A Friend Comes Home

by Greyseal9

Alan hears about an old friend who is coming to stay on Tracy Island after their father died suddenly. Will it be happy ever after or will it lead to disaster. Main focus on Alan and Kayo (with bad language) that will follow the events of Thunderbirds (2004), TAG! (2015-2020) and beyond. Other character partnerships will also be included. Feel free to start at Chapter 10!

82. Episode 79 and 80: Love Triangle

December 23rd, 2066 – 06:00 GMT

Lady Penelope is feeling excited. It is the day before Christmas Eve which means only one thing. It's also the day before her birthday. As she stands at her bedroom window, she smiles at the sight of the thick white blanket of snow that covered the grounds of the Creighton-Ward Estate.

"Oh, wow," Penelope says to herself, "I do hope this lasts until at least Boxing Day. I always love when we have a White Christmas."

A loud yelp followed by a thud is heard outside near the front entrance. Penelope glances down to see Parker lying on his back beside FAB 1. Penelope walks over to the window and opens it up.

"Easy there, Parker!" she calls down. "It's a bit slippery."

Parker groans and nurses his back as he picks himself up.

"H'I noticed, m'lady!" Parker shouts back.

Penelope goes downstairs for breakfast where she goes through one of the cupboards to get out a package of porridge. There are several different options to choose from, but Penelope decides to go for the chocolate porridge. Picking it out of the cupboard she turns on the microwave and prepares her morning meal.

Once ready, Penelope beams at the smell and places her bowl of porridge on the table before sitting down and tucking in. She is only a few mouthfuls of the way through her meal when she hears Parker shouting outside.

"Oh, what's he complaining about now?" Penelope sighs to herself.

"YOU CAN'T COME 'ERE WITHOUT AN H'APPOINTMENT!" Parker yells.

"LISTEN, BUSTER, WE'LL PARK HERE AS AND WHEN WE WANT TO!" another man's voice, who Penelope didn't recognize shouts back.

A puzzled look crosses Penelope face and gets up from the dining table and heads out towards the porch. As she arrives, she finds Parker in a heated argument with another grey-haired man with similar build to him although slightly rounder.

"H'IF YOU'VE GOT AN H'APPOINTMENT THEN YOU NEED TO CLEAR H'OFF, MR BRACKETT!" Parker cries.

"TRY ME, MR PARKER, OLD CHUM!" the other man booms, clenching his fists as though he is expecting to fight.

" Gentlemen," Penelope interrupts politely, with a calm voice causing the two chauffeurs to fall silent, "What is going on here?"

"Your Ladyship, please excuse me," the other man, Mr Brackett starts, "But I was instructed to come here on his good self's request."

"And who would that be?" Penelope asks, as he eyes narrow.

Mr Brackett opens the rear door of the black limousine that is parked at the bottom of the porch steps. Out steps a tall, slim, brown-haired man whose eyes immediately fixed upon Penelope whose own eyes went wide with shock as she recognises him.

"Ah, Lady Penelope!" the man says, opening out his arms, "We meet again!"

"Frank Hooper," she says, breaking the awkward pause that feel over the group as a somewhat disapproving look covers her face, "This is unexpected."

"Sir Frank Hooper," Frank corrects her in a highly spirited voice.

"What brings you here, Hooper?" asks Penelope, "I thought you had gone abroad?"

"Och, but that was after we finished at college!" jeers Frank as he slunk his way around Penelope, leaning in extremely close to her and making her cringe when he did, "So much has changed since then. I don't even know where to begin. I have conquered Everest, K-2, prevented Vesuvius from erupting again!"

"And marvellous efforts you made too, sir," praised Brackett, ignoring the look of bewilderment from Penelope and the disgust on Parker's face.

"Och, you're too kind, Brackett!" Frank says blushing, "Now then, Lady Penelope, is there any chance of us having a cup of tea before we continue on our way?"

5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Thunderbirds are Go!

December 23rd, 2066 – 14:34 NZDT

In a trench, deep beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean, a small yellow submarine pod is making its way to visit a newly completed engineering masterpiece. Inside are Kayo piloting with Jeff in the passenger seat. As they came over the top of a cliff, their destination comes into view.

"There it is, Kayo," Jeff smiles, "Aquatraz! The most secure prison facility on the planet."

"Wow!" Kayo mutters, marvelling at the sight of several sunken disused tankers, container ships and a few decommissioned navy vessels connected by travel-tubes making up one large hexagon-shaped complex, "That is impressive. I wonder how my uncle is settling in?"

"Have to say, I'm surprised you wanted to come here," Jeff chuckles, "I know how much of a misery he made of you and your father's lives before I ended up taking an extended holiday in space. I can't even begin to imagine the pain he must have put you through when the boys found out."

Kayo tries her best not to remember that awful day when The Hood had invaded Tracy Island in 2061 and after having had control snatched back from him, had forced Kayo into admitting the truth about him being her uncle.

"It was tough, Mr Tracy," Kayo admits, "But they trusted me to handle it and I did. And like The Mechanic and then the Chaos Crew after him, we successfully managed to take them down and bring them to justice."

The submarine pod then approaches the perimeter of the prison complex. They couldn't get too close due to a large number of concealed stealth mines that surrounded it preventing intruders from getting in, similar to The Hex. Knowing this, Kayo stops the pod and radios ahead.

"International Rescue to Aquatraz. Do you read me?" Kayo calls into the radio and a holographic image of Captain Wayne Rigby appears on the screen.

"Kayo!" Rigby smiles, "Great to see you again!"

"Hello, Rigs," Kayo smirks, "Do we have permission to enter?"

"Permission granted," Rigby states, "Sending you a course to steer around the mines. Try not to hit any on the way."

"FAB," Kayo chuckles and begins to follow the course through the minefield, under one of the travel-tubes and towards the Central Control Hub situated in a decommissioned US Navy Aircraft Carrier.

"I take it he was joking about hitting the mines?" Jeff asks anxiously.

"Don't worry, Mr Tracy," Kayo responds with a grin, "I know Captain Rigby well enough. He knows what he's doing."

"I sure hope you're right," Jeff thinks to himself. He is yet to meet Rigby in person yet and isn't sure what to expect. However, if Kayo is entrusting of him then that is good enough for him.

"Here we go," Kayo announces when they finally approached Central Control, "We're through, Captain."

"Roger," Rigby acknowledges, "Opening the Airlock."

Kayo watches as the airlock opens and starts up the yellow submarine pod once again. They move inside a hanger area and the airlock closes once again behind them. Jeff and Kayo wait a few moments as the water is drained from the hanger. The red light in front of the indicated that it isn't safe to exit just yet but as soon as it goes green, the pair step out and are greeted by Rigby.

"Kayo," Rigby smiles and nods his head towards her in acknowledgement before turning to Jeff, "And you must be the great Jeff Tracy everyone is talking about. Pleasure to meet you, Sir."

"The pleasures all mine," Jeff states and exchanges a firm handshake with the captain.

"If you would like to follow me," Rigby indicates and starts walking through a security system. He leads the pair over to a travel-tube in a special hover-car towards Block D, located in an old tanker.

"After the destruction of both the original Parkmoor Scrubs Prison and The Hex by The Mechanic and Chaos Crew respectively, Colonel Casey decided that an underwater prison would be the next best thing," Rigby explains, "Rather than use a lot of massively expensive and specially constructed machines and materials to build it, it was mutually agreed between the GDF and the World Council that it should be made out of a small number of used ships that otherwise would have been cut-up for scrap."

"So, each country donated a ship to be used?" Jeff questions.

"Correct, Mr Tracy," Rigby replies, "Several ships from the old NATO alliance make up the control centre and Blocks A to D."

"What about E and F?" Kayo asks as she had gone through the schematics of the prison that Thunderbird 10 had sent her earlier.

"Ah, those aren't complete yet," Rigby informs her, "But they are already connected via travel-tubes though work is still ongoing before prisoners can be placed inside them." The he finished speaking, the travel-tube car comes to a stop and the doors open up. Rigby steps off and the other two follow him as they pass a large sign saying Block D. "And this is Block D," Rigby continues, "This is Solitary Confinement."

"And this is where The Hood is?" Jeff inquires.

"Correct," Rigby states, "There are only five other prisoners in here. Amongst them are the Mullion twins."

"The who?" Kayo and Jeff ask, exchanging a look.

"Oh, sorry, you don't know, do you," Rigby chuckles as they walk further down the corridor, "Transom and Clarence Mullion are the real identities of Havoc and Fuse respectively."

"Wait, were those the goons that attacked the island before my unexpected trip?" Jeff whispers to Kayo, seeing as the GDF didn't know about that attack.

"Yeah, they were," Kayo replies, now remembering the name Mullion from all those years ago.

As they walk down the ship's maze of many corridors and levels, they start to pass several containment cells suspended from the ceiling and from beams stretching across from opposite sides and ends of the vessel. It is in these that the prisoners are housed. As they head along, Kayo notices Fuse peering out from one of them. When he sees Kayo he ducks down out of sight, seemingly out of fear which causes her to show her signature smirk.

