Fan Fiction: Return of the Chameleon

To an observer looking at just the right spot at just the right time, the Thunderbirds arrival might've looked like nothing more than a couple odd flashes of lightning. Jeff preferred to travel as discretely as possible. The more unexplainable sight of the Thunderbirds appearing out of nowhere did, and that was a worry that was thankfully banished, now.

"Cool." Scott, Virgil, Gordon and Alan said softly as he took in the new surroundings.

"Weather seems calm, no storms. Looks like it's quiet out tonight, and there's enough darkness for us to land the time machine without anyone noticing." said Virgil.

Gordon leaned close to the window and tilted his head enough so he could see the landscape under Thunderbird 2. "Wow," he said softly. "Lincoln High School looks pretty modern, too -- are those electric lights in the windows?"

"They sure are." Alan slowed the car down almost to a stop as he tried to find a suitable place to land. He didn't want to come down in the middle of the urban center. So far, he hadn't figured out a way to mask the noises of the engine, which would undoubtedly be noticed. He also wasn't too keen on the idea of him interacting with a great many people.

Virgil activated his VOTL rockets and lifted off. The large, green ship lifted off and quickly moved over the small blue car. Virgil made sure he was much higher then he should be, then activated the down thrusters in short bursts. The car and tree started to sway.

“Virg! Stop!” Reflexes born of constant training hours and Scott's trust helped Virgil shut off the thrusters just before the rescue turned into a retrieval operation. Virgil wiped sweat from his forehead and then rubbed his sweaty palms on his uniform. He had almost blown it. A crackle from the radio signaled Scott’s call.

“Hey, Virg. It’s okay. The tree held. Thank God your reflexes are so quick. You okay?” Virgil ruefully shook his head. Sometimes he thought Scott knew him better then he knew himself. Of course, the reverse was also true. He probably knew Scott better then Scott knew himself.

“Fine, Scott. Just a little shook. If you ha...” Scott sent him a look.

“There is no reason to feel like that, Virg. You're worrying about too many trees or their branches. Better send him down with some cutters though. He'll probably have to clear some stuff out of his way.”

“F.A.B.”

Alan triple checked the last hook and sent Gordon a quick thumbs up signal. Gordon nodded, then flipped a switch. Alan leaned over to look down at the ground. Despite Virgil’s good piloting, they were still much higher up then he would have liked. It felt so good to be trusted by his hero brothers. He looked over to his closest brother and nodded. Then he stepped out into thin air.

Within 30 minutes, Alan was beside the car. He cautiously opened the side door of a 2057 red caddilac. The driver, Nush, was slumped over the steering wheel. Alan did not like the angle of her neck and radioed Gordon.

“Okay, Al. I’ll send down the neck brace along with the VLS (visual life signs) and the back board.”

“F.A.B.” Alan turned his attention back to the young man. Man, she's only a few years older then me. Probably Scott’s age. I sure hope Nush doesn’t die. She's got Val with her.

A sound made Alan turn and see the orange backboard. He put the neck brace on Nush carefully, and then began the problem of getting her out without hurting him further. A groan caused him to raise her head too quickly and it made contact with the top of the doorway. Rubbing it ruefully, he glanced at Val, who was now blinking at him groggily.

“How are you, Val?” She winced as her hand encountered the large bruise on her forehead.

“Aside from a headache, I’m doing pretty well, Uncie Alan. Is my mom okay?” Alan shook his head.

“She’s not doing too good. If I come around and help you out of the car, could you lie on the backboard and let Gordon winch you up? That would allow me more room the get her out.” Val nodded. Alan quickly radioed Gordon and Scott and filled them in on the change of plans. Soon, Val was being lifted to safety, and Alan was once again stuck with the problem of moving Nush, when she should not be moved. His wristwatch suddenly beeped, and Scott’s face appeared in the face.

“Alan, a Mr. Thompson is coming up to assist you. He is a trained medic, and we all agree you will need help moving Nush since she's unresponsive. Gordon will let down the line to him and winch him up to you position when he gets to the tree. Sound good to you?” Alan sighed with relief.

“F.A.B.”

Gordon radioed Alan and told him Thompson was in position. Alan was soon shaking hands with a man roughly his father’s age. He was worried the medic would comment on how young he was, but Thompson was too worried to notice that the International Rescue operative looked sixteen years old. Quickly, but with infinite care, the two rescuers moved Nush to the backboard. As they strapped her in, they both let out a breath they hadn’t known they were holding. Alan hurriedly hooked the redhead to the VLS and was relieved to hear the steady beeping. Nush was not in the greatest shape, but she was holding her own.

