#Langstrom Fischler

[laughing-moonlight]

[ill-put-the-kettle-on-then]

Honoured Internettians,

TODAY is your Lucky Day! For you have been chosen as the FOCUS GROUP for some totally top notch:

MARKET RESEARCH!!!!

I wanted that to sparkle! Where is the sparkle button? You, Whateveryounameis, build me a sparkle button!

[tinytracys]

Langstrom Fischler sends a gift…

Brains: What on EARTH does he expect us to do with this?

Kayo: Yeah, I don’t see this working at all.

Scott: Does anyone have any other ideas? Any other ideas at all? Anything, no matter how crazy?

Gordon: …

Scott: ANYTHING AT ALL?

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::many hours later::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Gordon: Yeah we can totally fly that INTO SPACE

Virgil on comms: RIGHT???

Scott: …

Brains: *weeps*

Kayo: You are all going to die.

Thundertober prompt 16 - Asteroid Comet

(sssssh I know but we went a long way down this rabbit hole before we remembered the episode in question involved a comet… so I’m changing the prompt… call it ‘artistic licence’)

@thunder-tober @skymaiden32

(also @crunchyluigi)

[avengedbiologist]

Ya, I drew Fischler pretty, what r u gonna do about it 🤨

[ill-put-the-kettle-on-then]

@socialitesleuth

Kia Ora, Your Ladyship.

I saw this list of reasons posh people should visit The Land of The Long White Cloud and thought, naturally, of your fine self.

I think this fancy schmancy boat might even be just a smidge bigger than your fancy schmancy boat, eh?

https://www.newzealand.com/uk/feature/top-luxury-experiences/

If you decide to pay us a visit do give me a call and I’ll squeeze a bespoke tour into my busy schedule!

[edutainer2022]

In commemoration of that time, recently, when I delivered a conference keynote in a ridiculous o'clock timezone, after having been up and neck deep in other energy draining university commitments for three days straight on four hours of sleep at best, here's a little thing. I couldn't remember what I was talking about the minute the presentation ended. Scott Tracy is a public speaker extraordinaire on bingo sleep and adrenaline overdose. His brothers are worried and have to think on their feet. Special thanks to @astranite for nudging my muse in this direction.

AUTOPILOT

The trick was to get him off the stage. Scott Tracy, the Tracy Industries CEO, giving an opening keynote at the New Frontiers Expo had been scheduled a year in advance (involving the program committee begging on hands and knees for a year prior, Scott's annual commitments shuffling, some major security concessions, up to and including Kayo's team practically taking over the venue security altogether, as well as meeting a hard line of excluding any tech associated with Langstrom Fischler from the exhibits or conference talks).

Nobody could predict a mine collapse and Scott Tracy, the Commander of IR and Thunderbird One, being involved on site for the past thirty six hours (a good portion of that time spent underground without sleep).

The family medics' quorum, in full agreement with the family extended quorum, voted for canceling his public appearance and putting him on mandated rest. For a week. But Scott Tracy gave his word. So Scott Tracy gave his talk.

As keynotes go it was a huge success. Scott was passionate, funny and inspired, engaging the audience with dimples, moving personal touches and heartfelt convictions. The listeners were just about ready to "boldly go" wherever Scott would lead the way to a better, technologically enhanced and kinder tomorrow.

They divided forces in case the predictable worse actually came to pass. Virgil was behind the podium with a med kit and med scanner at hand. Gordon unironically got a tranq gun, which earned him a side-eye, but knowing Scott it might as well come handy.

John was in the audience, vigilant and listening to the keynote (and rather enjoying biggest brother public speaking prowess - seriously, how did Scott do it, half-dead on his feet?), ready to step up and take over if need be. That wouldn't be what the hundreds of Expo attendees payed and donated to R&D funds for, but they'd be getting A Dr. Tracy, at least, if The Mr. Tracy collapsed mid-sentence.

That was just the problem at the moment. Scott didn't. He concluded the speech, got a standing ovation, and was now just sort of hanging out on stage, swaying slightly. It was obvious he was running on dregs of fumes of an adrenaline high, refusing to crash on sheer willpower. It was also obvious Scott was completely unfocused and unaware where he was and what he'd been doing the minutes prior. The brilliant blue eyes were getting telltale glassy.

John had a FRANTIC Virgil booming in his earpiece. The public spotlight made the logistics of what needed to happen next tricky: they couldn't just drag him off the podium in a firefighter hold or tranq him - and spoil the profound impression of the speech; they also couldn't wait much longer till Scott fainted in front of everyone (and possibly injured himself by the fall). John was half on his way up to try and steer Scott bodily off the stage. Gordon would have been a better man for the job - dressing the thing up with a quip and some theatrics, but the Fish was still in uniform. IR on site, crashing the keynote, might have set off unwelcome panic, dangerous in a crowded space.

In the end, it was still Gordon's out-of-the-box thinking that saved the situation. They could all hear a boy's voice through their earpieces - Alan went for the highest littlest-brother-in-distress pitch he could master:

"Scotty, could you come here? I'm right behind you! Scotty, please!"

