Fonziebirds: The Mission To Nowhere

[Race's Girl]

Chapter 1- A Dastardy Plan

"Go ahead, Ralph." Howard Jefferson Tracy sat in the lounge watching as the picture of this middle son came to life.

"Chach and Rich've just got back and I'm returning to base, ETA thirty minutes."

"Okay, son, oh and Ralph, can you put Richard on?"

"Sure, Dad." Ralph said and the picture was interrupted, Howard could faintly hear Ralph yelling for his brother to come over to the communicator.

"Hi, Dad." Richard a.k.a Richie's face came into view.

"There you are, Son. I just thought I'd tell you that you got some mail delivered. It looks important."

"Okay, I'll get it as soon as we get back, thanks."

"Oh and Richard, how did it go, I hear it was pretty touch and go there for a while."

"We're all okay, poor Chach looks exhausted but apart from that, everything's a okay."

"Well, you don't look so good either."

"Gee thanks."

"Alright, Son, I'll see you back at base." Howard said with a smile. He signed off. He had been beginning to notice that all the boys were looking tired, it had been a busy spell for International rescue the extra work had been taking it's toll.

An hour later, the boys had now returned home and Richie had collected his letter. They had freshened up and were now sitting in the lounge ready for a de-briefing of the mission.

"Well, Chach and Rich both got out, they saved everybody before the bomb blew so I'd call it a success." Ralph continued.

"As long as you don't count the fact that you tried to kill me again." Charles a.k.a 'Chachi' butted in, he was smiling but Howard knew him well enough to know that something was on his mind and he had a point.

"What? Tried to kill you? If I wanted you dead, you would be." Ralph retorted keeping his tone light.

"That's enough, boys, Chachi's got a point. You boys are putting yourselves in real danger too much. A safer solution should be used, I don't want any of you to die." He got a murmur of agreement from his sons, death wasn't an option for any of them.

"Sorry Chach." Ralph said meekly, Chachi smiled.

"What was that, Ralph? Did you say you were sorry? Did everybody just hear Ralph Virgil Tracy admit to being wrong?"

"Chachi." Howard said testily. Chachi and Ralph exchanged smiles.

"Alright, you boys can go." Howard said and watched as they got up and made for the door.

"Oh, Richard," Howard called. "Can I speak with you for a moment?"

"Sure, Dad." Richie walked across the room and sat in front of his father.

"What was that letter about?"

"Oh, it was just something from one of my old school friends, Brad Reynolds, he's organising a get together and wondered if I wanted to come."

"Are you going to go?"

"I don't know, I mean what with things being so busy round here." He trailed off.

"I think we can manage, what with all the work you've been doing you deserve a bit of time off."

"Really, Dad? Gee thanks, it's at the weekend."

"That's fine, I'll arrange your travel."

"Thanks."

Later that evening, Howard sat at his desk working, he'd seen Chachi go out on to the balcony a while before, he decided to go out and see what was wrong.

"Chachi?" Howard called, Chachi spun round to face him.

"Oh, Dad, you startled me."

"Sorry, son. What are you doing?"

"Not much." Howard looked at his youngest son, Richie had been right when he'd said that Chachi looked exhausted, he needed a break. Howard thought that the trips to Fonziebird 5 were getting him down, he'd been less like his old self every time he'd come back and Howard was worried about him.

"What?" Chachi asked uncomfortably.

"Have you heard about what Richard's doing at the weekend?"

"I think everyone's heard where he's going."

"That's Richard, alright, do you know Brad Reynolds?" Howard had been wondering whether he could convince Richie to take his younger brother along, he defiantly needed a break.

"Brad? Yeah, I knew him." Chachi said dismissively.

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just tired I guess. Night, Dad." Chachi said and walked into the house.

"Goodnight." Howard called as Chachi disappeared from view.

"What? Oh, Dad, no way! I'm not taking him along, he'll ruin everything." said Richie the next morning.

"Now, Richard, that's no way to speak about Charles, he's not a child anymore. You said yourself how exhausted he looked."

"Yeah, he was looking pretty bad earlier but even so, does he have to come?"

"Well not strictly, no. I could always organise something else for him to do but if you hadn't gloated so much he might not of wanted to go with you."

"He wants to come with me, he said that?"

"Not in so many words but he does know Brad Reynolds."

"Yeah but they're all friends from my class in 1959, he won't know anybody."

"Of course Charles knows them and besides, he needs a break."

"How is he?" Richie tentatively asked, he could see that something was worrying his father.

"Well, he says he's fine of course but I've noticed a change in him recently."

"Yeah, he's been quieter."

"I think there may be more to it than that but whatever it is he's not telling. I just think it will be good for you two to get away for a bit and spend some quality time together. You've always been so close I thought that."

"You thought that maybe I'd be able to get it out of him?"

"Yeah but I'll understand if you want some time alone."

"Couldn't he come and join me afterwards?"

"Well, I can't have you boys away for too long, suppose you're needed."

"Yeah, I guess, I was looking forward to some time to myself but if you think Chachi needs a break that badly, then I suppose he can tag along."

"That's a good boy, now go and tell him, you'll be leaving tomorrow."

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Brad Reynolds sat in his apartment reading a magazine, across from him sat the Candy Man in one of his many masks.

"Well, what's the latest news on the Tracy brother?" the Candy Man demanded.

"Richie's bringing his little brother Chachi along, I hope this ain't a problem, Boss."

