Thunderbirds
Shaft Of Doom
by Lee Homer
Disclaimer: All rights reserved. "Shaft Of Doom" is a fan adaptation of the comic strip by Fleetway Comics.
Chapter One
Dawn arrived in the South Pacific, casting it's warm rays over a sleeping Tracy Island. It was no doubt the start of yet another busy day. As for the Tracy family, they needed all the sleep they could get before another rescue situation would fly their way. Jeff Tracy was often the first to awake. He would carry out his routine morning rituals with a cup of coffee and routine report from Thunderbird Five. His son's would shortly wake up and attend breakfast in the kitchen. As for Scott Tracy, the eldest of the brothers. His peaceful morning laying, was about to be interrupted most abruptly.
As he slumbered peacefully, making the most of the quiet time, Scott was rocked out of bed by a sound that shook the contents of his room. Usually, it would be the gentle breeze of the wind that would awaken him, but this was something else.
"That sounds like an engine. A very powerful engine!" He said as he crawled out of bed towards the window.
He looked down in disbelief to see The Mole emerge from the ocean below him. He couldn't believe it. He rubbed his eyes with a grunt as he watched The Mole crawl along the runway and into Thunderbird Two's hangar. He could see that the Hangar doors were wide open, which meant that something was going on without his knowledge about it.
"I don't know what heck he's doing this time, but He owes me an extra hour of shut-eye." He grunted, as he pulled on his dress robe. "I wish he would tell me about these things first?"
Marching down the corridor, Scott entered Thunderbird Two's hangar bay to see Brains tinkering about the infamous pod vehicle. The brilliant Scientist and inventor had a reputation for having very little sleep. Once something was on his mind, it would be almost impossible to get him to switch off. Brains had gotten so wrapped up in his work, that he didn't even hear Scott enter the hangar. His face was stained with oil grease and sweat. Black bags lingered under his eyes.
"Brains, Don't you ever sleep?" Scott huffed.
Brains jumped at the gruff tone in his voice. "S -Sorry Scott. I had to do some tests with The Mole."
Scott raised an eye brow. "So what did you do with it? Give it a morning bath?
"I'd rather not say anything, Scott. It's eh...not quite perfect."
"Not perfect? Brains, I saw the Mole emerge from the water? What was you trying to test?"
Brains looked at him with an ambitious smile. Scott always admired the little things about him. If Brains was confident about something, then it was clearly alright with his father.
"I was trying to e-experiment with the possibility of underwater drilling." He explained. "I wanted to expand the Mole's capabilities. Mr Tracy figured it would assist Gordon in any underwater rescues. However, like I said. It's not quite p-perfect."
Scott couldn't stay mad at him. It was morning after all, and he figured that some food would help him start the day properly.
"Alright, Brains. I get it." He said. "Now how about you go clean yourself up and come and join us for Breakfast? Oh and while you're at it. Get a few hours sleep?"
"One t-thing at a time, Scott." Brains chuckled.
Later that morning, Scott and Brains had finished discussing the Mole project over coffee when a news cast caught their attention. They were treated to the ever familiar egotistical personality of Ned Cook. The TV reporter that they once saved from the underground river currents in New York. He could see that Ned was looking for the story of the year, and he appeared to have found it.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, We are reporting live from the Siesmos Drilling Base in New Zealand. Today is the second day of the Seismos Seven expedition. Their mission is to drill deep into Earth's Core and collect data where it will then be studied by Geologists all over the world. The possibilities are endless. We will be reporting live from the drilling area, as the story updates itself."
"Geez, I've heard about this expedition." Brains said, as Kyrano filled up his coffee cup. "It's taken them many failed attempts to drill to the centre of the Earth, but now, t-they are really doing it."
"A journey to the centre of the Earth? It sounds like the Jules Verne novel." Scott replied as he sipped his coffee.
"I don't think they'll find any dinosaurs down there." Brains sniggered.
Jeff Tracy entered the room from the main lounge. He too had been watching the news cast with Tin-Tin and couldn't help but wonder what Brains had to say about it. They all knew the potential dangers that accompanied these type of expeditions.