A bit further on, after going up another two levels in an elevator, they pass the one where Havoc is. Unlike Fuse, when she sees Kayo, she makes no attempt to hide her displeasure at the sight of her. She bangs furiously on the reinforced glass in the door and screams loudly, but the glass is also soundproof meaning Kayo can't hear what she is saying, which also brings her amusement.

"Here we are," Rigby announces as they approach a lone container right in the very bow of the former ship. He uses his keycard to activate an extension of the walkway which takes them out to within two feet of the cell. And as the concrete doors open to reveal the reinforced glass, Kayo and Jeff found themselves looking at the back of the man who has caused them so much trouble.

As Rigby turned on the speaker allowing two-way communication, The Hood turned around to face them. "Well, well, well. Kayo, my niece. And Jeff Tracy," The Hood cackles, "Come to see me in my newest accommodation?"

"You could say that, Uncle," Kayo mutters.

"Just making sure you are comfortable, Hood," Jeff adds.

"Oh, it's magnificent, isn't it?" The Hood says sarcastically, "It's such an amazing place. So bright and colourful. I think I could get used to it."

"You'd better," Rigby growls, "Cause there's no way you can get out of here."

"Really? Is that so, Captain? You know I believe there is a saying in the ranks of International Rescue. There's always a way?" The Hood enquires smugly causing both Jeff and Kayo's eyes to narrow, "Tell me, Jeff. It's been five months since you were rescued. How are settling back into life on Earth? It must seem very difficult for you after spending what was it? Eight years in space?"

"Which he would not have had to do if it hadn't been for you!" Kayo cries angrily.

"That was his fault for trying to stop me!" The Hood retorts.

"Actually, Hood, you did me a big favour," Jeff interjects causing everyone to look over at him in surprise.

"What?!" The Hood exclaims after a moment.

"Whilst I was lost in space, it brought my family together as a tight and efficient team," Jeff explains, "In a weird way, me being lost for so long caused International Rescue to become ever more efficient. I would thank you, but at the same time you also robbed me eight years of seeing my sons grow into the men they are now with their partners!"

The Hood says nothing in return, but Kayo can tell that the cogs in his head are still trying to take in what Jeff had just admitted.

"Well would you look at that?" Kayo says, amazed, "You've actually made him speechless!"

"I figured it would," Jeff grins.

"So, you HAVE COME HERE TO MOCK ME!" The Hood thunders as he suddenly becomes very angry and aggressive towards his visitors, slamming his fists against the reinforced glass, "YOU WILL BE-"

However, the rest of his outburst is cut out as Rigby disconnects the two-way communicator. The Hood doesn't notice this and continues to bellow at Jeff, Kayo and Rigby while they just all look back at him, smirking.

"Still worth the journey?" Rigby asks.

"Oh, yes!" Kayo agrees, "Shouldn't you close the doors?"

Rigby nods and presses the button to close the doors. As the doors are about to shut completely, Kayo decides to humiliate The Hood one last time, and blows him a kiss. This clearly made The Hood even more angry as he goes red in the face and he lets out a roar which only he can hear before the doors closed up, concealing him from view.

December 23rd, 2066 – 23:12 NZDT

A few hours ago, Penelope had sent in a request into John to look into Frank Hooper, who had arrived at her door earlier that day. With the help of EOS's hacking, John has successfully managed to gain access to the London Archives without having to talk to the snooty receptionist from a few years ago.

"Here he is, John," EOS states, "Frank Hooper. He has spent the last three years living in Majorca before returning to England after being kicked out for several cases of severe inappropriate behaviour towards young women."

"And he's not been awarded a knighthood by the King William V?" John shudders, awaiting a response.

"Negative," EOS replies, "According to the UK Passport Control system, he arrived back through Heathrow five months ago."

"I better relay this information to Lady Penelope," John muses and makes her way to contact her, "It looks like she has a liar in her hands. I hope he doesn't turn up to her party tomorrow."

Whilst it isn't possible for the entire family to leave Tracy Island unattended due to their job as International Rescue, Gordon has been invited to her birthday party, seeing as he is her boyfriend. However, if Frank Hooper did turn up, John did not like to think what Gordon might do in order to protect Penelope.

December 25th, 2066 – 05:43 NZDT

The morning of Christmas Day breaks on Tracy Island and the quiet sound of the Tracy Villa is broken by the excitable squeal of an excited Gordon who comes bouncing into the kitchen as if he'd just won the Lottery.

"Good morning!" Gordon jeers excitedly.

Virgil, Nina and Alan are already at the breakfast table whilst Sally is busy cooking. They tried their best to greet Gordon warmly although secretly they knew Gordon's excitable mood is going to be almost continuous until he left for Penelope's party.

"Shouldn't you be heading to England already, Gordon?" Alan jokes.

"No, not yet," Gordon replies, "But a few hours and I'll be tangoing on the dance floor with my girl!"

"Now that would be worth seeing," Nina whispers to Virgil whose sudden chuckling causes him to choke on his coffee.

"Now then, Gordon," Sally says as she put Gordon's cooked breakfast on his table, "You remembered to iron and press your suit ready for tonight?"

"Suit?" Gordon questions, with a mouthful of bacon, "What suit?"

"Don't talk with your mouthful!" Sally barks, "The suit you'll be wearing for tonight?"

Gordon looks across at his brothers before looking at himself up and down before a questionable gaze covers his face. "Er, I was going to go like this?" Gordon states, gesturing to his orange tropical T-shirt and blue shorts.

"Gordon, it's a black-tie event," Virgil deadpans.

"So…" Gordon trails.

"You know Parker wouldn't let you in dressed like that!" Nina answers.

"Exactly," Sally interjects, taking Gordon's barely touched plate away from him, "You will go and sort it out right now, young man. And no breakfast until you've done so."

"But I always wear this?" Gordon complains as he watches Sally walk away with his food.

"And don't we know it!" Alan scoffs, as holds his nose in disgust before he, Virgil and Nina erupt into laughter. It's at this moment a very tired Scott walks into the room with an empty bottle of pickles.

"What's all this laughter about?" Scott yawns and makes his way over to the coffee machine.

"Gordon being a fucking idiot," Nina giggles.

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Scott sighs, rolling his eyes.

"Hey!" Gordon exclaims.

"You know what, Gordon?" Scott states, "I don't want to hear it. I have a heavily pregnant wife to take care off."

"Now you know how I felt," Jeff chuckles walking down the stairs from the lounge with an empty coffee cup in hand, "Merry Christmas!"

"Touché," Scott grumbles and he takes a sip of his coffee only for the emergency alarm go off, "You've gotta be shittin' me."

"Language!" Jeff and Sally scold before everyone makes their way upstairs and into the lounge where a hologram of John is already present waiting for their arrival.

"International Rescue, we have a situation," John says.

"Go ahead, John," Jeff orders.

"Mayday call from the French Merchant Cap Arcona," John explains and presents a holo-map on the table showing everyone the situation unfolding, "The engines have overheated and exploded whilst sailing through the storm currently raging off the South Coast of Australia. The ship has broken in two and is sinking rapidly."

"Is there anyone still aboard?" Scott asks.

"According to my scans, all but one has gotten out safely," John replies, "The one who hasn't appears to be trapped inside the cargo bay."

"Looks like a job for Thunderbird 4," Jeff muses, "Get going, Virgil, Nina, Gordon."

"FAB!" Virgil calls and he runs towards the rocket painting that would take him down to Thunderbird 2. Nina goes to head down towards the passenger elevator but only hears the sound of her own footsteps and turns around to look at Gordon who was standing in a huff on the other side of the lounge.

"Did you hear Dad, Gordon?" Nina calls, "We need to get going."

"Nina, I have a date tonight!" Gordon protests, "Can't you take Thunderbird 4 instead of me?"

"Of course, I can't!" Scott deadpans, "I'll have to take Thunderbird 1 to act as Mission Control and secure the scene."

"Well then Alan can do it for me?" Gordon inquiries.

"Me?!" Alan exclaims, "I'm an astronaut, not an aquanaut!"

"Dad, please get someone else to do this mission instead of me!" Gordon begs as he bangs his fist against the wall.

"No, Gordon," Jeff says sternly, "You're going and that's an order. I'll call Lady Penelope to tell her you might be late for her party. She'll understand if there's life in danger."

"But…but…" Gordon tries to protest.

"Gordon, GO!" Jeff thunders.

"FAB," Gordon complains as his shoulders sag, finally giving up arguing.

5

Scott, Virgil, Nina and Gordon descend and get suited up.

4

Thunderbird 4 is loaded into Module 4.

3

Nina and Gordon board Thunderbird 2 via the passenger elevator.

2

Thunderbird 2 taxis down the main runway and comes to a halt allowing the ramp to raise.

1

Thunderbird 1 comes to a stop as the swimming pool above starts to retract.

Thunderbirds are Go!

December 25th, 2066 – 06:08 NZDT

Thunderbirds 1 and 2 quickly find themselves flying through the storm off the southern coast of Australia. Due to the poor visibility, they are having to rely on the traced signal Thunderbird 10 had picked up that John had sent in order to ensure they are heading in the right direction.