"No, no, it's even better," Looking down, he smiled at Brad. "Try me, Mr Tracy."

Later, that afternoon on Tracy Island, Chachi sat quietly in his room reading a book, he didn't feel like joining the others at the pool. However, it seemed like peace and quiet was far away on the island as he heard a knocking at the door.

"Come in." he said wearily.

"Hey, Chach." Richie said as he entered, he was smiling.

"Hey, Rich, what do you want?" Chachi returned his smile.

"What would you say if I said that I wanted you to come with me to the mainland tomorrow?"

"I'd say what did Dad promise you in return."

"Okay, so it was his idea, but I still want you to come."

"Really?" Chachi asked in doubt.

"Yeah, we don't really get time together here on the island."

"If you're sure, yeah, I'd love to come."

"Great, get ready, we're going tomorrow."

The next day, Chachi and Richie were packed and ready to leave, they had loaded everything onto a small two seater plane, Chachi climbed into the cockpit and Richie got into the passenger seat.

"Now, boys, remember to call once you get there, oh and try to stay out of trouble." Howard said exasperated.

"Come on, Dad, what could we possibly do?" Richie said leaving his sentence hanging in mid air.

"That we haven't done before?" Chachi asked and quickly fired up the engine before his father could respond. The noise of the engine drowned out the final farewells. Within a few minutes, they were soaring high above the island.

A few hours later on the mainland, Chachi bought the small plane into land with his usual skill he gently touched down and brought the plane to a halt. Deftly, Chachi jumped down and went to collect the luggage, Richie however found getting down more difficult, he caught his foot and landed in a heap by Chachi and the luggage. Chachi laughed when he saw Richie lying on the floor.

"Give me the sea any day." Richie grumbled quietly.

"Come on, Rich, stop lying around and grab your bags, we need to get going."

"Lying around," He got up and grabbed his bag. "Hold it, Bucko, it wasn't this heavy before, what have you put in it?" he asked suspiciously.

"Come on, big brother, stop moaning, not far now." Chachi said with a smile.

"You're pushing your luck."

"Sure." Chachi said striding quickly away from Richie and towards the main airport hanger.

"Hey, wait up." Richie called after him, breaking into a jog he caught up with his brother and they disappeared inside. In the bushes, Brad lowered his binoculars, picking up a radio he contacted the Candy Man.

"They've arrived."

"Good, were they alone?"

"Yeah, just Chachi and Richie."

"And you know what to do?"

"Yeah, I'm just about to go and meet them."

"Well get on with it, remember you're dealing with International Rescue, be careful, you know the consequences if you foul up?"

"There'll be no mistakes and providing I get my cut, you don't have anything to worry about."

"You'll get your money as soon as I get one of Tracy brothers, now go." Brad put the radio away and got up to meet the brothers, this wouldn't be easy.

Inside the hangar, Richie and Chachi were talking playfully when Brad arrived slightly out of breath.

"Rich!" he called, Richie and Chachi turned to face him.

"Brad! Hi, how have you been?"

"Good, you?"

"Same here, you know Chachi?"

"Yeah, hi."

"Hi," Chachi replied. "You don't have to worry about me getting in the way, I've got a few things I want to do whilst I'm here."

"You do?" Richie and Brad replied in unison. Chachi looked strangely at Brad before turning back to Richie.

"Yeah, I didn't tell you before cause you'd tell Dad and we all know what would have happened then."

"But, Chachi."

"Perhaps now isn't the time." Chachi said pointing slightly to the bewildered Brad.

"That's a shame but surely you'll come for a soda with us first, Chach?" Brad asked.

"Yeah, Chach, come and have a soda."

"Okay, after we've checked into the hotel Dad arranged."

"You're staying in a hotel?" Brad asked.

"Umm, yeah," Richie said. "Are you okay, Brad, you seem pretty..."

"I'm fine, just a little stressed, you know how it is." Chachi and Richie looked sympathetically at him.

"Yeah, we know." Richie said.

"Let's get to the hotel." Chachi reached for his bags and began walking towards the exit, Richie and Brad not very far behind.

Two hours later at Arnold's Drive-In, Chachi, Richie, Brad and a group of Richie's old school friends had sat at different boothes. Richie was talking loudly to the people sat beside him, obviously having a good time. Chachi on the other hand was itching to get away. The owner of the drive-in, an Oriental man named Matsuo 'Arnold' Takahashi appeared by Brad and Richie's booth.

"There's a phone call for a Mr Reynolds." Brad stood up and followed him to the payphone and picked it up.

"This better be good."

"Ahh, Mr Reynolds," the Candy Man's silky voice floated through the speaker. "how goes operation persuasion?"

"Well so far so good, I think Chachi's gonna be the easiest to take as he's planning on splitting from the group anyway, it'll be hours before Rich notices he's missing."

"Excellent, make sure you leave his watch behind, understood?"

"Sure, what are you gonna be doing with him?"

"Not having second thoughts, are you?"

"No, I need that money too badly."

"Good, it's not for you to worry about Mr Tracy, you leave him to me." The line went dead as the Candy Man disconnected. Brad took a deep breath and plastered a fake smile on to his lips, just as he was opening the door he caught a glimpse of Chachi walking past. Silently, he followed the young man to the men's restroom. Chachi had his back to Brad as he exited the cubicle. Brad pulled a small gun the Candy Man had lent to him from his pocket and pointed it at the unsuspecting man. Chachi turned round, deep in thought.