Gordon winched Nush up and quickly moved him on a hovercot to Thunderbird 2’s sickbay. He then hurried back to the winch controls. He sent the winch down, while radioing Alan. Mr. Thompson was quickly winched up and shown to the sickbay where he got to work on Nush.

Gordon radioed Alan to get him ready for the line. Suddenly, a wind shear rocked the huge ship. Virgil fought the controls and finally, the wind slackened. The radio crackled to life and Gordon relayed his bad news to his older brother.

“The line’s snagged in a tree 5 meters away from Alan. I’m going to have to climb down the line and untangle it.”

“Gordon! That’s too dangerous! There has to be another way.” Gordon shook his head.

“Just keep her steady, bro.”

All of the Tracys could hear the interchange. Jeff’s face went a shade whiter and he rested his head on his arms. John stood stock-still. Scott gripped the control panel, while Alan stared helplessly up at the opening where his brother was making a hard decision. One slip and a Tracy could die.

Virgil swallowed the goose egg sized lump in his throat, and slowly nodded. Gordon got a safety line and attached it to the harness he was already wearing. He placed the two magnets on either side of the hold, and then checked to make sure they were secure. When he was certain, he stepped out into the air. The line held. Exhaling the breath he was nervously holding in, he flicked the switch on the control box on the harness and was slowly lowered to the twisted line.

Alan could see his brother moving slowly to the cable. He saw Gordon land near it and stop the line. Alan radioed Mobile Control.

“Scott, Gordon’s reached the winch line and...yes, he’s got it untangled. He’s taking it with him and will soon send it down to me...Scott? Are you there? Do you copy? Scott, answer me!”

There stood Frank in Thunderbird 1 with his uncle's guards either side of him and a gun in his left hand pointed straight at Scott’s heart.

“Scotty boy, there's no reason for you to shoot me. Drop the gun and put your hands on your head.” Scott’s deep blue eyes turned almost grey with the steely glare he shot at his olde friend.

“Frank.” Slowly he let the gun drop, and then put his hands on his head. He knew no one would notice. Roscoe (the man who grabbed Alan in my last fanfic) moved slowly over to him, pulling out a pair of handcuffs. Just as he was about to snap the first one on Scott’s wrist, Scott’s leg shot out and tripped him. Abruptly, Scott stiffened and then went limp. Jordan (the other guard) looked at Roscoe and knocked Scott unconscious.

Jordan kicked Scott off him. Frank was glad he brought his uncle's guards with him.

“Is this the one Dr Benedict wanted?” asked Jordan.

“Yeah, the leader of the pack. See the facial features. This is ole Scotty Boy.” Frank said.

“Should we tell the bald guy, Frank?” Frank held up his hand towards Roscoe for silence. Over the speakers of the control box, Frank heard Alan; “Scott? Are you there? Do you copy? Scott, answer me!”

“No, they're calling him. They'll soon investigate. Let's go.” Roscoe and Jordan grabbed Scott and started to lift him up. However, Scott’s limp body was heavier then Frank's own tubby frame. Later, Frank instinctively reached out and tried to grab Scot's left arm. The sound of tearing fabric was accompanied with a slight thud, as Scott’s head hit Frank's own. Cursing silently, Frank let go of the scrap of cloth that had been left in his hand. He had to move from this place. Someone would soon come and investigate.

Chapter 4- To the Rescue:

Inside Thunderbird 2, Gordon glanced at Alan as Virgil tapped on his computer book.

"Virg, what are you doing?" Alan asked.

"Sometime ago, I was able to trace Frank's frequency for radio and data transmissions, I hope he still uses it." Virgil replied.

"Don't get upset, Virg but... wouldn't it be better if you use your laptop for that?" Gordon suggested.

"Actually it would yes, but the point is, all that data is stored in my computer book, I didn't have the time to build a way to transfer the data out of it."

"Oh."

Meanwhile in Dr Benedict's hideout after getting out of JT1, Jeff felt Hilary behind him.

"Jefferson, you've got to rescue Scott... I don't know what Franklin's got in mind..." Hilary told Jeff.

"I don't know either, Hilary and as far as I'm concerned, your Franklin has been nothing but bad luck since my Scott first met him when he was 6 years old." Jeff replied as the door opened, Roscoe and Jordan grabbed Hilary then drove her to a room where a dress laid on the bed.

