The scene is Malaysia. Will the Tracys be able to defeat the Hood and save Alan? Read on and see.

It is now time for the final act.

The Choice
by Girl-Detective

Chapter 7 - Of Angels and Thunderbirds

Jeff tensed as the Hood landed Thunderbird Three and powered down the engines. He hadn't been able to see where they landed from his vantage point, so he readied himself to expect anything.

The Hood removed his harness then glanced over at him. "Well hurry up. There are places we need to go, people we need to see."

Jeff reluctantly removed his harness and exited out of Thunderbird Three just ahead of the Hood. Stepping down onto the ground, He noted the dense vegetation and trees near him, then turned and noticed the rock formation about a hundred yards down a dirt path flanked with trees.

Something seemed familiar about this place.

The Hood's voice intruded into his thoughts. "Familiar? It should be, Jeff. We are back at the beginning of things, like I promised."

As he took in the scenery, Jeff started to put the pieces together and finally he realized where he was. "This is...where you had your illegal diamond mine. The one that caved in due to your negligence."

The Hood smiled and pointed towards the rock formation. "Bravo. You still remember this place. Now start walking to the mine over there."

He was getting tired of all the ordering around. "I am not going to move until you tell me where my son is."

Almost as soon as Jeff had the words out, he felt a push in his mind, forcing him to stumble towards the direction that the Hood indicated.

"Thanks to the use of the professor's neural net machine, I have only had to use a fraction of my power so far during this little adventure. Even though you found a way to disable it, I am far from tired, and could force you all of the way there if I need to," the Hood said menacingly. "Which way will it be, Jeff?"

Jeff blinked as his mind cleared again. His thoughts were coming rapid fire and the Hood was reading him like an open book. He had to stay calm.

He muttered. "Let's go then."

In the lab on Tracy Island, Brains typed commands into his computer like a madman, trying to tune into the communicator part of the watch device that he gave Mr. Tracy. Tin-Tin sat dutifully beside him and had not moved since Gordon left out in Thunderbird One for Malaysia.

The watch had been a short notice idea that Mr. Tracy did not know of. He specifically requested it that way so the Hood couldn't pry the information out of him. The watch had been one of Brains first working inventions when he came here, but he had scrapped it when Mr. Tracy insisted on video watches so he would be able to see and hear his boys.

If all worked as he planned, they would be able to listen in on Jeff's side of the conversation and figure out what to do next.

"Almost-"

He tweaked more settings and invented new lines of code, but Brains finally got a feed to the communicator. Sounds of a jungle filtered through the speaker, followed by Jeff's voice.

"Brains you did it!" Tin-Tin congratulated.

"Keep monitoring the t-transmission for me," Brains requested, "I have to get a hold of S-Scott and the others."

Tin-Tin nodded quickly and kept listening in to the transmission as Brains made contact with Thunderbird One and Thunderbird Two on his desktop vid screen.

"Thunderbird One, Thunderbird Two, c-come in."

Both Gordon and Virgil replied quickly, their images appearing onscreen.

"Thunderbird One here, what's up Brains?"

"Thunderbird Two here as well. What's going on?"

Brains smiled triumphantly as he typed a few commands into the screen's built-in keyboard. "I just t-tapped into your f-father's transmission. I am going to patch that f-feed through t-to you."

"FAB Brains, ready to receive audio feed," Gordon replied.

Gordon had taken Thunderbird One at top speed to Malaysia, and currently held a position a couple of miles from where his dad's signal was coming from. He didn't want to get too close yet until he knew the situation. After adjusting the comm controls he heard both his dad and the Hood having a very heated conversation:

"Ok, we are here like you wanted. Mind telling me where Alan is so we can get this charade over with?"

"Jeff, oh dear Jeff, it's not that simple. You see, I have brought you out here to kill you, but I also want revenge, to make you suffer as I did. You see, Alan is inside the mine, in what was one of the last accessible corridors."

"What do you mean, was?"

