Skimming the car through heavy traffic scattered along the highways of New York City The Hood scanned his eyes around him eyeing off through the windscreen at which one of the many high rise buildings would become his target.
As he weaved through traffic he kept his dark eyes fixated on the buildings observing the infrastructure as well as the activity surrounding it, like how many cars came skidding in and out from each one and how many people were surrounding them. To him he had to find the right target otherwise his plans of luring out International Rescue would be foiled, and that was something he desperately wanted to avoid.
He turned his nose away from a sleek high rise were it's glass panels curved towards the greying afternoon sky in a twist. While it looked promising the building and its surroundings were overcrowded with people, almost impossible to get away with his planned actions.
Braking at a red light he sat back gripping tighter onto the steering wheel in frustration, his knuckles digging through his leather gloves like daggers. He eyed the sky growling as daylight was slowly consumed by darkening grey almost black clouds, it appeared that a storm was on it's way.
"We better find somewhere soon otherwise International Rescue won't be coming out" as The Hood pondered his thoughts out loud his eyes shifted around the city once more as he sped off through green lights. Again nothing caught his attention, there were too many crowds, patrolling police and security guards for him to be undetectable.
As he sped further down the highway he entered a quieter area of the city where his sights laid upon an older looking concreted building. It's height was shorter than other high rises around it and it appeared less occupied than others.
Smirking he weaved into the furtherest right hand lane and slowed as he leaned towards the side window and glared out to examine the building's surroundings. Only very few cars started to leave the building's car park and no one new entered, there was virtually no pedestrians to be seen around the place either.
"Perfect," his smirk grew as he swerved around the corner skidding the car into the driveway encasing him in near darkness. He steered into the very back depths of the parking lot braking to a halt in an empty space with a soft pull of the handbrake.
He leaned back in the seat taking a glance down on the passenger side where a black backpack rested. Reaching out for it he carefully unzipped it.
His smirk grew into a mischievous grin at the sight of a collection of small circular metal devices, "just a few bombs should blow this joint up quiet nicely," he let off a chuckle before his heavy voice croaked, "now the real fun can begin."
His sights shifted towards the reflection of the rear view mirror where his slanting eyes scanned around the area tracking down any people or security guards. Surprisingly and much to his convenience not a soul was in sight.
"Double perfect."
Finally he was able to move forward with his plans.
Closing up the bag The Hood dug into his coat pocket ripping out a beanie and covering his bald head with it before snatching up the bag and quietly climbing out of the car. Gently slamming the car door shut his eyes settled upon a small collection of security cameras dotted around the car park.
Frowning he turned towards the car door and leaned forward using his free hand to dig out a metallic tube like device from his coat pocket and started fumbling around with the small controls. He speedily typed codes into it eyeing the cameras as he did so.
After a few seconds a beep followed by a small flashing red light lit up on the top of the device.
Grinning he pressed a button at the top of it revealing a faint hologram showcasing the security camera's visions freezing into still images of the carpark.
Without saying a word he let off a satisfied smile before shutting off the device and disposing it back into his pocket.
Then he strode off towards the other side of the carpark, bomb filled bag clutched tightly in his hand, he began to hide his mischievous grin as he reached the first wall. After a quick glance up and down the cracking concrete he ripped open the bag and gently pulled out one of the bombs admiring it before placing it onto the wall where it instantly latched onto.
"If this doesn't bring out International Rescue...nothing will."
Turning away he continued to go around placing the mini bombs all along the walls, his mind racing at the thought of gaining International Rescue's well kept secrets.
Once the final bombs were laid out and the backpack disposed of The Hood took one last glance around the place before he stepped inside a nearby elevator, lowering the beanie more over his forehead as the doors slid shut. Pressing onto the top floor he stood back as the lift zoomed upwards.
He placed his right hand into his coat pocket and curled his gloved fingers around the round flat detonator device resting at the bottom.
"Come on come on" The Hood circled his thumb around the button impatiently waiting for the right time to press it. He eyed the passing levels indicator as the elevator zoomed up faster and faster.
8
9
10
He heaved in a heavy breath and tapped his fingers against his leg counting down the stops.
