July 3rd, 2062 - 18:46 CST
Thunderbird S flies over the Himalayan Mountains that are covered in snow and ice brought on by the cold temperatures in the higher atmosphere. Kayo looks around squinting due to the blizzard that is covering the area and her holographic map remains blank with the target not in sight.
"Thunderbird 5 to Thunderbird Shadow," John says over the coms, "You are coming up on target do you have visual?"
"Negative Thunderbird 5. Still no sign of him," Kayo says.
"Can't say I'm surprised, your target does have a history of being hard to reach," John says and Kayo brings up a holo-map of the area, noticing that she is in the location of his last known position.
"Let me know if his position changes, John," Kayo says landing Thunderbird S on a cliff face, "I'm going out for a climb." Putting her helmet on, Kayo opens the hatch and leaves the warm driver's seat of her Shadow Bike and begins her climb of the mountains. As the blizzard got worse, Kayo pauses to have a look around. "Where is he?" Kayo mumbles to herself. Suddenly, the rock beneath her give's way causing her foot to slip. "Fuck!" Kayo cries and falls 20m before reaching out and grabbing a ledge. Through the sound of the wind, a metallic noise is heard in the background. Curious, Kayo jumps down to another ledge and sees a man come out between a small gap between the two mountains.
"Nice move there," he says.
"You're a hard man to find Captain Taylor," Kayo says.
"Nice to see you too uh..." Taylor trails.
"You don't remember my name, do you?" Kayo asks.
"Wait it'll come to me." Taylor says, "Tin-Tin, Tammy?"
"It's Kayo," Kayo says with a smirk, "And I wish you'd find less dangerous ways to spend your retirement."
"Just trying to keep busy now that I'm back on Earth. Taking it easy has never been my style," Taylor says.
"Then this may interest you." Kayo says, "International Rescue has a situation. 140 million miles away."
"That's the distance from Earth to... Mars," Taylor realises.
"There's a spacecraft on its way with major engine trouble. Can retirement wait a little bit longer, Captain?" Kayo asks, "You're needed back in space."
5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Thunderbirds are Go!
July 3rd, 2062 - 23:12 NZST
Alan and Kayo sit on one of the sofas in the lounge, with Captain Taylor sitting across from them. Scott and Marion appear on a hologram alongside John, who brings up an image of the ship in question.
"The Helius is a transport ship designed to reach Mars and send landing pods to the life support systems on the surface. Dozens of families are on board," John explains, "And will be the first to actually live on the planet."
"Unless you count all the aliens," Alan jokes. John's face turns to one of annoyance.
"Ignore him," John mumbles, "We received an emergency transponder message from Dr. Sandra Travis, the Helius mission director."
"An unexpected proton storm has crippled our ship's controls. Engines won't shut off. None of the systems are responding correctly. Please, if anyone sees this, send help!" Travis says on the recording.
"That's where you come in Captain. We need someone to board that ship and get things back up and running," Scott says.
"Don't you have Brian for that sort of thing?" Taylor asks.
"Yes, they do," Brains says, "But although the transponder is working, the other communications are down. My attempts at troubleshooting remotely have f-failed. Not to mention space travel makes me rather q-queasy."
"Sir, you spent years repairing your moon base before it was destroyed. Plus, you're the second person in history to have ever set foot on Mars," Marion says.
"Just behind the great Jeff Tracy himself," Taylor says, "Now those were the days."
"Unfortunately, as you can see me and Marion are busy, so it'll just be you three," Scott says.
"I'll go configure a pod and meet you in Thunderbird 3," Kayo says and walks away to head down to the main hanger to set up a red pod.
"Well then I guess that just about settles it," Taylor says standing up, "Like you boys say, Thunderbirds are off! Wait, that's not it. Thunderbirds have left the building. Thunderbirds are..."
"Go?" Alan asks and watches as Taylor sits in Kayo's seat.
"That's the one." Taylor says.
5
Alan and Taylor descend and start to get suited up.
4
A red pod is loaded into Thunderbird 3's cargo hold with Kayo inside.
3
Thunderbird 3's blast door closes once Alan and Taylor have been lifted inside.
2
Alan and Taylor's chairs roll up to the controls with Kayo in the passenger seat behind Alan.
1
Thunderbird 3's rockets start up.
Thunderbirds are Go!
July 3rd, 2062 - 23:19 NZST
"Thunderbird Three is go!" Alan says, and within a couple of minutes, clear the atmosphere, "Firing ion engines in three... two... one," and Thunderbird 3 rockets away from Earth at its max speed. Taylor grabs slightly onto the arm rests.
