A PIN dropping could have been heard in the silence that followed John's revelation. "A bomb?!" was the cry from practically anybody.

Gordon went very white as he peered down at the strange-looking brown object poking out of the earth and between his legs. "A b-b-b-b-bomb?" he stammered. "H-How can I be?"

"John, have you gone nuts?" asked Jeff. "How the hell can Gordon be sitting on a bomb?"

"I saw Gordon slip down the side," John explained. "I was curious as to why he stopped suddenly, so I ran a scan of the earth-mound and…" He paused as he brought up a holographic image of what he had found. "I found this."

The object that appeared to those in the Tracy Island house lounge, the object was unmistakable.

"Oh, my God…" Kayo said, shocked.

"That's a damn bomb all right!" agreed Scott.

"And an a-ancient one as well," remarked Brains as he studied the holographic image more closely.

"How ancient are we talking?" asked Virgil over the radio.

"W-World War Two I would have to say," Brains replied. "John, can you find any match in the m-military archives?"

John was already beginning his search before Brains had finished speaking. "Got it!" he said. "It's a Sprengbombe Cylindrisch 250 air-dropped high-explosive bomb used by Germany during World War Two."

"You mean it's been buried here all this time?" Alan asked.

"Not all bombs that were dropped during the war actually detonated, Alan," Hayley said. "Even to this day some do still get uncovered. And it seems Gordon's the latest to find one."

"I still don't understand why I can't just get off it though?" Gordon said indignantly. "This antique's been here for over a century! It's not going to cause any harm."

"We don't know that, Gordon," said Virgil. "The digger-machines have clearly dug it up out of the ground. They could well have disturbed it into reactivation."

"How can we tell for sure?" asked Scott.

"Can you scan it, John?" asked Jeff.

"I've already tried that," said John, grimly. "Unfortunately that bomb is pre-digital technology. I cannot locate any kind of timer or mechanism that would give us a rough idea of how long is left or even if it's active."

"Does it matter whether it's activated or not?" Grandma suddenly burst out. "Gordon's trapped on that thing and we need to get him off it somehow!"

"And make sure it's not a danger to anyone else," added Jeff. "We need to get that bomb defused. Scott, launch Thunderbird 1 and take me and Brains out there and defuse that bomb as well as find a way to get Gordon off without disturbing it too much."

"You come, Dad?" asked Scott, surprised.

"Of course," said Jeff sternly. "I cannot sit here with one of my sons in grave peril."

Brains then spoke up. "Um, M-Mr Tracy? I must apologise, but I w-won't have any idea on how to defuse the bomb. A digital one - yes. But this is s-something that I wouldn't even know where to start with. I'm afraid I'll be of n-no use to you out there."

"Come on, Brains!" cried Gordon. "You can figure it out, surely?"

"I'm a scientist, G-Gordon. This thing is b-best left to someone with military experience."

Everyone felt deflated, until Kayo suddenly had a brainwave. "Wait a minute! We do have someone in our ranks who was in the military. Parker!"

"Of course!" said Virgil. "I remember he had extensive knowledge of the Sonic Wave Device. If there is anybody who could help - it must be him!"

Jeff perked up. "Then we have no time to waste," he said. "John, contact Parker and get him to get to the danger zone ASAP. Scott, you and I will head out there."

"Let's go then, Dad!" said Scott as he ran over the revolving wall panel. "Sit tight, Gordon. We're on our way."

"Oh, yeah - like I can go anywhere?" retorted Gordon.

Scott pulled down the lamps and the section of wall swivelled round before he took the express elevator down to Thunderbird 1 with the robot arms attaching his suit to him as he went. He reached the bottom and found Jeff already boarding the craft having used another express elevator and changing room to get into his old uniform and was entering via the main cargo bay hatch on an elevating platform. Scott then stepped onto his own extending platform and was moved out to where the pilot seat awaited him. He sat in and was winched inside the cockpit whilst the platform was retracted. The hatches closed and the trolley that Thunderbird 1 stood on began to move the sleek, silver rocket up the diagonal tunnel to the launching bay under the pool which was opening to allow the launching to take place.

5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

Thunderbird 1's engines roared and it gracefully rose upwards out of the launch bay and climbed fast up into the sky before levelling out and rocketing off at maximum speed towards England. "Thunderbird 1 is GO!" said Scott.

"Step on it, son," urged Jeff from the passenger seat. "There's no telling how long Gordon might have."