Scott could hear it too. A less exhausted brain would have remembered Allie was on the island still. They agreed Scott would take him the next day on a tour around the Expo and to several talks the kid wanted to attend.

But Scott's bandwidth capacity at the moment was reduced to the most rudimentary parent-brain instincts. So he started slightly, turned on his heel and marched backstage. It took a bit of flailing to placate a wild-eyed Scott that a) Allie wasn't in danger; b) Allie wasn't there immediately available for inspection and protecting from danger.

It came as close as Gordon clicking the safety off the tranq gun. But finally, the blue eyes stopped searching the perimeter behind Virgil's shoulder and rolled back. Scott slumped as a ragdoll in Virgil's hold.

John rushed to join the brothers the moment he heard Alan on comms. In between the three of them they settled the Commander on a hoverstrecher. Virgil insisted on a quick scan on the spot. Nothing more serious beyond bruises, exhaustion, stress and dehydration. Small mercies. Every single one of them had a private itemized inventory of possible injuries Scott might have "forgotten" to mention in order to be cleared for the keynote commitment.

Kayo's security team were clearing the path for them, off the Expo busy routes, to leave for Thunderbird Two discretely.

John lingered to brush the fringe off Scott's now noticeably pale forehead. His original intent was to go straight back to orbit after the biggest brother was sorted out. But now, there was no way Grandma or Virgil would let Scott out of the infirmary for the next forty eight hours at least. Nor would Virgil let biggest brother out of his sight for at least twice as long after. So it would fall to John to take Alan to the Expo and show the boy around.

John didn't favor crowded bustling places on a good day, but it was crucial not to disappoint or worry the kid. Scotty unconscious, sedated and grounded would have him anxious enough. It was also a great bonding opportunity with the baby-brother and a way to lift a bit of weight off Scott's shoulders. John knew biggest brother enough to foresee he'd beat himself up for succumbing to weakness and letting Alan down. John couldn't have that. So he landed a hand for support on Gordon's shoulder and all together they started the way home.

[pareidoliaonthemove]

A New Policy

Part 1: Memo

Memo

From: Scott Tracy, CEO

To: All Employees, Tracy Industries and Subsidiaries

Re: Service Blacklist

Due to recurrent events, Tracy Industries and all Subsidiaries Companies are now exercising their right to refuse service and custom to certain potential customers and suppliers.

As such the Service Blacklist is now online for all employees to access and view, the Blacklist outlines the reasons why persons and organisations have been Blacklisted, along with a comprehensive list of known aliases and affiliated organisations.

All Public-Facing Roles, Sales, Accounts and Warehousing, will receive training in the new Service Blacklist, and how to integrate it within their daily routines. Your Section Manager will provide details of when and how this training will be presented.

The Blacklist is now integrated into all accounting and ordering software. Any attempt by employees to deliberately circumvent this restriction without appropriate authorisation will be subject to immediate and stringent disciplinary action. HR will begin rolling out the information packages on how this infraction will be dealt with within the week.

If employees encounter a situation where they believe the blacklist has been erroneously applied, or if blacklisted persons or organisations attempt to force employees to act against the strictures of this memo, employees are to use the in-house DM system.

Address request for assistance to ‘Blacklist: Situation’, and detail your name, section, and link to the order/correspondence relevant to the situation, and a representative with the authority to resolve the issue will contact you within ten minutes.

Thank you for your assistance in maintaining the ethics and integrity of Tracy Industries, and your part in making the world a safer place.

Scott Tracy

Service Blacklist Quicklinks:

Blacklist: Situation DM Channel

Francois Lemaire

Langstrom Fischler

Howard Yost

‘The Hood’

[idontknowreallywhy]

aaaah Fischler 🤣

The way Scott says “…alright” speaks to me. I use that exact tone on a thrice weekly basis at least…

[angelofbenignmalevolence]

For thunderpride asks: 10 and Havoc + F :) thank youuu!

Thanks for the ask! I'm going to apologize in advance because my ridiculous self can't write a short reply to anything XD XD XD Full answer under the read more because it's a little on the lengthy side.

10) Describe an angsty moment for a favourite queer ship

So this question had me hemming and hawing. But I've decided to go with a ship that I have toyed with in my head but that I have never seen anyone else write (primarily because the characters never interact in the show lol). You're gonna get a little happy story (i'm sorry, I can't help myself and it's gonna be sketchy and unbeta'd) before the angst comes, so bear with me.

So for a little bit of background information, this guy right here:

This gentleman is known by (presumably) his surname. He is only ever referred to as Kinnear. We see him in the episodes Skyhook, Impact, Weather or Not, and Bolt from the Blue. He works for Langstrom Fischler, who we know is a complete and utter idiot. But Kinnear seems smart, working initially as a researcher and later as an engineer. Why would someone with the kind of brain and level head that he seems to have work for someone who has no concept of safety?

Because he doesn't have another option.

Edan Kinnear was happily engaged before everything went sideways. He had met his fiance when he was in college.