"Woah!" Taylor states and switches positions with Kayo, "Ha! That never gets old."
"Settle in everyone. Even with our enhanced engine power we've got a long flight ahead of us," Kayo says.
"No problem. I've got hours of alien footage to pass the time," Alan says.
"A really long flight," Kayo sighs, "This reminds me of Gordon with his 'Into the Unknown' show."
"I've made some Thunderbird 3 m-modifications for you to review as well. There are improvements to the heat shield, enhanced p-pod defences. Oh, and Captain, there's even a handy chart lists all our n-names and vehicles," Brains says, "Just in case."
"Thanks, Brain," Taylor says.
"It's Brains," Brains deadpans.
July 3rd, 2062 - 23:24 NZST
"Thunderbird 5 to Thunderbird 3, I'm reading no changes to the Helius' trajectory," John says, "By the time you arrive, the Helius will be deep inside the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter."
"See if you can get a message out John," Kayo says, "We'll keep monitoring their situation."
"FAB." John says.
"International Rescue to Helius. Dr. Travis, help is on the way," John says.
July 4th, 2062 - 00:06 NZST
"So... What do you think Captain?" Alan asks, "Any of these aliens look familiar?"
"I hate to break it to you kid, but nothing was there when Jeff and I explored the surface," Taylor says.
"No, no, take your time. I've got hundreds more where this came from," Alan says.
"Ugh. We must be close now," Kayo says, and scans the space in front of her before seeing Mars, "On your left."
"Just like I remember it," Taylor says, "Took us months to get out here the first time. Jeff and I didn't have fancy ion engines back in those days."
"But you still made it. You and Jeff were the first team to ever land there," Kayo says.
"Nearly didn't. Dust storm almost made us call off the descent, but we took the risk and went anyway," Taylor says, "Jeff said 'Humanity never got anywhere taking it easy.' I've always remembered that. Gordon, here, should take it to heart every time he pilots Thunderbird 3."
"Uh, I'm Alan, Sir," Alan corrects, "Gordon's in Thunderbird 4."
"Right," Taylor trails, "Maybe I better pull up that chart."
July 4th, 2062 - 00:15 NZST
"Coming into range now," Alan says.
"There she is. No time to lose. They'll be asteroid chowder if we don't get over there!" Taylor says.
"Alan, match speed with the Helius," Kayo orders.
"On it." Alan says. Once alongside, Kayo and Captain Taylor get their helmets on and head into the cargo bay in order to get across to Helius.
"Deploying grasping arm. Steady. Steady. Got it!" Alan informs, "We're locked in."
Inside the cargo bay, Taylor and Kayo stand and watch the bay doors open to reveal the Helius.
"Now for the fun part," Taylor says turning to Kayo, "Getting to the other side."
"Head in and make contact with the passengers," Kayo says and deploys a special grapple that works in space. The end of it connecting next to one of the airlocks.
"Will do, Marion," Taylor says taking the grapple from Kayo and pulling himself across.
"It's Kayo, Sir!" Kayo calls after him but to no avail, "Never mind."
"Kayo. We got a problem. At the rate we're moving towards this asteroid field, the Helius is going to need some serious cover," Alan says.
"It's time we bring out Brains' new gadget," Kayo says flicks a switch turning on the lights in the cargo bay, illuminating the red pod. Going over to the holo-pad in the corner, she selects the new option which causes the machinery in the cargo hold to get to work. The pod has several pieces of equipment that attaches to it with Brains' new gadget at the front. Kayo gets herself into the pod and the cargo doors open again, allowing Kayo to exit Thunderbird 3. "Pod Explorer is go," Kayo says and positions the pod at the front of the Helius.
"Thunderbird 3 to Pod Explorer. Those asteroids are less than a minute from contact," Alan says.
"FAB," Kayo acknowledges, "I'm charging up the portable debris defence module now."
"Catchy name," Alan jokes.
"Let's just hope it works as good as it sounds," Kayo responds and calls Taylor, "Captain Taylor, do you read me?"
"FAD. Uh, B. Whatever that means," Taylor answers, "The hull's intact, but I still can't find anyone."
"Keep looking," Kayo says, "I'll keep in touch." She ends the transmission and looks at the asteroid field ahead of her.
"You better start destroying that space rock soon Kayo," Alan says, "Thunderbird 3 will be quite vulnerable as well in this position."
