International Rescue: The Next Phase


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Re: The Call Goes Out [message #160 is a reply to message #113] Sun, 22 July 2012 19:43 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
Tikatu is currently offline  Tikatu
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Registered: April 2012
Location: South Carolina
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Field Commander
Ubiquitous one
Brandon awoke to a change in the pitch of the plane's engines. Looking out the window, he saw a small dot of land, increasing in size as the aircraft descended towards it.

"Tracy One to Tracy Island, requesting permission to land." Brandon heard Scott ask, and sat up straight, checking his safety belts for landing.

"Permission denied, Tracy One," came a deep voice. "The last of the cargo VTOLs is lifting off now. Continue in holding pattern until further notice."

"Well, what do you know about that!" Scott exclaimed quietly.

Brandon watched in fascination as, one by one, the VTOLs lifted off. After the last of them had left, Tracy One was given permission to land.

Scott brought the plane in for a smooth landing, taxiing to a concrete path that led to a house barely visible from the tarmac. An older Asian man, wearing a silk tunic with matching trousers, waited for them with a small hovercar.

"Kyrano, this is Brandon McCain. Mr. McCain, meet Kyrano, our family retainer and the one person who keeps our household running."

Kyrano bowed. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. McCain. I will bring your luggage and transport you to the Villa."

"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Kyrano," Brandon replied, returning the bow.

After loading the luggage into the hovercar, Kyrano drove them to the Villa. Brandon took in every detail that he could, his eyes like that of a hawk.

The hovercar came to a stop at the bottom of a long stairway. At the base of the stairs, two men waited. Both were well-built, strong looking men, and there was a definite family resemblance. The elder had silvery salt-and-pepper hair, and the younger's hair was a coppery red. As Brandon approached, the older man held out his hand.

"Welcome to Tracy Island, Mr. McCain," he said, the deep voice the same that had greeted Scott on the radio.

"Thank you, Mr. Tracy," Brandon said, taking his hand. He recognized the older man of course; after all, he worked for him.

After Jeff introduced Gordon, Brandon asked a legitimate question. "I consider it an honor to meet you and to be considered for a promotion. One thing bothers me, though. Why bring me all the way out here for a promotion? We could have done it at Tracy Industries just as easily."

Gordon stood by, listening to Brandon's question. Straight and to the point, he thought.

"An excellent question, Mr. McCain. Let's go in and discuss this in a bit more comfortable setting," Jeff said as he led the way up to the lounge.

Brandon looked from side to side as he climbed the stairs. He saw Jeff wave to two women and three children who were splashing in the pool that they passed as they climbed. Then they were inside the cool, comfortable lounge. There were several sofas and chairs and on the wall was a series of portraits of six young men, a young woman, a teenaged girl, and two boys.

"My children, our chief engineer, Brains, and his assistant, Tin-Tin," Jeff said as he waved towards the pictures and sat behind his desk.

Brandon took a seat in front of Jeff. "Nice family. But it doesn't explain why you brought me here. There's got to be more to it than just a promotion."

Jeff chuckled as he sat back in his chair. "You're a very direct man, Mr. McCain. Sometimes that can be a good thing; sometimes you need to demand answers. But there are times when it's better to wait until your answers are revealed to you." Brandon could not mistake the slight warning tone in Jeff's voice, and he sat back, trying to relax and contain his questions. Jeff continued. "You and my son Gordon have something in common. You've both served in WASP."

Brandon was intrigued by this little bit of information. "That's interesting. Who did you serve under?" he asked Gordon.

"Thomas Marshall," Gordon replied. "I was stationed in Honolulu."

"Thomas Marshall. I heard of him but never served under him. I was stationed in San Diego and served under John Shore."

"What craft did you deal with? I dealt mostly with subaqua craft and only occasionally with the surface boats and all," Gordon asked.

"I served aboard the Tigershark for four years. After that I transferred to the Rescue Patrol as a hydrofoil pilot. Spent several years working with the Rescue patrol. When Tracy Industries was in need of someone to test their new marine designs, I applied for the job."

