SIMON was the last to regain his senses. He lifted his head out of the thick blanket of snow that had cushioned the impact of the fall. He looked around. Mike, Dave and Tanya were nearby, all slowly coming around. They'd landed on a ledge, several feet below the ridge where they'd fallen from. Simon tried to move but suddenly felt a sharp pain in his ankle. He realised then that it was badly twisted. "Ouch!" he exclaimed. "Are you guys okay?"

"Yeah…I think so," Dave answered. "But I don't know where our equipment has gone."

"It must have gone over the edge," said Mike as he tried to sit up from where he was lying on his front. "Ow! My arm!"

"You hurt?" Tanya asked anxiously.

"Yeah…" Mike replied. "I don't think it's broken but…"

"You must have landed on it heavily," said Tanya. "Simon?"

"Twisted my ankle," Simon said. "But I don't think it's broken."

"I'll scan it," said Tanya. "I still have my rucksack." She took out a medical kit from the rucksack and scanned Dave's left arm and Simon's left ankle. "No breaks," she said. "You're both lucky. However, try not to move. Save your energy."

"Energy for what?" asked Simon. "The bag with all our climbing equipment is gone. We couldn't even climb up that slope. It's too steep!"

"I could climb out and get back to base camp to call for help?" suggested Dave.

"No, Dave, it's too dangerous without the proper equipment," said Tanya. She rummaged around inside her rucksack. "Please be here, please be here." Then she let out a gasp. "Oh, thank God!"

"What is it?" asked Mike.

"I've still got my radio!" said Tanya as she pulled it out of the bag. She gave it a quick check-over. "It looks to be intact," she said. "Let's hope it'll reach the people we need."

"But it'll take Mardon HQ days to send out another team to look for us!" said Simon.

Tanya ignored him and pressed the button to activate the radio. "Calling International Rescue!"

John was very pleased to be back aboard Thunderbird 5 following the mission to Mars. Even though he knew things back on Earth were a lot different to what they were before, the inside of the space-station hadn't changed. EOS had taken good care of it whilst he'd been away.

EOS was equally glad to have him back as she'd felt lonely being all by herself. "John, I'm picking up a distress call from deep in the Himalayas," she said.

"The Himalayas?" John repeated. "Talk about a remote location. Can you patch me through?"

"Certainly," EOS said. "You're on."

"This is International Rescue," John said to the holographic globe. "We are receiving your call. What's your situation?"

"Oh, thank goodness! This is Tanya Van Holden from the Mardon Team. we have fallen into a crevice between two mountains. All our climbing equipment is lost and two of my people have suffered minor injuries. We need urgent assistance!"

"How many in your team and what are the injuries, Tanya?" John asked.

"One hurt arm and one sprained ankle," said Tanya. "There are four of us including myself."

"Okay, sit tight, Tanya," said John. "Tell your people we're on our way."

"P-Please h-hurry!" said Tanya. "It's g-getting c-cold out here."

John pressed the button to contact Tracy Island. "International Rescue - we have a situation!"

In the lounge on Tracy Island, Scott and Virgil listened as John filled them in on the situation.

"Minor injuries but no means of climbing out?" said Scott.

"That's right, Scott," John replied. "The ledge appears to be stable but with all that snow that they're on there's no telling how stable it really is."

"Then we'd best get out there fast," said Virgil. "Although getting the ships close enough to retrieve them without causing an avalanche is gonna be tricky."

"I could use my jetpack and lift them off one at a time," said Scott. "Possibly two?"

"N-Not advised, Scott," said Brains who'd just entered the lounge with MAX. "Even the thrust from your j-jetpack could cause one."

Scott groaned to himself. "Then what do you suggest, Brains?"

"That M-MAX and I come along with you," said Brains. "The conditions that are out there are p-perfect to try out his new modifications."

"You'd better be quick about it," warned John. "The Global Weather Station forecasts a severe snowstorm hitting the region within the next two hours."

