Sunday was mostly spent outside in the warm sun. Alan went on a run with Jake and DJ, while Fermat, Sam, and Rob read under a tree or played chess. After dinner they spent some time with other residents of Marx Hall in the game room.
Monday brought the same lack of energy routine that all Mondays held. Alan dragged himself out of bed and ate half asleep. Fermat walking beside him so he didn't collide with any people…or trees. Their art teacher gave them a brief overview of what was expected on the field trip the next day, including supplies, conduct, and ideas for what to sketch/draw/paint. Their Spanish teacher also handed out her requirements for the writing assignment to the students that would miss the class. Alan and Fermat made sure to have all their homework done for the next day, so there was less to make up.
Tuesday morning, Alan was actually out of bed early, and eager for the day to start. He was excited about the prospect of leaving the campus; even if it was school related. Fermat could only share in his best friend's enthusiasm, so the two went to breakfast early, and ate with Sam and Rob. The day dragged through each hour period of the morning. When lunch finally arrived, Alan, Fermat, Jake, and Rob bolted down a quick meal; barely tasting the pulled pork sandwiches. Hurrying out to the administration build, where they would meet the bus, they found themselves fifteen minutes early. "Well, Gentlemen, seems you four are ready to go," their teacher smiled at them.
"Yes, ma'am," Rob spoke for them, "Haven't been off the grounds since we got here."
"The idea of 'freedom'," Alan surrounded the word with air quotes, "Is exciting."
"W-we are al-also ex-ex-ex-happy to g-get to dr-dr-dr-sketch a di-di-different s-s-scenery," Fermat quickly added.
The teacher laughed, "Well, I'm glad some of my student are excited to go!"
Over the next ten minutes the class began to assemble, and the bus arrived. Taking roll as they boarded the bus, the teacher was the last to board. Nodding to the bus driver, who then closed the door and started off for the park.
They reached the park at 11:50, and before everyone split off, the teacher gave final instructions, "Gentlemen, I expect your best behavior. Remember this is a privilege," all the gathered boys nodded, "Right, now split off, work alone, but within sight of the bus. I will walk around and check your progress. Remember you can draw whatever you wish, but I will expect reasoning for how you viewed different things and why you drew the way you drew. We will reconvene at the bus at two fifteen. Now off with you!"
Alan and Fermat walked over towards the edge of the park. Fermat sat under a tree and gazed around, trying to decide what to draw. Alan chose to sit on a rock wall near the hiking trail. He could see Fermat's back and Jake a little ways off, but was otherwise on his own. Looking around, he decided to draw a tree close up, with the clouds curiously shaped. He wanted the eye drawn to the tree, but if anyone looked close they could make out five distinct shapes that vaguely looked like Thunderbirds, but were also hidden by other more normal clouds.
The teacher reached Alan a little after one o'clock and was very pleased with his work. Leaving him to his devices, she wondered to Fermat, then to Jake, and on to another student.
Tracy Island
The klaxon rang throughout the house, Scott, John, and Virgil dropped what they were doing and ran for their father's office.
"Boys, we have an avalanche in the Rockies near Boulder, Colorado," Jeff explained, even as the office became Command and Control.
"There is a ski resort that was surrounded by the snow, trapping multiple guest and families," Gordon informed from the video screen, "The slopes were closed off today because of a high avalanche risk, and so no one is known to have been caught in the snow."
"Right," Scott said as he stepped to his picture, "Gordon, send the coordinates to my 'Bird, I'll be there in an hour."
Jeff turned to John and Virgil, "Take Two and bring the Mole with you."
"Would the Thunderiser be an option, father?" John asked as Virgil disappeared down his picture.
Jeff shook his head, "I had thought of that, but I don't want to risk setting off another avalanche."
"F.A.B" John said as he to rode down to the Thunderbird hangers.
"Thunderbird One requesting to launch," Scott sounded over a radio.
"Granted," Jeff said even as he felt the engines of TB 1 strain to lift the jet into the air.
"Thunderbird 2, ready to launch, request permission," Virgil called in next.
"You are go for launch, Virgil," Jeff replied, "What is your ETA?"
"ETA two hours, maybe sooner."
"Thunderbirds are go!" Jeff said as he watched the green giant take to the air.
"Thunderbird One to Thunderbird Five and Base," Scott checked in.
"Reading you loud and clear," Gordon answered.
"How close are you, Scott?" Jeff asked.
"On final approach now. It looks like the resort roof is above ground, and some people are on it. Unknown condition of the buried levels," Scott informed as he gauged where to land.
"Thunderbird Two to Thunderbird One," Virgil radioed.
"Thunderbird One here, go ahead," Scott replied as he completed his landing and started to lock down TB 1.
"ETA fourty-five minutes, John will be ready with the Mole, for immediate action"
"Sounds good, Virg," Scott responded, "Soon as he is out, I want you to get the people on the roof. Send down the platform, I will make sure they know what to do before you get here."
"F.A.B."
Scott exited Thunderbird One carrying the Mobile Command. Finalizing the lock up of his 'Bird, he turned to greet the lead rescue worker, "International Rescue," Scott held out his hand.
"Chief Herdy, Thank you for coming," Herdy shook Scott's hand.
"I need to set up a Mobil Command," Scott said gesturing to his equipment, the Chief nodded and led him over to an open tent with more rescue personnel. "My coworkers will arrive in little over half an hour. The tentative plans so far is to unload our digging machine then send Thunderbird 2 to get those trapped on the roof."
"We have radio contact with the roof as of right now. A runner went down as far as level five and cleared out through level ten to the roof. We have been able to get little over half the trapped off the roof, that leaves roughly thirty still on the roof. Reports say that guest on the ground and second level of the resort got out before the avalanche buried it. Levels three, four, and part of five still have another thirty-five trapped. Thankfully this was a slow weekend, or we would have been to pulling out a few hundred instead of the hundred today."
Scott nodded, surveying the scene, "I need to tell the thirty still on the roof what to do when Two goes to pick them up. Then I'll need to know how stable the building is, looks like our digger will have to go through the snow and possibly the outer wall to reach those trapped on third through fifth floor."
Fifteen minutes later, Scott had relayed to the roof that the platform could hold ten people at a time. Three trips and they would all be returned to safety. Shortly after Thunderbird 2 came in for a quick landing.
"Thunderbird 2 from Mobil Command," Scott called.
"Thunderbird Two here," John responded, "Ready to unload the Mole."
"Okay, but I want you to get back on Two and help Virgil with the platform and the roof rescue," Scott said.
"F.A.B." John said, "Can I ask why the change of plan?"
"The roof holds roughly thirty people, and I want someone to control who gets on and when, last thing we need is panic and fighting. You are a calming presence John, I want you to handle them."
"Throw me to the wolves, why don't you?" John deadpanned, "Alright, soon as the Mole is unloaded, I'll get back in Two; don't leave without me Virgil!"
"Acknowledge," Virgil answered, "That mean you got the Mole, Scott?" TB 2 landed and the Mole started to disembark as he spoke.
"You got that right," Scott said, waiting for Virgil to lift off again. Turning to Herdy, Scott spoke, "Can I borrow one of your men, to help me with the trapped in the resort?"
"Certainly," the chief responded, turning around and calling over one of his personnel.