"Oh, hey, Brad," he said distractedly and went to walk round him. Brad gave Chachi a push backwards startling him. He looked down at the gun in his hand. "Brad, what's going on?" he asked raising his hands.

"That's enough talking, Tracy, keep those hands where I can see them." Brad's attention was drawn to the door as people could be heard passing by, Chachi took the opportunity to rush at his attacker, he ploughed into him and they both went crashing to the floor. Brad, however, was stronger than he looked and he soon had Chachi pinned beneath him.

"Quit struggling, Chach, you're only making it worse for yourself."

"Making it worse, I fail to see how."

"Well, it means I have to do this." Brad quickly stood up pulling Chachi with him; he then pushed Chachi with all his might and watched as he collided head first with the row of china hand basins that lined on one wall. His body went limp and as his head drooped to the floor a smear of blood was left on the white sink.

"I told you it would be worse." Brad said as he reached down and tore Chachi's watch from his wrist. Throwing it to the floor, he picked Chachi up and made for the fire exit. Just as the Candy Man had planned there was a car waiting outside, Chachi was thrown carelessly in the back. The car then sped away down the deserted alley way. Brad watched it disappear before turning and going back inside. A slight smile played around his lips, he was rich.

[Race's Girl]

Chapter 2- It Gets Worse

Richie had missed his old friends so much, missed the life they had knowing that he could never have it and whilst he would never trade in his place in International Rescue, it would be wonderful to have an ordinary life for a day or two. He had talked to everyone hearing about how their lives had changed, everyone asking him the same question. "What do you do now, Rich?" And how he wanted to tell them all about the daring rescues he had pulled off, about the huge world known organisation he was part of, but he couldn't he had to stick to some boring story about living with his family on the island, sailing and swimming.

Gee, they all looked so swell, he thought idly to himself as he sat alone at the table waiting for Chachi to show up so they could get something to eat and go back to the hotel. He glanced at his watch, it was getting late. Chachi should have been back by now. he thought. He wondered what his brother could be doing here that would take him so long.

"Still no sign of Chachi?" Brad asked as he approached Richie.

"Nope, I'm starting to get worried."

"He's a big boy who can take care of himself, Rich, no need to worry, why don't we go and get something to eat?"

"I'm going to give him five more minutes, tell you what, you go on and I'll meet you outside that restaurant you recommended in five."

"Okay, Rich, see you then." Brad turned and left, not knowing if he had done the right thing or not. Once he was sure he was alone, Richie looked at his watch and spoke quietly to it.

"What's the problem, Richard?" Howard asked as his face flickered into focus.

"I can't find Chachi and I'm worried."

"What do you mean you can't find him?"

"Well, he said there was something he needed to do and he'd meet me here later but that was hours ago."

"Okay, don't panic yet, check with the owner of the drive-in, ask where he or she saw him last then let me know what you find out."

"F.O.N.Z."

"Don't worry, Richard, you know Chachi."

"That's what I'm worried about." Richie ended transmission and went to find Arnold who was now cleaning the boothes. He found him by the jukebox which was now playing Love Me Tender.

"Excuse me, Mr Takahashi."

"Can I help you?" he asked looking up.

"Yeah, I was wondering if you had seen my brother around, I'm supposed to be meeting him."

"No, sorry, I did not see him leave."

"You didn't? Where did you last see him?"

"He was just going into the men's restroom!"

"When was that?" Richie could feel fear being to erupt within him.

"Two hours ago, I am sorry."

"Thanks." Richie turned away and walked to the restrooms, he stood outside the door and took a deep breath. Slowly, he opened it and walked in. To begin with everything looked as it should do, as it had done when he had last been in there, he walked towards the cubicles checking for feet underneath, he was alone. He turned back towards the sinks, it was then he spotted something that made his blood run cold, it was a smear of blood. Now more convinced than ever that something had happened to his brother, he began frantically searching under the sinks for any clue as to where he might be. He was just about stand up when a glint of light caught his eye, it came from a dark corner. As he approached, he could begin to recognise what it was, it was Chachi's watch. Gently he picked it up and checked it for damage, there was another small smear of blood but apart from that it looked okay. He brought his watch to his face again.

"Any news?" Howard asked once Richie's call had been connected.

"The last place he was seen was the restroom, I'm here now, it looks really bad, I found his communicator under the sink and there's blood."

"Chachi, oh god."

"Do you think they know anything about International Rescue?"

"We'll take it for now as a kidnapping to do with who he is rather than who he works for but it can't be ruled out entirely."

"What do you want me to do?"

"This has to go through official channels, call the police, hopefully, they'll make contact soon enough."

"Sure, Dad."

"Richard, be careful, you could be next."

"Some holiday this is turning out to be."

Several hours later at the Milwaukee Police Station, Richie had done as he was asked, he had called the police and they had searched Arnold's but as Richie had feared the trail had long gone cold. He was sat in the police station trying to drink a cup of luke warm coffee, the police had traced everyone who had been at Arnold's around the time Richie had disappeared, including Arnold. But the story was always the same, he had gone into the restroom and not come out again. Brad was sat silently by his side, his face frowning in concern.

"Mr Tracy," A large brown haired police man walked through an old brown door into the waiting room where Richie sat, the redhead nodded and stood up. "We've completed the primary forensics on the smears found in the bathroom, bad news I'm afraid it has enough similar DNA characteristics as your DNA for us to be able to say beyond reasonable doubt that the blood is that of Charles Alan Tracy."

