November 29th, 2061 - 22:00 CET
It's a quiet night at Air Terannian, a new airport just outside Rome. A space rocket launches from one of the platforms nearby and the sound of a mobile phone goes off by Fireflash's hanger.
"Si Pedro," a man says, "Is Banino. I am at the meeting place. Your Mr Mendocia is not. Far too risky. The sale is off," he is about to end the call when a vehicle approaches, illuminate him in front of the hanger, "Wait. He's here." The black car comes to a stop and a female driver gets out the car. "You're late."
"Sorry mate. We had to make sure the coast was clear, didn't we?" the cockney girl says and opens the door for someone it the back. He steps out with a case in a white suit.
"My friend, did you bring di merchandice?" the South American asks.
"Si. Did you bring the payment?" Banino asks.
"But of course," Mendocia says and raises the case which is chained to his wrist, "Now, let us make a deal."
"Si," Banino says and Mendocia walks over to the hanger behind him Banino and they both go in.
"He bought it. We're in," the girl says.
"Copy that, Lady Penelope. Capture squad, are you in position?" Casey responds.
"Affirmative, Colonel Casey. Ready to go at your signal," the officer says.
"FAB," replies Penelope and looks up to see a GDF plane overhead.
5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Thunderbirds are Go!
November 30th, 2061 - 09:04 NZDT
In the lounge, Scott is paces whilst talking to Colonel Casey over the hologram. Marion sits down on one of the sofas, listening in to the conversation.
"Thanks for lending us your London Agent, Scott," Casey says, "An undercover sting operation as delicate as this couldn't be performed through normal Global Defence Force channels. I must say I was quite surprised you agreed to it."
"You and me both, Colonel," Scott sighs, "International Rescue isn't usually in the bad guy business, but once Parker heard there was a role in it for him, I couldn't stop him. Let's just call this an... experiment." He takes a seat next to Marion as he wonders how Kayo managed to get him into this situation, "And experiments always make me nervous."
"Everything's under control, Scott. This operation will run like clockwork," Casey calms, "I guarantee it."
"Thanks Colonel," Marion says and closes the link for Scott while he sits with his head in his hands. Before she can say anything to him the call signal beeps, and Kayo appears on the hologram.
"Kayo, nice to see you," Marion says, "Scott can't take all this waiting around." Kayo is currently at Air Terannian hiding behind a container, watching FAB 1 from a distance.
"Anything to report?" Scott asks.
"Relax Scott. I've got one eye on our guys and the other on the GDF," Kayo whispers.
"Spying on this operation without the GDF's knowledge feels... not so great," Scott admits
"Covert ops is my job and I can do it a lot better without having to ask the GDF for permission," Kayo explains, "Trust me I won't let Lady P and Parker out of my sight." Kayo ends the call and brings up her scanners inside her helmet to look for heat signatures.
November 29th, 2061 - 22:08 CET
Inside the hanger, Banino is checks Parker for hidden wires, weapons and any other equipment as Penelope enters.
"Forgive me Mr Mendocia, but I do not usually sell to people I do not know," Banino says.
"Very wise, my friend," Parker says and opens the case to reveal sixteen bars of, "But gold-pressed Lidium is, how they say, very persuasive."
"Ah! Perbacco," Banino exclaims.
"Is a beautiful, no?" Parker asks and closes the case, "I remember when I was a young child on the streets of Sao Paulo, my poor Grandmother would say to me, 'Paco, my darling boy, come closer. I want to tell you something...'" He pulls Banino in and makes him feel slightly uncomfortable, so Penelope decides to clear her throat and pull Parker away.
"Guv, shouldn't we take a butchers at the merchandise?" Penelope asks.
"The merchandise? Of yes, the merchandise, of course!" Parker says, reaching out to the case Banino is holding, though his hand is swatted away.
"No!" Banino states.
"This box contains the latest discovery stolen from the labs of Houseman Industries," Banino explains, "A repulsor magnet ray, rated at 6.7T."
"Aahh," Parker exclaims.
"It could rip the walls off this hangar," Banino chuckles, "Not to mention that gold tooth from your mouth."
"It's the real deal all right, Guv," Penelope whispers in Parker's ear as he looks over to her.
"We have a deal?" Parker asks holding out his hand.
