HAYLEY opened her eyes sleepily and reached across to snuggle with Virgil, only for her to snap fully awake at the realisation that he was not there. She sat up and looked around the room and saw him sitting on the floor next to the window - looking out across towards the ocean. It was still mostly dark but a faint orange glow was just starting to announce the arrival of dawn.
"Virgil?" Hayley asked as she sat up in the bed. "Are you okay?"
Virgil started, having not expected Hayley to have awoken. "Oh, good morning," he said, picking himself up off the floor and coming over to sit on the bed. He leant over and gave Hayley a peck on the cheek.
"What's wrong?" Hayley asked. "There's something troubling you."
Virgil smiled. "Nothing's wrong, babe," he said. But he noticed the look Hayley was giving him and he could tell she knew he was lying. His face fell and he let out a sigh. "Do you have to go back?" he asked.
"You know I have to," said Hayley solemnly. "Colonel Casey granted me a month off to get back to my senses. I can't take advantage of that."
"But you said that you were struggling with your training?" Virgil said.
"I am, was," Hayley said unsure. "I made a few mix-ups but I will learn from those."
"She also offered you the chance to become an officer like Rigby, didn't she?" Virgil asked.
"She did," Hayley replied. "I am starting to wonder if maybe that's the better option. I am more used to being in command rather than being commanded."
Virgil shifted uneasily. "I don't like that idea, Hayley," he said. "You'd be in the front line. You could get seriously hurt."
Hayley raised an eyebrow. "No different to you, Virgil," she said. "You're far more front line than I can ever be."
"I'm not in the military though," said Virgil. "I go to rescue people, not to arrest them. Besides, the GDF isn't a safe place to be. I've lost track how many times we've had to clear up their messes. They failed to keep The Hood locked up for good. They weren't able to protect The Mechanic from the Chaos Crew - and they were useless when The Hood used his upgrade suit to try and kill Dad whilst he had Thunderbird 4 inside him."
"And you fared better against him?" Hayley asked.
Virgil went to answer, but then fell silent as he remembered how effortlessly The Hood had managed to take him, Alan, Scott and even Grandma out before he'd eventually been stopped by Jeff belching Thunderbird 4 out just as The Mechanic's shrinking technology had worn off. "No…you're right," he said. "I'm sorry."
Hayley took his hand and squeezed it tightly. "It's okay, hun," she said. "You're only concerned about me and I understand that. But you mustn't worry about me. I can take care of myself."
Virgil looked at her. "And you don't worry about me?" he asked.
"Of course not," Hayley said with a smile. "You are the tough-guy after all."
Virgil wasn't sure what to make of that at first. But then he began to feel warm. Hayley believed in him and she knew how tough he was, both externally and internally. "Maybe you just bring out my soft side?" he said.
Hayley giggled. "Somebody has to," she said lovingly.
Just then they heard the faint sound of a jet engine coming from outside due to the window being open a little. Intrigued Virgil guided Hayley out of the bed and together they went to the window. Looking out across the golden orange sky of dawn, they saw a small jet coming down to get ready to land on the runway that got used by Thunderbird 2.
"My ride's here already?" asked Hayley. "But I'm due to go for several hours yet."
"No, that's Dad's private jet," said Virgil. Then he remembered. "Oh, of course. Today is a special day, and I cannot wait to see Alan's face when he sees what Dad has got him for his birthday."
Hayley frowned, intrigued.
The lounge floor was soon littered with wrapping paper as Alan opened his presents from everybody. He felt a lot of happiness from his gifts, even though he didn't feel any older than he had done the day before.
"Like what you've got, son?" Jeff asked his youngest son.
"Yeah, Dad," said Alan cheerfully. "Thank you. Thank you everyone. Is there any more?"
Kayo punched him playfully on the arm. "Don't be so ungrateful, Rocket-Boy!" she teased as all of the others laughed.
Even Jeff laughed before recovering himself. "Actually, Alan, there is one more thing," he said.
Alan's eyes lit up. "Really?" he asked excitedly. "What is it?"
Jeff didn't answer, but a hand came round from round the left side of Alan's head holding a square box-shaped present wrapped in golden paper - which was very different from the other pieces of wrapping paper that he'd been given.
