SARAH Brightly was a news reporter who had discovered a major scoop. However it wasn't something that she could immediately head to her local office and report on. It was late at night, but she couldn't wait until morning to make her move. She quietly opened the front door of the house in Vicksburg, Mississippi where she lived with her boyfriend Kevin Hunter, snuck out carrying a folder of papers that she'd come across and opened the door of her car. She climbed in, just as the front bedroom light came on. This sent her into a panic for she knew it meant that Kevin had woken up. She needed to leave straight away. She turned the ignition on and reversed off the drive. She then began to hurry off down the road as Kevin came bursting out the front door.
"SARAH?!" Kevin bellowed. "GET BACK HERE WITH THOSE! SARAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
It was too late for him to catch her on foot for Sarah had sped off before he'd gotten too close to her car.
Infuriated, Kevin ran back inside to grab his own car keys and his mobile phone before running out to his own car. He then sped off down the road in pursuit of his girlfriend. He couldn't see Sarah's car but he had a good idea where she was heading.
Kevin plugged his phone into the dashboard and told the car's on-board computer to dial a number for him. It did so, calling up a man by the name of Miguel Sanchez.
"Yes, Mr Hunter?"
"Miguel, I know it's late, but I have a job for you," said Kevin.
"A hit?" asked Sanchez.
"Yes," said Kevin bitterly. "I need you to kill Sarah."
5!
4!
3!
2!
1!
"Thunderbirds Are Go!"
"MOVING TARGET"
THE streets were quiet and empty, but that only made Sarah feel more uncomfortable. She kept glancing nervously down every street as she passed as well as checking her door and rear-view mirrors at every chance she got. She knew that Kevin wasn't just going to let her leave, not with the documents that she'd found in his study. She had to get out of town at all costs.
Sarah activated her car's own computer and got it to dial her friend and colleague for her.
"Hello?"
"Teresa?"
"Sarah? What on earth are you calling me for at this hour?"
"Teresa, listen. Has Perry left for Europe yet?"
"Yes, his flight departed about three hours ago. Why?"
"Damn it," cursed Sarah. "I have to see him urgently."
"Well good luck with that," said Teresa. "He won't be back until Saturday, and its only Tuesday."
"I can't wait for him to get back," said Sarah. "Can you find me the first available flight to Paris?"
Teresa groaned as she climbed out of bed. "Whatever for?" she asked.
"Please, just do it for me?" asked Sarah, literally begging. She then let out a slight gasp at the sight of a set of headlights further back along the road. They were quite a distance away, but she recognised the shape of the car as belonging to Kevin. She made a swift turn off to the right, hoping to then double back and maybe throw him off. That's provided he didn't take the road further back and cut her off.
Teresa was concerned as she powered up her laptop. "Is everything okay, Sarah?" she asked. Now she was a bit more awake, she'd taken note of her friend's distressed tone.
"In all honesty, no it's not, Teresa, but I cannot go into details," Sarah said as she took another corner. "Just find me the first available flight to Paris."
Teresa yawned as she sat down at the table. "Okay, I'll have a look for you."
Sarah turned a few more corners before heading back to the main street. She seemed to have lost sight of Kevin's car but she was only slightly relieved.
Suddenly a car raced out a side street and almost collided with her. She squealed and managed to avoid it before racing off down the street. She glanced in her mirror, thinking it was Kevin. However it wasn't. It was a different car, but as it raced alongside, she caught a glimpse of the driver. It was Miguel Sanchez, one of Kevin's best friends, and to her horror, he had a pistol. She slammed on the brakes and caused him to speed ahead as she sped up and took a sharp left down another side street.
Sanchez growled in frustration and raced off to head down the next side street in an attempt to cut her off.
Sarah was terrified as she hurried through the backstreets. She only just managed to cut across in front of Sanchez's car before he was able to cut her off. Now he was right on her tail as she continued down another road. He leaned out of the car window and fired a few shots at Sarah's car. One bounced off the roof making her squeal again as she turned hard to the right to head back to the main street.
"Okay, I have one for you," Teresa said. "Air Terranean Flight 209 from Dallas International Airport to Charles de Gaulle."
