LOCATED roughly two miles from Fort Cheriok was the Penitentiary compound. It was late in the evening and darkness had fallen over the valley. All the inmates were safely locked in their cells and the large majority had settled down for the night. Only Snart and Rory remained awake and were still in conversation over Snart's plan that he'd been working on. Despite his best efforts, Rory was still refusing to take part in it.

"I am not going with you, Leo. No matter what you say," Rory said firmly.

Snart shifted on his top bunk bed. "You are throwing away the chance of a lifetime, Mick," he said.

Just then the viewing window in the cell door slid back to reveal Pierre who had come to make sure that they were settling down. "Alright, alright! Light's out! Cut out the chat!" he ordered.

"Anything you say, Guard," sneered Snart in his sarcastic sounding voice before laying down on his bed to sleep.

Things were also settled up at For Cheriok. Alan and Grandma had turned in for the night and were already fast asleep whilst Jeff and Tim continued chatting in the lounge.

"What are the chances of an escape attempt being made, Tim?" Jeff asked.

"Very slim," replied Tim. "Nobody's been able to break out of the Penitentiary itself. The walls are too high and too thick. We have had a couple try and make a run for it on work details but they've never made it far. It's tricky to hide out in this environment and the snow quite often deters even the most desperate of convicts."

"That's some reassurance," said Jeff, who had still been a little worried about the presence of the old gun so near to a prison. "Oh, by the way, Tim. Alan was asking if there was anywhere for him to see the gun salute tomorrow?"

"Of course," said Tim. "I can take him up to Snowcap. The view from up there is magnificent."

Jeff smiled. "Thanks, Tim," he said before glancing at his watch. "Well, it's getting late. I'd better turn in. Goodnight, Tim."

"Goodnight, Jeff," replied Tim. "See you in the morning."

Kayo sat up in bed as she received a hologram call from Colonel Casey who had made contact after hearing about what had happened.

"Kayo, how are you feeling?"

"I've been better, Colonel," Kayo replied. "My leg's been busted up pretty hard, but it'll heal."

"Bad business," Colonel Casey said. "I heard from Lieutenant Van Arkell that you and Captain Rigby had gone to investigate The Cabal. Sounds like you got more than you bargained for."

"That's one way of putting it," said Kayo. "Did Rigby give you any details?"

"No, Van Arkell says he's still in a state of shock over what's happened and is in Medical Bay," Colonel Casey said. "Also he doesn't seem to remember anything of what happened from what's been said. I was hoping that you might have a little more for us?"

Kayo nodded. "Indeed I do," she said. "We were right to presume that The Hood and Havoc weren't alone in their escape. They have The White Ghost on their team. She sprung them from the Flyer and…" Her voice trailed off.

"What is it?" asked Colonel Casey.

Kayo sighed. "It was her who served you and Jeff the drinks at the restaurant."

Colonel Casey was shocked. "You mean to say that The White Ghost managed to slip into a London restaurant and was able to get Jeff to drink a miniaturised Scorpion-Mecca?!"

"That's exactly right," said Kayo. "And what's more I've seen who created it. The Hood's got a new mechanic called Techno. And from what I've seen he's every bit as dangerous as The Mechanic was when he was under The Hood's control."

Colonel Casey took a few moments to process this information. "So we have a group of four criminals on the loose working together as a team. Three of which as we all know have personal vendettas against both of our organisations. And now a fourth that we know absolutely nothing about."

"Neither The Mechanic nor The Chaos Crew had any beef with us when The Hood first took them on," Kayo said. "Havoc has developed a hatred of us, me in particular during the course of the last few years. As for The White Ghost, well her family were bitter against us and the Creighton-Wards for stopping their plans to get Laura McCullen the help she needed to cure her condition."

"That was their own problem. Not ours," Colonel Casey said. "People get the wrong ideas and pursue the wrong paths. Hopefully we can get through to Miss McCullen and make her see sense."

"Let's hope," said Kayo. "Although I suspect Havoc and The Hood got her onto their side with perhaps a promise of helping her with her condition but have no intention to stick with it."

"Very possible," agreed Colonel Casey. "Now, I think I've kept you talking for long enough. I'd better let you get some rest."

