November 14th, 2062 - 22:17 NZDT
"Oh, come on, Alan," Kayo sighs from outside his room, "It was just a prank."
Today had been the day that Kayo got her revenge on Alan for hiding away on Lemaire's yacht when she confronted Lemaire accidently. Alan had been utterly embarrassed by the whole ordeal and had locked himself in his room and not answering to anyone.
"Guy trouble?" Marion asks as she walks by.
"Huh?" Kayo responds looking up and Marion beckons her to follow. They make their way along the corridor to Marion's room and enter, with Marion locking the door behind them so they aren't interrupted.
"So... You and Alan?" Marion smiles.
"What are you talking about?" Kayo replies defensively, "We've always been like this, right? I mean him being the youngest brother and the one set off to boarding school while I have a dysfunctional family, of course we're best friends. We didn't have anyone else apart from Fermat, who's now up to his own stuff so that's in the past. All we have is each other."
"You're rambling," Marion interrupts.
"I am?" Kayo questions, "I guess so."
"When are you going to tell him?" Marion asks, "I mean, I know it isn't the most easiest thing to do as I found out with Scott, but ultimately we're both happier now."
"I can't," Kayo says and looks away, finding the ceiling very interesting to look at, "I promised him no more secrets, then he found out about my uncle from him. Then I promised it again and... as soon as I said it, I broke it again."
"How comes?" Marion pushes.
"It's to do with my past... my father."
5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Thunderbirds are Go!
November 14th, 2062 - 13:24 AST
"Parker, you do realize we're going to be late for the presentation?" Penelope asks.
"Well, we'd be there now if Lady Chablis hadn't gone on for so long," Parker says.
"You know how she likes to show off her spoon collection. Next time cause a distraction," Penelope says.
"I could always set the dog on her!" Parker suggests and Sherbet barks as the rumble of thunder is heard in the background causing Penelope to look up.
"Hmm... that's peculiar," Penelope says and decides to contact John as she knew International Rescue would be required with the person in question in charge.
John sat on his bed reading a book before he starts his shift. Ridley is about halfway through hers, so it isn't urgent for him to be in the mission control room at the moment.
"Yes, Lady Penelope?" John asks, looking up from his book.
"John, I'm headed to the unveiling of a new environmental project. But it appears something... odd's going on," Penelope says, "Could you have a look?" John gets up and heads towards the control room. When he gets inside, he sees Ridley working in the corner but ignores her for now and turns the map.
"Sure thing. Checking your position now," John says and at the sound of his voice, Ridley looks over to him in interest. John zooms into FAB 1's location and a red weather warning symbol appears, "That's quite a storm."
"Wait a second..." Ridley says walking over, "I know that logo."
"Langstrom Fischler," John and Ridley groan in annoyance.
"You're not working for him, are you?" John asks.
"Only keeping an eye on him, John," Penelope says, "Fischler, he has good intentions, but you know what a mess he makes of things."
"Boy, do we ever. I'm patching him in." John says and hits the button to call Fischler who answers but is looking around nervously.
"Mr. Fischler, this is International Rescue. How is everything there?" John asks.
"Oh, fine, fine, thank you. How are you?" Fischler says, laughing nervously.
"We're detecting highly unusual weather patterns in your vicinity. Do you require assistance?" Ridley asks.
"Oh, no. No, no, no! No, it's just a little storm. This control booth can take anything nature throws at it. I designed it after all!" Fischler exclaims and a bang goes off in the background causing him to duck, "See? State-of-the-art. I even put in some safety bits, this time round."
"Tracy Island, we may have a situation," John says.
"It involves our pal Fischler," Ridley adds.
November 14th, 2062 - 22:28 NZDT
Brains looks over the data collected by Thunderbird 5 as Gordon and Virgil observe the situation on the hologram.
"Thunderbird 5 is correct about the d-danger," Brains says as Kayo walks into the room with Marion behind her. A comforting hand on her shoulder. "Fischler seems to have c-created an artificial storm, complete with lightning and hurricane-force w-winds," Brains continues.
"If this wasn't causing a rescue, I'd say cool. But because it is, he's an idiot." Emily says, and Virgil lifts his mouth into a smile as he looks at her.
"I'm just glad Scott's been deployed out in the USA, Fischler wouldn't like what he'd have to say," Gordon says.
"If this keeps up, the tower is going down!" Virgil says as he scans the holo-diagram, "Gordon, you can use the climbing repair pod and weld the brakes here and here. That should buy us more time."
"What about the drones?" Kayo asks.
"There must be a b-bug in Fischler's code for them," Brains says, "I'll l-look into it."
November 14th, 2062 - 13:31 AST
As FAB 1 approaches the tower, a stray drone flies over to it, as it mistakes FAB 1 for another drone.
"This one has taken h'a liking to us. Hang on, m'lady," Parker says before taking a sharp right turn to evade the drone.