"The boss wants you to wear that dress." One of the men said.

Both stood by the door, Hilary glared at them.

"Well??? You two don't expect me to change in front of you, right???"

Both men blinked and walked out closing the door.

"What's going on here... great, no windows... I'll put this thing on but I don't want to wear it." Hilary told herself.

In a few moments, she was ready and walked to the door.

"So, now what?" Hilary said to the guards.

"Come with us." Hilary was lead out to Dr Benedict's office.

"Come in, dear sister, have a seat." Dr Benedict said.

Just as I thought... my older brother is bad luck thought Hilary. "Where's poor Scott, Philiam?"

Hilary sat at the opposite end of the table as two servants brought food.

"Please, enjoy the meal." Dr Benedict said again

The brown haired woman doubted but her hunger proved to be stronger and began to eat.

"Hey, Mom, glad you can make it." Frank said.

Hilary glared at him.

"Leave me and Jefferson alone, Franklin." Hilary scolded her son.

"Not on your life, Mom."

Not on my life? Why is Franklin always making Jefferson angry? Hilary thought.

Meanwhile, Virgil, Gordon and Alan got off from Thunderbird 2 in front of Dr Benedict's hideout.

"I don't see any guards," Virgil told his younger brothers. "Come on."

But at that moment, Jeff found them.

"Come on, boys, let's find your brother." Jegg said as he lead the three youngest Tracys to the dinning room where one of the servants dropped coffee on Hilary's hand reminding Frank about what the servant did.

"Uncie Phil, the others are here!"

"What?" Dr Benedict asked.

"I said that Mr T and Scotty boy's three youngest brothers are here."

Frank cocked his gun near Jeff's head as he appeared.

"What are you doing, Franklin?" Hilary asked.

"Trying to shoot Mr T here, Mom."

"Franklin, don't." Jeff scolded.

"Okay, now you're all gonna get it." said Frank to the Tracys.

Chapter 5- Now We're All Dead:

Virgil, Gordon and Alan followed Jeff to Dr Benedict's office as Hilary distracted him. As far as the boys were concerned, Scott was safe but tied up. The dark haired pilot sat watching every little thing that went on, like a hawk looking for its prey.

"Scott, how are you feeling?" asked Jeff as he rushed over to Scott as he found him.

"I feel sick!" said Scott's muffled voice as he peered back at his father.

"What the heck was that noise?" asked Virgil turning his head.

"It might be Benedict!" replied Gordon with a puzzled expression on his face.

Alan turned his head in to the direction of the fireplace and Jeff looked, he heard Dr Benedict and Hilary arguing like brother and sister as they untied Scott.

"SCOTT!" yelled Alan in surprise.

"Hey, fellas, I'm so glad to see you!" whispered Scott pulling down the gag.

"Hey, Mr T and how are you?" asked Frank as he stood by the fireplace.

"My surname is Tracy!" snarled Jeff.

"Don't worry about me, Dad, I'll be fine!" Scott paused as he had fallen over. "Where did you come from, Frank?" finished Scott and with that, Dr Benedict and his guards arrived with Hilary who's hands were tied.

"Hello, Jefferson, boys, you look worried, what's the problem?" asked Dr Benedict as he saw the worry in Jeff's face.

"You kidnapped my eldest son, Philiam!" Jeff growled, he paused for a moment and then added. "By the looks of it, he might have had your guards attacking him and I think he's suffering from a slight concussion!"

"Jefferson!" screamed Hilary.

"Hilary!" yelled Jeff.

"What do you want us to do, Dr?" asked Roscoe ignoring the fact that his boss's sister had a thing for Jeff.

"I want you boys to put my sister in that giant hourglass and then cage Daniel, Duncan and Robert while Franklin and I deal with Jefferson and Malcolm!" said Dr Benedict.

"Well, we'll watch those guys like hawks, Dr and I'm sure we can do something about this." said Jordan almost taking command of the situation.

As Dr Benedict grabbed Jeff, he saw the sight of Hilary's shoes and shook his head as he saw the sand above the hourglass but Jeff had his hands covering his mouth as he felt a little bit sick and Scott covered his ears to make sure he couldn't hear Dr Benedict yelling at Jeff as Frank grabbed him.

Hilary smiled at Scott as their eyes met. Scott smiled back and saw Roscoe touch her hand as she struggled against her bonds; she went red in the cheeks and was about to say something when...

