved." She grew serious. "The last thing I want to do is to hurt you. And don't you worry about my work. I'll be back to the lab in no time."
She stood up and he followed. He saw a furrow develop in her forehead and realized the headache was getting worse. "You get back to bed and I don't want to see you in the lab until you are completely recovered. That's an order." He grinned at her and her eyes twinkled in spite of the pain.
"Yes, doctor."
Moments later, he found himself in the hall again, and her door had just closed. Suddenly very weary, he headed back down the hall and into his own quarters for a good night's sleep.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1866 is a reply to message #1865] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 17:26 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: Tikatu Sent: 4/12/2006 5:40 PM
Monday, July 9, 2068, 11:30 p.m., Tracy Island
Jeff stretched and yawned as he padded off to his suite. With the kids gone, I hardly know what time it is anymore. I miss the school routine and the bedtime routine. It'll be great to have them back home again.
He fully expected Dianne to be waiting up for him in their sitting room, or perhaps their bedroom, but when an examination of both showed she was in neither, he frowned. "I wonder where she is?" he murmured. "Should I go looking?" He thought about this for a moment then nodded. The lack of routine messes her up, too.
Leaving their suite, he sauntered downstairs and poked his head into the dining room. There was a light on in the kitchen, and he stepped through to see who was in there. His mother was, fixing herself a cup of herbal tea.
"Hello, Mom," he said with a smile. "Can't sleep?"
"No, not really. All the excitement with Tin-Tin and Kyrano today, I guess," she said. "It's been a while since we've had to deal with that creature, and for him to target poor Tin-Tin... it just makes my blood boil!"
"Mine, too, Mom," he admitted. "I hope he doesn't try again. By the way, have you seen Dianne anywhere about?"
Emily shook her head. "No, son. I haven't. But there's been someone in the games room, using the home theater this evening. Perhaps she's watching a movie."
"Hmm. She might be, though I'm puzzled as to why she wouldn't watch it on the plasma screen in our room."
"Maybe it was something to share with the boys," Emily suggested, taking a sip of tea. "Just pop your head in and find out. I'm going to take my tea back to my suite."
"I will." He kissed her on the cheek. "Goodnight, Mom."
Returning the salute, she said, "Goodnight, son. Sleep well."
As she walked off, Jeff noticed that there was a light on around the pool area. He walked out the dining room door that opened onto the flagstone veranda that surrounded the whole of the lower level. The air was chilly, but obviously not chilly enough. Gordon and Scott were sitting in the hot tub, laughing and trading jokes.
"Hey, Dad!" Scott said, waving to his father. "Come join us!"
"No, thanks, boys. The air's a bit too nippy for my taste tonight. Perhaps some other time." He looked out at the pool itself, but it was empty. "Have either of you seen Dianne lately?"
Both of them shook their heads. "No, Dad, can't say I have," Gordon told him. "Why?"
"She wasn't in our suite, that's all. Sorry to bother you, boys. Don't catch cold, now."
Scott chuckled. "We won't, Dad, promise."
He smiled, and stepped back inside, heading for the games room. He slid open the door and stepped inside, passing by the pinball machines, the pool and ping pong tables and opening the door to the small room that made up the home theater. There he found Virgil sharing popcorn with Elise and John. There was an old action movie on the big screen, with little fighter space ships zooming all over the place.
"Will you look at those crappy special effects?" John was saying. "It's a pity that no one's remade this thing."
"But it's a classic!" Virgil cried. "This was state-of-the-art at the time!"
Elise was laughing. "Look at those tactics! Couldn't they have hired someone from the military to give them some guidance there? They're going to lose half their squadron with that kind of dog fight!"
Jeff cleared his throat. Instantly, three faces whipped his way, their eyes wide at being startled.
"Hey, Dad!" Virgil called. "What's up? Want to join us?"
Jeff smiled. "No thanks. Just wanted to see if Dianne was in here."
"Last time I saw her, she was in the infirmary," Elise said.
"When was that?"
Elise consulted her wristcomm. "About an hour and a half ago." She grinned. "We're playing a double feature here."
"Well, enjoy," Jeff said, smiling back. "I'll check in the infirmary. Thanks."
"Goodnight, Dad," John called as Jeff left.
"Goodnight," Jeff replied as the door slid shut. He stepped backwards and turned around... to find himself face to face with his wife, who was coming out of Tin-Tin's suite. He smiled. "Just the woman I want to see." He motioned toward Tin-Tin's door. "How is she?"
"Still feeling a headache. She gave me a call and I brought her some painkiller and a light sedative. She needs the sleep." Holding up the hypospray, she added, "Let me dispense with these."
He nodded and followed her down the hall to the infirmary, and watched as she disposed of the empty hypospray ampules, then put the device itself into the sterilizer. She smiled at him as she washed her hands. "What brings you down here?"
"Looking for you, actually," he admitted. She went into her office and he followed her. On her screen was a freeze-frame shot of the sheik from their latest rescue. "What's this all about?" Jeff asked, gesturing toward the screen.
"I keep coming back to this sound bite from the sheik," she told him as she sat in her chair and began to put the computer on standby. "It's amazing that we made such an impression on him. I wish we could follow up somehow and see what comes of it."
"It would be interesting," Jeff said. "But impossible, I'm afraid." He rested a hand on her shoulder. "I know we've made a difference in a lot of lives over the years, but very, very seldom do we get to see or hear what those differences are. We've had to content ourselves with the knowledge that we did. Getting feedback like this is gravy."
"Yes, it is," Dianne responded. The computer screen went blank, and she stood up. Putting her arms around Jeff's neck, she smiled as their eyes met. "Do me a favor?"
"What?" he asked, surprised.
"When you finally get around to replacing Christopher, please consider hiring a woman," she said. "It would be nice to be able to field a completely female team when necessary."
"Hmm. I'll keep that in mind," Jeff said, lowering his face to touch his lips to hers. "And thank you for reminding me about hiring another pilot. It's not exactly been at the forefront of my mind lately." He sighed. "And it should have been, especially with the pressure that we've put on Elise."
"Well, consider yourself reminded," she said with a sly smile. "Now, Mr. Tracy, what am I going to do with you?"
He gave a glance in the direction of the sick room, then turned back to her with a raised eyebrow and a husky tone to his voice. "We could... you know... have a repeat of our first encounter..."
"An interesting idea," she said, brushing back his hair, "But I think I'd rather indulge myself in the privacy of our own boudoir... or maybe even our Jacuzzi."
"Suits me fine," he replied, kissing her deeply.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1867 is a reply to message #1866] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 17:27 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: Hobbeth Sent: 4/12/2006 5:54 PM
Tuesday, July 10; Tracy Island; approximately 7:00 AM
The next morning, when Kat checked her computer to see what her schedule was for the day, she found an email from Brains.
Kat,
We need to do a general checkup of the private jets. It hasn't been done in some time, and I want to make sure they are ready to go at a moment's notice. Please meet me by Tracy-1 at 9 AM.
Brains
Kat smiled; it was a pleasure to work on the jets and it might take her mind off the events of the previous evening. Working on the vessels and equipment used in the rescues was a challenge she enjoyed, but it was a nice break to take on something more familiar to her. She showered and dressed, then ate a good breakfast.
When she arrived at the hangar, Brains was waiting for her. "I needed a break from the lab, so I'll help you with the largest jet, then leave you to do the others."
He handed her a data pad. "Here is the list of everything I want checked over on all the jets."
She took the pad and looked the list over. "No problem," she said, grinning cheekily. "I could do most of this in my sleep."
He chuckled. "I'd prefer it if you did it wide awake, though. And don't rush through it." He turned and said, "Let's get started, shall we?"
They climbed aboard Tracy Three and went into the cockpit. Brains sat in the pilot's seat and indicated that Kat should take the other. He noticed that she was distracted and edgy. "Is everything okay? You seem nervous about something."
Startled, she looked at him. There was a long moment of silence, and then she replied, "Oh no. I just had a bad evening. I'm sorry; I'll try to focus more on what we're doing."
"Good idea. We don't want anyone crashing because the jets weren't in perfect operating condition, do we?" He smiled at her, and a moment later she returned it. "Okay," he continued,
"I'm going to get the engine going so we can check things out."
He started it, and as it warmed up, said, "Kat, do you remember anything more about the man who tried to steal the hoverbike when you were in India?"
She frowned. "Not really. Why?"
"We know of someone who has tried to steal the secrets of International Rescue, and Mr. Tracy and I are beginning to believe that your thief was the same person. What impression did you get when you saw him ride off? What was his physical appearance like? I know he had on a disguise, but did you notice anything?"
"Let me think," she replied. "Not really, except I noticed he had broad shoulders and -- oh, yes. I saw his hands, or his gloves, and I remember thinking to myself that they seemed to be very large. But other than that, no. He moved away so quickly, and I think I was a little stunned."
"Thank you; that helps. If you do think of anything else, contact me and let me know. Now let's get started. I'll call out the readings and you check them off. Then we'll examine the engine and the wings."
Kat assented and they got down to work.
xxxx
An hour later, Brains went searching for Jeff. Finding him at his desk in the lounge, he sat down and told his boss what he had learned.
"That sounds like the Hood to me, Brains. How about you?"
"Yes sir. That's what I remember about him from my encounter with him. But if he's planning on going after the new recruits, hadn't we better warn them about him?"
"Yes, I suppose we should," Jeff mused. "I'll have to look at the schedules to see when would be the best time for that." He sighed. "I don't mind telling you that I'm not at all pleased by this turn of events. I had hoped that he would give up; I even thought he had, since we have only had the one contact with him this year -- or rather Kyrano has. I guess I was wrong."
"We all hoped he had given up on us," Brains replied. "You aren't the only one. Well, I'll let you get back to work. When you notify the new recruits of the meeting, please let me know, too. I'd like to be there."
"Of course I will. I'd like to have as many people there who have encountered him as possible. I'll see you later."
Brains left the room to head back to the lab, and Jeff turned back to his computer.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1868 is a reply to message #1867] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 17:30 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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Evil Genius |
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From: TracyFan4Ever Sent: 4/12/2006 7:55 PM
***Tuesday, July 10, Tracy Island (Thunderbird Three Silo), around 12 noon***
"I think we've come to a good stopping place, Callie," John said. He stood with data pad in hand, showing his prize pupil the ins and outs of restocking Thunderbird Three's living area and sickbay. "Do you have any questions?"