"Hanging on, Parker," Penelope says.
November 14th, 2062 - 22:32 NZDT
"Fischler? Brains here," Brains says.
"Oh, yes, you. I'm actually very busy calculating some advanced weather algorithms," Fischler says.
"It appears that you have b-built some weather making drones," Brains says.
"Complete with a zippy-looking paint job!" Fischler boasts with a grin.
"And I assume you intended for them to spread out and g-generate rainfall across a wide area," Brains states.
"Umbrellas not included!" Fischler chuckles before sighing, "Yes. You're correct."
"Only they're doing the opposite by concentrating the storm," Brains says.
"Well, look, you can't expect everything to go right the first time around, can you?" Fischler asks.
"Yes, you can," Brains scoffs and rolls his eyes, "The severity of the weather around the t-tower has put all of you in m-mortal danger. Those drones are obviously malfunctioning."
"Oh, is that right, Mr. Negative Pants? Why don't you put some positivity in your life?" Fischler asks and hangs up. Brains facepalms in dismay at the stupidity of the man.
"The only think I'm positive about is those drones are swarming together like b-bees," Brains says.
"But why did they attack the tower?" Marion asks.
"It's not an attack. They're just f-following their programming to make weather and lots of it," Brains says.
"We need to stop those drones and get the people off that tower. Gear up, see you in the sky." Virgil says and runs over to the painting while Gordon runs to the passenger bay and Kayo sits on her chair.
"I'll stay here with Brains," Marion states and gives the scientist a nod.
5
Virgil's rocket painting tilts backwards and Kayo descends as they get suited up.
4
The pod equipment is loaded into Module 2.
3
Thunderbird S's platform heads up the ramp and turns to reveal a cliff face, before rotating.
2
Thunderbird 2 taxis down the main runway and comes to a halt allowing the ramp to raise.
1
Both Thunderbirds start up their engines.
Thunderbirds are Go!
November 14th, 2062 - 16:40 AST
"By the way, I recently installed some electric charge n-nullifiers on all the Thunderbirds." Brains says, "They should shield you from the lightning."
"Should?!" Kayo exclaims.
"Well, they can only take so many strikes before they stop w-working," Brains says.
"How many strikes are we talking here?" Virgil asks.
"My best estimate is between 22... and 2," Brains trails.
"All right! Guess we'll let you know," Gordon says.
"I'll keep those drones busy, so you can focus on the tower," Kayo says when they see the tower approaching in the distance.
"FAB," Virgil says.
November 14th, 2062 - 16:41 AST
Parker continues to fly FAB 1 evasively across the Saudi Arabian desert trying to escape the drone that continues to chase them.
"Coming up on your five o'clock," Penelope says, "Make that three o'clock. Persistent, isn't it?"
"Yes, indeed, m'lady." Parker groans and Sherbet starts to growl.
"How are you three holding up?" Ridley calls.
"Not to worry, Ridley. All's well," Penelope says then looks out the window, "12 o'clock, Parker! It's right on top of us!" Seconds later a bolt of electricity shocks the front right engine causing FAB 1 to shake.
"Right, then, you h'overgrown blender, 'hat'll be enough of 'hat," Parker says angrily and fires two missiles towards the drone but misses.
"Brains, any idea why this thing is following us?" Penelope asks.
"As f-far as I can tell, it thinks you're another weather drone," Brains explains, "These things are designed to work together."
"How very tiresome," Penelope sighs, annoyed.
November 14th, 2062 - 16:43 AST
Thunderbird 2 arrives at the base of the tower and lowers to the ground in order to drop the module. Once close enough, the module is dropped, and Virgil flies off towards the tower.
"Okay, Gordon, you're on," Virgil says.
"Right, I need one of these... four of those," Gordon lists as he walks over to the configuration panel in the module and starts to assemble Pod B.
Meanwhile, Kayo flies directly into the storm and does some evasive manoeuvres which causes the drones to attract towards Thunderbird S. When she has all the drones on her tail, Kayo flies away from the tower. "That got their attention." In the process, Thunderbird S gets zapped by a drone and her electric charge bar appears on her dash.
"Kayo, it w-worked!" Brains calls.
"Yeah, like a charm," Kayo states.
"But b-by the way," Brains adds, "It appears those aren't even l-lightning bolts. They're streams of super-charged ions."
"Well, that's reassuring..." Kayo sighs.
With the drones out of the way, Virgil approaches the platform in order to put it back into place for Gordon to fix it into position with the pod. He closes Thunderbird 2 in on the platform, "Gently now, easy. And contact!"
"Virgil, you c-can't maintain steady pressure on the platform in that wind. You might p-push it over," Brains says.
"You're right. Going to plan B," Virgil says and disengages from the platform. He goes above the platform and fires four magnetic grapples at the roof the tower, before pulling it up.