11
12
13
"Just a little more height" his words only a mumble under his breath. His eyes slanted more as the levels became higher and higher, his only fear now was an interruption.
14
15
16
With no stops in sight The Hood pulled out the detonator from his pocket. He stared down at the device that fitted perfectly in the palm of his hand, he curled his fingers around it.
Narrowing his eyes and with a grin he pressed the button...
One by one each mini bomb erupted with a blast of fire and force.
Ear piercing bangs echoed and rattled the building, crumbling the cracking carpark walls. Cars dotting the carpark where blown to the ceiling smashing crashing and rolling around the place from the waves of the blast's force.
Flames roared from the cars before creeping through the leaking petrol that spread throughout the area spreading thick smoke throughout the place, leaking into the vents.
From the still moving elevator The Hood smiled, his ears ringing with the satisfying sounds of thundering blasts. Placing the detonator back into his pocket he listened out for more as the flames gradually spread throughout the structure.
More thundering blasts tumbled through the complex violently rattling the building like it would in an earthquake. The only people inside were all on the top floor, there was about thirty of them all letting out screams of terror and stumbling around unable to keep their footing.
The Hood stepped out onto this floor as the doors opened up to the chaotic scene.
As he stumbled out into the crowd he quickly plastered on fake fear as he began to blend into the crowd all scrambling from their desks, all exchanging terrified glances at each other confused at what was going on.
Grey smoke began to spill in choking many people who tried to block it out with their shirts.
The Hood covered his face with his coat collar as he stumbled around eyeing the crowd through the blinding smoke seeing if anyone was calling for help.
He eventually stumbled by a couple of men; security guards who hid beneath a desk clutching onto a radio transmitter. The Hood half hid from them by leaning against a pop-up wall listening in, their voices sounding distraught but clear, "International Rescue! Calling International Rescue! We have an emergency!"
"Thunderbird 2 this is Thunderbird 1 I've arrived at danger zone what's your ETA?" Scott swiftly spun Thunderbird 1 to its side keeping the ship hovering a safe distance away from the building that had now become an inferno. The structure now swallowed by masses of flickering orange flames that spilled out of each floor slowly crumbling the unstable building towards the ground where masses of fire crews struggled to contain the flames. The sight practically lit up the dark stormy sky.
Scott eyed the deadly fire, squinting his eyes struggling to see inside any of the floors through the thick grey smoke.
"We're just a couple minutes out we'll be there shortly" Virgil's voice echoed in his ear piece.
Scott briefly turned his attention away from the fire, "how far out is Thunderbird 6?"
"she's right behind you."
Scott snapped his sights outside the cockpit spotting his sister's Thunderbird zoom past him in a blur of blue and circling around the danger zone.
Thunderbird 6 was a bright blue needle nosed fighter style ship it's cockpit large enough for three people. It's black trimmed wings stretched out and curved inward, towards the back of the craft two sets of black trimmed triangular tail wings stuck out; two pointing upright while the other two were stuck out the sides where it's main engine was. Both main wings at the ends housed booster engines making the craft capable of incredible air speed just like Thunderbird 1.
The Thunderbird may not look like much upon first glance but she was quite versatile.
Scott let off a small grin at the sight. "Well you can definitely rely on her" he mumbled under his breath turning Thunderbird 1 around so he was facing the building front on and flicked on the searchlight.
"Samantha I'm going to locate the victims you try and see if you can contain the fire, see if Brains' method will work."
"On it" Samantha circled Thunderbird 6 around the inferno scanning her blue eyes all around it seeing nothing but flickering flames and the bright white spotlight shining through from Thunderbird 1.
Clutching tight onto the controls in front of her Sam lifted the ship higher into the air squinting at the bright glow of the flames until she was able to get to the very top of the structure. She pushed forward starting to fly over, she was about to let out an extinguishment until a sudden rumbling came.
Hearing the noises Scott turned his attention away from his own task and glanced up through the top cockpit windscreen. His eyes widened as he watched Thunderbird 6 fly over intensifying flames, his sights then shifted towards the building as it started violently shaking.
"SAM GET OUT OF THERE!"