He'd just come back from an engineering competition and was riding the high of their team's victory at the competition. The whole team went out for celebratory drinks. Most of the team invited their boyfriends and girlfriends along. Kinnear didn't have one of those, but he was well liked by all of the team and considered a part of the family. They also knew he was horribly shy when it came to the whole dating thing. The whole crowd was loud and rowdy and they all had a few too many drinks. One of his buddies made a bar bet with him, that he had ten minutes to get someone, anyone to buy him a drink, and he would win double if it was accompanied by a kiss.

Kinnear couldn't back out and still keep his head held high. So his shy ass looked around the bar and tried to find the most likely way to win some money. And in the back corner he found someone sitting alone. Not just anyone, though. He found one of the star athletes for their school. Lochlyn Rutherford, if he remembered correctly. One of the handsomest guys in school and one notorious for not entangling himself with romances. He was the only one already separated from the pack though, and Edan needed to not have to shell out the money for a lost bet.

So off to the back corner he went, sitting down at the table across from the athlete, who raised an eyebrow, the only change to his sullen expression.

"Do have a seat, won't you?" he remarked dryly as he took a drink.

"Look, I'm going to cut to the chase. You don't know me-"

"I do, Kinnear." This stopped him in his tracks. Lochlyn Rutherford knew who he was? He shook his head.

"Ok...so...maybe you do know me," he said. "I'm going to cut right to the chase. My buddies at the bar made a bet that I couldn't get someone to buy me a drink in the next ten minutes. If I can't get someone to buy me a drink, I'm out $150 to pay out to all of them."

"And all you need is someone to buy you a drink?" Lochlyn looked skeptical.

"That's all I need. I don't need to go double or nothing," he said. "I just need to not pay $150." He looked over his shoulder slightly to see his entire crew was watching. "Look, if you buy me the drink, I'll give you half the winnings." Lochlyn seemed to consider the offer a moment.

"What's the double or nothing criteria?" he asked. Kinnear's face reddened.

"Er...you'd have to kiss me," Kinnear said. Lochlyn let out a snort but got to his feet.

"What's your drink?" he asked. Kinnear gave a bright smile.

"Whatever the cheapest beer is," he said. He didn't care. He was over the moon that he wasn't going to have to pay up. Lochlyn went over to the bar and grabbed the drinks, setting the beer down in front of Kinnear. He looked up to tell him thank you when he felt Lochlyn's lips against his own, his hand coming down on the chair behind him as he gave Kinnear the soundest kiss he had ever received in his life. When he moved back, Kinnear's eyes were wide and he struggled for a response.

"I like the sound of $150 better than $75."

And that was how Kinnear had met his fiance. They'd graduated and Lochlyn had gone into the military, using his smarts as well as his strength to become one of the best engineers in his unit. They'd been together four years before Lochlyn had proposed. They were engaged another three years before things fell apart.

They told him it had been an accident. That something horrible had happened but, so sorry, military personnel and all. The project was highly classified. Something had gone horribly wrong and Lochlyn wasn't going to be coming home. They told him that his body hadn't been found after the accident. That there would be nothing for him to bury.

Kinnear was devastated. On top of it all, his brother and his wife were involved in a car wreck and neither one had made it out alive. He had lost his fiance, his brother, and his sister in law. He was a grieving man and he was all of a sudden the guardian of his young niece. He had to do something for money. He couldn't let his brother down. So he took the highest paying job he could find that he met the qualifications for: researcher and engineering personnel for Langstrom Fischler, a man who had more money than he knew what to do with.

The money allowed him to live comfortably and to take care of his niece so she wanted for nothing. His holiday bonus even ensured he could give his fiance a nice funeral. Kinnear had been the only person left in Lochlyn's life after he left his family and never looked back. So he had a headstone erected in the cemetery nearest where they had been living together.

Here Lies Lochlyn Rutherford Loving Fiance, A beacon of a brighter future "The Mechanic"

F) At what age do they figure out their identity?

So my thoughts on Havoc's sexuality are colored a little bit by several of the headcanons that concurrently run rampant through my brain. And I think the one I settle on most often for her is a little on the darker side (nothing too dark, but a little on the cynical side).

I think that Havoc figures out her identity long before she finds the words to label it. Havoc comes from want. She wants more than she has. She wants food on her plate, enough to satiate the hunger for more that burns inside of her. She wants her technology, enough for her to ensure no one can take from her what is hers. She wants safety, a safe place to rest her head, to feel protected, to allow her to protect others. These are what Havoc desires above all else.

For her, the sex was always more about what it got her in return: shelter, an advantage, an experience. She never did anything she wasn't comfortable with, and she was strong enough to make sure that anyone that tried anything she didn't want didn't make the mistake of doing it a second time.

She always thought that the fact that she didn't care about what was in someone's pants made her bi- or pan-sexual, and that's what she told people because the reality was a bit more complicated than that. Sexuality is intrinsically connected to the attraction one feels, but for her, sex was never about the attraction. Men, women, non-binary, genderfluid, none of it meant anything to her. She learned from living a life of not enough that sometimes sex, it's just a means to an end. She's never cruel about it, but she isn't one to form attachments like that. Feelings don't come easy for her.