"I thought as much, what about all those people you interviewed? Have any of them seen anything?"

"Nothing new to report, however there's surveillance footage to be searched. Although it doesn't look promising as the camera directly outside the fire exit was disabled."

"Fire exit?" Brad practically shouted jumping to his feet.

"Yes, Mr Reynolds, we've got sufficient reason to believe that Charles has been kidnapped and as no one saw him leave the dagnab fire exit is the obvious place to begin our search."

"Sure." He sat back down again.

"Your confounded father has been in touch and we've advised him to stay where he is so that any ransom demand is not missed."

"What about my brothers?"

"I believe that Warren is going to be arriving soon. For now, we suggest that you go and get some sleep and we'll contact you if anything else is discovered."

"I suppose you're right, make sure you keep me informed."

"We will, dagnabit."

Menawhile, Chachi felt the waves of nausea rush over him as his eyes blearily fluttered open, he swayed blindly for a moment trying in vain to hold on to the tattered fragments of consciousness racing through his mind.

Where am I? he wondered helplessly, as his eyes grew accustomed to the gloom he could make out a small bed standing in the corner, he focused on it to try and stop the room spinning so violently. He touched his head and bright sparks flashed before his eyes, pain exploding from a large bump which had risen from where he had hit the sink.

"Ow!" he leaned back against the wall behind him, slumping with defeat. Dry heaves burned through him as he fought down nausea once again. After a few moments the worst seemed to be over and he gulped down fresh air.

As his breathing and thumping heart calmed he looked around him again, apart from the bed the room was furnished with little else, only a stoic bucket stood in the opposite corner. Right, think, Chachi, think, what happened, he thought as his hand went automatically to his wrist where his watch should have been. He looked down in surprise and alarm at finding it bare. Oh god, Brad, that was it, damnit, that jerk. Images flashed through his mind he remembered being in the bathroom and turning round and seeing Brad, then he remembered pain as his head hit something. the sink, no wonder it hurts so much, He next remembered movement, the sound of an engine, there was a car with beige interior and leather seats. he remembered the smell of the leather and then a voice, a voice that sent chills through his spine and icy fear straight to his heart. There was not a member of International Rescue who had not heard of the Candy Man, he was renowned for his determination to learn the secrets of the Fonziebirds, but even this had not prepared Chachi for their first face to face meeting in weeks. The pure evil and hatred that had seeped through his voice was something Chachi would never ever be able to forget.

Back on Tracy Island, Howard stared helplessly at the smiling picture of Chachi that hung opposite him willing it to come to life to see his son's real face to hear his voice. But Howard knew that it was just plain wishful thinking, Richie had Chachi's watch, there was no chance of Chachi speaking to him. Potsie had left to join Richie some hours before, Howard's eyes rested on Ralph who was sat on the sofa comforting a distraught Joanie whispering small words of comfort into her ear. Suddenly, they all jumped as the eyes of Fonzie's portrait started to flash, Howard flicked a switch on the control panel in front of him and watched as the picture was replaced with the video feed, for a brief second, Howard could have sworn he had seen Chachi in Fonzie's place, the dark hair and dark eyes.

"Dad, I got some news and it ain't good, I'm afraid."

"Go ahead, Fonzie, what's going on?"

"Well, the story's been leaked to the press, it's all over the radio frequencies up here but that ain't the worst of it."

"It gets worse?" Ralph asked in disbelief.

"I'm afraid so, Ralphie, there's been one news reporter that claims to have spoken with the kidnappers directly, guess who? That Ned guy, apparently, they claim to know who International Rescue are and are threatening to kill Chachi if they don't reveal their identities."

"It does get worse, where is this Ned fella, Fonzie?" Howard asked liking the situation less by the minute.

"New York in the broadcasting house."

"I'll get Lori Beth to pay him a visit to find out if this is really on the level, thanks, Fonzie. Keep listening."

"Sure thing, Dad, let me know what's going on."

"Will do." Fonzie's face disappeared replaced by the portrait. Howard turned to face Ralph.

"What are we going to do, Dad? We can't let anything happen to Chachi."

"Nothing's going to happen to him I promise, I'm going to inform your brothers and Lori Beth, let's get that facts straight before we all jump off the deep end."

In Richie hotel room at the Pfhister Hotel in Milwaukee, Richie had been resting fitfully for the last few hours trying in vain to fall asleep. But his mind was racing, he couldn't help think that it was all his fault. If only I'd spoken to him more, made more of an effort to make sure he was okay then this wouldn't have happened, he never should have been on his own. If anything happens to him, I don't know what I'll do. There was a knock at the door and slowly, Richie climbed out of bed and opened the door. He had been expecting to see Potsie standing on the other side a sad smile on his face, instead, he was met by a gaggle of reporters. For a few moments, they just stared at each other.

"Richard Gordon Tracy, Rebecca Jones, Milwaukee Shopper, do you have anything to say about the claims made?"

"Claims?"

"That the kidnapers of your brother have contacted a rival news station and told them that the only way for Charles to go free is if International Rescue reveal their identities."

"What?"

"You hadn't heard then?"

"No."

"Kent Powers, Milwaukee Journal, Mr Tracy, do you have any first impressions on this information?"

"Go away." Richie said closing the door.

"Mr Tracy, wait," Kent said pushing on the door. "what do you think about International Rescues policy of secrecy?"

