International Rescue: The Next Phase


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Re: Learning The Ropes [message #70 is a reply to message #69] Sat, 21 July 2012 23:03 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
Tikatu is currently offline  Tikatu
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Registered: April 2012
Location: South Carolina
Karma:
Field Commander
Ubiquitous one
Wednesday, February 29th Three P.M.

The sun shone brightly on Tracy Island, but its brightness could not penetrate the thick veil of concern that had settled over its occupants. Things were in turmoil. No one knew what to do next or what Jeff's plans had been for the new recruits; not even Virgil.

"I wonder what Dad would have done first?" he wondered. "Some sort of basic training? Evaluate each recruit to tailor training to their needs?" He sat back, looking at the portraits on the wall. "Maybe I'd better ask Scott." He speed-dialed the penthouse in New York. The phone rang for a bit, then Scott answered, looking sleepy.

"Do you know what time it is here?" he asked.

"Yes, it's 11:00," Virgil said with a small smile. "I wanted to ask you: do you know what Dad wanted to do first with our new recruits?"

"As a matter of fact, yes, I do. He wanted to take them on a tour of the facilities."

"Hey, that's a great idea. Gordon, Brains, Tin-Tin and I can do that today. We don't necessarily need Dad for it."

"Right. You go ahead. I'll call you later and we can discuss the next step. But right now, I need my sleep. Day starts early at corporate."

"I know. Any news on Dad?"

"They'll be fusing the vertebra and scapula first thing in the morning. Mom's back at the hospital." Scott made a face. "I'll try to pry her away again later, after the surgery."

"Okay, Scott. Thanks for the update. Talk to you soon." He broke the connection, and then set about making the arrangements for the tour.

Elsewhere, the others were going about their activities. Brains and Tin-Tin had been working on the Thunderbirds, showing Kat the ropes, but now Tin-Tin and Callie were in the lab, working on the formula for the new fabric, Cherry had taken the boys swimming and Brandon was releasing some of his energy and anger in the work-out room.

"Who does that jerk Christopher think he is?" Brandon swung at a punching bag hanging in one corner of the room. "He knows that stupid cat doesn't like me." He swung again and smiled with satisfaction as his fist connected with the bag, producing a solid 'thwack'.

Callie came into the workout room wearing a sleeveless tank top, shorts, and walking shoes. She had a towel around her neck and her hair pulled back. Hi, Brandon," she said politely as she made her way to a treadmill. "How are you today?"

"Hi Callie," Brandon grunted as he kept swinging at the bag. "Doin' okay. And you?"

"I'm fine. Just needed to escape the lab. Tin-Tin is about to tear out her hair over this new fabric she's trying to develop. It was getting tense in there." She started up the treadmill and began to walk. "I need to walk off some steam anyway. It's hard to watch the Tracys trying to deal with Mr. Tracy being so far away and in such poor condition."

"It's tough not knowing. I really feel for them." Brandon had gone over to the free weights. Picking out a set of hand weights, he began to do bicep curls.

"Can you imagine being halfway around the world from someone you love that needs you? Or even worse, being in orbit?" Callie said as she bumped the treadmill up to a jog.

"No Callie, I can't. Growing up, my family and I were always tight. Even when I moved out and joined WASP, I always kept in touch. Living here on the island is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.

"Same here. My family and I are very close. I moved around a lot, but my roots were still in Alabama." Callie sighed. "I think John will be back in a day or so. Then I'll be going up to Thunderbird Five with him to start my training."

"Good for you Callie. I have no idea when my training will begin."

Callie bumped the treadmill up another notch so she was actually running. Sweat glistened on her skin. "I'm sure it will start soon. Once Mr. Tracy is out of danger and his surgeries are done, I'm sure most of the family will be coming back. Then things will really get hectic." She gave Brandon a curious look. "What did you wear on the rescue, anyway?"

"I snagged one of Scott's uniforms. It fit okay but the sleeves and legs were a little long on me," Brandon replied with a small chuckle.

"I understand from Tin-Tin that what Dr. Tracy wore was a prototype of a new uniform. I think I like it better than the current one," Callie puffed out.

"I wasn't too keen on wearing the current uniform, but I didn't have much choice. I'm glad they're changing the design."

Callie slowed back down to a jog. "I hope they have some kind of artificial gravity on Thunderbird Five. Though I must admit, I didn't see Alan floating around in the station." She chuckled. "I can hardly wait to get up there. Wherever it is, they've hidden it well. I've been in space dozens of times and never saw a hint of it."

"Hey if you could see Thunderbird Five, it wouldn't be a secret any more, would it?" Brandon made the weight circuit and went back over to the punching bag.

"No, I suppose it wouldn't." Callie moved her speed down to a cooling walk. She patted her face with her towel.

They both looked up to hear Virgil's voice come over the household intercom. "Will all new recruits please assemble in the lounge."

Callie turned off the treadmill and stepped off. "Wonder what this is all about?"

Brandon, hearing the message, came up beside her. "I have no idea, Callie. You don't think..."

"Think what? More bad news? I hope not," Callie remarked as they headed for the lounge.

As Brandon and Callie headed to the lounge, they encountered some of the others, who were wondering aloud what was going on and all were hoping that the news wasn't bad.


Virgil looked up from the desk as the newcomers assembled before him, looks of puzzlement and apprehension on their faces. He smiled, and some of them relaxed.

"At ease, everyone," he said, "Nothing to worry about. It's just that it's come to my attention that none of you, with the exception of Kat, have had a proper tour of our facilities. Thought that this would be a good time for it."

He turned to Kat. "I know you've seen most of the plant, but this will be even more comprehensive than what John took you on since we'll be getting down on the floor of the pod bay and introducing you to all of the pod vehicles. So I think you should come along, too." Kat nodded, surprised.

Virgil listened to the excited voices for a few seconds before calling for their attention. "All right," said Virgil, "everybody hold it down, please."

After the voices calmed down, he added, "Considering the number of recruits we've added recently, I think it's best if we split into two groups. Brains and I will lead one group of three while Gordon and Tin-Tin accompany the other group."

Virgil looked at the eager faces before him. "If there are no questions, we'll meet at the monorail terminal."

Callie said, "How about Kat, Christopher and myself in one group, while Brandon, Dominic, and Nikki go in another?"

Brandon liked the idea, especially since he DIDN'T have to go with Christopher. I'm definitely for that, he silently said, Thank you, Callie.

Post by MagicMaster8, Tikatu and TracyFan4Ever on 11/07/2004

Jeff heartbeat Dianne plain My IR:TNP OTP!

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