Thunderbirds and the Tracy Family are the creation of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson

Author's Note: A mention in dispatches to my Geological Advisor, Fenestrae, for all your helpful advice and information.

Chapter 61

"Phew….that's all right Al," Gordon laughed sarcastically. "For one crazy minute I thought you said you were gonna bring One in to hover over the Pod and use the Sustainer Rocket to push it down to stabilize it."

"I did," Alan replied dryly.

"Al….are you crazy! That's never been done before. Have you any idea what will happen if you don't hit the Pod dead center with that thruster!" Gordon exclaimed rather alarmingly.

Someone else had been listening in to the transmission. "Gordon's right Al…that's never been tried before. If you don't hit the Pod dead center you're gonna push her over," Virgil added with equal concern.

"Yeah….I'm well aware of that," Alan responded, the irritation in his voice evident, though he did understand both of his brothers apprehension. "Well have you guys got any better ideas," he added but when none was forthcoming he continued. "We've gotta get Gordy outta that Pod and soon, so let's do it."

"Al…how are you gonna make sure you hit the Pod in the center?" Virgil asked, wondering if Alan had really thought all this through.

"I'll use One's Targeting Guidance System, key in the dimensions of the Pod…..as I bring One down it'll show me when I've got the center…..then I hit her with full power on the thruster," Alan explained confidently. "Just like shootin ducks in a barrel."

"Yeah….cept you ain't shootin ducks in a barrel Al…..it's me in this here big barrel….and I don't wanna roll. Know what I'm sayin," Gordon reminded him.

"You know Gordy, this could work…seriously, and it's probably our only chance," Virgil responded. "Al…you pull this off and Scott's gonna be real proud of you," he said encouragingly.

"And if ya don't pull it off, he's gonna fry your ass," Gordon quipped. "Not to mention me…if I get outta this alive!"

"Yeah…like no pressure guys…thanks," Alan responded with just the slightest hint of sarcasm.

"Al….good luck," Virgil offered, appreciating just what a dangerous manoeuvre he was about to attempt.

"Thanks Virg," Alan replied. "And Virg….I need you to patch me through the Pod's dimensions and I'll need you to give me a visual….tell me when the Pod's stabilizing," he asked, assuming now an air of command and authority.

"Sure thing Al," Virgil replied. "You got it."

"Yeah Al…good luck," Gordon repeated.

"You too. And Gordy….when she's stable enough….you get Four launched and outta there….I don't know how long I'll be able to hold her," Alan urged.

"Affirmative on that," Gordon acknowledged decidedly.

Taking a deep breath and focusing all his concentration Alan now tightened his grip on the controls and still wrestling his ship against the wind began to climb. He accessed the code to bring up the Targeting Guidance System as he brought her into a hover well above the Pod, reducing the power on the Sustainer Rocket, though not able to shut it of entirely as he needed a certain amount of thrust to maintain a hover. The targeting monitor lit up with a series of squares, decreasing in size towards the center of the screen, and after punching in the Pod dimensions a computer generated image of the Pod immediately appeared on the monitor. Alan rotated the image until he had a view of the top of his target and ran a quick simulation whereby as he got nearer to his target the outer squares disappeared, leaving him with the smallest flashing center square zeroed in on the appropriate spot. Satisfied that he would be sure of hitting the center Alan now began his descent though he did have the added problem of the swell and would have to judge his timing, making sure he caught the Pod as she came upright.

All now held their breath as he brought the shuddering and bucking Thunderbird lower, all the time watching his monitor as the squares rapidly disappeared. Down below in TB4 Gordon could only wait helplessly, looking out through his windshield and upwards to see if there was any sign that the Pod was ceasing it's rocking motion, all the time praying that his brother had a good aim. Virgil, too, could only watch helplessly though he kept Alan fed with the visual information that he was seeing, all the time encouraging his youngest brother that he was right on target.

Alan brought her down so far and held for a few moments, well aware that now his timing needed to be perfect. Three squares remained on his targeting monitor and now he waited for just the right moment, when the rhythmic swell would bring his target into view. His thumb hovered over the thruster control, ready to give it full boost. "No pressure Al….no pressure whatsoever," he mumbled to himself as beads of sweat rolled down the side of his face.

Just when he thought he had the right moment he dropped One the vital few meters. The center square began to flash, though just as he was about to hit the thrusters an abnormal swell took her off-center.

"Al…pull up….pull up," an alarmed Virgil called over the comm.-link.