"Oh, thank you!" said Alan as he took the box and began to unwrap it. Then he stopped as something dawned on him. The hand had come round from behind him. He had noticed from the brief glance he'd seen of it that it had got a large black strap leather watch on the wrist it was attached to - one that he'd never seen any of the others wear. Furthermore, everyone in the household was in plain view of him. Kayo sat in the seat beside him. Grandma and Scott were on the first sofa, Gordon and Brains were on the second and Hayley and Virgil were on the third. John and Jeff were both standing to his right as well so it couldn't have been them either. Alan looked at them all and saw they all had mysterious grins on their faces.
"Well go on, Al," urged Gordon. "Open it."
Alan did so to find a red leather box. He opened it, expecting to see something expensive, but instead it contained a piece of paper. He lifted the piece of paper out and unfolded it. He blinked as he read what was on it.
Behind you!
Alan then turned around to look behind him. Then he let out a cry of surprise and fell out of the chair onto the floor as his eyes became fixed on the beautiful young woman who was crouched down behind him.
"Hey, gorgeous," said Sophie with a massive grin of her own. "Happy Birthday!"
5!
4!
3!
2!
1!
"Thunderbirds Are Go!"
"ONE LIFE"
ALAN just couldn't believe it. His Dad had gotten him the best present ever - and he'd not even asked for it. The first woman he'd ever truly fallen in was here on Tracy Island, celebrating his birthday with him. He felt like he was floating with the fairies with Sophie in a magical-like dance.
Sophie was also having a great time, not just finally being able to spend some alone time with Alan but also because she got to see the secret base of International Rescue as well as the machines up close. Up until this day she'd only seen Thunderbird 3 from a distance and was mesmerised by it all.
"What a beautiful place you live in, Alan," Sophie remarked as they sat on the beach looking out at the sea. "Maybe I should reconsider my career choice?"
"Really?" Alan asked. "Why would you want to do that? Working on the Moon must be pretty cool?"
Sophie gave a weak smile. "I thought it would be," she said. "And at first it was. But now, it's…boring. The only excitement we've had there, if you can even call it that, is when the Moonquaker struck and I fell down that hole and then four days ago when we were under threat from the Sun-Probe. I only saw it from a distance as it climbed away from the Moon before it then blew up. I bet you had a fantastic view of it?"
"Kind of," said Alan. "I mean I was flying alongside it for some time before it got to the Moon then had to fall back in case I got caught in the blast. It was quite a ship I have to say. It deserved far better than what it got."
"What became of the person behind it all?" Sophie asked. "I presume they were caught?"
"Oh, yeah, Scott and the others managed to take down him and his forces in time to divert Sun-Probe into space and then self-destruct it," said Alan. "The GDF took them in and I suspect he's awaiting trial. Can't imagine it'll be a long one as there's hard evidence of what he did."
Sophie shook her head. "People, eh?" she remarked. "Some can be pretty despicable."
"Oh, you have no idea, Sophie," said Alan. "Professor Merridrew isn't the worst person we've had to deal with."
Sophie gave a look of intrigued concern. "Tell me," she said.
Alan hesitated. He wasn't sure whether telling Sophie about The Hood and his cabal was a good idea. Luckily for him, he heard his wristwatch beeping. It was Jeff. "Yes, Dad?"
"Alan, get up to the house on the double," said Jeff. he sounded serious. "We are going to need you."
Alan and Sophie looked at each other. "Be right there," said Alan. They got up and hurried as fast as they could back up to the villa.
They arrived in the lounge to find only Jeff, Virgil and Hayley there. "Where is everybody?" Alan asked.
"Alan, we have a situation," said Jeff. "Thunderbird 5 has picked up a distress call from a vessel off the coastline of North Australia. We weren't able to get much out of it but there was a fierce storm around the area which is now clearing just after the call was made. Virgil, launch Thunderbird 2 and get out there at once to assist. Take Alan and Hayley with you."
"F-A-B, Dad," said Virgil.
Alan however was quick to object. "Woah, hang on. Sophie's here and she and I are spending some alone time. Where are the others?"
"Gordon and Brains are working on urgent repairs to Thunderbird 4," Jeff explained. "Kayo is out on a patrol and Scott's in bed."
Alan was surprised by the last one. "Scott's in bed?"