Sam felt her grip tighten as her heart began to race as the flames instantly grew higher and the smoke thickened around her beginning to encase Thunderbird 6. The rumbling growing louder before an ear piercing bang followed with an eruption of flames and force, Sam violently spun the ship away feeling the force push her further away. She quickly stabilised the ship.
She panted heavily hearing her brother's voice in her ear piece, "Sam you alright?"
Sam heaved in a deep calming breath shuffling around in the pilot's seat readjusting herself, "I'm fine... Scott I don't think it's going to work..."
Scott listened closely to her words as he brought Thunderbird 1 closer towards the building. Shining the ship's spotlight towards top story he instantly locating the thirty victims all gathered together by a large window.
Scott scanned his eyes over them watching over their terrified faces, how each of them frantically banged against the glass screaming out for help, coughing and covering their mouths from the smoke.
However Scott sensed that something wasn't right within the group, it was difficult to pin point through the flames and smoke that had blurred his view but his instincts knew something was off.
Samantha frowned as she finished her sentence, confusion rattled her as she waited for her brother to respond which was unusually delayed. She shifted Thunderbird 6 away from the fire and closer towards Thunderbird 1 getting a better view of him in the cockpit noticing that he looked distracted.
"Scott?"
Barely hearing his sister calling his name Scott eyed the photodetector on the walls of the cockpit, the thought of potential suspicious activity began to linger in his mind.
He was quickly snapped out of his daze when the deep rumbling of engines echoed out.
Scott and Samantha turned their sights outside their designated craft watching Thunderbird 2 slowly rumble towards the scene, the massive green carrier ship hovering just above the surrounding buildings.
Sam ignored her oldest brother's unusual ways and placed her focuses back onto the rescue.
Scott forcing himself to do the same. "Thunderbird 2 there's about thirty people trapped on the top floor, it's too dangerous for a conventional rescue the best way to get in is by getting Sam and Gordon to break in."
Virgil nodded agreeing with the idea, "F A B" he turned towards Gordon standing beside him, he nodded his younger brother towards the back of the cockpit. Gordon didn't respond as he turned away disappearing through the entrance to the back area of ship beginning to prep himself for the task.
Plan in mind Samantha switched to auto pilot. Pushing away the restraint she rushed to her feet weaving her way around the pilot's seat skidding towards the back of the tight spaced cockpit.
As she reached the end she lightly patted her braided light brown hair making sure it was pinned tightly back into a circle she then turned to her left reaching down to grab her helmet tucked away behind the seat.
Sam began to feel nerves attack as she turned around to watch her brothers take over the scene.
She clung tight onto the rim of the helmet feeling her heart start to race again. She took a few deep breaths as she brushed away loose strands of hair her fingers scrapping over a faint pale scar above her left eyebrow forcing herself to snap out of her sudden nervous panic.
Sam slid on the helmet fastening it before she approached the middle of the cockpit holding onto the roof while her free hand clung onto the top of her light blue sash, eyes fixated outside as Thunderbird 2 began to shift closer towards the building.
She heaved in another deep breath, "I'm ready Scott."
Scott let off a small nod even though his sister couldn't see him, he frowned though hearing her heavy breathing echo in his ear.
Don't tell me...
"You okay Sam?"
Sam mindlessly gripped tighter onto the thick weighted sash, "I'm fine just let me know when Gordon's in."
Scott barely heaved a sigh at her words, "okay" he paused before quietly giving her one last response, "hey you'll be fine, you've done this before."
Sam listened closely to her brother's final calming words, she didn't respond as she slanted her eyes forcing herself to pull it together.
Scott turned his attention back onto the rescue where he shifted Thunderbird 1 out of the way and began to watch on.
As he observed his thoughts of suspicious activity returned and lingered. From his new position he had a better view of the victims where he noticed one looked distant from the rest of the group.
He eyed the photodetector again becoming more suspicious by the minute.
The Hood, still hiding his face behind his coat collar let off a mischievous grin at the sight of the three Thunderbirds feeling pleased that his plan was working.
Hiding himself behind the group that still yelled and banged loudly on the windows, he reached his free hand into his coat pulling out a small rectangular sliver device that was fitted with a small but powerful camera. Curling his fingers around it he carefully slid it down his sleeve so it was hidden but the top part with the lens was still in his grip.
