Thunderbirds Are Go!

The Further Adventures

By Lee Homer

Disclaimer: All rights reserved. Set in the near future of 2067, this story collects a series of one-shot adventures told by the Tracy family.

Zombite Storm

The Conclusion

By Alan and Virgil Tracy

Alan

My heart raced like it was trying to escape my chest. Gordon and I had been carrying out a full system reset inside this giant garbage container that heading for our home. I could hear Gordon fumbling about with some wires along with the usual cursing under his breath. Wouldn't catch little innocent me using language like that. The island grew closer with each passing second. Without checking, strapped ourselves in again and prepared to power up.

"We've only got one shot at this," Gordon said as he flipped the ignition switch. "Here we go."

The transporter's engines roared to life once more, greeting us with the luck that we sorely needed. The nose controls were starting to respond. I could feel the stick easing up when I pulled it back. We still had one problem though. A transporter of this sheer size needed a lot of distance to pull out of a dive and we didn't have it. Even if we managed to pull out of the dive, we would still hit the island. Thankfully, our ever talented brother had another trick up his sleeve.

"Virgil, we're going to need help lifting this rust bucket out of this dive," I said, explaining the situation. "Do you think you could use Thunderbird Two to give us a push in the right direction?"

"I'm not entirely sure how, but I have something I can try." He replied. "I'm going to get underneath you and push using the pod's new magnetic rams."

"Wait we have new tech?" Gordon asked. "I'm all for that although we won't know if it'll work or not. "

"Gordon, less moaning, more flying okay?" I huffed. His negativity was really getting on my nerves. "It's got to work unless you like to be, Oh I don't know... dead!"

"Alright! Alright! I was just saying." Gordon barked back. "You need to cool your head! Pressure never was your strong suit!"

I wasn't having it. "Says you! All you've done is moan and distract me! If we weren't crashing into Tracy Island I would have bailed us out and slapped you once our chutes were deployed!"

Virgil chimed in. "Will you two pack it up! I'm underneath you right now. It would help if you pulled this plane out of the air!"

"What? Oh yeah!...Maximum thrust!"

The pressure in the cockpit could smash the windows at this rate. We were really putting our all into this. The controls began to fight with us again, but we couldn't let it. As soon as the villa came into view, we knew that we were out of time. Virgil continued to push underneath. We could hear Thunderbird Two's alarms whaling over the radio. It was terrifying but believe it or not, we were lifting! The peak of the island disappeared beneath the cockpit windows replacing our view with the baby blue sky. The controls began to ease up at this point when Virgil made his next move.

"Firing retros!"

"FAB." I complied. "Firing ours too. Let's ditch this thing in the water."

Thunderbird Two fired her retro thrusters. As soon as we were level again, Virgil released the magnetic rams, leaving us to finish the job. Gordon and I looked at each other. We were exhausted. Our faces were sweaty and beetroot red. We really thought were going to die. We hadn't come this close to death in a long time. Although we were left to ditch the jet, Virgil remained alongside in case our landing would be a bad one. We kept her on an even keel until the last possible second so that the wings wouldn't rip off upon impact.

"Good luck bro," Gordon said as he reached out and held my hand. "I'm sorry for being a jerk. You're a lot braver than me."

"I'm sorry too." I smiled. "Brace yourself, bro."

The aircraft smacked the ocean with a thud, tossing us about the cockpit. The control panel began to catch fire, sparks flew everywhere and thick smoke began the flood the aircraft. We were a little dazed but had to get out of there. Grabbing each other, we navigated our way through the smoke towards the exit hatch. Virgil hovered above. As soon as we're on the hull, we climbed into the emergency elevator before ascending into the safety of Thunderbird Two. We sat there in the hold, coughing and spluttering until we could clear the smoke from our lungs. When we arrived in the cockpit, we were shocked in awe. The Transporter exploded into a huge ball of flames. We watched it disappear beneath the waves seconds later. Virgil looked over at the pair of us. We were both sweaty, tired and smelling of smoke.