Alan's reaction was immediate. Pulling hard on the controls he lifted her back to her former position. "Dammit…that was close," he chided himself as he wiped the sweat from his brow. He had just been about to hit full thrust when his targeting light went off and at the same time as Virgil had given him the audible warning. He breathed deeply, taking a few moments to compose himself, then again began the descent in time with the swell. "Come on Al….you can do this," he encouraged himself.

Once more the center square began to flash and without hesitation, Alan hit the stabilizing thruster. Immediately the great whoosh of extra boost emitted from the underbelly Sustainer Rocket and hit the Pod dead center. It was as though Thunderbird One was now locked in a struggle against the power of nature, each trying to prove they were the stronger but for now Thunderbird One was winning as the powerful thrust pushed the Pod down into the water, reducing the violent rocking motion greatly.

"Al….it's working….the Pod's stabilizing. You did it little brother," Virgil called out excitedly.

Alan breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Ok Gordy….think you can launch now. Don't….know how…long I'm gonna…be able….to hold her like this," he gritted out through clenched teeth as he struggled to hold her against the power of the wind to keep her in position.

"Yeah I can bro. Ya did great….just great," Gordon gratefully informed him, thankful, too, for the respite from the stomach churning motion. "Thunderbird Four preparing to launch," he continued with professional protocol. Punching in the code the great door of the Pod slowly opened, giving Gordon his first view of the turbulent waters from sea level as it gradually lowered to its final position. The ramp then automatically extended to disappear beneath the water as he punched in the next stage of the launch sequence and finally, Thunderbird Four herself began to move down the ramp as Gordon fired her jet engines into life. Exiting the Pod she majestically slid beneath the waters.

"I'm clear Al….closing Pod door now," Gordon informed him and as if by magic the great door slowly lifted upwards until it clanged shut, to once again form a watertight seal against the stormy elements.

All the while Virgil had been giving Alan a running commentary on Four's launch progress. "Yeah she's clear of the Pod, Al….and I have a visual on the door….it's closed," Virgil said, confirming what Gordon had told him.

"All right….I'm lifting clear," Alan responded and with that he cut the excess power to the thrusters. Pulling hard on One's controls he manoeuvred her up and to the side, leaving the Pod to its fate as it bobbed up and down at the mercy of the waves. There was nothing now for either Alan or Virgil to do but wait, the next stage of the rescue being entirely up to Gordon.

Having completed the last stage of the launch by closing the Pod door Gordon turned his attention to the task in hand. Punching in codes he brought the various systems on line including the exterior lighting, as the waters weren't entirely crystal clear due to the currents churning up the bottom sediment. Also brought on line was the sonar tracking which would be vital in locating the stricken Juggernaut, as visibility was just down to a few meters. Studying once again the marine chart on his monitor he turned the little craft into the current and headed for the deep channel in the direction of the bridge.

"Thunderbird Four to Thunderbird One…come in Al," Gordon called.

"Thunderbird One to Four…..Ok…I got you Gordy….we'll leave the channel open. Now what's your position?" Alan asked.

"I'm underway and heading for the deep channel," Gordon acknowledged. "Say…I don't know how long this is gonna take….I've gotta find this guy first….I'm gonna have to rely on sonar tracking cus visibility down here ain't great and then I'll have to decide how I'm gonna get him out. I know it's rough for you guys up there so why don't you fly yourselves inland….find some shelter….there's nothing you can do for me anyway till I bring him up," he suggested considerately.

"That's a negative on that Gordy," Alan came back without any hesitation. "We're not leaving here without you….we're gonna be right here should you need to get outta there in a hurry. Just don't leave us hangin around here too long, though or you might find bits of us down there beside you," he added with a laugh.

"I read ya loud and clear boss," Gordon returned a good-natured quip. "….and I'll try not to keep you guys hangin too long. I'll let ya know as soon as I find anything." He smiled quietly to himself for it was actually a comfort to know his brothers were up there, as if standing guard over him, and knowing it was a struggle for them to do so but such was the bond of their brotherhood.

Following the seabed he dipped the little craft over the shelf into the deep channel, taking her down into the murky depths. Preparing for his own battle with the elements now Gordon gripped the controls tightly and feeling her shudder and buck he boosted the power on her main turbo drives in an effort to force them against the increasingly strong currents, which threatened to sweep them away.

The sonar tracking pulsed rhythmically, as Gordon began a methodical search pattern, indicating that there was nothing down there that shouldn't have been. However, almost ten minutes into the search and…. "Hey…I think I've got him," he called out with a measure of excitement. "I'm goin in to take a closer look." The sonar pulse had now changed to a rapid bleep meaning it had come in contact with some metallic object, Thunderbird Four's sonar having the added ability of indicating metallic objects only. A few moments later, though, a mild curse could be heard echoing around Thunderbird's One and Two. Both Alan and Virgil's hearts sank, fearing the worst; that their rescue attempt had been in vain.