"Well, dear sister, you might as well say goodbye to your knight in shining armor!" said Dr Benedict reffering to Jeff.

Roscoe snorted and asked "Do I have to take your sister's shoes off?"

"Yes, Roscoe!" Dr Benedict said as Hilary felt Jordan removing her shoes and Roscoe pushing her into the giant hourglass.

"I think you hurt your sister's feelings, Philiam!" said Jeff to his eldest son's ex-best friend's uncle.

"What feelings? You might as well say goodbye to your fair lady, Jefferson!" Dr Benedict said back reffering to Hilary.

"I think you should know that Hilary and my dad aren't a couple!" said Scott using his hands to grab Frank buy his throat as his three youngest brothers were thrown in the cage and handcuffed.

"You never change do you, Scotty boy?" stated Frank.

As Dr Benedict chloroformed Jeff, Frank started to hum My Shiny Teeth & Me as he dragged Scott back to the chair he was put on as Dr Benedict put another chair behind him and they both tied Jeff and Scott to each others backs.

Chapter 6- John's in Danger:

John stirred in his sleep realising how hot he was. He must have dozed off aboard Thunderbird 5. He tried to sit up and found that he was tied to a chair. Something roughly grabbed his hair.

“I see you are awake, my young friend,” said a voice giving an unpleasant laugh.

Reality came flooding back. John opened his eyes then squinted against the bright glare of the light. His captor was standing over him with Brains handcuffed a little way off.

John looked up. “What do you want?”

“That, my young friend is a good question and one that has several answers. I want my revenge on you Tracys. I am half-brother to your father's valet. And to you, I am your nemesis!” He stood before John. “For years, I have dreamed of having one of your accursed family at my mercy, and this time there is no lake full of treasure to distract me from my goal. The secrets of International Rescue will be mine!”

“Never.” said John through gritted teeth. He was not going to give this man the satisfaction of crying out.

“Oh, yes I will, my friend. I may not have the powers I once had but I am sure a couple of hours here will weaken your resolve. I have been planning my revenge for a long time, for all the times your family has thwarted my schemes.”

John gasped at the sight of the face that was revealed. The Hood’s head was smooth and his eyebrows thick and bushy.

The Hood pointed to Brains. “You and your friend will never escape me this time. For years, I have tried to bend your meek and gentle Kyrano to my will and to escape, he befriended your father. I have not lost my hatred for International Rescue and the Tracy family.” This was punctuated by another grasp causing John to jerk against his bonds.

“So I had to find another way to get my revenge. I tried to tap into my niece’s mind but failed – perhaps our relationship is too distant. Then I began to wonder. As a young man, I had had certain needs, needs which I had no trouble getting the girls in the nearby village to satisfy. I wondered if any of the seed I had spread had borne fruit, so I started to search but failed.”

John thought back over his actions of the last twenty-four hours. He looked at the view screen and found his family in the hands of the Benedicts.

“You see, Franklin will do whatever I ask. Maybe I should ask him to kill your older brother, no?” Brains came round to find himself handcuffed in the main room.

“No!” cried John, jerking against his bonds. “Leave Brains alone! It’s me you want, not him. Let him go!”

“Yes, I could let him go,” said the Hood musing. “I could open the door and tell him to walk out of here.” John could not repress a shudder at the thought. “But no, I shall keep him here as I have with you.” He looked down at John.

John saw Brains's eyes widen and his face take on a look of horror. “John! What’s, uh, what's going on? Who's d-d-done this to us?”

“Kyrano's half brother!” whispered John. He watched Brains as he climbed to his feet and stood back.

“What is it that you want?” asked John.

“I want the secrets of the Thunderbird machines, so I can sell them to the highest bidder. I want the location and security codes of your secret hideout so I can descend on it with an army and kill all of your detested family, in payment for the trouble they have given me in the past.”

“Get off my Thunderbird this second.” said John.

“We shall see, my young friend, we shall see. Farewell, my friend. We shall talk again when I get back.” As the Hood left, John and Brains exchanged worried looks.

Chapter 7- Deep, Deep Trouble:

“Wake up, Jefferson.”

The back of Jeff's head ached as he was rudely dragged to consciousness by a hand slapping his face. Jeff tried to grab his head but his arms and shoulders felt uncomfortable and he realized that he was tied to a chair with somebody behind his back.

“What…?” he gasped out in confusion.