"What are you doing?" Fischler asks.
"We're trying to save you." Virgil says.
"Well, nobody asked you to." Fischler says, "But it never stops you lot, does it? Because if you couldn't flit about in your shiny airplanes and rescue someone, well, you'll all be out of a job, wouldn't you, with your weird outfits and—" Virgil decides he's had enough of Fischler's insults and puts him on mute and watches him rant in silence.
"Much better," Virgil says.
"Repair pod is go," Gordon says as he leaves the module and approaches the base of the tower, "I'll start welding those supports."
November 14th, 2062 - 16:47 AST
"Oh, Sherbet, it's all right. It's just a bumpy ride," Penelope coos before turning to Parker, "Parker, will these gyrations go on much longer?"
"Not h'once the h'engine gives out," Parker indicates pulling up a hologram of the drones' battery life left.
"Ah, well then, carry on," Penelope nods and Parker twists again to avoid another zap.
"I don't know about you, but I feel like a punchbag," Kayo complains as she gets zapped again.
"What are you going to do?" Virgil asks.
"Start punching back!" Kayo smirks.
"Last time I checked, Thunderbird Shadow doesn't have weapons," Virgil states.
"Then I'll improvise," Kayo replies and takes Thunderbird S straight up before dropping back down again. One drone couldn't react fast enough to the change of direction and charges into another drone, causing them both to explode. "Ha! Now, that was fun!" Kayo chuckles before getting zapped, "Uh-oh!"
"Kayo, the charge nullifier is w-wearing down f-fast," Brains calls, "One more strike could be your l-last."
"Ugh!" Kayo groans and is forced to speed up and break away from the drones that then head back to the platform.
"Virgil, Gordon, the drones are c-coming back," Brains informs.
"Shit!" Virgil says and the drones start to buzz around the tower again, producing the super-charged ion zaps around Thunderbird 2. Very quickly the alarms start going off in front of Virgil, "Thunderbird 2 can't take much more of this."
"You need to recharge at a safe distance," Brains explains.
Virgil sighs and breaks off from the tower and flies away. "I'll pick up the module and rendezvous with Kayo," Virgil explains.
"Whoa!" Gordon suddenly cries as a drone starts to zap at the pod causing all the controls to spark and throwing Gordon outside the pod, "Guys! It's a long way down without a parachute!"
"Hey, Gordon, need a lift?" Kayo asks as Thunderbird S comes into view. Kayo flies below the pod allowing Gordon to jump into the passenger seat. Once safely inside, Kayo takes them up to the platform.
"I'll keep an eye on Fischler until we can figure out our next mode," Gordon shouts over the wind and jumps out of the seat.
"Alright, good luck!" Kayo calls and flies off again.
Gordon sprints as fast as he could along the platform and towards the booth, "Open the door! Open the door! Open the door!" he screams and goes flying through the door that someone opened to allow him to enter.
"You call this a rescue?!" Fischler sighs as he looks down at Gordon, who remains on the floor, "What, were you born in a tent?"
November 14th, 2062 - 16:59 AST
"We have to get back in there and help those people," Virgil states.
"Okay. How?" Kayo asks, "We're out of options."
"Don't be too sure," Brains interjects, "I think I m-may have a plan."
"Well, I hope it's a quick one," Gordon says, "This tower's going down any minute."
"Oh, dear," Fischler mutters.
"Don't leave us hanging, Brains," Virgil says, "What have you got?"
"I've been analysing the drones," Brains explains, "It seems the w-weather generators rely on a synthetic crystal."
"How does that help us?" Kayo asks.
"Because a sonic blast at j-just the right frequency could make the drones self-destruct," Brains replies.
"Like the way high-pitched sounds shatter glass!" Kayo realises, "I love it. So, what's the frequency?"
"I'll get right on that," Brains stutters.
"Ugh!" Kayo groans, "I just wish we could make those drones fly in a straight line. It would make it a lot easier to pick them off."
"Kayo, we do rescues, we're not trained as fighter pilots," Virgil argues.
"What do you think I've been doing that those GDF Bases when I've taken Thunderbird S out?" Kayo responds, "I can lead the drones away for you to hit them with the sonic blast."
"Won't work," Virgil states with a shake of the head, "I'll be busy pulling everyone off the platform."
"Then who do we use as drone bait?" Kayo asks.
"Well," Penelope says, "I would suggest Parker but FAB 1 can't take too much more either."
"Did someone order drone bait?" a voice says, and everyone turns to see Thunderbird 7 arrive on scene. "Though you could use a hand," Marion explains.
"Yes! It's p-perfect," Brains says, "Thunderbird 7 is small enough to allow the drones to stay on a constant course but not so s-small that the charge n-nullifier would w-wear down quickly."