"Damn…..sorry guys…..it's only some rusted up old fishing junk. I'm gonna keep looking," Gordon informed them, the disappointment in his voice evident, though both boys let out an audible sigh of relief. "Come on baby….I know you're down here somewhere……where are you," he muttered to himself, straining his eyes into the murky waters ahead as well as keeping a wary eye on the sonar tracking, willing it to show him the object he was searching for. Time seemed to tick by slowly and it was another agonising ten minutes before Gordon's voice was heard again.

"I got him….I got him this time…..I can see him," he called out excitedly.

"Gordy….can you see the driver? Is he alive?" Alan asked, hoping for some good news.

"Aww gee….the whole thing's on its side," Gordon exclaimed. "I can't see the driver yet. You'll have to give me a few minutes to get into position, Al. I'm gonna have to go over the top and use Four's camera to get a visual…..look down into the cab……then I'll deploy the VSP….see if I can pick up any vital signs and check the pressure in the cabin," he replied as he quickly assessed the situation. The VSP was the Vital Signs Probe that launched from TB4 and it would attach itself to any submerged structure or vehicle. Gordon could then determine, as the name suggests, the victim's vital signs as well as other vital information such as internal pressure.

"Affirmative on that Gordy…..just let me know when you know anything about the driver's condition. I need to pass that on to the Bridge Authority…..they…want to let the relatives know….and whether this is just a retrieval job," Alan acknowledged.

"Will do," Gordon assured him.

Gordon had let out a low whistle as he took in the sight that had loomed up before him out of the semi-darkness after following the rapidly bleeping sonar to its source. For there before him lay the huge Juggernaut, fully on its side on the partially rocky seabed, its wheels sticking out at right angles into the current like some huge prehistoric beast in its final death throws; its wheels still turning due to the strong current as though it were driving along some invisible road. Part of the main body of the Juggernaut seemed to be jammed tightly in a crevice, while thankfully, the cabin remained free and exposed.

All Gordon could hope for now as he neared the huge vehicle was that the cabin itself hadn't been damaged and was not full of water. Guiding TB4 up and over the top of the cabin he brought her to a stop over what was actually the side window. He switched on the thermal imaging camera, almost instantly getting a picture of the inside of the cabin and breathed a huge sigh of relief as he realised the cabin was dry. "Al…..I'm gettin a visual on the inside of the cabin…and so far she's dry…..I can see the driver….he's still strapped into his seat….he's slumped over the steering wheel but I….I can't see any movement. You'll have to give me another few minutes to deploy the VSP before I can tell you anything more," he said, relaying what information he had.

"Affirmative Gordy….standing by," Alan responded. The tension mounted as both he and Virgil awaited the vital news.

Gordon manoeuvred his small craft down to the front windscreen and punching in the code the small probe left the launch tube with a whoosh of compressed air; travelling the short distance it attached to the window. He watched anxiously as the vital signs monitor sprang into life, giving him an initial flat line. "Come on fella….you just gotta have made it...come on…give me a sign," he muttered to himself. After what seemed like an age the flat line began to jump and pulse, eventually settling into the rhythm of a slow, though steady heartbeat. "Yeah…way to go," he grinned, breathing out a sigh of relief.

"Ok Al….I got him….he's alive…the driver's alive though I don't know how badly he's hurt….he is unconscious….that's all I can tell you," Gordon said, his excitement tinted with a degree of caution. "Oh..and Al….can you tell me what the pressure reading in the cabin should be when she's sealed."

"Affirmative on that Gordy, thanks….I'll relay that information," Alan replied, passing on the good news as soon as he had finished speaking to his brother. After finding out what Gordon needed to know he passed that information back to him.

"Aww shoot," Gordon's voice could be heard exclaiming over TB1's cockpit much to Alan's concern.

"What's wrong Gordy?" his brother asked worriedly, a heavy frown set in his face.

"The pressure….it's dropped a few degrees….she's losing pressure Al….the cabin's losing pressure. Must be damaged…..I've gotta get this guy outta here or he's not gonna make it," Gordon exclaimed worriedly, his mind frantically thinking over how he was going to go about it.

"Can you cut him out, Gordy…..get him into breathing apparatus?" Alan suggested helpfully.

"Naw…negative on that, Al. There's still too much pressure in the cabin….if I start cutting in she could implode….besides…I don't know how badly he's injured….wouldn't wanna move him too much. Only thing I can see is…I'm gonna have to cut the whole cabin free and bring it up," Gordon informed him. "You there Virg…..can you be ready with the grabs and lift him clear when I bring him to the surface?"

