#troy tempest | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

spaceshipsoutthepool · 3 months

Text

Octopus up

Somethings bugging Marina.

Ao3 link https://archiveofourown.org/works/53580643

Oneshot. Inspired by ‘The Mouse’ by AquaMarina (LittlePandemonium ). Full story under the cut.

Tap tap tap.

"Hmm? Oh, hey Marina.” Troy said. Stingray’s tailless mermaid was hovering in the doorway to the standby lounge. “How’d the meeting go?"

Crab. UP. Surface immediately.

"…pardon?"

Crab, Marina 'said' again. Then, something Troy wasn’t sure quite what sign she was making. Surface immediately. UP. Look.

The unknown sign again.

UP. Crab. up. Crab up. Not crab crab.

The unknown sign again.

Up.

Captain or not, Troy was still confused. They'd taught Marina some of the WASP international diving symbols, to try and better understand her. It hadn't worked on land so far. Or so Troy had thought.

UP UP UP, Marina signed, more urgently. Look.

He looked up. But he couldn’t see anything.

"What goes on, Marina?" Troy said. Then turned to the lieutenants for an answer. By now Atlanta, also on break, had also looked up from her magazine. And with a nudge, Phone's lifted his cap from over his eyes where he'd been dozing. Marina repeated what she’d said. But the NCOs both were as baffled as Troy.

“I thought Marina was supposed to be in a meeting with the commander? And the barrier reef preservation guy?” Phones said.

"I guess it’s finished early. But what did she say?" Troy asked. "That was 'crab', right? Any idea what she means?"

Atlanta and Phone exchanged just as confused looks.

“Crab. And squid?” Atlanta suggested. “I think it was squid.”

Marina hesitated. Made a so-so gesture. Then repeated, Squid. Squid UP. Crab. up. Crab up. Squid. UP. Look. Surface.

"Yeah, that’s squid, just the wrong hand. Squid, up?" Phones agreed. Marina nodded.

Atlanta asked, "Marina honey, what do you mean?"

Marina frowned. Thought about it. Then tried again, chucking in some charades and mines in.

"Looks like crab. Up?" Phones said. "You don’t mean Up like ‘foods up’? Crabsticks?”

Marina shook her head.

“Why would it be that?” Troy laughed.

“I thought Marina might have just seen what’s on the diner menu for today is all.” Phones defended. “You got any idea's skipper?"

Troy had to admit he didn’t.

UP. Look. Marina pointed again. When they looked there still wasn’t anything there. The guessing game continued.

“Err. Okay there’s an old movie called Up. Is that what you’re talking about? No, no not that.”

"Up. On the roof?”

"Or the sky? Something up in the sky?"

“Maybe it’s a cloud? Or a weird helicopter?”

Marina shook her head. Paused. This time when she said Up again, she raised her other hand. She looked at them. Looked at her hand. And put her hand flat above her head.

“Roof?”

“You said that ready. Upstairs?”

"Ceiling? Ceiling!”

“There’s a squid crab, on the ceiling?” Troy guessed.

Marina nodded relieved. Then frowned when Troy continued, "Marina, we don’t get squids on the ceiling. Or Crabs."

"We don’t. But they might." Phones quipped. "We don’t know what underwater pest control have to deal with!"

Atlanta swatted at him with her magazine on the foot for that. (He shouldn’t have been propped up on the coffee table anyway.)

“Ow!”

Ceiling. Squid. Up. Marina insisted. Look!

“We’re not under the sea. There’s nothing there Marina. And we don’t need to worry about getting crabs. On the ceiling I mean.” Troy dismissed. Followed by a, "Hey!"

Marina had given up pointing and miming. And started pulling at Troy by the elbow, beckoning. They knew from experience she would give up that routine until followed.

"Okay, Okay I'm coming." Troy sighed, putting down his own magazine and grabbing his cap. Marina let go to allow him to get up then seized him again by his sleeve cuff. "This better be something urgent though, Marina.”

The other two followed curiosity.

"So much for some quiet down time before the next patrols!" Phones chucked.

"Well, it has to be something.” Atlanta puzzled. “It’s not like Marina to make up stories, is it?"

“No, you’re right there, Atlanta.” Troy agreed.

“I believe her.” Phones nodded. “If Marina saw a squid or a crab, well then I guess we've a squid or crab in the building."

Up. Marina nodded. Squid Crab.

"Okay, I guess it may be worth investigating.” Troy said to the lieutenants. And to Marina still pulling him along at the wrist. “But I still don’t get what you mean by that. Slow down, you’re going to trip.”

“Or rip your shirt.” Atlanta sniffed.

But Marina hurried on. They were getting quite a few curious glances passing a few more offices and the other standby lounges.

“Anyone else feel kinda silly?” Troy grumbled as she took them down the stairs and through another corridor followed by more funny looks.

“I think we look like we’re going on a bear hunt.” Phones agreed. “Or a scooby doo bit.”

“At least it’s not a spooky ghost hunt then.” Atlanta replied.

“Maybe someone’s got a toy mascot on their desk or door. Is that it?” Troy guessed aloud. Marina shook her head.

