International Rescue: The Next Phase


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Re: The Call Goes Out [message #163 is a reply to message #162] Sun, 22 July 2012 20:02 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
Tikatu is currently offline  Tikatu
Messages: 813
Registered: April 2012
Location: South Carolina
Karma:
Field Commander
Ubiquitous one
Tracy Island. 7.55am. 9th February

Christopher yawned as he splashed his face with cold water. He looked up into the mirror and groaned.

"I look awful!" he muttered as he dried his face. Stepping out of the bathroom, he saw the view that he still couldn't believe: a tropical paradise.

The flight over had been fun. Tin-Tin was charming, vivacious, and attractive. He liked talking to her. After a while in the air, he had managed to cajole her into singing songs with him. Strangely enough, it made him miss Anna more than ever.

Putting on his RAF blazer and straightening his tie, he stepped out into the air conditioned corridor and looked around. Humming a long forgotten tune to himself, he made his way to where Tin-Tin had told him where the dining room was.

He entered a room full of activity.

"Ah! Mr Jordan, welcome. Please come sit over here," Jeff called, indicating a seat to his left. When they had arrived at the Island, Tin-Tin had told him that the family was just getting up and that he would see his employer at breakfast.

Christopher sat down in the offered chair. "Thank you, Mr. Tracy. You don't know how honoured I am to meet you."

"The pleasure's all ours, Mr. Jordan. Let me introduce you to my wife, Dianne. This is another guest, Brandon McCain..." Jeff went around the table, introducing Brains and the rest of the family.

Christopher smiled shyly as he looked around the table. There were so many people there. He remembered Scott from the RAF visit. He picked up his fork and speared a piece of bacon.

"I was very surprised to receive your email, Mr Tracy," Christopher said. "I think everyone is surprised to receive something from the owner of the company."

"I hope it was surprise and not shock, Mr. Jordan," Jeff said amiably. "I think Mr. McCain was just as surprised to hear from me."

"Yes, sir. I must admit I was," Brandon replied with a slight smile.

"I'm looking forward to finding out exactly why I'm here." Christopher finished his glass of orange juice. He felt a bit more awake than before. He looked over at Tin-Tin and smiled. He was glad to have another chance to talk to her again. She saw him and smiled back.

"Tin-Tin?" Christopher leaned closer to her. "I wonder if you'd like to show me round some places when you have the time."

"Certainly, Christopher," Tin-Tin replied with a dazzling smile. "You might want to rest a bit, first though. The jet lag can be horrendous." She looked towards Jeff. "Mr. Tracy? Would you mind if I gave Mr. Jordan a tour of the Villa when he's ready?"

"Not at all, Tin-Tin," Jeff replied.

"I feel okay now," Christopher said, "but whenever you're ready, Tin-Tin." He noticed some of the other Tracy boys, namely Gordon and John, stealing glances in his direction.

The conversation swirled around, touching on many topics. Christopher and Tin-Tin chatted animatedly together. That is, until something Brandon said caught Christopher's ear.

"Yeah, I've seen the new yacht that the US is entering in the America's Cup. The Brits and the Aussies don't have a chance," he stated with satisfaction.

Christopher's face whipped round to look at Brandon, his mouth set in a firm line and his eyes flashing with anger. But his voice was calm.

"At least our World Cup side didn't get knocked out by a team from Fiji," he said, a hint of mockery in his voice, "Five nil, wasn't it?"

Brandon looked at him, surprised. "Was it? I wouldn't know. I don't follow soccer."

This little argument didn't escape Jeff. He glanced at Dianne, who raised an eyebrow at him.

Christopher glared at Brandon for a moment before getting up from the table.

"I'm ready to go now," Christopher said. "Mr. and Mrs. Tracy, thank you for a wonderful breakfast."

"If you'll excuse us, please," Tin-Tin said as she rose. "I'll take Mr. Jordan on that tour."

"You're welcome, Mr. Jordan," Dianne said.

"Tin-Tin, let me know when you and Mr. Jordan are finished and bring him to the study, please," Jeff instructed.

"Yes, Mr. Tracy," Tin-Tin agreed. She turned to Christopher. "If you'll come with me?"

