International Rescue: The Next Phase


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Re: Gear Up and Buckle Down [message #1914 is a reply to message #1900] Sat, 28 July 2012 19:24 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
Monday, March 26, 1:30 p.m. Tracy Island

Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward walked through the lounge, then wandered onto the balcony and looked down at the pool.  The young people there seemed to be having fun; there was a great deal of splashing and laughter.  Kat was among the swimmers. Penelope watched for a moment, and then decided to join them at the poolside.  As she approached the pool, several people greeted her and Kat looked up and noticed her. 

"Lady Penelope!" she called. "How nice to see you!" The young girl climbed out of the pool and, wrapping a towel around her, approached Lady Penelope.

Lady Penelope took a good look at her former employee. Kat now had a slight tan, and her hair was lighter in colour, probably from the effects of the tropical sun.

"It is so nice to see you again, Kat," Penelope said with a smile, "You are looking very well."

Kat grinned. "Thanks. It must be the work and change of air down here."

"Let's go for a walk on the beach," Penelope suggested. "I want to hear all that's happened."

The two young women headed for the beach.

"I hear you had a tough rescue?" Penelope ventured.

Kat swallowed hard. Even though she had talked to Dr. Tracy, she still couldn't erase the memories of that rescue in the Ural Mountains, and the children from her mind. She still had occasional nightmares about it, but instead of the children being rescued, none of them could be saved.  She would wake in the night, drenched in perspiration.

"Oh, Lady Penelope, that rescue really did make me question my being a full member of International Rescue.  Thank goodness that I talked to Dr. Tracy.  She reminded me that I wasn't the only one affected, and to be honest, we have all agreed that it was a traumatic event and everyone felt affected one way or the other. Actually," Kat added, "I am rather glad I did not go on the latest rescue in the Argentine. Brains is bringing me au courant with the auxiliary vehicles, so that in future, I can lift that burden from him entirely."

Lady Penelope looked concerned. "I am sorry that you had such a bad experience. But Dianne is a good listener."

"She is so kind," Kat said. She giggled. "I am so looking forward to John's return from Thunderbird Five. When he comes back he is going to show me the stars through his telescope."

Is he? Lady Penelope thought and her thoughts wandered back to when John had taken Kat to the Island, and, at Kat's request, had brought her home again.  Yes, I can see just how easy to beome attracted to John. I am not sure, however, how suited Kat would be for him. "Anyhow let's change the subject.  How are you enjoying being here?"

"I am enjoying it enormously," Kat replied with enthusiasm.  "I have made a good friend in Elise. She is going to be second pilot on Thunderbird 2.  Nikki and I went out with everyone on Alan's birthday treat to Christchurch.  That was some evening! Christopher and Brandon sang and," here she blushed, "I fear Scott and I got slightly worse for wear.  Nikki met a very nice young man called Jake, who danced with her and nearly caused a fight with Alan.  I danced two dances with Virgil and one with Brandon, who seriously needs lessons."

Lady Penelope smiled. "Seems like you are fitting in very well."

Kat looked at her ex-employer.  "I am. Although, I do still miss you, you know. I miss the tea breaks we had, and the shopping we did together." She paused and sighed, then brightened. "How's Lil and Lofty?"

Lady Penelope smiled. "Lil is very well. Lofty is turning out to be an absolute treasure. I can't find any fault with his work, and he is as loyal as Parker."

They walked along on the edge of the sea, and the wavelets rippled round Kat's ankles. Lady Penelope remained on the dryer sand, not wanting to spoil her sandals. Kat picked up some smooth flattish pebbles, and started skimming them over the water.  Lady Penelope smiled at Kat's game.

Without turning round Kat remarked, "I rang my mother recently, to wish her a Happy Birthday." She suddenly went quiet, a sign that Lady Penelope picked up on.

"And?" Lady P

"Oh, it just brought things back to me. My brother has had a promotion and has moved to Washington state. My other brother and his fiancée are working on an old building, prior to their wedding and living there. Dad is helping them with the renovations."

"A touch of homesickness?" Lady Penelope asked, looking at Kat. 

Kat nodded.  "I feel I am so ungrateful. I have a wonderful job here, and yet..."

Lady Penelope faced Kat.  "My dear, what you are experiencing is perfectly natural.  You have left your safe environment to work thousands of miles away, with a family you hardly know.  Of course you would suffer bouts of homesickness."

Kat looked at Lady Penelope, and with a slight smile, said, "I think that the hardest part is lying to my parents.  My mother was very nice when I phoned her, but I had to say that I was in Kansas. I am afraid that she will contact my brother to check on things."

"Your mother still keeps in touch with me, which I will encourage, that way I can minimise her concerns. In fact, I told her that the vehicles needed so much work doing on them, that you were kept really busy."

"Oh! Lady Penelope, don't let Mr Tracy hear you."

"My dear," Lady Penelope replied, "that is strictly between you, me, and your parents."

The two young women walked further along the beach.  Kat swinging her arms and gazing up at the cloudless, blue sky.

"It is so peaceful here," Lady Penelope remarked.

"Yes, no one would ever guess what this island hid, would they?" Kat replied. The two turned and began retracing their steps. 

"So," Lady Penelope said, "What do you think of International Rescue as an organization?"

"Mm." Kat paused to gather her thoughts. "It is, of course, so well run and organized, but..."

"Yes?

"I used to think that being a member of International Rescue was all about being able to save everyone." She blushed and shook her head. "Oh my, how naïve I must have sounded."

"Nonsense," Lady Penelope said.  "I used to think that being an agent would be a glamorous vocation. I soon learnt the truth: that it could be far from glamorous and sometimes downright dangerous. Especially when things didn't turn out as you would expect them to."

Kat bent down and, picking up a small piece of driftwood, hurled it into the sea.

"There is just one small problem...." Kat trailed off.  "I shall be required to learn to fly."

"Oh?" Lady Penelope raised her eyebrows.

"You know what a complete mess I made of learning to fly. I am so afraid that I will fail miserably and they won't want me. I mentioned the fact to John, who said that they use a simulator here on Tracy Island, but even so, I am so nervous. What shall I do?"

Lady Penelope glanced at Kat and seeing that she was upset, remarked, "Kat, my dear, I am sure that Scott will take things slowly, and a simulator is much better than starting lessons in an aeroplane.  Have you told him of your fears?"

Kat looked startled. "Oh, Lady Penelope, I haven't said a word. I didn't like to in case they told me they didn't need me."

"Kat," Lady Penelope smiled at the young woman.  "I know that your experience as a mechanic will ensure that you are a valued employee, even if you never learn to fly."

"Oh, Lady Penelope, do you really think so?"

"I know so. In fact, I mentioned that you had a problem learning to fly to Mr Tracy, when he asked for references."

"You did? How did he take it?  Surely he wouldn't want anyone who can't fly; to be able to fly is an absolute must on an island."

"He was perfectly reasonable about it; after all, you are a very experienced mechanic. I am sure you will find your niche here and to be honest, I think there are probably enough pilots here already. Now let's head back to the villa, so I can meet all your new friends." And the two young women began retracing their steps, back to the villa.

"Have you two caught up with each other?"  Dianne asked as she came down to meet them.

"Yes, Dianne," Lady Penelope answered.  "Kat and I have really caught up with all the news."

Post by Tawnyangel22 (with copious recent edits by Tikatu) on 12/01/2005

Jeff heartbeat Dianne plain My IR:TNP OTP!

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