“A poster?” “One of the info videos?” “Why would she be this worked up about those?”

“Where in the heck are you three trapsing off too?” someone else asked.

The gang paused. The guff tuff Commander Sam Shore had come out of a conference room they’d just passed. And was scowling up at them.

“To find a squid crab apparently, Sir.” Troy told him nonchalantly.

“Yeah. On the ceiling!” Phones added.

“What?” Sam said.

Then leaning back in his chair, the Commander saw Marina was with them.

"Oh that! Marina, I told you not to worry about it.” the Commander dismissed. “Let housekeeping or a cleaner deal with it.”

Marina huffed. And even went so far as to scuff a webbed foot against the carpet, like someone might stomp their feet.

Not. No worries. Still there. Squid. Up. Look.

Troy Phones and Atlanta looked from one to another, and between Marina and the Commander, even more baffled.

“Why? Father, what is it?” Atlanta asked.

The commander only chuckled and turned back to his report.

“Go see what she’s found.” He said and waved them off. They didn’t get a chance to ask any further questions. Fisher came along to give the commander an urgent message. They went one way off together and Marina led them off the other other way, down another corridor.

“Alright so Marina was down here earlier in that conference room?” Troy said.

“I guess she and father would have come this way earlier rather than the stairs.” Atlanta agreed.

“Hence the roundabout route.”

“And then she saw a ‘crab’ or something.” Phones said. “And the commander saw it too?” Troy nodded, turning back to him.

“But the commander didn’t think much of it diDOFTH-!”

Marina suddenly skidded to a halt. She’d stopped in the hallway, between an auto-serve, the elevators, a row of plastic chairs and a water cooler. Very suddenly stopped. Causing the other three to also stop suddenly and sent them almost Bumping into one another.

“Ow. Again!”

“Sink me, you’ve both got sharp elbows!”

“A little warning would have been nice!”

Marina ignored them. She looked about and repeated her "Crab Squid" Routine. Then pressed the button to call the elevator to take them up, despite Phones pointing out they’d just come down the stairs. Troy folded his arms unimpressed now. And aware they might be blocking up the corridor.

“Marina what is this about? There’s nothing here!”

No Up! Look! Marina demanded. And this time pointed.

Troy rolled his eyes and glanced up at the ceiling.“Okay okaYAGH No no! Jumping Catfish nope!" Troy swore and leapt back aghast. Atlanta and Phones looked at him, very taken aback. And looked to where Marina was pointing. Then both Phones and Atlanta tried very hard not to laugh.

Squid. Up. Ceiling. look. Yes?

“Yes Marina. That’s, that’s up alright.” Atlanta tittered.

“Okay but That’s not a squid!” Troy scowled at her.

"No, It’s a spider Troy. Abie a big one." Phones said, helpfully.

"I know that! And Big? Look at the size of it Phones, its huge!”

"Nah, it's only a big as a house spider. I've seen bigger."

"Spoken like a true hick." Atlanta teased.

Crab? Not. Squid.

“No, not a squid.” Troy said. “Spider. SPI-DER.”

Marina looked at him blankly.

“Right. Of course, spelling it out to you is no good.” Troy face-palmed his own daft idea. “No wonder Marina was making no sense back there, huh?”

“Well now we’ve seen what she meant; I can sort of get where Marina was coming from?” Atlanta put in, miming with her fingers. “I mean spiders scuttle like crabs do. Just forward.”

“Ain’t they related anyway?” Phones asked.

“Probably.” Atlanta agreed. “Evolution wise it always comes back to crabs.”

Land Squid. Land crab.

“Yes, something like that Marina.”

Up. ceiling look.

“We are looking.” Troy complained. “Marina, why'd you bring us out to see a darn spider?!”

Marina frowned, worried. Okay, Troy felt a bit bad for that.

“It didn’t bite you, did it?” he checked. Marina shook her head. “Well, I'm glad you’re okay then. But what gives?”

No. Squid. Not squid. Land. crab. Marina signed again. And pointed at her own feet and then held up her fingers.

“Eight feet?” Troy exchanged a look with Phones. “Or are you trying to say Eight legs?”

Land squid. Marina nodded, holding up eight fingers again. Eight legs. Squid Crab Up.

Atlanta frowned “but Marina honey you know squid have ten tentacles. and Crabs only have six legs-? OH! Wait.”

"I think we've had our signs mixed up.” Phones said catching on. “Earlier when we weren’t sure about the sign, did you mean ‘octopus’, Marina? Not squid?"

Marina nodded. Then signed Squid again but shaking her head.

Not Squid.

“Oh.”

“Eight legs, spider, octopus.”

“That makes more sense.” Phones said. The others agreed.

“They're the same sign but Octopus is like this,” Troy explained. “Use both hands. Grab your wrist with the other hand.”

Marina did as he demonstrated and nodded.

Octopus up ceiling look. she said, correcting herself. Not squid up.

“Octopus up.” Atlanta echoed.

Phones grinned. "Guess it’s a land- octopus then with its eight legs!"

“Four more than anything needs.” Troy complained.

“Aquanaut of the year and he’s scared of a little spider?" Phones mocked.