"Certainly," Christopher said. "After you."

******************

Christopher was amazed at the beautiful island. The white beaches, the tropical flora, the luxurious Villa with its pool and many amenities all dazzled him. He looked at the wheeling birds, and took a deep breath. Now was the time to go and talk to his boss.

Tin-Tin led him through the lounge, with its casual portraits of the Tracy offspring as well as Brains and Tin-Tin and into the study, where both Jeff and Scott waited for him.

"I'm agog!" Christopher said with a grin, "This is an incredible place!"

"We like it," Jeff replied with a smile. "Please, sit down."

Christopher sat down; his nervousness had returned a little.

"I hope I have come up to your expectations," Christopher said, looking at both Jeff and Scott.

"We have no complaints about your work, Mr. Jordan. You're here to discuss a promotion of sorts," Jeff explained. And for the next hour, he and Scott questioned Christopher about everything, his flight training, his experience, his hobbies, his personal life, more questions than Christopher had ever expected in the interview.

"What sort of promotion is this?" Christopher asked.

Jeff looked at Scott, who nodded.

"Mr. Jordan, what we're about to show you must remain a secret. You can't tell anyone. Not your family, not your co-workers, and not your girlfriend," Scott told him. "Follow me, please."

Christopher, intrigued, stood up and followed Scott. "I'm a little worried about now," he said. "Is it anything nasty?"

Scott chuckled. "No, nothing nasty." He went into the lounge and stood with his back to the wall between two light sconces. He fingered them and suddenly disappeared!

Christopher looked around, horrified. "I'm in a madhouse!" he muttered.

"No, Mr. Jordan. You're not. Take your place where Scott was standing. If you reach up to the lights, you'll feel buttons on the top. Press them and the wall will swing you around and out of the room. I'll follow in a minute," Jeff said firmly.

Christopher looked at Jeff, whose face was as serious as ever. He walked over and copied what Scott had just done. What he saw next made his eyes widen.

Scott was standing on a catwalk to his left and motioned for Christopher to join him as Jeff entered the huge chamber.

Christopher walked over to where Scott was, and looked down. He whistled loudly as he gazed at a sleek aircraft. He looked at Scott and Jeff. Then once again at the craft in front of him.

That's a Thunderbird. Thunderbird One. Christopher realized. Then this must mean....

"This may be a wild stab in the dark," he said cautiously, "but aren't you International Rescue?"

"Yes, Mr. Jordan. We are," Jeff affirmed.

"Why have you brought me here?" Christopher asked. He looked at both men again. "I came here thinking that I was going to be promoted to a nice job somewhere."

"Because we need more pilots," Scott explained. "The number of rescues we are called to has increased dramatically. We need help. Specifically, your help."

"What if I say yes to this?" Christopher folded his arms. "I'd have to leave everything behind, wouldn't I?"

"Yes, you will, Mr. Jordan. There's no doubt there," Jeff chimed in. "As far as your job with Tracy Industries is concerned, you would either be listed as a pilot for the family, or as transferred to some other locale. We have ways of keeping you on the payroll without your having to punch a clock."

"You would move here, to an apartment of your own, and would train with the rest of the team, learning rescue skills and how to fly our Thunderbirds."

Christopher's eyebrows shot up as he heard the words. "What about my girlfriend and Asterix?"

"Asterix?" Scott asked.

"My cat, Asterix." Christopher shuffled his feet. "He's still quite young, you see."

Jeff chuckled. "I'm sure there would be room in your apartment for Asterix. Your girlfriend? You'd have to decide if a long-distance relationship is worth it. Unless at some future point we decide we could use her help. Or, of course, if you marry."

"She's an airline pilot." Christopher smiled. "I was planning on proposing to her soon." He paused. "When would you like a decision?"

"Within the week," Jeff informed him.

Christopher shook his head. "I'll have it for you." He looked at Thunderbird One again. "I'm impressed with your aircraft," he said, smiling.

"Thank you," Scott said with pride. "I think she's very special Bird."

"I would think that she is," Christopher agreed.

Breakfast and interview by TheWrongTrousers and Tikatu

Jeff heartbeat Dianne plain My IR:TNP OTP!

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