"Si," Banino says returning the jester, "Un accordo." However, before Banino could pass the repulsor over to Parker, the roof clatters in as the GDF squad enter. "It's a set up!" Banino cries and takes the device out of the case turning it on. It makes a whining noise as he directs it to the roof panels of the hangar which get blown off immediately.
"The operation's blown," Kayo informs Scott, "I'm going in."
"Kayo, wait," Scott intervenes, "This is the GDF's responsibility. Kayo!" He doesn't get an answer and Kayo runs off to her motorbike and drives off towards the hanger in a rush. "Ohh! I should never have agreed to this," she hears in her com but doesn't bother to reply.
November 29th, 2061 - 22:22 CET
Banino starts using the device to throw the GDF soldiers from their rope lines all the way across the hangar. Some of the impacts are deadly as one is crushes under a pile of containers. Penelope helps Parker to his feet as Banino continues to take out other members of the squad.
"I show you what we do to traditori, Mr Mendocia," Banino declares and points the device towards the pair but doesn't have time to fire as Kayo enters the hanger, driving directly between them. The back tire hits Banino sending him flying backwards into the wall with allows Penelope and Parker to run out of the hanger. Kayo drives back towards Banino, but doesn't anticipate him raising the device, stopping her right in front of him. She revs the engine to try and get free, but her bike is thrown into the wall knocking over some of the contains and landing on a couple of GDF soldiers, killing them instantly. Banino doesn't care about the fatalities and starts the device up again, this time knocking out the engines of the GDF plane overhead.
"Stop him!" Kayo says to Penelope and Parker as they try to help her out of her bike. They leave and run over to were Banino has brought a GDF plane close to the ground so he can jump aboard. He turns around as he hears Penelope and Parker approach him from behind.
"Consider this a no sale!" Banino shouts and turns the device up and the plane engines start again, gaining height quickly, "But I'll still be taking the Lidium!" The device then whines again and lifts the case up. However, Parker is still handcuffed to the case, so he starts to be pulled into the air as well.
"Parker!" Penelope cries.
"M'Lady!" Parker wails as Penelope grabs onto his legs. Unfortunately, the pull from the repuslor is too great and has to let go and watch Parker disappear behind the closing door. Penelope stares at the plane as it goes off into the distance. She then is startled by Kayo racing past her in her motorbike and down the runway at full speed.
"Kayo, I'm heading over in Thunderbird 1," Scott says over the coms.
"Stay put, Scott. Thunderbird Shadow's got this," Kayo states and activates flight mode on her controller, which brings the main section of Thunderbird S overhead. A platform is lowered and Kayo breaks harshly and rolls back onto the platform before it is lifted and merges with the main body, allowing her to take off after the GDF plane. "You're mine now," Kayo smirks and accelerates.
November 29th, 2061 - 22:31 CET
Penelope runs over to FAB 1 and gets into the driver's seat starting her up
"Lady Penelope," the captain says walking over with a large gash to his left arm, "GDF reinforcements are on the way."
November 29th, 2061 - 22:37 CET
"Calling GDF Flyer. Your joyride is over," Kayo says over the speaker as she finally catches up to the plane over the Mediterranean Sea, "I'm ordering you to land immediately. Understand?"
"Yes, I understand," comes the response from Banino and a few seconds later the Flyer is flung towards Thunderbird S causing Kayo to manoeuvre out of the way and flies underneath the Flyer. The Flyer then decreases altitude resulting in Kayo barrel-rolling out of the way.
"Whoa, this guy's desperate," Kayo comments and flies upwards and around to get behind the Flyer again. The warning systems on Thunderbird S then come into life and a red warning appears on Kayo's screen, "Air mines!" She spins through them to avoid them and all of them go straight past her, but before Kayo could breathe a sigh of relief, they turn and head back towards her. "Shit! They're locked onto my infrared signature," Kayo sneers as the alarms continue to blare as she tries to dodge them again.
"Picking up your alarm. Kayo," Scott suddenly says, "What's happening?"
"Nothing I can't handle," Kayo replies as the explosions of air mines begin to happen as they collide with each other thanks to Kayo out manoeuvring them. The explosions are heard over the coms and Scott growls in anger.
"Thunderbirds are rescue vehicles. They're not meant for aerial dogfights," Scott complains.