"Well he did bring me here in the early hours of this morning," said Sophie.
Alan looked upset. "Awww. it's my birthday and-"
"Alan, I know it's your birthday and I wish I didn't have to ask you to go but we need any available hands we have. Hurry along, those people need help."
Alan relented. He knew Jeff was right. He turned to Hayley. "I'm so sorry-" he began.
"Who says she has to stay here?" Virgil asked. "Could Sophie come as well, Dad? Like you said, we may need any help we can get."
Jeff looked hesitant. As did Alan. Sophie waited eagerly for the answer - hoping it would be a yes.
"Would you like to go, Sophie?" Jeff asked.
"Are you kidding me, Mr Tracy?" answered Sophie. "How can I refuse that offer?"
"I, er, well, er," Alan began, but he couldn't find anything to say.
"That's settled then," said Jeff. "Boys…and ladies. Off you go. And good luck.
"Follow me," Hayley said to Sophie. "This way to Thunderbird 2."
Sophie followed her, giggling with excitement.
Virgil hurried over to the rocket painting and stood up against it. It tilted back and he began to make his way down the long tunnel where robotic arms attached his uniform to his body as he went. Alan meanwhile sat in his chair and was lowered down into the floor before going sideways a short distance then being turned on the turntable and then going into the changing rooms where he too was given his uniform by robot arms. Virgil soon reached Thunderbird 2's vast hangar and dropped down into the cockpit before closing the hatch above him. He then ran to his seat and sat down before selecting Module 3. Normally he would have selected Module 2 as they did not know what they were dealing with on this mission but the new one still wasn't quite finished following the attack by the McGinley brothers so Module 3 was the next best thing. After the module was in place, the main body lowered down and locked it into place. Alan, Hayley and Sophie arrived moments later with Alan in his uniform and the two girls in their regular clothes. Alan sat in the co-pilot seat whilst Sophie sat in the seat behind him and Hayley sat in the one behind Virgil. The large rock that concealed the entrance to the hangar slid down and Thunderbird 2 began to taxi out onto the runway. The palm trees fell back to allow it to pass as it made its way down to the launch ramp. Once on the ramp, the green goliath came to a stop before the ramp lifted it up into place and the blast shield rose up behind the thrusters. The wings also folded out and then it was ready.
5! 4! 3! 2! 1!
Thunderbird 2's engines fired up and it soared off the ramp before climbing into the sky and away from the island. "Thunderbird 2 is GO!" announced Virgil.
"Wooooooo-HOOOOOOOO!" jeered Sophie excitedly. "Oh, my Gosh. I never thought I'd get to ride in a Thunderbird!"
Alan grimaced quietly to himself, making sure the others couldn't see. Although he wouldn't say it, he was rather upset that Sophie's first ride in a Thunderbird wasn't Thunderbird 3. However he wasn't prepared to spoil the moment for her.
Virgil then decided to check in with John. "Thunderbird 5, what more can you give us about what we're dealing with?"
John's hologram appeared from the projector in the control console. "Not a lot I'm afraid, Thunderbird 2," he said. "The vessel's name is Olympus. It's a Cattle Barge that was sailing from Milingimbi to Drysdale Island when it got caught up in the storm. Although I'm not entirely convinced the storm is the cause of the distress call."
"What makes you think that?" asked Virgil.
"I've managed to locate the boat and follow its progress since and it appears to be sailing fine," John said. "However it's not heading for Drysdale Island anymore. It's heading for a group of remote islands between Australia and Trangan in the Arafura Sea."
Virgil gave a worried frown. "So either their navigation is fried and they don't know where they're going or-"
"They've been hi-jacked," said Hayley.
"You sound pretty certain by that," remarked Alan.
"Call it a gut instinct, Alan," replied Hayley. "Working in the Royal Navy and the W.A.S.P. kind of gives you that feeling."
Sophie looked at Hayley in amazement. "You were in the World Aquanaut Security Patrol?!"
Hayley nodded. But it was Virgil who spoke again. "Cattle rustlers on the sea. That's a new one. We're just crossing the Coral Sea, John. keep an eye on the Olympus and track its progress until we get there."
"F-A-B," said John and he signed off.
"F-A-B?" said Sophie. "Does that stand for something or just means fab?"
