SIX months was a long time to be in a small yellow capsule, but that was exactly what explorer Robert Ballard had been doing. He'd been travelling all the way around the world in his Hot Air Balloon and now he was finally on the home run, heading across Africa before making his way up through Europe to his home in England.
From one of the capsule's reinforced windows, Ballard observed the vast sands of the Sahara Desert and recorded the moment with one of the capsule's cameras. "Magnificent," he remarked out loud. "Who would have thought that an area so hostile could be beautiful as well? Still, I'd much rather be up here than down there." He looked at the outside temperature gauge and whistled. "Forty-two degrees! Wow," he remarked. "I'd be a baked potato if I was to step out there." He chuckled. Just then, he noticed something outside. The bright blue sky above the Sahara was turning a dusty brown colour. He checked the instruments. "Uh-oh. Looks like we have ourselves a sandstorm. Better get some altitude." He adjusted the power applied to the balloon's jet thruster, blowing hot air into the canopy in order to gain more lift.
The balloon started to rise, but within seconds it was caught in the middle of the sandstorm. The wind howled and blew thousands of grains of sand in and around the balloon. Ballad could hear the grains scratching against the glass and bouncing harmlessly off the metal of the capsule.
"Golly, this is a big one," Ballard remarked. "I know the capsule can withstand this. I hope the canopy can."
The balloon's large orange canopy was made out of a very thick fabric. But after months of flying and being exposed to all elements of the Sun, high winds, heavy rain and even a blizzard, it had gotten slightly weaker than it had been when first made. Soon the grains began to rip through one side of the canopy.
Ballard reacted as an alarm sounded inside the capsule. "Oh, crap. Breach in the canopy! Looks to be minor though. Hopefully it'll hold."
But it didn't. More grains were blown hard against the canopy and soon a second tear was formed further up the top. Now sand was being blown into the canopy and the hot air that it had been storing began to escape. Unable to maintain its lift, the heavy capsule began to pull the balloon back down deeper into the storm and towards the ground.
"Not good. Not good!" exclaimed Ballard. "Losing altitude. Better send out a distress signal and prepare for impact!" He pushed a small red button that flashed and began sending out an emergency signal whilst he ran to his nearby seat and strapped himself in. He braced himself, closed his eyes, and waited for the impact.
5!
4!
3!
2!
1!
"Thunderbirds Are Go!"
"SKYFALL"
JOHN and Brains drifted around the outside of Thunderbird 5 in zero gravity as they observed the brand-new Space Elevator that had just been fitted. Alan had previously taken Brains up in Thunderbird 3 and together with John, Brains had fitted the new cable and lifted the elevator up from Tracy Island for the first time. Both men watched with satisfaction as the capsule docked successfully into place.
"You've done it again, Brains," said John. "You're the best."
Brains blushed. "Oh, J-John, stop it," he said. "It's w-what I do."
"Guess you'll be the first to use it, too," added John. "I take it you'll be heading back to Tracy Island as soon as possible?"
"Y-Yes, please," said Brains as they made their way back through the Air-Lock. "T-Three days in space is m-more than I can m-manage. I honestly don't know how you've m-managed all these months up here alone."
"I haven't been alone, Brains," replied John. "I came down to Tracy Island for Easter. And I have EOS for my company. All the same, I'm glad to finally have my link between here and Earth back again. Thunderbird 3 isn't for taxi-runs."
No sooner had they exited the Air-Lock and removed their helmets when EOS's moving camera then came up to them. "Excuse me, John," she said. "Sorry to interrupt, but I'm picking up a distress beacon."
"Oh, yeah?" asked John. "Where from?"
"Somewhere over the Western Sahara Desert," EOS answered as she led them to the control room with the large holographic globe. "Unfortunately I have not been able to pin-point an exact location as there's a massive sandstorm in the area."
"Has anyone been sending a message?" asked John.
"Negative," replied EOS. "It's just a distress beacon. However, I have managed to figure out what the signal is being sent from even if I don't have an exact location."
A hologram of the vehicle sending the signal appeared on the screen above the approximate area over the Sahara.
"Oh, m-my!" exclaimed Brains. "That's Robert B-Ballard's balloon!"
"Am surprised he's made it this far without needing any help," added John.
"How unfortunate," said Brains. "To g-get into difficulty on the last stretch of an adventure."
