Disclaimer: First mission fun :) This one isn't named after a piano piece but is named after an epic piece of music inspired by Kenny Loggins' 'Danger Zone.'
It had taken months of training, a few accidents and endless business calls to colleagues, but finally, International Rescue was operational. John settled into his appointed job on Thunderbird 5 and the others had gradually learned how to gain full control over their birds, physically and remotely.
"When are we going to get our first callout?" Scott tapped his fingers on the sofa impatiently.
"When someone is in serious trouble. We're not a delivery service or anything like that," Jeff laughed. "And besides, John will call down when he hears a situation."
Meanwhile, in Kansas, the GDF emergency forces were battling with a category 4 hurricane bearing down, the evacuation had gone well but there were still small numbers of people trapped under the wreckage of the hurricane's path.
"There's no way our services can get to those trapped underneath. We haven't got the equipment," one of the GDF crew members moaned.
"I know Tara," her colleague sighed. "Let's get onto HQ, they might have a suggestion."
"Like what Sam?"
"Emergency crew Sam Drake calling Colonel Casey, do you read me?"
"Go ahead Drake, what's the problem?"
"We've got evacuation under control, but we can't get to those underneath the rubble, any suggestions?"
"Why can't you get underneath?" Casey frowned.
"We haven't got the equipment to do it successfully."
Casey tapped her finger on her chin, "it's a long shot, I'm not sure if they're operational yet."
"Colonel?"
"I'm going to contact John at International Rescue."
"But won't this be their first job?" Sam frowned, looking at the hurricane in the distance which was receding.
"We have to give them a chance. Clear the wavelength and carry on doing what you can about those trapped victims. Sam? Don't let me down."
"Yes ma'am, over and out."
Colonel Casey began a new call, "International Rescue? This is Colonel Casey."
Up on Thunderbird 5, John froze, someone was calling their organisation, he approached the nearest hologram receiver and answered, "this is International Rescue space station, what's wrong Colonel Casey?"
"John, we need your brothers, a category four hurricane has just hit Kansas. We've sorted out most of the evacuation, but there are still people trapped under rubble that we can't get to with our equipment. How operational are you?"
"Well, we've done our test flights and learned how to use our accessories. What about the hurricane, has it gone over?"
"Yes, it's practically gone according to our ground crew."
"I'll get base on alert. Thank you, Colonel."
"Don't let us down, John," Casey was strict but smiled as she ended the call.
John pressed his fingers to his suit, "calling International Rescue? We have our first situation."
Jeff answered from his desk, "first call John, what's the problem?"
"A hurricane has just hit Kansas Dad, the GDF's emergency team have taken care of evacuation, but there are still people trapped under rubble."
"Can't they get them out?" Scott asked, leaning forward on the couch.
"Not easily. They don't have the equipment. Casey says we have."
Jeff nodded. "I see. Well, this will be your first assignment boys, and I want you all involved. Scott, take Thunderbird 1 out there and assess. Virgil, follow behind. You will be slightly slower but that's how it has to be, take Gordon and Alan with you."
The boys nodded and Scott walked over to a pair of ordinary lamps, he stood in front of them and the wall turned around leading him to an elevator where he would go down and be suited up. Thunderbird 1 stood gleaming in her hangar and Scott made his way onto the precarious walkway to the ship, below him heading towards Thunderbird 2, Virgil was making his way down a zip line to his ship whilst his younger brothers were taking an elevator. Virgil jumped down and pulled the hatch closed above him before selecting the module. Gordon and Alan came up from below and took their seats.
"Ready to go guys?" Virgil asked as Thunderbird 2 turned on her turntable.
"Take her away Virgil," Gordon smiled and the hangar doors opened, at the same time the pool opened revealing Thunderbird 1 beneath, and she took to the skies.
"Thunderbird 2 from Thunderbird 1, see you at the danger zone."
"Sure thing Scott," Virgil smiled and drove down the runway to the launchpad.
"I hate this part," Alan moaned. "It always makes my stomach go weird."
Gordon laughed. "It's just like a plane taking off Al, relax."
Virgil fired Thunderbird 2's rockets and the giant transporter took off following her sister's trail of smoke, "Thunderbird 2 is go!"
"Good luck boys, keep in radio contact with me and Thunderbird 5."
"Alright, Dad."
"You know, we need a code for acknowledgement or something," Gordon pulled his seat forwards and pulled the second wheel down.
"What about RAB? Radio Acknowledgement Broadcasted," Alan smiled.
"Nah, that's not fancy enough," Virgil shook his head. "However, the AB is good."
"What letter at the start then?" Alan asked.
"How about F?" Gordon suggested.
"FAB? Like fabulous, or that ice-cream brand?" Alan laughed.
"Like fabulous. Personally, I think it sounds rather catchy."
"FAB," Virgil smiled testing it out. "I like it, it's quick and actually makes sense."
"Thunderbird 1 to Thunderbird 2? Approaching the danger zone, it doesn't look good."
"FAB, Scott," Virgil grinned.
"What?"
"It's our new way of acknowledging each other's calls quickly."
"Well FAB, I guess. How far away are you?"
Virgil checked his ETA, "roughly five minutes, we're at full speed."
"I'll see what I can do down on the ground," Scott signed off and landed, then left Thunderbird 1 to inspect the area.
Shortly after, Thunderbird 2 arrived and landed. Virgil came out first wearing an exosuit attached to his body, and after him, two pod vehicles rolled down the ramp of the module; the first was the shape of a drill, and the second, an advanced bulldozer that had a cannon built into the front of it.
The rescue was going well and the boys were settling into their appointed jobs. The town was evacuated and anyone injured had been driven to the hospital. Scott was just taking off and Virgil was about to load the module again when Alan spotted something from the bulldozer.
"No," he whispered and Virgil's voice came over the intercom.
"What's the matter, Alan?"
"Give me a minute," Alan lifted the roof of the pod vehicle and hopped down to the ground, he approached the remains of a house that had been caught by the hurricane and Virgil and Gordon joined him.
"What is it, Allie?" Gordon asked.
"Don't you recognise this area?"
Gordon shook his head, "it's just a ruin."
Alan sighed and positioned his brothers so they were looking straight at the house, "don't you see?"
Virgil suddenly gasped, "that room, belonged to our parents."
"Are you saying this is ruin, used to be our house?" Gordon asked and Virgil nodded.
"It's gone, completely gone," Alan eyes filled with tears and Virgil pulled him into a hug.
"Come on guys, we're done here," Virgil rubbed Alan's shoulder and the three walked back to the pod.