"Just fab," said Alan. "We've been using it for years."
"At least it means more than R-A-D did," remarked Virgil.
Sophie looked confused - as did Hayley.
"R-A-D?" repeated Hayley. "I've never heard any of you use that before?"
"We never used it," said Alan. "That was Brains's catchphrase."
"Catchphrase? Seriously?" Hayley asked.
Alan and Virgil both nodded. "Yep," they said together.
"He never told us what it stood for either," said Virgil.
They all went quiet for a few moments before Hayley spoke up. "Say, Virgil. Will Sophie need a suit like me?"
"Yes, there's another spare in the lockers," replied Virgil. "You need to change also so why don't you go and show her?"
"My pleasure," said Hayley as she unfastened her safety-belt and got up. "Come with me, please, Sophie."
"Lead the way," Sophie replied as they headed out of the cockpit.
Alan watched them go before turning to look out of the windows at the sea below.
"Are you okay, Al?" Virgil asked. He'd noticed the troubled expression on his youngest brother's face.
Alan let out a sigh. "Did you have to invite Sophie on this mission?" he asked.
"What, I thought you'd jump at the chance to have her come on a mission with you?" Virgil asked.
"Yeah but, not quite this soon, Virg," said Alan. "And I'd hoped it would be in Thunderbird 3."
Virgil nodded a little. "I understand," he said.
Alan sighed a bit more heavily. "Maybe I'm not cut out for this."
"Cut out for what?"
"Being a boyfriend to someone I've only met in person twice before. It…It…It doesn't feel right. Sorry. I can't expect you to understand."
Virgil didn't answer for a moment. He then put Thunderbird 2 onto autopilot and sat back in his seat. "Alan, look at me." Alan turned his head, surprised to see Virgil looking so serious. "I more than understand what you are feeling," Virgil said. "This is exactly how I felt when I first started dating Hayley. I was beyond nervous about it. But after I tried it, it began to work. And it still does. Now you can't expect you and Sophie to have the smoothest of relationships right from the start. But you need to let it go with the flow and adapt to the needs and feelings of you both. From what I have seen, Sophie is a lovely person. And I reckon you two will make a great couple. I know we have a secluded life, but we are going to need new blood if we want our legacy to last a long time. One day we'll be as old as Dad and we won't necessarily be able to work the way we do now. We'll need a new generation of Tracy to take over from us."
Alan looked at Virgil in astonishment. He suddenly began to have a vision of himself with Sophie, Virgil with Hayley and Gordon with Penelope. All three women were holding young children in their hands and although it seemed weird, the thought brought a warm tingle to his heart. "I, er, guess you have a point, Virgil," he said after taking it all in. "All the same. I still think we should have had Sophie get to know us all a lot better before taking her out on a mission."
"I get that, Alan," said Virgil. "But you know if someone is in trouble, we need to answer the cry for help and do what we can."
Alan nodded. "Yeah, of course," he said - and he meant it.
Hayley found the spare blue jumpsuit that she'd worn on previous trips out in Thunderbird 2 as well as another which she handed to Sophie. "Here - put this on," she said. "At least it'll stop anyone from thinking you're not a member of IR."
Sophie took the uniform, but seemed more interested in a store cupboard marked with a Red Cross. "Is that where your medical supplies are?" she asked.
"Theirs, not mine, yes," said Hayley.
Sophie was confused. "I meant yours as in International Rescue's," she said.
"Yes, but I'm not a member of International Rescue," Hayley replied. "I'm just a passenger and potential helper on this trip - same as you."
Sophie was even more confused. "I…I…thought you were a member of-"
"What has Alan actually told you about the rest of us?" Hayley asked.
Sophie thought for a moment. Despite having been introduced to everyone after first surprising Alan that morning, she realised that she knew practically nothing about them. "All he's ever talked about is himself, now that I think of it," she said. "In fact, he's never really discussed anything about us as a pair. It's like he seems to think we're just friends."
"Give him time, Sophie. He's new to this," Hayley said. "You are his first girlfriend after all."
"What?!" exclaimed Sophie in surprise. "You're kidding me, right?"
Hayley shook her head. "His history is a complicated one. Has he told you how he had to drop out of going into mainstream school because he was needed in IR?"
Sophie shook her head.