"Well, what do you think about all this, Brains?" He asked as he pulled at a chair at the table. "It's certainly a most impressive feat of engineering."
"It certainly is, Mister Tracy." Brains agreed. "It's almost as impressive as the project itself. It's weird to know that we know more about our Moon than we know about our own planets crust."
That was when the more familiar frown appeared on Jeff's face. "Do you think there is any cause for concern?"
Brains defiantly washed away his concerns "As long as the Seismos Seven sticks to it's pre-programmed route and rate of decent, then they should avoid any e-errors. I just wish I could have worked on it's d-design."
Three Thousand Kilometres away in New Zealand's Rangipo Desert, tensions were running high. The crew at Seismos base eagerly maintained contact with their drilling machine, as it ploughed on deeper into the Earth's crust. The controller on duty repeatedly wiped the perspiration from his face as he eagerly awaited the next report from the Seismos Seven. It was hot up there, below the surface, the cabin temperature was something else. Inside the drill's control cabin, Commander Matt Harmon and his fellow operator Dave Taylor took turns at recharging the air cooling unit. It was faulty from the start, but it wasn't enough to deter them from the mission. They were right on schedule when they received a call from base control.
"Base control, to Seismos Seven. How's it going down there fellahs?"
Matt flicked on the radio. "Base from Seismos Seven. Charlie, everything's okay. All systems are running at peak efficiency and Dave's just repaired the air cooling unit. It should plain sailing from now on. We're right on Schedule."
"Well, you both better take it easy. I can't imagine how hot it is down there." Charlie replied in a less than excited tone.
Matt smiled at Dave. "Charlie, do I detect a hint of worry in your voice? Relax will you? The drill is fantastic. We're going to make it this time, I know it."
"I'm not worried. Just wishing that I could be down there with you and share the glory." Charlie sighed. "Good luck down there. Base control out."
As they began to level the drill, Dave switched on their onboard analyser. They began to examine the rocks they had collected while drilling. They were impressed with their findings so far.
"Well, Dave. The computer checks out the structure of our samples. Do you think we can continue?"
Dave nodded. "Yep. We can easily cut through rock of this type. I think we're bang on the money with this one."
"I just can't wait to get home." Matt sighed. "It sure is hot down here."
Suddenly, they were both caught off guard by the emergency siren. The computer screen flickered wildly, diverting their attention to their chart readings. The needle dashed back and forth to the point it was about to snap off.
"What is it!?" Matt cried as Dave examined the readouts.
The look on his companion's face said it all.
"I don't know for sure, but just take a look at the Seismographer. It's moving like crazy!" He said.
"Quick! Reverse motors!"
Dave hammered away at the controls. "I can't! I've lost all control!"
Suddenly for Matt, the reality of the situation was all too clear. The rock bed walls had started to fail, sending a rock and stone reigning down on top of the Seismos Seven. There was nothing that the crew could do except brace for a possible impact. The force of the cave in, knocked the men out unconscious. Matt smacked his head on the console, while Dave was forced from his seat. Within a few minutes, the violent barrage had come to a stop. Matt quickly regained consciousness before attending to Dave.
"Hey. Hey are you hurt?" He asked as Dave slowly came to.
"I'm okay...I think." Dave muttered as he nursed a open wound on his forehead. "What happened?"
"We're trapped down here." Matt replied as he looked about the damaged control cabin. "We've got to get out of here."
"How? I think the radio is smashed."
"No, Dave. The radio is intact. Let's hope that base control is aware of the situation. I bet, Charlie is sending for help right now."
The full force of the cave in had left it's terrifying mark up on the surface as well. The ground around the base had shifted in a very aggressive manner, forcing the base crew to evacuate. Charlie however, decided to remain behind in case Matt or Dave tried to call him. A lone heli-jet circled the area above, providing the pilot with a complete assessment of the damage. The entire region looked like it had been struck by an Earthquake. The only thing left standing was the control building. Plumes of smoke and dust bellowed out of the cracked dry ground. Seeing as they were the only two people left on the site, it was up to Charlie and the heli-jet pilot to piece together what was going on.
"heli-jet to base. What the hell happened out there?" the pilot asked anxiously over the radio. "Boy, it looks like the end of the world out here!"