"That doesn't give us much time," said Virgil.

"Then let's suit up," said Scott. "Brains, you and MAX join Virgil in Thunderbird 2. See you in the sky!"

Scott swivelled around on the revolving wall panel to take the express elevator down to Thunderbird 1. Virgil went to the rocket painting and tilted backwards to head down his launch chute to Thunderbird 2. Brains and MAX headed off to the changing rooms so that Brains could get into his suit. Scott and Virgil had their suits put on as they headed down their respective routes to their ships. Scott arrived first, boarding Thunderbird 1 via the extendable walkway and Virgil dropped down from the chute into Thunderbird 2, closing the hatch behind him after he'd landed. Thunderbird 1 was conveyed on the trolley up to the launch bay whilst the swimming pool was moved back. Virgil selected Module 2 and lowered Thunderbird 2's main body down onto it once it had been moved underneath. Brains and MAX arrived moments later via the floor elevator and once Brains was sat down in the co-pilot seat, Thunderbird 2 began to taxi forwards. The rock that concealed the hangar lowered to allow it to move out onto the runway with the palm trees folding back to let it pass. Soon it had reached the ramp and came to a stop before the ramp lifted it upwards and the blast shield rose behind the boosters. The wings also folded out and they were ready.

5! 4! 3! 2! 1!

Thunderbird 1 was the first to fire its engines and it rose upwards out through where the swimming pool had been. Then Thunderbird 2 roared into life, soaring off the ramp and rising to join its sistership in the sky as they set course for the Himalayas.

"Thunderbirds are GO!" announced Scott.

Patrick took Jeff and the others out around the back of the mansion and got Jeff to look through a pair of binoculars at the valley beyond the estate. As Jeff looked through, his blood ran cold at the sight of what was there. He remembered the last time he'd visited, a picturesque English village had been down there. And now, there was nothing except an enormous crater in the ground where it had once stood. "Jesus…" he said once he'd lowered the binoculars. "Thank God nobody was down there when it happened."

"I don't even want to think about that possibility, Jeff," said Patrick.

"How do you even begin to rebuild that?" asked Gordon.

"A lot of landscaping to fill in the crater for starters," said Patrick. "That's before we could even think about making foundations for new buildings."

"That's money the top people of this country aren't prepared to pay for," said Penelope sadly. "The big cities where they are matter."

Jeff grimaced. He knew full well what some businessmen could be like. Grafton had been a perfect example. He most certainly wouldn't have cared about rebuilding somewhere like Creighton. "Something has to be done," he said.

"Agreed," said Patrick. "And I've got a plan."

"What would that be?" asked Jeff.

"The Air Race."

Gordon looked puzzled. "Air Race?"

"The Paris to London one?" said Jeff, surprised.

"I thought they were going to cancel that?" said Patricia.

"No, I've convinced the committee to keep it on," said Patrick. "Especially as there's a major prize to be had this year. Each country taking part will be putting in the equivalent of £1,000,000 and the winner takes the money as the prize."

"How many countries are competing?" asked Penelope.

"At least ten," said Patrick. "England, America, China, India, Italy, Belgium, France, Japan, Australia and Brazil. Oh, and Germany."

"That's eleven," said Patricia.

"Well it was a rough guess," said Patrick.

"£11,000,000!" said Penelope. "I'm sure it'd take more than that to rebuild our village, Father."

"No doubt," said Patrick. "But it'll get things started, that's for sure."

"Providing England win of course?" said Patricia.

Patrick nodded.

"But how would you ensure the money comes here and not London?" asked Jeff.

"Because we'll be taking part," said Patrick. "With the Tiger."

"Tiger?" Gordon repeated to Penelope.

"Oh, yeah, you haven't seen it," said Penelope. "Only Alan has."

Gordon winced.

"Then let us show you, Gordon," said Patrick. "Come. This way."