"How far off are we, Thunderbird 5?" Scott asks.

"Not by much actually, Mission Control," John answers, "In fact you should be approaching the danger zone right about now."

The words had hardly left John's lips when Thunderbird 1's scanners detect an object riding heavily on the rough seas. "Got it!" Scott cries, "I have a fix on the Cap Arcona's lifeboat. I'm going to recover it and take it to the closest port and hospital. Thunderbirds 2 and 4, you'll need to locate the missing member of the crew and get them out."

"FAB," Virgil acknowledges, "The sea's too rough for me to drop the module. I'm therefore going to drop Mr Sulky-Pants straight from it."

"I heard that!" Gordon's pouty voice responds.

Virgil brings Thunderbird 2 into a hover above the waves. Holding position is next to impossible he and Nina find due to the high winds, but they did their best to keep the Thunderbird as steady as they can. Nina then opens the hatch at the base of the module.

"Hold tight, Thunderbird 4," Nina calls, "Releasing clamps in three…two…one!"

The magnetic clamps are released, and Thunderbird 4 drops down from the module into the sea below.

"Thunderbird 4 is go," Gordon says grumpily as he starts the engines and begins to dive down towards the wreck of the Cap Arcona. Just then Jeff appeared on Thunderbird 4's control panel's hologram projector.

"Gordon, I've spoken with Lady Penelope," Jeff explains, "She understands the situation and says she'll be ready for you whenever you get there."

"Really?" Gordon responds, cheering up a bit, "Thanks, Dad. And I'm sorry for my attitude earlier."

"Forget it, son," Jeff chuckles, "Just concentrate on doing your job."

"FAB," Gordon smiles, now feeling more relaxed as he continues to dive towards the ocean floor.

Scott found trying to get Thunderbird 1 to stay in a good enough position so he could fire a grapple onto the lifeboat just as difficult. The strong winds are very unpredictable, and he is getting blown around all over the place.

"Fucking wind!" Scott curses, "I'm struggling to get a lock on the lifeboat."

Brains and John then appear over the holo-projector. Brains looks quite worried, while it is clear that John is working on something that couldn't be seen.

"Scott, I s-strongly suggest making contact w-with the people in the l-lifeboat," Brains suggests, "There's a s-strong chance that they m-might not know that you are t-there."

"FAB, Brains. Opening com channel," Scott replies and presses a button on his control panel, "This is International Rescue Mission Control calling Cap Arcona lifeboat. Are you receiving me? Over."

"International Rescue!" the Chief Engineer exclaims, appearing revealed in the hologram that pops up in front of Scott, "Thank goodness!" He is then seen turning and saying something to someone else in the room.

"Is anybody injured?" Scott presses, "Where's your captain?"

"The Neptune techs are a little bashed and bruised," the Chief Engineer informs, "And our captain is here but a little unresponsive."

"Okay," Scott notes, "Now is everyone accounted for?"

"I'm afraid not," the Chief explains, "Dr Brouse is missing. She could still be inside the Neptune!"

"Neptune?" Brains mutters, who has still been listening in to the com's channels with Jeff, "Surely that c-can't be what I think it is?"

"And what would that be?" Jeff asks.

"I'll n-need clarification, M-Mr Tracy," Brains explains, "J-John, I n-need you to find a c-cargo manifest for that ship. Look f-for anything that mentions the word N-Neptune."

"Already on it, Brains," John responds, "EOS?"

"Searching now," EOS replies, "Got it! Displaying now." EOS projects an image onto both Thunderbird 5 and Tracy Island's holoprojectors. John, Jeff and Brains all gasp when they see what it is.

"Holy, s-shit!" Brains exclaims, "It's the N-Neptune Probe!"

"Neptune Probe?" Scott questions in surprise, "Thunderbird 4, did you get that?"

"Affirmative, Thunderbird 1," Gordon acknowledges, "I've located the wreck. Boy it sure is a mess."

"How does the cargo hold look?" Scott questions.

"That section appears to still be intact," Gordon informs, "I can see an open hatch on the top deck, but there's no way I can get Thunderbird 4 inside. I'll have to go EVA and take a look for myself."

"FAB, Gordon. And be careful," Scott warns, "I'm going to grab a hold of this lifeboat and take the rest of the crew to safety." He focuses his attention back on trying to target Thunderbird 1's grapple onto the lifeboat but the strong winds continue to make it very difficult for him. Every time it flashes green momentarily, indicating a lock, it would then go red again as the opportunity is gone within a second. "Come on! Come on!" Scott growls under his breath.

"Careful, Scott," Virgil calls, "There's a very large wave approaching you now!"

"Huh?" Scott questions, looking up. Sure enough, one very large wave was approaching. And it appears the size of a small rogue wave. "That wave will swamp the lifeboat!" Scott cries in alarm, "Come ON!" Suddenly, his targeting flashes green, and he quickly takes a shot. The grapple cable shoots out and clamps onto the roof of the lifeboat. "Got it!" Scott celebrates, "Maximum vertical thrust!" Thunderbird 1's vertical engines roar as it pushes the sleek silver rocket upwards, lifting the lifeboat clear of the water just seconds before the huge wave passes underneath them.

"Nice one!" Nina yells.

"Thanks, Nina," Scott replies before breathing a sigh of relief, "That was close."

"Great work, Scott," Jeff calls via the holo-projector, "Now get those crew members to hospital. They're going to need checking over."

"FAB," Scott nods as he turns Thunderbird 1 around and activates the rear jets to head towards land.

Meanwhile, underneath the waves, Gordon has donned his Deep-Sea Extreme Environment Suit and has exited Thunderbird 4 to take a look inside the cargo hold of the sunken merchant. It is pitch black inside so he can't see very much. Only the lights of the suit show what is directly in front of him.

"I'm inside," Gordon reports as his suit's lights shone over the jet-black nose cone of the Neptune Probe, "Woah! That is big!"

"Gordon," John announces over the radio, "I'm still picking up a life sign from inside Neptune. It's starting to get weaker though. You'd better hurry."

"Understood, John," Gordon responds and swims towards the rocket, "Although a little guidance as to where exactly I get inside wouldn't go amiss."

"The m-main airlock outer hatch is l-located on the starboard side of the n-nose section, T-Thunderbird 4," Brains explains over the radio.

"Thanks, Brains," Gordon says and makes his way around the base of the nose cone, "I see it. I'm going in."

But as he reaches for the outer airlock handle, Brains suddenly cries out, "Gordon, STOP!"

"What?" Gordon questions, stopping, "What's wrong, Brains?"

"EOS has just completed a scan, Gordon," John says, "Only the outer airlock door is secured. The inner one is open!"

Gordon quickly swims up to the small porthole and peers inside. Sure enough, he can see right into the control room and the unconscious body of Dr Brouse lying on the floor. "Fuck," Gordon mumbles, "If I open the outer door the rocket's gonna flood!"

"And without any k-kind of p-protective suit, D-Dr Brouse hasn't g-got a chance of m-making it out of there alive!" Brains adds.

"Guys, we need options," Gordon states, "Without opening the airlock, there's no way I can get to her in time."

"Would Thunderbird 4 be able to lift the Neptune?" Nina thinks aloud.

"No," Virgil dismisses, "As Gordon has already s-stated, Thunderbird 4 can't get inside the h-hull of the ship. And even if it c-could, it wouldn't have enough p-power to lift it out, let alone all the way to the s-surface."

"And Thunderbird 2's grapple cables won't reach that far," Nina finishes now getting on the same wavelength as her boyfriend, "And firing them into these waves would send them way off course."

"Well, we need to do something and fast," John sighs, "According to my readings, I estimate Dr Brouse only has about ten minutes of air left!"

"Could the remote airbags lift the rocket?" Gordon inquirers.

"They c-could, if you can s-somehow remove the top d-deck," Brains says.

"Sorted!" Gordon smiles and quickly swims away towards the hatch, "I'll use Thunderbird 4's laser to cut away the deck. Then I'll launch the remote airbags and lift it to the surface."

"Hurry, Gordon," Jeff notes, "You don't have much time!"

Gordon swiftly returns to Thunderbird 4 and after removing the X-O suit he goes back to the cockpit to activate the grasping arms and laser cutter. He then moves Thunderbird 4 towards the deck of the Cap Arcona and begins to cut away at the deck. The deck is thicker than he realised, and the cutting process is going to take a little bit longer.

"Come on, girl, you can do this," Gordon urges his 'bird.

"Gordon, Dr Brouse's life signs are fading rapidly," John states, "How much longer are you going to be?"

"A few more minutes, Thunderbird 5," Gordon replies, "I'm almost through the deck." At that moment he finishes making the cut and uses the grabs on the ends of the arms to grab a hold of the deck and pull it clear of the ship before throwing it aside. "Deck is clear," Gordon announces, "Deploying remote airbags!" The two small inflatable-bag modules shot out from the sides of Thunderbird 4. They drop down into the now open cargo hold and clamp themselves onto the hull of the Neptune. "Bags secure," Gordon calls, "Inflating, now!" Four yellow helium-filled balloons deployed from each of the modules and began to lift the Neptune clear of the wreck. It is very heavy, so they don't go as fast as Gordon is hoping for. "Neptune is clear," he reports, "But she's not rising fast enough. John, how's the doctor?"