"Handy thing those engines on Thunderbird Three, they were enough to cause a cave-in. Soon after I talked to you I caused a quite a big one. Even if Alan escaped the falling rocks, his oxygen should be running out about now."

"No...you monster!...ARRGGHH!..."

Gordon panicked as the last of the audio transmission was lost in a hiss of static. "Brains! Can you get it back?"

He heard the scientist reply in frustration. "N-no, it m-must have been smashed. The transmitter signal is dead too."

Gordon banged his fist against the comm panel in frustration and growled. "Great, we're blind again! What do we do now?"

Holding their position a few miles away from Thunderbord One, Scott and Virgil sat stunned on the Thunderbord Two's bridge. They had also heard the short lived conversation between their dad and the Hood and its obvious implications.

"There's no way Alan could have survived," Virgil muttered darkly. "The Hood's won, and he'll probably kill dad too before we can do anything about it."

"Stop it, Virgil," Scott retorted, "we don't have enough info to go on yet."

He then turned to the comm panel to contact Gordon. "Thunderbird Two to Thunderbird One. Gordon, were you listening to that audio feed?"

He heard a strained reply. "I'm here, Scott. Did you hear what the Hood said? What do we do now? The odds seem to be against us."|

Taking an uncertain breath, Scott replied simply. "We can't panic. We've been on rescues like this numerous times in the past, and we can't go simply on the word of a madman. Both Alan and Dad need our help ASAP, so there's no time to lose. Gordon, use your onboard sensors to fix in on Thunderbird Three and land nearby. Find dad and see if there's anyway the Hood can be distracted. Virgil and I will land and use the Mole to find a way into the mine and get Alan out of there."

"FAB," Gordon replied. "Get him out of there safe, okay?"

Scott replied with determination. "Plan on it, and you be careful too."

"FAB"

Using Thunderbird One's scanners, Gordon found Thunderbird Three and managed to find a place to land nearby. As soon as he disembarked, Gordon quickly spotted footprints in the dirt leading down a path towards a rock formation that had to be the mine.

Gordon swiftly went down the path. Along one side, the path was a series of trees, and he stuck close to them, in case he needed to duck out of sight quickly. After a few yards, he found a clearing.
He quickly took shelter among the trees and watched as his dad was trying to fight the Hood.

When The Hood had told him that his son was likely dead, Jeff foolishly went with his emotions and tried to throw a punch. For his efforts, he was propelled quickly into a nearby tree and onto the ground. His vision swam, but Jeff knew that had to move quickly if he didn't want to end up like Alan.

He got to his feet and rushed the Hood, hoping to catch him off-balance with a quick attack. If he could just get his hands on him...

He took about five steps before he felt himself lifted high in the air. A vicious twisting then began inside his mind, making him cry out in agony.

Through the haze of pain, he heard the Hood taunt. "Now this looks familiar. I was very near to killing Alan in almost the same way a month ago. Let's see how long you last, Jeff."

The pain in his head intensified. Jeff wasn't sure how much more he could take.

Suddenly he heard a rustling and a loud grunt of pain from the Hood. The control broken, Jeff fell hard to the ground, but it went unnoticed as he tried to shake away the shards of pain in his mind.

He felt a hand on his arm.

"Dad, c'mon we've gotta move!"

Jeff recognized Gordon's voice, and followed his lead as they dived deep into the cover of the trees.

When they finally stopped, Jeff slumped to the ground. The pain from the Hood's attack was receding,
but the doubt in his heart wasn't he felt as if he let his children down somehow.

He felt his son put a hand on his face. "Dad are you okay?"

Jeff nodded. "Where are the others?"

Gordon caught his breath before he replied. "Scott and Virgil are using the mole to get into the old mine. Brains planted a communicator on you before you left, so we heard what he said. I am here to help you while they mount a rescue."

Jeff stood. "Let's go to the mine then, they will need our help."