But oh, when she does find those feelings, when she finds a deep connection with someone and learns about every little part of them, the dark secrets and the brightest joys, the sound of their laugh and the taste of their sadness, that's when she blossoms. She finds the attraction that lacked in her previous sexual relationships. She finds the most fragile parts in her person to be the most beautiful and she wants more than anything to be let in to those fragile parts of her partner. She finds her attraction in the deep, emotional connection to her partner. And it's much later, long after she discovers this, that she learns the word "demisexual" and decides this fits her quite nicely.

So the tl;dr is I don't think she figures out her identity until into her late twenties or thirties.

--

Thank you for putting up with this super long reply! Hope this answered your question!

If there are other questions you want to see answered, take a look at the question list linked below and I would love to answer more!

[thunderbirds-showdown]

Which Thunderbirds Are Go episode is better?

Vote on which episode you think is better. Episode synopses below the cut.

Breakdown: While everyone is organising a surprise birthday party for Virgil, John directs his brother in Thunderbird 2 to a glacial ice shelf to investigate a 'breakdown' emergency call. Virgil quickly discovers that the lone figure he finds on arrival is part of a larger expedition trapped in a cavern beneath the ice. The expedition's leader, a scientist seeking a rare bacterium he desperately needs to cure his daughter of a serious disease, refuses to leave as the glacier begins to crumble, leaving Virgil no choice but to assist before time runs out.

Weather or Not: Langstrom Fischler has invented some weather drones, designed to fire supercharged ions to created storm clouds. During a demonstration the drones malfunction and concentrate the storm around the observation tower, which is in danger of collapsing due to getting zapped by the drones. Thunderbirds 2 and Shadow race to the danger zone to rescue Fischler and his guests, while Parker's flying skills are put to the test as he uses FAB 1's flight mod to lure the drones away from the tower.

[hebuiltfive]

Trick or treat!!!

Hello, Anon! Happy Halloween! I was going to do little paragraphs for each ask but this cold is really taking it out of me, so I hope little snippets of things will be okay!

This one is from a Thundertober draft for one of the days I never got around to publishing, starring none other than our favourite nightmare rescuee, Langstrom Fischler!

-----------------------------------------------

His new project needed funding and the anonymous donor was willing to pay for every last cent. He would have been a fool to turn that down! Yet, these officers didn’t seem to understand that. 

Typical. 

Pick on the innovator who dared to dream big. 

He should have known there would be nothing but trouble after the appearance of International Rescue. Those fools always seemed to make things worse for him. 

International Rescue? More like International I’m-Going-To-Ruin-Your-Business-In-A-Thousand-Different-Ways-Possible.

The officers had left the room half an hour ago and they still hadn’t returned. Langstrom sighed to himself. When he finally got out of there, he was going to head straight to his lawyer’s offices and see if he couldn’t do something about that pesky rescue organisation. He wondered whether a restraining order would be granted. Even if he couldn’t get one for the whole group, maybe he could get one for Brains.

Langstrom had thought a man of such high intelligence would understand his need to experiment, but apparently Mr. Moral High Ground claimed there were limits. 

He scoffed. 

[idontknowreallywhy]

Aaaah this is fabulous, thank you so much!!

I got it mid-way through a family thing and couldn’t wait so skimmed it super fast and was like “HE KILLS FISCHLER!!!” 😂 ah but what really happened was wonderful.

Firstly though, chills. Poor Scott dreaming they were all gone, in one horrifying act of Fischler incompetence. And EOS as the weapon of retribution? That takes The Commander and The Murderbot to a whole new level and I am HERE for it!

Also hilarious that Virgil is pretty chill about it all until he hears that TB2 was also destroyed. If there’s one thing that can break his vow of pacifism…

The hug when he wakes 🥲 so cute then right back to visceral reality by oh yes, crying on bros is snotty 😂

Hot chocolate with marshmallows 🥰 and WHAT?!!! The apple pie cookies? Peak Scott! (And so freaky as I literally had written those into a chapter I posted on Christmas Eve so we are clearly on the same wavelength as to what the Scooter’s comfort foods are!!)

Don’t medic me, Virgil 😂

And the Waltons style ending and the nightmare protocol. Oh it’s all just wonderful, and I’m still grinning. THANK YOU

From @katiedido2

From @katiedido2 to @idontknowreallywhy

Prompts:

- Scott says “Langstrom Fischler” in that way only he can.

- Marshmallows

- Christmas singalong with Virgil

I was able to incorporate two of the three prompts into my story. Happy Christmas!

-o-o-o-

“Virgil, where are you?... Virgil?” 

All Scott Tracy heard was static.

“John?... Gordon?... Kayo?” His eyes were feverish and over-bright, and he found he was trembling. His voice shook. “Alan?” 

There was static. Damned, unwavering static. 