"Signal is faded," John sighs sadly as he watches the life sign of Dr Brouse is now barely visible on his instruments, "I don't think she's going to make it."

These words sent chills of dismay through the bodies of everyone, who along with John, begin to accept that this time they had failed in their mission. However, Gordon remains undeterred, not preparing to accept this fate.

"Yes, she is!" Gordon cries defiantly. He races Thunderbird 4 forwards until it is underneath the Neptune. He then turns the craft upwards so that it is standing vertical and attaches the grasping arms to the hull before switching the turbines to full power. Straight away the rate of ascent rapidly increases as Thunderbird 4 helps push the Neptune up towards the surface.

"Careful, Gordon!" Brains warns, "You're overloading Thunderbird 4's t-turbines! You could s-suffer the same fate as the f-freighter!"

"Not helping, Brains!" Gordon deadpans, "I've not lost anyone on my watch and I'm not going to lose anyone now! COME ON, BABY, COME ON!"

Thunderbird 4's engines roar like they never have done before as it continues to push the heavy rocket upwards.

"Thunderbird 2, give him a hand, will you?" Jeff orders.

"FAB, Dad," Virgil acknowledges and quickly moves Thunderbird 2 over the area where Thunderbird 4 and the Neptune are. Once he is in position, Nina switches on the targeting computer, despite her concern that the heavy wind and the waves might throw the grapples off course it is a chance she is going to have to take. To her surprise, she very quickly gets a lock on the Neptune's hull and fires the grapples into the sea. Amazingly they find their target and lock on.

"I got it!" Nina cries triumphantly, "Thunderbird 4, ease off! I'll take it from here!"

Both Gordon and Thunderbird 4's engines seem to sigh with relief as they are powered down. They drop away from the Neptune allowing Thunderbird 2 to take the strain and lift it the rest of the way to the surface.

"Thanks, Nina!" Gordon breathes and for the first time since breakfast, he smiles properly and pats the controls of his bird, "Well done, my beauty."

Following the Neptune to the surface, Gordon manages to fix a line from Thunderbird 4 and winches himself across to the airlock. The storm has now passed, and the sea is slowly beginning to calm down. Gordon turns the handle of the cockpit door and opens it. Fresh air immediately enters the cockpit and enters through Dr Brouse's mouth. Gordon pulls himself inside and lies the doctor on her back.

"Come on, doc," Gordon whispers with an anxious voice, "Please wake up."

For a few moments, the doctor continues to lie motionless on the floor. But then she lets out a massive gasp for air and sits up straight causing Gordon to jump back.

"W-what?!" Dr Brouse mutters dazed and looks around in confusion, "Why is it so cold in here?"

"It's okay, Doctor," Gordon smiles as he closes the inner airlock door to block out the wind, "You're safe now."

"Safe?" Dr Brouse repeats, "From what? And who are you?"

"I'm with International Rescue," Gordon explains, "The name's Gordon. And you probably have no idea what's happened, have you?"

Judging by the confused expression on the doctor's face, it is clear to Gordon that she does not.

December 25th, 2066 – 07:31 NZDT

Thunderbird 1 returns to the scene as Virgil and Nina manage to airlift Dr Brouse out of the Neptune and into the safety of Thunderbird 2.

"Good job there, guys," Scott says approvingly, "Fast thinking, Gordon."

"Thanks, Scott," Gordon nods, "I guess I'd better start taking Thunderbird 4 back towards the island. Virgil can pick me up along the way after he's delivered the Neptune to its launch site."

"Actually, Gordon," Nina smirks, "Shouldn't you be heading somewhere else right now?"

Gordon frowns, puzzled for a moment before a moment of realisation hits him causing him to let out a gasp and throwing his hands against his helmet. "LADY PENELOPE!" he cries in horror, "I'M GONNA MISS HER BIRTHDAY!"

"Relax, little brother," Scott laughs, "I'll take you there myself. We'll be there in no time at the speed Thunderbird 1 goes."

"But my suit is back at the island!" Gordon cries, "And I can't leave Thunderbird 4 adrift here!"

Now it is Jeff's turn to chuckle. "It's okay, Gordon," Jeff calls, "Scott actually has already been back at the island and picked your suit up for you. Also, the card and bag of presents from us all. They're waiting for you in Thunderbird 1."

"And don't worry about, Thunderbird 4," Nina adds, "I can load her back into the module."

"Go, Gordon," Jeff finishes, "And enjoy yourself."

Gordon beams as he grappled-lifts himself up to Thunderbird 1.

"FABEEEEEEEE!" Gordon jeers and sends an encoded message to Penelope to inform her that his is finally on his way to her party with an apology about being late.

December 24th, 2066 – 21:17 GMT

Thunderbird 1 races across the globe to reach the United Kingdom as soon as possible. Scott does his best to keep Thunderbird 1 steady as Gordon changes from his International Rescue uniform into his tuxedo in the cargo hold. Before long, they soon cross the English Coast and Scott starts bringing Thunderbird 1 down to land near the Creighton-Ward estate.

"I have a visual on the mansion, Gordon," Scott announces, "I hope you're dressed now?"

"I am now, Scott," Gordon replies, "Man, I wish I wasn't so nervous."

"You'll do fine," Scott smiles, " I felt the same when I met Marion's family for the first time."

"Do the nerves disappear?" Gordon asks.

"As soon as you walk through that door," Scott states and brings Thunderbird 1 down in the snow a short distance from the mansion. Gordon jumps down into the snow with the bag of presents before running across towards it. Scott waits until he was clear before taking off again and gives Gordon a quick ping from his com, "Wish Penelope a Happy Birthday from me, Gordon."

"FAB!" Gordon shouts as he trudges as quickly as he can through the snow, hoping it won't leave any marks on his trousers. But whatever thoughts he originally had of that are quickly replaced by the butterflies he feels inside his stomach. He is desperate to see Penelope, but at the same time is really nervous about being with her in an almost public setting.

As he approaches the mansion, he pays no attention to the distant lights that are entering the ground's main gates and slowly begins to make his way up the long driveway. He is a little out of breath by the time he rings the doorbell and tries to compose himself before Parker comes and opens the door.

"Ah, there you h'are, Mr Gordon sir!" Parker cries.

"Sorry…I'm late…Parker," Gordon pants as he walks in, "Duty…called."

"Not to worry, sir," Parker smiles warmly, closing the door behind him, "'Er Ladyship h'is h'in the ballroom with the h'other guests. She's waiting for you."

Butterflies stronger than ever, Gordon hurries off towards the ballroom. When he arrives, he immediately begins looking around for any sign of Penelope. He gazes in awe at how incredible the decorations are. Banners and streamers hang from the ceiling. Waiters are walking around with drinks and there is a buzz of chat in the air. A pianist is in the one corner playing some jolly tunes on the piano whereupon some of the guests are busy dancing away to them. The atmosphere is without a doubt something Gordon has never experienced before, and he is very impressed by it. Nobody seems to be paying him any attention either, which makes him feel better.

Gordon soon catches sight of Penelope standing with Bernard Bottomsley, who clearly had caught her for a conversation. Gordon can tell by the look on her face that she is doing her best not to show him how disinterested she is.

"Now then, Penelope," Bernard says as he gulps down his shandy in one glug, "Hic! Excuse me! How about that dance I promised you?"

Penelope is doing her best to try and politely turn him down when she finally catches the sight of Gordon coming towards them and her eyes lit-up with delight. "GORDON!" Penelope cries delightedly, hurrying over and throwing her arms around him, "You made it at last!"

"Oh, Penny, I'm so sorry for being so late," Gordon chuckles nervously.

"Late?" Penelope smiles as she took Gordon's arm and whisks him away, "You're not late. In fact, I'd say you are right on time."

They walk past a rather taken aback Bottomsley. "But…but…hmph!" he groans, folding his arms in a huff.

Penelope and Gordon make their way over to the balcony to overlooking the ballroom. They stand by the top of the stairs and enter deep in conversation.

"So, tell me, Gordon," Penelope begins, "What was the rescue about?"

"Ah, well you see," Gordon starts, but pauses as something catches his eye. It is the sight of a man pushing another man out of his way. "Hey, is he allowed to do that?"

Penelope gives a puzzled frown and looks down the stairs to see what Gordon has pointed out. When she stops the man in question, she lets out an audible gasp and the glass in her hand slips out and shatters upon impact with the floor. "Oh, no!" Penelope mutters.

"PeneloPEEEEEEE!" Frank Hooper shouts at the top of his voice. The entire ballroom falls silent, and all the guests turn to look up towards the group at the top of the stairs. "My word, you look ever so smart tonight," Frank continues.

"Er, who is this?" Gordon asks.

"Be quiet, boy, you weren't being spoken to," Frank snaps.