"It’s not little! And I’m not scared!” Troy insisted. Folding his arms he muttered. “They just give me the creeps, that’s all."

“Creeps!? you have a fake taxidermy angel fish mounted in our hallway as lamp!” Phones complained. “Creeps. That thing terrifies most people. and you’re nervous of this here itsy wincey octopus!”

“And After all the teasing you gave me for being scared of mice too!" Atlanta giggled. "Have you really not seen a spider before, Marina? You’ve been here a while now."

Marina nodded then shook her head. And after another round of charades:

"Not like that?" Phones guessed. "Ah, not upside down or on ceilings. Just outside. And you’ve only seen little ones. Not Big."

"See?" Troy said. "Marina agrees it's huge!"

"I said she said big!” Phones translated at Marina's frown. “Besides, big furry ones like tarantulas are harmless.”

“Those are even worse!” Troy snapped. “And that-!” he pointed at the spider. “That's not furry. Look, Phones just get rid of it, would you?”

“Why me?” Phones complained. “It’s not doing any harm.”

“It could be poisonous!” Troy reasoned. Both lieutenants raised their eyebrows at him. “What? It could be. We’re not far from the California desert?”

Maria looked worried at that. Jellyfish. She signed.

“Ah no not jellyfish.” Phones said. “Troy, you’ll scare her!”

“Me?” Troy asked. “What did I do?”

“Well Marina’s walking around in bare feet and you just said it was poisonous.” Atlanta frowned.

“I said it Could be. It’s fine Marina. You’re down here and it’s up there. Just stay away.”

“We'll just leave it alone then?” Phones suggested.

“What and let someone else be possibly bitten?”

“Ah.”

Atlanta rolled her eyes and looked back up to the spider. “It could be, I suppose although it is rare. Is it brown or black? I can’t quite see it in this light.”

“I’m not sure.” Troy frowned up at it, then gave his best friend a nudge, “go on Phones.”

“Me? You’re the action hero!”

“I ain’t touching it!”

“Wimps.” Atlanta declared. She turned and pulled the chair over to underneath the spider. Then using the boys to balance Atlanta climbed up on the chair. The ceiling was in near touching distance if she put her arms up.

“Hand me a cup out that would you." She said. Marina did so, grabbing one from the water cooler, “We’ll just put it outside- Oh. Huh.”

“What is it?”

“Nothing.” Atlanta frowned. But her voice wobbled just the teeeeensiest bit. She looked from the cup to the spider and back again. “It’s … actually quite big now I'm up here. Bigger then a house spider.”

“See, what did I say!?”

“Let the lady get the bug in peace, skipper.”

“It’s an arachnid. Look I’ll get it. but then one of you two can deal with it.” Atlanta said and then turned back to them. “Oh, shoot actually, has someone got a piece of paper?”

There was a flurry of checking pockets. and both fellas pulled out their id cards.

“Here you go honey,” Troy said. “Marina what is it?”

Marina shook her head. And was pointing up again. The others, Atlanta included, followed.

“Oh. Huh.” Phones echoed.

“Hey!”

“Where’d it go?”

In the split second where not one person had eyes on the spider, it had gone.

“Did anyone see Where it went?” Atlanta asked slowly. Troy shook his head.

“Atlanta? Get down real slowly.”

“It’s not on me, is it?!” Atlanta squawked. And twisted around so fast the chair wobbled. All three of the Stingray crew grabbed it steady.

“I thought you didn’t mind bugs?” Phones frowned.

“Yes, but not on me!”

Troy thankfully helped Atlanta down off the chair before either of them started to panic.

“Marina did you see where it went?” Phones tried. “Like on the floor? Or inside the auto serve?”

“If it did, I’m never getting coffee out of one of those things ever again!” Troy huffed.

Marina shook her head and shrugged at Phones.

But she pointed to the elevator doors.

Octopus Up.

“Yeah. Let’s go back upstairs.” Troy agreed. “I’ve had enough.”

“But the spider-?” Phones started.

“The commander's right. Let housekeeping or a cleaner deal with it.” Troy said. He had called the elevator and was holding the doors for his friends. Atlanta went in and pressed the floor number. Marina hesitated then crossed the doorway. Followed by the guys.

Octopus Up.

“Yes, I get it.” Troy said. “What a day.”

“What a break time.” Atlanta complained, checking her watch and pressed the top floor button as well. “I better head straight to control. At least you three are still on standby.”

Octopus Up.

“Yeah, I know Marina.” Troy said exasperated as he followed. and the door closed. The system hummed and started to move. “We get the picture-!”

Then Troy froze.

“Skipper?”

“Troy?”

The sound Troy made in response was unpleasant and slightly strangled. Troy had also gone very white. And quickly backed away from the middle of the elevator till he was right against the wall. Reaching past Atlanta, he then started Hammering the open-door button.

“Troy are you alright?”

“What goes?”

Octopus Up. Marina said again calmly.

Again, Phones and Atlanta looked where Marina pointed. The elevator maintenance hatch was ajar slightly. And beyond that covered in a crisscross of webs. Above their head, and much much closer this time, hanging from silk netting, something crawled out of the hatch. Several something’s. Several, eight legged somethings.