Kayo yawned and covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh, dear. Pardon me, Colonel," she said.

"No, that's quite alright," said Colonel Casey. "I'll leave you to it." She was about to sign off when she then remembered something else. "Actually, sorry, there is one more thing. I don't suppose you saw or heard anything about my son, did you?"

Kayo gulped slightly. She had completely forgotten that Noel Casey was still a misper. "No, Colonel. I'm afraid I did not," she said.

Colonel Casey gave a sad sigh. "I feared as much," she said. "Rita's been asking after him." She turned her head to the side. "Of course it would take something like this to make us talk again," she muttered.

"I beg your pardon, Colonel?"

"What? Oh, nothing, Kayo," said Colonel Casey hastily. "I've disturbed you long enough. Goodnight." And she signed off before Kayo could respond, leaving her feeling rather suspicious. Admittedly she knew very little about Colonel Casey's family other than her father being Tim Casey, but all the same she was starting to wish that she knew more.

A knock at the door broke Kayo out of her thoughts. "Come in?"

The door opened and Scott walked in carrying two mugs. "Hey," he said.

"Hey," Kayo replied.

"Thought you might want a drink?" Scott said.

"What is it?" Kayo asked.

""Hot Chocolate," Scott said. "I was gonna make coffee but Virgil said that would have prevented you from sleeping."

"Caffeine rush would definitely keep me awake," agreed Kayo as she took the mug and took a sip. "Mmm," she said approvingly. "Not had one of these in months."

Scott chuckled as he sat down in the seat beside her. "Well, this is the advantage of Grandma not being here," he said. "We can eat properly without risk of getting the runs."

Kayo raised her eyebrows.

"I mean, er, her cooking has greatly improved in the last couple of years, especially since Dad came home," Scott added hastily. "But still."

"That was mean, Scott," Kayo said, but with a smirk. "But I totally agree with you."

"Maybe we should have Hayley move here permanently," Scott went on. "The best meals I can remember having recently have been when she's been here."

"And she's an excellent cook herself," added Kayo. "I mean I don't mean any disrespect to Grandma Tracy at all, but one day someone will have to take over the cooking for her."

Scott laughed. "If there's one thing Grandma would ever refuse to do it's give up cooking," he said. "I very much doubt even Dad would be able to persuade her to do that."

They both laughed. But then Kayo's face suddenly went sad, which Scott was quick to notice.

"Are you okay?" Scott asked.

Kayo didn't answer for a moment. It was like she'd been hit hard by a sudden memory. "He was going to do something to me, Scott," she said, her voice sounding shaky.

Scott frowned. "Who?"

"My…My Uncle," Kayo said, even more shakily. "When you rescued Rigby, did you see any strange looking tanks containing a silver liquid and injection tubes poking out of his body?"

Scott tried to think back. Everything that had happened on the Condor had been rather fast so little details weren't exactly strong. "I noticed some kind of liquid storage tanks in the Medical Bay where he was," he said. "But there were no tubes injected into his body."

Kayo slumped back on the pillow. "Oh, thank God."

Scott was puzzled. "Kayo…what were they going to do to him?"

"I don't know," Kayo replied. "It was some kind of experiment that Techno was going to perform with Rigby as a test subject. The Hood said he wasn't expecting Rigby to survive. And…" She began to quiver. "If it did work…" Tears began to form in her eyes. "They were going to use it on me!" She then lost it and began to cry.

Scott hastily put his mug down and grabbed Kayo's arms. "Hey-hey-hey. Shh-shh-shh," he said as he pulled her into a comforting hug. "Kayo, shhhhhhhhhhhh now. It's okay."

Kayo continued to sob as she gripped Scott's back. She knew that she was okay and that Rigby was as well. But the thought of what could have happened had certainly troubled her more than she had originally thought. As she and Scott released each other, she realised something else. "Colonel Casey asked me if I had seen or heard anything about her missing son. Oh, God. What if he's still alive and they use him as the test subject instead?"

Scott gripped Kayo's arm tightly. "If they do, then they will pay for it!" he said. "Human rights will come down on them like a ton of bricks if they do."