"Yeah ..I'm here buddy….affirmative on that. He's gonna….be in for…one hell of a bumpy ride though…..I hope he's….strapped in good and tight," Virgil acknowledged, gritting his teeth as he fought to hold Thunderbird Two steady.

"Ok…I'm gonna see about gettin this cabin cut free," Gordon responded.

He pulled hard on the controls, his arms straining against the currents, as he brought TB4 around to face the underside of the vehicle, gliding her into position where the cabin was joined to the main body. Keying in the appropriate code the Laser Cutter shot out from its housing in one of the forward tubes and donning a protective visor Gordon inched forward. Keying in another code the laser was brought to life, spitting and arcing with blue sparks as it began to slice through the metal.

The progress was agonisingly slow, Gordon willing the laser to cut faster when, after checking the pressure readout on the VSP monitor he realised it had dropped another few degrees. "Come on…faster...Gee…they're making this stuff tougher to get through," he muttered frustratingly to himself.

Back in Thunderbird One the young pilot wore a serious expression, as though the weight of the whole world were on his shoulders. He tweaked the communication console to his left. "Virg….you readin me. I need you to switch to Comm 1," Alan said, the serious tone in his voice unmistakable.

Virgil frowned heavily as he adjusted his headset, and wondering why Alan would want to speak to him without Gordon hearing he accessed the channel. "Yeah I'm here Al….what's up?" he asked with concern.

"Virg…have you thought….how you're gonna…retrieve the Pod? I mean…I can stabilize the Pod again to get Gordy….back in….but you're not gonna be able to put Two over it with that swell….are you?" Alan queried, as another shuddering jar rocked the ship. Now that the rescue was well under way he had time to consider this new problem, and he had to admit, he hadn't as yet any solutions.

"Yeah….been kinda thinkin the same thing myself, Al," Virgil confessed. "I can handle a certain amount of swell….but this….and it's too erratic. Al….what're we gonna do!" he added with obvious concern.

But before Alan had a chance to respond. "Excuse me gentlemen…..maybe I can be of some assistance here," a familiar voice broke in over their communication.

"Hey John….yeah sure….what've you got," Alan replied, inwardly sighing with relief and hoping John had a helpful suggestion.

"Well, I've been listening in to you guys…and I was about to get in touch anyway….but I think I may have some good news for you…on the weather front," John explained.

"We could sure use some good news John….go ahead," Alan responded gladly, daring to let his hope rise.

"We've got a window opening up. The storm….she's formed an eye and from what I can tell it's heading in your direction. Gonna be over your position in approximately…..45 minutes," John informed them. The eye of a storm was one of those wondrous and amazing phenomenons of nature whereby in the midst of, seemingly, all hell breaking loose there would be a sudden and unnatural calm, as though there had never been a storm in the first place. The amazing thing was that the stormy conditions would continue to rage all around this oasis of peace and normality, creating, in effect, an island in the center of the storm; a moveable island that would keep pace with the storm as it travelled unabated and unhindered. Once the eye had passed over, however, you would find yourself again experiencing the full fury of the storm.

"Yeah, that sure sounds like good news, John," Alan agreed, as did Virgil. "Know how long it's likely to last?" Alan asked hopefully.

John sucked in a breath. "Figure you've got about 15 minutes calm before those winds pick up again….and they're gonna blow stronger than ever," John replied, wishing he could have given them better news.

"Virg!……think that's gonna give you enough time to retrieve the Pod?" Alan inquired.

"Gee…that's tight….but it's gonna have to be Al. Of course….that's gonna depend on Gordy…if he can get this guy up…..and I can get that cab dropped off….and Gordy's gonna have to be back in the Pod by the time the eye hits……gee…like I say…it's gonna be tight," Virgil breathed out as he mentally went through what needed to be done in such a short space of time.

"Well guys…I'd better leave you to concentrate on what you're doin. Oh and Al….nice job earlier….gettin Gordon outta the Pod….that took some ba….bottle," John finished off admiringly.

"Yeah…thanks John….just let us know if that eye changes direction…Thunderbird One….out," Alan grinned, feeling pleased with himself at the compliment.

"Sure thing….and good luck guys. Thunderbird Five….standing by," John said, ending the transmission.

"Ok Virg..guess we'd better get back to seeing how Gordy's gettin on….and I'll let him know what time he's got," Alan said.

"Hey Gordy…how's it gonna down there?" Alan asked, trying to sound upbeat and confident, filling him in with the information John had given them. "…..so…eh…how much longer do you figure you'll be."