“Dad, you're awake.” Scott's voice said sounding rather pleased. It had a feeling to it that Jeff understood but all thoughts of the rich baritone voice fled his mind as something lashed out and kicked him in the stomach. He cried out involuntarily at the suddenness of the pain. “Those Tracys. They think they’re so tough.” Dr Benedict snarled.

“Have you the others, Uncie Phil?” Frank asked. Scott saw Frank turn away, giving him a chance to think. What’s going on? he thought struggling at his bonds. The last thing I remember was trying to kill Frank. He desperately tried to remember what happened next but it was like banging his head on a brick wall – he was getting nowhere fast.

“Let’s let them worry a bit longer, Franklin.” Dr Benedict answered in dark amusement. Virgil, Gordon and Alan could hear Frank getting closer, and flinched away as he entered the cage. “Besides,” Frank continued, “we don't know what my mom means to Mr T, eh?”

Jeff gasped in abrupt understanding. The boys and I have been kidnapped! But why? Poor Hilary. Then he realized what Dr Benedict was insinuating. “Hold it,” he protested indignantly. “I’m–” He was interrupted by Dr Benedict gagging him like last time.

“Silence, Jefferson,” Dr Benedict snarled as Scott gasped. “It'll be much better for you if you cooperate!”

“You’re such a maniac, Dr Benedict.” Virgil growled ignoring the suggestion.

Frank snarled and kicked Virgil right in the crouch. “Take that back about my uncie Phil, Virg!” he growled.

Gordon and Alan froze in fear and didn’t answer. Frank stayed for a moment longer, then pulled away and walked away to converse with Dr Benedict. The three of them pulled at the handcuffs again but the latches were secure over their wrists tight enough that they had no chance of slipping their hands out of them. "Virg, this isn't good but someone'll find us. They have to." Gordon said but Frank punched him in the stomach as Dr Benedict gagged Scott again.

Dr Benedict spoke to Hilary. “Missing something, Hilary?”

Hilary froze in horrified realization. “Why, Philiam? Where are the boys?!”

“Your little friends are safe for now,” the voice chuckled darkly. “Roscoe and Jordan are taking good care of Jefferson's youngest three and Franklin and I do have Jefferson and his eldest.”

Hilary was simultaneously elated and appalled when she distantly heard Jeff’s muffled voice in the background. “Hilary, do–” Her friend’s protest mutated into a pained cry.

“Don’t hurt him!” Hilary blurted, terrified at the thought of what they might be doing to Jeff. “Please, just…don’t hurt him!”

“Your boyfriend will be less injured if you cooperate,” Dr Benedict almost pleasantly but there was an undercurrent of joy to it. The sound of Jeff crying in agony continued, muffled, in the background. The voice seemed to ignore it completely. “Any resistance from either you or your friends will result in…unpleasantries.”

Hilary swallowed hard. This is very, very bad… “What do you want from me?” she demanded quietly.

“Mum, Uncie Phil wants those Tracys dead.” Frank told his mother.

My Gosh…my brother wants Jefferson and his sons dead! Hilary gasped at the very thought of it. Oh no…

“We don't expect you to make this decision at once,” Frank continued in a mock-conversational tone. “You've got an hour to survive, Mum. Don't call International Rescue or we'll know and your boyfriend and his guys die, okay?”

Hilary’s bound hands were shaking. “Sorry, Tracys.”

Frank laughed. “Bye, Mum.”

Chapter 8- The Secret Origin of Franklin Benedict

While being tied to Jeff's back, Scott thought back to when he and Frank were High School pals.

It was the Spring of 2056 and 17 year old Scott Tracy was waiting for his friend while talking to his girlfriend Nush and Frank's girlfriend Shell. They were smiling, happy, and eager for the profitable future ahead.

"Hey, Shell, where's that boyfriend of yours?" Nush chucked.

"Well, it's not like Frank to be late now let's get to class." Shell sais putting her sweater on.

By the time Frank arrived, Jeff had given Scott's class a brief reminder that their English teacher Mr Franklin was unwell.

"Franklin Benedict, you're late," Jeff scolded Frank. "Go and fill out a trady slip."

"Sure thing, Mr T." Frank said as he filled in a tardy slip and Scott looked rather worried.

"Sheesh, Daddy-o," Scott blurted out. "Frank's our SBP (Student Body President), just leave 'im alone, Okay?"

Jeff sighed as Frank said to Scott "As my first act, I'm getting rid of recess, folks."