Kayo turned her tear-stained eyes towards Scott. She reached over and gripped his hands tightly. She knew he was right.

The darkness turned to lightness as the Sun brought the dawn of a new day over the valley - and with it the day of the Prime Minister's journey to Quebec.

Inside the Penitentiary, the morning Guard came to raise his prisoners and take them to breakfast. "Okay you mugs, it's six-thirty. Let's roll!"

Rory was hungry and eager to have his breakfast. "Come on, Leo," he urged.

Snart was sitting on the top bunk still reading a newspaper. "Be right with you," he said before turning his attention back to the paper.

Rory left the cell passing the Guard who looked sternly up at Snart. "Move it, Snart!" he barked. "Your work detail leaves in twenty-five minutes!" He then turned to wait outside the cell. It might have been wiser if he hadn't though.

Snart looked up and once he realised there was nobody watching, he dropped the paper on his bunk and pushed himself off onto the floor. He then slipped his right hand into the inside of his prison jacket and pulled out a hand-gun that he'd managed to get smuggled in. He double-checked to ensure nobody was watching before lifting up the bottom corner of Rory's mattress and slipping the gun underneath. Then with a smirk of satisfaction he walked out of the cell to go for breakfast.

The red transport truck made its way through the snowy landscape on its way to the work detail in the far end of the valley. They were nearing the location where they had stopped the previous day to view the gun firing when the hologram-projector in the cab buzzed. "Warden to Work Detail Six - urgent!"

Leaving Eddie to continue driving, Pierre took the call. "Number Three receiving."

"Pierre, get Rory back here!" said the Warden. "On the double!"

"Sure, sir," said Pierre. "But what's happened?"

"We've found a gun under his bed!" said the Warden. "Better check him out first to make sure he hasn't got another!"

"Roger!" said Pierre. "Eddie, stop the truck." Eddie complied and brought the truck to a stop and turned off the engine. "Right, you stay here," Pierre continued before grabbing his rifle and opening the cab door.

The truck's sudden halt hadn't gone unnoticed by the two criminals in the back. "We've stopped!" Rory said, confused. "Why have we stopped?"

Snart sniffed. "Probably our babysitters want to sightsee again," he said in his oily voice.

They heard the sound of the back doors being unlocked and turned their heads as the right side door opened to reveal Pierre brandishing his rifle at Rory. "Okay, Rory. come on out slowly," he ordered.

Rory was even more confused. "What?" he asked as he did as he was told. "What's this all about?"

"Just to see if you've got any more guns stashed on you," said Pierre. "Now, just step down."

Snart smirked to himself as he realised his plan was working. Neither Rory or Pierre saw this as Rory jumped down from the back of the truck.

"Guns?" Rory asked. "What are you talking about?"

"About how you just lost your parole, buddy," said Pierre. "Oh, they're gonna put a lot of time on you for this."

Whilst he'd been talking, Snart had snuck up behind the slightly open left-side door having noticed that Pierre was standing right in its line of swing. He saw his chance and took it without hesitation. He kicked the door forwards and it struck Pierre on the back of the head, knocking him out and causing him to fall face-down in the snow. Rory blinked in surprise as he watched the guard fall. Snart then jumped down from the back of the truck and grabbed Pierre's rifle.

"You killed him!" Rory said in shock.

"No, I haven't," replied Snart as he checked the rifle before pointing down at the back of Pierre's head and shooting him at point blank range which caused Rory to recoil in horror. "Now I have," said Snart with an evil glint in his eyes.

Eddie, still in the cab of the truck, was alarmed by the sound of the gunshot. He couldn't see anybody in his wing-mirror due to the truck obscuring anyone from view. "Pierre? Pierre?!" he called out before making an urgent call. "This is Work Detail Six. we're in trouble! We need-"

BANG! Another bullet shot through the open window and into Eddie's chest, killing him instantly. Snart had snuck around the side without Eddie seeing him and had been able to take him out as well.

Snart then turned back round to Rory. "Come on, Mick. Let's go!"

"No, Leo," said Rory. "I've already told you. I am not going!"

"Come on!" urged Snart.