"Dad, please," Gordon protested, "Scott and Virgil are getting Alan now. If we leave the Hood to his own devices he may try to interfere with the rescue and that'll put them in danger. Besides, there is a good chance Alan is alive."

Jeff thought for a moment. He wanted so much to be in on the rescue, but the immediate danger they were in needed to be taken care of. "You're right. We have to keep separated though, attack him from two fronts. That'll keep the Hood on his toes and hopefully tire him out faster."

Gordon nodded. "I'll go around to the side."

Jeff stood. "And I'll go head on. We've have to wear him down or we are lost. Let's go."

They split up and rushed into the clearing.

On the opposite side of the mine, Virgil landed Thunderbird 2 and made preparations to unload the Mole. Scott checked the scanners, then tried to get interior readings of the mine. The readings indicated a corridor a couple of yards long. There was some distortion that he couldn't clear, so he wasn't able to pick up on any signs of life.

Scott heard Virgil come up behind him. "The Mole is on the ground, Scott. What do the scanners say?"

He sighed in reply. "Not much, I'm afraid. I do read an open corridor but there's too much distortion to get any life signs."

"We'll have to make do then," Virgil replied, "Feed the sensor readings to the GPS in the mole and then meet me in the mole. We'll make sure to come up on one of the far ends of that corridor."

"FAB"

Scott sent the scanner readings to the mole and then followed Virgil. The exited the ship, and made their move to board the mole. The last time it had been used, The Hood used it to break into the Bank of London. With any luck, they will be able to use it to rescue their brother.

The outer hull of the Mole glistened Yellow in the sun as they both entered in through the top airlock. Scott made sure that two sets of oxygen equipment was at the ready, then took a seat beside Virgil, who was at the main controls.

"Everything's ready. Let's go," Scott commanded.

"FAB" Virgil replied. Using the GPS coordinates, he plotted the course and activated the drill head. The back hydraulic lifts lifted, allowing them the proper angle to dig into the ground.

After a few moments, they felt themselves proceeding down. Virgil lowered the lifts, then pressed forward on the controls

"We are on our way"

Jeff and Gordon rushed into the clearing on opposite sides, and saw the Hood standing in the middle wearing a bemused expression.

"Well, Jeff, I see you have brought one of your sons with you. Back for more punishment?"

Jeff looked over at his son who was standing a few feet away. "We have had enough of your games,
Hood. We will take you down and that is a promise."

"Ah two against one. Such fair odds," the Hood sneered.

Jeff signaled to Gordon, and they rushed at him simultaneously.

The Hood managed to dodge Gordon, and then unleashed a mental assault on Jeff that flung him to the ground.

After a few minutes of digging, Virgil checked the sensors and the coordinates.

"Okay we are in position. I've got us positioned at one end of the corridor. If you exit the airlock, you should be able to walk straight in, Scott."

Scott got to his feet and grabbed the oxygen equipment. He one of the oxygen masks over his face,
made sure the airflow was good and then grabbed the other one and entered the airlock at the rear of the vehicle.

"Ok, I am ready. Open the outer hatch."

"Oxygen levels in there are almost non-existent. Be careful, Scott."

Scott tensed slightly as he heard a hiss, then the door that was in front of him slid open, revealing an eerie darkness.

Turning on the floodlight built into the top of his mask, he could barely make anything out more than a foot in front of him. Climbing out and onto the ground, he treaded slowly, making sure he swept all possible corners of the passage.

After about another yard, Scott found him slumped against one of the walls. Seeing no visible sign of movement from Alan, he dropped his equipment and rushed forward.

Scott flinched when he saw how pale his brother was. There was trickle of dried blood on the side of Alan's head, along with a large knot where something must have struck him. His brother's wrists were also badly scraped and infected from what he could tell. Nervously, he checked Alan's neck for a pulse and was relieved to find a steady but slow rhythm. He had to get Alan on oxygen and fast.

Grabbing the extra oxygen mask he brought, Scott leaned over and fitted it over Alan's head, making sure that a flow of oxygen was started.