Staggering through the carnage, he spotted Eos’ portable discus. The lights flashed, and Scott felt a flicker of hope. Pulling the discus from the debris, he wiped the screen.

“Eos? Eos, where are my brothers and Kayo?”

“I am unable to locate them, Scott.”

“What do you mean? What is their status?”

The AI was silent, the lights of its portable discus flashing angrily. 

“Eos?”

“I am unable to reach them.” Eos paused, lights blinking with uncertainty. “I fear the worst….” 

“Wha-? No. No. No!” Scott’s eyes closed, and he clenched Eos’ discus. “Nooo!!”

“This wasn’t my fault.”

Scott opened his eyes. “What?” 

An agitated man stood in the near distance with his hands on his hips. 

“This wasn’t my fault!” His indignant tone was infuriating.

A growl escaped Scott. “Langstrom Fischler!”

“Yes, that is Fischler. Somehow, he survived.”

Scott cried out in anguish, throwing Eos like a frisbee in frustration and despair. It gracefully arced, slicing through the air. And he watched as it silently, lethally, and with grim finality decapitated Fischler before zinging back to his hand. 

“Eos?”

“That was revenge for your brothers and Kayo.”

“Eos?”

“I’m sorry, Scott. You are all that remains of International Rescue.”

-o-o-o-

“NOOOOOOOOOOO!!” 

The cry of anguish died on his lips as Scott opened his eyes. He found himself sitting on his bed in his room on Tracy Island, panting. Shaking hands wiped tears from his cheeks. 

“That must have been one helluva nightmare.”

Suddenly alert, Scott jerked his gaze to the chair in the corner of his room.

“Are you okay?”

Scott opened his mouth to reply, and a sob escaped. 

Virgil leapt from the chair, crossing to sit on the edge of his brother’s bed. He gently drew Scott into his arms, cradling him. 

Scott wept, supported by the strong arms encased in warm, comforting flannel. Virgil muttered soothing nonsense words, stroking his brother’s back and carding a hand through his hair until he calmed. 

When he felt his brother’s weight sag against him, Virgil kissed his temple and pulled back to look at him. “Are you doing better?”

Scott nodded and wiped his nose on the sleeve of his t-shirt. 

“Eeww, gross. Scott, this is why we have tissues.” Virgil reached for a box on a bedside table and handed it to Scott.

Grabbing a tissue, Scott blew his nose and wiped his face before throwing it in the trash. 

“Wanna talk about it?”

Nodding, Scott scooted back to lean against the headboard. Virgil climbed on the bed, joining him against the headboard. He sat quietly, giving his eldest brother space to answer.

“It was a Fischler rescue gone wrong.”

“Ah.” Virgil squeezed his shoulder. 

“Yeah.” Scott loved that he didn’t have to explain things for Virgil to understand him. 

There was a tap at the door, which opened to reveal John holding a tray with mugs on it. 

“Oh, good. You’re awake. Do we know why he was screaming?”

Virgil grimaced. “Very bad nightmare.”

John nodded. “As we suspected.”

“What is this?” Scott was curious about the potential goodies on John’s tray. 

“We heard you shout and found you in the throes of what appeared to be a really bad nightmare.”

“Virgil offered to stay with you if I went and made you some hot cocoa. Want a mug?” John waggled his eyebrows. “It’s got extra marshmallows.” Scott held out his hand, and John handed him a mug loaded with a mountain of small marshmallows. John handed Virgil a mug and took one for himself before setting the tray on the dresser near the door.

“What else is on the tray?”

John and Virgil exchanged looks and smiled. Scott could always sniff out an apple confection.

“I warmed up a few apple pie cookies Lady P brought from London.”

“Okay, but why are you leaving them so far away?” Scott tried to hide his pout but failed.

Virgil guffawed. “Scott.”

And John laughed. “Cocoa first, then cookies.”

Their eldest brother huffed. “Fiiine.”

They sat quietly for a few minutes, enjoying their cocoa. They admired their cocoa/marshmallow mustaches before wiping them away. John collected their empty mugs and dropped them on the tray. He returned to Scott’s bed with the plate of cookies. 

“Ready to talk about your nightmare?”

“No?”

“It had something to do with Fischler.” Scott shot Virgil a look. “What? It did.”

“Okay. Then, we have to talk about it.” John nibbled on a cookie.

Sighing, Scott took a bite of his cookie and chewed. “It…it was a Fischler rescue that ended predictably.”

Virgil chuckled. “So everyone died.” 

John joined him. “I hope Eos enacted revenge and took him out, at least.”

“Um…yeah.”

The younger brothers looked at each other. “Oh.” 

Virgil scooted closer to Scott. “Now you have to tell us about it.”

“Why?”

“Because the haunting nightmare rescue nightmare will haunt you until you do.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Of course it does.”

“John.” Scott hated whinging, but he wanted reinforcement.

“I’m with Virgil, big bro. Sorry.” John crossed his arms and nudged Scott's knee with his foot. “Spill.”

Scott accepted defeat. “Fine.”

