Participation II - Six.
1 = first name
4 = town
5 = country
Thunderbird Two was huge. Each time I'd seen her I'd been struck by the sheer bulk of the plane. John took us by monorail through her hanger, pointing out where the equipment and machinery was stored and showing us the pod conveyor belt system.
As we watched the conveyor built started moving until Pod Five came to rest underneath. Then Thunderbird Two slowly sank down over the Pod and we heard the clamps snap into place.
We made our way down to the passenger doorway of Thunderbird Two and John gained admittance. He led us to a lift and the three of us crowded in before being taken to the flight deck. I could feel Trixie's fingers digging into my arm in excitement.
The lift doors opened and we were facing the cockpit of Thunderbird Two. This time I took my time in looking around, as I'd tried to ignore it all last time I was here. Lights flashed and glowed, motors hummed and something was beeping. I wondered how any one person could take in all the information that the control panel provided and still be able to concentrate on flying their 'plane. It wasn't as if Thunderbird Two required a co-pilot!
"Ah, you're here." Virgil came out from behind his pilot's seat. He was now wearing his version of the International Rescue uniform with the yellow sash. John's, I suddenly realised, was a kind of pale purple in colour.
Virgil indicated a seat and then assisted me with my harness. "You should be an old hand at this by now." He joked.
"I don't mind a second opinion." I assured him.
John made sure that Trixie was secure and then went to his own seat a short way away from ours. As he buckled in and Virgil returned to the pilot's chair, Trixie lent over towards me confidentially. "There's nothing as good as a handsome man in uniform... except maybe two."
Really the lady was incorrigible.
"Thunderbird Two to base. Request clearance to exit hanger." Virgil was given the all clear. "Everybody set?" We all murmured that we were. "Right off we go."
Ahead of us the door of the hanger sank into the ground and we started rolling forward. I felt a moments trepidation when I suddenly realised that the wings were never going to clear the palm trees planted neatly in rows along either side of the air strip. That was until both rows fell away backwards and bounced gently as Thunderbird Two passed by.
Trixie and I looked at each other in amazement.
We trundled sedately along our avenue of horizontal palms.
Then we stopped.
I thought something must have gone wrong. That maybe there was another aircraft nearby and Virgil didn't want to draw attention to Thunderbird Two.
These thoughts ran through my mind in the split second between when we stopped and when the nose of Thunderbird Two started to point skyward.
We reached the launch ramps zenith and stopped again. Virgil double-checked with his father that we were clear to leave and then fired the engines.
The sudden acceleration forced us backwards into our seats. I found myself gripping the seat edge, while Trixie had regained her firm hold of my arm.
Once Thunderbird Two had levelled out we both relaxed our grips. I rubbed my arm, sure that I was going to be the proud owner of some interesting bruises.
Virgil didn't take Thunderbird Two out very far before switching to hover mode. He and John had a quick conversation about some technical details and then John started operating the winch.
"You're right Virg." he agreed. "There is a slight delay in response time."
"Good. I was worried that it was me."
"No... not this time." John threw the switch again. "There's definitely something not quite right with the mechanism. It works all right... except for the delay... You've checked all the relays?"
"Double and triple checked them."
"The cogs?"
"Replaced them all and checked the measurements with a micrometer."
"Chain tension?"
"As per specs."
John scratched his head. "Well I don't know. Sounds like this is a Brains job to me."
"Yeah well he's not here, and I don't like having our equipment not up to scratch."
"Have you tested her under all conditions?"
"I've only been able to test it on the ground till today. I selected Pod Five with the 'Firefly' and 'Firebus' to give Two the extra weight she needs for full testing, but it hasn't made any difference. It's got me beat!"
"It's got to be something in the computer. Have you changed the software at all?"
"Software's Brains department." Virgil said. "He hasn't mentioned any upgrades to me, but he's had that much on his mind lately, with 1's refit, that it's possible he did something and didn't mention it."
I felt slightly guilty at the thought that, however indirectly, I may have had something to do with Thunderbird Two's problems. Though I couldn't really see what the problem was. From what I could tell the winch operation had seemed fine to me, but clearly it wasn't up to International Rescue's strict specifications.