She shook her head. "No, I think I've got it. I just have to remember to restock it about a week before going up, right?"
John frowned a little. "No, Callie. This will be part of the post-flight restock. Stocking things up for Thunderbird Five is a whole different animal."
He put the data pad down, and smiled at her. "I think it's time for lunch. Why don't you join me in the dining room today?"
Turning away, she calmly said, "Um, no thanks, John. I'm not really hungry right now."
"Oh," he replied, slightly taken aback. "All right. I'll see you back here at one, okay?"
"Okay." She walked away, her head shrugged forward. The effects of the previous night's argument had begun to take not only an emotional toll on her, but a physical one. She had barely eaten since that argument.
John watched her climb into the monorail for the trip back to the Cliff House, then he descended to the "lounge", where the couch waited to take him back to the villa's lounge. Something's bothering her, that's evident to see, he thought. Question is: what do I do about it?
She went into her apartment, still slumping over. Taking a seat in her living room, Callie turned on the television set to see if anything could cheer her up. Watching a mariachi band surprise a carpenter, she normally would've laughed hard, but not this time. "If only I wasn't feeling so miserable right now, though."
Still not feeling any better, she opted to return to the beach. Unfortunately, that still didn't make her feel any better. "Not even the waves are doing any good," she said angrily. "Ever since last night, I'm completely off-kilter."
John just couldn't shake the sense that something was really wrong with Callie. He wiped his mouth, and put his napkin by his plate. "Please excuse me, everyone. I just remembered something I need to do."
He went upstairs to the lounge, and activated the communications link to Thunderbird Five. "Quasar to Indy. Come in, Indy."
Alan's face appeared on the screen. He had mustard smeared along the corner of his mouth, and John caught a glimpse of the hero sandwich before his brother got it out of camera range.
"Indy here," Alan said, his voice sounding a bit thick from having just swallowed a hastily chewed bite. "What can I do for you, Quasar?"
"Hey, Indy," John replied, giving his brother a smile and a friendly greeting. "I need to know where Ursa is right now."
"Ursa?" Alan asked, intrigued. "Why?"
"I just need to talk to her, that's all," John replied, a bit of impatience coloring his tone. "Where is she?"
"According to her signal, she's on the beach," Alan said. He gave his brother a questioning look. "What's up?"
"Nothing you need worry about," John told him. "But I'm going to email you later about something I discussed with Da... the Boss. Okay?"
"Sure, whatever," Alan said, shrugging his shoulders.
"Don't let the Boss see you with that sandwich in the control room," John warned, grinning. "Gotta go. Talk to you later, Indy. And thanks. Quasar out."
He cut communications, and hurried out of the lounge. The beach, huh? Well, Miss Spencer, let's see if I can help you with whatever's bothering you. Even if it's just providing a listening ear.
At the beach, Callie found some stones to toss into the ocean. One by one, she threw each rock into the water. "So much for a happy birthday," she muttered angrily as hot tears streamed down her face.
John saw her as he came down the beach, and decided to give her fair warning. He waved an arm and called, "Hey, Callie!" in a cheery voice. When she turned at the sound, he added, "Stay put!"
He increased his pace and quickly came up to where she was standing. "Hey there," he said. Raising an eyebrow, he asked her, "Callie? What's the matter? Why are you crying?"
Facing him, she said, "John, can you change the schedule back, please?"
"Change the shift back? Why?" John asked, suddenly frowning.
"I don't want to take away your quality time with Kat," she answered, sniffling. "She said I had asked you to change the shifts between us, but I know that's not true."
"What?" he asked, incredulous. "Kat said what?"
Callie quickly replied, "Kat accused me of purposely asking for a change in the schedule so I can be home with my family. She had a lot of nerve saying that. I told her that you and Mr. Tracy had planned it out, but she thought I was lying."
John shook his head. "I don't understand this. I definitely told her that it was all my idea." He gave Callie a searching look. "So she came down to you and accused you of setting this up? And told you what? That you'd taken away our time together?"
Her anger fuming again, she said, "That's exactly it, John. She had the absolute nerve to say that to me, so I threw her out of my apartment!"
Shocked, John blew out a breath. He shook his head again. "I... I can't believe it of her." He looked up at Callie again. "But... I guess I don't know her as well as I thought I did." He put a hand on Callie's shoulder. "You leave this with me. I'll deal with it."
"Okay," said Callie. "Just one thing, though. Will you tell your father about this?"
"No, I don't think so," John said, frowning. "Not unless it affects the team. Then, yes. I'll go to him." He gave her a small, sad smile. "Hopefully it won't come to that."
"All right. Mind if I stay here a little longer? I just need to be alone for a while."
"Oh, sure," John nodded his head. "Just don't forget to come back up to Three, okay? We still have some training to do."
"I won't forget. I'll see you later." She went back to tossing stones into the ocean again.
John watched her for a moment, then turned and walked off the way he'd come, his hand in his pockets. I guess I need to have a little talk with Kat about this and make sure she realizes that accusing Callie was the wrong thing to do.
******By Tikatu and TracyFan4Ever.******
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1869 is a reply to message #1868] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 17:38 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: Tawnyangel22 Sent: 4/12/2006 11:56 PM
Tracy Island -- July 10 - 2068
After John left Callie, he went in search of Kat. He was appalled at what she had done. As he headed for the hangar, he tried to compose himself, and think of the best way to approach Kat. What's gotten into her? he thought. I've never seen this side of her before. He shook his head sadly. I've got to make her see how upsetting her actions were to Callie.
Kat was carrying out some checks on Thunderbird Two. She was still smarting from her confrontation with Callie. Her head ached as she tried to write on her data pad, the pen snapped. Damn, she thought, as she got another pen from her overall's pocket. Why me? It's so unfair.
Suddenly she heard footsteps. Looking round she saw John approaching. "Hi, John. Nice to see you," she said, smiling at him.
But John did not return her smile. Instead, he stopped a little way from her and said bluntly, "Kat, I've just left Callie on the beach. She was crying and she asked me to change the rotation back to what it was originally. When I asked her why, she told me that you've accused her of messing things up between us. She wanted me to reconsider my decision, so that you and I could spend more time together."
Kat swallowed hard, but remained silent.
"Is this true?" he asked tersely, trying to contain his frustration with Kat.
Kat had never seen John angry before, and thought he was very angry now. She took a deep breath. "Yes, it's true. I'm sorry, John. I just didn't think."
"You're right. You didn't think. Why do you assume that everything should be planned with you in mind?"
Tears filled Kat's eyes. John watched her, trying to keep his anger in check.
"I'm sorry, John. I was just so disappointed. I felt so hurt."
"Yes, I'm sure you were. But that didn't give you the right to ream out Callie. I made that decision. I was the one you should have come to."
Running his hands through his hair, he turned away for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts. Turning back to face her he continued, "I'm really disappointed in you. I thought you were mature enough to accept that sometimes decisions are made for the good of others. I thought you would see my offer to Callie as being generous and accept it for her sake. I didn't realize you'd be so selfish."
He stopped and took a breath. "Put yourself in Callie's shoes. How would you have felt if everyone else had been able to go home for their birthdays except you? I know you had a good time when you went home; would you deny Callie that? She's as close to her family as you are, maybe even closer. I heard all about her family when I was training her in Thunderbird Five. So I knew what a gift it would be for her to be able to spend her special time with her folks." He shook his head. "I fail to see why you had to get so angry with her. It wasn't her decision. It. Was. Mine. I thought I had made that perfectly clear."
Kat's face blanched. She couldn't bear John to be so angry with her. But suddenly Kat felt angry. She wasn't going to take this lying down; she was going to make him realise just how she felt.
John watched her. He wished she'd react, tell him off, do something, anything other than stand there looking pitiful. Yes, he was angry with her, but it wasn't the end of the world. He wanted her to realize that though, yes, he had feelings for her, and wanted to get to know her better, his world didn't revolve around her.
"So, I suppose I'm expected to take this without saying anything? Yes, you have made things perfectly clear, but I happen to have feelings as well. I think I was justified in what I said to Callie, and I don't regret my actions at all. I think she deserved to know just how I have been affected. I know we are only just becoming close friends, but I was looking forward to spending time with you." She gave a hollow laugh. "Just how wrong could I be." Unchecked, the tears began to fall, and she angrily wiped them away,
"Excuse me," John said, his voice hard. "As I said before, the decision was mine. Mine and mine alone. If you had something to say, you should have said it to me. Not to Callie. She was innocent in all of this." He folded his arms across his chest. "What you said, and the way you spoke to me when I told you made me think you could accept it. I see I was wrong."
"So what now? I suppose you expect me to apologise?"
John nodded. "Yes Kat, that's what I expect you to do... and I expect you to be sincere. I'm not sure how she'll take it; you've hurt her very badly. But you have to try."
Kat wiped her eyes on the back of her hand and sniffed. John came closer and handed her a tissue.
She said quietly, but with sarcasm in her voice, "Well as long as Callie is happy, to hell with my feelings, is that the case? I obviously don't matter in this equation, do I? And there I was thinking you had feelings for me. I was obviously wrong. I suppose that you won't want us to be friends now."
John let out an exasperated breath and held out his hands. "How am I supposed to answer that?" he asked in a frustrated tone. "I still want us to be good friends, to know each other better. I still feel attracted to you. But I have to admit that I'm disappointed and angry with what you did." His voice got very low and intense. "But if you can't accept that I'm doing something nice for someone, then maybe we'd better do some rethinking of our relationship."
Kat's eyes widened. She was aghast that he would even consider it. "No, John. No. I'm sorry." She looked down at the floor. "It just seemed so unfair," she whispered.
He moved closer to her. "Kat, you should already know that very little in life is fair, even here. It wasn't fair that Callie would have to spend her birthday in Thunderbird Five when no one else had to. Unfortunately, in making things fair for Callie, I made a sacrifice. I really didn't think you'd mind, seeing as it was in a good cause." He put a hand on her shoulder and sighed. "Now, you know what you have to do. In the meantime, I think that you and I should have some space so we can both cool down. Once you've apologized to Callie, and we're both less emotional, then maybe you and I can spend some time together before I leave for Thunderbird Five."
Kat took a sharp intake of breath. He gave her a small, rueful smile.
"I'll talk to you later, Kat. Let me know when you've spoken with Callie." Then he turned and headed out of the hangar.
