January 12th, 2060 - 09:04 PET
In the mid-morning, Virgil flies Thunderbird 2 into a ravine with tall rocky mountains climbing up either side of him. Below him, is a small river, one that would've eroded down the tops of the mountains over time to create this ravine. He is currently in a small group of the Andes Mountain range that are known as the Quetacha Mountains, named after the tribe that occupied these mountains for centuries before the Spanish came and conquered theses lands off them several hundred years ago.
"F-A-B, Thunderbird 5," Virgil acknowledges, "This is Thunderbird 2 descending on the Quetacha Mountains, but there's no sign of any mine."
"That's because it's buried under the landslide along with half the crew," John explains as he is looking at the hologram image.
"We'll get 'em out. Gordon is rigging a pod," Virgil says.
"And it's a beauty," Gordon says as he climbs into Pod A. The body is then brought out into the centre of the module and robotic arms get to work attaching the components. A set of caterpillar tracks are attached to the base, while an earth mover is connected to the front. The Bulldozer Pod is ready.
Meanwhile, Virgil finds a flat bit of land that is near to where the entrance of the mine supposedly is and lowers Thunderbird 2 to the ground, releasing the module. Gordon's pod rolls out of the module and heads towards the mine to move a few rocks out of the way before checking out the debris.
"Okay, Virgil, I got a good look at the rock face. If you hit this just right, you should be able to pull away the obstruction all at once," Gordon says, "Marking contact points."
"Locked on. Gordon, you best clear out," Virgil says and fires off the grapples and they lock onto the giant rock. Virgil then moves Thunderbird 2 and lifts the giant rock a little off the ground.
"What is that?" Gordon asks himself as he sees a mysterious carving in the rock face.
"Uh, it's a lot bigger than I thought," Virgil strains, "Gordon, get out of there now."
"Easy there, big fella," Gordon says as he is forced to reverse quickly out of the way. Virgil manages to fly over the small river nearby and drops the rock. Gordon then spots the miners coming out of the mine. Happy that they're all safe, he starts climbing up the rockface towards the mysterious carving in the rock.
"Shaft is clear, all miners accounted for. Mission complete," Virgil says, and looks over to where Gordon is scrambling over rocks, "Gordon, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, but are you getting this?" Gordon replies, "It's some kind of carved message."
"Cross-checking with the database of ancient languages," John says, "Got it! It's from the Quetacha tribe. They ruled this area around 1100."
"Forget the history lesson, what does it say?" Gordon asks.
"'This is the pyramid of Sapa Quepanqui, the laughing king, who dares disturb my peace will join me in my tomb'," John translates.
5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Thunderbirds are Go!
June 6th, 2060 - 15:21 PET
Lady Penelope and Parker arrive at the tomb together. This isn't the first time they've been to Peru after an earthquake to chase some ancient story. It ended up with Penelope being kidnapped and Jeff, Scott and Parker being sent on a wild goose chase in order to rescue her from her captives. Luckily this isn't the case this time around, they are introduced to Professor Harold. Harold had been the first archaeologist to arrive on the scene of the tomb, a few days after International Rescue had left. Penelope and Parker had arrived to see the progress and see what historical significance the tomb holds.
"Five Months ago, the pyramid International Rescue uncovered turned out to be a major archaeological find, over 1,000 years old," Professor Harold explains.
"Professor Harold, as a monitor for the World Heritage Society, I'm a firm supporter in unearthing our past," Penelope says.
"We've made a lot of progress in the last three months, but there's still a long way to go," Harold says.
"Like the road back to civilisation," Parker complains.
"So, I'm looking forward to seeing the carvings and hieroglyphics I've heard so much about." Penelope continues.
"You mean the curse," Parker says.
"Primitive superstition," Professor Harold waves off, "It's just to stop treasure hunters." He walks away.
"Speaking of treasure hunters, keep an eye on the professor. There were unanswered questions about valuables going missing on his last dig," Penelope orders as a car arrives behind them. Gordon gets out in his IR suit along with excessive gear. "Nothing was ever proved but—"
"Lady Penelope!" Gordon calls out causing Penelope and Parker to turn around to look at Gordon.
"Gordon?" Penelope questions.
"I wasn't sure what we'd need so I brought the all-terrain kit," Gordon says.