"What part of WASP did you enjoy working in the most? Underwater, sea level, or rescue?" Gordon asked. Brandon began to get the impression that it wasn't the older Tracy that was interviewing him, but the younger one.

"Honestly, it was the rescue part of the job that I enjoyed the most. There was something satisfying about getting out and helping people who were in dire situations."

"Hmm. Good." Gordon looked over at his father, and nodded.

"Gordon, why don't you take Mr. McCain on a tour of our facilities? Let me know when you're near the end," Jeff said.

Sure, Dad," Gordon said, rising.

Gordon started by showing Brandon around the Villa. He was impressed by what he saw. Looks like they have every thing they need here to be self-supporting. Brandon thought as Gordon continued the tour.

After touring the Villa, the two men took the monorail to the boat pen. Here the family yacht, the Lucille was kept.

"Whoa, I am impressed," Brandon said, letting out a low whistle. He walked around all sides of the yacht, taking in its sleek hull.

"Yeah, she's a beaut all right. Dad named her after my late mother," Gordon explained. "Now he's remarried. Some of us call her Mom, even if she isn't." He looked at his watch and then pressed a button. "Come on. I've got something really impressive to show you."

More impressive than that yacht? Brandon wondered as Gordon led him back to the monorail. It must be really something then.

Gordon guided the monorail through a tunnel that curved around a sharp bed. In the headlights, Brandon could see a branch line leading off somewhere. Then they came out into a massive room.

As he looked down, Brandon saw small bays with interesting machines sitting in them. A bulldozer with a cannon in the middle of the blade?

Brandon looked down and just caught a glimpse of two green containers at the far end of the room before they entered another tunnel. What kind of place is Mr. Tracy maintaining here?

Gordon brought the monorail car to a halt behind another one. Jeff stood on a platform waiting for them.

"So, Mr. McCain. What do you think so far?"

"I'm impressed, Mr. Tracy. What I've seen so far is fantastic. It's like nothing I've ever seen."

"Well, the best is yet to come, as they say." And with that, Jeff turned and led Brandon down to the floor of another massive room. Gordon brought up the rear.

When they came out from between two of the large green structures, Gordon took the lead. Smiling, he brought Brandon up to the open door of what looked like a huge garage. Inside was a bright yellow craft. "A mini-submersible!" Brandon exclaimed.

Brandon walked up to the craft, taking in its every detail from front to back. When he reached the back of the sub, he noticed the number four on the fin and 'THUNDERBIRD 4' in large letters on each side. It was then that the realization hit him.

"You guys are a part of International Rescue."

"Not part of," Gordon said, a touch of pride in his voice. "We ARE International Rescue."

"Yes," Jeff said, coming up the ramp into the pod. "And you were quite right, Mr. McCain, when you said that your visit here was about more than a promotion. We find ourselves in need of another aquanaut. You are our first choice. We'd like you to join us."

Brandon looked, first at Gordon then Jeff, a look of shock on his face. "This is an honor, Mr. Tracy, but it's so sudden. How soon do you need my decision?"

Father and son looked at each other. It was obvious that they hadn't thought about it.

"A week," Jeff finally said. "We're recruiting others and we want training to begin as soon as possible. If you can give us your answer within the week, then we can bring you on board with the other new recruits."

"Okay Mr. Tracy, a week it is. I'll let you know my choice then."

"In the meantime, feel free to enjoy our hospitality for the rest of the day. Scott will fly you back to San Diego tomorrow," Jeff said. "And don't worry about your work hours. I'll see to it that you're compensated for your time here." With that he strode out, leaving Brandon alone with Gordon.

After Jeff had left, Brandon looked at Gordon, shaking his head. "What other secrets do you have hiding here?" Brandon was still in shock over what he had discovered about the Tracy family.

"All kinds of secrets," Gordon said with a grin. "But you don't get to see them if you're not part of the team. Letting this cat out of the bag is enough." He cocked his head at Brandon. "You up for some diving? We have some great sea caves and coral reefs."

Brandon grinned back at him. "You bet I am. Let's go."

Post by MagicMaster8 and Tikatu on 13/06/2004

Jeff heartbeat Dianne plain My IR:TNP OTP!

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