FAB1 pulled up outside the front steps of the Creighton-Ward Mansion after returning from the Roystone Estate. Parker opened the door to allow Penelope and Patricia to step out of the vehicle.

"Thank you, Parker," said Patricia. "I think after that experience, some tea is in order, wouldn't you say, Penelope?"

Penelope nodded. "Most definitely," she said. "Put FAB1 away first, please, Parker."

"Right-ho, m'lady," said Parker. He turned to close the door when suddenly Penelope's compact began to beep.

Penelope took out the compact and opened it. "Oh, hello, John," she said. "Goodness, you don't look too good. What's the matter?"

"Lady Penelope, is Parker with you?" John asked urgently.

Penelope and Parker exchanged looks. They'd never heard John sound so worried before and it unsettled them. "Yes, he's here," she said before turning the compact towards Parker who'd walked back over to them.

"H'I'm 'ere, Mister John," Parker said.

"Parker, there's not much time," John said hastily. "Do you have any experience or knowledge in defusing World War Two bombs? Specifically German ones?"

Parker, Penelope and Patricia blinked in surprise. None of them had expected that kind of question to come from John. "Why, yes, h'I do, actually," said Parker. "It was a part of my training when h'I was in the service. I still 'ave my special equipment in the garage in case we ever found one 'ere on the h'estate."

"Perfect!" said John. "Go get it and then take it to the GDF base at Tangmere. We have one that needs to be dealt with as a matter of urgency."

"Right you h'are, sir," said Parker. "Won't be a mo." He then hurried off towards the garage.

Penelope turned to Patricia. "Forgive me, Mother, but would you object if I went with Parker?"

"Of course not, my darling," said Patricia lovingly. "You're as much International Rescue as he is. You go ahead."

Penelope gave her mother a peck on the cheek. "Thank you," she said. "Love you."

"Love you, too," replied Patricia, returning the kiss.

Parker returned moments later carrying a large wooden box which he hastily put in the trunk of FAB1. Penelope then climbed back into the rear of FAB1 whilst Parker got back into the driving seat. "Okay, Parker, let's go."

"Yus, m'lady."

Patricia watched as FAB1 began to head off down the driveway leading to the mansion. Parker then switched the flight-mode and the car was soon soaring away into the sky as it made its way South towards the GDF base in Sussex. "FAB1 is h'off."

"Parker?"

"Yus, m'lady?"

"Did John seem a little…anxious to you?" Penelope asked.

"H'Indeed 'e did, m'lady," agreed Parker. "Most peculiar of 'im if you h'ask me."

Penelope looked out of the window, wondering what was wrong.

With Lieutenant Pierce having mysteriously disappeared from the scene, it fell to Hayley to raise the alarm and issue an evacuation order to both the construction site and the neighbouring hospital building. She and Alan also went to the hospital themselves to oversee the evacuation and make sure everyone got as far away from where the bomb was located as possible.

Virgil stayed behind with Gordon to keep a watchful eye on him and the bomb - as well as to be there for moral support. Gordon was a tough nut to crack - they all were to a point, but sitting on an ancient weapon not knowing if it was going to explode at any moment left them all wracked with fear. Gordon was trying very hard to not shake, but Virgil could see there was a lot of nervous sweat forming on his brow. "Keep yourself calm as best you can, Gordon," Virgil said. "We'll get you off of there."

"Easy for you to say, Virgil," Gordon replied shakily. "You're not the one sitting here."

Virgil had to admit Gordon had a point but before he could answer they heard a familiar hum of a small aircraft approaching. It was Thunderbird 1, which came down to land next to Thunderbird 2.

Scott and Jeff hurried over to where Gordon and Virgil were. Both were very alarmed when they saw the exact position of the bomb between Gordon's legs. "Well, you got yourself into one this time, Gordon," said Jeff.

Gordon looked sheepish. "I'm sorry, Dad," he said. "I didn't-"

Jeff stopped him. "Gordon, don't apologise," he said. "This is no fault of your own." He then turned to Virgil. "Where's Alan?"

"Inside the hospital helping Hayley to evacuate," Virgil answered.

"Excellent," Jeff said. "You and Scott go and help as well. I'll stay here with Gordon."

Virgil and Scott looked worried. "But, Dad?" objected Scott. "Is that wise for you to-"

"I'm well aware of the risks, boys!" Jeff snapped. "There are hundreds in danger here right now - not just Gordon. Now go!"

Reluctantly, Scott and Virgil hurried off towards the hospital, leaving Jeff and Gordon alone.