"Targets are locked in three... two... one," Kayo replies and starts firing at the asteroids directly in front of the Helius with explosive results, "Yes! Remind me to thank Brains for this."
"Okay, hey Kayo," Alan calls, "Remember to thank Brains."
"Very funny, Al," Kayo smiles and rolls her eyes, not that Alan could see.
"So, Captain Taylor's on board. You're blasting asteroids and I'm just sitting here!" Alan complains.
"Any other ideas?" Kayo asks.
"Actually, yes," Alan replies, "There might be another way to help guide the Helius. I'm coming to the front."
"Be my guest Al," Kayo responds, "I'll take all the help I can get."
"FAB," Alan says and detaches from the Helius and fires Thunderbird 3 to the front, getting hit by a couple of small asteroids, "Getting into position." Alan deploys all three grasping arms and turns Thunderbird 3 around. "So far, so good," Alan says, "Here comes the twist." Thunderbird 3 starts to rotate until it finds a suitable connection to the Helius and attaches. Alan cuts the engines of Thunderbird 3 completely. "Full reversal complete. Get ready to alter course, K. Firing thruster one," he announces and, in an instant, the Helius changes its course in the asteroid belt, "Yes! It's actually working!"
"Uh, what's working, exactly?" Kayo asks.
"I'm using my engines, one at a time, to guide the Helius," Alan explains, "It's kinda like steering a boat on a river, except, you know, faster. Thruster three - fire!"
"Impressive Al," Kayo says as the Helius changes course again, "Remind me to thank you later."
"Okay," Alan says and pauses, "Hey, Kayo—"
"Later it said Al," Kayo muses.
July 4th, 2062 - 00:27 NZST
"Helius to International Rescue," Taylor interrupts, "I've located Dr. Travers in the control room."
"FAB," Alan and Kayo say and wait a few seconds before they get another incoming call directly from the Helius.
"Helius to Pod Explorer," Taylor says, "Repairs won't take long. Just keep the path clear a few more minutes."
"Uh, yeah, about that," Kayo stutters as she looks up at the field in front of her, "We've got a big, rocky problem up ahead. My cannons won't be able to blast something that size."
"Whoa!" Alan says as he does a scan, bringing it up on his holo-screen, "No way we're moving around it either."
"I'm almost done here - you've gotta do something," Taylor argues.
"Uh, here goes... something," Alan mumbles, "Thrusters one, two and three - fire."
"The Helius is slowing down," Kayo notes and reduces her own speed, "You should have a few more seconds, Captain."
Captain Taylor connects some of the last remaining wires and turns a few handles and the ship them suddenly comes back online. "Bingo!" Taylor celebrates, "Controls are back online." A few seconds later, the engines on Helius cut out and they continue to slow down further but it isn't enough. In order to prevent a collision, Helius turns her own side thrusters on and the turn away from the massive asteroid continues.
"We're moving away!" Alan calls.
"Keep turning!" Taylor replies and watches as the asteroid continues to turn right into their path. Thunderbird 3 and the Pod Explorer manage to clear the asteroid just in time, though the Helius isn't as lucky and crashes into the rock. It screeches along the surface losing several pieces of equipment. "We just lost the landing pods," Taylor announces as the Helius then moves away from the asteroid and the asteroid belt. However, it nicks the surface again and sends the space craft into a spin along with Thunderbird 3.
"Whoa!" Alan yells, "I can't keep this up, Captain. You have to get control of the Helius."
"We're working on it!" Taylor grunts.
"There's no time - we're gonna crash," Alan cries as he sees another asteroid come into view, luckily, Kayo comes fling back in front of Thunderbird 3, "Kayo!"
"I've got you covered as always Al," Kayo smirks.
"Got it," Taylor says and the Helius stops her spin allowing Thunderbird 3 to disconnect.
"Glad to have you back K," Alan says, "Remind me to thank YOU some time."
"Sure thing," Kayo says and pauses, "Hey, Al—"
"Later it said K," Alan chuckles and does a scan of the Helius, "That's not good."
"No, it isn't," Kayo says as Alan sends her the scan and calls the Helius.
"...The important thing is we ger everyone back to Earth safely," Taylor says to Dr. Travers.
"That could be a problem, Captain," Kayo says, "At the rate it's leaking oxygen, the Helius will run out before you reach Earth, and there's no way Thunderbird 3 can hold every family in one trip."