"Frank Hooper," Penelope states, "I don't know how you managed to get past Parker but you-"

"Are about to get the best birthday present you could ever have!" Frank finishes with delight. He then drops down on one knee and grabs Penelope by the hand. Gordon and Penelope find themselves frozen to the spot as Frank pulls out a small black box and flicks it open to reveal a diamond ring. "Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward," Frank announces, "Will you marry me?"

The joyful atmosphere in the ballroom immediately evaporates in the audio gasp of shock that exits everyone's mouths. Some more glasses are heard smashing in the background as a very worried Parker charges into the room realising, he is too late to stop Frank, who had barged past him at the front door. No one knew what to think or even say for they are just too shocked. None are more shocked than Penelope and Gordon who seem to have been frozen in time.

"Well, my beauty?" Frank enquires as he took the ring out and prepared to place it on Penelope's finger, "What do you think?"

That question sees to quickly snap Penelope out of her trance, and she takes three sharp steps back.

"NO!" Penelope shouts, "GET AWAY FROM ME!"

Frank is now the one in shock. He goes up to approach her once again, but Gordon also snaps out of his trance, but in a way he's never felt before. As Frank opens his mouth to speak, Gordon lets out a bellowing roar like an angry rhinoceros and lungs at him. He grabs Frank by the waist and they both topple over before tumbling, entangled, down the stairs. The guests and staff gasp again at the sight of this.

"GORDON!" Penelope yells hurrying after them.

Gordon and Frank's tumble comes to an end when they reach the bottom of the stairs. They both groan loudly for it had been quite a painful descent. Frank is the first to become untangled and he leaps furiously to his feet before glaring at Gordon with shaking with fury.

"You STUPID LITTLE-" Frank streams before he lunges at the still dazed Gordon with his right fist clenched and raised ready to strike. However, Penelope luckily manages to him first, striking a hard blow across his face with her own right fist.

"GET AWAY FROM HIM!" Penelope almost screeches.

Frank momentarily falls again to the ground due to the force. As he picks himself up again, he rubs his left cheek in pain, where he had been hit and spits a mouthful of blood at Penelope's feet. He stares at Penelope in disbelief.

"How dare you strike me!" Frank fumes.

"Oh, 'ow dare she? 'Ow dare YOU?!" Parker declares, making his way over to the pair, "YOU WERE NOT H'ON 'HE GUEST LIST FOR 'HIS PARTY. YOU 'AD NO RIGHT TO TURN UP 'ERE!"

Frank glares from Parker, to Penelope, shaking with even greater fury than before.

"I will not be SPOKEN TO LIKE THIS!" Frank roars. "I AM SIR FRANK HOOPER AND-"

"A liar?" Penelope finishes.

"I beg your pardon?!" Frank glares.

"After you left yesterday, I went out and got a friend of mine to do some digging on you," Penelope explains, "We checked the records of those who have been knighted over the past few years and at no point is your name listed. Which means you never received a knighthood. Secondly, passport control and living records show that you spent the last few years living in Majorca before you got kicked out for inappropriate behaviour towards young women. You were lying to us the whole time."

As Penelope speaks the colour starts to drain from Frank's face as he realises that he has fallen into a hole of his own making. Sweat starts to drip down his forehead as an icy chill goes up his back.

"And thirdly," Gordon announces as he gets back onto his feet with a slight wobble, "Lady Penelope is my girlfriend. Not yours."

This in itself caused surprise for the guests as well as they aren't aware of Penelope's recent change in relationship status this last year. Gordon however has made a massive mistake in saying this as it turns out to be the final straw for Frank. He goes bright red in the face, letting out a scream of rage before lunging at Gordon. Before anyone else could react, he grabs Gordon and shoves him over at a nearby window. The window shatters as he forces Gordon through it and they both fall down over the edge landing in the snow below.

The horrified guests run over to the windows and look down whilst a frantic Penelope jumps out of the window after them. Parker makes it for the rear door of the mansion and hurries round to the scene that way. When they get there, they find Frank trying to smother Gordon in the snow whilst Penelope is trying desperately to pull him off. Mr Brackett also appears and joins in the tussle as he tries to get Frank free. It takes the combined efforts of Brackett, Penelope and Parker to force Frank off of Gordon who is now shivering and choking.

As Penelope checks over Gordon and makes sure he is protected from any more harm, Parker stands his ground against Frank and Brackett.

"H'I will not tell you h'again, Mr Hooper," Parker says dangerously, "Get… h'off… h'our… PROPERTY!"

Frank throws Parker a hateful glare as he adjusts his now ruined tuxedo.

"You will all be sorry for this," Frank fumes and throws an accusing finger towards Gordon, "Especially YOU!"

"GET OUT!" Parker and Penelope roar together.

Frank gives them one last glare and turns sharply away. He brushes past Brackett who in turn gives Parker a look of disgust before following him round the corner of the mansion. Parker follows the pair to make sure they left the ground allowing Penelope to attend to Gordon and help him back inside the mansion. She takes him to the drawing room away from the rest of the guests and lies him down on one of the sofas.

"Gordon, can you hear me?" Penelope asks, "Are you okay?"

Gordon is semi-conscious. His mouth moves and some slurred noise came out, but Penelope cannot make out what he'd said. Penelope grabs one of her jackets that is hanging up in the corner of the room and places it over Gordon for he is still shivering from having been forced down in the snow. Parker then enters the room having made sure Frank had left.

"'Ow h'is 'e?" Parker inquiries anxiously.

"Cold, possibly going into shock," Penelope notes. She knows that he should go to a hospital to make sure that he is okay but that would mean revealing both her relationship to him publicly and her connection to International Rescue. "Parker, get the car," Penelope orders, "We'll take him home ourselves."

"Yes, m'lady," Parker nods and turns to leave but pauses his movements, "What h'about your party, m'lady?"

Penelope sighed. "Tell everyone that I thank them all for coming and that it means the world to me," Penelope sighs and looks at Gordon as she starts to stoke his hair knowing her decision has been made, "But Gordon is my love. And there's nothing I wouldn't do for him."

"Right h'away, m'lady," Parker replies and leaves the room.

December 24th, 2066 – 22:56 GMT

As soon as Parker brought FAB 1 to the front of the house, he hops out of the driver's seat and helps Penelope get Gordon into the back seats.

"Thank you," Penelope mutters.

"No worries, m'lady," Parker smiles sadly and closes the door behind Penelope as she slides in next to Gordon with Sherbet taking a seat on her lap.

It is hard for tears not to be shed by Penelope as Parker starts to drive FAB 1 off towards the empty countryside so he is able to take off in flight mode. As they make their way down and out of the seat, Penelope starts to get flashbacks to when the Chaos Crew injured Gordon last year. He is lying down like before and seemingly sleeping. However, his external injuries are clearer this time, and the bruised and battered face is something that Penelope knew will haunt her future nightmares.

The pair are so focused on making sure that Gordon is comfortable, with Parker driving extra slowly down these narrow country lanes that are littered with potholes, they don't notice that they go past a limousine that has been concealed by the darkness and a couple tall hedges. As they gain some distance past that turn, the limousine pulls out and starts to follow the pink Rolls Royce. It remains hidden in the dark as the headlights are kept off which would otherwise give it away.

FAB 1 continues along the quiet country lanes with its occupants completely oblivious to the fact that they are being followed. Penelope continues to stroke Gordon's hair whilst trying not to shed anymore tears.

"Where to, m'lady?" Parker asks.

"Tracy Island, Parker," Penelope confirms, "And do hurry, OH!"

FAB 1 lurches suddenly as it is struck from behind.

"Woah!" Parker exclaims, as he fights to keep control, "What 'he blinkin' 'eck?!"

Penelope glances back around and can just make out the dark shape of a limousine dropping back a few feet before revving its engine and charging for another attack. Even without any lights on, she doesn't need to guess who it belongs to.

"Hooper!" Penelope growls, "I knew he wouldn't let this go. Parker, lose them!"

"Yes, m'lady!" Parker says, putting FAB 1 into full gear and pushing his foot hard down. The slow speed to keep Gordon comfortable gone from his mine as a more pressing threat is upon them. FAB 1 accelerates away at a tremendous speed, gaining considerable distance on the pursuing limo, to the surprise of the occupants. This however doesn't deter the pursuers as the headlights finally turn on, their act of surprise now gone. The limo is quickly found out to be modified as a turbo engine turns on. It races up and over a hill and down between two large fields. Parker uses this to his advantage as for them the limo is completely out of sight. He reaches down and actives flight-mode taking FAB 1 to the air.

From above, Penelope looks down as the limo seemingly loses control and heads towards a head-on collision with a tractor that has appeared on the road. The limo is forced to spin out of the way to avoid a collision, which it succeeds but it comes completely off the road. It crashes through a fence, bounces over a grass field, smashes through a hedge and plunges into a small ravine. It smashes into the rocks at the bottom, flipped onto its back and then explodes in a fireball.

"Should we check for survivors, m'lady?" Parker asks.

Penelope looks solemnly down towards the small orange glow from the flames. She pauses to think for a moment then shakes her head.

"No, I don't think so, Parker," Penelope sighs, "I very much doubt either of them could have survived that. Continue to Tracy Island, please."

"H'FAB," Parker acknowledges and they head off into the night.