"I am staying!" said Rory with insistence. "I've got to find out who-"

"Okay, fine. Stay here and find out how many years they're going to add on to your sentence for this," said Snart.

"It was all your idea!" snapped Rory.

"And who's going to believe that?" asked Snart slyly. "Not the Warden, that's for sure. I am offering you a way out of here. Plus a lot of money! Now take it, or leave it."

Rory sighed heavily as he gave in, realising he didn't have much of an alternative. "Alright, alright! I am coming," he said crossly. "But if I find out that you had anything to do with this-"

"Come ON!" Snart cut him off and hurried away from the truck, still carrying Pierre's rifle. Rory gritted his teeth and hurried off after him.

The Warden of the Penitentiary was concerned by the cut off call from the Work Detail Truck and alerted Fort Cheriok immediately.

"Right, Warden. I'll organise a search immediately," Tim said as the call came to an end.

Jeff and Alan had been playing Chess nearby and were concerned by the annoyed tone in Tim's voice. "What's wrong, Tim?" asked Jeff.

Tim sighed. "Looks like that small minority we spoke about have come about, Jeff," he said. "There's been a breakout from a Work Detail Truck and I need to organise a search party. I'm afraid I cannot take you up to Snowcap now, Alan. we mustn't take any chances with the Prime Minister's train on its way."

"Can't the train be stopped or diverted?" asked Alan.

"Not a chance," said Tim grimly. "It will have already passed the relief line that bypasses the valley by now, and the President won't allow his train to stop for anything unless the mono-track is damaged."

The Prime Minister's train was a streamlined three-car express unit. It was painted silver with a bright red nose and tail. It ran on special maglev power-bogies that allowed it to sort of hover around the single rail track and achieve a fast but safe and steady speed. It was already entering the outskirts of the mountain region and sounded its horn to alert anybody that might be near the track to stand well clear.

The middle carriage was where President McCormack's office was located. He was sitting at his desk admiring the snow-covered mountains out of the window when his secretary came up to him. "Prime Minister?"

"Yes, Robbins, what is it?"

Robbins checked his watch. "We're right on schedule, sir. The bridge is just a few minutes ahead."

"Good," said the Prime Minister.

The train continued on its way, with the few occupants it carried oblivious to the nasty surprise that was being set up for them.

The gun crew who had been testing the old weapon the day before were back with it on Monument Hill, dressed in commemorative military red and blue uniforms with brown hats. "Alright, look sharp!" said the Corporal. "The train isn't far off now."

It was unfortunate that the warning about the escaped convicts never reached the gun crew. Neither of them had any idea that they were being observed by the two men who had managed to evade those search parties sent out by Tim to look for them and were now concealed under a thick clump of trees on a ledge overlooking the ledge where the gun was located.

The distant sound of the train's horn echoing through the valley was what Snart had been waiting for. "That's the five minute whistle," he said. "Let's get the gun crew."

Before leaving the truck, they had stolen the deceased Eddie's rifle as well which Rory now had a hold of. Both men used the gunsights to aim at their targets. Rory really didn't like what he was doing but he knew he had no choice but to go along with Snart's plan. Snart fired first, taking down the Corporal. Rory then fired and took out the young Private. He then made the sign of the cross across his head and chest and prayed that God would forgive him for what he'd done.

The train got closer to the bridge, its occupants still unaware of the danger that awaited them. Attempts had been made by Tim at Fort Cheriok to warn them that two escaped convicts were on the loose but the Prime Minister had ordered a complete radio blackout so that he wouldn't be disturbed.

"Another two minutes, sir, and we'll be there," Robbins said as the train rounded a bend.

"Good," said the Prime Minister before handing his secretary a piece of paper. "Would you have this message sent to my wife, please?"

The train's horn sounded yet again to signal the two minute warning of its approach.

Snart and Rory had made their way down the mountain and had seized control of the old gun after moving the bodies of the two soldiers out of the way. Rory took control of the gun, pushing it a few degrees to the right and adjusting the elevation of the cannon so that it was aiming at the steel trestle bridge instead of the mountains on the opposite side of the valley.

"Get ready, Mick," said Snart before turning his gaze towards the bridge. "Fire!"