"I figured as much," Hayley said with a sigh. "Pardon me for asking, Sophie, but I'm guessing he is not your first boyfriend?"
"No, he's not," Sophie answered.
"Then maybe you should be the one to make him understand," said Hayley. "After we get back to Tracy Island, maybe have some alone time with him proper, but this time make sure you are the one who does the talking and that he listens to you. Set some ground rules and coach him on how to be the best boyfriend that he can be. He's young and rather unsure with this sort of thing. I've been with Virgil long enough to have gotten to know all the boys and what they're like."
Sophie listened carefully to each of Hayley's words. "Yeah, you're right, Hayley," she said. "I'll make sure to do that. But there's still one thing I don't get. If you're not a member of International Rescue, then why are you here?"
"I'm a training medical officer with the GDF," said Hayley. "I've had a month off due to a bad experience and today's meant to be my last day before going back to London. However, that's going to be delayed seeing as we're out here right now."
"Wow. It seems you and I have a fair bit in common," Sophie remarked. "Both medics and we are both dating brothers from International Rescue!"
The two laughed. "Well you have one up on me," said Hayley. "I'm still training. You're qualified." She fell quiet and looked at the floor.
"Are you finding it hard?" Sophie asked.
Hayley nodded. "Harder than I thought," she said. "I guess I'm just used to being a commander of a ship like when I was in the Navy and the W.A.S.P.. Colonel Casey has offered me the chance to drop being a medic and become a field officer. I'm conflicted. I think Virgil would rather that I be a medic. I want to be in order to please him. But on the other hand, being a leader feels more natural to me."
There were a few moments of pause between the two young women.
"One life," Sophie said. "That's something my Granddad always told me. We only have one life. Whatever we do with that life, we need to make it count."
Hayley found those words quite interesting.
Virgil brought Thunderbird 2 down low towards the surface of the Arafura Sea and soon the islands came into view on the horizon. There were two very big islands and several smaller ones. The small ones only had a few rocks and trees or just one or the other. The two big ones seemed to be mostly covered in trees.
Hayley and Sophie were now back in the cockpit, having changed into the spare jumpsuits. They along with the two brothers now began to search for the missing Cattle Barge.
"Thunderbird 5, we've reached the islands," Virgil said. "Beginning a search for the Olympus. Can you give us a direction to start in, John?"
"I can do one better than that, Thunderbird 2," answered John. "The barge seems to have grounded itself on the beach on the Eastern-side of the smaller of the large islands. I've also gotten you some back-up."
Before anyone could ask, a familiar black shape, to everyone except for Sophie that was, appeared in front of Thunderbird 2. "Heard you guys could use a little assistance?" said Kayo.
"As always, Thunderbird Shadow, you're not a moment too soon," chuckled Virgil.
"John's filled me in on the situation, Virgil," Kayo said. "I'll fly ahead and find Olympus."
"F-A-B."
Kayo flew ahead to the second largest island. It took no time at all for her to locate the missing vessel. "I can see it, Thunderbird 2. The beach is just about wide enough for you to land. Come on in."
"F-A-B, Thunderbird Shadow."
Kayo brought Thunderbird Shadow down and landed close to where the Olympus was beached. Then Virgil brought Thunderbird 2 down and landed behind it. Kayo jumped out of Thunderbird Shadow and waited whilst Virgil, Alan, Hayley and Sophie exited Thunderbird 2 and came over to her.
"Well, this is a first," Kayo remarked with a chuckle. "The girls outnumber the boys on this one."
It then dawned on Virgil and Alan that she was right.
"Don't worry, we won't gang up on you," Hayley said.
"Too much," added Sophie before all three started to laugh.
"Ladies, please focus," Virgil said.
The three quickly recovered themselves.
"Peeeeeeeyuuuuu!" exclaimed Alan suddenly. "What a stench!"
The others then noticed it as well. What should have been a pleasant tropical island smell had been ruined by a horrendous stench that was coming from the Cattle Barge.
"Good grief!" exclaimed Hayley, pinching her nose as she and Sophie didn't have helmets. "That's horrible!"
"Cow dung," Sophie said. "Not surprising really."
Even though Alan, Virgil and Kayo had their helmets on, the stench was still strong enough to be smelt from within. "Seeeesh," remarked Virgil. "Even Gordon didn't smell that bad after that time I picked him up."