The entire class gasped and Scott looked shocked. Usually, he knew Frank's plans were dumb but this was his dumbest idea ever but two weeks later, it worked.

Jeff Tracy walked along the corridor of the campus with Principal Skinner and stopped just outside the main doors just as he heard students protesting, it flung wide open. Scott had been standing looking through the peephole waiting to surprise his dad since he saw the car pull up.

"Hey, Daddy-o!" said Scott with a smile on his face.

"Scott, you do this every time and yet you're not bored of doing it yet, are you?" said Jeff and he turned to Scott's friend and added "Franklin, what are you up too?"

"Hey, Mr T, how are you doing today?" he replied, Frank knew that his friend's own father had a big dislike for him from the very day he met him.

"I'm fine thank you, Franklin! How are you?" replied Jeff talking to what was now a familiar face to him.

"I'm top of the world now that I'm getting rid of recess, Mr T!" he said with a mile wide smile on his face that made Jeff more cross than ever.

"Now that this protest's going pretty cool, Frank, I hope you're happy! You're gonna have to make sure you don't get into any trouble as I might not be there to get you out of it!" Scott said looking at Frank straight in the eye.

"Like what? You always hold me back, I can be free again, Man!" he replied to his chaperone like friend.

"Exactimundo!" replied Scott as he told the Principal about Frank's protest and after yelling at him, Frank told Scott that he was quitting High School altogether and left the campus never to be seen or heard of again.

As Scott's flashback ended, Virgil gapsed as he stuggled against his bonds. "We've got to call for help."

"But how??" Gordon and Alan asked together.

Chapter 9- The Rescuers of the Rescuers:

For 3 times, Jeff tried to struggle free from his bonds but he and Scott knew that the rope around their arms was too tight.

"Scott, what cities did Benedict target?" Jeff's muffled voice asked

"Let's see, Brooklyn, Boston, Orlando, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Tulsa." Scott's muffled voice replied.

"Wait a minute," Hilary told Jeff as she felt the sand around her ankles. "That's the cities on the list that I found in Philiam's room!"

"Los Angeles?" Alan asked.

"What are you worried about, Alan?" Gordon asked. "At least it's not San Fransisco."

"Gordon, San Fransisco is near LA and LA means Los Angeles." Virgil explained.

Virgil slammed his butt against the cage. His watch dropped to the ground and opened but instead of contacting Thunderbird 5, it contacted Tracy Island.

Virgil's portrait buzzed a few times. Tin Tin walked into the lounge and asked "What does Virgil want now?" she scowled. "Virgil."

"Tin Tin, we're glad somebody's there!" Virgil said from the screen.

"Mr Virgil? What happened?" Kyrano asked.

"Look, we need your help, Dr Benedict's holding us hostage. We're in his Los Angeles hideout!" Virgil explained.

"Right, we're on our way." Lady Penelope answered and the portrait closed.

Back at Dr Benedict's hideout, Dr Benedict came back in and spotted Virgil's watch on the floor.

"It looks like you're trying to call for backup, Daniel," he said picking up the watch. "It will never work."

"My name is Virgil," Virgil snapped. "Not Daniel."

Everyone stayed quiet as FAB1 landed on the hideout roof. A few seconds later, Nush, Val and the police arrived.

"You're lucky the back door was open, Dr Benedict." Shell explained.

Jeff, Hilary and the boys were relieved but angry at the same time at Dr Benedict for what he was about to do.

"Well, boys, it looks like none of you are leaving." Dr Benedict continued.

"Damn, Penny, where's Parker?" Jeff wondered removing his gag as soon as he and Scott were untied.

"Right 'ere, Mr Tracy," Everybody in the room looked to the left to see Parker climbing in the building through a window. "Sorry I'm late, FAB1 ran out of fuel h'along the way."

"Way to go, Mr Parker!" Val said.

After freeing Virgil, Gordon and Alan with the laser lipstick, Lady Penelope and Tin Tin turned their attention to Frank as Jeff freed Hilary. "We've got to stop Frank." Nush told everybody.

John, who had arrived with Brains, put his left hand on his chin and started thinking. "Good idea, Nush!"

"John?" Everyone said in surprise.

"John, didn't you f-f-forget me?" Brains asked.

"Damnit." John cursed.

"C'mon, let's kick some bad guy butt." Scott suggested and lead everyone out of the secret room.

Frank didn’t even bother reacting as Roscoe stomped past him loudly. He wasn’t sure what happened to the Tracys or his own mother.