As they headed towards the hangar, Penelope and Gordon brought up the rear, with Penelope deciding to quietly ask Gordon about his reaction. "You still not on speaking turns with Alan and Scott?"

"Scott, yes," said Gordon. "We have made peace. Alan…no. He can barely even look at me."

Penelope let out a sad sigh. "It'll pass, Gordon. He just needs some time."

"I hope so, Pen," said Gordon. "I really do. I'd hate to lose a brother forever."

Thanks to their incredible speeds, it didn't take long for the two Thunderbird ships to cross the ocean and overland to the Himalayas.

"I'll follow you in, Scott," Virgil said. "Can you find us a safe place to land?"

"F-A-B," replied Scott. He checked the instruments and the hologram map. "There's a path right through here right next to Mount Everest. We can land down at the bottom."

Virgil was concerned as he checked the location with where the Mardon team was. "But that's still well over eighteen miles away from where they are," he said. "It could take us ages to get to them."

"N-Not with the Pods it shouldn't, Virgil," said Brains. "And with M-MAX to guide us, we shouldn't have any problems."

That seemed to satisfy Virgil as he followed Thunderbird 1 down through between the mountains to the open landing site near Everest.

Scott remained inside Thunderbird 1 and waited until Thunderbird 2 had touched down. He put on his helmet but not his jetpack and exited his ship before hurrying over to the much larger green one. The four powerful hydraulic legs lifted the leviathan clear of Module 2 and the door folded down to become a ramp. As he walked up, he saw Brains, Virgil and MAX were already inside and Virgil was getting the hologram computer ready to configure the Pods.

"One or two Pods, Brains?" asked Virgil.

"T-Two, Virgil," Brains replied. "We won't be able to fit all of the M-Mardon team into one."

"But there's only two seats in each, Brains?" said Scott. "We can't expect to ask two of them to ride on the outside of each with us?"

"N-No, Scott," said Brains. "We can f-fit one in with you and the other three can go inside the crate."

"Like when Grandma rescued me and those miners in the Mole," Virgil realised. "I'll add the crate to my Pod. Although…" he added after pressing a few images on the computer. "Is it really a wise idea to allow Scott to drive the other? I mean, they do tend to get destroyed when he-"

"I'll be fine, Virgil," said Scott, rolling his eyes. "I'm not gonna lead this time so I can't get us into any trouble."

"Suits me," said Virgil with a sly smirk once he'd turned away from his brother's gaze.

Soon the two green Pod-Explorers were ready with their skis on the front and tracks on the back. One had a crane mounted on the top for just in case it would be needed. This was given to Scott's Pod whilst Virgil's had the supply crate attached to the back. Once Scott had climbed into his and Brains was in the passenger seat of the other behind Virgil, they were ready to move out.

"Lead the w-way, MAX," said Brains.

MAX warbled and headed out into the snow, scanning everything around him for hazards. Then he waved to them to come out and follow him.

"Pod-Explorers are GO!" said Virgil as he drove his Pod out first. Scott followed at a much more cautious pace than Virgil was used to seeing.

Gordon stared in disbelief as he looked in through the old hangar door. "That's…it?!"

Jeff chuckled. "You know Alan had a very similar reaction, Gordon," he said.

Gordon looked at the old Tiger-Moth Bi-Plane which was still in need of an urgent restoration. "You used to fly that?" he said. "It's ancient compared to what we fly!"

"That it is," agreed Jeff. "But let me tell you something, son. Out of all the aircraft I've flown in my life, none have been as charming as this little beauty has been."

Gordon looked at the plane again. It certainly didn't look very charming with its collapsed wings and severely scratched paintwork.

"I've got someone coming to get it out of here next week," said Patrick. "Then it'll be taken to an airfield nearby where the restoration work can be done to make it fly again."

"How long would that take?" asked Penelope.

"Hard to say," replied Patrick. "But it should be done in time for the Air Race."