"Well regardless he's called for help, Brains," said John. "And we have a duty of obligation." He pressed on the signal. "Mr Ballard, this is International Rescue. If you can hear me, sit tight. Help is on the way!"
Deep in the Sahara Desert, the sandstorm was still raging. Ballard's balloon and capsule were now on the ground. Luckily it had been a soft landing due to the gradual descent and the sand. But the wind was blowing more sand all around the capsule, slowly beginning to bury it.
Ballard had no injuries due to the safety-harness on his chair. He checked the instruments but the power was going. He then looked out of the window and saw the sand swirling and building up around him. "Thank goodness I'm in here and not out there," he remarked. "The capsule will protect me from the elements." He then looked at the oxygen level gauge. "But the air won't last forever without being replenished. I sure hope my signal has been picked up."
Virgil was feeling depressed. Colonel Jennings' actions in forcing him and Hayley to no longer be together was still playing heavy on his mind. Even though Jeff had calmed down and didn't blame either him or Gordon for their part in the recovery of the missing nuclear bomb, he still felt as though he'd let everyone down, Hayley especially. He felt awful and kept his distance from the others as much as possible. It was fortunate for him that there hadn't been any emergencies in these past few days as he wasn't entirely sure if he'd be able to focus on flying Thunderbird 2. Even trying to play the piano was proving difficult.
Virgil's thoughts were finally broken when a hand put a cup of hot coffee down on the top of the piano beside him. "Here you go, dear," said Grandma. "You look like you need a caffeine boost."
Virgil managed a small smile. "If coffee can boost morale, I'm all for it," he said.
"Give it time, Virgil," said Grandma caringly. "I suspect Hayley's just trying to sort things out with the Colonel. She'll get back to you when she can."
Virgil nodded as he took a sip of the coffee.
The only other person in the lounge was Alan who, as usual, was playing one of his computer games on an iPad. "Maybe what you need is a rescue, Virg?" he called over. "Something to distract you from-"
Before Alan could finish, the sound of an incoming call caught their attention as John's eyes flashed on his portrait.
"Maybe you're in luck," said Grandma as she walked away from the piano.
John's hologram appeared. "Ah, Virgil, just the man for the job."
"Ha, good timing, bro," said Alan. "Poor Virgil's in need of a distraction."
Virgil tried his best to ignore Alan's remark and keep himself together. "What's the situation, John?"
"We've picked up a distress beacon from Robert Ballard's Hot-Air Balloon," explained John. "The exact location is proving hard to pinpoint due to a nasty sandstorm."
"Guessing it's in a desert?" said Virgil.
"Sahara," said John. "Western Sahara to be exact. Although not the same area where you did the Dakar, Alan."
Alan shivered. He didn't wish to remember the ordeal of the Dakar Rally too much.
"How much danger is Mr Ballard in?" asked Virgil.
"Provided he's remained inside the c-capsule, he'll be safe for a while," said Brains. "But the capsule requires a f-frequent fresh air cycle. It won't be long before he starts to lose oxygen."
"Time is of the essence," said John. "Virgil, you need to launch Thunderbird 2 and go find him. Are you up for it?"
Virgil looked at Grandma and Alan. He then stood up. "Alan's right," he said.
"I am?"
"I do need the distraction," said Virgil. "I'm in. Would you come with me, Alan?"
Alan put down his iPad. "Hell, yeah! Let's do this!" he said.
"Great," said John. "Suit up and get going."
"F-A-B!"
Virgil tilted back on the rocket painting and headed down the chute towards Thunderbird 2 whilst Alan went via the changing rooms. Both were given their uniforms as they went. Virgil soon dropped down into Thunderbird 2 and selected Module 2 for the mission. After lowering the main body down and locking the module into place, Alan arrived via the floor elevator and sat himself down in the co-pilot seat. The large rock that concealed the hangar slid down and Thunderbird 2 taxied out onto the runway as the palm trees folded back to let it pass on its way to the launch ramp. As soon as the ramp was raised, the blast shield lifted behind the boosters and the wings were folded out, Thunderbird 2 was ready.
5! 4! 3! 2! 1!
The twin boosters roared into life, pushing Thunderbird 2 up off the ramp and into the sky.
"Thunderbird 2 is GO!" said Virgil as they set course to head for the Sahara.