He took a quick glance at it then he lifted his sights outside the windows as Thunderbird 1 hovered out of the way allowing Thunderbird 2 to come into view.
The Hood held up his arm pretending to block out the ship's bright lights that were fixated on them but really he just pressed the top button of the device were it instantly captured shots of the massive winged carrier ship along with the rescue rocket hovering nearby.
He started to shuffle closer into the crowd struggling to get a view of the cockpits over the top of the bright spotlights shining on them. Once he managed to gain a decent view he snapped up the images of the uniformed pilots from both ships, smirking in satisfaction.
Thunderbird 2 then lifted higher into the air, his eyes widened with excitement as a small hatch underneath the cockpit area slid open and another IR member was carefully hoisted down.
Despite not being able to see the boy's face properly through the helmet The Hood snapped pictures of him anyway. The blue flight suit, coloured stripe top boots, the individually coloured sash and utility-harness belt combination was a sight that he had seen many times before and he admired it every time. He'd always have to watch himself though as each pilot carried their own gun contained in a holster on the side of their belts.
The Hood snapped out of his daze as he felt the crowd back away from the window. Over the top of the coked coughs screams and crackling fire he noticed the two security guards began shouting and waving their arms out towards the group, "MOVE BACK! THEIR GOING TO BREAK IN!"
The Hood stumbled clumsily back with the group until there were a couple of meters away from the window.
He watched as the boy outside started to swing back and forth with one hand clinging onto the line he was attached to and the other was held out to the side clutching onto something metal looking. He continued to swing around until he let off a forceful throw releasing the piece of metal that instantly flew straight towards the middle of the window smashing the glass into millions of tiny shards that spilled all over the floor.
The Hood moved away the collar a little letting off an impressed smile as the rest of the victims screamed in joy, glad they were now able to escape.
He keep his arm half held up and his coat collar covering his face snapping more pictures of the boy as he started to see glimpses of his face through the helmet under the light as he started to swing back and forth again. Then the boy leaped out grabbing onto the window head frame jumping inside the building. He unhooked the line from his belt and threw it back outside were it dragged back up into the open section of the ship.
The Hood barely watched the boy as he rushed towards the security guards where they were quickly explained how they were going to escape, instead he watched Thunderbird 2 pull back up into the air. He snapped up more images of the sight as Thunderbird 6 gradually drifted into view, it's pilot crouched on top of it.
"Okay Sam you're in position." Sam heaved in another deep breath at Scott's words as she watched Gordon start to gather around the rescue victims.
Sam fixated her sights onto the broken window not wanting to look down to the ground, it would only make her constantly attacking nerves worse.
Still heaving in deep breaths to the point her lungs began to feel tight, Sam forced herself to rise higher. She let one hand go from the top of the ship while she used the other to stabilise herself. She set her eyes towards her landing point.
"Okay...I'm going to jump now..."
Scott lifted his sights off Thunderbird 6's blue hologram in front of him fixing his sights onto her feeling a little nervous about the jump himself, "alright, were right here to catch you if you miss."
"Thanks" Sam mumbled as she retained her focuses back onto the broken window.
She readjusted her position; lifting her heels off the ship and placing a foot behind her. Slanting her eyes she lifted her body then pushed off, running along the nose of the ship then leaping off the edge, flying through the air then practically diving inside the window tumbling down onto the glass covered ground on her stomach.
Gordon snapped his sights around towards his sister, he left the two security guards to gather the victims while he paced over reaching out a hand towards her, "you should probably work on your landings."
Sam pushed herself up grabbing his arm lifting to her feet shooting him an annoyed glare not saying anything.
She then turned back towards outside watching Scott remote fly Thunderbird 6 out of the way then Virgil slowly come into view again with Thunderbird 2 shifting to the side, it's bottom hatch opening up.
Virgil's voice echoed out in their ear pieces. "You guys gather everyone towards the window, I'll shoot out rescue lines and we'll pull them out from there."
