Home » The Archives » Chapter 5 » Learning to Live in Paradise
| Re: Learning to Live in Paradise [message #1328 is a reply to message #1327] |
Thu, 26 July 2012 19:52   |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma:
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Monday, April 9, 2068, 11:45 p.m., local time, London
"How much longer, Cousteau?" Brandon asked through the communications system. He was watching as Gordon attached the tough polymer sheet over the gash in the hull of the stricken cruise vessel.
"Nearly there, Big Mac," came the answer. Brandon frowned. Gordon's voice sounded strained and when he checked the water temperature, it was cold... too cold for Brandon's liking.
"Let me come out and give you a hand," he suggested.
He could see Gordon shake his head in the light of Thunderbird Four's lighting trough. "No need...."
His words were cut off as a shockwave shook Thunderbird Four. A distant booming could be heard and the view from the front port was obscured by a wall of bubbles.
"Aggh!" Gordon's cry of pain came over the communicator loud and clear.
"Cousteau from Mobile Control! What's your status?" Christopher's voice came in from his post. Scott leaned in close over his shoulder, a concerned frown on his face, as the Englishman continued to call.. "Thunderbird Four from Mobile Control. Status report!"
"Mobile Control from Thunderbird Four," Brandon's voice cut in, terse and tense. "Cousteau is injured. I'm going out after him."
"F-A-B, Thunderbird Four. Update as soon as you can." Christopher looked up over his shoulder at Scott. "Sorry, mate. I hope he's okay."
"So do I," Scott replied. "You'd better alert Seven that there's a casualty coming."
"F-A-B," Christopher said smartly as he turned back to notify the mobile hospital of an incoming patient.
Beneath the waters of the Thames, Brandon had quickly finished suiting up and swam out the airlock toward his injured partner. Gordon was cradling one arm with the other. The laser welder hung, deactivated, from a tether at his waist.
"Cousteau!" Brandon called, approaching. "What's wrong?"
"Tha... that shockwave... slammed me hard against th-the hull. I've hurt my arm... my shoulder."
"Okay. Let's get you back to Four and I'll finish the job."
"No need..."
"Yes, I need to get you back."
"N-No. No need to... finish... welding's... done."
"Great. C'mon. Let's get you back. The Royal Navy can take care of the ship now."
Brandon helped Gordon swim back to the submarine, then helped him off with his equipment and wrapped him in a blanket. He was concerned about Gordon's temperature; the redhead's lips were blue and he was shivering. His right arm from the shoulder to the elbow was red and beginning to swell a bit. ~Looks like just a big bruise, but Dom will be able to tell for sure if there's anything broken.
"Mobile Control from Thunderbird Four. Preparing to leave the Danger Zone. The ship is patched. The Royal Navy will have to take it from here."
"F-A-B, Thunderbird Four. Head directly to the pod. Seven is on alert and waiting for you."
"F-A-B, Mobile Control. Will do." Brandon looked around outside and muttered to himself, "Now I just have to figure out how to get out of here."
"Take on ballast," came a weary, painfilled voice from behind him.
"Oh. Good idea. Thanks." Brandon opened the ballast vents, letting the air out of the tanks and filling them with river water. Slowly, and with an alarming scraping sound, Thunderbird Four sank deeper and deeper until she was finally free of the cruise ship's keel. "Activating engines," he said, fitting action to words. "Destination, pod four." He turned his head slightly to speak to Gordon. "You think the Navy can get hold of her before she bashes another hole in her side?"
"They'd better," Gordon said, his voice a little stronger. "Or we'll bill them for repairs."
Brandon chuckled as he turned the battered Thunderbird around and headed for the surface and the waiting pod.
Post by Tikatu on 25/04/2005
  
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