"John?" Kat called after him. "I'm so very sorry! I will really try to never, ever do anything like this again."
"Okay, Kat." John stopped and turned to her. "Now go say the same to Callie."
Kat watched him go. She felt a little ashamed, but at the same time she still felt angry: angry with John, angry with Callie. But was she also in fact a little bit jealous, because John had taken Callie's feelings over hers? After all, he had spent time with Callie when they worked together in Thunderbird Five, and they must have got to know each other well. And now he was making sacrifices so that Callie could be happy. No, I can't believe that; it's me he has feelings for, she thought, but all the same she felt very unhappy.
John walked away deep in thought. Kat had really disappointed him, and made him angry. He had never realised that she could behave in the way she had. He hoped she would reflect on her actions against Callie, and see that she was wrong. And not only that what she did was wrong, but also that, sometimes, it's better to give a little to make someone else happy. He also hoped that she'd think twice if a similar situation arose.
Kat watched his retreating figure, and then crumpled to the ground, her tears flowing freely. Finally, feeling completely drained, she got up and continued her work. She found it hard to concentrate, but forcing herself to work began to take her mind off the recent argument with John. After she had completed the checks and work on Thunderbird Two, she cleared away her tools, headed for her apartment and a task she wasn't looking forward to.
...fallout by ArtisticRainey and Tawnyangel22
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1870 is a reply to message #1869] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 17:41 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: TracyFan4Ever Sent: 4/13/2006 7:16 PM
******Tuesday, July 10, 2068, Tracy Island, approximately 5:45 p.m.******
After eating a very light dinner, Callie found herself sitting on the beach again, throwing stones into the sea, frustrated by her conversation with Kat. "The nerve of her," she said as she tossed another rock. "She thinks I've shattered her world or something!"
Kat hugged herself as she made her way down to the beach. She had broken down and asked Alan where she could find Callie; she didn't want to warn her of her coming. She stood behind her teammate for a long moment, watching as Callie threw stone after stone into the sea. Then she took a deep breath and approached.
"Hello, Callie," she said, trying to keep her voice neutral.
Turning around, Callie saw her colleague. "What do you want now? If it's for me to change the schedule back, it's already been finalized."
Kat was taken aback by the anger in Callie's voice. She had expected hurt, perhaps tears... but not this biting tone. She shook her head. "No... no. I'm not here about that. I know it's been finalized." She nearly choked on a sob as she said, "John told me it had been. He was ever so angry with me."
She looked down at her feet. "I'm here to apologize. I'm very sorry for what I said."
Callie threw another rock into the water before facing Kat again. "After everything you just put me through, do you think an apology is going to be enough? You hurt my feelings, Kat. I thought you were my friend. I can't believe a simple schedule switch has caused all this!"
Kat shook her head again. "I didn't... I wasn't..." She swallowed heavily. "I am your friend, Callie. I was just so... hurt that John would do this to me." She wrapped her arms tighter around her shoulders. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I wasn't thinking."
"You're right," said Callie coldly, "you weren't thinking. What you did was cold, selfish, and inconsiderate."
Is that what she thinks of me? Kat thought in shock. Cold, selfish and inconsiderate? Why I'm giving up a month of time with John for her! She breathed out a small sigh. Still, I shouldn't have taken this out on her. John was right about that.
"I'm sorry, Callie. I'm sorry for taking this out on you when you didn't have anything to do with the decision," she said resignedly. "It was selfish of me, and wrong. Would you please forgive me?"
Callie turned her back to Kat. "It's not that easy to forgive and forget. Did you really come to apologize, or are you here because John asked you to come?"
Kat's eyes widened. "I'm... I'm...," she sputtered. Then she stopped. Am I really here because I'm truly sorry? Or am I here because I want to get back into John's good graces? For a brief, heart-stopping moment, she knew, she knew the truth. I'm not here because I'm sorry or because I think I've done wrong. Oh, how could I be so selfish and shallow, even now?
She swallowed heavily again, and tears came to her eyes. "I won't lie to you, Callie. I came here at first because I wanted to get back into John's good graces. Yes, he did require it of me."
Slowly she approached Callie, and dropped to her knees on the sand beside her. "But, I realize that was as shallow and selfish as what I said to you, how I acted." She bowed her head and her tears dripped onto the sand. "And for that, I am truly sorry."
She looked up at Callie, sniffed a couple of times and said, "I've been a beast to you, Callie, and you didn't deserve it. Please forgive me for what I said and did and for being such a selfish pig that I couldn't see how happy John's decision would make you." She lowered her head again. "I know I would have felt horrid if I had been in your position, and not able to go home to see my family. And a true friend wants to make her friends happy." She shrugged off-handedly. "I guess I haven't been a very good friend after all, have I?"
"No, you haven't," Callie stated coolly. She stood and brushed the sand from her knees. Starting to walk away, she added, "No matter how I feel about you right now, I'll put aside our differences for the sake of the team, but that's it."
Kat stared, unbelieving, at Callie's retreating back. She got up from the sand and ran after her. "Does this mean you... you won't forgive me?"
"No, I won't forgive you... yet."
Kat stopped in her tracks, her mouth open. "Then... will you ever?"
"I will... in due time. It'll depend on how long it'll take for me to get over this." Callie closed her eyes and said, "I'll see you later, Kat." The last word came out like ice.
And with that, Callie stalked off, leaving Kat with a shocked and confused expression on her face and a painful feeling of loss in her heart.
******By Tikatu and TracyFan4Ever.******
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1871 is a reply to message #1870] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 17:42 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: Tikatu Sent: 4/14/2006 11:32 AM
Wednesday, July 11, 6:30 a.m., Tracy Island.
"Ugh." Dom groaned as he rolled over to turn off his alarm clock. Josh had been fractious the night before, and it was well past midnight before the toddler had dropped off, exhausted.
Flopping back to the mattress, Dom sighed heavily. What am I going to do? he asked himself, his eyes closing on their own volition. I can't keep this up. It's not good for either of us. It's like a vicious cycle.
He suddenly jerked awake at the sound of Josh's cry from the other bedroom. A quick glance at the clock made him sit up quickly and throw back the covers. Seven-thirty! I must have fallen back to sleep. At this rate, I'll be late for work.
Striding into the shared bath, he heard Josh slamming his little hand on the door between the bath and his own room. "I'm coming, Jak," Dom said wearily. He opened the door to find his son waiting for him, one arm around his stuffed horse and as many fingers of the other hand now crammed into his mouth as possible. There were wet handprints on the door; mute evidence of Jak's alternate banging on the door, then sucking his fingers.
The wet fingers came out of his mouth, and he reached upwards. "Da!" he cried, wiggling his fingers to be picked up. "Up, Da!"
Dom crouched to his son's level, his training in how to lift correctly automatically directing his actions. He slid his arms hands under Josh's armpits and pulled his son close as he stood up again. A kiss to the blond head, then Dom asked, "Do you want breakfast, Jak?"
"Beckfust!" Josh answered. Dom smiled at his son's pronunciation; the proper sounds would come, he knew, and he'd become adept at translating his son's baby speak.
He carried Josh out to the kitchen, and sat his son down in the booster seat at the small dinette table. He hoped and prayed that they'd get through the meal without a tantrum; too many times Josh would ask for something, only to reject it and demand something else. How does Mrs. Tracy handle him when I'm at work? he wondered. I'm going to have to ask her for some advice and soon.
Glancing out the French doors to the balcony, he sighed again. It was raining out; which meant no sand castles and no outdoors to entertain his son during the hours that he'd be working in the infirmary. Not that there was much to do; everyone had been healthy and injury-free lately.
Hmm. Maybe I could ask for a personal day, just to so we could catch up on our rest... I wonder if Nikki would mind covering for me. I hope she didn't hear Josh's tantrum last night; I'm always leery about those balcony doors. He nodded slightly. I had better ask.
With that, he filled a sipper cup with milk for Josh, then pulled out his communicator to ask his neighbor and co-worker for a very important favor.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1872 is a reply to message #1871] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 17:46 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: Tawnyangel22 Sent: 4/14/2006 3:13 PM
Tracy Island, July 11, 8.30 a.m.
John stepped off the elevator and waited for the monorail car to appear in the terminus. He was heading to Thunderbird Three for some routine maintenance. The car slid into place, slowing and stopping for him. He was surprised to find it already occupied.
"Good morning, Kat," he said cordially. "What are you up to today?"
Kat was huddled in the far corner of the car. Her face was white and there were dark circles under her eyes, as if she had not had enough sleep. She looked rather strained. Without glancing up at John, she said, "Oh, er, hi John. I was going to the lab to work with Brains."
John frowned in concern. "Is something wrong? You look rather... upset. And tired. Did you get enough sleep last night? And did you eat this morning?"
Kat couldn't meet his gaze. "I didn't sleep at all last night. I have had a glass of milk this morning. I couldn't face anything else. I tried to apologise to Callie. I was really and truly sorry, but she wouldn't forgive me." She looked at him. In a whisper she said, "I don't think she ever will. Oh, John, what have I done? I've really hurt one of my friends."
John's eyebrow climbed as he considered Kat's words. Then he took the controls of the monorail and set them to go past Thunderbird Three, taking the long way around to the lab. He sat down on one of the benches that edged the inside of the monorail car, and patted the seat next to him.
"Kat, come sit next to me and tell me what happened."
Kat sat down beside him. "I have apologised to Callie. I told her I realized that it was your decision and that she had nothing to do with it. She intimated that I was only there to apologise so I could get back into your good graces." She looked down. "I admitted that you were the reason I was there in the first place." Then she gazed at John. "But then I realized how much hurt I'd caused her and that I'd had no right to accuse her. After that, I tried to sincerely apologize." She shook her head sadly. "She would have none of it. She accused me of being cold, selfish and inconsiderate. Oh, John, I'm not! I just made a mistake and let my heart rule me rather than my head. Because of this, I have lost one good friend, and maybe will lose more when this gets out."
John took a deep breath and let it out. "So, you originally went to apologize because I told you to?" He shook his head. "Kat, I'm sorry I put you in that position. Yes, I wanted you to apologize, but I wanted you to do it because you knew that what you'd done was wrong. Not because it would satisfy me."
He shook his head again, and smiled a little. "But it does sound like you realized it at some point. And for that I'm grateful."