"Great!" Sarah said. "What time does it depart?"
"7am tomorrow morning," replied Teresa.
"Are there seats available?" asked Sarah.
"Not many. Around ten left," said Teresa.
"Book me one please," Sarah said. "AAAH!" She had squealed again as another bullet had bounced off the side of the car.
Teresa had heard the gunshot and was now very concerned. "Is someone shooting at you?!" she gasped.
"Teresa, just book the flight!" pleaded Sarah.
"I ought to call the Police-"
"NO, JUST BOOK THE FLIGHT! Please!"
Teresa didn't know what to do. However, she did what her friend asked.
Sarah knew she had to escape from her pursuer. Sanchez was closing in and she guessed that Kevin was not far behind.
The bridge that crossed the Mississippi river was undergoing repairs following a severe accident that had happened a few weeks before so a temporary ferry service had been set up to help ease the flow of traffic that would normally have crossed it.
As the cars approached the river, Sarah saw to her relief that the ferry was still there. Now all she needed to do was make sure that neither Sanchez or Kevin could follow her onto it. She noticed a large stack of old cardboard boxes on the side of the road. She swerved into them, knocking them down and causing Sanchez to collide with them. One got caught in a wheel, causing it to lock up and he lost control, causing him to crash into a fire hydrant. It burst, sending a huge column of water up into the air.
Sarah took the opportunity to escape. She reached the ferry and only just managed to board it, becoming the last person to get aboard.
Kevin finally caught up to Sanchez and saw that his car was damaged/ "What happened?" he asked.
"She outdid me," Sanchez replied grumpily. "She's gone to the ferry!"
"She won't get away with this," said Kevin and he raced off towards the ferry. To his dismay however, he got to the ferry dock just as it was pulling away. He jumped out and ran towards one of the dock men. "GET THAT BOAT BACK HERE!" he bellowed. "MY GIRL'S ON BOARD!"
"Sorry, pal," replied the dock worker. "Once the ferry's gone, it's gone."
'But this is important!" protested Kevin.
"And so is timekeeping," said the dock worker. "Sorry, buddy. You'll just have to get the next one."
Kevin ran his fingers through his hair and snarled furiously as he watched the ferry heading across the river towards the opposite bank.
Sanchez had managed to get his car going again and managed to catch up to Kevin.
"Keep following her," Kevin instructed. "First chance you get. Take her out and recover the documents. She cannot be allowed to expose me."
"Understood," said Sanchez darkly.
John let out a yawn as he headed to his sleeping quarters aboard Thunderbird 5. It had been a busy day for him and the other members of International Rescue and he was glad of a rest. He didn't need to change either for his suit was as comfortable to sleep in as it was to work in. He was just settling down when EOS spoke. "Sorry to disturb you, John, but we have an emergency situation."
John groaned and sat up on the bed. "What is it, EOS?" he asked. "Hopefully something a local rescue force can deal with?"
"Unfortunately we're not so lucky," said EOS. "A Magna-Rail Train has broken down inside a tunnel in Western Portugal. There's been a major power-cut and no rescue units are able to get in to assist."
John looked at the hologram of the tunnel. "Even without power-assisted units it'll take local rescue a long time to even get to those passengers," he observed. "Okay, EOS. I'll alert Tracy Island. Then I will try and get some sleep. I doubt they'll need my help with this one."
"Okay, John."
John pressed a holographic button on the display in front of him. "Thunderbird 5 to Tracy Island. We have another situation."
It was Alan who answered the call as it was his turn to do the night desk duty on Tracy Island. "Go ahead, Thunderbird 5?"
"Alan? Oh, wait. Has Grandma actually gotten Dad to go to bed early?"
"Yep - if you can believe it?"
"I'll try to. But yes, the situation. A Magna-Rail Train has broken down in a tunnel in Portugal. No local rescue can get to it for hours. They need our assistance."
"F-A-B," said Alan. "I'll have Scott and Virgil head out there pronto. Oh, and John?"
"Yes, Alan?"
"Get some rest, bro. You look like sh-"
"Yes, thank you, Alan!" said John indignantly. "Goodnight." And he signed off.