"It may not have to," Alan interrupts, "John said there were life-support systems waiting for you on Mars, right? That means we just need to land the Helius on the surface."
"This is a transport ship," Dr. Travers butts in, "It wasn't designed to land on the planet. Without a heat shield, we'd never make it through the Mars atmosphere."
"I've set up a link with Tracy Island," Alan informs, "Brains, would my heat shield be enough to cover Thunderbird 3 and the Helius?"
"T-Theoretically, but the chances of the Helius landing without b-breaking apart are very slim," Brains explains.
"But it's the only option we have," Kayo says.
"I agree," Dr. Travers says, "A slim chance is better than none. We're willing to take the risk."
"I second that," Taylor states.
"Pod Explorer to Helius. I'm heading to the control room," Kayo announces and docks with the Helius.
"Now, let's turn this thing around and head back to Mars," Dr. Travers says.
"I've had it up to here with asteroids!" Taylor indicates with his hand, referencing Alfie. The Helius turns around and starts to head back towards Mars with Thunderbird 3 following closely alongside.
"We're ready for a rough landing," Dr. Travers informs Taylor and Kayo.
"Well, that's putting it mildly," Kayo says sternly, "Helius to Thunderbird 3. Are you sure you're up to this Alan?"
"It's like my Dad said - 'Humanity never got anywhere taking it easy'," Alan responds.
"Right you are, kid," Taylor nods approvingly, "Spoken like a true Tracy!"
"Phew!" Alan sighs, "Here we go everyone - activating heat shield and beginning decent." Alan opens up a diagram of the heat shield to make sure nothing gets too toasty for the Helius. "Pressure's climbing fast," he notes as the decent continues.
"Alan," Kayo calls, clearly worried, "Thunderbird 3 can't take anymore - you have to pull off."
"Just... a little... bit more," Alan strains and a panel on Thunderbird 3 rips off and strikes the Pod Explorer, destroying it.
"You've gotten us through the worst of it," Kayo states, "Please, just let us take it from here."
"FAB," Alan says as he can now hear the concern in Kayo's voice quite clearly and doesn't want to stress her out too much. He pulls Thunderbird 3 off and away from the Helius and watches at it continues to descend towards the planet surface.
"Going down!" Taylor calls.
"But not out!" Kayo shouts, "Firing counter-thrusters." Kayo manages to get the Helius to slow down a little bit more, but it isn't enough. "We're still coming in too fast!" Alan overhears Kayo on the com channel and puts Thunderbird 3 to the max and fires alongside the Helius. "Al! You're still here!"
"Sorry, K, couldn't let you have all the fun," Alan chuckles, "Hang on, everyone!" Alan releases two grasping arms that release cables. The cables attach to the top of the Helius. "Now!" Alan cries and pulls up with all the force that Thunderbird 3 has. Within moments, the Helius crashes down on Mars' surface and runs along at a tremendous speed. The ship completely breaks apart with different sections going everywhere. Eventually, everything stops moving and there's silence.
"Thunderbird 3 to Helius. Come in, Helius!" Alan calls, "Kayo? Captain Taylor? Does anyone read me?"
"Loud and clear, Alan," Taylor says.
"Captain, you're alive!" Alan cries, "And you got my name right!"
Alan lands Thunderbird 3 next to the centre control section of the Helius and helps the family's get out and onto the surface of Mars. Everyone appears to be okay, with no major injuries, just some bruising and scratches. The group then walk a couple of miles and reach the location of the first Mars colony that had already been set up. Located next to Jeff Tracy's footprint that had been encased in glass to indicate the first man on Mars.
"This was the same site Jeff and I landed on all those years ago," Taylor says looking at the footprint reminiscing. He then turns and faces the colony, "Now, thanks to you two, it's the home of a shiny new Martian colony. Pretty cool, huh?"
"I was still kinda hoping for aliens," Alan jokes.
"I'm just glad this mission is complete," Kayo says and leans on Alan, who puts an arm around her, "We've got a long ride home ahead of us."
"Actually, Tin-Tin, if it's all the same to you, I think I'll stay for a while," Taylor says with a sad smile, "These folks could use some help out here, and it's never too late to start again. I can't think of a better place than Mars to spend my golden years."
"It does seem perfect for you, Sir," Kayo says, "And it's Kayo. Only my Dad called me Tin-Tin."
"Should we get back to you in a month?" Alan asks.
"Better make it two," Taylor says and the pair nod before turning and making their way back to Thunderbird 3, "So long you two."