Thunderbirds Blast Off! Chapter 5: Atomic Ice Queen, a thunderbirds fanfic

Thunderbirds Blast Off

By Lee Homer

Atomic Ice Queen

Ploughing the arctic waters on its voyage to the pole, the new vessel, Atomic Ice Queen triumphantly continued on its maiden voyage. Able to accommodate 4,000 passengers, the nuclear-powered ship travelled at a speed of a hundred and twenty knots. It was carrying immigrants to the revolutionary polar settlement, which had been excavated beneath the ice cap. On watch on the ship's bridge, Captain Simpson and his radar operator, Butler had been allocated the task of ferrying the immigrants from their port in New York City. It had been a slow and uneventful journey until they reached the arctic ocean. One starry night, the two men kept a lonely watch over the choppy waters. Confident that they were going to make it to their destination on time, their relaxed minds were interrupted by a blip on the radar. Butler's eyes widened.

"Mister Simpson. There's an iceberg dead ahead about two miles away!"

Simpson's eyes locked in on the giant ice intruder. Ice Bergs were commonplace in this part of the world, but never had one posed such a threat like this one. It stuck out of the water like a jagged dagger.

"Alter course. two degrees left, Butler!" He said. "We'll try to steer around it."

At a touch of the automatic controls, the Atomic Ice Queen banked. Her decks remained horizontal as her full stabilisers took effect. Butler concentrated on the iceberg. Unfortunately, the water level floe escaped their notice. The keel ran foul, tearing and rending into the vessel's underside. They felt the impact rock the deck plates beneath their feet. Trying to control the situation, Simpson ordered reverse thrust, but it was too late. The Ice Queen, now powerless, began to sink into the freezing waters.

"We're starting to sink!" Butler reported as he struggled to keep a calm composure. "The engine room is taking on water! We have to get out of here!"

Simpson couldn't act. The ship's fail-safe systems had already kicked it. Below deck, the passengers panicked at the sound of the ship's sirens, unaware of what had happened. Helplessness swept through them like a tidal wave. A feeling also shared by the Captain.

"We can't do a thing!" He replied. "The automatic bulkheads have failed. We can't contain the water. Worse still, we can't get everyone to the life rafts in time. We need help and fast!"

"What are we going to do?" Butler cried. "Who can we call?"

The Captain paused for thought. Sure, he couldn't get the passengers off the ship safely, but he knew an organisation that could. As he did this, they felt the deck plate vibrate. It sounded as if the ship herself was in pain and crying out for help. Simpson snapped out of his thoughts and acted.

"Get on to the radio and call International Rescue!" Simpson barked. "Hurry!"

Several minutes later, an SOS messaged flashed out from the Atomic Ice Queen. In Thunderbird Five, the ever-watchful satellite of International Rescue, John Tracy intercepted the call. Simpson's deep and mature voice caught his attention.

"Calling International Rescue. This is Captain Simpson of the Atomic Ice Queen. We're sinking, three hours outside the Polar Relocation Settlement in the North Pole. We're attempting to abandon ship but our emergency fail-safe systems have made it impossible."

John wasted no time in acknowledging the call. "This is International Rescue. Delay the evacuation, Captain. We will assist you."

Simpson obliged. "Understood International Rescue. There are no ships within five hours of us. You're our only hope."

Jeff Tracy received the call on Tracy Island. The urgent look on John's face told the full story. He immediately turned to Scott, sending him on his way. Virgil and Gordon hurried into the lounge as their father briefed them on the situation. He turned to Scott, who was already raring to go.

"Away you go, Scott. Virgil and Gordon will follow," He said as looked back at John's wall portrait. "Tell the Captain that we're on our way, John."

"I'm on my way, Dad," replied Scott. "Thunderbird One will be in the air in four minutes."

As Scott made his way towards Thunderbird One, Virgil motioned Gordon to follow him. Within minutes, Thunderbird One took off from its concealed hangar underneath the swimming pool. Scott levelled off as Thunderbird One flashed across the sky towards the Danger Zone. Back on the ground, the cliff-side door rumbled into the ground, revealing Thunderbird Two within. With Pod Four in tow, Virgil taxied his Thunderbird down the runway towards the launch ramp. Seconds later, they were airborne and en route to the Arctic sea. Both Thunderbirds were on their way. Pushing his machine to full power, Scott reached the Atomic Ice Queen. With Forty Minutes left on the clock, he made a quick survey of the ship, looking for an ideal landing site.

"Atomic Ice Queen, this is International Rescue. I'm going to try and land on the deck Our rescue gear is on its way. "

Simpson's distinguished voice spoke back to him.

"Roger, International Rescue. We're sure glad to see you." He replied.

The wings branched outwards and two landing skids flipped out from underneath. Cautiously, Scott touched down on top of the deck, a short distance away from the bridge. Thankful for the level deck system, he carried his equipment to the bridge and set up his Mobile Control unit. While he did this, he assured the Captain that they would be alright.

"Thunderbirds Two and Four are on the way. We should be able to fix things." He added.

But Butler didn't share his sense of optimism. He had spotted a new danger.

"The radiation level in the forward nuclear isotope store is way above normal, sir." He moaned.