Gordon shuddered a little when Jeff began to cautiously move his way up the earth-mound. "C-Careful, please, Dad," he said nervously. "Please don't set it off…"

"I'm trying not to, son," said Jeff reassuringly. "For all we know it may not even be active, remember?"

"But we have to act as though it is?" Gordon said.

Jeff nodded grimly. "I'm afraid so."

Just then the sound of another set of jet engines announced the arrival of FAB1 which Jeff waved in to land. Penelope and Parker could see Gordon sitting on the earth-mound and yet neither of them clicked that it was he who was in danger.

"Penny! Parker!" said Jeff with relief. "Thank heavens you're here."

Penelope and Parker were quite surprised to see him. "Jeff?" said Penelope. "This is a pleasant surprise to see you off Tracy Island."

"Thanks, Penny," replied Jeff as he began to guide them over towards the mound. "I just wish it was in better circumstances."

"I 'ear you 'ave h'a bomb for me to dis-h'arm for you, Mr Tracy, sir?" Parker said.

"Yes, Parker," said Jeff.

Penelope walked ahead towards Gordon, instantly regretting her choice of footwear as she'd not had the chance to change her boots since returning to the mansion. "Hey, Gordon!" she called cheerfully. "Taking a break are you?"

Gordon grimaced. "Not exactly!" he called back. "Just praying, that's all."

"Praying?" asked Penelope, confused. "Praying for what?"

"Praying that Parker can disarm this damn bomb before it blows me to bits!" Gordon said crossly.

Penelope was taken aback by this response. But then her eyes finally fixed upon the bomb and she froze, her skin going very pale indeed. "Oh, my Goodness!" she gasped, her hands flying over her mouth in horror.

Parker then saw it too. "Crickey!" he exclaimed. "You're sitting h'on it, Mr Gordon, sir!"

Gordon scowled. "Really, Parker? I hadn't noticed!" he snarled.

"Okay, enough!" Jeff barked. "Parker, do your thing."

Parker nodded and moved in whilst Jeff made sure Penelope stayed far back with him.

Parker positioned himself down beside Gordon where he had a close view of the bomb and began to open up the wooden box that he'd brought from FAB1.

"What's in the box, Parker?" asked Gordon.

"H'Everything I need to 'opefully do this job, sir," replied Parker.

"What do you mean, hopefully?" asked Gordon, frowning.

"This h'is a very dangerous operation, Mr Gordon," Parker said. "There's h'always a chance that it may not go to plan."

Gordon gulped and Jeff and Penelope exchanged worried looks. "Do save him, Parker, please!" begged Penelope.

"H'I will do my best, m'lady!" Parker called back, and he meant it. He then began to examine the end of the bomb. "Lucky for us, this is the explosive end," he remarked. He began to feel around it, carefully pulling away bits of dirt and rust that the bomb has all over it.

"What are you doing?" Gordon asked.

"Looking for the fuse-pocket," replied Parker. "A-ha! Found it!" He pointed to a small pointy bit on the side of the bomb. He then opened the box he'd brought with him and took out a long metal stick attached to a pair of headphones. "This is my stethoscope," he said, sensing Gordon was going to ask him what he was doing. "It will h'allow me to listen and see what we're dealing with."

"So that will tell you if the bomb's active or not?"

"H'Indeed."

Gordon closed his eyes and began to mutter. "Please be silent. Please be silent."

Butterflies also filled the stomachs of Jeff and Penelope who had their arms around each other for support.

Parker put the headphones on and carefully placed the tip of the probe onto the fuse. Like Gordon he was hoping for silence. But to his dismay, there wasn't. A sinister ticking sound could be heard through the headphones. He let out a sigh, which instantly sent shivers down everyone's spines.

"It's going, isn't it, Parker?" Jeff called.

Parker nodded. "I'm h'afraid so, Mr Tracy," he said glumly. "That means that the bomb was disturbed during the digging that's been going h'on 'ere."

"Can your stethoscope tell you how long we have?" asked Gordon.

"No, sir," replied Parker. "These things 'ave clockwork timers h'inside of them. It's h'impossible to know how long it could go on for. But at a rough guess - h'anytime between thirty minutes of seventy-two 'ours. We don't know 'ow long h'it's been buried 'ere h'in the dirt." He then began to unpack the numerous other pieces of equipment from the box. "Let's see. Pot of salt. Small pair of scissors. Plastic tubing - six millimetres. Hand-operated vacuum pump. Small bicycle pump. Tub of putty. Hand-drill. Four-millimetre drill-bit - titanium tipped. Self-tapping needle. Water bottle. Check, check, and many checks!"