"Now," he said, putting a friendly arm around her. "About Callie. I did warn you that I wasn't sure how she'd take an apology. She was very hurt and angry when I spoke with her. She probably did see that what you did was... how did you put it?"
"Cold, selfish and inconsiderate."
"Yes, that. She probably saw what you did as exactly that. And admitting that you were there because of me... well, I suppose owning up to the truth was a good thing, even if it wasn't too wise. But the main thing was that, in the end, you were sincere."
"Oh, John, what have I done? Why did I go rushing in without engaging my brain?" All at once, the enormity of what she had done came to the surface again and tears filled her eyes. "I guess I have been selfish and inconsiderate, but I'm not cold. I have feelings, and now I guess I shall reap the repercussions from this action. Not only from Callie, but probably from you as well."
"Kat, I'm not going to fault you if you really did understand that what you did to Callie was wrong," John assured her. "Once you apologized sincerely, it's up to her to accept that apology."
"I have to admit that I didn't think Callie would hold a grudge. She didn't seem to be that kind of person. I guess it's an indication of exactly how much she was hurt." He gave Kat a little squeeze. "Perhaps I should have a little talk with her myself. Keeping a grudge will eventually seep into working together, no matter how much someone tries to keep it out."
Kat looked rather doubtful. "She was very angry and hurt, John. It certainly will be a long time before she does forgive me. She said she will work with me for the sake of the team. But how long will it be before others notice the coolness between us? It's bound to get out. This is going to take a lot of living down, isn't it? Suddenly I am not feeling too confident. I've not had this kind of upset since my early days working as a mechanic."
"Then I guess I'll have to have a talk with her," John replied, resignedly. "I wish I'd known that trying to be generous would backfire on me to this extent. No good deed goes unpunished, I guess." He looked up to see that they'd finally arrived at the lab. "Here's your stop. I'm glad you apologized to Callie, and did it sincerely. Thank you for that. I'll be in touch about getting together again. I want to try and iron this thing out with Callie before then, so it won't be hovering over our heads."
Kat gave him a rather watery smile. "Thanks, John. I'm sorry that I've caused all this antagonism. I was just so bitterly disappointed at not being able to time with you. I think my emotions got the better of me. Maybe after you have cleared the air with Callie, I could cook you a meal one evening?"
"We'll see what develops," John said, smiling softly back at her. "For now, I think you'd better get to work, and I should, too." He stepped over to the controls, then looked up sharply. "Oh, and Kat? Get something more to eat. Please. Remember your blood sugar, and what Mom said."
Kat took his hand and squeezed it. "Goodbye, and thanks for talking to me; it has really helped. And as far as eating something is concerned," she added, "you'd be surprised to know just where I have my own private supplies of cereal bars." With that, she got off the monorail.
"Have a better day, Kat," he called as the doors shut between them. He put the monorail back in motion and stood there, deep in thought. Then he sighed heavily. I think a little conversation with Callie is in order, and soon.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1876 is a reply to message #1871] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 17:51 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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Evil Genius |
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From: Hobbeth Sent: 4/14/2006 3:57 PM
July 10, 2068; Anchorage, Alaska; 2:25 PM (10:25 AM July 11 on Tracy Island)
Lena's plane touched down at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on time. When she disembarked, she was relieved to find that a man from Tracy Industries was waiting for her. It was the head of I&M there, himself, Anthony Cooper.
"Lena. It's good to meet you face-to-face, finally. Welcome to the 'City of Lights and Flowers," he said as he took her carry-on bag from her. "How was your flight? You don't look too tired."
She smiled at him as she replied, "Tank you, Tony. I'm a pretty good traveler, generally. And it was a smoot, comfortable flight. I even napped for a couple of hours."
"That's good; I wish I could sleep on planes, but I've never been able to. Now, your hotel is only a couple of miles from the offices, so after we get your other bag, we can either head there, then to the office, or vice versa."
"I don't have anotter bag; I'm only going to be here until Friday, and was able to pack what I needed into what you're carrying. Why don't we go to de office, so I can meet your people?"
He gave her an admiring look. "I wish you could show my wife how to pack; she needs two suitcases for an overnight stay across town." He grinned as he led the way to the curb.
She laughed. "Oh, I'm sure she's not dat bad."
He chuckled as they went outside to the limousine waiting for them at the curb. "Mr. Tracy insisted on it," he said when she protested that she didn't have to have such fine transportation. "And I must say that I'm enjoying it. I don't get to ride in a limo very often."
They got in and it took only 20 minutes to get to the building. Tony told the driver that he'd take Lena to her hotel, but the limo should pick her up the next morning at 8 AM. They went inside, where Lena was given an ID badge then headed up to the floor where Tony's office was.
There were six people on his staff, who were able to maintain the computer systems smoothly and efficiently. She was introduced to them, and told them, "I'm here to see how you do tings in dis neck of de woods and see if your procedures would work in any of de otter branches' I&M departments -- or vice versa. So basically I'll just be hanging around and watching, perhaps asking a few questions."
She chatted with them some more, watched them work, and talked to Tony in his office, seeing what his normal weekly schedule was like. It was very similar to her own, and they joked that they couldn't come up with a way to improve it in either city. Before she knew it, quitting time had come, and they were heading to his car.
As he drove her to the hotel, he suggested a few places she might like to see while she was in town, so her visit wouldn't be all business. "There are the Anchorage Museum of History and Fine Art, the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Heritage Library, the Alaska Botanical Gardens. . ."
"Stop," she interrupted with a laugh. "All dose places sound wonderful and I'd love to visit dem, but I don't tink dat dere is enough time. Right now, all I want to tink about is a bite to eat, a hot bat and a good night's sleep."
He was contrite. "I'm sorry, Lena. I forgot that it's four hours later where you're from. You must be starving!"
"Not quite, but I am hungry. Can we stop someplace where I can get someting to eat in my room?"
"Of course. I know just the place. Not fast food, but good food, fast."
Twenty minutes later, he pulled up to her hotel. She took the food, her bag and purse and got out of the car after thanking him for all his help. She went inside and checked in. Half an hour later she was soaking in a hot bath, washing away the stresses of the day, and dining on some wonderful Chinese food.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1878 is a reply to message #1876] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 17:51 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: Hobbeth Sent: 4/14/2006 4:53 PM
Wednesday, July 11; Tracy Island; 11 AM
Jeff finished rereading, for the third time, the memo he'd typed on his computer and sighed. The previous day, shortly after his talk with Brains, he'd received an urgent email from Tracy Industries headquarters. A problem had arisen, and it had taken all afternoon and most of the next morning for him to get all the facts and come to a decision about it. He started to read it again, then stopped. Why should I read it again? It isn't going to change, and I've made my decision. He hesitated for one second, then hit the "send" button, then sat back with a sigh of relief.
Dianne heard him sigh as she walked into the room. "Is something wrong, Jeff?"
"There was an emergency at Tracy Industries headquarters and I've been working on that since Brains was here yesterday morning. I emailed my decision and instructions just before you walked in."
"It didn't concern Lena, did it?"
"No. In fact," he replied as he checked the time, "Lena should have landed in Anchorage a few minutes ago. I think she's almost completely recovered from her ordeal, but you'd know better than that. Hasn't she been in touch with you lately?"
Dianne smiled. "I got an email from her yesterday, and she sounds very much like her old self. This brother of hers must be a wise man, to have given her exactly the advice she needed. I'm happy for her. But we've gotten off the subject. What was the emergency?"
"Something went wrong at the eleventh hour with a prototype we were building. They wanted to know if we should scrap it or go back to the drawing board. I needed to see the data and the specs. It took some time to study all the information, but I finally came to a decision, and now it's up to the people in New York to implement it."
"Well, I'm glad that's over, then. But you said Brains was here. Is something wrong with one of our vessels or . . ."
"Oh, damn! I completely forgot!" He looked up at his wife apologetically. "After what happened to Tin-Tin the other night, I wanted to question Kat about her encounter in India with the person who tried to steal the hoverbike. Brains offered to do that and let me know what she said."
"And?"
"She described a broad-shouldered man with large hands. It sounds like International Rescue's old enemy, the Hood, has come back into our lives. We both feel that the new recruits should be informed. I meant to email them to have them come here for a meeting, but completely forgot when I heard from New York."
"I agree completely that they should be informed, and the sooner the better. I really thought he'd found more profitable ventures to go after."
"He probably did, for a while. But he's back, and his mental attack on Tin-Tin proves that. So I agree we need to tell the others. I think I'll have them gather here tomorrow afternoon. I'll want you and the boys here, too, as well as Brains, Kyrano, Tin-Tin -- and mother, too. I'd better get the message out now, while I'm thinking of it."
She bent down and kissed him. "I'll leave you to it, then, and see you later, at lunch."
"Okay." He leered at her as she turned to leave. "If I can get this out quickly, maybe I'll see you before then."
She laughed and replied as she walked out, "You'll have to find me first. And no using technology to do it. Or Alan."
He chuckled as she disappeared through the door, then sobered as he thought about how to word his message. Soon he typed something into the computer and then looked it over.
To all here on Tracy Island:
Recent events over the past few weeks have led me to decide to call a meeting in the lounge for 5:30 PM tomorrow, barring any emergencies. I and some of my family and staff have some vital information about which you who are new to International Rescue need to know. This is a mandatory meeting. Please be on time.
Jeff Tracy
He addressed it to everyone on the island and sent it. Then he called Alan and told him to be ready for the meeting, and why. Finally, he shut down the computer, cleared his desk and began the more pleasant task of finding his wife.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
[Updated on: Sat, 28 July 2012 18:03] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1879 is a reply to message #1878] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 18:08 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
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Evil Genius |
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From: TracyFan4Ever Sent: 4/15/2006 9:34 AM
***Thursday, July 12, 2068, Tracy Island; Thunderbird Three Silo, 10 a.m.***
"Now, when this particular reading comes up on the diagnostic, it means that there's a blockage in the fuel lines for the chemical rockets," John told her, pointing to the computer screen. "This is just a simulation of the problem, but it's a big one, especially on take off and landing. If you ever get this in your pre-flight checks, power down immediately."
"What happens if it appears as a warning during landing?" Callie asked, frowning in concern.
John leaned up against the console in Thunderbird Three's maintenance room. "Depends on where you are when you see it. If you're landing off-planet, you need to abort the launch and return to Five." He folded his arms. "If it's on return to base, you need to abort the landing and proceed to Mateo Island. Nobody's there and it's easier to land in that silo."