December 25th, 2066 – 14:02 NZDT

Having radioed ahead to Tracy Island to inform them of the situation, the rest of Tracy's were already waiting for FAB 1 to arrive with its patient. Gordon is swiftly transferred to the Sick Room where Sally can give him a thorough examination. Whilst she and Brains work with Jeff standing beside Penelope, outside Parker, Kayo, Marion, Nina and the brothers are waiting anxiously. Even John has come down from Thunderbird 5 to see his brother.

It seems like hours despite the examination taking less than five minutes when Jeff, Sally and Brains eventually came out.

"How is he?" Scott asks, being the mother hen, his is to all his brothers.

"He's lucky," Sally responds, "He wasn't in the snow long enough for any major hypothermia to set in. He does have however a minor concussion in his head and several cuts and bruises on his body - most likely caused when he fell down the stairs and after getting thrown through the window. It may take a week or so, but he'll be back on his feet soon enough."

"Oh… good," Penelope mutters and she exits the Sick Room, looking guiltily at the floor.

"Chin up, my dear," Sally says, turning around and using her left hand to lift Penelope's head up, "You did the right thing bringing him back here. Last time he really needed a hospital. This time not so much."

This makes Penelope feel a little better, but she still feels guilty for allowing this to happen.

"Penny," Jeff speaks up with a stern undertone, "I understand how upset you are about all this, but I think we need to talk."

Penelope looks at him and nods without saying a word. Jeff takes her by the arm and guides her to the lounge with the others following except Marion and Scott who make it back to their private quarters.

"M-MAX, B-Braman, keep watching G-Gordon," Brains instructs his two robotic assistants who are still inside the Sick Room.

"Understood," Braman replies whilst MAX bleeps.

Gathering in the lounge, Penelope begins to fill the rest of the team in on Hooper. "After we left college, I did not think I would ever see or hear from him again. I wasn't bothered of course for he was such a spoiled person. He's the kind of person who doesn't take 'no' for an answer."

"And when he asked you to marry him, that's what you said?" Nina asks.

"Precisely," Penelope states, "And that's when Gordon tackled him to the ground. I've never seen him be like that before."

"Can't say we've ever known him be like that either," Virgil agrees, "He can get defensive at times, but this is a totally different level."

"Love can make you do some strange things without you realising you're capable of doing them," Sally smiles, "Your Grandpa did many things to keep other men away from me."

"Did you have to do anything to protect Mom from others, Dad?" Alan asks before getting an elbow in the ribs from Kayo, "Ow!"

"Al, this is not the time!" Kayo hisses casting her signature glare over to her boyfriend.

"It's okay, Kayo," Jeff chuckles, "Thankfully I did not, Alan."

"Have you reported Hooper to the Police or the GDF?" Ridley asks, who had been listening in on the conversation and chose that moment to make herself know on the hologram.

"It won't make much difference since they crashed into that ravine," Penelope states.

"You don't think they could have survived?" John questions.

"Can't rule it out," Penelope shrugs, "But the fact that the car exploded, and that ravine is a very deep one, I think it's unlikely."

"Mr Brackett was h'a very nasty piece h'of work, too," Parker joins in, "H'I can remember 'im from my days h'of training h'in Butler school."

"There's a school for butlers?" Alan sniggers.

"It's not h'a job that can be picked h'up like that, Mr H'Alan, sir," Parker defends, snapping his fingers.

"Okay, okay, that's enough," Jeff orders, standing up from his desk, "The important thing is Gordon is alive. We will continue to monitor him and get him back to full health ASAP."

"At least it won't be several months like it was after his encounter with the Chaos Crew," Kayo notes.

"Hopefully we won't need Thunderbird 4 until he is better," Alan adds.

"And if we do then I'm sure Nina or Kayo will be happy to operate her," Virgil states, "Wouldn't be the first time Thunderbird 4's been operated by someone other than Gordon."

"So long as there's no sea sludge to make my life difficult," Nina chuckles.

"And what about you, Penny?" Jeff asks.

"Jeff, if it's okay with you all, I'd like to stay until Gordon is better," Penelope says, seemingly having rehearsed that line a few times in her head, "I shouldn't have allowed this to happen to him and yet it did."

"Penelope, you can't blame yourself for this!" John interjects.

"Actually, I can," Penelope informs, "We didn't hire in any extra security to prevent Hooper from getting into the house."

"You could not have foreseen any of this," Jeff says, standing up and coming down to stand with her, "I wouldn't have seen it coming either. But yes, Penny, you and Parker can stay as long as you want to."

"Thanks, Jeff," Penelope breathes before her emotions got the better of her and she starts to cry into Jeff's shoulder, "I love him so much."

Jeff pulls her into a hug knowing that Penelope has gone through a lot last night. He sees Penelope as the daughter that he never got to have and relishes having her in his arms like a father would do to comfort his daughter. Everyone else all exchange looks of sorrow as they have never known Penelope to be like this before. None of them knew what to say.

After a few minutes, Brains leads Penelope down to the Sick Room to see Gordon. He still hasn't woken up and hasn't changed his position since they'd put him in there. Brains instructs Braman and MAX to leave the room for a short while.

"We'll leave you in p-peace," Brains promises as he closed the door.

"Thank you, Brains," Penelope replies as she sat down on the chair next to Gordon's bed. Her eyes were red from when she'd been crying and just seeing him like this made her do so again. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she took hold of his right hand.

It is another couple of hours before Gordon wakes up and everyone on the island becomes relived. It means that Christmas Day proves to be a happier occasion for International Recuse. Gordon is brought into the lounge to lie down on the sofa, so his minor injures are able to heal. This meant that he is never left along for long. Penelope remains by his side most of the day as the rest of the family carry on their day as they usually would except for Scott who has to deal with a seven-month pregnant Marion. Meanwhile, its business as usual with Virgil playing his latest song that he wrote for Nina on the piano, Alan pulling a prank on Kayo that only he would get away with, John getting a headache due to the amount of gravity around him but constantly on a call with Ridley whose duties kept her on board Thunderbird 10 this year. On Mateo Island, Brains is tinkering in his workshop with Moffy who has also come over to the island during the day to spend the day with him.

As the evening draws in, Ridley contacts Penelope directly and informs her that the police have identified Hooper's limousine by the number plate, but the explosion had made it impossible to identify the bodies of either Hooper or Brackett except for some traces of clothing, blood and the remains of a shoe. While Hooper was an asshole towards Penelope, she didn't wish for anyone to have that fate.

Jeff makes sure to keep an eye on Penelope to make sure that she is comfortable in her stay on Tracy Island. He gets Alan to get a room prepared for her and Parker for the evening, so they have a room to sleep in, though Jeff has a sneaking feeling that Penelope's bedroom isn't going to be used that much, if at all.

December 26th, 2066 – 04:00 NZDT

In the early hours of Boxing Day, Thunderbird 3 launches from Tracy Island. On board are Jeff, Alan, Kayo and John. On of the reasons for leaving so early is that John needs to return to space in order to carry out his duties on Thunderbird 5 as International Rescue's communications centre. It isn't that EOS can't do a good job of it by herself, it is the fact that EOS gets hundreds of calls each day which have been deferred to Thunderbird 5 from Thunderbird 10 each day and its only occasionally that the need for International Rescue is required. John finds it good to have the human touch to some of that process and like the isolation of the space-station.

However, today, they are stopping off at Thunderbird 10, hence Thunderbird 3 is required with such a large crew rather than the Space Elevator. They come into dock and once they go through the airlock, they enter IR's private quarters and find Ridley is there to greet them. She rushes over to meet John and gives him a passionate kiss after not seeing him in such a long time. Jeff, Alan and Kayo look away awkwardly and when the kiss breaks, John goes as red as Thunderbird 3 from embarrassment.

"It's so good to see you all," Ridley smiles.

"And it's good to be here," Jeff states, this being his first time on the space station, "How's it been up here?"

"All peaceful and quiet," Ridley chuckles sarcastically, "There's always something going on here with the number of organizations that are based on this massive space station. It's quite the hub of activity."

"And in terms of IR's operations?" Alan questions.

"See for yourself," Ridley replies. She turns around and a massive holographic map of the world appears behind her. It is the same as the one on Thunderbird 5, that is rarely used anymore, but on a much large scale. Ridley lifts her arm and spins the map around. As it goes around, everyone notes that it looks pretty empty in terms of life and death disasters that would require the assistance of International Rescue. These would be shown in red. All that is on the map currently is a load of green indicators, incidents that have already been dealt with that day, and orange indicators, incidents that have been forwarded to EOS and the local authorities.

"Not a single emergency occurring anywhere on Earth," Kayo muses.

"Famous last words," Ridley laughs. However, that is quickly cut off as the map of Earth is replaced by a large red warning. It flashes there for several moments before the hologram changes again. Now showing is a small map of Earth that shows the Pacific Ocean and several dots from outer space heading towards it.

"You gotta be shitt–" Alan starts but stops when he sees his father's facial expression thrown in his direction.

"Well, I should have kept quiet," Kayo mutters.

"EOS, what's going on?" John asks.