"I think you heard what he said the first time." a loud voice said from behind them, the reporters span round to come face to face with Potsie.

"Do you have any comments, Mr Tracy?" the reporters shouted desperately as Potsie pushed passed them and walked into the room.

"Don't come back," Potsie said slamming the door behind him. "Oh man, I hate the press." he said smiling slightly and dumping his bag on the floor. "Rich, are you okay?"

"Is it true?"

"Well, the Fonz heard the report but Lori Beth's gonna going to check it out, I thought Dad was going to call."

"Well, he hasn't, Bucko," Richie shouted storming over to the window. "I'm already being left out of the loop."

"Rich, you know it's not like that." Potsie said coming to his side and resting a hand on his younger brother's shoulder. "I'm sure that Dad'll call any moment, you need to calm down."

"I'm sorry, Potsie, I just feel so helpless."

"I know, we all do."

[Race's Girl]

Chapter 3- Pink's A Cool Color

In the New York Boradcasting House, Lori Beth’s face was grim as she approached the broadcasting house; she hated the thought of Chachi being all alone having who knows what done to him. She pushed the thoughts out of her mind she needed to fully concentrate on the job at hand, getting to the bottom of these press reports. She crossed the lobby to the main reception desk where she was greeted by a stony faced young man, probably not much younger than Chachi, she thought miserably.

“If you're here too see Ned, sorry, lady, he’s not seeing anyone today.”

Lori Beth smiled.

“Look, pal, I'm not just anyone, tell Ned that Laura Elizabeth Creighton-Ward, a personal friend of the Tracy family, wants to speak with him about a matter of the importance.”

The man was taken a back for a moment considering whether or not Lori Beth, who was clad head to foot in pink, could possibly be who she claimed she was. After a second, he shrugged and decided he didn’t care. He picked up the phone and after a mumbled conversation, Ned appeared with miraculous speed.

“Lori Beth, baby!” he cried as if he was greeting an old friend.

“Oh, Ned, can I call you Ned,” she asked and in response to her question, he nodded. “I need your help desperately, please, I don’t know who else I can turn to.”

With a gleeful smile, Ned put his arm around her and led her up to his office. Lori Beth suppressed a sigh.

Guys, she thought. They're so predictable.

In the Candy Man's secret Hideout, the Candy Man had been keeping an eye, or more accurately an ear, on the radio reports. And whilst he was slightly concerned that his reporter had let the news of his demands go so quickly, as he loved the thought of Howard sitting in his office not knowing where Chachi was, the reaction to his news had been better than he could ever of suspected. The media being the fickle people that they were had now turned on their beloved thunderbirds and were calling on them to release their identities to save the youngest Tracy.

Oh, the glorious irony. the Candy Man thought with a laugh.

Back at the New York Broadcasting House, Lori Beth finished telling the reporter a rather fictitious version of the truth. “You see, Ned, my predicament.”

“Yes but how do you want me to help?”

“Well, did you record the message or at least write it down? I need to know exactly what that guy said.”

“Well, I did record it but I don’t think that…”

“Oh no!” Lori Beth cried, tears filling her eyes, “Poor Chachi, is there no way I can help you?”

“Maybe we can work something out; I could give you the tape if you could let me do an interview?”

“Anything, I just must have that tape.”

An hour later on Tracy Island, Howard was sat behind his desk, he hadn’t been able to move in hours, the thought that Chachi might get in touch and that he wouldn’t be there was just too much. He kept finding his eyes drawn to Chachi’s photos, he had never realised just how many he had until now as time and time again, his brown eyes looked back at him begging him to save him. Howard was brought back to reality with a start as he realised that Fonzie was trying to get in touch.

“Go ahead, Fonzie.”

“You have got to hear this; it’s a news broadcast I recorded just a few moments ago.”

“Let’s hear it, son.”

Ralph appeared drawn by the sound of his brother’s voice. After a moment, Ned Mullet's voice could be heard clearly and it was soon joined by Lori Beth’s voice.

“I have an exclusive interview for you here, folks, a very close personal friend of the Tracy family has granted me a once in a life time interview. Miss Creighton-Ward, I would like to take a moment to thank you once again.”

“It’s okay, Ned; I’d do anything to help those dear girls.”

Howard laughed, he could always count on Lori Beth.

“It gets better.” Fonzie said smiling for the first time since the nightmare had started.

“Boys.” Ned’s voice corrected.

“Silly me, I forgot.”

“Miss Creigthon-Ward, just what are your views about International Rescue?”

“They're cool, courageous and brave and they all look so good in that blue.”

“Yes but what do you think about the demands made and the fact that International Rescue have made no response?”

“Oh yeah,” she continued apparently not hearing Ned’s question. “I’m sure that pink would suit them equally well, I mean pink suits practically everybody.”

“Do you think that they should give in to the demands?”

“In my opinion, International Rescue've never done anything in the past to endanger innocent lives and I'm sure they are working around the clock to do everything in their power to find poor Charles.”

“So, you think that they should reveal their identities to save his life?”

“I think that International Rescue'll do the right thing without giving in to the demands of a bad guy.”

“Do you think that young Charles is still alive?” Ned asked and everybody listening gasped. There was an agonising silence.

“There's always hope, Ned,” There were a few mumbled sobs from Lori Beth. “I can’t go on.”

Fonzie turned off the recording, Howard smiled at him.