They all walked up to the barge whose front loading ramp was dug deep into the sand. They could see a trail of cow poop coming out from within the deck of the barge and then North towards the trees. The barge itself appeared to have been abandoned.
"What do we do?" asked Sophie.
"We split into two teams," said Virgil. "Hayley and I will check out the barge. Alan and Sophie, you go with Kayo and follow the trail. Be careful. If you come across any bad guys, do not - repeat, do NOT engage."
Kayo nodded. Normally she would be the first to jump in but knew she couldn't so long as Sophie was there. As their guest they had a duty to protect her from harm as much as possible. "Follow me," she said to Alan and Sophie before leading them away from the barge towards the trees.
Virgil and Hayley began to cautiously make their way up the ramp onto the transport deck of the barge.
"INTERNATIONAL RESCUE?!" Hayley called out.
"HELLO?!" Virgil shouted.
Nobody replied. The barge was silent. The engine wasn't running.
"Mind yourself-" Virgil began to say but it was too late.
SQUELCH! Hayley had put her boot in one of the cowpats. "Eww! Gross!" said Hayley in disgust as she shook it off. "That's fresh."
"They must have literally just unloaded the cattle before we arrived," said Virgil as they continued to head towards the superstructure at the back of the barge.
"INTERNATIONAL RESCUE?!" Hayley called out again.
"HELLO?!" Virgil shouted again.
This time there came a CLANG-CLANG-CLANG from somewhere towards the back of the barge. It sounded like it was coming from below deck. They then spotted a hatch just under where the superstructure began and they hurried towards it. Virgil undid the latch and together they lifted it up. They froze at the sight that met their eyes. The Olympus's three-man crew sat together with their arms behind their backs and white cloths in their mouths. They mumbled up at the duo who exchanged unsurprised looks.
"You were right," said Virgil. "This was a hi-jacking. I'll warn the others."
Hayley nodded before climbing down the ladder into the engine room so she could free the captives.
"Message received, Virgil," Kayo said after Virgil had radioed the warning, "We'll be on our guard. What do we do about the crew?"
"I've alerted John and he's radioed for a rescue helicopter to come out here and pick them up," Virgil replied over the radio. "They're shaken up but not harmed. Any sign of who's responsible for this?"
"Negative," said Kayo. "The trail's thinning out but we'll keep going."
"Stay safe," said Virgil. "Over and out."
"Over and out," finished Kayo.
"INCOMING!"
Kayo spun round just in time to see Alan throw a small stick at Sophie who squeaked and ducked just in time to avoid getting hit. Alan howled with laughter whilst Sophie placed her hands on her hips and gave him a bemused look.
"Yeah, yer funny!" Sophie said sarcastically.
Alan grinned. "Great reflexes, Sophie," he said. "We'll make an agent out of you yet."
Kayo however didn't see the funny side at all. "Alan, you do anything like that again and you'll regret it," she said.
"What, I gave her a fair warning?" Alan protested.
"Have you forgotten why we're here?" Kayo hissed. "We're on a mission, looking for some missing animals. You could have given us away. Get in front where I can see you."
Alan sulked as he began to lead the group.
"Sorry," Kayo whispered to Sophie.
"Don't worry about it," Sophie whispered back. She wasn't mad at Alan for what he'd done, but she did realise how serious their mission was so didn't blame Kayo for getting annoyed with Alan.
They walked on for a short distance before Alan thought he heard a noise in the distance. He held up a hand signalling the others to stop before making the hand-signal to listen. The others listened. The faint hum of jet engines could be heard somewhere nearby. It was gradually getting louder.
"Aircraft, get down!" Kayo ordered ushering the other two into a nearby bush. Now concealed, they looked up to see an unmarked transport aircraft with VTOL engines fly overhead, gradually gaining height as it had just taken off. It clearly had a cargo hold which was easily large enough to hold the same amount of cattle that could have been carried on the barge. Kayo quickly took out her grapple-gun, but instead of attaching a grapple hook, she fixed a small tracker device onto it before taking careful aim and firing it at the transporter. The device attached and began to transmit back to Kayo's wrist-controller. "Perfect," she said. "Now we can track them wherever they go. Or rather I can."