“That’s a lot of octopuses.” Phones agreed a tad more urgently.

“Octopi.” Atlanta corrected; her voice slightly strained. “I guess father didn’t see those ones earlier.”

“Did you Marina? Was that what you’ve been trying to tell us?”

Marina nodded.

octopus up ceiling up. Not. No worries. Still here. She said. Then jumped a good foot in the air as an alarm went off.

Well, they all did. Troy had hit the elevators stop button and was now forcing the doors apart.

“Troy! That’s for emergencies only!” Atlanta said.

“It’s only another floor up!” Phones scolded.

“Nope! Not a chance. Suddenly I feel like another walk!” Troy insisted. “Box of spiders, give me a Mechanical fish any day!”

Marina stood confused looking between Troy and the spiders. Some even started crawling out of the hatch and along the ceiling like the first creature had. Or hanging upside down on strings of silvery threads. One dangled from a long web, quickly creeping and a crawling closer until it had dropped to be level with eyes. Marina put her hand out towards it, curious…Only to be pulled away by her more terrain wise friends.

“No, leave it Marina! We don’t know what species they are.” Phones said. “Come on, let's go. We’ll be stuck in here all day otherwise.”

Atlanta agreed, even if it was a stupid thing to do.

Troy jumped down out of the evaluator. Because of course he did. Then practically manhandled his team out of the box as they hurried out the elevator behind him. It was very lucky that the lifts were notoriously slow. Some design flaw that seemed to counterbalance the injector tubes breakneck speed. The elevator hadn’t gone far, only five feet or so. Climbing down wasn’t a big challenge, bar the indignity of sitting on the and shuffling down feet first through the gap to safely drop down.

Phones had the decency to stop and explain to a very confused ensign what was up with the elevator. Troy however practically bolted his way back up the stairs. While Atlanta went off to inform the commander about the infestation that had appeared right above their heads, the shipmates followed Troy. Troy had made it to the safety of the standby lounge and grabbed the radio.

“Hello maintenance? Security?” he said and was making demands down the line. “I don’t know, the cleaners. Well then who do I call about a swarm of huge spiders in the tower, International Rescue!?”

“Guess we’re getting pest control after all!” Phones joked to Marina. Followed by an “ow!” Troy had hit him with a rolled-up magazine.

“Hey now, that does it. Busting elevators, wanderings, bugs and now swattin’ me!? I'm going outside for a smoke!” Phones complained. He went on to the balcony and called back over his shoulder, “At least the spiders out here are naturally occurring!”

Troy made to flip him off. Then thought better of it. He didn’t want to be responsible for their mermaid learning the rude one-fingered gesture that defiantly wasn’t one of WASP international diving symbols.

“Marina, go give Atlanta her magazine, would you please?” Troy asked, pushing his weapon into her hands. Discarded his cap on the chair. “Hello operator- no I'm already holding. I'm trying to report a problem with the entire building!”

Marina nodded and went to leave. Then hesitated. She tap tap tapped her fingers on the door frame to get Troy’s attention again. When he glanced up at her Marina waved and then signed:

Down.

“What?”

Down, she started. Octopus down. Not up. Surface immediately. Octopus down.

“Marina.” Troy interrupted. “Not to be rude, but I do not want to go and see any more spiders! Or land crabs, squids or otherwise thanks!”

Marina winced but sympathised. He seemed real upset. So, she agreed. Troy turned back to the radio.

And Marina left, deciding Troy wouldn’t want to hear about the octopus on his cap then.

#stingray 1964 #stingray fanfiction #my fanfiction #atlanta shore #marina #troy tempest #phones #thunderfam #arachnophobia #spider #octopus #oneshot #octopus up

13 notes · View notes

skymaiden32 · 3 months

Text

Bad News

AO3 link here

Fandom: Thunderbirds, Stingray

Tagging: @dragonoffantasyandreality @thundergeek59 @janetm74 @katblu42 @liseylou @amistrio @uniwolfcorn @idontknowreallywhy (Please ask if you would like to get alerts when I update or post new stories.)

Continuity: TOS

Last chapter, here we go!

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

Gordon learns who Trench really is.

------

The walk along the beach was surprisingly peaceful, and Gordon found himself relaxing a little, although he knew there was no way he could fully let his guard down.

Trench broke the ice. “So, you must have questions. What do you want to know?” He asked in that tinny voice of his.

“Okay, that one’s easy enough.” He chuckled without any humour. “Who the hell are you?”

Trench paused. “Oh, right. Thanks for reminding me.” The mask was off before Gordon could even blink. He held back a gasp when he saw who it was. “It’s been too long since I felt the crisp sea air on my face. Can’t take the mask off in front of the Aquaphibians. I’d be dead in two seconds flat.”

“Troy Tempest…?”

The man in front of him bowed. “The one and only.”

Gordon frowned, trying his best to regain his composure. “You’re the last person I’d expect…” Shore hadn’t been kidding at all, had he? This was bad. This was really bad. “You and Titan hate each other.”

Troy hummed. “That was before he… shall we say… opened my mind to Marineville’s faults.”