"F A B." Gordon and Sam nodded, they both separated rushing around the room getting the victims to go gather by the window while making sure everyone was accounted for. Sam hurried towards the back of the victims feeling the heat intensify as Gordon yelled out the plan to the victims.
"Get over to the window! We're going to haul everyone out!"
All quickly followed the shouts from the two Tracys, scrambling away from the intensifying flames that began to swallow the room.
While they did listen many were looking terrified at the idea, something Samantha noticed as she guided a couple of young women away towards the rest of the group. They gave her pale terrified expressions, only making Sam's own nerves start to kick in again.
One of them questioning her, "A a are you sure about this?"
Sam heaved in deep breath, "you'll be okay, your not going to fall, you'll be attached to a rescue line then pulled up towards Thunderbird 2..." she paused watching their fear drop a little but she could still feel their tension, she gave a small reassuring smile, "don't worry I've done this multiple times before."
The women nodded and Sam ushered them towards the window.
Once all the victims were gathered together Sam stood back eyeing the inside of Thunderbird 2's pod where she spotted the line launcher lower down and aim towards them, then the lines shot out each one hooking onto the lower windowsill.
The victims instantly rushing out to grab one and wrap it around themselves.
Virgil called out, "right lets get them out of there!"
As the victims frantically snatched up the rescue lines and attached it themselves The Hood had no choice but to start to blend into the group more.
He slid the camera device fully down his sleeve and moved his coat collar away from his face instantly coughing from the thickening smoke. Frowning in annoyance he reached out a gloved hand and snatched up one of the lines, wrapping the thick line tightly around his waist weaving part of it through his belt before clipping it together again at front.
He then stood still with the rest of the victims and waited for the next set of instructions while covering his mouth with his sleeve unable to bear the smoke.
Stay out of it next time...
He kept his observing eyes on Thunderbird 2's open hatch. He moved his head up and down to try and see if he could get a better view behind the heads of the victims while using his free arm to secretly wriggle the camera device towards his hand. Once his fingers clasped the device he readjusted his position so that the lens could see inside the ship and pressed the button snapping pictures. Admiring that fact that he was able to get images of the insides of the Thunderbirds.
The Hood turned his sights back onto the boy who climbed up towards the windowsill, a rescue line re-attached to his utility belt, the girl stood near him on the ground gripping onto the window's edge.
The boy then turned towards the group yelling out his next commands, "once I've jumped out I need you to wait for for her..." he nodded towards the girl, "...to signal to you that it's safe to jump out, once you're all outside we're pulling you up!"
The victims all frantically nodded as the boy turned back outside starting to brace himself.
Samantha eyed her brother as he prepped himself for the leap. She held in her frustration as she felt like he was taking to long. Barely rolling her eyes at him Sam let go of the window edge, she carefully moved in front of the victims ushering the front ones back. She glanced up towards the window head, jumping she reached her arms up snatching onto the frame before swinging back, lifting her knees towards her chest she pushed her feet out shoving her brother right into the back making Gordon stumble and lose his grip tumbling out of the building yelling as he swung violently around beneath Thunderbird 2 shooting his sister an angered glare.
"HEY!"
Sam smirked giving him a quick snarky response, "love you too."
"Relax Gordon I'll get you up." Leaving the ship on auto pilot Virgil scrambled towards the pod section.
Samantha then jumped down back inside the building as Gordon rolled his eyes watching Virgil appear within the pod and began to hoist him up.
She turned towards the victims waving a hand ushering them towards the window shuffling out of the way as they approached the windowsill, "the ones in front go first, just climb up and jump don't think about it just do it, you'll be pulled up in no time."
The first line of people nodded as they climbed up. Sam watched them closely as they leaped off letting out high pitched screams as they swung around then Gordon and Virgil began hoisting the lines back up, as they did Samantha ushered the next few to jump.
As the system was underway Sam kept darting her sights back towards the remaining victims, the rapid spreading fire around them and the hovering Thunderbird crafts, noticing again that Scott looked distracted.
Scott continued to watch on silently. Even though he observed the rescue closely his mind wasn't fully focused, he kept giving off quick glances towards the photodetector then back towards the rescue.
Slanting his eyes Scott scanned over the victims as they were pulled up, he counted them all already noting that there was more than thirty people within the group, when the distress call had stated the thirty.