At times like this, when Jordan and Roscoe left him alone, he wondered if his mother was still alive. He knew the police had to be looking for him by now but his uncle didn’t seem concerned at all about the Tracys being found. Just keep your head down, Frank, he told himself. Don’t think about your own mum and maybe you’ll kill ole Scotty boy.

He held his breath as footsteps came closer and for one frightening moment he wondered if Roscoe was behind him …but it wasn't, it was Scott.

"Frank," Scott said. "it's payback time."

"No more time for thinking," Frank responded. "you're gonna be dead soon, Scotty boy.”

Scott swallowed hard. “I…before I decide, may I require help?”

There was silence for a moment. “Franklin Benedict.” Jeff boomed beside Scott.

Frank heard his mother's own voice husky from screaming. “Franklin?”

“Mummy,” Frank choked out. “are you okay?”

"Don't 'Mummy' me, young man," Hilary scolded."you're in big trouble.”

“Sorry,” Frank whispered sadly. “Mum, please, listen to me. The Tracys've ruined me for the last time and now they're gonna die.”

“I don't think so,” John said. “we're just glad your mum's back the clothes she wore when our father saw her.”

Scott hurriedly grabbed Dr Benedict by his throat but Frank grabbed him from behind. "Scotty, don't."

Chapter 10- Franklin, Don't:

Jeff gasped as he saw Frank's arm around Scott's throat.

"Franklin, please don't kill my son." Jeff growled as he saw what Frank did.

"Okay, so now what, Mr T?" Frank asked as he put the gun to Scott's head.

"You're gonna let me go!" Scott said.

"Why?"

"Becuase I'm gonna kill you if you don't."

"Alana, you follow me, Shell, try to keep everyone else in this room outside the hideout." Police Chief Caroline Benedict, Hilary and Dr Benedict's sister, ordered.

"Yes, Chief." Shell and Alana replied together.

Chief Benedict and Alana grabbed Frank while Shell lead the others out. Scott signalled that everything was in place.

"Damn! what am I gonna do now?" Dr Benedict said to himself. He looked around and saw Scott kick Frank. "Caroline, you're an idiot! Franklin's tougher than Officer O' Rielly! I hate being in jail for 3 months."

"Hang on, Alana!" Chief Benedict shouted and dodged Roscoe and Jordan. Alana fell and landed on them both.

"That's gonna hurt." Alana commented.

Jeff looked behind and saw Dr Benedict charge towards him. Alana pulled him out of the way.

"Man, my butt hurts, sorry about Scott, Mr Tracy." Alana said.

"It's alright, Alana." Jeff said as he grabbed Dr Benedict from behind and wrestled him to the ground.

"Mr Tracy, where's Frank and Scott?" Shell asked.

"Oh no!!" Jeff and Chief Benedict gasped.

"Not my idiot brother Philiam." Chief Benedict said while arresting Roscoe and Jordan.

"Okay, I take back what I say about you, Philiam, please don't hurt Scott." Jeff said.

"And you're going to die with him, Jefferson." Dr Benedict pointed as he pointed his gun towards Jeff.

In a fit of temper, Scott kicked Frank off him, grabbed the gun off Dr Benedict and told Chief Benedict to arrest her nephew and brother.

"This isn't over, Scotty boy!" Frank yelled as his aunt put him, Roscoe, Jordan and his uncle in the police van.

Chapter 11- It's All Over Now:

Evening had fallen over Tracy Island. JT1 and Thunderbird Two had made their usual perfect landing and Scott had been rushed to the Villa’s medical centre to have his injuries attended to. Scott had been asleep since JT1 flew over Chicago but was now regaining consciousness.
Scott opened his eyes slowly blinking at the bright light then the blurred surrounding slowly came into focus. He recognised he was in the sick room bay back home on Tracy island. He struggled to raise himself from the laying position, and then felt warm hands aiding him to sit up and saw the familiar faces of Virgil, Alan, Nush, Val, Jeff, Tin Tin, Gordon and Brains standing around his bed. They all looked concerned but pleased. His father was at his side.

“How are you feeling son?” Jeff asked paternally.

Scott paused and thought for a moment, he felt a dull pain in his leg and head then as he moved to get comfortable he began to notice aches and pains all over his body.

“Ah…I have felt better. What happened? The last thing I remember is falling asleep in JT1.”

“It’s a long story. I’m just relieved you made it back.” Jeff sighed and reassuringly stroked his son’s hair. “I’ll look in on you later Okay?”