"Gee…guess it's my turn to be under pressure, huh," Gordon quipped. "Well….this stuff's tough….it's gonna take another 20 minutes to cut right through Al….but I'll let ya know as soon as I'm done. I'm doin the best I can."

"Yeah….I know you are, bro," Alan acknowledged. "Thunderbird One to Base…come in," he added, figuring it was time to update his father with the current situation.

"Base to Thunderbird One…..how's it going out there, Son?" Jeff's deep and reassuring voice sounded over the cockpit.

"So far everything's goin well, Dad. Gordon has found the driver….he's alive….and right where you said he would be, Brains," Alan informed them, much to Brains' satisfaction. "Gordon's cutting the cabin free and bringing it to the surface, then Virgil's gonna use the grabs and take him to shore. The Bridge Authority has a retrieval team and an ambulance standing by. We've got an eye opening up in the storm so we're hoping we can pick up the Pod then……and then we can be on our way home," he added, giving a clear and concise report.

"All right, Son….that sounds like it's good news. Keep me informed. Base out," Jeff acknowledged.

"Affirmative. Will let you know when we have Gordon safely back on board. Thunderbird One…out," Alan responded, closing the communication.

Time continued to tick by agonisingly as Gordon willed the laser to cut faster. He had already set it to the highest output and all he could do was watch as the light beam slowly inched its way downwards to finally sever the cabin from the rest of the vehicle, while all the time struggling to maintain his position in the current.

High above Alan and Virgil were locked in their own struggle to maintain a stable hover. Virgil had pulled the massive bulk of Two around into the wind, facing the bridge, and was now able to get a visual on his younger brother who had remained with his back to the bridge, both having pulled up to a safe height well above the turbulent water.

Almost 20 minutes later. "Hey Virg…you readin me," Gordon's voice came over Two's comm.

"Readin you loud and clear, Gordy," Virgil answered.

"Virg…I'm almost through….another few minutes at most……figure it'll take another 10 minutes or so to get back to the surface. You ready for me up there?" Gordon informed him.

"Sure am….ready and waitin," Virgil replied, beginning to see that the end of this rescue was in sight.

"Is it still as bad up there, guys?" Gordon asked, wondering if it was still as bad as when he had been on the surface.

"Fraid so, Gordy….I'll try and give that guy…as smooth a ride as possible….but as long…as I can get you….up in the Pod when….that calm hits….," Virgil responded.

"Say Virg….you as sore as I am," Gordon groaned as he shifted and flexed his back.

"Yeah….think I've strained this shoulder again…..have to get Jen to look at…it when we get back……," Virgil answered, wincing at the biting pain.

Back on the island, in the infirmary Scott showed the first signs of stirring from his sedation. Shifting uncomfortably and moaning Jenna checked again his vitals as she had done periodically since he went under, reminding her of when she had first carried out these duties. She looked on him now though with loving concern, trying to soothe him as his restlessness grew.

"Noo…Al…the bridge…..watch the….tower….the tower….stay away…..Al….the tower….AL!" Scott mumbled as he tossed and turned.

"Sshhh Scott…you're having a bad dream," she whispered tenderly, stroking his face, until at last he settled again. She knew, though, he was worried and concerned about his brothers and found herself hoping that they were all safe. She wondered, too, if this was what it was like to worry every time they went out on a rescue and wondered how much more so she would have been if Scott had been out with them. Taking a deep breath as she continued to stroke him lovingly she reminded herself that this was the life she wanted, wherever Scott was, that was where she wanted to be; for him she would gladly give her life.

Back at the bridge. With Alan so intent now with keeping his stability, as he wrestled with the controls, he had failed to notice the alarming drift in his actual position and with Virgil having been distracted by his conversation with Gordon he had failed to notice it too. On looking up, though, and out across to his youngest brother his eyes went wide with horror and alarm.

"AL…AL….pull outta there….pull up…..pull up," Virgil shouted over the comm.

Down in the depths a worried Gordon could only listen to the frantic advice. "Say guys….what's goin on up there? Al!" he called, becoming even more concerned when he received no answer.

A startled Alan reacted immediately to his brother's frantic calling; suddenly realising he was dangerously close to the tower. The danger intensified as the wind violently changed its course, taking him rapidly in a direction he didn't want to go. Too late he gunned One's jet engines, straining his arms and clenching his teeth as he fought to lift her; her engines screaming above the wind as he pulled her hard over to the left almost in a barrel roll. Looking out to his right viewport the massive girders of the Awaji Tower loomed into view.

"Aww damn," Alan exclaimed as he braced himself for the inevitable.