Jeff seemed as optimistic as Patrick did. But judging by the looks they were giving each other, Patricia, Penelope and Gordon had their doubts. The Bi-Plane was in a very bad state indeed.

The snow was already falling heavily, making visibility difficult for them to see. They were glad MAX was out in front keeping his robotic eye out for any hidden dangers.

"It's not gonna be easy to locate them in this blizzard," Virgil remarked.

"D-Don't worry, Virgil," Brains said reassuringly. "Leave it t-to MAX. He's programmed to track t-tiny amounts of body heat and sh-show us thermal images. There's n-nothing else alive up here, so it will be them."

"Fair point, Brains," said Virgil. "I doubt we're gonna run into any Abominable Snowmen out here."

They both laughed for a few moments.

"Scott's awfully q-quiet," Brains observed.

Virgil looked in the rear-view camera. He could just about make out Scott's Pod's lights behind them. "You okay back there, Scott?"

"Sure," Scott answered over the radio. "Why do you ask?"

"You seem unusually quiet," Virgil said.

"Yeah, I'm just concentrating, Virgil," said Scott. "I really don't want to break this one."

Not that he ever tried to break them, but Scott had noticed that whenever he did use a Pod, nine times out of ten it would often be lost or destroyed in some way. The space Pods he'd used to first try and reach Francois Lemaire and later the one attached to the Helios. The Mole-Pod that got destroyed by the Wyrm when he and Gordon had gone underground to rescue Scraps. But the one that stuck out in his mind most of all was the one he'd crashed due to carelessness in the Arctic Circle due to simply being impatient.

"Say, Brains. Nice to actually have you with us this time."

"Oh, yeah. You only sent MAX when we went to the Aurora Station," said Virgil.

"I d-did," said Brains. "But this is d-different. MAX's m-modifications I need to see with my own eyes. Seeing from his perspective w-won't be enough this time."

"What are the upgrades you've made?" asked Virgil. "I don't believe you actually said what they were?"

"Improved t-tracks for better grip," Brains answered. "B-Better early-warning detection sensors. Thermal scanners. Oh, and grapple arms."

"Grapple arms?" repeated Scott.

"Y-Yes," answered Brains. "He will n-no longer require the use of our own grapples to move over greater distances or to climb. He can do that himself now."

Virgil and Scott were intrigued by this and were keen to find the Mardon team to see these new upgrades of MAX for themselves. But first, they would need him to navigate them through the blizzard…which was slowly getting worse.

"Virgil, I'm struggling to keep sight of you in this," Scott said. "Would you mind if I get a little bit closer?"

"Sure," agreed Virgil. "We can't afford to lose each other out here, Scott."

"F-A-B. Just please don't brake suddenly."

"I'll try not to," chuckled Virgil. He watched on his screen as Scott moved his Pod closer to his.

They headed on for another few miles, MAX leading them along ledges and around different mountains. All the while, the blizzard continued to get worse.

"I don't like this, Brains," said Virgil after a while. "There's a lot of snow up on those peaks. Might our engines cause an avalanche?"

"Only if we're n-not careful," Brains answered. "But M-MAX's sensors will warn us if there's any-"

Brains got no further. MAX had suddenly come to a sheer drop. The ledge had a sharp right turn but due to the pileup of snow, it wasn't easily noticeable. He warbled loudly and waved his arms for them to stop.

"STOP, V-VIRGIL!" cried Brains.

Virgil slammed his foot on the brakes and the Pod came to a stop. But neither of them got the chance to warn Scott about it.

Before Scott realised, he found the back of Virgil's Pod inches from his windshield. "WOAH, SH-"

CRUNCH! Scott's Pod slammed into the back of Virgil's, sending it forwards. MAX only just managed to get clear before it skidded past him and broke through the bank of snow in front. It stopped, but Virgil and Brains were horrified to discover that part of their vehicle was now teetering over the edge of a three-hundred foot drop into an icy tomb.

"Oh, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"