Fic: Firefly’s Glow - Part 6/?
Chapter 1: Part 1 | Part 2
Chapter 2: Part 3 | Part 4
Chapter 3: Part 5 | Part 6
You are Here
From the Beginning: FF | AO3
Summary: Imprisoned by the Hood, Gordon dreams of his oldest brother and of fireflies - but of course the Hood had to steal that memory too, in addition to his baldric, his boots, and Virgil’s face. What else could he possibly steal? He discovers the answer is quite a bit, and Gordon has to learn to navigate his new world, its new dangers, and the overbearing presence of his brothers’ desire to help what they can’t fix.
This part ~ 721 words - Enter John, from above. With thanks to @willow-salix for the EOS advice and @gumnut-logic for the read through, and to all of you for continuing to support.
There was a word for John’s level of pissed – angered wasn’t strong enough, seething wasn’t quite right as it implied his ire was internally contained, and irate was the word Scott used when describing some of their more unreasonable clients. His anger was not unreasonable; it was justified, a normal reaction to the roller coaster of finding out your younger brother had been taken - to he might be dead - to we found him and he’s injured - to he’s also lucky if he’s four inches tall and we don’t know what to do about it.
“John,” EOS inquired. “You seem rather-”
“-infuriated,” she finished, finding the right words for her inquiry among her databanks.
“I am.” Intent green eyes scanned the computers, back pulled so tight against his uniform that his shoulder blades could slice bread. A blossoming spread of pink from the back of his neck revealed the heat that crept up to his ears, and he channeled the pounding of his racing heart into the movement of his fingers across the screen and the determined chase of words.
“I would like to help, John.”
He felt the ache left behind by grinding enamel as he loosened his jaw slowly. “Okay, EOS, of course. Scan for all known blue chemical compounds. Look for molecular modification that results in alteration of size.” He sighed. “We don’t have much to go on.”
“Analyzing.” After a beat she finished, quicker than John would ever be, even with his university famous speed-reading abilities. “Data has been sent to Brains. Looking for alternative compounds that may help Gordon Tracy.”
“Thank you.” John turned to her gratefully – in time to catch a flash of red lighting across her screen. “I – EOS! Are you okay?”
“The Hood has hurt our family,” she answered sharply. “Expanding search to organic material.”
“You are angry too.” John recognized that fire, that same obsessive urge to escape into research instead of processing feelings. Like father like daughter. It was not a comfort to see that particular trait echoed in his progeny. “EOS-”
“Kayo to Thunderbird Five. Come in, John.” He heard in his sister’s voice exasperation, but no urgency.
“Can you tell your idiot brother that this is not his fault?”
Typical. “Scott, this was not your fault,” he agreed, knowing Scott would be able to hear him through Kayo’s unit.
“But if I had secured Havoc better, we would have had a lead.”
“Maybe, but –” She may not have had any clue in the first place, he wanted to tell him, but an incoming call told him Alan was reaching out at the same time. That could be urgent, as Alan was the one with Virgil and Gordon. “Ah – hold on Scott, I have to switch over…”
“John! I don’t know what to do. Virgil can’t help Gordon.”
“Turn that off,” he heard through the comms, a voice so distant, or more likely so small, that he could barely hear it.
John sucked in a breath as the call went silent.
“You still have Scott and Kayo on hold,” EOS advised beside him.
He heaved a sigh. “I am aware.”
“And you are frustrated.”
He nodded. “I can’t be there to help.”
Kayo’s call blinked away.
“I have to be here to find answers.”
“Really?” She sounded offended. “Have you considered that I can look for answers? And I’m much faster than you, John Tracy.” She had him there, and as he thought it, another flash of red light signaled her irritation. The AI equivalent to an eye roll. “Sending all possible and theoretical organic compound combinations to Brains. I have also sent copies to your file.”
Two more flickers on the screen in front of him let him know his siblings were calling back – Virgil this time and Scott.
“I can take care of things here. International Rescue will be short staffed with Gordon - injured.” Her lights softened, the calls continuing to sound as they conferred. “They need you. Let me help.”
“Wonderful!” Her lights did a circuit in the round. “I’ll answer Scott. Maybe they’ve found something. Transferring Virgil to the space elevator. All results will continue to be sent to your datapad. And John,” she said, pausing a moment, “promise to keep me informed.”