"Well, sometimes rescuing people requires a little dogfighting," Kayo chuckles and dodges the last couple of mines which then impact behind her.
"Okay, that's it. I've kept out as long as I can," Scott says facing Marion and calls Kayo again, "Kayo, I'm on my way."
"I thought International Rescue stayed away from these types of situations?" Kayo asks amused.
"When family's involved, I make an exception," Scott says, "Let's go Marion."
5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Thunderbirds are Go!
November 29th, 2061 - 22:53 CET
Penelope drives slowly through the streets of Rome when a call comes in. When she answers, she is happy to see Parker appearing on the holographic screen.
"Runaway Flyer calling FAB 1. Come in," Parker says.
"Parker, where are you?" Penelope asks quickly, "Doesn't look good to be seen driving one's own car you know."
"Sorry your ladyship, but h'I've run h'into a spot of bother. Mr Ban-in-o has stepped h'outfor the moment..." Parker says reaching for the control panel but recoils as electricity zaps, "and this flyer's seriously h'on the brink."
"Hmm. There's a factory up ahead, it's the least populated area for miles. I'll meet you there," Penelope explains, "Put her down as gently as you can, and Parker."
"Yes, m'lady?" Parker inquires.
"Do be careful," Penelope says softly.
November 29th, 2061 - 22:58 CET
"Thunderbird Shadow reporting in," Kayo calls in, "Scott, that creep Banino has bailed out. I know our mission is rescue only, but if I don't stop him now, we'll all be cleaning up his mess tomorrow."
"Fine," Scott sighs, "Lady Penelope and I will take care of Parker, you go after Banino."
"Does this mean International Rescue is finally in the bad guy catching business?" Kayo smirks.
"Don't get used to it," Scott mumbles.
"FAB," Kayo says and heads away from the Flyer and towards the direction where the glider went.
November 29th, 2061 - 23:00 CET
Penelope crashes FAB 1 through the gates and comes to a halt. She watches is horror as the plane wobbles from left to right as Parker clearly could get a proper hold of the controls after they had been damaged by Banino. "Oh dear!" Penelope states and takes out her compact, "FAB 1 to International Rescue. Scott, we have a situation."
"This is Thunderbird 1," Marion answers, "We're 30 seconds out. What's the situation on the ground?"
"Rather distressing news. The entire structure is collapsing in on itself," Penelope explains.
"I'm picking up life signs," Marion informs Scott, "People are still inside!"
"We have to get that worker out," Scott says.
"Your Ladyship, hare you there?" Parker asks.
"Parker, you survived! Well done," Penelope says relieved, "Now can you hang on until Scott arrives with Thunderbird 1?"
"I can 'ang on, m'lady..." Parker as he struggles to get loose of the bar keeping him stuck in his chair, "But I'm not sure for 'ow long."
"Stay right there Parker," Penelope says grabbing a worker's hat and running towards the factory, "I'm on my way."
November 29th, 2061 - 23:16 CET
Kayo lands Thunderbird S on the ground and is follows the debris trail left by Banino.
"I'm on Banino's trail," Kayo informs Scott, "Don't worry, he won't get far."
"Remember Kayo, saving lives is still more important than catching criminals," Scott says as he and Marion set their harnesses up to enter the factory, "That includes your own. If it's too risky let him go. Is that clear?"
"Crystal," Kayo says taking her helmet off and running down the trail.
November 29th, 2061 - 23:18 CET
As Scott and Marion enter the factory from above, Penelope walks across the floor below over fallen gangways and steel supports to get to the plane.
"Hmm. Parker? Parker, are you here?" Penelope asks.
"Yes, m'lady," Parker replies.
"Oh Parker, you do make things difficult sometimes," Penelope says looking up and spotting Parker in the cockpit of the Flyer. Putting her contact away she slowly and carefully makes her way up to where Parker is, "Really, Parker, the things I do for you."
Marion arrives at the worker's location and dodges to avoid part of the ceiling from landing on top of her. "Woah! That was way too close." She lands on the edge of the gangway and makes her way over to the worker, "Hi. Don't worry. I'm gonna get you out. Scott passes me the harness!"
"On it!" Scott calls and passes down the harness to her location watching Penelope from the corner of his eye as she jumps from the top of the steel beam and onto the front of the plane's broken windows.