Gordon and Jeff were looking somewhat bewildered by all this extremely outdated-looking equipment. For Penelope however it brought back memories of Parker's Lucky Kit which he'd used to open a vault to help save a trapped scientist.

"And just how are you going to use all this to stop the bomb?" Gordon inquired.

"All h'in good time, sir," replied Parker as he set to work. "First thing to do is create a salt-based solution in the barrel of the hand-pump." He opened the water bottle and filled the white pump barrel with water. Then he opened up the pot of salt and poured a considerable amount inside. "This should jam up the clockwork mechanism," he explained. He then attached the pump and tube sections using a piece of the tube that he'd cut to the right length with the scissors to make it up and then placed it to one side ready for when it was needed. Next he took the putty and made pieces into two shapes. The first was a sausage shape and the second was a pancake one - also then put aside to await their usage.

Scott, Virgil, Alan and Hayley with the help of some of the base's GDF personnel soon managed to get the majority of the evacuation complete at the hospital and only a few needed to be removed before it was complete. Any chance they got they would take a glance out of one of the windows facing the site in order to try and see what was going on.

"Any progress?" Alan asked anxiously.

"It's hard to tell," replied Virgil. "Can't really see what Parker's doing from up here."

"I'm sure he's got it well in hand, guys," said Scott. "Once the last few patients and staff are evacuated we'll go and see for ourselves."

Parker now picked up the drill section and got ready to use it as he positioned himself to work on the bomb. "This is the tricky bit," he said to Gordon. "I need to drill h'into the fuse - between the locking ring and the edge of the fuse itself. This will give a hole leading down into the fuse pocket."

"In order to get the salt-water inside?" asked Gordon.

"Correct," replied Parker. "Then the putty will be used to seal it h'up again. Now, I need h'absolute silence please." He placed the tip of the drill and began to turn the handle, delicately drilling into the metal of the bomb.

Gordon did his best to remain as calm as possible. For Jeff and Penelope if anything. Silence filled the air with the only sound heard to Parker and Gordon as the drill cut into the bomb.

"Ah, blast," Parker cursed.

"What is it?" asked Jeff.

"I'm h'about three millimetres in h'and I think I've got it stuck," Parker answered. He made some small adjustments and the drill shifted but then he stopped dead. "Very h'important not to subject the bomb to any sudden movements…like that," he remarked. This did not make the others feel any easier. He then tried again and this time managed to get through successfully.

Hayley and the other three brothers arrived just as Parker was getting ready for the next stage. "How is it going?" Scott asked Jeff.

"He's gained access to the inside of the bomb," Jeff replied. "Now he's moving to Stage Two."

"Can we keep quiet, please?" asked Penelope. "Parker needs absolute concentration."

"What's next, Parker?" asked Gordon.

"Now h'I need to create a vacuum within the fuse-pocket," said Parker. "What I do is insert the self-tapping needle into the hole and screw it in." He did so. "Like this." He then formed the shaped putty that he had made either into an airtight seal around the fuse, before taking the hand-vacuum pump and inserting the end of the tube onto the open end of the self-tapping needle. He then began to pump away. "I need to create a vacuum of around twenty-five inches of mercury inside the fuse-pocket. As soon as that happens I flick the valve and introduce the salt-water into it." He soon reached the amount of mercury he wanted so he inverted the bottom and opened the valve. Gordon could see the salty liquid move down the tube and enter the bomb via the inserted needle. Once that was done he took the scissors and cut the tube leaving a small section behind. Next he picked up the bicycle pump and attached it to the open end of the tube before pumping away. He gave it a few pushes. "Ah!" he said, sounding a little triumphant. "I can see a little bit leaking out there."

"What does that mean?" Gordon asked.

"It means that the fuse-pocket is full of the solution, sir," said Parker.

"You mean its worked?" Jeff called over.

Parker stood up. "This section has, Mr Tracy, sir," he said. "But 'owever, we won't know for sure h'as this take a little while to work."

"And how long will that take?" asked Virgil.

Parker adjusted his gloves before answering. "H'About forty-five minutes, I'm h'afraid."

"WHAT?!" shrieked Gordon, before everyone else harshly shushed him. "I-I-I can't stay on this for another forty-five minutes! What if-"

"Gordon, we have no other choice!" said Jeff. "Parker's the expert here."