"Scanners have picked up a massive meteorite shower heading on a collision course for Earth," EOS explains.

"Massive is the word!" Jeff agrees, "There looks to be hundreds of them! Can the scanners detect how many there are and where they may potentially strike?"

"Scanning now," EOS states and bleep for a few seconds before speaking again, "Confirmed. I have registered seventy-six separate meteorites in the shower. Most are small and will likely burn up entering the atmosphere. But there are at least thirty big ones that potentially will pass through without burning up. Am sending the potential crash positions to the holo-map."

Everyone watches the map as EOS selects the meteorites that pose the biggest threat and their projected crash sites if they made it through the atmosphere. What they see isn't good. Whilst a number of them look to crash into the Pacific Ocean, several are looking to come down on numerous land areas.

"This isn't good," John calls once all the projections are finished, "We need to deal with this and fast."

"Agreed," Ridley adds, "At their present course and speed, we have about twenty minutes."

"Then we have no time to lose," Jeff orders, "Alan, launch Thunderbird 3. Take Kayo with you. You have to destroy those meteorites before they get too close to the planet.

"FAB!" Alan and Kayo say together. They rush back to Thunderbird 3 and get inside. As they take their seats and start to buckle themselves in Alan starts the de-docking process from Thunderbird 10.

"Thunderbird 10, this is Thunderbird 3," Alan calls, "Permission to leave."

"Permission granted, Thunderbird 3," Jeff replies, "Thunderbird 10 assigned as Mission Control."

"FAB," Alan replies and starts up Thunderbird 3's engines.

The large red spacecraft is soon seen flying away from the space station at speed and heading towards the meteorite shower. As they approach Kayo connects the com channel to Tracy Island, so Brains is able to listen in to the developing situation. When they see the shower for the first time in front of them, their eyes widen.

"Woah, those are big," Kayo remarks when she sees the size of the largest meteorites.

"Brains, are you sure the Pod's cannons can destroy ones that large?" Alan inquirers.

"The Pod's cannon, n-no," Brains answers over the holo-projector, "But I have installed a much more p-powerful laser cannon in the n-nose of Thunderbird 3. Ridley will s-send you the correct telemetry d-data from Thunderbird 10 so you can t-track and destroy the largest meteorites. Kayo c-can then use the one with the P-Pod to take out the s-smaller ones that still may not burn up in the a-atmosphere."

"Got it!" Alan responds.

"I'll go configure the Pod," Kayo states as she leaves her seat.

"Thunderbird 3," Ridley starts, replacing Brains' hologram on the holo-projector, "I'm sending you the data showing which of the meteorites pose the biggest threat. They will be marked in red. You must target and destroy them as quickly as you can."

"Piece of cake, Mission Control," Alan replies as he watches a hologram image of the entire approaching meteorite shower appear from the projector. All started out displayed in green, but the biggest ones turned to a mixture of some red and some orange. "What's with the red and the orange?"

"The red ones are your primary targets," John explains, "These are the ones that are predicted to impact on land. The orange shows the ones that are predicted to crash into the ocean. Shift focus to them once all the red ones have been dealt with first."

"FAB," Alan acknowledges.

John then contacts Kayo, who was now in the cargo hold, as she moves around to select and configure the correct Space Pod.

"Kayo," John starts, "I'm sending the data of the ones you need to target and destroy to the pod. Whilst there's still a chance, they could burn up in the atmosphere we don't want to give them the chance to get through if we can help it."

"FAB," Kayo nods as he flicks through the options on the panel, "Configuring the Pod."

Robotic arms work quickly to attach the necessary components to the red Pod that is sitting in the middle of the cargo bay. Once completed, the cockpit roof opens allowing Kayo to climb inside. Alan opens the doors of the bay and the clamp holding the Pod in place is released. It drops down and Kayo fires the thrusters to move herself away from Thunderbird 3 ready to take on the meteors.

"I am in position," Kayo calls, "Powering up the laser cannon."

"Doing the same," Alan replies. He feels a little bit nervous as he's never used this new feature to Thunderbird 3 before, but he does feel that schematics of the old Orbiting Debris Defence Module that he'd looked over a few years ago will help him.

The two wait in their respective crafts as the meteorite shower approaches. Alan locks the laser of Thunderbird 3 onto the first of the largest meteors in red and presses the button. A bright beam of red light shoots out from the cannon in the rocket's nose and completely obliterates it.

"All right!" Alan celebrates, "Bull's eye!"

"Nice one, Al," Kayo compliments.

"Thanks, K!" Alan smiles and lines up his next big target and fires again, and again. The meteorites are smashed into pieces by the powerful laser.

Kayo is now in range of her targets. She selects the closest to her and began to shoot the Pod's laser as well. The explosions as the smaller meteors are destroyed are nowhere near as impressive as the ones Thunderbird 3 is blowing up but it still gives Kayo some satisfaction in what she is doing. Before they knew it, the couple are beginning to turn the tide in the battle against the meteorites.

Alan soon finishes destroying the ones that posed the biggest threat and is now targeting the ones marked orange. The ones marked yellow are the ones that Kayo remains focused on and green show the number that will burn up in the atmosphere.

"I'm almost done here," Kayo reports, "How are you getting on, Thunderbird 3?"

"Just two more to go," Alan replies. He targets the closest meteorite and fires the laser, watching it explode. A few seconds later, he targets and destroys the final big one. "Mission complete," Alan smiles but this quickly vanishes as Jeff appears on Alan's holo-projector.

"Alan, you've missed one!" Jeff cries.

"What? Where?!" Alan yells and turns to see on the scanner that one of the large orange ones has slipped right past them without him or Kayo noticing.

"Mission Control, where's it headed?" Kayo asks, "I'm not sure if we can catch it in time."

"Actually, you may not have to," Ridley sighs in relief, "It's predicted path has it heading for a splashdown in the middle of the Pacific. I've scanned the area and there's no ships in the vicinity. If it doesn't burn up it'll just hit the water and sink. It's not a danger to anyone, Thunderbird 3. Let it go."

"FAB," Alan mutters, annoyed at having allowed one of the meteorites to slip by him.

"And Kayo," John adds, "the rest of the smaller meteorites will just burn up. Good job. Both of you."

"FAB," Kayo states as she moves the Pod towards Thunderbird 3's cargo bay, "Alan, open the door. I'm coming in."

"Sure thing," Alan responds, "I wonder where that meteor will end up…"

December 26th, 2066 – 07:16 NZDT

"Aquatraz?!" Kayo exclaims when Ridley informs them about the distress call she's just seen. Thunderbird 3 has since returned to Tracy Island and Jeff, Alan and Kayo are all in discussion with Thunderbirds 5 and 10. Virgil, Nina and Penelope are also in the room over by the piano.

"Yes exactly," John sighs, "It's the meteorite you let get away, Alan."

"What?!" Alan exclaims, "You told me to let it go, John!"

"And you also said that it wasn't heading towards anywhere dangerous," Jeff adds sternly.

"Dad, with all due respect, my scanners didn't register there being any danger," John states, "Aquatraz is supposed to be kept hidden from the world so that nobody knows where it is. That includes Thunderbird 5's."

"What's the situation?" Virgil questions.

"It's caused some kind of explosion in the Central Control section," Ridley explains, "Luckily there are no casualties, but the old vessel is flooding. Their attempts at getting under control are working for now but the power is failing, and the entire prison could potentially suffer a blackout. Oh, and Colonel Casey is there with five members of the World Council."

"Meaning that The Hood and the rest of the prisoners could escape from their cells and run riot," Kayo muses, "If they get their hands on the World Council members, we'd have a major hostage situation on our hands. We need to get down there and make sure that doesn't happen."

"Slight problem there," Nina states, "We need Thunderbird 4 for this. Gordon's still not fit, and Scott's otherwise occupied."

"No problem," Kayo interjects, "I've piloted Thunderbird 4 before. I'll do it."

"Kayo, you m-may be able to pilot Thunderbird 4, but your suit isn't designed to w-work in those kinds of d-depths," Brains responds, "And I d-don't have time to create a c-custom EVA suit for you."

"She won't need one," Penelope intervenes, "I have an EVA suit in FAB 1. Virgil can fly us there; Kayo can operate Thunderbird 4 and anything EVA I can handle."

"Are you sure, Penelope?" Jeff asks, "This mission is pretty dangerous."

"No more dangerous than any other mission, Jeff," Penelope points out, "Besides, Virgil and I rescued Scott by taking Thunderbird 2 underwater. I can do this."

"Very well, Penny," Jeff agrees, "You'd better get going. Those people don't have a lot of time. Thunderbirds are go!"

5

Virgil descends as he gets suited up.

4

Thunderbird 4 is loaded into Module 4.

3

Nina, Kayo and Penelope board Thunderbird 2 via the passenger elevator.

2

Thunderbird 2 taxis down the main runway and comes to a halt allowing the ramp to raise.

1

The engines start as the blast shield rises.

Thunderbirds are Go!

As Thunderbird 2 makes its way at high altitude over the Pacific, a sudden realisation strikes Virgil. The data that he has received indicates that the prison is located somewhere in the Pacific Ocean but other than that, he has nothing to go on.