More like brainwashed, Gordon thought, but didn’t say aloud. “What about Atlanta? Phones? Fisher? All the people you left behind? I’m sure they all miss you.” When Troy didn’t answer, Gordon changed tactics. “Okay, then what about me? I know you’ve met Scott and Virgil before, so that explains how you knew we were siblings, but it doesn’t explain how you knew I was IR.”

Troy smiled. “X20. He was on a routine mission to Marineville and overheard your little conversation with Shore. Which he then reported back to me.” They approached a large rock, and Troy gestured for Gordon to sit next to him. Gordon glared at him in reply, but eventually complied, fearing what might happen to his brothers if he didn't. “It was simple to set up a disaster that would be too hard for International Rescue to ignore.”

“So it was you who attacked the USS Rodgers.”

“I would’ve thought that would be obvious. It was my tracker that allowed me and my men to follow you here.” The other man hummed. “The plan originally was to follow you to your base and seize your technology. Well, that was Titan’s at least.” Gordon raised an eyebrow. “My plan was to just talk to you. I’m glad you found the tracker. Makes my task of explaining our failure to the King easier.”

The aquanaut froze. “Wait, just making sure I’m understanding. You were never going to attack our base? You really were just going to talk?”

Troy grinned. “I may not be on the surface dwellers side anymore, but I still consider you a friend. And Titanica has no pre-existing quarrel with International Rescue. Attacking you would be unwise.”

“You’ve changed your tune.” Gordon hissed, not falling for any of it. “You were taking my brothers prisoner less than ten minutes ago, and now you’re saying that ‘attacking us would be unwise’. I see right through you, Tempest.” He frowned. “Or should I be calling you Trench now?”

Captain Tempest, Captain Trench, whoever it was in front of him, sighed. “Look. I meant what I said. No harm will come to them. As a matter of fact, if the Aquaphibians hurt them, I’ll end them myself.”

“Bet Titan won’t be happy about that.” Gordon scoffed.

“I learned he doesn’t care a long time ago. So long as someone does the work and the work is done.” Troy retaliated. “And I learned that when I was in WASP.”

“I see.” An uneasy silence followed. Gordon had just one question to ask. “Okay, I’ll bite. Why talk to me in the first place? Why not just disappear?”

More silence. For a minute, Gordon didn’t think Troy would answer him. But eventually, he did. “To say sorry.” He said in a low voice. “Sorry I didn’t manage to say goodbye.”

Gordon’s eyes widened in realisation. It had been too quick, leaving WASP after his accident. He hadn’t been able to stay at Marineville General for long. His injuries had needed to be specially treated. And since he’d already been honourably discharged following the whole mess, he’d never gotten a chance to wave farewell to the group of aquanauts who had taught him so much, who’d done their best to steady him and be a secondary family. He’d never gotten that closure. But then of course, neither had they.

“I’m sorry too. Sorry that I lost touch with all of you. Sorry we’re on opposite sides now…” For the first time since Troy had made his presence known, Gordon looked at him. Really looked. “You look exhausted, Tempest.” He said honestly, and was surprised at his own concern. “How hard is Titan working you?”

“Oh, it’s not that bad.”

Gordon gave him a look, channelling his best Scott impression. “Troy.”

“The undersea races don’t need as much sleep as humans do.”

The look hardened. “Troy. How much sleep do they get?”

Troy winced. “Four hours? At most?”

“And Titanica is the better option over Marineville?”

The other aquanaut huffed. “I’m not going back there.”

“Then leave Titanica at the very least. You don’t have to work for WASP. Just…” Gordon paused. “Just come back to the surface. You said yourself, you haven’t felt the air on the surface for ages.”

Troy sighed, looking out to the sea. “I can’t do that. The ocean is my home now…” He frowned. “Plus, I’d be in for one hell of a Court Marshal. They’d track me down, make me pay for leaving WASP, and then I’d be stuck in a prison cell.” He laughed dryly. “What sea air would I feel then, Gordon?”

“That’s what you think, Troy, but the truth of it is that WASP will defend you. And that’s because you didn’t leave. You were taken.” Gordon frowned when Troy froze, confirming his worst thoughts. “I’ve got it, don’t I? Titan abducted you. He moulded you into someone you’re not, and then he forced you to fight your friends.” Troy’s continued silence was damning. “Tell me I’m wrong!”

“How dare you speak of Titan in that way? He saved me from that life.” Troy’s voice was barely above a whisper, and Gordon immediately knew he’d pushed too far. He couldn’t stop himself from looking down. He knew though, he was right about what Titan had done. The tyrant couldn’t kill his worst enemy, so instead he shaped Troy and his mind as he saw fit. “I will not return to life on the surface.”

Out the corner of his eye, Gordon noticed the mask slip back on. He supposed Trench was fully back. A crunch was heard as he crushed something in his hand. Gordon recognised the tracker that had let the Aquaphibians follow them here in the first place. “I will not tell His Majesty about this conversation we had, but I believe that conversation is over.” He pressed something on his collar, and began speaking in the Aquaphibian language. Gordon could only barely make it out with the little he’d been taught at WASP. His brothers were being released. “As promised, your brothers are unharmed. I strongly advise that the three of you leave. The rest of your family must be worried.” He gestured in the direction of the Thunderbirds, letting Gordon lead the way there.

