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The Biggest Mistake – Alan.
The biggest mistake you can make with Alan is underestimating what he is actually capable of…
(2060)
Kayo wished her older brothers would figure it out already.
They knew that what was going on was beyond Gordon’s computer programing capabilities, and while what was going on had all the hallmarks of a John revenge plan - John wasn’t the master mind behind the prank that was irritating all of the Tracy Brothers on Tracy Island.
The prank while being simple was very clever – music of a very annoying song on repeat, would play through the island’s audio speakers in any room any the brothers happened to be in at the time. There were four different songs – one for each brother on the island - so when all four brothers were in one room it made an awful racket.
But it didn’t really get in the way of International Rescue functioning, the noise would cut off when any outside call came into the island, then waited a couple of minutes after the call ended, only to start again if no Thunderbird launched from the Island.
What made things even more ridiculous was the fact that the culprit wasn’t hiding the fact that he was the one that done it from the rest of the Island, only his brothers – only, when one of his brothers was within ear shot of his current location, then did the god-awful music play around him.
“How much do you want to bet John’s going to be the one blamed for this little stunt?” the culprit growled at Kayo when she asked what he was doing. “They won’t think it’s me, they don’t think I’m capable, like they do with a lot of things.”
As much as Kayo hated to admit it, he was right in some ways, while she knew her brothers kept him on a tight leash for his own safety, that same leash was now starting to choke him. Kayo understood how he felt in that regard, she had slipped her collar on many occasions in the past year and also nearly got herself killed in doing so on at least one of those occasions.
Well, he was also right about his brother’s not thinking it was him: Scott was now trying to get John to shut down ‘his’ little stunt.
Kayo looked at the culprit, who was rolling his eyes and shaking his head at his oldest brother, who trying to get John to fess up who pissed him off, so he could punish him and stop the racket.
What Scott was failing to realize was that John had no idea of what was going on, and the person pissing him off the most was him.
Kayo looked over her shoulder at Grandma Tracy, she had also figured out who the culprit was, but she, like Kayo, wasn’t saying who it was. To tell Scott and the rest of the brothers would be defeat the reason why the prank was pulled.
“Scott for the last time, I do not know what you are talking about.” John hissed, starting to lose his cool.
“Oh and Gordon gained computer skills that we didn’t know about?” Scott snarled, back at his holographic brother.
“Hey, leave me out of this,” Gordon barked. “I have nothing to with it, and I haven’t done anything to upset John lately ether, he hasn’t been down on earth often enough or long enough for me to do anything.”
“Besides the brother I’m annoyed with at the moment is you, Scott,” John answered. “I’m not the only computer expert in the family, and I think I’ve just realized who pulled your prank.”
“Huh? If it’s not you then who is it?” Scott growled, “Because this isn’t Brain’s style.”
“No,” The culprit snapped. “But it is mine.”
“Yours?” Scott sputtered, “Alan, it was you?”
“Why you so surprised, Scott?” Alan answered. “I’m supposed to be John’s reserve, as well as your reserve on Thunderbird one, meaning I’m supposed to be able to do your jobs at a drop of a hat.”
“I know that Alan,” Scott growled. “But what’s that got to do with the stunt you just pulled?”
“I’m not a glorified taxi driver!” Alan roared, “Stop thinking that all I can do is put satellites back into orbit and getting people from point A to B, am I part of this team or not?”
“You are Alan,” Scott tried to calm Alan down. “We are just trying to keep you safe that’s all.”
“Safe?” Alan jumped to his feet, “You are not keeping me safe up there Scott, if anything you are putting me in more danger in the field than anyone else.”
“What!?!”
“I am a trained astronaut, Scott.” Alan continued. “The only two people in this family that have more experience than me are John and Dad.”
“Alan-“
“How many times have I had to pull your fat out of the fire, because your overconfidence has led you to do something stupid?” Alan snapped. “Mistakes are something that you really can’t afford to out in space – you better believe me, I fucking know that.”
“Alan, I-“
“You know what?” Alan growled. “This music is really annoying,” Alan touched tapped a couple of buttons on the tablet he was holding. “There, the music is shut off, Happy?”
“Thank you, Alan but-“
“You know, I don’t feel like talking to you at the moment,” Alan cut Scott off again. “I’m going to my room,” with that Alan spun around and left the room.
“Alan, wait!” Scott called out as Alan left.
Scott turned to his grandmother and brothers who shrugged in response.
0o0o0
Alan looked up from his video game, to see Scott standing in the doorway of his room.
“Alan, do we need to talk?” Scott started.
“I don’t know,” Alan replied. “Are you going to listen?”
Scott laughed softly, as he sat down next to Alan and pulled him into a hug, “I think I better,” he snorted. “Because I don’t think my ear drums could put up with that racket again…”
“How did you manage to do it by the way?”