"I thought he was a h'expert?" remarked Alan before a glare from Scott silenced him.

"Is there no way of getting Gordon off?" Hayley asked.

"Not without disturbing the bomb, no," replied Virgil.

"Oh, I do wish there was something!" Penelope said, infuriated. "I can't bear it, seeing him sitting on it for much longer." She was very close to crying so Jeff pulled her in for comfort."

Hayley then noticed Scott was wearing his jetpack. "Scott, you have your jetpack," she said. "Could you lift him off?"

"The thrust might cause a disturbance to either the bomb or the earth around it," Scott replied. "Believe me, Hayley, if that was possible I'd do it without hesitation."

But Hayley wasn't done with her idea. "You have your grapple, don't you?" she said. "Well, why don't you fly above Gordon and hover high enough so you're not going to affect the soil or the bomb, then Gordon can hold onto the end of the grapple and you could lift him off without disturbing it?"

Everyone looked at each other.

"Is that doable?" asked Alan.

"It could work," said Scott thoughtfully. "Dad?"

"I agree," said Jeff. "If there's a chance, we must take it."

"I'm game!" agreed Gordon.

So Scott went into action. He fired up his jetpack and took to the air, carefully guiding himself over to above where Gordon lay. "Okay, Gordon, I'm going to fire the grapple into the ground right next to you," he said. "Once it has landed, pull it out and grip it with both hands tightly."

"F-A-B," said Gordon.

Scott took out the grapple and fired it down where it landed a few inches away from Gordon's left side. He grabbed hold of the cable and pulled it out of the dirt before bringing it over and clutching it tightly with both his hands.

"Ready, Scott!"

"Remember, Scott," warned Jeff over the radio. "Slow and steady."

"F-A-B."

Scott gently increased power to his jetpack and slowly began to rise. Gordon felt his arms get pulled up and then began to feel himself being lifted up off the bomb. Everyone held their breath and watched the bomb in case it shifted. Fortunately it did not and once Scott had lowered Gordon back onto the ground, everyone could breathe a huge sigh of relief knowing that he was safe.

"Oh, Gordon!" said Penelope, throwing herself into his arms and smooching him. Jeff had to usher all the others to look away.

"You didn't do that to me when I arrived," Virgil whispered jokingly to Hayley.

"Well you had your helmet on, silly!" giggled Hayley.

Virgil smirked. "But I don't now, do I?"

Hayley grinned and soon they too were embracing and kissing each other.

"Come on, boys," Jeff said to Scott, Alan and Parker. "Let's leave them to it."

Millions of miles away, and totally oblivious to anything that was happening on Earth, Captain Lee Taylor was in the Educational Section of the Martian Colony. For the children of the families that lived there, Taylor had become essential when it came to learning about space. What he didn't know about it wasn't worth learning about. He also gained a good amount of respect with the children and never once did he have a problem keeping them entertained in lessons.

Today, Taylor was conducting a quiz about all the planet's in the Solar System. "Right then," Taylor was saying as he brought up a slide-show with a hologram image of a planet. "Fingers ready on your buzzer. As soon as a planet pops up. First to buzz gets to answer."

The first planet popped up and a young girl buzzed first.

"Maisie?"

"Saturn."

"Correct! Next!"

This time a boy buzzed.

"Charlie?"

"Neptune?"

"Wrong - Neptune ain't blue, Charlie. Anyone else?"

Maisie buzzed again. "Venus?"

"Correct. Two points to Maisie. Who's gonna beat her if anyone can?" Taylor said in his signature growly voice.

The next planet appeared and another boy buzzed.

"Paul?"

"Jupiter?" said Paul Travers, the son of colony founder and leader Dr Sandra Travers.

"Absolutely!" said Taylor. "And the next one?"

Paul buzzed again. "That's Neptune."

"Indeed it is!" said Taylor. "Paul and Maisie are showing the rest of you up. Let's see who can get this next one?"

Another girl buzzed on the next one.

"Becky?"

"Earth?"

"Yes, it is!" said Taylor. "Onto the next."

Paul buzzed again. "Number 7?"

"I, er, yes, I'll accept that," Taylor stuttered.

Just then the bell rang.

"Gaah! That time already?" growled Taylor. "Well I can safely say Paul Travers has won that game. Off ya'll go now. Don't keep your folks waiting before dinner time. See ya'll tomorrow."