“Thanks, son, I needed a bit of cheering up.”

“She was fabimundo, wasn’t she?” Fonzie asked.

“Yes, she was.”

Fonzie’s face disappeared and Howard turned to look at his other son.

“We’ll find him.” he said a new strength in his voice.

Meanwhile, back at the Candy Man's hideout, Chachi was getting over the worst of his symptoms, he had moved over to the small bed. He was starting to get worried that he had not seen anything of his captors, he had absolutely no idea where he was or why he was there he was just clinging to the hope that his dad would find him soon. However, his isolation was soon at an end when the Candy Man appeared in the doorway.

“Good morning, Charles, I trust the night was comfortable?”

Chachi didn’t reply but just sighed in disgust.

“Not in the mood for idle chit-chat, I see, I just came to tell you that soon your secret will be out.”

“What?” Chachi asked terrified.

“I thought that would get your attention, yes, in order to save your life, your father has to reveal his true identity.”

“You’re mad, he’ll never…”

“You’d better hope he does, for your sake, I’m a sore loser.” the Candy Man disappeared through the doorway and the door slammed behind him with a resounding thud.

“Oh man,” Chachi sighed and held his throbbing head in his hands. “What's gonna happen now?”

At the Milwaukee Police Station, Richie and Potsie had returned to the police station almost as soon as Potsie had arrived. They had been sat in the dingy waiting room for what seemed like forever, neither one quite finding the words to speak to the other. Richie got up and started to pace the length of the room, after a few minutes, Potsie could bare it no more and stood stopping him in his circuit.

“Why don’t you talk to Dad?” he asked.

“What’s the point?”

“There might be new information…” Potsie replied a slight doubt creeping into his voice.

“I just feel so useless, Potsie, we’ve so much at our disposal and yet we’re stood here completely helpless.”

Potsie embraced his brother, stroking his hair softly, he said “I know but as soon as we know where he is, then we can act.”

“I can’t help thinking of what could be happening to him.”

“Talk to Dad.” Potsie repeated letting his younger brother go.

Reluctantly, Richie complied and activated his watch communicator.

“What’s the problem, Richard?” Howard said as soon as his worried face appeared.

“Just checking in.” Richie replied dejectedly.

“That’s alright, I was going to call you anyway, Lori Beth's had some luck, she’s got hold of the tape, Al's analysed it and it’s the Candy Man.”

Both Potsie and Richie gasped at the news.

“So what now?” Potsie asked peering over Richie’s shoulder.

“The best clue we have to go on at the moment is that he was calling from somewhere local, I want you to relay the information to the police and get them searching for remote locations where he could have been taken.”

“F.O.N.Z.” Richie said and signed off glad once again to have a mission to do. At that moment, Brad appeared through the doors.

“I’ll go and talk to them.” Potsie said leaving the two friends alone.

Brad and Richie sat next to each other in silence for a moment.

“How are you holding up?” Brad asked eventually.

“I don’t think I can go on like this much longer.”

A wave of guilt washed over Brad, to see his old friend sitting here so upset made him think about what he had done. When the Candy Man had first approached him, the name Tracy didn’t really mean anything to him, sure he’d read the news paper reports when they had come around but he hadn’t seen Richie for at least two years. But somehow when he’d seen Richie again, it was like no time had passed and now to know that he was the cause of his friends pain was too much to bear, he didn’t need the money that badly he thought to himself.

“Rich,” he swallowed there was no easy way to do this. “I know where Chach is.”

Richie took a moment to register Brad's words.

“What?”

“I’m so sorry, I know that you'll never be able to forgive me but I can’t bear it any more. Oh I’m so sorry.”

“I…” Richie began but was cut off when Potsie came back in.

“They’ve got every spare man doing a search of the city, we’ll find him, Rich.” he said sitting beside them, it was only then that he noticed that he’d walked in on something important. “What?"

“I helped the Candy Man.” Brad said in dismay.

Potsie stared at the man for a moment unable to fully comprehend just what he had said.

“Where is he?” Potsie asked after a moment, instantly taking charge.

“I’m so sorry, Rich.” Brad continued.

“Where is he?” Potsie practically shouted shaking Brad hard.

“Come on, I’ll show you.” All three of them jumped up and ran from the room. Finding the police station all but deserted, they left on their own, Potsie barely taking the time to let their father know the great news.

[Race's Girl]

Chapter 4- Run

Brad led the brothers through a maze of side streets they ran heedless through the bustling city. They pushed past a group of reporters who recognizing the brothers followed in their mad race. All Potsie and Richie were concerned about was getting to their brother they didn’t care who stood in their way and when they found him, they were going to make the Candy Man pay. Brad started to slow, the more he started thinking about it the less he was sure that he remembered the way, he doubled back changing his mind he ran further towards the docklands and the sea and the closer to the shore he got, the more certain he felt that he was going the right way and that now he would be able to right the wrong he had done, he would be responsible for freeing Chachi and the Candy Man with his money could take a long walk off a short pier for all he cared.

On Tracy Island, Howard had never been so nervous in his entire life; Ralph, Joanie, Al and Marion were sitting desperately waiting for some news of Chachi. Howard had mixed feelings about Brad's revelation, on the one hand he was overjoyed that his sense of responsibility had kicked in and that now they might finally be able to save Chachi but there was a small part of his mind that couldn’t help thinking that this might be another one of the Candy Man’s traps he couldn’t bare the thought of losing anyone else.