Virgil and John listened to the lethal thing Fischler had done in Scott’s nightmare, involving Fischler Industries fertilizer, the Australian Outback and sunlight. The room was silent when Scott finished recounting his nightmare. 

Virgil’s dark brows knit together. “Even Thunderbird Two was lost?” He was struggling to accept that Fischler had irrevocably destroyed his ship.

Scott chuckled wryly. “Afraid so, Virg.”

“Wow.”

“I think I need to talk with Eos about retribution.”

Stifling a yawn, Scott agreed. “That’s a good idea.”

“Okay, flyboy, time to get some rest.”

“Don’t medic me, Virgil.” 

“I’m not. We will likely have a busy day tomorrow, and you need sleep. Come on, we’ll help you remake your bed.” The brothers rose from the bed. Virgil returned the cookie plate to the tray, and John and Scott shook out his bedding. 

“I agree with him, Scott,” John said as he fluffed a pillow. “We need some sleep before a situation arises.”

“And with the holidays, people are more apt to get into serious trouble than usual.” Virgil smoothed the blanket and folded down the top sheet. 

“Okay, okay… Oh, look at the time. Well, thanks for sitting and talking with me.” Virgil and John smirked at each other. It was almost two in the morning. “What? Do I want to know?”

“You know the nightmare protocol, Scott.” Virgil drew back the bedding and gestured for Scott to lie down.

“That was for Alan when he was little.”

“It was a bad nightmare, Scott.”

“And you shouldn’t be alone.” Virgil gently elbowed his eldest brother into bed. 

Scott climbed into bed and sat up on his elbows. “What does that mean?”

“Duh. It means we’re staying,” John nudged Scott to the center of the bed and lay down. Virgil crossed to the other side of the bed and climbed in next to Scott.

“I don’t want to listen to Virgil snore all night.”

“And yet, you sleep better when you do.”

“Do not,” Scott said under his breath.

The younger brothers smirked at each other. “You’re stuck with us, bro.”

“Fine, fine.” 

Virgil held out an arm for Scott to snuggle into him. Rolling his eyes, Scott said nothing as he settled into his brother’s comforting embrace. John turned off the light and lay on his back, providing Scott the comfort of proximity without touching him.

“Good night, Scott.”

“Good night, Virgil.”

“Good night, Scott.”

“Good night, John.”

“Good night, Vir-”

“Ohmigod. Guys, stop. We’re not the Waltons.”

They giggled. 

“There are enough of us.” 

“There really are.”

“Oh, to have been an only child.”

John nudged Scott with his elbow. “You love us and wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Scott sighed. “Yeah. Yeah.”

They lay quietly for a moment before…

“Did you know it’s the early morning of the day of Christmas Eve?”

“Joohnnn.”

“What? It is.”

Virgil chuckled. “Guys. Sleep. We’re going to have a busy day tomorrow.”

“Okay, Virgil.”

“Fiine… I love you both. Thank you for being here.”

“Always, big bro. Always.” 

Shortly after they settled, all three brothers were snoring softly. 

~fin~

-o-o-o-

Footnote: The Waltons was a US TV show that ran from 1972-81. It was about a large, close-knit family living in rural Virginia during the 1930’s & 40’s. At the end of each episode, all the family members would wish each other goodnight, and, because they were a large family, it went on for a while. 

[greywake]

FabFiveFeb

I haven't forgotten! Uni assignments are still eating my life but this one wanted to be set free.

(There will be one more - no way Kayo's going to get to slink off!) I still blame @gumnut-logic for the fun I've been having with this!

AO3 link here

The Confidence of Idiocy

“Why? Because I’m smarter than you! If it wasn’t for my brillian…”

John barely managed to restrain the urge to roll his eyes at Fishler’s latest rant as he put the man back on mute.

Honestly, you’d think that someone who’d managed to get stuck underground thanks to unfettered digging that resulted in a cave-in would be a little more concerned with safety. But then again, if he was, he wouldn’t be Langstrom Fischler.

“Thunderbird Two, how’s it looking?”

"Slow but we'll get there," Virgil grunted, obviously putting effort into the earthmoving tasks. “Do we even know what he was trying to achieve down here?”

He grimaced, “Something about taking advantage of untapped geothermal potential.”

“But…”

John suppressed the urge to grin at the outrage in his brother’s voice. “I know.”

“There’s no…”

“I know.”

“But it's too deep and geologically unstable in this area!”

Virgil was insulted. Deeply. Viscerally.

It was the same tone Virgil had used the last time he'd been near apoplectic over the suggestion that internal components could be substituted for cheaper options to keep costs down without compromising safety and efficiency.

John had to suppress a giggle at the reaction to the generally relaxed engineer’s rant.

“Scans are showing that you’re approximately one hundred metres away from Fischler and his people. Can you give me an estimate on how long it’ll take to get through?”

“So long as nothing else goes wrong, we should reach the id…” Virgil paused as Scott coughed a warning, “The control capsule in about half an hour.”

“FAB.”