He blew out a breath. "It's a dangerous situation either way, but taking Three to Mateo means that there won't be... collateral damage."
Callie nodded. "I understand. We can replace the rocket." Letting out a long sigh, she looked downward.
John echoed her sigh. "Listen, Callie. Can we talk about something? Something unrelated to your training?"
"Sure. I probably know what it's about, but I need to get it out of my system anyway."
John took a deep breath and gave Callie a rueful smile. "Yeah, you probably know. I talked with Kat yesterday morning and she was really upset. She basically told me that you thought her to be cold, selfish, and inconsiderate and that you wouldn't forgive her. I can understand why you feel the way you do about her personally after what she said, but can I ask: why won't you forgive her?"
He unfolded his arms and rested his hands on the console's edge. "She's sure she's lost you for a friend, and that she'll lose more when this becomes common knowledge... and you know it will."
Her eyes widening, she said, "I told Kat I wouldn't forgive her yet. I never said I wouldn't forgive her at all. Like I told her, I need time to get over this."
He rolled his eyes. "She didn't tell me that... the part about 'yet'. Just said you weren't going to forgive, period." Giving her a keen look from beneath furrowed brows, he slowly asked, "If you're planning on forgiving her anyway, why not just do it, and save everyone the drama?"
"Because I'm still hurting, John," she said, her anger slowly building up. "I can't just forgive someone with the drop of a hat! She accused me of something I didn't do." She turned away, tears threatening to fall. "I don't want this affecting us to the point of creating problems for the team, but this hurts. Do you know how this really feels?"
"Yes, I've been in situations like this before, and I know it's painful," John said softly. "I just hope you can see your way to forgive before it does affect your work together. And not only that, but before the others find out and feel that they have to take sides." He shook his head. "If I'd known that my decision would cause this much drama, I would have thought twice about making it."
"I'm sorry this had to happen, John," she said sadly. "I do want to forgive her, but I need time. The last thing I want to do is lose her as a friend. But even the best of friends - and family - can have rough times."
He shook his head. "I can see that I'm not going to sway you. Just don't leave it too long, please." Glancing at his watch, he added, "I think we need a break. Take a half hour, then we'll get back to running diagnostics."
With a nod, she said, "Okay. Thanks for hearing me out."
She went back to her apartment to rest and gather her thoughts. "He's right. The longer I hold this grudge, the more it'll affect Kat and me, and eventually all of us. What should I do, though?" Thinking back to a time when a friend played a mean practical joke on her, she remembered that she forgave that friend after a week. "A week may not be so bad, but in this case, a week may be too long."
John walked off, rubbing the back of his neck, where the beginnings of a tension headache were beginning to make themselves known. He rolled his head around slowly as he walked to release the tension.
I really should have just stayed out of it entirely, but... it feels like this is all my fault. In any case, I'll have to watch my step with Kat; she didn't quite tell me the whole truth of the matter. And if she's already written Callie off as a friend, will any move on Callie's part bring a reconciliation? He stopped rubbing and put his hands in his pockets. No more intervention. It doesn't do any good. Still, maybe a chat with Scott would help me clear my own head.
******By Tikatu and TracyFan4Ever.******
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1880 is a reply to message #1879] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 18:12 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: Tikatu Sent: 4/16/2006 8:16 PM
Thursday, July 12, 6 am: Tracy Island
The sun was just beginning to rise over Tracy Island and nobody was stirring, save one person. Gordon made his way quietly down the hall leading to the simulator room.
"I'd better hurry before I get caught," Gordon said to himself. Looking around, he entered the simulator room and set up his practical joke. After five minutes, he exited the room and casually walked away as if nothing had happened.
10:30 am
Brandon had just finished his breakfast and was doing a quick e-mail check before he started his training. Just then, the elevator buzzer sounded, startling him.
"Just a minute," he mumbled, getting up to answer the door. When the door opened, Virgil was standing there.
"Good morning, Brandon," Virgil said cheerfully. "Ready to continue your training?"
"You bet I am," Brandon said enthusiastically. "I can hardly wait to get my pilot's license."
"Well," Virgil said, "you do have a ways to go. You still need thirty-eight more hours of flight time before you can go out for your license."
"Okay, then," Brandon said. "Let's get down to business."
They arrived at the simulator room and Virgil booted up the computer.
"What do you need work on?" Virgil asked, waiting for his colleague's reply.
Brandon thought a moment. "I have the take-off part down pat. It's the landings that are still a little rough so I'll practice them."
"Okay", Virgil said, programming in the necessary simulation. "In you go."
Brandon entered the simulator and, as he sat down, a very loud, rude noise echoed in the cockpit.
"What the heck was that?!" he said loudly, standing up quickly. He looked down in the seat and, laughing slightly, picked up the offending object. Sticking his head out the door, he looked at Virgil, who had a puzzled expression on his face. "Look what I found sitting in the seat," Brandon replied, holding the whoopee cushion up so his friend could see it.
Virgil took one look at the thing in Brandon's hand and shook his head, smiling. Gordon, we really need to talk.
written by MagicMaster8
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1884 is a reply to message #1880] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 18:23 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: Tikatu Sent: 4/19/2006 6:43 PM
Tracy Island; July 12; 5:25 PM
Jeff watched from behind his desk as the recruits showed up one by one. His look of puzzlement when Brandon went over to Gordon and handed him something, saying, "I believe this belongs to you", changed to amusement when he recognized what the object was. Then he watched as Dom walked in with Joshua. The boy saw Emily and reached out to her. Dom handed his son to her and took a seat beside her. Emily began bouncing Joshua lightly on her knee.
When Callie walked in, she paused as she saw Kat, then took a seat on the opposite side of the room. Jeff noticed this and glanced around, catching a small shake of the head and a "let them work it out" look from John. He shot a quick look at Dianne, who had gotten the same expression from her stepson, and she shrugged.
Finally everyone was there and he opened communications with Thunderbird 5. Then he began to speak.
"A couple of recent events have occurred which has prompted me to call this meeting. One you all know about - Kat's encounter with a man who stole a hoverbike during the rescue in India. The other happened three days ago. Someone tried to invade Tin-Tin's mind, in order to get information about you new recruits."
He would have continued, but was interrupted by gasps and exclamations of "What?", "Oh no!", "Are you okay, Tin-Tin?" and "Who could do a thing like that?".
"That's why we brought you here today," Jeff continued, answering the last question. "We believe the perpetrator is an old enemy of International Rescue, known as The Hood." He turned to his longtime friend. "Kyrano, you probably know more about him than anyone. Will you begin?"
The Malaysian stepped forward so he could be seen by everyone in the room. "The Hood is in actuality my half-brother, Belah Gaat. He has become a master criminal, specializing in appropriating new technology, either for someone who has hired him, or to sell to the highest bidder. He has certain powers that make him more successful than others at what he does; he can invade minds, mesmerize others, and force them to do his will."
"What does this Hood person look like?" asked Dom.
"We aren't certain, since Kyrano hasn't seen him in many years, and Hood is also a master of disguise. But our best guess comes from Brains, who encountered him at Lake Anasta a couple of years ago," replied Jeff. "Brains?"
"Yes, well," Brains began, standing up, his hands behind his back. "The man I first saw looked very much like a Bedouin, with a dark beard and bushy eyebrows. But... I believe that was a disguise. I encountered the man while underwater, where he could not wear a disguise. At that point, he was bald, with a cruel face, and bushy dark eyebrows."
He took a deep, steadying breath. "In both cases where he used his mesmerizing powers on me, his eyes glowed a sickly yellow color. I couldn't help but focus my own attention on them; they were that unusual and hypnotic.
"In both of his guises, he had large, powerful looking hands. He was well-built, muscular, and relatively tall. I'd say about Gordon's height." He glanced over at Jeff. "I... I don't know that I can remember anything more."
"I don't understand," Kat said. "Why is he after us?"
"He wants International Rescue and our technology," Scott answered. "At first, it was just the machines, especially the Thunderbirds. But he was thwarted time after time, and it's become an obsession with him."
"Then why hasn't he already gone after one of you guys?" asked Brandon.
"He did," Gordon replied. "He went after Brains. Not only that, but he's managed to get pictures of various Thunderbirds at different times." He shook his head. "He's never succeeded, partially due to Pink Lady's diligence."
"He has also attacked my father from afar," Tin-Tin added. She looked at her entwined fingers. "My father has found the strength to counter him. I only hope I can do the same."
"Apparently he needs a familial link to invade a mind from a distance, as he has in the past with Kyrano and now Tin-Tin, who has fully recovered, I understand," added Jeff as he looked over at her. She smiled and nodded, and he continued. "Otherwise International Rescue would probably not have lasted very long. But with more people in our organization, and more rescues in remote areas, the chances of him trying to get to any one of you who goes out increases, as does the possibility of him succeeding.
"I had hoped, since we hadn't seen or heard from him in a long time, that he had lost interest, or found easier targets. But if he had, he is back now. And you all need to be warned so you can be on your guard. My sons are also vulnerable, but from what Tin-Tin has told us about her ordeal, he's after one of you new recruits."
He noticed Brandon was shaking his head with a look of disbelief on his face. When the young man saw Jeff watching him, he said, "This is hard to take in. It sounds more like the plot of a bad science fiction movie."
There were a few chuckles and Jeff smiled slightly. "I know it does, but believe me, it's real."
"Why would he be after one of us?" Elise asked, a perplexed look on her face. "I mean, it's not like we have extensive knowledge of the Thunderbirds, like Scott, Virgil, or Brains would."
"He probably thinks that you'd be an easier target," Dianne suggested. "After all, we Tracys know to be on the lookout for him. Until now, you had no idea he existed." She glanced over at Jeff, then continued, "But now that you do, you have to be alert and watch each other's backs."
"So what, besides that, do we do to keep him at bay, so to speak?" asked Nikki.
Dianne glanced at Jeff to see if he wanted to answer that first, and when he indicated that she should speak, she said, "I think we should all check in at regularly scheduled intervals, either with Mobile Control or Thunderbird 5. Say every fifteen to twenty minutes?"
"Sounds like a feasible idea," Alan said. "It might be wise to indicate which operatives are to check in with which station, so no one assumes that someone has checked in with the other." His face screwed up in a puzzled frown. "Did that make any sense?"