Rory set the gun off and it fired a projectile at the bridge. It struck the second section from the right side of view away from the cliff and detonated, blowing the section of the bridge clean away just as the train was making its final approach from the left side. The driver gasped when he saw the explosion and slammed on the brakes. Sparks flew and a ear-splitting shriek of grinding metal was heard as the train rumbled onto the bridge. The Prime Minister had to hold onto the arms of his seat whilst Robbins was thrown off his feet by the sudden decrease in speed. For a moment it didn't look like it was going to stop in time but with a final hiss of compressed air it did, with the tip of its red nose right over the edge of the broken section.

Snart and Rory now shifted the gun a few degrees back round to the left so they were aiming at the same section on the left end of the bridge. As they brought it to bare they heard the train's motors start up again as it began to slowly reverse back in an attempt to reach the safety of firm ground.

"Fire!" Snart ordered and Rory set the gun off again. This projectile also found its mark and destroyed that section of the bridge as well. The whole bridge shuddered under the impact and was felt by those aboard the train which promptly came to a stop again - with each carriage covering the middle three sections of it. They could not go forwards or backwards.

Snart slapped Rory on the back. "Mick, we did it!" he said triumphantly. "We've stopped them dead!"

The bridge creaked and groaned. It hadn't been built to withstand the weight of a train sitting right on the top of it and it began to slowly sway from side to side as the strain on its three support towers began to increase.

Robbins ran to a window and looked out. He was alarmed by what he saw. "Sir! Someone has shelled the bridge! We're trapped!"

McCormack stood by his desk and peered out of his own window, biting his lip grimly. "Yes, Robbins. It would seem that whoever they are, they want us to stick around."

The bridge shifted again. There was no way of knowing how long it was going to hold out before it gave way and collapsed. And when it did, it would take the train and its occupants down with it.

Snart picked up the communicator phone that the deceased gun crew had had with them. Now that they had been successful in stopping the Prime Minister's train, it was time for the next stage of Snart's plan to begin. "Okay, Mick. It is time to bargain with our friends."

Alan hurried into the lounge which was also Tim Casey's office. "I heard two distant explosions," he said. "What's going on?"

Grandma shushed him and nodded towards the desk where Tim Casey was looking at a hologram of Snart with Jeff watching on out of Snart's field of view.

"What do you want, Snart?" asked Tim.

"Just two things, Commissioner," said Snart in his oily voice. "One million dollars and a Helijet if you would be so kind?"

Tim's nostrils flared up. "Are you crazy, Snart?"

"No, Commissioner. I am not," replied Snart simply. "I want one million dollars in used bank notes and a Helijet put down a-hundred yards from the gun. Tell the pilot to walk away and we'll take over. And no rescue attempts, Commissioner, or that train gets it right away! You've got thirty minutes." And with that he signed off.

"Snart? Snart!" said Tim, but it was no use. "Agh! He's cut off."

"What are you gonna do, Uncle Tim?" asked Alan.

"I don't know, Alan," replied Tim. "But we must think of something."

Jeff spoke up. "I have an idea, Tim," he said. "It's a dangerous one. But I think it's your only option."

The bridge was gradually getting weaker with every passing second thanks to the enormous weight of the heavy train that was sitting on top of it. The section underneath the rear carriage was tilted downwards as that support column was beginning to buckle.

Inside the middle carriage, Prime Minister McCormack was getting agitated. Due to the situation he'd finally decided to break the communications blackout he'd ordered and had finally discovered that the two men had escaped and that Fort Cheriok had been trying to warn them about the danger. A decision he was very much regretting. "We've been here for over thirty minutes now, Robbins," he said. "Is there any more news?"

"No, sir. They're still demanding the ransom," Robbins replied. He was watching anxiously out of the window. "But I think the bridge is breaking up!"

McCormack grimaced. "That conference in Quebec will split right down the middle," he muttered, but not quietly enough for Robbins not to hear him.

"Sir, with all due respect, this is no time to be thinking about the conference!" Robbins said, turning to face his boss.

"I've got to think about it!" snapped McCormack. "It's the most important thing in my life!"