"First, ever hear of traveling light?" Penelope asks, "And second, why are you here, Gordon?"
"Uh, first, better safe than sorry. And second, you called me, remember?" Gordon asks.
"Well, as long as you're here, you're welcome to have a look inside, but I didn't send you any message," Penelope responds.
"Yes you did. You said it was too dangerous to go in alone," Gordon states.
"Dangerous? Parker, would you happen to know anything about this?" Penelope asks.
"Well, m'lady, h'I knew h'I wasn't going h'in, so h'I called International Rescue," Parker explains.
"Because you think I need someone to look after me?" Penelope demands.
"H'Exactly!" Parker says and Penelope scowls at him, "Uh... h'I mean, no, not at all, m'lady! You're more than capable of fending for yourself." He scratches the back of his head in shame before turning on Gordon. "See what you've done!"
"I thought you weren't going in?" Gordon replies.
"H'Exactly, then you arrived!" Parker complains, "H'I 'ad a six h'in seven chance of h'it being h'one h'of the h'others."
"There's only five of us guys," Gordon says.
"H'I was including Kayo and Marion!" Parker says.
"Oh, Yeah!" Gordon says.
"And I 'ope you tell m'lady soon," Parker adds and walks off.
"Wait, tell her what?" Gordon calls, but Parker has already gone.
"This is the main tunnel," Professor Harold says, "Many precious finds have been found here." Parker starts to look around suspiciously and starts whimpering. They turn on their torches as the enter the temple.
"Hold up!" Gordon orders as he stops the group and takes a few step forwards. He puts his cases down and reaches onto his tool bet, "I want to run a full electromagnetic spectrum analysis before we go in too deep."
"Why exactly?" Penelope enquires.
"Because I brought the electromagnetic spectrum analyser," Gordon says and turns it on scanning the area, "Hmm, I'm picking up traces of precious metals, gold, silver—"
"Really? Where?" Professor Harold asks cutting Gordon off and grabs his arm but quickly pulls back he the notices the scowl on Penelope's face and laughs sheepishly.
"The readings get stronger this way," Gordon continues and lead the group down the main passage and down the stairs. The group eventually find a dead end.
"Very h'interesting. Shame the way h'is blocked, there's nothing getting through here," Parker comments before accidentally hitting a hidden switch in the wall. He starts whimpering again as the brick caves in and the walls collapses like dominos, creating an entrance.
"A vein of gold leads to a golden heart," Professor Harold says pushing his way to the front of the group, "A treasure chamber!"
"Really?" Penelope asks.
"I've uh, I've got to keep it safe from looters," Professor Harold stutters.
"So, do we," Penelope adds and the two run down the stairs.
"Uh, guys? We shouldn't leave the main tunnel." Gordon calls, "Shit."
Parker sighs. "Guess we're going h'in." Gordon and Parker head after the other two until they reach yet another dead end. On the wall there is a large circular contraption. Harold starts tapping at the wall while the others stand a couple feet behind him.
"Dead end. Let's go Professor," Gordon orders and turns to leave.
"No! There must be a mechanism," Professor Harold says and hits a button only to activate a trap.
"It's a trap." "Run." Gordon and Penelope say at the same time before the group charges back down the passage. However, a concrete wall has started coming out of the floor, blocking their path.
"Pyramid!" Penelope cries.
"I know where we are," Gordon scoffs.
"No, human pyramid!" Penelope states as he gets onto her knees at the base of the wall. Parker gets on the floor the other side of Penelope and they both hold out their hands. This allows Gordon to stand on them and give a hand to Harold, who manages to slide over the wall just in time, unscathed.
"It's okay, I made it through," Professor Harold calls from the other side.
"Well, fuck you," Parker says, obviously not pleased with the situation he is currently in.
"There is no mechanism on this side," Professor Harold informs.
"No shit Sherlock! It's a wall which came out of the ground!" Gordon replies before checking his comms to try and contact Thunderbird 5, "Thunderbird 5, do you copy? John are you there?" However, he only gets static. "Professor, my comms are dead! All the gold and silver's causing electromagnetic interference."
"I'll get help! Stay there!" Professor Harold states.
"Where does he think we'd go?" Parker deadpans.