Jeff smiled. "Yes, it did. We'll come up with a list of who checks in where later. Does anyone else have another suggestion?"
"I suppose," Callie said slowly, "that we should try not to get so absorbed in what we are doing that we forget about each other, or about checking in. We need to keep track of each other when we are together, not only because of a possible kidnapping, but because of one of us getting injured as well. I especially should remember that, since I have a tendency to concentrate so hard on my work, I block everything else out at times."
"You do that, Ursa?" Alan said with a teasing grin. "I hadn't noticed."
There was a round of chuckles and groans. Jeff noticed that Kat didn't participate, but just shifted in her chair. John smiled, but it looked a bit strained. Do I ask? he wondered. Internally, he shook his head. If it was something that affected the team, John would say so. I can trust him to tell me if I need to know.
He held up a hand for attention. "Any more suggestions?"
"Set a meeting place?" Dom said hesitantly. "If there's ever a spot of trouble, we can meet by Mobile Control, or in Thunderbird Two or something... count noses...?"
Jeff nodded. "Good notion. It's a sound safety precaution in any situation."
"What about sending extra people out there, just to keep an eye out for trouble?" asked Kat.
"I don't think that would be feasible, for several good reasons," Jeff replied.
"Would making more beepers, like the one Kyrano has, be a possibility?" Virgil looked from his father to Brains and back. "Although if the Hood does get to any of us, I doubt we'd be in any shape to use it."
"I concur with that, Virgil," Brains said. "He had me under his thumb so fast I could barely utter a word." He shook his head. "For Kyrano, it's different; though the attacks come out of nowhere, he has learned to recognize them and has that little bit of time to warn the rest of us."
"I wish I knew how he did this," Scott said, folding his arms. "You'd think he'd have to be close to invade another's mind."
"I do not believe he does, Mr. Scott," Kyrano said quietly. "Else we should have been aware of his presence near the island."
"Does anyone else have suggestions?" asked Jeff. When no one answered, or they shook their heads, he continued. "All right. Scott, I want you to work with me in deciding who checks in with you and who checks in with Thunderbird 5. We'll do it tonight and email you all so you'll know first thing in the morning." He looked around. "Are there any questions or comments?"
There was a general shaking of heads. Jeff nodded, and added, "If you think of anything later, please ask. I want to have you all as fully briefed on this threat as possible."
Elise raised a hand. "I just thought of something. Can we see any logs where you've encountered this guy before? Maybe we can see some kind of pattern or something."
Jeff glanced over at Scott, and the latter nodded. "Yes, you may. See John to set you up with the logs; he and Alan know more about them than anyone." He surveyed the room again. "Anything else?"
Again, there was a general shaking of heads and uttered negatives. He nodded, and said, "Then this meeting is adjourned."
fair warning by Hobbeth and Tikatu
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1885 is a reply to message #1884] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 18:27 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: Tikatu Sent: 4/20/2006 2:46 PM
Thursday, July 12, 2068, 9:30 p.m., Tracy Island
John shivered slightly as he left the warmth of the villa for the outside. How can he do this? he wondered as he wrapped his towel tighter around him. In the spring and summer, yeah. The autumn? Possibly. But the dead of winter? Does Scott have a death wish or something?
He had spoken quietly to his oldest brother during dinner, indicating that he wanted to talk later, just the two of them. Scott had smiled and suggested that John join him in the hot tub that night. So now John was hurrying across the damp, chilly concrete and flagstones, nothing on his feet but a pair of thin shower flip-flops, wearing a swimsuit and t-shirt, his towel acting as a blanket.
As he approached the hot tub, he saw that Scott was there before him, submerged to the neck in the hot water. "Come in, the water's fine!" Scott called, grinning.
"How can you do this?" John asked as he divested himself of t-shirt and flip-flops and quickly slid into the water. The relief he felt was immediate; the water was really hot and comfortable, and he sighed in pleasure.
"I think you just answered your own question," Scott pointed out. "The dichotomy of cold to hot is so sharp..."
John wagged a finger at him. "Don't you go using words like 'dichotomy' with me, bub. I'll have you remember that I'm the linguist in the family."
"And I'll have [i]you[/u] remember that I'm the graduate of Yale and went to Oxford," Scott snapped back in an amused tone. "So if I want to use big words, I'll use 'em!"
The blond rolled his eyes. "Okay, okay. I give. It just sounds funny coming from you."
"I don't think so, but... to each his own, the woman said as she kissed her cow."
John flat out stared at his brother. "Where did you get that one?"
"What one?" Scott asked, pretending to be blasé.
"The one about the cow."
"Did I say cow?"
"I distinctly heard you say cow."
"You heard a cow?"
John stopped to think for a moment, then sat back, a wry smile on his face. "You're not getting me with that 'herd of cows' joke, Scott. That's old and lame."
"Oh? I thought it was rather clever," Scott replied. "Tyler got me with it."
"It was clever... when Tyler got me with it, too," John admitted with a grin. "What did his birth father teach that kid, anyway?"
"I dunno, but he must have had a weird sense of humor," Scott replied. He sat back and gave John a long, piercing look. "So, what did you want to talk about?"
John blew out a frustrated breath, and pushed his hair back with a wet hand. "Well, I tried to do something nice for one of our new recruits and it backfired on me, rather spectacularly." He went on to describe the situation between Kat and Callie. "I feel like no good deed goes unpunished, y'know?"
Scott whistled. "Yeah, you got yourself into a pretty pickle, John." He stopped to think for a moment. "I think that, as much as you'd like things to smooth over between Kat and Callie, you need to let them work it out now. You've done all you can. You know that Callie will eventually forgive Kat. But you'll have to remember that they'll still be cool for a while. And for the record - I think your gesture was a generous one. I know how frustrated you got when Alan would weasel his way out of some of his duty. For you to actually volunteer to go up so soon is really big of you. Kat and Callie don't understand how generous your offer really is."
"And no one is going to tell them, either," John said in a warning tone. "I don't want them to know."
Scott nodded. "Hey, if they find out, it won't be from me." He cocked his head a little and frowned slightly. "Y'know, this also gives you an indicator of what Kat thinks of pursuing a relationship with you."
John sighed. "Yeah. I noticed. I've basically tried to tell her that, though I want to get to know her better, at this point, my world doesn't revolve around her. I don't want to rush into anything, or feel like I'm being rushed into anything. I want things to develop slowly, starting with a friendship. I also don't want her world to revolve around me. She has other friends to make." He shrugged. "I'm giving us both some space. Maybe over the weekend we can do something together."
"You do want this to go somewhere, though, don't you?" Scott asked. "You were so shocked when you first found out you had feelings for her..."
John cut in. "Yes, yes. Of course I want it to go somewhere... maybe even down the aisle if that's in the cards. But I want to be sure. Sure of myself. Sure of her. And sure of us together." He chuckled. "Kind of like Mom and Dad were. And like Dad and Dianne are."
"No divorces in your future, huh?"
"Not if I can help it."
The two men sat back in the water and let the bubbling jets massage away some of their tension. John rested his head back and sighed in relaxation, closing his eyes. But his eyes flew open as a large, cold raindrop fell between them, the water running down both sides of his nose.
"Damn," Scott muttered. He rose from the water. "I was hoping that the rain had stopped for the night. Help me turn this off and cover it up, will you?"
John hurriedly got out of the tub, the cold rain showering down on his back and making him shiver. He hastily threw his t-shirt on and put his towel over his head and shoulders. But it didn't help much. Even Scott's teeth were chattering by the time they had gotten the hot tub squared away. The two scurried back into the house, rubbing their wet arms and shivering as they entered the warm dining room. There they got strange looks from Tin-Tin and Brains, who were sharing a pot of hot cocoa.
"C-C-Can w-we have s-s-s-some?" Scott asked plaintively.
Brains smiled and shook his head. "Tin-Tin, would you please make these two drowned rats some cocoa while I fetch some dry towels?"
"Of course," Tin-Tin said with a chuckle. "You two had better wait for the towels, though. Father would not be pleased if you got the dining room upholstery wet!"
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1887 is a reply to message #1885] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 18:29 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: Tikatu Sent: 4/21/2006 1:53 PM
Thursday, July 12, 11 p.m., Thunderbird Five
Alan yawned and stretched. The night had been rather uneventful. A forest fire in Serbia - well contained by the local firefighting squads. A power grid failure in Johannesburg - experts were coming from outlying areas to help restore power. A multi-car pile up in California - the verdict on that one was out, but it seemed that the locals were coping with it. Nothing intense enough to involve International Rescue.
He checked his email for a final time before heading for his bunk. "Hey!" he said softly. "Here's something from John!"
Opening up the email, he began to read.
Hey, squirt!
Thought you should know that I'll be taking the next shift in Five. I found out that Callie's birthday is in August, and thought she should spend it with her family instead of a lonely space station. So I offered to swap duty months with her, she accepted, and Dad approved it. In fact, Dad's going to make the swap permanent so that none of us have to spend our birthdays in orbit. I'm sure you'll be hearing from him later.
Things are relatively quiet down here. Since the kiddos are in the States, there's none of the usual political infighting, and no one here to give me a run for my money in pinball. Gordon played the old "whoopee cushion" joke on Brandon; seems that our new aquanaut is a match for the old - he gave Gordon his little toy just before that meeting today, in front of nearly everyone.
Speaking of that meeting, whew! A chill ran up my spine when I realized that the Hood was back in town! Right now I just feel like we're waiting on a powder keg of sorts, waiting for it to explode - and for him to make the next move. I really wish we could do something proactive; like find him and beat the crap out of him for what he's done to Kyrano and what he just did to Tin-Tin. I'm so glad that whatever he was after in India, he didn't have time to really mess with Kat. Shoving her down and stealing that hoverbike was enough!
Hope you're okay and not leaving your dirty socks strewn around. I'll give you a call sometime later this weekend.
Ciao,
John
Alan chuckled. "So, things are quiet down there, huh? I'd like to see that for myself. Unfortunately, by the time I get home, the twerps will be home, too." He shrugged. "Oh, well. At least I know who's coming in August."
He yawned again. "I'll answer John in the morning." Sliding his sash over his head, he draped it over one arm and approached the bank of receivers, flipping a switch to send the polyglot murmur downstairs where he could hear it. Then he walked over to the window. The portion of the Earth over which he orbited was dark now, with spangles of man-made stars outlining the major cities that edged the Pacific. He smiled, and looked to the spot where he knew his family resided. It was too small to see, and the lights were never bright enough, but he knew where it was.