"Well I don't know." John was saying. "You know me, my forte's communications. You're the one with an Engineering Degree."
"I know." Said Virgil in frustration. "I was hoping that you might come up with an idea I hadn't thought of, or at least say something that'd set me on the right track..."
"You've checked all the components..."
"Yes."
"And run a diagnostic through the computer..."
"Yes..."
The two men continued talking. Hashing and rehashing theories and possibilities as to what could be causing the delay in the winch operation. They ignored us and after a while Trixie and I became bored and started talking together. So much for the excitement of being a member of International Rescue...
We all became quiet suddenly when another voice intruded on our conversations. "Base to Thunderbird Two. Base to Thunderbird Two."
Virgil switched his attention to the radio. "Go ahead Father."
"We've got a call out boys. It's in 4, 5..."
Trixie and I looked at each other. That was home!
"... There's been an explosion and people are trapped..."
I had visions of some of Alan's 'help' causing my house to explode.
"... Scott's left already..."
As I looked out the cockpit windows I could see the silver rocket plane that was Thunderbird One streak past.
"... Bring 1 and Trixie home immediately and get what equipment you need..."
Virgil found himself being pushed out of the way as Trixie tried to make herself visible in the video link.
"That's our home town Jeff. We might have local knowledge that the boys can utilise." She said urgently.
"Trixie, it's just not safe."
Virgil managed to regain control of his communications link. "Father. We've already got the 'Firefly' and 'Firebus' on board. We'd only be wasting time if we head back to base now."
"You're willing to take Trixie and 1 with you Virgil?"
"I am."
"Alright. As long as both of you promise not to leave Thunderbird Two. A - because you'll be safer in there, and B - as you said it's your hometown. You could be a security risk if someone you know sees that you're associated with us. Do you understand? Trixie?"
"Yes Jeff. I understand. I'll stay here."
"1?"
"I promise not to leave Thunderbird Two's cabin."
"All right then." Jeff said reluctantly. "And be careful... All four of you."
1 = first name
4 = town
5 = country
Thunderbird Two was huge. Each time I'd seen her I'd been struck by the sheer bulk of the plane. John took us by monorail through her hanger, pointing out where the equipment and machinery was stored and showing us the pod conveyor belt system.
As we watched the conveyor built started moving until Pod Five came to rest underneath. Then Thunderbird Two slowly sank down over the Pod and we heard the clamps snap into place.
We made our way down to the passenger doorway of Thunderbird Two and John gained admittance. He led us to a lift and the three of us crowded in before being taken to the flight deck. I could feel Trixie's fingers digging into my arm in excitement.
The lift doors opened and we were facing the cockpit of Thunderbird Two. This time I took my time in looking around, as I'd tried to ignore it all last time I was here. Lights flashed and glowed, motors hummed and something was beeping. I wondered how any one person could take in all the information that the control panel provided and still be able to concentrate on flying their 'plane. It wasn't as if Thunderbird Two required a co-pilot!
"Ah, you're here." Virgil came out from behind his pilot's seat. He was now wearing his version of the International Rescue uniform with the yellow sash. John's, I suddenly realised, was a kind of pale purple in colour.
Virgil indicated a seat and then assisted me with my harness. "You should be an old hand at this by now." He joked.
"I don't mind a second opinion." I assured him.
John made sure that Trixie was secure and then went to his own seat a short way away from ours. As he buckled in and Virgil returned to the pilot's chair, Trixie lent over towards me confidentially. "There's nothing as good as a handsome man in uniform... except maybe two."
Really the lady was incorrigible.
"Thunderbird Two to base. Request clearance to exit hanger." Virgil was given the all clear. "Everybody set?" We all murmured that we were. "Right off we go."
Ahead of us the door of the hanger sank into the ground and we started rolling forward. I felt a moments trepidation when I suddenly realised that the wings were never going to clear the palm trees planted neatly in rows along either side of the air strip. That was until both rows fell away backwards and bounced gently as Thunderbird Two passed by.
Trixie and I looked at each other in amazement.