Colonel Jennings was out on important business in Algeria and Captains Liberty and Thompson were away on other business, Hayley had been put in temporary change on the HQ at the extreme reluctance of both. Things were still extremely frosty between the two with Hayley still in two minds about quitting the GDF just so she could be with Virgil.
"Everything is A-okay here, Colonel," Hayley reported.
"As it should be, Madison," replied Colonel Jennings via hologram projector. "I would expect nothing less. Do you have those reports ready?"
"Just need two more to arrive and yes," said Hayley. "They'll be on your desk when you get back, Colonel."
"So I should hope," said Colonel Jennings. "Don't be blotting your copybook anymore than it already is, Madison."
"Yes, Colonel," said Hayley, doing her best not to sound bitter. God, I wish I could slap her, she thought to herself.
"I'll be back by morning," said Colonel Jennings. "I'll be meeting with the General of-" That was as far as she'd got for suddenly there was an explosion that caused her to drop out of the hologram's viewer.
Hayley jumped to attention. "Colonel Jennings? Colonel, do you read me? Come in!"
There was no response and the projector went dead.
Thunderbird 2 crossed the coastline and began heading across Africa and was soon over the Sahara Desert.
"Thunderbird 5, this is Thunderbird 2. Any luck on locating Ballard's balloon?"
"Negative, Thunderbird 2," answered John. "That sandstorm really messed up the scanners in that area. Signal is weak now. The power must be failing."
"And with no power, Mr Ballard will be running low on oxygen?" asked Alan.
"Correct," said John. "We can give you the rough area, but that's the best we can do."
"Don't worry, we'll find him," said Virgil.
"V-Virgil, the chances are the sandstorm may have b-buried Mr Ballard's balloon and capsule," said Brains. "Might I suggest you use T-Thunderbird 2's metal-detector to locate it?"
"Good idea, Brains," agreed Virgil. "There can't be many metallic objects out here. It should be fairly easy to track down."
"Like looking for treasure on a beach," said Alan.
Virgil managed a smirk. "In a manner of speaking, yes," he said. "Lowering metal detector."
The hatch underneath Thunderbird 2's nose opened and the detection gear was lowered out. They then came down low and began to search the area. On the screen in the cockpit, Virgil and Alan watched as the radio beam moved side-to-side in quick succession, scanning the sand-dunes and what may potentially be hidden underneath them.
Alan sat back and sighed. "This is a pretty big area," he said. "This could take a while."
The words had barely left his lips before suddenly the scanner beeped.
"Or not!" said Virgil, bringing Thunderbird 2 to a crawl and altering course slightly to head towards where the contact had been picked up from. "Thunderbird 5, we might have something."
"Already?" said John. "But you're roughly two miles away from the predicted crash area."
"Well, you d-did say it was an estimated area, John," said Brains. "With those k-kinds of wind, it's quite possible that it's been blown off c-course."
"I guess you're right, Brains," John said. "Okay, Thunderbird 2. Better check it out."
"We're on it," said Virgil. "Alan, go configure a Bulldozer-Pod. If it's buried, you'll need to clear away the sand so I can lift it out."
"F-A-B," said Alan as he hurried out of the cockpit and down to the module to configure the Pod.
Virgil brought Thunderbird 2 down and landed on the sand a short distance from where the contact was coming from. He then lowered the hydraulic legs and released the clamps allowing the main body to rise whilst leaving Module 2 still on the ground. By the time this was completed, Alan was aboard the Pod and ready to roll. The door of the module opened and Alan drove the Bulldozer-Pod out onto the sand.
The Pod approached a sand-dune, one that was almost as high as the Pod itself was. Thunderbird 2 then lifted off, leaving the module behind with Virgil being ready to assist when needed.
"The contact is coming from somewhere inside that dune, Alan," Virgil said. "Carefully clear away the sand and it should reveal the capsule."
"F-A-B," said Alan.
"And b-be careful, Alan," warned Brains. "Don't bulldoze too q-quickly. You can't risk d-damaging the capsule."
"Don't worry, Brains. I'll be careful," Alan said, and for once he meant it.
Slowly, Alan moved the Bulldozer-Pod forwards and lowered the blade before gently pushing what sand he could out of the way. The fast pass didn't reveal anything so he backed up and went again, this time to the other side of the dune.