He sighed and checked the clock as he unmuted the little transparent Fischler hologram, “...n’t possibly understand the…”

“Mr Fischler,” John ruthlessly interrupted the diatribe. Seriously, how was the guy still talking?! “Our current estimates suggest that we’ll reach you in approximately thirty minutes.”

“Thirty minutes?” The hologram waved its tiny arms in apparent rage. “Totally unacceptable! Call yourselves International Rescue? More like International Slow Pokes! Make a note! I’m going to start my own rescue agency. I will develop vehicles that are faster, better than anything you…you… incompetents have!”

John sighed, “Mr Fischler, please calm down.”

“Calm down? Calm down? I shall do no such thing! I will…”

Reaching the end of his patience, John muted the scientist again, “Scott, Virgil, anything you can do to hurry would be appreciated. Fischler’s giving me a headache.”

“We’ll do what we can, John. Just hang in there.” Scott’s reassuring voice gave him the fortitude he needed to deal with the man.

“I believe I have calculated a more efficient route to the buried command capsule, John. Shall I forward it to Virgil?” EOS’ childlike voice sounded over the speakers.

“Please, EOS. Anything we can do to get Fischler out quicker will be good for everyone.”

The AI was silent for a moment as she complete her task. “I really don’t see how he can justify calling International Rescue incompetents. I have analysed the reports on projects directly involving Langstrom Fischler. There is a ninety-three per cent failure rate, typically caused by shoddy manufacturing, substandard materials, insufficient safety measures, and a litany of other easily resolved issues.”

John raised an eyebrow. It couldn’t be good that the AI had picked up on the general Tracy antipathy towards the man to the point that she would join in with the criticism.

“In conclusion, I believe that Langstrom Fischler is not capable of successfully designing anything more complicated than a wet handkerchief.”

He masked his snort of amusement with a cough and gave the ring of LEDs a stern look. “Please make sure you never repeat that anywhere that Fischler could hear it, EOS.”

“Yes, John.” There was definitely a giggle in her voice.

Yep. She had definitely been spending too much time with Gordon and Alan.

[mrmustachious]

For Gordon’s birthday, I decided to put together a rec list of a bunch of Gordon fics I love! There are so many more I could rec, so these are just a few of the amazing fics out there. Feel free to add your faves too, whether that be your own ones you’ve written or fics by others you love! I’m sure Gordon would approve of sharing the love 💛

List below the cut because it got loooong

AO3

-Stars in the Sea by Fyoex

The Tracy family thought the hydrofoil accident had been left far behind them. But head trauma is a fickle beast that isn’t quite ready to let go.

-Scenes from Gordon’s Bedside by @gaviiadastra

One-shot exercises, connected by a family grieving, hoping, and trying to make sense of why. Blended Universe

-Gordon & Explosive Device & Storage Unit by @strongerwiththepack

Gordon's in trouble when an underwater storage facility explodes with him still inside.

(Note: I requested this so I am a little biased!)

-Risky Rockpools by @strongerwiththepack

The Tracy family get a reality check when they remember that living on an isolated island in the middle of the South Pacific ocean isn't actually all that safe.

-Being Gordon Tracy by @psychoseal

Gordon’s life story!

-Malfunction by shadowfox8

Gordon is enjoying some time in the ocean when Thunderbird 4 decides to play some tricks, giving our loveable prankster decompression sickness.

-Where the mermaids live by @fallenfurther

Gordon decides to cheat on an important test but is caught by the school bullies. They are happy to let him keep the grade as long as he does something for them. Gordon knows he's getting in deeper than he should, but the consequences go far beyond what he expected.

-The Most Dangerous Game by @godsliltippy

Scott and Gordon find themselves unwilling participants.

-Motionless by @godsliltippy

One can never expect a rescue mission to go smoothly when Langstrom Fischler is involved. Gordon knows this and yet, that information does him no good when lives are at stake and it's his job to get everyone out safely.

-Every time it snows by allandmore

A simple mountain rescue goes wrong for International Rescue. Gordon battles the elements and his memories, and Scott has a tough decision to make.

-An Aquanaut Walks Into a Bar... by Corby

Gordon has a conversation in a bar, and Virgil has strong opinions about that. Childhood memories, and the stories we tell ourselves and others.

-Picnic by ThatGirlSix

Every Tracy has a type of job they hate, be them car crashes, hotel fires, mine collapses, whatever. Gordon absolutely hates tornadoes with a passion. No, really, he hates tornadoes. His life would be so much better if they never did another tornado job ever again. The rest of the family is starting to think so, too.

-Consequences by @tracybirds

Gordon is in a bit of a bind, and the older bros will need to help him out of it in a big way.

-Tears Of The Ocean by @janetm74

The ocean is a harsh mistress and Gordon has been burned by her. Will Scott be able to help him get through this? A pre-iR, military bro's fic.

FF

-No Accidents by Glazier Blue

Gordon thought the Hydrofoil crash was behind him. But there was a lot more to his "accident" than his family realised. It looks like the past with WASP has come back to finish what it started. Now Gordon's life hangs in the balance. Can his family stop history from repeating it self?

