The fire continued to burn out of control, the roar of the fires continued making everyone hard to hear as the fire fighters continued to battle, to clear a path to the nearest town.

All around them trees fell as they lost their branches and roots, falling onto the ground catching nearby foliage on fire, adding to the inferno.

"Mobile Control to Thunderbird Two, we're pulling out to the town!" Jeff called up to the rescue craft that hovered above the danger zone, looking over the blaze.

"FAB we'll use the missiles to clear the road as best as we can" Virgil's voice replied as he focused on keeping the craft steady.

"I'll be riding with the police, meet me in the town square" Jeff said as he watched the police gather everyone to discuss what was happening.

"Ok we'll meet you there" Virgil replied, before Thunderbird Two moved back towards the road, assisting the fire fighters fight against the fire.

"Paul! Wake up! We've got to get out of here" A voice yelled close by making Jeff look around, the voice sounded familiar to him.

Looking around he found two young men on a bike with one leaning against the other, he looked over wanting to leave the laptop but knew he couldn't leave his station.

"Get back, we don't need help!" The young man warned the paramedics that had walked over hearing the distress in the young man's voice.

Jeff packed and secured the laptop into its case before walking over to the paramedics, "Let me try and talk to them, think they need help over there" He said nodding at a nearby team of police.

The paramedics nodded and walked over to the police while Jeff tried to get a better look at the two young men, he could make out that they both had long dark hair and they looked to be covered in soot.

"Did you drive through this fire to get here?" Jeff asked offering a full canteen of water to the young man, who continued to support his friend.

"We did, we got caught while fishing nearby" Leo accepted the canteen, taking a sip of water from it before dumping it over his friend's head.

He woke up with a jump, coughing and shaking the water away from his face and eyes. "What was that for Leo?" He croaked as he sat up on the bike.

"Then now that I'm awake, we should go and let International Rescue get back to their work" Paul replied seeing Jeff's silver uniform in the light of the fire and emergency vehicles close by.

"You're right, so thanks for the water but we need to get moving" Leo said looking at Jeff through the thick strands of hair that fell over his face.

Jeff could see a slight stubborn streak in their eyes and sighed, "Follow the road and pass under Thunderbird Two, they're clearing the road until we're clear of the forest" He said before leaving them and joined the police.

"Embarrass me again and I will shoot you" Leo growled as he revved the bike up and took the route he had been informed about.

"The wind is pushing the fire towards the cliffs, the rocks will slow the fire and they'll be able to fight it then" Jeff finished updating his sons and Brains, who listened through the open radio channel inside Thunderbird Two.

Outside of the large craft several small camps had been set up nearby, making the once large town square seem chaotic with various teams of doctors and nurses from various hospitals rushing around.

"So what have got to do now?"Alan asked as they heard the police keeping people away from the rescue craft.

" I talked to the fire chief and the police chief, they told me that they have backup arriving in the next hour to help with clean up" Jeff told his boys, he could tell that they were tired and just wanted to get back home, to their base.

"You have that meeting tomorrow too, still have to get ready for it" Virgil reminded his father.

Jeff smiled and shook his head, I give in boys, I'll tell the chiefs that we'll be leaving... with the fire under control and more than enough help here" He said seeing his sons cheer up a little at hearing the news.

"We'll be ready to leave in ten minutes" Virgil replied and disappeared to get his craft ready to take off.

Jeff headed back towards Thunderbird Two and felt someone bump into him; a disc appeared in his hand. Looking around at the mixture of people walking around him couldn't see anyone and walked back to Thunderbird Two.

"Leo?" Paul called as he entered the motel they had just booked into after getting out of the forest fire.

Shower, did you get them?" Leo called, the sound of the shower covering most of his voice.

"Yeah I've got them, got a double mocha latte and blueberry muffins too" Paul called back as he unpacked the grocery bag; Leo appeared with a towel wrapt around his waist.

Paul glanced up and threw a lemon at his friend, who caught it easily flexing his well toned muscles. There on his chest were old scars while on his shoulders were healing cuts and a scar that had almost faded against his well tanned skin.

Paul shared two of the scars but they were in different places, one across his abdomen and the other down his back. There were light spots down his neck and arms where something had burnt him in the past.

"opefully these will help, I'll cook later" Leo said with a small smile as he cut the lemon in half with his dagger and disappeared back into the shower.

Paul sighed and worked on sorting the laundry out ignoring the various smells rising up from the clothes; he couldn't help but remember the shocked face of the leader of International Rescue when Paul had slipped him the disk containing information about Biotech.

"Just hope that this war will end soon!" Paul muttered as he crashed onto the bed nearest the window, pressing the palms of his hands into his eyes.

To be continued!