We trundled sedately along our avenue of horizontal palms.
Then we stopped.
I thought something must have gone wrong. That maybe there was another aircraft nearby and Virgil didn't want to draw attention to Thunderbird Two.
These thoughts ran through my mind in the split second between when we stopped and when the nose of Thunderbird Two started to point skyward.
We reached the launch ramps zenith and stopped again. Virgil double-checked with his father that we were clear to leave and then fired the engines.
The sudden acceleration forced us backwards into our seats. I found myself gripping the seat edge, while Trixie had regained her firm hold of my arm.
Once Thunderbird Two had levelled out we both relaxed our grips. I rubbed my arm, sure that I was going to be the proud owner of some interesting bruises.
Virgil didn't take Thunderbird Two out very far before switching to hover mode. He and John had a quick conversation about some technical details and then John started operating the winch.
"You're right Virg." he agreed. "There is a slight delay in response time."
"Good. I was worried that it was me."
"No... not this time." John threw the switch again. "There's definitely something not quite right with the mechanism. It works all right... except for the delay... You've checked all the relays?"
"Double and triple checked them."
"The cogs?"
"Replaced them all and checked the measurements with a micrometer."
"Chain tension?"
"As per specs."
John scratched his head. "Well I don't know. Sounds like this is a Brains job to me."
"Yeah well he's not here, and I don't like having our equipment not up to scratch."
"Have you tested her under all conditions?"
"I've only been able to test it on the ground till today. I selected Pod Five with the 'Firefly' and 'Firebus' to give Two the extra weight she needs for full testing, but it hasn't made any difference. It's got me beat!"
"It's got to be something in the computer. Have you changed the software at all?"
"Software's Brains department." Virgil said. "He hasn't mentioned any upgrades to me, but he's had that much on his mind lately, with 1's refit, that it's possible he did something and didn't mention it."
I felt slightly guilty at the thought that, however indirectly, I may have had something to do with Thunderbird Two's problems. Though I couldn't really see what the problem was. From what I could tell the winch operation had seemed fine to me, but clearly it wasn't up to International Rescue's strict specifications.
"Well I don't know." John was saying. "You know me, my forte's communications. You're the one with an Engineering Degree."
"I know." Said Virgil in frustration. "I was hoping that you might come up with an idea I hadn't thought of, or at least say something that'd set me on the right track..."
"You've checked all the components..."
"Yes."
"And run a diagnostic through the computer..."
"Yes..."
The two men continued talking. Hashing and rehashing theories and possibilities as to what could be causing the delay in the winch operation. They ignored us and after a while Trixie and I became bored and started talking together. So much for the excitement of being a member of International Rescue...
We all became quiet suddenly when another voice intruded on our conversations. "Base to Thunderbird Two. Base to Thunderbird Two."
Virgil switched his attention to the radio. "Go ahead Father."
"We've got a call out boys. It's in 4, 5..."
Trixie and I looked at each other. That was home!
"... There's been an explosion and people are trapped..."
I had visions of some of Alan's 'help' causing my house to explode.
"... Scott's left already..."
As I looked out the cockpit windows I could see the silver rocket plane that was Thunderbird One streak past.
"... Bring 1 and Trixie home immediately and get what equipment you need..."
Virgil found himself being pushed out of the way as Trixie tried to make herself visible in the video link.
"That's our home town Jeff. We might have local knowledge that the boys can utilise." She said urgently.
"Trixie, it's just not safe."
Virgil managed to regain control of his communications link. "Father. We've already got the 'Firefly' and 'Firebus' on board. We'd only be wasting time if we head back to base now."
"You're willing to take Trixie and 1 with you Virgil?"
"I am."
"Alright. As long as both of you promise not to leave Thunderbird Two. A - because you'll be safer in there, and B - as you said it's your hometown. You could be a security risk if someone you know sees that you're associated with us. Do you understand? Trixie?"
"Yes Jeff. I understand. I'll stay here."
"1?"
"I promise not to leave Thunderbird Two's cabin."
"All right then." Jeff said reluctantly. "And be careful... All four of you."