John had returned to Thunderbird 5 after visiting Tracy Island to see Kayo the previous day. He was surprised to receive a call from Jeff. "Dad? It's good to hear from you, but didn't we ask you not to worry yourself and keep checking in?"

"This isn't a check-in call, John," said Jeff shortly. "We have a situation out here. Two criminals have escaped from a prison truck and have used an ancient cannon to damage a railroad bridge over the valley. There is a train trapped on the bridge - and it's got the Canadian Prime Minister aboard."

"Oh, lord!" said John. "Is this a hostage situation?"

"I'm afraid so," said Jeff. "They've demanded a one-million dollar ransom and a Helijet. Also they have said that they will attack the train directly if any rescue attempt is made."

"I see," said John. "But we have a plan to rescue the Prime Minister, right?"

"Of course," said Jeff. "Call the island and have Thunderbird 2 fly out to the valley but tell Virgil to stay out of sight until we give you the all-clear."

"Understood," said John. "And what about the ransom?"

"We'll be handling that," said Jeff. "Just get Thunderbird 2 out here as fast as they can. Time is very short as that bridge won't be able to hold the train's weight for very long."

"F-A-B," said John. "Stand-by, Dad." He reached over to another projector to call Tracy Island.

Virgil and Scott were both in the lounge when John called in. Like John had been, they were surprised by what the emergency situation was. "The situation looks bleak, guys," John was saying. "That bridge wasn't designed to take the weight of a train for any length of time. The maglev track and speeds are meant to take the train right to the other side before it feels too much strain."

"And the longer it's sitting there, the weaker the bridge is getting," said Virgil as he observed the hologram scan Thunderbird 5 had just relayed to them of the bridge with the train sitting on the top. "Those support columns are already starting to give way. We'll never make it in time, Scott."

"Maybe, but we can't just stand here," said Scott. "What about the crooks, Thunderbird 5?"

"Dad says to leave them to the authorities," John said. "He says you're to take Thunderbird 2 out and stay out of sight until the all-clear is given otherwise they will shoot the train with the old gun."

"And we can't allow that to happen," said Scott. "Virgil, I'll join you in Thunderbird 2. Thunderbird 1 is still undergoing its refuelling after yesterday's outing."

"F-A-B," said Virgil. "Let's go, brother!"

Virgil ran over to the rocket painting and leant against it before it tilted backwards to send him down his long launch chute where the harness he travelled in attached his uniform by robotic arms. Once done the harness swung from him being face-up to face-down as he continued to Thunderbird 2. Reaching the end he dropped down from the harness and through the open hatch to land on his feet in the cockpit before closing the hatch behind him. He ran to his seat and selected Module 3 from the selection computer. The conveyor shifted Modules 1 and 2 along before stopping with Module 3 underneath the main body which was lowered down onto it after it had stopped. Scott arrived moments later having gotten his spare uniform from the changing chambers. He sat himself down in the co-pilot seat beside Virgil as Thunderbird 2 began to taxi out of the hangar onto the runway. The palm trees fell back to let them pass as they made their way to the launch ramp. Once on the ramp they were raised into position with the wings folding out and the blast shield rising into place behind the aft thrusters.

5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

Thunderbird 2's engines roared as she lifted off the ramp and into the sky. "You can say it," said Virgil.

"Thunderbird 2 is GO!" said Scott.

Tim removed a rifle from a weapon rack on the wall of his office. "I don't know how you all talked me into this," he said. "Are you absolutely sure you want Alan going up there?"

"I would have done it myself," said Jeff.

"But Dad's world famous," said Alan. "If they realise who he is, they may demand an even bigger ransom than the one they've already asked for."

"He's right, Tim," said Jeff. "They won't suspect anything from Alan."

Tim still wasn't sure he was comfortable with the idea, but he reluctantly agreed. "Oh, very well," he said. "You have the money, Alan?"

"Sure," said Alan as he closed the case with the ransom money in. "I'm ready to go."

Grandma bent down and placed her hands on Alan's shoulders. "Alan. be careful," she warned. "They are dangerous men."

Alan nodded. "I will, Grandma," he promised as they hugged.

Jeff then gave Alan a hug. "Good luck, son," he said.

"F-A-B," Alan whispered back.