"I don't know, but I've somehow lost contact with Seismos Seven!" Charlie replied frantically. "I'll keep trying to reach them. I just hope they are alright down there!"
"I'll call for help. I suggest you don't stick around here for much longer yourself. The ground is unstable as it is!"
"I can't go. I have to keep trying!"
Charlie continued to reach the drill over the radio as the Heli-jet disappeared over the horizon. He was soon accompanied by an eerie silence which sent shivers down his spine. All he could do was to keep trying.
"Base to Seismos Seven. Come in please."
Inside the crushed cabin, a temporary wave of relief set in as Charlie's repeated calls were finally heard.
"Come in Seismos Seven! Matt, Dave! Are you alright down there!?"
Still dazed and bruised from the shock-wave, Matt reached over towards the radio and pressed his lips into the microphone.
"Seismos Seven to base. We're okay, Charlie. We're just a little beaten up that's all. I don't know what happened but, all systems have failed. The engines are dead and nothing seems to be working. We're trapped down here."
Charlie took a deep breath as the initial stress left his body. "Keep calm and hold tight, boys. We'll get you out."
Unfortunately however, as the earth above returned to it's peaceful state, the Heli-jet confirmed the situation. The pilot had swiftly returned to the scene after summoning help. After surveying the disaster area, he quickly reported his findings to Charlie.
"Charlie, I'm afraid it's bad news. The drill shank has collapsed completely. There's nothing we can do for those guys down there."
Fortunately, help was on their side. Unbeknownst to the stressed out crew, Ned Cook and his Cameraman, Joe had remained on the scene during the whole event. The shaking earth, provided them both with flashbacks to their brush with death. It was at that moment that he turned his report into a call for help. A call for International Rescue.
Back on Tracy Island, Jeff rallied the whole family into the main lounge as Ned's report aired on the TV screen.
"Breaking news. There has been a disaster at the Seismos Project site. It is believe that the Drilling shanks have collapsed, burying the Seismos Seven and her crew deep below the surface. It is not confirmed if local authorities have been notified, but I ask for the immediate help of International Rescue. If you are watching! Please help those two trapped men down there. We will remain live for minute to minute updates when they arrive."
Jeff spun round in his chair to face his family. "I had a feeling something would happen and I for one don't like their chances. Scott, launch Thunderbird One and assess the situation."
Scott rose from his seat. "Yes, father."
"Tin-Tin. Have Virgil and Gordon stand by." He continued. "I'll need to organise this with Brains before we can go further."
As he left the room and headed for Brain's lab, Scott disappeared behind the wall where Thunderbird One awaited him on the other side. Boarding the rocket plane, he suited up and manoeuvred his Thunderbird down the ramp towards the launch bay. Once in position, the swimming doors opened and Scott it the igniters. Thunderbird One's jets roared to life, propelling the supersonic machine through the hangar door and into the skies above.
Meanwhile in his lab, Brains had gotten to work on measuring the size of cave in. He had finished gathering the data when Jeff entered the lab. Brains swivelled In his seat as the Tracy patriarch approached him.
"What did you find out, Brains?"
"I'm afraid it's not good, Mister Tracy. The collapse has continued to progress u-underwater. However it has presented us with a plan of rescue."
"Go on?"
"We'll need Thunderbird Four and The Mole for this one. This will surely put my modifications will be put to the test."
Jeff had to be sure about Brains's experiment. Those two trapped men were depending on them.
"Do you think the modifications to the Mole will handle such a rescue?"
Brains adjusted his glasses. "I'm afraid we have no other choice, Mister Tracy.
"Alright. I'll have it loaded into Pod Four but you'd better go with them. Thunderbird Two's launch takes place in Three minutes."
"FAB."
In the minutes that followed, The hidden rock doors lowered, revealing Thunderbird Two. With Gordon and Brains onboard, Virgil slowly taxied his Thunderbird down the runway towards the launch position. As soon as they came to a stop, the launch ramp raised the enormous craft skywards. A few seconds later, Virgil hit the thrusters, sending the three of them hurtling into the sky. Thunderbird Two was go and it was a race against time to save the men in Siesmos Seven!