-Conformity by Figure in black

It was nothing...just a small boy grasping onto his understanding of language. He would soon grow out of it...

-My Brother’s Pain by FABThunderbird

Virgil and Gordon are both exhausted after a dangerous rescue. On their way home Virgil notices that Gordon is not only dealing with an injury, but he sees his brother struggling to open up about what he had witnessed during this rescue.

-Look Before You Reach by nhsweetcherry

Gordon experiences trouble on a rescue - all because he dropped his watch!

-A Tangled Web by crystalquirt

Something has caused heat and trace amounts of radiation in the deep sea. Thinking it volcanic, Gordon takes Thunderbird Four to be sure after John detected an unusual amount of dead sea life in the area. The water around the phenomenon has turned brownish yellow, all the way up to the surface. One species still thrive there.

My Fics!

Well I couldn’t make this without dropping some of my faves that I’ve written!

-Birthday Surprise

It's Gordon's birthday and the first one since his dad came home. He deserves a great day, doesn't he? Maybe not.

(Note: It’s his birthday, I had to include this one!)

-Into the Spider’s Nest

When Gordon comes across something he was never meant to see, he ends up tangled in a potentially deadly web made up of his worst nightmares. His chances of getting out dwindle with each passing day, but when he finds someone just as stuck as he is, they may end up becoming each other’s lifeline, as well as their only chance to make it home.

-Not Ever

Gordon has a confession to make, and Penelope feels like the worst girlfriend ever.

-Just Keep Swimming

A nice, relaxing day on Tracy Island leads to Gordon discovering something that shouldn't exist.

-Breathless

The one scene that was missing from the finale, plus all the scenes that led up to that moment.

-these drugs, they separate me from my mind

Gordon has big dreams. He is going to make it far, and knows he has what it takes to get there. Until one day he is offered an easier, faster way to get to where he wants to be. The only problem is it goes against everything he believes, but maybe he should take the opportunity whilst he has it?

-Sleep Under the Fish

One day, a strange boy appeared on Penelope's beach. And then he disappeared. Little did she know about the world that lived beneath the sea, and what that one encounter would open her up to. A Thunderbirds/Luca AU

To-read Recs

So I have yet to read any of these, but they are just a few of the fics I have marked for later that seem interesting! And I thought it would be fun to rec them in case others find them interesting too (yes I am behind on a lot of fics!)

-Live and learn by Scherzandro

Scott and his brother have been at odds since Gordon joined International Rescue a couple of months back, but when the pair are stranded in hostile territory they might just learn a thing or two about each other, if they live long enough...

-One Word by alchemistsarego

If Gordon Tracey was asked to describe his current situation in a single word, that word would be ‘uncomfortable’. Now of course being trapped in a volcanic cave with only his radio as a source of light while covered not only in his own sweat but his blood also, the word didn’t quite do what he was experiencing justice. In fact, there were many other words that would describe it better. Claustrophobic. Terrified. In agony, perhaps.

-Tracy Seaside Orchard and Farm by @gaviiadastra

An alternate universe. Gordon has a successful farm... and seems to have nothing to do with this International Rescue thing.

-The Heart of Te Fiti by Eraman

So this is gonna be a major AU which will mostly follow the plot of Moana/Vaiana with many changes. Gordon hears the sea calling him, but with his three older brothers missing and his father forbidding him from going near the ocean what is Gordon to do? He knows there is something he and Alan has to do, something only they can do but how can they when they are not allowed to leave?

-Terrors in Space by @godsliltippy

Just a routine space rescue. Sure. "Routine"

There’s soo so many more fics I could add here, but I need to stop at some point lol. But like I said, if anyone else has any more recs, they can drop them below. I’m sure there’s many fics even I haven’t read yet! Anyways, I hope at least someone found something here they like, and if you did, be sure to drop a comment on whatever you read 💛💛

[ill-put-the-kettle-on-then]

:::Press Conference:::

I am happy to announce that Fischler Industries’ Avian Robotics Division has made a VERY generous donation to the Auckland Children’s Hospital just in the nick of time to prevent the little darlings’ Easter Weekend being BORING AND SAD.

That’s right, over 200 adorable chocolate-egg-laying chickies will now roam the corridors, spreading joy, chocolate and many happy giggles.

I am able to take time out from my busy schedule for questions*

*not from negative ninnies

[ill-put-the-kettle-on-then]

May I offer a little device of my own creation which would speed things up significantly?

It sings, it dances, it lays eggs! It’s fluffy and adorable.

Your ladyship won’t be able to buy it from mainstream stores due to a little legal squabble about “safety standards” but I could provide a flock of hundreds for you with only half a day’s notice! I’ll even do you a special 10% off deal.

All you need to provide is the choccy eggs, load the girls up and Bob’s your Nana!

I need volunteers to help set up an Easter Egg hunt at the Creighton-Ward Manor for this weekend.

I would directly ask the boys but given I distinctly remember at least fourteen empty wrappers in place of the chocolate eggs last year, I don't want to risk it.