He watched intently for any response.

C'mon little brother, come back to us.

Alan Tracy dreamed of angels and Thunderbirds.

In the back of his mind he knew it was silly nonsense, but that didn't matter. It was his favorite dream, because he would always get to see his mom, flying with beautiful white angel wings and a golden Halo. He would get to fly beside her in any of the Thunderbirds he chose, which this time he chose Thunderbird 3. He got into the cockpit and took off soaring into the clouds.

This time though, he could sense a difference with the dream. when he looked out of the cockpit, he couldn't find his mother anywhere.

"Wake up Alan."

A whisper of a voice. He turned around to find the source of it and was surprised to find his mom sitting beside him. She looked sad, but no mistaking it- she was the one who spoke.

"You have to wake up now!"

Alan's eyes flew open. He sat up, gasping and coughing, and found that an oxygen mask had been placed over his face. Looking up through the gloom, he saw Scott standing over him, wearing oxygen gear of his own.

His brother leaned down and put a hand on his shoulder. "Easy does it, little brother. Take long, deep breaths."

Alan did as he was told, and soon pure oxygen was filling his lungs. It had felt so good after all of those hours with stale air.

Scott looked relieved. "We've got to get you out of here. Do you think you can stand?"

Alan slowly shook his head. He didn't even have the strength to lift his arms right now, let alone stand.

Scott leaned down and grabbed him under the shoulders. He lifted him to a standing position,
then wrapped a supporting arm under Alan's shoulder blades. With some effort, Scott was able to drag him the distance to the mole. Opening the airlock, Scott dragged him inside where Virgil was waiting.

"Scott, you found him. Damn, he looks in bad shape."

Scott removed his mask. "His pulse was extremely slow, but he's responding to the oxygen. Help me strap him in and we will get him out of here."

Virgil helped Scott bring Alan over to one of the seats and strapped him in.

After stowing away his oxygen equipment, Scott rejoined Virgil in the cockpit of the mole.

"Okay, let's get out of here," Scott stated, "We have to check on Gordon and Dad."

"FAB" Virgil replied. He started the controls, and proceeded to drill a way out through the opposite direction.

The fight wasn't going as well as Jeff hoped. Every move that he and Gordon made was easily being countered by the Hood.

He would either repel them with his mental power, or unleash a series of martial arts moves that kept them at bay. One of those was a high kick that sent Gordon sprawling to the ground at the Hood's feet.

Gordon got to his feet unsteadily and faced him. "Well, it seems that the great 'Hood' can do more than hide behind his mind tricks."

"Boy," the Hood growled, "you try my patience."

In horror, Jeff watched as the Hood waved his hands sharply. Gordon seemed to be picked up like a rag doll then was quickly flung through the trees and disappeared from view.

"Gordon!"

Winded, the Hood turned to stare at Jeff. "Really now, your family is like an annoying bunch of gnats, but I will kill you all, even if I have to do it one by one."

Jeff had enough. He couldn't lose another son to this maniac. He rushed the Hood and managed to get in a solid uppercut. The Hood staggered, but remained standing, trying to shake off the effects.

Gordon slowly stood from his vantage point, and regained his senses. He had been propelled quite a few yards away, and counted himself lucky that he wasn't hurt worse than his throbbing head.

"Gordon!"

Hearing the voice, he turned to find Scott running towards him.

"Scott, is everything ok? Is Alan-"

"He's alive, Gordon. We've got to him in time. What about you and dad?"

He looked back towards the clearing. "He's still fighting with the Hood. Follow me."

Gordon took off running back towards the clearing with Scott hot on his heels. -
There wasn't a moment to lose. If he gave the Hood time to recover, he would just use his mind powers again. Blind with anger, Jeff launched himself at the Hood, taking him down to the ground. Jeff began punching him relentlessly.

After a few moments, Jeff felt hands restraining him. Gordon and Scott's voices broke through the haze of his anger.

"Dad, no!"

"He's done. Dad, You've beaten him. Alan is alive."