"My, my, Parker, you have got yourself in a mess," Penelope says jumping through one of the windows and over to Parker.
"Yes, m'lady," Parker says meekly and watches as Penelope rips the other steel bar off the back off the cockpit in order to prior the bar, holding Parker in place, loose so he could escape.
Scott passes over to Marion, who pulls the harness close. She then turns around and places it on the worker and pushing him off the gangway and over to Scott. The plane slips forward again as the steel beam starts to give way and results in Penelope being thrown into the control panel before she gets up and starts trying again to get Parker free. Marion jumps from the gangway and uses her jet pack to fly back up to Thunderbird 1, as Scott makes sure the worker gets there safely.
"Oh!" Penelope yelps as the bar finally gives way freeing Parker.
"Thank you, m'lady," Parker says.
"You're welcome," Penelope replies, "Now let's get out of here."
November 29th, 2061 - 23:24 CET
"I have escaped with the gold-pressed Lidium and the device. That's quite the deal, no?" Banino says over the phone overlooking the Italian countryside
"We haven't finished negotiating yet," Kayo says suddenly behind him, making him jump and fall to the floor.
"Um... p-per favore, please. Um... no violence," Banino stutter holding up a hand, "I'm a businessman. Perhaps we can make a deal?"
"Hmm. Make me an offer," Kayo counters.
"Here, take it," Banino says and throws the case at Kayo to pick up.
"And the repulsor," Kayo demands which causes Banino to sighs.
"Si. Okay. Take that too," Banino says pausing before smirking and raising his hand to use the device against Kayo, yet nothing happens. They both look down to Banino's wrist and notice that the repulsor is missing from the holder. "The repulsor! Where is it?"
November 29th, 2061 - 23:27 CET
At the bottom of the steel beam, Parker waits to help Penelope down the steel beam.
"Parker, look out!" Penelope says as she jumps off noticing that the beam has finally given up.
"Ooohh!" Parker cries as Penelope pushes Parker to the floor and braces for the Flyer to crush them other. However, a familiar whining noise is made as Parker raises his right wrist upwards. Penelope sits up and looks between the Flyer and Parker.
"Parker, where did you get that?" Penelope asks with a chuckle.
"I h'acquired it from Mr Ban-in-o without 'is knowledge," Parker smiles, "I h'always say, 'ugs are the h'answer to h'all of life's problems."
"Old habits die hard," Penelope muses.
"Yes, m'lady," Parker responds.
November 29th, 2061 - 23:30 CET
"Looks like you're all out of bargaining chips," Kayo smirks.
"Perhaps I have one more thing to offer you," Banino smiles sinisterly and holds up his mobile, displaying a loving picture of The Hood and a young Kayo.
"No!" Kayo cries in horror. Fear setting in that her secret is going to be revealed to the world before she was ready to tell the Tracy Brother's in person.
"I have made my reputation by keeping secrets," Banino cackles, "And that includes your uncle, Ms Kyrano."
November 29th, 2061 - 23:31 CET
Marion helps the worker out of the harness as Scott walks in the direction of the factory after landing at the front.
"Lady Penelope, you've gotta get out now!" Scott informs.
"We'll be right with you," Penelope says as Parker activates the device again and breaks through the rubble so they could both walk out safely. Scott smiles and answers his com.
"Bad news, Scott," Kayo says, "Banino got away."
"We got Parker and the worker out. That's the important thing," Scott informs, "Today was a win for International Rescue."
"And we got the repulsor back," Penelope tells Kayo, "Which makes it a win for the GDF to, right Colonel?"
November 29th, 2061 - 23:34 CET
"Looks like it's a win all round," a certain Ned Tedford says, "How about a lovely cup of tea to celebrate?"
"Technician, perhaps your unique skills could be put to use at our Arctic facility," Casey says to Ned.
"Sounds a bit... remote," Ned comments.
"Mmm-hmm," Casey hums.
"Then again, nothing could possibly go wrong there. I'll do it!" Ned says happily.
November 29th, 2061 - 23:35 CET
Kayo flies over Europe looking at the picture of the mobile and sighs realising the time had come. She calls Scott again on the coms. "Scott, as soon as everyone's together, there's something I need to tell you all. Something I should have said long ago..."