The children got up and began heading out of the classroom. Paul was the last to gather up his things after promising to meet with Maisie after dinner. "Do I get a prize for being the winner, sir?" he asked mischievously.

"Gah, you don't ask for much, do you, youngster?" replied Taylor in a joking way. "I'll see what I can get for-" But the rest of Taylor's sentence was stopped when he suddenly began to cough. It was a minor cough to begin with but then it got harder and more severe to the point where Taylor almost had to sit down. He grabbed himself a tissue from the box on the desk and covered his mouth with it. "Gaaaaaah," he growled when it finally subsided. "Son of a-" He then stopped himself as he realised Paul was still in the room.

"Are you okay, Captain?" Paul asked, concerned by what he'd just witnessed.

"Yeah, of course," spluttered Taylor as he sat himself down. "Just a frog that's all. Ribbet! See?"

Paul didn't look convinced. "I could get Mum to give you a check-over?" he asked, kindly.

"Very thoughtful of you, Paul, but I'm fine, honestly," Taylor insisted. "I'm getting old, that's all. You will experience it when you get to my age. Plus your Mum has enough on her plate as it is looking after this base here. Off with you now. I bet she's waiting for you."

Paul nodded unsurprisingly and left the classroom without a word, still looking concerned.

Taylor waited until Paul was out of sight before looking down at the tissue he'd used to cover his mouth with, and the tiny little specks of red that had been splattered upon it. "Goddamnit," he cursed quietly.

Forty-five minutes had almost passed since Parker had finished injecting the salt-water solution into the fuse-pocket of the bomb. During that time, Hayley had been back and forth checking on the remaining base personnel and those who'd been evacuated from the hospital. There was still no sign of Pierce anywhere and she was starting to get worried, but she did her best to hide her concerns from the others. She dreaded to think what Virgil might do to Pierce if he'd been there to witness his attitude towards her.

"How is everyone?" Jeff asked when Hayley returned.

"As well as can be expected given the circumstances," replied Hayley.

"What about the base commander?" asked Scott. "Has he returned?"

Hayley shook her head.

"That's not right," remarked Gordon. "Going AWOL is a punishable offence, isn't it?"

"It is," said Hayley. "I just hope he's not gone off to report me to Colonel Casey or something."

Everyone was puzzled. "Why would he do that?" asked Alan.

Hayley gulped, suddenly realising what she'd just said. "Oh, I, er, may have gone against some of his commands today."

Now everyone was surprised. "Disobedience?" said Penelope. "That's not like you at all, Hayley."

"You've always been very strict on rules and the chain of command," added Scott.

"I am," Hayley said. "And Pierce wasn't doing it right so I decided to question his decisions. I also disobeyed his direct order not to contact you."

"Wait, what?!" exclaimed Virgil. "He ordered you NOT to contact us?"

"As soon as the Digger fell into the ditch I said to him that we needed to call you guys, but he wouldn't have it," said Hayley. "He was adamant that the people on the base could deal with it. He even forced the builders to help by trying to use their Crane to lift the Digger out. It didn't go well."

"Sounds like 'e needs taking down h'a peg or two," remarked Parker.

"I'll say!" agreed Jeff. "I'll be having severe words with this man if he should reappear before we leave."

"And if he doesn't?" asked Scott.

"Then I'll be making a formal complaint to Colonel Casey," said Jeff. "A good soldier never abandons his people - or his post. I'll see to it he gets the boot!"

Virgil then realised something. "This is why you contacted us with your emergency beacon?" he said.

"Yes," replied Hayley. "I'm sorry about using that but it was the only way I could alert you without him knowing."

Jeff decided not to mention how he'd initially ordered International Rescue not to take action. "It's okay, Hayley," he said reassuringly. "You did the correct thing. You know you would make a fine addition to our team. You are brave and have plenty of initiative."

Hayley blushed. "Why, thank you, Mr Tracy," she said.

A beeping sound then came from Virgil's wrist-controller. "Forty-five minutes is up," he said. "Parker, time to check on the bomb?"

"Right you h'are, sir," said Parker.

Everyone else remained by the safety of Thunderbird 2 whilst Parker made his way alone back towards where the bomb lay. It still hadn't gone off which was promising. They could only hope now that nothing would happen in the time it took Parker to get to or whilst he was with it.