Breathing heavily, Jeff hesitated. The Hood laid on the ground out cold. He felt no mental intrusions, felt no movement to indicate that the Hood may be hiding something-just the regular rise and fall of his chest to indicate that he was still breathing.

Jeff had never intentionally killed a man before, and he wasn't about to start now. He stood, then looked to his sons, whose faces were a mix of worry and concern.

He felt as if a great weight was lifted from his mind. "Alan is alive?"

Scott nodded. "He needs medical attention, so we better move."

Jeff quickly forced himself back in control of his emotions. "Scott, I want you in Thunderbird 1 to take the Hood and drop him off with the Malaysian authorities. Warn them about his power so they can take precautions. Gordon, use Thunderbird 3 and fly escort with him, then both of you return home. I will go with Virgil in Thunderbird 2 to take Alan to the hospital."

"FAB," Gordon replied, motioning to Scott. "Let's go."

As soon as Scott and Gordon secured the Hood and took him away, Jeff ran the distance over to Thunderbird 2 and boarded just as Virgil was loading the mole on board.

Virgil saw him and gave him a hug. "Dad...I am glad you are ok."

Jeff felt the tension of his earlier confrontation starting to wane. "As am I. How's Alan?"

Virgil sighed. "Weak and worked over. I have him already strapped in. The Hood did quite a number on him. It looks like he may have a concussion, and the skin around his wrists is badly torn. We were just in time, dad. Another hour and he would have been-"

His voice trailed off, but Jeff knew full well what his son meant.

Jeff stepped into the cockpit and found Alan strapped securely into one of the seats. He was pale, eyes closed, and had an oxygen mask strapped to his face. The wounds on his sons head and wrists only served to stoke his anger, but he was thankful that Alan was alive.

Virgil soon came in behind him. "We need to get going, Dad. Better strap in."

Jeff turned and took a seat beside Alan. "Right. Get us of here, Virgil."

Virgil took the pilot's seat, quickly making his preflight checks. Once clear, he started the engines and quickly lifted off.

As the scenery of the old diamond mine faded from view, Jeff settled back. This was one chapter of his life that he hoped was closed for good. Looking over at Alan, he remembered that day in Jubilee Gardens when he told his son that there were some situations where you couldn't save everyone, even if it was someone you loved.

He was thankful that this wasn't one of them.

Jeff sat in a chair beside Alan's hospital bed and watched him sleep. Alan was hooked up to an oxygen machine, and large white bandages covered his wrists and head, which served as grim reminders of what he had been through in the past hours.

After Alan was checked over and cleaned up, the doctor wanted to keep him under observation for twenty four hours due to the concussion he had sustained. Jeff opted to stay with him,
sending Virgil home to update Scott and the others.

"Dad?"

Alan opened his eyes and stared up at him.

Jeff smiled. "Alan. Good to see you awake. How are you feeling, son?"

His son groaned slightly. "Like I have been trampled on. Everyone else ok? What about the Hood and-"

"Whoa, hold it," Jeff protested, "No questions will be answered until you get your rest. Doctors orders."

Alan gave a tired smile and closed his eyes. "FAB. You know, mom was watching out for me in the cave. She made me wake up after I fell asleep. It's almost as if she knew"
Moments later, he drifted slowly back into unconsciousness.

Jeff watched him for quite some time before he yawned and realized that the events of the past hours had caught up with him as well.

He looked skyward for a moment. "We've got some great kids, you know. I wish you were here to see it but then again, you have been watching over us all along, haven't you?"

But somehow, Jeff felt that he already knew the answer to that question.

Leaning heavily into the chair he was in, Jeff closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.

The End

This was fun. I can see where I have made some blunders along the way, but overall a good learning experience. If you have made it to the end of the ride, I hope that you have enjoyed it. Thank you guys very much for making me feel welcome here, and thanks for the feedback.

Now to get my career back in order. -Groan.-

Until we meet again,

Girl-Detective