The aquanaut breathed a sigh of relief when he saw them standing there in front of Thunderbird 2. He broke off in a run, just wanting to stick to them like glue now. When they saw the look on his face, they frowned. Scott glared in Trench’s direction. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

“No! Absolutely not. Just…” He looked back at Captain Trench and his Aquaphibian men. He didn’t like what he saw in his old friend, now a new enemy. “I just want to get home.”

His two brothers nodded, clearly agreeing with his decision. It had been a difficult day. And as Thunderbirds 1 and 2 both lifted into the air, Gordon processed everything that had just happened. It took a while. All throughout the journey home and the debrief, where Scott had the unfortunate task of telling their father what had just happened. Jeff Tracy was out for blood now, and Alan had looked mortified. .

Gordon took his secret to bed with him, locking the door for as much privacy as he could get with three brothers in the house and one able to get in contact from space at any given moment. He turned on his video-call, taking a deep breath as he typed in the familiar number. His heart beat in his chest as it rang. Finally, the person he was calling answered.

“Hello?” Voice only. Dang it. Oh well, it was better than nothing.

Swallowing down his nerves, he continued what he’d started. “Hi Atlanta. You probably don’t remember me, but I’m Gordon Tracy. I used to work with you at WASP.”

The woman on the other end gasped. “Of course, Lieutenant Tracy! It would be difficult to forget you.” Gordon smirked. His reputation still preceded him, then. “Father said he’d contacted you about temporarily replacing a crew member. Have you changed your mind?”

He shook his head. “I’m afraid not. I called to talk to you about something else.”

“Oh?”

“I, umm…” He hesitated. This wasn’t going to be easy to tell her. “I… saw Troy earlier today.”

“Oh.” Atlanta’s voice wilted. “So you know then.” It wasn’t a question. “He tracked you down.”

“Yeah, and…” Gordon sighed. “I just wanna talk to someone about what he said. Someone who’d know…”

“You don’t have to finish that sentence, Gordon. I understand. Do you want to talk now?”

“Yeah, I would.”

So that’s just what they did together. They shared what had happened among themselves. The conversations they’d had with Troy since his turn and how they felt. And Gordon felt so much lighter, to know he wasn’t alone in this feeling.

#thunderbirds #thunderbirds 1965 #thunderbirds fanfiction #stingray 1964 #stingray fanfiction #thunderfam #gordon tracy #captain trench #troy tempest #scott tracy #virgil tracy #atlanta shore #sky writes stuff

11 notes · View notes

avengedbiologist · 9 months

Text

Not drawn Mr Tempest in a while

#troy tempest #stingray 1964

21 notes · View notes

c-rose2081 · 1 year

Text

King Titan is not a guy you wanna go messing around with. He’s known as the Tyrant King for a reason. He’s killed thousands, enslaved just as many, and holds much of the Sea in an iron, fear led grip.

He murdered an entire royal family — a peaceful royal family — to take over their kingdom to be his grand Capital city. And forced the last heir to the throne of Pacifica into neglectful servitude at the age of six.

Stingray and the WASP’s are the only thing that brings hope to the Aquaphibian’s stuck under his tyranny, and is the only thing that could truly ever bring peace back to the underwater world, which is why Titan wants them all dead so badly.

#stingray 1964 #stingray tv show #king Titan #stingray marina #troy tempest #classic tv #gerry anderson #thunderbirds are go #digital art #concept art #fanart #character illustration #illustration #world building #tag team

62 notes · View notes

dragonoffantasyandreality · 1 year

Text

A visual teaser for the next chapter of Ghost of the Sea 😉

@uniwolfcorn , @teapotteringabout , @skymaiden32 , @knyee , @janetm74 , @the-original-sineater , @amistrio , @thundergeek59 , @riallasheng , @soniabigcheese , @dreamycloud , @mothmannerly , @room-on-broom , @squiddokiddo , @westernstardh

#my art #Ghost of the Sea #Stingray #stingray 1964 #troy tempest #phones sheridan #marina #atlanta shore #Thunderfam #gerry anderson #supermarionation #ga fanart

30 notes · View notes

jacksonstarkiller · 3 days

Text

Phones *whispering to Troy who’s on the phone with Atlanta*: Ask her something!

Troy: How are you feeling?

Atlanta: Fine.

Phones: Something personal.

Troy: At what age did you first get your period?

#stingray #stingray1964 #incorrect stingray quotes #Troy Tempest #Phones #Atlanta Shore #thunderfam

4 notes · View notes

averageman2005 · 8 months

Text

Duke Dexter has something to shout about! 🎸

youtube

#gerry anderson #supermarionation #stingray #troy tempest #1960s #puppets #rock n roll #Youtube

14 notes · View notes

room-on-broom · 7 months

Text

“I have to warn you. I told Barry he could have one of your bedtime stories,” Atlanta told him as they got off the elevator. “You might get ambushed tomorrow.”