"Awesome," said Sophie.
Alan watched the transporter disappear over the treetops. "I guess that's it then?" he said, sounding a bit disappointed. "We go back to the barge."
"Yep," said Kayo. "Let's go."
They began to make their way back when Sophie heard another noise from nearby. She stopped and listened carefully. It was a strange noise too - not the kind that would normally be heard on an island like this. "Alan? Kayo?" she called before looking anxiously towards some nearby bushes.
Kayo and Alan stopped and looked back. They saw Sophie looking worried and began to come back to her.
"What's wrong, Sophie?" asked Kayo.
"There's something through there," said Sophie, pointing in the direction of the strange noise which Kayo and Alan could now hear as well.
"That sounds…different," remarked Alan, intrigued by what the sound could be.
Kayo took out her stun-gun and began to cautiously make her way through the bushes. "Stay close," she whispered.
Sophie and Alan followed, also cautiously as they did not know what awaited them on the other side.
"Moooooooooooo!" wailed the strange noise.
Breaking through the other side, the trio was stunned by what was making the noise. It was a lone brown and white calf with its feet stuck in the mud.
"Awwwwwwwwwwh!" exclaimed Sophie, hurrying past Kayo to begin to pat the distressed animal's face. "You little love, did they leave you behind?"
"Moooooooooooo!" wailed the calf disparagingly.
Kayo checked the calf's legs. It was ankle deep in the mud and didn't have the strength to get itself out. "Poor thing's stuck fast," she said. "Maybe if together we-"
But before Kayo could finish, Sophie put one arm under the calf's front and the other under the back end and then with an almighty heave, she lifted the lonely animal out of the bit of mud and placed it back on firm ground - much to the amazement of Alan and Kayo.
"Woah…" said Alan, awestruck.
Sophie gave the calf a friendly pat before allowing it to walk away to find some grass for it to eat.
"How did you-" Kayo began.
"My family owns a farm," Sophie said with a smile. "I've handled a lot of cows and horses in my time. Even though I may live on the Moon now, pleased to see I've not lost my touch with animals." She wiped her gloves clean and headed off back in the direction of the Cattle Barge, leaving a stunned Kayo and Alan behind.
By the time Alan, Kayo and Sophie had gotten back to the Olympus, a Rescue Helicopter had arrived to take the three crewmen back to the mainland for checkup in a hospital.
Kayo then checked the tracker she'd placed on the Transport Aircraft. "Our friends are heading North to Trangan. I'd better get after them."
"Kayo, can't you just shadow them and then have the GDF get the drop on them?" asked Virgil.
"We don't know exactly where they're going, Virgil," replied Kayo as she climbed back into Thunderbird Shadow. "I'll tell the GDF to come to this island and wait for us here. I have an idea how to get the plane back here without the pilots even having a clue what's going on." She smirked as the cockpit closed and she fired up the engines before taking off from the beach and heading off in the direction of the Transporter.
"Well I guess that's that then?" Alan said. "Another emergency is over. Can we get back home so I can have my birthday in peace?"
Virgil chuckled. "Sure, Al. Come on, let's go."
They began to walk back towards Thunderbird 2 when Sophie happened to look out across the water at the neighbouring island, which was the largest in the group and stopped when something caught her attention. "Er, guys? Does that island have people on it?"
"No, none of these islands are populated," Virgil said once he and the other two had stopped to look back at Sophie. "Why do you ask?"
"Then why is there smoke rising from it?" asked Sophie, pointing towards the island.
Hayley, Alan and Virgil turned to look. They then froze and stared in bewilderment as a faint plume of dark smoke could be seen rising up from the island.
"Maybe someone's taking a vacation and made camp?" asked Alan with a shrug. All he wanted to do was get home.
But Virgil didn't agree. "Everyone get aboard," he ordered. "Something's wrong over there."
Hayley and Sophie hurried onto the exit platform without question whilst Alan gave an irritated sigh as he did so.
Thunderbird 2 was soon airborne and approaching the island which was less than two miles from the one they'd just been on. As they approached, they could see this island also had a large number of trees around the edges and for the vast majority of its middle centre with some open areas. From above they could also see a large lake towards the middle.
"Strange," remarked Virgil. "Never known an island to have an inland lake before."
