Jeff's POV:

"Seems like everything is working well on this end Brains," I told him over the vid link between my island retreat and the space station I was currently in. Brains was the scientist I had hired to help me put life to my dreams. His expertise had been invaluable over the last few years. More than that though, he had become a trusted colleague and a good friend over the last four years. Four years devoted to building and developing the technology needed to create everything needed to make International Rescue the organization that I had pictured in my mind.

Now, with the completion of this station, Thunderbird 5, the last of the Thunderbirds, we were there. Sure, International Rescue had already made an impact in the world. Had assisted in numerous rescue operations on land and sea. Had even rescued the crew and passengers of a Coast Guard cutter when the cutter had started sinking during one of their rescue mission. Still, something had been missing.

We hadn't had the ability to monitor what was going on around the world. To keep an eye out for impending disasters. To see trouble before it happened and possibly help prevent some tragedies. Not to mention that now with Thunderbird 3 and 5 now completed, International Rescue could expand its efforts to space. No longer would we have to sit by and watch with the rest of the world as tragedies like the International Space Station explosion of five months ago took place. We would be able to help out. Maybe, if these last two Thunderbirds had been completed those cosmonauts and astronaut wouldn't have lost their lives.

"Th-th-th-things look w-w-w-w good on this end t-t-t-t also," Brians replied. "We are re-re-re-recieving information from Thu-thu-thu your craft."

"Thunderbird 5 is go."

Over the link to the island I could hear the cheering and the clapping from the other people in the room - my sons. This meant as much to them as it did to me. My two oldest, Scott and John were already key members of the secret organization.

Scott was a natural pilot and his take charge attitude was going to make him a great leader. Someone to rely on when I couldn't be on the mission. He had already sort of claimed Thunderbird 1 as his own, which was fine. His keen observations had proven to be helpful for developing a plan of action on route to the scene in the slower Thunderbird 2.

John my seventeen year old, was much less outgoing than his older brother, but no less important. Right now he had assumed the role of co-pilot in Thunderbird 2. I could always count on my level-headed, quiet son to counter his older brother's rashness. The two complimented each other perfectly. John had also proven to be invaluable in the design and creation of Thunderbird 3 and 5. He had worked with Brains since we had first started the blueprints for our two space vehicles. John had even been the one that solved the final problems with the anti-grav technology that Brains had been developing. The technology that allowed Thunderbird 5 to have earth normal gravity without spinning.

Virgil had turned 16 last week. He had taken to the training like a pro and had been on a couple missions as an observer already. He could already operate all the rescue equipment we had as well as pilot Thunderbird 1 and 2. I had promised him that he could participate in the next mission we went on when I got back.

Thirteen year old Gordon had shown just as much interest in IR as the rest of his brothers. Like Virgil though he had to wait until he was sixteen to be a part of this. I wanted him to really think about whether this is what he wanted. He idolized his three brothers though and knew with out a doubt he would be joining us. And my youngest Alan was the same way. At nine rocket ships were the only thing on his mind. I didn't thing he really grasped what IR was about though yet. I knew in time he would though.

"Good work, all of you," I told them all.

"We can really start making a difference now," Scott said enthusiastically.

"This weather data coming from Thunderbird 5's sensors is incredible," I heard John comment from off screen. I could just picture him hovering over the computers down in Command and Control.

"Just think at what kind of stargazing you'll be able to do when you're up on the station, John," I heard Virgil comment.

"Yeah, Starboy will be able to literally get lost in the stars now," Scott joked.
John never even commented. He was probably to engrossed in the data to even notice his brother's teasing.

"Well, as long as nothing comes up, I'll check in with you tomorrow morning, Brains."
"Of course, Mr. Tracy."

"Thunderbird 5 out," I said and then switched off communications. The screen went black and I let my eyes drift over to the viewport.

The stars glimmered outside. It felt good to be back up in space again. Thunderbird 3's first launch had only been six months ago. It had marked the first time I had been in space since my last flight with NASA. That had been before John was born.

I had forgotten the sense of freedom that I always felt when I was in space. Way up above the Earth. Above all the problems and polictical wars that raged on down below.

I stood up and walked over to the view port. Walked. That was a strange concept. Earth-normal gravity on vehicles in space still alluded NASA. Thunderbird 5 was state of the art technology. All the Thunderbirds were. Technology that for the most part, had yet to be revealed to the world. Technology the Brains had developed but hadn't received credit from the scientific world from. We were still looking for ways to reveal it and not give away International Rescues anonymity.
Looking down, I caught a glimpse of the Earth. Down below me was my family. My five boys, Brains and his son Fermat. Living on the same island for the last four years had made our two families feel like one. Brains was as much family as my friend Mark Harper was. Both knew about the organization had helped me create it. Had helped me raise my boys after their mother's death.
Meg. I hadn't thought about her in quite awhile. Staying busy let me avoid that. Even five years after her death, I still missed her. How she would have loved all this. To be a part of something that could do so much good for so many. To be up in her the stars, the one dream she had giving up when Scott was born. She had always told me being a mother was more important to her, but I had caught her gazing longingly up at the night sky on countless occasions, in the later years with John right beside her.

Tearing my gaze away from the view outside, I strode back and sat down in the chair in front of the console again. As much as I enjoyed being in space again, I knew I couldn't stay here. I had children who needed me at home. Yeah, Scott and John too, would be okay with my absence but the other three still had a lot of growing up in front of them. Something that they needed me there for. Something that I wanted to be here for.

Brains had offered to man the station but he was in the same predicament as I was. Fermat was the same age as Alan. Like me, he had a son that he needed to be there for. That meant that manning Thunderbird 5 fell to one of my boys. Virgil was no where near being ready for that yet, not to mention that he had school to finish. That meant it would be either Scott or John.Either one would gladly do it, John probably more willingly than Scott, but I would miss them both. Scott was ideal for Thunderbird 1. Was more comfortable out in the field and in the ships than John. Was more comfortable dealing with people. John however, was my anchor. Since Meg's death, my second eldest son had become invaluable to me when it came to personal matters. Looked after his younger brothers. Played peace maker, even between Scott and myself at times. Was my sounding board. The one I looked to when I needed advice or help. A job that was really to big for a seventeen year old but one he did without complaint.

I would miss either one of them but the fact remained that someone had to man Thunderbird 5. I had to make a decision as to which one it would be for now.