Troy shrugged best he could with an arm full of Barry. “It can wait for next time otherwise. I think I better ask him to remind me where we were up to anyway. He'd hate to miss the ending.”

“Hm. He was looking forward to it.” Atlanta said with a sigh. “It was how I convinced him to get ready for bed so early!”

Next chapter will be a little epilogue. thanks for reading, its been fun!

#y know?#stingray #stingray 1964 #fanfiction #my fanfiction #thunderfam #your mother and baby mine #barry #Atlanta shore #troy tempest

9 notes · View notes

river-sam2 · 1 year

Text

How could phones learned Aquaphibian language so fluentry.

#gerry anderson #stingray #doodle #troy tempest #phones Sheridan

23 notes · View notes

spaceshipsoutthepool · 5 months

Text

A screenshot redraw and a work-in-progress of the alternative cover for Unshackled

#stingray 1964 #thunderfam #atlanta shore #my art #stingray fanfiction #illustration #unshackled #my fanfiction #Marina #mixed media #troy tempest #phones #screenshot redraw #stingray #watercolours #ink

34 notes · View notes

skymaiden32 · 4 months

Text

Mariana Trench

Read on AO3 here

Fandom: Stingray

Happy New Year! ^^

------

Titan’s study seemed to be darker than it had ever been before, the King’s mood leaking into the surrounding environment. Trench’s unease was well hidden on his face, but it was still there, and he exchanged a worried look with X20 as Titan sat in front of them with his eyes closed, chin on his clasped hands as he mulled over their failures of the day.

Finally, his eyes opened, and he regarded them both with a disappointed stare. “X20. You should be glad that you removed any and all information about the plan from Lemoy. That is your only saving grace. How could they have escaped, you idiot?” Titan hissed, expecting an answer.

“W-Well, I…” When X20 couldn’t answer, Titan regarded him with a cold look. His attention was on his once arch-enemy in a second.

“And you.” He began. Troy had to hide the shivers that went up his spine. “I gave you a chance to make things right. And yet, even after how she betrayed you when you needed her, you hesitated,” he mentally counted how many times his Captain failed to land the final strike, “five times.” Titan huffed. “That’s five times too many, Tempest.”

X20 blanched at the use of the Captain’s real name, looking over at the human, shame at having forgotten to take out that stupid key forgotten. He watched Troy with concealed sympathy. Troy frowned, but seemed to take it in his stride. “Sire, all I can do is apologise. I thought I was ready to face her in battle, and I wasn’t…”

Titan huffed after a while, standing up. “I understand the land-dwellers were once your friends, but they are now your enemies. I expect you to treat them as such.” He folded his arms behind his back as he circled the two of them. X20 was instantly reminded of a barracuda circling its prey. “If either of you fail me again, you will pay for it. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sire.”

“Yes, O Titan.”

“Good. Now get out of my sight…” Neither of them needed telling twice. They were out of there in a shot.

------

Atlanta placed her dinner next to where Phones and Fisher were sitting in the cafeteria with a sigh. It had been a week since the Battle of Pacifica, and they’d heard nothing from Titanica. Phones gave her a look as he chewed. He swallowed his mouthful, hoping to strike up a conversation with her. “Hey Atlanta.” He started.

“Hey.” She replied halfheartedly.

“How’s your day been so far?” Atlanta grimaced. “That frantic, huh?”

His friend let out a snort of amusement. “No, not like that. If anything it’s been the opposite.”

Fisher poked at his food. “Quiet, huh?”

“Too quiet…” Atlanta agreed, picking up her fork as Marina sat opposite the human trio. “Especially after what happened in Pacifica.” She sighed. “I don’t like how uneventful things have been.”

Fisher shrugged. “Well, they lost, which I doubt was the plan. Bet they weren’t banking on Marina being so hardcore.” The young Lieutenant gave the mermaid a grin, and she blushed a light green at the praise. “They’re gonna have to adjust for it.”

“I suppose…” Atlanta smiled softly in Fisher’s direction. He had a point. Marina’s hand signals caught her eye. “What’s up Mari?”

The mermaid made a series of gestures, asking for a time to talk to Commander Shore.

“Of course I can get Dad to talk to you. He’d never say no to you… But,” Atlanta raised an eyebrow, “what is this about?”

Marina made more hand signals. Phones eyes widened.

“It’s about your fight with Troy?” Marina nodded at the question. Phones hummed. “Okay. The Commander will wanna hear it, and so will we.”

------

The knock on the door was a surprise, his mask slipped on in a flash, even though he knew it could only really be one person. “Come in.” Sure enough, in stepped X20, carrying a brown paper bag in with him. “What brings you here, X20? Shouldn’t you be out gathering information in Marineville?” Troy took off the mask mid-sentence, eyebrow raised at his subordinate. If Titan ever found out the surface agent was here and not in the field-

“I returned here to report to his majesty about my mission’s progress in person. I’ve got a few marine hours before I’m due to leave Titanica.” X20 admitted in that nasally voice of his. Surprisingly, it didn’t annoy the former WASP as much as it used to. “Thought you might want some company while you’re working. I believe your kind call it ‘socialising’...” The surface agent frowned slightly, sceptical. Making friends had never been the Titanican way, so it didn’t come as naturally to X20 as it did Troy, but he was determined to make this work. He’d been so lonely even before serving Titan, and humans had always praised the benefits of calling someone a friend. Maybe, just maybe, he’d be able to experience that for once.