At the Docks, Brad stopped desperate for breath, bending double he gasped for air trying to remember just where the Candy Man had met with him that first time. Straightening himself, he looked at Potsie and Richie and then to the reporters beyond. Potsie stared out to sea whilst Richie turned to his friend.

“Are we nearly there?”

For a moment, Brad didn’t answer.

“I…” he trailed off not finding the words.

“Brad, tell me we are nearly there, I can’t bare the thought of Chachi spending another second in that place.” Richie begged.

“Yeah, I recognise these warehouses.”

“Well, come on, let's check them out.” Potsie said running over to the first of three large empty warehouses that stood on the water's edge.

Back on Tracy Island, the minutes passed agonisingly slowly for Howard as he desperately waited to hear any news at all. Suddenly, Potsie’s portrait started to beep, they all jumped at the loud volume of the noise in the silent house. Howard flicked a switch and Potsie’s portrait was replaced with live feed.

“Dad, we’re at the docks,” Potsie began not waiting for his father to speak, “Brad recognised some warehouses and we've checked all three of them, I’m sorry but …” He faltered and the people watching felt there hearts drop, ‘was Chachi dead?’ the question ran through each of their minds, “There’s no trace, Brad's not even sure if we're in the right place at all, I … I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, son; you’ll just have to help him, remember?”

“Has there been…” there was a shout in the distance and Potsie turned. “Wait, Rich has found something.”

Back at the Docks, the last of the three warehouses was slightly smaller or at least that was the way it had appeared from the outside. As they had struggled with the old doors flaking green paint crumbling in their hurry, it was obvious that it hadn’t been used for sometime. Inside, the boarded up windows allowed only a small amount of light to enter and as their eyes adjusted to the gloom the space appeared cavernous. Richie had rushed around the walls hoping to find something with Brad whilst Potsie had stared at the empty space, any thought of finding Potsie evaporating. With a heavy heart, he had called his father.

Richie could hear Potsie’s voice echoing around him but he refused to give up so easily. He beckoned Brad over to him.

“Where did you meet with the Candy Man?”

“I’ve been trying to remember but…”

“No, I mean was it in empty warehouse like this or an office?”

“There were a series of rooms like a warehouse had been partitioned up.”

Richie looked around on the dusty floor willing something to jump out and help him.

“It could've been this one, I remember that the walls stood on pillars so that they didn’t touch the ground, he would've needed a derelict space where no one would bother him.”

Richie took Brad's information and started to look for any break in the wall and then in a dark shadowy corner, he spotted something.

“Like that!” Richie shouted and ran to the corner, Brad close behind. A moment later, Potsie joined them.

“What is it?” Potsie asked looking on in astonishment as Richie started to try and break what seemed like a solid wall.

“Help me. It’s false.” Brad and Potsie quickly ran too his side.

After a moment, Potsie stopped and looked around. “This isn’t working,” He spotted a piece of lead pipe lying not far away; he grabbed it and gave it to Richie. “Try this.”

Richie bashed and the wall a few times and was rewarded with a splintering sound, he continued and soon knocked a hole in the wooden wall. Stopping, he peered inside but it was too dark to see anything, he turned to Potsie.

“I need a flashlight.”

Potsie produced a bright pen light from a pocket somewhere. “What? It's always coming in handy.” he said in response to Richie’s confused glance.

Brad gasped as Richie shined the light around the concealed room. “This is it, where I met up with him.”

Richie shouted triumphantly, finally, they were getting somewhere. He went work enlarging the hole with the others helping him. It took some effort and by the end they were all panting but now they could get inside and one by one, they did so.

The beam from the penlight showed that this room had been used recently as they’d expected, an old desk was all that remained in the room. It had two draws on the one side. The first one slid open easily and was empty but the bottom one resisted their attempts to open it.

“There's gotta be something in here!” Potsie half shouted with frustration.

“You guys are International Rescue, I'd think that a locked draw would pose no problem.” Brad said.

“I don’t know what you were told,” Potsie said sternly. “But none of it is true.” He stepped towards Brad.

“Cut it out, Guys, I think I’ve freed it.” Richie said not wanting to lose Brad as a source of information just yet. He had been working at the draw with his Swiss army knife and now he pulled it open with a jerk. Inside was a single sheet of paper. A typed letter addressed to them.

Mr Tracy,

I always hoped Bradley would betray me, getting rid of you all in one fail swoop is so much easier. You will die with the knowledge that he's doomed, you've broken the rules and so now, I change them. In your last moments, I'll leave you a riddle to ponder.

What goes down but can’t go up?

What is precious but never used?

What would it feel like to be buried alive?

“Huh?” Richie asked totally confused.

Potsie, on the other hand, had been thinking quickly. “Run!” he shouted heading for the door, the others hot on his heels. Sprinting, they raced to get outside. There was a huge explosion and everything went black.

[Race's Girl]

Chapter 5- The Candy Man's Secret Hideaway

Chachi was nervous; he remembered little of what had happened within the last few hours. The Candy Man had returned with a small metal case and a large goon by his side. Chachi remembered sitting on the bed watching as the case was opened, he was distracted by the needle and syringe the Candy Man had taken from the case and didn't notice the goon come round behind him. He was held in place whilst he was injected with what Chachi later assumed to be a sedative.