"That was too close." He said as he reached out to hug us. "We did it, boys. We actually did it!"

"I just want to go home." Gordon sighed. "I smell, I ache and I just want a drink."

"Brother, you're not the only one." I agreed. "I guess, the Zombites gave us a taste of their power and lost. Maybe it's fate that we're meant to cheat death."

Virgil had a different view on the matter though. "I like to think that Dad is out there, giving us the spirit that we need to keep this world in safe hands. Come on let's head for home. I can see GDF transports on the ground."

Virgil

As soon as we touched down, we changed into our plain clothes and made our way up to the lounge. Everybody had been celebrating their victory over the Zombite attack. Even Colonel Casey indulged herself in a glass of wine. As soon as Scott locked eyes with the three of us, a huge tidal wave of emotion set in amongst everyone.

"You three are amazing!" He said as he pulled us in for a group hug, "Well done brothers! I'm so proud of International Rescue today."

"I'm so proud with all of you," Grandma added. "You really took on your Dad's instincts and heart when you were out there risking your lives. He would be so proud of you too if he were here."

"Well, we do have a legacy to fulfil, Grandma," I said. "I'd be heartbroken if anything were to happen to it. It's a pity that our Thunderbirds won't last as long though. I guess I better go and repair her."

"All in good time, Virgil. Right now you're going to enjoy this little get together and relax. You can't be shy all the time" Grandma replied.

Colonel Casey then stepped forward. "For once, I have something to add to the good news as well. We've had reports that the central Zombite cell has been raided. We made several arrests and unearthed a plot to attack the President himself."

Scott looked down at the floor. "I hate to think what could have happened if they got away with it. I mean they had nearly beaten us today."

Casey rested her hand on his shoulder. "The fact is they didn't because you all pulled off a coordinated effort to stop them. They went in with no plan in mind. You see they may be strong, but they aren't intelligent and that was what led to their arrest. They had no idea that we were coming for them because they didn't think to secure every entrance to their Pyramid. All my officers had to do was cut the cameras and they were in."

"Well how about that then?" I said smugly. "Even the Hood has a better IQ than them."

Kayo walked over and gently grabbed Scott by the arm. "Sorry to interrupt the conversation, but this boy right here promised to take me out to dinner this evening."

"Oh right, yeah. I'll catch you all later." Scott chucked as she dragged him away.

I noticed that the expression on Alan's face began to change. He couldn't hide his feelings for her even if he tried. That moment in the cave had just opened the floodgates for him. The least I could do was promise him that things would look up.

"Come on, bro. Let's go for a walk shall we?" I suggested. "I know how you feel about her, but she really wanted to reconcile with Scott in the first place."

"I know. I'm just being an idiot." Alan sighed. "It's just. I don't think I'll ever meet a girl who can compete with her. I shouldn't have left it too long."

I wasn't very good at giving advice but I was going to give it a whirl. "Then you know what you have to do then, don't you? Don't look for a girl like her. Look for someone who wants to know you. I mean come on look at you. You're funny, you're smart and you're not a show off like Gordon. You've inherited a lot of Dad's morals too. You just need to apply them in the social world. Be Alan Tracy just don't get too egotistical and she'll come running to you."

He looked up at me and smiled. "Maybe you're right. I don't get out much as it is. Perhaps you could take me to the local nightclubs or something?"

"Bro, it'll be my pleasure." I agreed. "You know, we've all got to move forward now even if it means venturing off the island now and again. You don't get to do it enough when you ought to. Our little near-death experience has really put things into perspective. Let's live our lives the way Dad would have wanted us to."

As the day came to an end, I went to bed with a new lease on life. I couldn't help but think about the future. A future where International Rescue would continue. A future where I would have a family of my own. Yeah. Maybe I should have used that advice r myself as well.

THE END