"Goodnight, guys. Talk to you in the morning," he said softly. Then he turned and headed for the little elevator that would take him to his quarters on the lower level.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1888 is a reply to message #1887] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 18:32 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: Tikatu Sent: 4/22/2006 5:20 PM
Tracy Island, Friday, July 13th, 4:30 am
Elise zipped up the duffel bag she'd packed and headed towards her front door. Scott had wanted to get an early start on their long flight to New Hampshire. She sighed, worried about the next few days, and trying not to think about it. Of course, today being Friday the 13th didn't help matters either.
Opening the door and stepping into the lift, she noticed a cream colored envelope with her name on it lying on the floor. She picked it up and opened it. Inside was a note.
'Elise, I know the next few days will be hard for you. I want you to know you're not alone, and even though I won't be there in person, I'll be thinking of you. Take care, honey. Virgil.'
Placing the note back in its envelope, she fought back the sudden, unexpected tears. Having so many people care about her made her all the more determined not to let them down. She tucked the envelope away in her bag and, closing the door quietly, headed towards the hangar to meet Scott and Dianne.
Scott had been up for hours it seemed, and was anxious to get going.
"She'll be here any moment and then we'll be under way," Dianne softly re-assured her stepson.
"I know, I guess I just want to get this over with as much as Elise does."
Dianne smiled gently and squeezed his arm. "We all do Scott, we all do."
At that moment the subject of their conversation walked in. "I'm ready," was all she said.
"Great, let's go." Scott answered and the threesome made their way to board Tracy One. Scott settled himself into the pilot's seat and started his pre-flight check. Dianne and Elise made themselves comfortable in the cabin.
"How long do you think it'll take us?" Elise asked Scott.
"I'm planning on flying Mach 2 most of the way. We'll re-fuel in LA so I'm estimating we'll touchdown in New Hampshire around 8:30 pm Thursday night. So sit back and relax, unless you want to take over sometime later?"
She thought for a second and said, "Yeah, I'd like that. Thanks."
"No problem," Scott answered.
They were under way in no time and the constant humming of the engines soothed Elise as she sat back and thought about what lay ahead. She remembered Virgil's note in her bag and smiled. It was comforting to know that people truly cared about one and another at IR. Well, most of the time anyway.
Her mind then recalled an argument she'd overheard few days earlier in Callie's apartment between Callie and Kat. She wasn't sure what it had all been about, but Kat had not been a happy camper!
Dianne watched Elise from across the cabin, noticing the girl's expression. "Penny for your thoughts?"
Elise turned and said "Oh, just thinking how we've all got demons we'll have to deal with at some time or another."
Dianne chuckled. "Ah think you are quite right." She paused before continuing, "Elise, Scott and I both know how difficult this trip may be for you. I've been through it with Jeff. But I want you to know that we're here with you every single step of the way."
Elise saw the sincerity in Dianne's eyes. "I know." was all she could manage to say in reply.
In no time at all it seemed, they were approaching LA and landing for re-fueling.
"Care to stretch your legs, ladies?" Scott came into the cabin and the group exited the aircraft for a few minutes.
Outside Scott approached Elise, while Dianne went for a walk. "How are you holding up?"
"All right, I guess." she looked up at him, squinting in the sun.
"How 'bout you take us the rest of the way and give me a break?" He grinned at her.
"Fine. If you can't hack it, I'll show you how it's really done!" she teased as she started back towards the aircraft.
"Hey, Collins! I only have one answer to that... does the word 'Fireflash' mean anything to you?" Scott shouted humorously.
She turned in mid-stride and yelled, "Shut-up, Tracy!" and disappeared into the plane.
Scott laughed out loud, and was still laughing when Dianne came back. "Well, so far so good it would seem?"
Scott looked at his step mother. "Yeah, I think she'll make it."
The rest of the flight was uneventful and soon they were approaching Conway, New Hampshire. Scott came up to the cockpit and got comfortable in the co-pilot's seat.
Elise gave him a look and said, "I can see in the dark you know, I think I can land this plane!"
Scott returned 'the look' and replied, "I know that! I just thought you might like some company."
"Uh huh." Her tone said it all; she was not convinced. The plane touched down smoothly and came to a halt outside the private hangar.
first steps by FrankieCTB2
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1889 is a reply to message #1888] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 18:33 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: ArtisticRainey Sent: 4/26/2006 10:15 AM
Friday July 13, 11:15 AM, Tracy Island
Virgil's fingers moved slowly across the piano keys as he read the unfamiliar score. He had received a package of new sheet music with the last post. It's always good to have a new challenge, he thought. He frowned as he hit the wrong note, and started over undeterred. No matter how much concentration he gave over to learning the music, however, he couldn't quite get Elise out of his head. I hope her own challenge won't prove too much for her -- scratch that, I know it won't... He got to the end of the fifth bar and hit the wrong key again, and started over. I hope she got my note, he thought as he continued. And I hope it helped.
Soon enough he was making his way through the piece fluidly, and he smiled lightly. Ever since he had first touched a piano, it had come easily to him. He played it through once more, and looked up to see Gordon walking in somewhere around the middle. He finished with a little flourish, and Gordon shook his head.
"Show off," he said. "I've never heard that one before."
"It's new. Got it in the mail."
"Huh. I thought you'd graduated beyond using other people's stuff. I should have guessed, though. It was too good to be one of your compositions."
Virgil held up one fist in mock threat, and Gordon grinned cheekily.
"One does not 'move beyond' using other people's work," Virgil said haughtily. "One always keeps on top of the latest developments, so one can be better than them."
"Oh, I do apologise," Gordon said with a little bow.
The two chuckled as Gordon straightened, and Virgil started to gather his sheets together.
"So, what's up?" He asked.
"Nothing much. I too am enjoying a rare lazy morning."
"For you, they're hardly rare," Virgil said, and was rewarded with a light smack to the back of his head. "Hey!"
"Actually," Gordon said, his tone suddenly becoming sober, "I was thinking about Elise. I sure hope she'll be okay."
"She will be," Virgil said as he rose from the piano bench. "She'll do just fine."
"Yeah."
"Now, if you'll give me a minute to tidy this away, what do you say to a little 'friendly' pinball competition? I want to whup your butt before I start some diagnostics on TB2."
"You whup my butt? I think not. You're on!"
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1890 is a reply to message #1889] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 18:35 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: Tikatu Sent: 4/26/2006 5:30 PM
Thursday, July 12, 2068, 10:00 p.m. local time (1:30 p.m. July 13, Tracy Island)
"Oh, yeah! I remember this place!" Elise exclaimed as Dianne pulled the SUV up into the drive, parking before the A-frame cottage. She gave the older woman a wide grin. "What did you think of it when you first saw it?"
"I love it, and I love the man who gave it to me," Dianne said with a soft smile. She glanced back at Scott, who was sitting in the back seat. "What do you think, Scott?"
"Ah, ooh, wow!" Scott said, looking stunned. "Dad certainly has good taste. I hope my wife doesn't expect these kinds of Valentine's gifts!"
The women laughed and Dianne shook her head. "You'll remember, Scott, that I didn't exactly ask for this," she reminded him. "But if you think this big when your wife's birthday or Valentine's Day roll around, you'll have a nice, long, loving marriage."
"He's got to get the woman first," Elise quipped.
"Watch it, Collins!" Scott growled as they got out, and began pulling their bags from the vehicle. Dianne had made sure that they stopped both at a restaurant for a light meal and at a grocery for supplies, so in addition to their luggage, they had several grocery bags to pull out and tote up to the house.
"Oh my word!" Elise said when Dianne turned on the lights. "This is gorgeous!"
"Yes, it is," Dianne agreed.
Scott whistled. "Did you decorate the place or did Dad?"
"Your father did, but he did say that if there was anything I didn't like, I could replace it."
"Oh? Have you found anything to replace?"
Dianne shook her head. "Not yet." She glanced around the living room, then took her grocery bags to the kitchen. "There's one bedroom downstairs, and two upstairs. I think you can figure out which one is mine and Jeff's."
"The one with the vase of roses?" Elise said as she opened a bedroom door.
"Vase of roses?" Dianne said, hurrying to join Elise in the door to her room. "How'd that get in here?" She smelled the fragrant flowers and noticed an envelope with the words, "To my Valentine" on the front. She opened it, glancing up at Elise and Scott, both of whom had leaned around the door jamb to watch her. Her cheeks flamed and she smiled as she read it, then she put the missive back in the envelope.
"Seems thet Jeff has had th' local agent keepin' an eye on th' place," she said, a hint of drawl in her voice. "Ah'm glad. We don' need any bothah from th' local hooligans, an' bah thet Ah mean th' media." She stood up and took a deep breath of rose scent. "All right, folks. Let's get the groceries put away and get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a tough day."
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1891 is a reply to message #1890] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 18:36 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: Tikatu Sent: 5/3/2006 7:06 PM
Friday, July 13, 2068, 2:30 p.m., Tracy Island
A sudden beeping made Jeff look up from the email he was writing to the Human Relations office in New York. A small window popped up on his computer screen, with the words, "Unauthorized Approach" flashing on it in bright red.
I'm glad we were able to ditch that screen behind Alan's portrait, he thought as he expanded the box. Now, who do we have coming in for a visit? There's nobody scheduled for today, and the mail plane has already been and gone.
He waited to see if the plane's identification code would flash up in his window, and when it didn't, he turned and opened communications.
"Tracy Island to unidentified aircraft. Please identify. I repeat, please identify."
There was a crackle of static, then a female voice cut in. "Tracy Island, this is Tracy Industries cargo flight 702, requesting permission to land."
"Flight 702?" Jeff muttered. He bounced his computer back to his email box, then the flight schedule for the surrounding airports and Tracy Island facilities. Finding nothing, he went back to the radio. "Flight 702, please confirm point of origin."
"Tracy Island, we are out of Los Angeles, with a stopover in Honolulu," the pilot replied. "We have freight destined for your location. Name on the packing order is Tin-Tin Kyrano."
"Please hold, Flight 702, while I confirm things on our end." Jeff hurriedly called down to the lab. "Tin-Tin? Are you there?"