They soon overflew the island and the spot where the smoke was coming from. It was coming from a small clearing but they couldn't make out what was causing it.
"It's not a campfire, that's for sure," said Hayley.
"Agreed," said Virgil. "Smoke's too heavy for that."
"I can't see anywhere for us to land either," said Alan. "Not anywhere that's close and the beach isn't wide enough nearby either."
"Then we'll have to get down there another way," said Virgil. He put Thunderbird 2 on autopilot and got the others to head to the module. He also found a pair of spare helmets which he gave to Hayley and Sophie before swiftly changing into his fire-fighting suit. The others grabbed medical kits and a couple of stretchers in case they were needed.
Alan, Sophie and Hayley sat in the evac-chairs before Virgil got on his Jaws of Life and clambered onto the harness holding the chairs. He remotely opened the doors in the base of the module and lowered them all down to the ground. Once down on the ground they got out and began to run with Virgil leading the way towards the burning object. They stopped in surprise once it came into view and they realised what it was.
"Oh, my God!" gasped Hayley. "It's a Helijet!"
"That's not the one that took the crew is it?" asked Alan.
"No, that went South," said Sophie.
Virgil hurried towards the burning Helijet. Only the back section was ablaze but looked to be heading to the front as well. "I'll tackle the flames," he said. "You three check and treat any casualties."
Using the large foam cannon on his shoulder, Virgil began to spray onto the flames, easily dousing them and they began to burn out.
Alan, Sophie and Hayley reached the cockpit section. They could see one man laid back in the pilot seat so Hayley went to check on him. Alan ran around the opposite side and found a man lying flat on the ground next to the Helijet. He checked the man for a pulse but to his dismay there wasn't one. "One deceased," he said.
"Damn it," Virgil cursed.
Sophie had found a third man in the passenger bay of the Helijet behind the pilot. She too checked for a pulse. "This one's alive," she said. "Alan, help me get him in a brace and on a stretcher. He could have spinal injuries."
Alan came to help. Meanwhile, Hayley was having a difficult time with the pilot. After confirming he had a pulse, she pulled apart his uniform to discover he had a very nasty chest wound which made her feel a bit sick to look at. It wasn't anything she'd not seen before but it still made her uneasy. She then began to use a torch to check his eyes. "Pupils are dilated," she said. "Breathing is shallow."
Virgil then joined them. "Fires are out," he said. "How are they doing?"
"Just getting this man on the stretcher," said Sophie. "Then we need to get him to Thunderbird 2."
Virgil was impressed. "You're a natural at this," he remarked.
Sophie blushed which made Alan fume. He wanted to be the one to give Sophie compliments, but his feelings were interrupted by a strange clicking sound. "What's that noise?" he asked.
The others stopped and listened. They could now hear it as well. But before they could investigate, a cry from Hayley made Virgil run round to the cockpit. "No, no, no, sir, stay with me, please!"
Virgil looked at the pilot. His eyes had rolled up meaning only one thing. "Hayley, step away from him. He's gone."
"No, I can save him!" Hayley cried, tugging at the pilot. "Help me!"
Virgil had to release himself from the Jaws of Life and grab Hayley to pull her away. "Hayley, he's gone!" he said. "There's nothing more you can do for him."
Hayley looked back at the now deceased pilot and began to tremble. "Oh, God….Oh, GOD!" she cried and buried her face in Virgil's chest before sobbing.
Sophie had just finished getting the still alive man on the stretcher before coming to check the pilot. She put her hand on his neck to feel for a pulse. Then she turned to Virgil and Hayley before solemnly shaking her head, which only upset Hayley even more.
It was then that Alan came round from the other side of the Helijet holding a small yellow device in his hand. "Well I've found what was making the clicking noise," he said and held it up for them to see.
Virgil, Hayley and Sophie looked at the device, confused. There was a dial needle that kept moving as it made the strange clicking sound.
"A Geiger-Counter?" said Virgil. "Why would they need that?"
Sophie then saw something else that despite the heat around made her blood run cold. "Maybe it's because of that?" she asked, pointing at a large sign that was propped up against some nearby trees. It was very old and rusty with almost all its paint gone. However, its message was still just about visible.
DANGER!
RADIOACTIVE AREA!
KEEP OUT!