"It's game," Marion smiles and flies straight into the storm cloud above the tower. Kayo nods to Virgil and gives him the thumbs up.
"I'm going in," Virgil says and dives in after Marion.
"Brains, what's that frequency?" Kayo asks again.
"Still working..." Brains mutters.
Virgil fires two of his magnetic grapples to the roof the tower and grunts, "Okay, that's as steady as it's gonna get! Let's get these people off now!" Virgil says. He lowers the rescue platform. Gordon looks out and sees the platform lower. "Okay. Go, go, go!" Gordon cries and opens the door for everyone to make their way over.
November 14th, 2062 - 17:03 AST
Thunderbird 7 flies away from the tower with the drones in an almost perfect line. "You know, Kayo, if you are planning to do something, now would be nice," Marion growls as she manoeuvres around several bolts.
"Brains, any luck on that frequency?" Kayo sighs.
"Still testing. Almost there," Brains states, "9,882 kHz. Remember, Kayo, you have to be very c-close for it to work."
"Getting close is not the problem," Kayo grunts and punches the frequency into her controller, "Marion, cover your ears!" A high-pitched squeal sounds and the drone at the back of the lines is destroyed, "Whoo-hoo! Yes!" Kayo repeats the process and gets another drone, "'Gotcha!... And another!"
November 14th, 2062 - 17:04 AST
"Go, go, go!" Gordon yells as the rescue platform lands on the tower. Fischler pushes Kinnear out of the way to get over to one of the seats and Gordon helps him up.
"A captain always goes down with his ship," Fischler states before elbowing the person next to him, "Oh, good thing we're not on one."
"Don't worry," Gordon says to Kinnear, "There's room for everyone." He helps Kinnear on and before he could get into a seat there's an explosion which throws Gordon back. The tower creaks and rumbles before collapsing to the ground and exploding into a fireball.
"Gordon, where are you?" Virgil calls.
The ball of fire dissipates to reveal that Gordon had grabbed onto one of the seats and is clinging on for dear life. "Oh, just hanging out!" Gordon jokes.
"Virgil, be aware I've got a rogue going after Thunderbird 2," Kayo announces.
"But my charge nullifier is nearly zero!" Virgil exclaims.
"Marion, are you alright to handle this one?" Kayo asks.
"Like a walk in the park," Marion sighs and comes across to take the drone that is still chasing FAB 1, "Now I know how you felt Parker."
"We've got company!" Gordon shouts and covers his eyes, only for Kayo to sweep in and destroy the drone.
"I'm alive!" Fischler cries, once everyone is safely inside the module, "Am I? Yes! I'm alive!"
"Marion, still with us?" Kayo asks as she turns around and goes full speed back to Thunderbird 7.
"This little shit is still on me if that's what you're asking," Marion sighs, "I've got an idea."
Marion repeats what Kayo did earlier and flies Thunderbird 7 directly upwards but this time, Marion cuts the engines and free falls towards the ground. The drone follows closely and just before Thunderbird 7 reaches the ground, Marion reboots the engines and flies away. Fortunately, the drone couldn't react in time and goes crashing down into the desert sand.
"Phew!" Marion sighs, "All in a day's work."
November 14th, 2062 - 17:13 AST
The three Thunderbirds land and meet up with Penelope and Parker, the latter of whom is working on fixing FAB 1 from the zapping.
"Well done, Parker," Penelope says, "Take the rest of the day off."
"Can't do that, m'lady," Parker says, "You have to be in Berlin by twenty hundred hours. Opening night at the opera."
"Oh... let's say we skip it!" Penelope smiles, "I've had enough high notes for one day."
"Erm... you okay, Fischler?" Gordon asks as he approaches the man who's mumbling to himself.
"Hey?! Of course!" Fischler cries, "I shall soon embark on a new and even more amazing endeavour."
"Yeah, maybe a career in fireworks," Gordon scoffs.
"Right!" Fischler gasps, "What if we were to set off fireworks... on the moon?!"
"Why would you do that?" Kayo inquires.
"I don't rest on my laurels," Fischler fires back, "I am not afraid of the unknown, the untested. The unorthodox."
"The unwise," Virgil adds.
"The unsafe," Marion states.
"The unnecessary!" Gordon includes.
"The unstable," Kayo continues.
"The une-ethical," Brains finishes.
"Exactly!" Fischler says and turns around to see Kinnear and his investors walk away, "What... what?! No, no, no, no, no! Where are you going? Think of the merchandise! T-shirts, balloons. Shaped like the moon! It never ends, I mean, the possibilities are endless!"
"Well, that's the last we're gonna see of him," Kayo smiles, "The GDF are shutting down Langstrom Industries."
"Thank the stars," Marion states, "Now I don't have to hear Scott complain that man ever again before we go to bed."
"I'm sorry..." Virgil trails and Marion realises what she's just said.
"Wait... NO!"