Parker reached the bomb and put the headphones attached to the stethoscope over his ears. He then took the long needle and did a test by placing the tip on the face of his wristwatch. He instantly heard the ticking sound coming from it. Good, that's working, he thought to himself as he then placed the tip on the bomb at the same spot where he'd heard the ticking earlier on. There was nothing. "YES!" he said triumphantly. "H'IT'S STOPPED!"

Everyone breathed a huge sigh of relief. All Parker needed to do now was remove the fuse itself and after that it would be harmless. After removing the putty he'd used as a seal, he used a special metal-cutting knife to cut around the fuse and then carefully pulled it out of the bomb. Grinning like the Cheshire Cat, Parker stood up and began to walk back towards the others who were now walking forwards from Thunderbird 2. "H'I 'ave the detonator!" he called cheerfully whilst triumphantly holding the device up in the air for them to see. "H'Everything is al-"

KA-BOOM!

The air shuddered. The ground shook. All the windows in the base buildings shattered. Those who were taking refuge at the opposite end of the base all cried out in alarm as the shockwave sent the entire IR team plus Hayley flying backwards and falling onto the ground as chunks of mud and dirt began to rain down all around them and all over the two Thunderbird ships.

Silence fell across the entire site before John's frantic voice came over everyone's radios. "Guys? GUYS?! Are you all okay?"

Scott was the first to move and find his voice. "J-John? Yes, I'm here," he said, his voice shaking.

Alan was next to lift his head. "Errrrrrrrrrrrrr, what just happened?" he asked.

The others all slowly got back up and looked over in the direction of the building site. They stared in disbelief as the dust and smoke cleared. The mound was gone and there was now a crater in the ground where it had once been.

"Good grief!" exclaimed Jeff. "The bomb went off!"

"Is everyone okay?" Scott asked as they all got to their feet.

"I think so," said Gordon. "Boy, if I'd still been sitting on that when-"

"Don't!" Penelope cut him off. "That doesn't bear thinking about."

"But I don't understand," said Virgil. "I thought Parker had defused it?"

"Wait, where is Parker?" asked Hayley.

Everyone turned back to look in the direction of the bomb. At first they saw no sign of Parker, until Penelope spotted the shape of a figure lying face-down on the ground about halfway between them and the edge of the crater. "Parker? PARKER!" she screamed, running out to him with the others hurrying after her. Upon reaching him, they carefully rolled him over onto his back and the fuse he'd removed fell out of his right hand. His entire face and front were covered in mud. "Parker?!" Penelope cried. "Parker, speak to me!"

Parker stirred and opened his eyes. "Ohhhhhh. H'Is this 'eaven?" he asked, dazed.

Relief was breathed by everyone yet again. All their hearts had been racing for the past minute or two.

Virgil picked up the fuse. "This is definitely the device," he said before looking over at the crater. "So how the hell did it still go off?"

That was a question that everyone wanted to know.

Hayley gave Parker an examination. He wasn't hurt amazingly, but was rather dazed and confused by what had happened. It became a mutual agreement from Hayley, Jeff and Penelope that he wasn't in a fit state to drive FAB1 back to the Creighton-Ward Estate. Also, Penelope decided that she wanted to come back to Tracy Island to spend some time with Gordon. It was therefore decided to leave Hayley to organise the clean-up operation of the base due to the continuous absence of Lieutenant Pierce, drop Parker and FAB1 off at the Creighton-Ward estate and with the blessing of her parents - who promised to make sure Parker got plenty of rest, returned to Tracy Island with Penelope as a passenger.

Grandma gave Gordon a big hug when she saw him. "Ohhh, my boy," she said. "Want me to check that all your limbs are still attached?"

Gordon huffed with embarrassment as the others all laughed. Now the danger was over they no longer had to be serious about it.

"There's still one thing I don't understand with all this," Alan piped up. "Parker definitely removed the trigger that would set the bomb off, right?"

"That he did," said Jeff.

"And yet despite that the bomb still detonated after it had been removed," added Scott. "It doesn't make any sense."

"Must have been a booby-trap or something," said Virgil.

Brains then joined them having returned from his lab where he'd been studying some holographic blueprints of the bomb. He had caught the tail end of the conversation as he'd entered. "I believe I have the answer you are all s-searching for," he said. "P-Parker was indeed successful in defusing the bomb. However, I am g-guessing that either he forgot about this or it wasn't covered in the training." He brought up an image of another small component from within the bomb. "This is the Z-Zeus-40 booby-trap device, and it is designed to set off the bomb once the main trigger has been removed."

Everyone listened in stunned silence. "Well!" said Gordon. "I guess that all happened."