Not a huge deal but it seemed off.
He turned his sights towards the final few that were waiting, as they climbed up towards the edge Scott could note that one; a man in a coat and beanie looked out of place with the rest of the city worker demographic. It didn't seem like he was apart of the trapped group, he looked like someone who'd snuck in from the streets.
It's gotta be you...
Scott slanted his eyes more and leaned forward until his shoulders hit onto the restraint as he watched the man in particular as he and rest of the victims jumped out.
He noticed the man looked stiff as his arms kept contorting in strange ways and while he was still a fair distance away he noticed that the man's free hand was clenched in a way that it looked like he was holding something.
As the man was being pulled up along with the final victims he eyed the photodetector again right as rumblings echoed out.
Samantha stumbled back from the window feeling the structure shake beneath her feet. She panted heavily darting her eyes around the place seeing nothing but intense flames swallowing everything in its path and the feeling of unbearable heat, sweat beaded on her forehead as her eyes widened in fear.
"Guys?!"
Scott snapped his sights back onto the building watching the flames intensify violently as the structure started to shake.
Scott felt his grip on the controls tighten and his heart start to race, "Samantha you've got to get out of there that building is going to blow any second!"
Sam shot her head back out towards the broken window. She rushed towards it leaning out staring wide eyed at Thunderbird 2 then darting her eyes to Thunderbird 1, eventually her sights fell upon her ship hovering way below them re-thinking to how she got in the first place.
Sucking in a deep breath Sam slowly moved away from the windowsill, "Thunderbird 2 get out of range, I'm going to jump out..." she paused hearing nothing but Gordon and Virgil's worried banter.
Scott quickly cut in, "just get back Virg, I'll catch her."
No response came and after a few seconds Virgil reentered the cockpit blasting Thunderbird 2 higher into the air then turning and flying away from the flames but staying nearby to watch on.
As Scott flew Thunderbird 1 towards the front of the rattling building, Sam tried her best to fight off her rising panic as she kept panting heavily fixating her sights onto Thunderbird 1.
She quickly caught a glimpse of Scott's nervous look before Thunderbird 1 drifted down becoming level with the windowsill.
"Let's go Sam this place is about to blow!"
Forcing herself to fight her waves of panic she positioned herself by placing one foot behind her, she stayed on her toes and crouched down a little, she briefly closed her eyes heaving in a few deep breaths.
Then she bolted.
As she ran the rumbling grew louder and louder, heat intensified behind her, she leaped up slamming her foot down onto the windowsill pushing off the edge just as a ball of fire erupted behind her with a loud bang!
She began to panic as the force threw her through the air, she flung her arms and legs around glancing down towards the shining grey of Thunderbird 1's body.
She barely let off a scream as her body slammed onto the ship as it quickly zoomed backwards to catch her.
Sam stumbled feeling like she was unable to hold on as the ship was rocked by the force, she clenched her eyes shut opening them again as the ship quickly steadied.
"Samantha you alright!?"
Samantha let off a relived breath feeling herself slowly shift back to normal, "I'm okay Scott...I made it." she turned towards where the building was, shocked that she made it out in me piece.
Slowly and carefully she stumbled towards the cockpit windscreen.
Scott closed his eyes slamming his head in the back of the seat heaving out a heavy sigh of relief at her words, glad that his sister was okay.
He opened his eyes again staring out towards towards the building which was now just a big messy pile of blackened rubble that spewed out smoke from it's cracks, he then glanced up towards the top cockpit windscreen spotting glimpses of Samantha's slim figure appearing.
"Scott bring over Thunderbird 6 for me, I'll just jump back in again."
"F A B" Scott reached out a hand towards Thunderbird 6's blue hologram moving it along and bringing it up next to Thunderbird 1, as he did he mind went back onto the suspicious looking man.
Once Thunderbird 6 was handed back over to Samantha he eyed off the photodetector one last time then down to the control panel beside him, moving a hand down he flicked a nearby switch instantly destroying any suspected photographic footage with a electronic frequency.
He thought for a moment, "when you're all done meet me on the ground, I have to ask you guys something."