Troy hummed. “We do.” He looked at the overwhelming stack of reports he had to deal with. Having someone to talk to had always made work fly by for him. He missed that. He missed it a lot… “What harm could it do?” At his superior’s invitation, X20 sat down, pulling out a couple of items out of the bag. Troy’s eyes widened. “Where did you get these?”

X20 placed them in front of the Captain. “I heard they were your favourites back on the surface, before you joined us.” The soft drinks seemed to shine in the fading light of the office. Above the waves, X20 knew the sun was setting, signalling the end of the day. It wouldn’t be the end of it for King Titan’s right and left-hand men, however. “You must be pretty sick of seawater and algae by now. I’ve also heard getting gifts for someone is the best way to start a friendship, but I’m not sure what to do now…” The agent admitted.

Troy offered him a genuine smile, something he felt he hadn’t done in a long time. “Now…” Troy started, more than happy to give X20 some guidance here. “Now we talk about what we like, what we don’t like. We share funny stories from our past and what we want to do in the future. We-” He cut himself off as the images of Atlanta, and then Phones, flashed through his mind. Before X20 could say anything about his sudden silence, he pushed the thought of his former friend and girlfriend to the side. “We talk about fears and uncertainties. We get to really know the people we’re with, as if they’re our blood family.”

“I see.” X20 grinned in understanding. “So, where should we start?”

Troy rubbed his chin in thought. “Well, you already know what my favourite drink is,” he gestured to the cans on his desk, “so, what would you say your favourite is?”

In the end, they ended up talking for a couple of hours, only stopping when an aquaphibian interrupted them to find X20. Their time was up. It was time for the surface agent to return to his mission on the surface. Troy sighed when everyone was out of earshot, his thoughts drifting once more towards Atlanta. It had been surprisingly easy to talk to X20, but it had been even easier to talk to her.

Throughout years of building up their relationship, of sharing everything, they’d finally gotten to a point where Troy couldn’t have imagined a life without her. He’d even gotten a ring for her to offer her. To ask her to spend the rest of her life with him. But Titan had taken him in before he could ask, and his love for her was called into question. Did he even still love her anymore?

There was no way he’d give himself back to the WASPs. But was there a way to convince the woman he loved to join the Titanican cause? He shook his head almost as soon as the thought appeared. Atlanta’s feelings for him were strong, once upon a time, but her love for her father was most definitely stronger at the moment.

Defeated, he took one last look at the ocean out of the window, the vast waters beyond the city now completely black. He stood up, sliding his mask back on. He had a few checks to make before calling it a night.

------

Commander Shore was the first to speak. “Troy was hesitating?” The control room was silent upon Marina’s reveal. From the outside, it would’ve looked as if he just kept missing his mark, but the mermaid knew him too well than to believe that. “You’re certain?” Marina nodded, determined.

“I knew it…” Phones muttered. “I knew there’d be a way to get through to him!”

Fisher grinned. “Yeah, he’d never want to hurt us, no matter what side he’s on.”

“Hold on.” Shore held up his hands, signalling a time-out. “I already know what you’re thinking, and it’s out of the question.” Phones froze. “You’re not going to Titanica to try and convince Troy to come home.” Shore frowned, offering the Lieutenant a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry. But it’s too dangerous.”

“But Commander,” Fisher began, “this may be our best chance. If Troy’s having doubts, he’s more likely to listen to us.”

The Commander sighed. “I’m well aware. But the Titanican attack on Pacifica was costly, even if we did win. Too many crews are gravely wounded.” His previously sharp gaze drooped as his mind drifted to the officers who had lost their lives that day. His companions were similarly subdued. “Or worse…” He locked eyes with Phones, who looked back at him sadly. “We’re weakened while they’re recovering. Stingray will remain on standby until then. That’s-”

“Sir, please don’t say it.” Fisher cut him off hurriedly.

“That’s an order.” Everyone gave him a look. “Oh, don’t give me that.” He subtly rolled his eyes. He swore up and down he didn’t just have one child sometimes. “You all know I’m right. Now, you all better get to bed. It’s late.”

“Commander!” The frantic voice of one of the cadets floated through the doors. “News from Patrol Vessel Number 33!” Everyone looked at the young woman, curious. “They have captured a Titanican vessel just a few miles west of the beach. And they have a prisoner.”

Commander Shore raised an eyebrow. “I can tell there’s something particularly special about this prisoner…” He smirked when the cadet nodded. “Well, speak up soldier! Who’s the lone soul who’ll have to deal with WASP interrogation first thing tomorrow?”

“It’s Surface Agent X20, sir…”

#stingray #stingray 1964 #stingray fanfiction #troy tempest #captain trench #surface agent x20 #titan stingray #atlanta shore #lieutenant fisher #george lee 'phones' sheridan #marina of pacifica #commander shore #sky writes stuff

10 notes · View notes