Penelope squeezed his hand.

"In other words that bomb would have exploded regardless of whether Parker had defused it or not?" said Kayo.

Brains nodded grimly. "That is c-correct, Kayo," he said. "These days the people of Germany are v-very good people. But there were some in the l-last century who were truly dis…"

"Disgraceful!" said Gordon.

"Disgusting!" put in Alan.

"Despicable!" finished Scott.

Virgil then turned to Jeff. "Did you have any luck reporting that AWOL Lieutenant to Colonel Casey, Dad?"

Jeff shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Virgil," he replied. "Colonel Casey is on leave, spending time with her daughter. I guess it'll have to wait. I wouldn't trust that kind of information without anybody other than her. Rumors might spread."

"Speaking of her daughter, is there any news on the Colonel's missing son?" asked Penelope.

Jeff shook his head again, this time it was glum. "Not a thing," he said. "It's like the guy's completely disappeared."

"The Cabal must still have him," said Kayo. "And once I'm fit for duty again I'll-"

"Not be looking for them, Kayo," said Jeff sternly. "As much as I want them found as well, we need to wait for them to show themselves."

"That's another thing," said Scott. "We haven't seen or heard anything of them for weeks."

"Just like how the Chaos Crew remained silent before they attacked Tracy Island on the day we launched for the Oort Cloud," added Gordon.

"They're up to s-something alright," agreed Brains. "I am w-working on something for Kayo to use once they decide to show themselves again."

Everyone was intrigued. "And what might that be, Brains?" asked Alan.

Brains smiled mysteriously. "That is for me to know and y-you all to find out," he said.

Virgil looked down at his knees. He was thinking about Hayley, and was worried about what might be happening back in England. Not that she was now in charge of the base, but what might happen if Pierce decided to reappear. He feared it may not end well for her.

With all the windows in the hospital smashed due to the shockwave of the bomb blast, the patients were having to be moved to neighbouring hospitals to continue their treatment. Dr Blakemore and Hayley watched as another Ambulance left the site heading to neighbouring Chichester.

"Well, I never thought I'd start the day teaching you and end it taking instructions from you, Madison," said Dr Blakemore.

"Lieutenant Pierce went AWOL, Doctor," Hayley replied. "Someone needed to take charge of the situation."

"And no finer person could have done it," added Dr Blakemore. "If Colonel Casey should promote you to Base Commander and make it official, you have my full support."

Hayley smiled. "Thank you. That means a lot," she said happily.

Dr Blakemore nodded politely and then headed off to tend to his patients.

Hayley headed over to the building site to check on progress there. They'd heard that Jack had been made stable and would eventually recover, although it would take some time. Byron was using his Bulldozer to shovel what remained of the earth-mound into the crater made by the bomb whilst Alfie and Oliver used their Excavators to smooth it out. They saw Hayley from a distance and each gave a friendly wave to acknowledge her which she returned.

"What the HELL HAVE YOU DONE?!"

Hayley froze. She knew that voice. She turned around to find Pierce standing there, flanked by two tall men wearing smart GDF uniforms with white bands on their arms showing the letters MP. Hayley instantly recognised them as Military Police. "Oh, nice of you to come back, sir," she said sarcastically.

"DON'T GET FUNNY WITH ME, MADISON!" snapped Pierce. "WHAT THE HELL IS ALL THIS MESS?! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"

"Your job, believe it or not," Hayley retorted. "Crater, caused by an undiscovered World War Two bomb. Defused by International Rescue, yet the booby-trap fuse went off anyway, shockwave destroying all windows."

"Stop!" Pierce said abruptly. "You will stop right there, Madison." He walked slowly towards her. "Do you expect me to believe any of that rubbish? I know what you're doing, Madison. You're trying to take my job from me! MUTINY!"

"What?!" exclaimed Hayley. "Don't be absurd, I'm-"

Pierce turned to the two Military Police. "You see?" he said. "She's rude, insubordinate and has been setting up a coup to take my position and base away from me! I will not stand for this, Madison. I therefore place you under arrest!"

Hayley's mouth dropped. "WHAT?!" she cried.

"Take her away!" Pierce ordered and he stormed away as the two Military Police walked up to Hayley, handcuffed her and marched her away to a waiting van nearby. Hayley had feared Pierce might kick up a fuss for her earlier actions, but even she could not have predicted this. She'd experienced a lot of things in her time, but this wasn't one she could ever have expected. And she had no idea how to get out of this one.