"Yes, Mr. Tracy." Her voice came floating back up to his intercom. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"I have a cargo plane, purporting to be from Tracy Industries, carrying freight with your name on the packing slip. Any notion what it could be?"
"Oh!" Tin-Tin sounded both surprised and pleased. "It must be the new Penelar uniforms! I had a message from our agent in charge of collecting the pieces on Monday. I... I'm afraid that with what happened and all... but I did forward the email." She sounded very apologetic.
"I understand, Tin-Tin." He saved his email as a draft, signed off of the corporate server and onto the IR server. "Yes, there it is, with the flight number and all. I must have missed it in all of the excitement. I'll give them permission to land, but you'd better get out there to sign for it all."
"I'll be there momentarily, Mr. Tracy. I'll make sure to bring a float, too. I expect this will be a large delivery."
"Yes, I expect so. I'll have a couple of the boys head down to the airstrip to give us a hand. See you in a few moments."
"Yes, sir."
He cut off the intercom, and went back to the radio. "Flight 702 from Tracy Island, you have landing clearance and welcome."
"Thank you, Tracy Island. Beginning approach now."
Jeff signed off the IR server, and back onto the corporate one. "I should have just enough time to finish this email about hiring another 'personal pilot'. It's time to find a replacement for Christopher Jordan."
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1892 is a reply to message #1891] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 18:38 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: TracyFan4Ever Sent: 5/6/2006 8:27 PM
******Friday, July 13, 2068; Tracy Island, about 6 p.m.******
Callie sat in the kitchen of her apartment, finishing her dinner. "I'm glad to have my appetite back, but I can't stop thinking about what happened between Kat and me this week."
Since her conversation with John, her anger had slowly turned into sadness. She didn't want to lose Kat as a friend, but she still felt the pain in her heart. Walking into her bedroom, she grabbed her diary from the night table and sat on her bed. With a sigh, she started writing.
It's been such a wild week. I was so excited when John and his father both gave me the chance to spend time with my family. That elation disappeared fast after what happened with Kat. I do intend to forgive her, but life's not like a 30-minute TV show where people are forgiven by the end of an episode.
What really irks me is the fact she accused me of trying to take away her time with John. I mean, from the argument, I think the two have something going, but one thing she's failed to understand is that the real world rarely has whirlwind romances. Those things may happen in the romance novels, but not in real life. Any true relationship needs time and trust between the two people first.
I hope Kat and I can be good friends again someday. Right now, however, it'll be hardest for me to forget about this. Things will probably remain cool for a while. She's still an important member of IR, though, and I won't allow the personal differences to get in the way of our job.
She closed her diary and placed it back on the night table. Writing her feelings on paper did help ease some worries on her mind. "That's life," she whispered.
Walking back to the living room, she turned on the television set and noticed something she had missed earlier in the week. "The Home Run Derby," she said with a smile. "I completely forgot it was on a couple of days ago. Oh, well, so it's tape-delayed. At least I can see who won this year."
As the competition continued for another 90 minutes, she said, "I feel a lot better than I did earlier." The relaxing feeling returned, and whatever she thought about the argument disappeared...with someone's 21st home run in the final round of the derby.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1893 is a reply to message #1892] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 18:41 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: FrankieCTB2 Sent: 5/8/2006 7:37 PM
Tracy Cabin, New Hampshire. Friday July 13th. Early.
The sun had barely poked it's head above the trees and mountains, yet for two of the three occupants of the quiet cabin, it seemed like mid-morning already. One was up because that was what he routinely did no matter where he was sleeping. The other was up because of her nerves and over-active mind.
Scott had showered and was making a fresh pot of coffee when Elise appeared in the kitchen wearing rumpled sweats and a messy ponytail. He took in the view and asked, "Sleep all right?"
"Not really. I thought I was tired, but then lay awake most of this night. Time change I guess."
Scott didn't reply but knew the last part was a lie. She was a pilot; with years of time changes in her system so there was no way the time change was the cause for her restless night. Fear had been the culprit for keeping her awake. He handed her a mug of hot coffee.
"Mmm...thanks." she said, sipping the liquid slowly.
He walked into the living room and sat on the couch. Elise walked over to the large windows and gazed at the view. Mountains and trees and sky were all there seemed to be; yet it was breathtaking.
"Beautiful isn't it?" Scott said.
"Yes, it is." She turned and went to sit down opposite him. "It's certainly different from the last time I saw it, all barren and bare, the night...." She suddenly stopped mid-sentence and changed the direction of what she was saying. "So how long will it take us to get there?"
Scott sensed her uneasiness and knew today was going to seem like an eternity. Truth be told, he wasn't sure he wanted to relive that night again either. "It shouldn't take too long; the back mountain roads will get us there in no time. Speaking of which, if I don't get Dianne up, we won't have enough time to do anything." He put down his mug and headed off towards Dianne's room. Elise swallowed the last mouthful of coffee, placed her cup in the sink and dragged herself to her room to get ready.
Scott was rather surprised that Dianne had answered her door just as he'd finished knocking. She was fully dressed and ready to go. At his look, she had simply stated, "Ah don't want to miss one moment of what Elise maybe going through today and the sooner we all get going, the better...Ah hope." They exchanged worried glances but said no more.
The ride to the crash site had been silent for the most part. Elise had sat in the back by herself, Dianne was up front and Scott was driving. Of course, they got there in no time. Dianne had to remind him a few times to slow down and told him the vehicle would never reach Mach One, no matter what he did to it! Elise had chuckled at that comment, and received a 'look' in the rear view mirror for her effort.
Dianne spoke as Scott slowed the SUV down to a stop. "This is as far as we can go by car, we'll have to walk the rest of the way."
The three stretched as they got out and looked around. The scenery was spectacular. Summer had come full blown to the wilderness of New Hampshire and Mother Nature had provided a serene, peaceful valley that was worlds away from the harsh, winter snow covered peaks that had brought tragedy into their lives.
Dianne led the way and soon the three of them were in a clearing where some trees had been broken down and strewn around. Flowers grew in between the fallen limbs and leaves and grass swished gently in the warm breeze. Scott and Elise slowly looked around them.
Dianne watched them closely. She'd been here with Jeff not too long ago and had watched him in much the same way. She'd spoken to him last night before retiring, and had told him she feared Scott might have a reaction that would surprise him. At first, Jeff had been willing to just let Scott take Elise, thinking his son's level head would be able to deal with anything. His wife, as usual, had persuaded him otherwise. Jeff had finally agreed and praised his wife for having the forethought to go along on this trip with Scott and Elise. Dianne smiled as she remembered Jeff's comments about 'rewarding her' when she returned home!
Although Elise had wandered off on her own, she was still in view and Dianne and Scott watched her. She seemed to be looking every which way and finding nothing, as if she couldn't place herself here. Elise sighed as she continued to look around, trying to imagine the surrounding area covered in snow. She didn't recognize any of it. This couldn't have been the crash site, could it? It was at that moment she kicked something. Moving her foot around she unearthed a shiny object. She reached down and picked the object up. It was about the size of her palm and black in color, with no signs of weathering. That's strange. Whatever it is it's well made...
Elise drew in a sharp breath. "No, it couldn't be!" She suddenly realized the material was the same as was used on aircraft fuselages. The last time she'd seen a black fuselage was on the chopper she'd been piloting. The same chopper that slammed her and Jeff Tracy into these mountains.
Scott had started to say something to Dianne when he heard Elise cry out and, as he turned, he saw he drop to her knees, clutching something. They both ran over to her, and Scott bent down gently touching her shoulder as he did so. "Elise, what is it? What's wrong?"
It took a few moments, but she finally turned and looked at him like a frightened child and held out the piece of wreckage. She struggled with her words while trying to breathe and not disintegrate into tears. "Oh God... Scott... it's, it's the chopper."
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1894 is a reply to message #1893] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 18:41 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: Tikatu Sent: 5/16/2006 8:21 PM
Saturday, July 14, 2068, 1 a.m., Tracy Island; 8 a.m. Friday, July 13 in NH
Jeff rolled over in bed, his arm reaching out to its usual nighttime perch and finding... nothing. The lack of warm body beside him woke him enough that he opened his eyes and, seeing the relatively neat side of the bed, he remembered.
"Uhh." He rolled back over, drawing the cover with him. He closed his eyes, and tried to drop off again, but it was no good. He was awake now, and he sighed deeply.
Sitting up, he scrubbed his chin with a hand, then ran the other through his hair. He rose and padded to the bathroom, intending on using the throne, getting a small drink of water, then going back and trying to sleep again.
While he was there, he eyed the Jacuzzi speculatively. It brought out the memory of his and Dianne's visit to New Hampshire. The Jacuzzi in the master bedroom there certainly had gotten its share of use. He smiled, and remembered the quick phone call he'd gotten the previous afternoon.
"Hello theah, you rascal," Dianne had said. Her flirty drawl had made him chuckle.
"I guess that means you found my little surprise," he had answered, grinning.
"Ah most certainly did," she had replied. "An' yoah lettah. You made me blush, an' in front o' Elise an' Scott no less."
"Well, the sentiments were heartfelt, love. I can't wait until you get back."
"Me eithah. Ah jes' hope this does Elise all th' good in th' world. Ah don' want to lose her as a pilot."
"Nor do I." He had looked at his watch. "Isn't it getting late there?"
"Yes," she had replied with a sigh. "I've already sent the other two off to bed. Now I'd better get ready myself." Jeff had been disappointed that the drawl had dropped from her voice; that accent now turned him on, but only when she used it.
"Then I won't keep you. Goodnight, love. Sweet dreams."
"You know I won't have any sweet dreams until I'm home with you," she had said, her tone soft and regretful.
"Yes, you will," he had replied. "You just remember our time there and your dreams will be as sweet as honey."
"I remember our time here, and I'll be having problems with hot flashes," Dianne had quipped. "But I will try. Goodnight, Jeff. See you again soon."
"See you, love."
He smiled as he wandered back into the bedroom. One a.m.. That would make it roughly 8 a.m. there. I wonder... no, I'd better not. Dianne needs to focus on Elise and what they're going to do. I'll wait until after breakfast. Things should have come to a head there by then.
With that, he slipped back beneath the covers, and pulled her pillow out so he could perch his arm on it. It wasn't as firm as her waist, but it still smelled of her, and it would have to do. Sighing, he closed his eyes, focused on his memories of Dianne in that Jacuzzi, and fell back to sleep.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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