"Then shut down all reactors!" The Captain grunted. "The collision must have smashed the isotopes."

Scott also frowned. "That means no power and heat. Everyone on board will freeze to death! Wait. I've got an idea."

Switching on his radio, Scott explained the situation to Jeff.

"Dad, somehow we've got to get new isotopes here to replace the damaged units, and it has to be done within two hours."

Jeff calmly replied. "Okay, Scott. I'll take care of it."

It took a short while to arrange the delivery, but as soon as the call came through, Scott returned to Thunderbird One, blasting off from the deck, By this time, Thunderbird Two arrived at the danger zone. Virgil released the pod into the icy water, deploying Thunderbird Four. The pod flap lowered and a launch ramp angled downwards into the water. Gordon started up his motors, sending Thunderbird Four down the ramp and into the depths. Then, Virgil arranged his giant aircraft above the floundering vessel. He flipped another switch, opening a hatch underneath the main cabin.

"Firing guided elevator cable now!" He said.

A red projectile with a cable mounted to it pierced the waves below. Virgil steered it through the waves. It whizzed underneath the Ice Queen like a torpedo. It then pivoted and shot out of the ocean. Virgil guided it back towards Thunderbird Two, returning it to the hatch and connecting it with a magnetic hook. He smiled at his handy work. He had successfully wrapped the cable around the stricken area of the Ice Queen. Gordon steered Thunderbird Four towards the damaged section as Virgil lifted it out of the water. Thunderbird Two's motors screamed as the green transporter took the strain.

"Thunderbird Two to Thunderbird Four. Over to you, Gordon."

"FAB, Virgil," Gordon replied. " I'm going to use the sonic welder."

Gordon gently inched Thunderbird Four closer towards the compromised hull. He flipped a switch, and a small metallic blow torch protruded from the nose of the submarine. The sonic welder emitted a searing heat that was hot enough to reseal metal with ease. He often nicknamed it 'molten glue.' He placed on a pair of thick goggles to protect his eyes from the blinding light. Suddenly, he saw the ship buckle slightly in front of him.

"Keep her steady, Virgil!" He said. "I'm almost finished."

"Hurry it up, Gordon," replied Virgil. "I can't hold her any longer"

A few intense minutes flashed by Gordon's eyes when he finished the sealing weld. As he reversed his motors and pulled away, the metal cable snapped from its winch and the Ice Queen smacked the waves hard. Thunderbird Four rode out the disturbing waves for a while.

"That was close!" Gordon gasped aloud. "I managed to finish the weld in time, Virgil. She should stay afloat now. There's nothing more I can do."

Virgil's tone softened. "FAB, Gordon. Return to the Pod and I'll pick you up in a bit. Scott should be arriving any time with the isotopes."

Thunderbird One hurtled across the water towards the Atomic Ice Queen after a successful pick-up. Scott stored the replacement isotopes in a lead crate, which he secured in the cargo hold. When he returned to the scene, he was met with the reality that time was against him. The deck of the Ice Queen formed a hazardous sheet of ice. Large jagged icicles hugged the side of the hull. Scott opened up the landing legs and approached the deck.

"Thunderbird One to Atomic Ice Queen," He said. "I'm approaching for Isotope Drop. The deck is beginning to ice over. I'll have to take it easy. One false move could cause a mass radiation hazard. Maybe I can thaw the ice out with my vertical jet. "

Carefully and cautiously, Scott hovered above the deck and fire his landing jets. A power whoosh of flame melted the ice along the deck. When he managed to clear a large section of ice, Scott touched down outside the engine room. He climbed into his thick, Blue and white radiation suit and approached his cargo. One by one, he carried the heavy isotope cylinders to the forward stores. The crate contained six of them in total, each one weighing the size of a small torpedo shell. He battled the heat from the suit that drained his energy. Two crew members, also in protective suits, assisted him with the task.

"Alright. Four down, two to go.," He said as he exhaled. "We've got twenty minutes before the passengers to freeze to death. Let's hurry this along."

Thunderbird Two remained in the air as Scott grabbed the last of the isotopes. He felt a wave of relief to know that they were going to save the ship in time. International Rescue had their fair share of close calls in the past, each one threatened them with failure. With five minutes to spare, Scott concluded his desperate work. The lights and the heating system buzzed back into life. A short moment later, he joined Simpson and Butler in the control room. His face was drenched in sweat. He smiled though. Seeing the look of relief on the men's faces was like music to his ears. However, he wasn't done yet.

"You're all set," He said. "But remember, our isotopes are much more powerful than the ones you carry. You'll have to adjust your control systems."

Simpson smiled with gratitude. "Understood, Mister Tracy. How can we ever thank you?"

Scott returned the smile. "You don't have to. You must get your passengers safely to that Polar settlement. We'll escort you there before we return to base."

The crew made their adjustments, switching the Ice Queen to half power. A short while later, the great International Rescue machines flew on ahead towards the settlement, guiding the Atomic Ice Queen through the approaching ice field. The entire job took a little under an hour. When they arrived, Virgil spun around and returned to base. Scott followed once the liner reached its destination. It was another win for International Rescue and a successful trip for the Atomic Ice Queen. It wouldn't be long before the luxurious liner would take to the sea once again.

END