"Mission Control," Virgil calls, "Maybe I should have asked you this before we launched, but where exactly is Aquatraz?"

"Actually, I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that, Virgil," John replies, "The prison has powerful cloaking technology so that nobody can find it."

"Understandable but that doesn't really help us," Nina remarks.

"I know where it is," Kayo states, "I'll plot a course to a drop-off point within ten miles of where the prison is, then I can steer Thunderbird 4 the rest of the way."

"Works for me," Virgil responds and Kayo gives him the plotted course.

December 26th, 2066 – 07:21 NZDT

It isn't long before Thunderbird 2 reaches the location Kayo had plotted. As Virgil brings Thunderbird 2 down to drop altitude, Kayo and Penelope move from the cockpit down into the module to take up their positions inside Thunderbird 4.

"Thunderbird 2 is in position," Nina announces, "Ready for a little splash, ladies?"

"Systems check complete. Docking clamp released," Kayo says, "We are go for module deployment." Module 4 is then dropped into the water and Kayo waits for the hatch to open for her before pressing the button to go at a 45° angle.

"Thunderbird 4 is go!" Kayo says and launches Thunderbird 4 into the depths below, "Heading for Aquatraz. Hold tight, Lady Penelope."

"Thanks for the lift, Virgil," Penelope says.

"Be careful down there," Virgil warns.

"FAB," Penelope and Kayo acknowledge together. Kayo pushes Thunderbird 4 up to full power and it races deep to the ocean floor before setting course towards Aquatraz.

With Thunderbird 4's speed it doesn't take long for it to reach the outer perimeter of the Aquatraz complex. Kayo and Penelope look out from the cockpit at the sight. Penelope has never seen it before and is taken aback by how large it is.

"Oh, my, that's a lot bigger than I was expecting," Penelope remarks.

"It feels even bigger when inside," Kayo replies and opens a com link, "This is Thunderbird 4 calling Aquatraz. Do you read me? Come in, Aquatraz."

At first there is no reply. But as they get closer, with Kayo keeping a careful eye out for the defence mines, a response finally comes through as Rigby and Colonel Casey's holograms appear on the projector.

"Kayo! Are we glad to see you?" Rigby cries.

"Captain. Colonel Casey," Kayo nods, "Are you and the Council members safe?"

"As safe as can be," Rigby states, "We're inside the travel-tube between Blocks D and E. The power is still failing and the doors between the ships are sealed off."

"What's the situation with the prisoners?" Kayo inquirers.

"Still in their cells as far as we know," Casey informs, "Communications aren't crystal clear but we've not heard any reports of prisoners on the loose."

"That's a relief," Penelope says, making her presence known, "In a place like this a prison riot is the last thing we need." Her voice causes Casey and Rigby to be taken aback slightly, not expecting her to be on a rescue operation like this.

"Lady Penelope?" Casey questions, "Is that you? What has happened to Gordon?"

"Gordon had a little accident the other day," Kayo says quickly before Penelope can answer, "We are covering him until he gets better."

"I see," Casey muses, "Well either way, glad you could come."

"We need you to get inside the Central Control ship and perform a hard reset," Rigby explains, "That will reboot all the systems and hopefully get them up and running again." He shows them a hologram blueprint of the Aircraft Carrier and the section where it is damaged.

"I'll get onto that," Penelope says.

"Approaching the Central Control now," Kayo announces, "We'll let you know what we find."

"Thank you, International Rescue," Casey says.

Thunderbird 4 reaches the stern of the old Aircraft Carrier. As they move around to the starboard side, they soon find the cause of the trouble. A huge chunk of rock lay on the seabed a few metres away from the gaping hole it has made in the hull. It is bigger than Kayo anticipated, despite having seen it earlier in space.

"Woah!" Penelope exclaims, "The water temperature is still a lot higher here than it should be."

"Well, it's definitely made a mess of this area of the control centre," Kayo states, "Good thing the rest of it is sealed off so not fully flooded."

"There's not much we can do about the flooding to this section," Penelope remarks, "But we can at least get power restored."

"Lady Penelope," Rigby calls, appearing on the holo-projector once again, "The rebooting buttons are located in that section. You'll need to find the panel and then I can talk you through the process from there."

"FAB," Penelope replies as she puts on her EVA suit helmet, "Time to get myself wet."

Using the airlock, Penelope departs from Thunderbird 4 and makes her way towards the large gaping hole in the side of the Aircraft Carrier. It's at this moment that Rigby secretly starts to direct the feed from the GDF channels to Thunderbird 4 for Kayo to listen in on.

"And why should we do that?" The Hood asks, "I see you have company, Colonel. I think you're going to take us out of here."

The sound of her uncle's voice makes Kayo's heart skip a beat.

"Oh, no, you don't!" Kayo growls, turning Thunderbird 4 to head over to the travel-tube, where the signal is coming from.

Unaware of what is going on, Penelope has made her way inside the wrecked section of the Central Control to locate the reset panel Rigby had mentioned. Amazingly it hasn't been smashed by the colliding meteorite and it shows several small switches as well as one big lever.

"Captain Rigby, I've located the panel," Penelope informs, "What do I do?"

"What colour are the lights?" Rigby inquirers in a hushed voice as he sees The Hood and the Chaos Crew approaching his position.

"Most are red, some are green," Penelope replies.

"Right, red shows the sections where the power is down," Rigby explains, "You're going to have to turn all of the ones showing green to off so that all the lights are red. Once you've done that, you'll need to wait for one minute before pushing the big lever to reset the whole system."

"A minute?" Penelope asks as she begins to flick all the switches showing green so that they show as red instead, "Surely every second counts?"

"It does, and I would want the same due to the present situation," Rigby says, "I don't want you to rush it, Lady Penelope, but The Hood and the Chaos Crew have escaped from their cells. We need the power back to repel them."

"Well, that's rather distressing," Penelope mutters, "I'll have to do the reset immediately."

"No, you can't!" Rigby calls sharply, "Do it too soon and the sudden surge could cause a blow-back!"

"Okay, I'll leave it as long as possible," Penelope says, "Just a few more to go."

"Captain Rigby," Kayo calls, "I see that the Chaos Crew are approaching your position with the councillors, is that car waterproof?"

"Yes, it is," Rigby replies, "Why do you ask?"

"Because you'll be safe from what I'm about to do," Kayo answers as Thunderbird 4 approached the tube. The Hood and the Chaos Crew haven't even noticed Thunderbird 4 until Kayo shines the powerful lights onto the tunnel, almost blinding them. "AAAARGH!" the three of them yell, throwing their arms up to cover their eyes. The lights then dim, and they look to the right to see Thunderbird 4 approaching them.

"International Rescue?" The Hood growls, "How did they-?" He pauses when he sees who is in the yellow submarine's cockpit. "KAYO?!"

"Not today, Uncle!" Kayo exclaims angrily and she pushes Thunderbird 4 up to full power. The sub charges forwards and slams against the travel-tube. It shudders and causes the three criminals to fall over. As The Hood, Havoc and Fuse pick themselves up to carry on towards the councillors, they are stopped dead by a crackling sound. The section of reinforced glass where Thunderbird 4 had struck is cracking and water is starting to trickle in.

"No, no, no, NO!" The Hood cries.

"RUN!" Havoc shouts, and the three criminals start running back towards their cells. At the same time, Penelope has finished setting all the switches to show red.

"Three, two, one, now!" Penelope counts, pushing the lever up. All the lights instantly turn green, and the distinctive hum of power began to be heard from above. "Power restored!" Penelope announces with a smile.

"Everyone, hold on!" Rigby calls to Colonel Casey and the Councillors. The travel-car shoots forwards and is soon inside Block E with the doors closing behind them. Suddenly, a red light began flashing in the chamber and an alarm began to blare.

"Alert! Prisoners out of cells!" a male robotic voice states, "Engaging containment measures!"

December 26th, 2066 – 12:34 NZDT

With the situation now over, Thunderbirds 2 and 4 returned to Tracy Island. A few hours later, Colonel Casey and Rigby called in to congratulate Kayo and Penelope for their work.

"The World Council may well have shut Aquatraz down for what happened today if it wasn't for what you two did today," Casey states, "Getting the power back showed them what the prison is capable of should any prisoners manage to break out. The knock-out gas in Sector D rendered the Chaos Crew unconscious and they are now back in their cells."

"And our engineers are working to repair the damage," Rigby adds.

"Glad to be of assistance, Colonel Casey," Kayo smiles.

"Good work down there, ladies," Jeff praises, "Gordon had better watch out. If you keep this up, Penny, he may find himself being replaced."

"Oh, I'd never replace Gordon, Jeff," Penelope laughs.

"I'd say you've done a pretty good job at that so far," Nina chuckles, "First you join us as another co-pilot in Thunderbird 2 and now you take over his EVA duties."

"Yeah, you'll be piloting Thunderbird 4 next!" jokes Alan.

"Oh, stop it you lot," Penelope giggles.

It had certainly been an eventful Christmas.

Part 5A to continue in 2024?