Whilst he was unconscious, he had been moved and it was what he now saw that made him panic. He was strapped onto what looked like a hospital gurney, in a brightly lit room that was empty apart from a steel table on wheels in the corner and a video camera on a tripod in front of him. He tried to move, he had been left alone, if he could just loosen the straps he might be able to get out. Eventually as the skin on his arms and legs rubbed raw and started to bleed, he gave up. He started to shake as shock gripped him finally; he bit his lip till it bled to stop from crying. He thought how his brothers would tease him if they… at the thought of his family, the warm tropical paradise they called home, a tear ran down his face. Frantically, he shook his head to try and remove it as the door opened.

The Candy Man smiled as he looked at his prisoner, the mental torture had softened him up nicely for the physical pain to come. He moved behind the camera after placing a large bag on the table, the whole world would witness what was to come. He pulled on one of his masks and stepped in front of the camera.

"International rescue, you have forced me to change the rules. Your silence'll cost this young man dearly." He wheeled the table into the camera shot and began to unpack his bag. "To begin with," he flourished a truncheon. "I'll bruise his flesh." He placed the truncheon on the table and then took out a long piece of steel pipe. "Then, I'll break his bones," placing the pipe on the table, he then placed a cattle prod and other less recognisable instruments on to the table. He did so slowly so the people viewing were in no doubt about what was in store.

This latest development was being broadcast live across the world through a pirate TV station. He had employed a hacker to make sure that once his station was active it was all anyone would be able to see.

"International Rescue," the Candy Man continued picking up the truncheon again. "Once I'm through bruising his flesh, you'll have one hour to reveal yourselves before I start to break his bones."

"At least we know that Brad was right and that he can help." Potsie was trying to cheer his brother up. After the explosion the Tracy brothers were relieved to have escaped with only minor cuts and bruises, Brad however hadn't been so lucky. He had been rushed to the hospital with bad burns and smoke inhalation. The brothers had been waiting in a private room away from the roving reporters.

"You heard the doctors it could be days before he's gonna be of any use to us." Richie shouted in frustration, he felt that after taking one step forward they had now taken two backwards.

"Al's working on that riddle." Potsie felt useless stating the obvious but there was little else he could think of at the moment, he had to remain positive.

Richie paced. "What did he mean by changing the rules? Potsie, what if we've made things worse." He collapsed in a chair beside his elder brother.

“The Hood has given us a clue; he knew that Tom would turn against him. Whatever is happening isn’t our fault, it’s the Hood’s.”

Gordon sighed and leaned his head against Scott’s shoulder; he knew in his heart that Scott was right. The door to the waiting room opened and a doctor entered.

“Normally we wouldn’t let anyone other than the family visit a patient in Mr Reynolds’s condition.” The brothers stood and Scott was about to interrupt, but the doctor raised a placating hand. “However this is hardly a normal situation and the board has decided to make an exception.” He gripped Scott on the shoulder, “we all want to see a peaceful outcome and if Mr Reynolds can help with that then no one here will stand in your way.” Scott smiled gratefully. “If you will come with me you will need to change into surgical scrubs and wear face masks due to the high risk of infection.”

On Tracy Island, Howard had been unable to avoid the footage of his youngest son being tortured. He wept openly as Alan tired to remain silent, he was so brave. Virgil was holding an inconsolable Tintin and silently crying himself. Brains had to help Grandma to her room to lie down afterwards; she refused Jeff’s pleas to leave to room beforehand.

Lady Penelope’s portrait beeped and Jeff wiped his face before accepting her call. “What is it Penny?” His voice was rough with emotion.

“I have been doing some more digging.” Jeff’s raw voice had sent shivers through her and she wisely decided against mentioning the broadcast she had witnessed. She knew she looked as red eyed and worn as Jeff did. “I have had the tape analysed by experts, there is background noise which may help us narrow down a location where Alan is being held.”

Jeff released a breath he didn’t realise he had been holding, he could always rely on Penny. “That’s great news.”

“I will send over the mp3 file for Brains to look at but I don’t know what help it will be on its own. There is nothing distinctive enough on its own but once you have a named area to search the tape should be useful. I’m sorry I couldn’t do more.”

“You’ve been a great help Penny, I guess GPS coordinates were wishful thinking,” she smiled slightly with Jeff, “I will keep you informed.”

Back in the hospital, Tom was lying against crisp white sheets with IV drips running from both his hands. Scott took a deep breath as he hoped the scene wouldn’t be repeated with Alan when they got him back. Gordon sat on the lone chair and Scott stood by the window on the other side of the room.

“Tom.” Gordon almost whispered his name, but when he didn’t appear to respond Gordon said it louder. This time Tom opened his eyes and coughed slightly.

“Gordon, is that you?” Gordon nodded and Tom continued. “What happened?”

“There was an explosion, do you remember anything else?” Gordon demanded.

“But…”

“Alan what about Alan.” Gordon was shouting now, Scott came over and put a restraining hand on his shoulder.

“Alan he was driven away in a beige BMW, I fought with him.”

“Where was he taken?”

“The docks…?”

“We’ve been there already.” Gordon’s patience was rapidly evaporating.

“Hospital…”

“Yes you’re in hospital, where is Alan?”

“Hospital.”

“No … Alan … where is he?” Gordon’s voice broke as he fought to control himself.

“Hosp…” Tom’s eyes fluttered closed.

“God damn it!” Gordon shouted jumping up from the chair and turning to his brother.

Scott side stepped the chair to pull Gordon close. “We will find him.” He pledged.