“Brains, how bad was Frank?” Scott asked Brains.

“Well, Scott. I’m afraid er...he almost killed you. We have yet to determine his s-s-secret origin.” Brains replied.

“Oh boy. So how long am I gonna stay here? We need...” Scott groaned and slumped from his sitting position.

“Don’t worry, son.” Jeff said smiling. “We’re not out of business yet. Get some rest. When you're well enough, Brains wants to ask you a few questions about Franklin.”

“Sure, no problem.”

Brains and Jeff turned and headed towards the door just as slid open and Kyrano was entering with coffee and apple pie on a tray.

“Mr. Scott, I thought you might like something to eat.” Kyrano said as he saw Scott asleep and put the tray by the bed he was in.

“Say, Dad, what time is it?” enquired Scott.

“Quarter to nine.” said Jeff without thinking, his mind was on other things as he thought of what Frank might have done to his oldest son. “Get some rest, Scott.” he said without taking his eyes from the floor. He sighed gently before turning to Scott. “I'll look in on you later.” Then, Jeff left the room with Brains in tow.

As he thought back on when he saw Nush with Val for the first time, Scott remembered what it was like to know that he had a child before he turned 20 years old.

“You ladies okay back there?” Scott yelled to Nush's jetfigher plane.

“Fine!” Nush called out over the rapidly increasing engine noises and strapping herself in.

It took a moment or two for this news to sink into Jeff who was tearful at the very sight of his eldest son in Val's eyes. “Scott, I'm too proud! How old is Valentina?”

“She's only 8 years old, Dad.” Scott said hugging his father.

“This is wonderful! Come on, let’s go inside and we can talk about it in there,” Jeff said as Scott put a hand on his arm.

The Tracy boys looked at one another before picking up a bag or three each and following the two women as John called for Jeff.

“What's the situation, John?” Jeff asked.

“Father, a criminal known as the Chameloen is on the loose in Los Angeles!” John answered sitting up straight and crossing his legs.

“Did the caller tell you who they were?”

“It was one LAPD Officer Michelle Murray also known as Shell!” John said.

“Oh, Michelle, one of Scott and Anouksa's friends and Franklin Benedict's former girlfriend.” Jeff remembered chuckling. “I never saw Scott without him.”

“Him?”

“Franklin.”

Scott grinned and walked into his father's office whistling My Shiny Teeth and Me to himself.

“Oh my god,” he said as he saw the look of despair on Jeff's face. “Say, Dad, what's the matter?”

“Bad news, Scott,” Jeff said. “Do you know anybody from High School named Franklin Arnold Benedict?”

“Oh, you mean Frank, why?”

“He's been relased from jail in his mother's care again.” Jeff took his hand and pressed it.

He grinned at his father. “Who told you that?” he asked, feeling something.

“LAPD Officer Michelle Murray, another High School friend of yours.” Jeff said. “His aunt Caroline is the Chief of Los Angeles police.”

“What do you want me to do about it?” Scott asked trying to calm down.

“I was wondering if you could take the Ladybird to Los Angeles and help Michelle and her partner Alana O' Rielly find Franklin.” Jeff said as he and Scott hugged again.

“No problem, Dad!” Scott answered leaving the office and went to Thunderbird 1's hangar where Scott's own private jet the Ladybird was.

As he woke up, Scott thought he saw Frank taking him captaive again jabbing a gun into his back leading Scott through to Dr Benedict's office and realised that it was just a flashback he had. Jeff sat beside him looking about uneasily. The last time he had sat by a hospital bed was on the occasion of a birth into his family, the joy that normally ensued was overridden by pain and sadness due to the death of his wife.

“You were very brave earlier, Scott, I’m proud of you.” said Jeff crying happily.

Scott smiled, blinking slowly. “Brave? I was more scared than I’ve ever been in my life! I thought Frank was gonna kill me!”

“So, you did anything to prevent that, that’s bravery.” Jeff said, hugging him tighter briefly. Suddenly, he changed the subject to Val. “Valentina’s got your eyes and dimples,” he said, glancing briefly at Scott. “And Anouska's hair, freckles and smile.”

They heard Nush giggling. “That's my girl, that's my girl.”

“What? Like that female Russian astronaut?” Alan asked.

“Valentina? That’s a lovely name.” Parker and the others looked at Val hopefully.

Nush knew what she was thinking. “Would you like to play with her, Penny?”

Penny smiled. “I’d love to, Nush.”

THE END