Clunk!
"Woah!" said Alan, stopping the Pod quickly.
"Something wrong, Alan?" Virgil asked.
"Er, no, Virgil," said Alan hastily. "However I think my blade may have made minor contact with the object." He pulled the Pod back and peered over to have a look. Some of the sand had fallen away to reveal what looked like part of a metallic object buried in the dune. "I see the capsule!" he said. "But I daren't risk trying to move any more of the sand. I don't want to hit it."
"F-A-B. fall back, little brother," said Virgil. "I'll take it from here."
Alan moved the Pod back and Virgil moved Thunderbird 2 into position overhead. The downdraft from the thrusters began kicking up more dust and obscuring Alan's vision. "Hey, knock it off! I can't see!"
"Oops. Sorry," said Virgil. "Firing grapple." He pressed a button. One of Thunderbird 2's grapples was fired down and attached itself to the capsule. He then gently applied power to the thrusters and Thunderbird 2 began to rise. It took a little more power to get the sand to shift and break the capsule free, but eventually he succeeded. "Okay, I got it!"
"Great job, Thunderbird 2," said John. "Now set it down so Alan can get Mr Ballard out."
"F-A-B."
Alan waited until Thunderbird 2 had set the capsule down before climbing out of the Pod. then he waited for the dust to clear once Thunderbird 2 had detached and moved away. He walked towards the capsule, only to stop dead once the dust had fully cleared and he was able to see it properly. "Errrrrrrrrrrrr, guys? Isn't Mr Ballard's balloon capsule supposed to be yellow?"
"Yes, Alan," said John. "Why do you ask?"
"Well…this one is black," said Alan. "And I highly doubt Mr Ballard's been going around the world in one of those."
John and Brains looked at video footage from Alan's helmet on a projector in Thunderbird 5.
"What the?!" said John. "That looks like an Escape Unit."
"It is, John," agreed Brains. "But Mr Ballard's capsule can act as its own. It has its own parachute and is buoyant enough to survive in water. That does not belong to him!"
Hayley ran from the office to the main control room. "Someone talk to me!" she called out. "We've lost contact with Colonel Jennings. I want to know why."
Several operators were monitoring satellites, radio chatter and other forms of tracking devices to allow them to keep tabs on their operations and anything else that concerned them. Amongst those had been Colonel Jennings' task force out in Tunisia.
An aerial satellite showed that the small Air Base where the GDF Flyer had landed was under heavy attack by some unidentified helicopters that were dropping mercenaries onto the ground. The helicopters were armed, shooting up cars, trucks and equipment. People were running, trying to fight back, but the mercenaries were well prepared, taking out the GDF soldiers one by one.
"They're dropping like flies!" cried an operator.
"We're losing them!" said another.
"Has anyone got eyes on Colonel Jennings?" asked Hayley.
One operated a high-altitude camera from a satellite. "Here! I see her!" she called.
Hayley hurried over and looked at the screen. It showed Colonel Madison being dragged by two mercenaries into the Flyer. A few steps behind walked a large figure with an armoured suit that couldn't be identified from the angle they were at.
"Contact Captains Thompson and Liberty," Hayley ordered. "Find out where Obsidian is too and get him ready. We need to get out there and stop this before-"
"Captain Madison!"
"What is it, Leroy?"
"There's a transmission coming through," the operator said. "It's coming from the Flyer."
"Put it through," ordered Hayley.
The room fell silent as a deep, sinister male voice with an American accent spoke over the speakers. "Attention, Global Defence Force. My name is Crossbones. I believe you've been trying to track me down? Well, now here I am, and I have your Colonel Jennings. If you make any attempt to try and rescue her, she will die. No rescue attempts - from you people or International Rescue. You have been warned." Then the line cut out.
The satellite image now showed that the Flyer was starting to take off.
"Whoever these people are, they've taken control of the Flyer," said Leroy.
"And taken the Colonel with them," said another operator.
The senior operator turned to Hayley. "What do we do?" he asked.
All eyes turned towards Hayley, who suddenly felt the whole weight of the situation fall upon her soldiers. "Either I will be forgiven…or I'll be in the doghouse forever," she remarked. "Keep tracking their movements. Get hold of Captain Liberty and find Obsidian. Don't let any of our aircraft travel within radar range. I'm going to get in the back-up we need!"