Alan scratched his head. "Maybe that comment was uncalled for?" he said to himself. He then pushed two buttons on the desk. Due to it being night-time he didn't want to wake the entire household up by sounding the emergency alarm.
Holograms of a rather tired and sleepy-looking Virgil and Scott appeared from the projector on the desk. "What is it, Alan?" asked Virgil before letting out a yawn.
"This better not be a joke," added Scott sternly.
"Sorry, guys, this is far from it," said Alan. "John just called. There's a train stuck in a tunnel in Portugal. No local teams can get close to it."
"Would it be the really long one located outside of Lisbon?" asked Virgil.
"Yeah, I believe so," Alan replied.
Realising the importance of the situation, the two brothers agreed to get up.
"F-A-B," said Scott.
"We're on our way," added Virgil.
Alan watched as the holograms disappeared. About a minute later his two eldest brothers come running into the lounge, still in their pyjamas as they made their way to commence their respective launching procedures.
Scott headed down the express elevator whilst Virgil went backwards down his launch chute. Both had their uniforms attached to their bodies as they went. Both then reached their respective craft with Thunderbird 1 going up the diagonal tunnel to the launch bay under the pool whilst Thunderbird 2 was lowered down over Module 2 before taxiing out along the runway, passing the folded-back Palm Trees to the ramp which rose into place once it was in position.
5! 4! 3! 2! 1!
The two Thunderbirds roared as their engines came to life. Thunderbird 1 lifted up through the gap where the swimming pool usually was followed by Thunderbird 2 soaring off its ramp.
"Thunderbirds are…" Scott was suddenly caught by a yawn.
"Go?" asked Virgil.
"Thanks," Scott replied.
"Have you had the milkshake?" asked Virgil.
"Not yet," Scott replied.
"Better put Thunderbird 1 on autopilot and take it then," said Virgil. "You won't function properly without it."
"F-A-B," said Scott before letting off another yawn. He put his ship onto autopilot and then took a bottle of Grandma's strawberry energy milkshake which the boys used to give themselves energy from a healthy drink.
Alan stood by the window and watched as the tail fire of the two Thunderbirds disappeared from view. He had a feeling he wouldn't be alone for long.
"Alan?"
Alan turned. "Dad."
"Did I hear a launch?" Jeff asked, adjusting his dressing-gown as he approached his youngest son.
"Yeah. Thunderbirds 1 and 2 are heading for Portugal to help a train stuck in a tunnel."
"And why wasn't I called?" asked Jeff sternly.
"Because I told him not to." Jeff and Alan jumped and turned to see Grandma had also appeared. She too was wearing a dressing-gown and had her arms folded. She walked towards her son with a look of disapproval on her face. "I told you, Jefferson. At night, you rest. Now come on. Back to bed!"
Jeff grumbled. "Yes, Mother," he said reluctantly as he was marched by Grandma back out of the lounge and up the stairs towards the bedrooms.
Alan almost wanted to laugh, but decided he felt more sorry for his Dad in the end.
Against the odds, Sarah had not only managed to escape from Kevin and Sanchez, but she'd also made it to Dallas International Airport without any issues. Nor did she have any trouble checking in either. She was still on edge however, constantly looking over her shoulder to see if she was being followed, but also doing it in a way that she didn't draw the attention of security.
"Final call for Air-Terranean Flight 209 to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport boarding at Gate 12," came the announcement over the tannoy.
"That's me," said Sarah. She glanced around again, just to be sure. "Thank God."
Little did she know however that she was being followed. Concealed behind a support column, Sanchez was watching, wearing a pair of sunglasses and a hood over his head to prevent Sarah from spotting him. He knew he couldn't follow her onto her flight so instead watched as the last passengers, Sarah among them, headed along the boarding tube to their aircraft - which was a Fireflash.
Sanchez watched as the Fireflash completed its loading before starting its take-off procedure. He took out his phone and made a call to Kevin. "She's boarded Flight 209 to Paris," he said. "It's a Fireflash."
"Thanks, buddy," answered Kevin. He then sighed. "It pains me to do this. So many innocent lives are aboard that aircraft with her, but it has to be done. Sarah will meet her end by the very thing she intends to expose me for!"