"I don't know," Gordon says as pauses to listen to the sound of a gas seeping into the room, "But we'd better go somewhere." Gordon pulls out his ready to check the gas and sighs. "And the readout says it's toxic."
"H'Of course h'it fucking h'is!" Parker groans.
"Lucky I brought my rebreather." Gordon fires back and take a breath into the mask, "Still wish I'd travelled light?" He takes a few puffs of the oxygen before passing it to Penelope.
"Are you serious? We're being poisoned and you're scoring points?" Penelope questions.
"The rebreather won't last forever. The gas is heavier than air, but if we don't get to higher ground, we'll end up six feet under," Gordon says, breaking down the situation.
Penelope goes to pass the rebreather to Parker who denies it saying. "Well, h'if h'I'm gonna die 'ere, might h'as well get comfortable." He takes a seat along bit of the wall that sticks out slightly. Nonetheless, it turns out to be a purpose as that part of the wall suddenly moves down as if it is on a pressure plat due to the extra weight that is now on it. Parker looks around feeling the sudden move but doesn't think much of it until he falls backwards onto the floor, along with a section of the wall. "H'Oh! Wonderful. Let's go h'even deeper h'into this cursed pyramid," Parker says sarcastically.
June 6th, 2060 - 16:27 PET
Inside a marquee, a hologram of John appears in the centre of the table. "Professor Harold? Are you there? Come in, professor!" John calls. Professor Harold then walks into the marquee and notices John's hologram.
"I'm here. I'm here," Harold responds trying to remain calm.
"Where's our pilot? I can't reach him," John asks.
"He's in the pyramid with Lady Penelope," Harold informs.
"Are they okay? I can have Thunderbird 2 there in minutes to blast them out if there's a problem," John states.
"No! No! No, no, that won't be necessary," Harold waves off, "There just a... just taking a tour. Comms are down because of electromagnetic interference. That's all. I'll get him to call you as soon as he's out. Anyway nice chatting to you but I've gotta go, lots of archaeology stuff going on. Bye!" He hangs up on John.
June 6th, 2060 - 16:34 PET
The group heads up the stairs. Staying close to each other. Gordon currently has two things on his mine; One, will he make it out alive and Two, what Parker told him before they entered. He had to admit he did have a crush on Penelope but doesn't know how to approach it. Even though Penelope worked for International Rescue, she worked as their ambassador to the World Council. Both had very different lives.
To get his mind off things, Gordon pulls out his gas reader as they enter a large room and relaxes. "No toxic gas up here." he says, and the small group look around at the room they were now in, "Where do we go now?"
"It appears we don't have much of a choice," Penelope points, shining her light over to the only exit to the room. Above the passageway, there is a large tribe face, depicted into the wall causing Parker to audibly gulp. They walk through into a tunnel, and while Gordon and Penelope walk over a tripwire unaware, Parker's foot catches it.
"Whoops!" Parker exclaims. Everyone looks around as the hear the moment of mechanisms going on behind the walls. Ahead, they spot spears coming out the sides of the wall and acting instinctively, Gordon pushes Penelope down to the floor in order to dodge the spears. When it goes silent again they sit up, Penelope looking across at him angrily.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Gordon asks.
"No," Penelope says quite angry at him.
"I don't see any entry wounds," Gordon observes.
"No, the spears didn't get me, but you almost broke my nose," Penelope says.
"Oh, well, excuse me for saving you," Gordon replies.
"I didn't need saving!" Penelope exclaims as she walks away annoyed.
"Fine, next time I'll wait until you've been impaled to ask—" Gordon begins.
Penelope cuts him off. "The spears were nowhere near me!"
"Uh, m'lady? Gordon?" Parker calls. While he'd managed to avoid getting impaled by any of the spear, several of the steams had trapped him against the wall, "Could use h'a 'and 'ere."
"A spear would have hurt less than getting your… lumpy elbow in my face," Penelope insults as the couple continue walking down the passage way unaware that Parker is struggling to free himself.
"My elbows aren't lumpy. What does that even mean?" Gordon asks shocked, "Some people would be grateful! Some people would appreciate what I did, some people would say— Oh!" Gordon pauses and he steps on a pressure plate.
The pair wait for a second before Penelope pushes Gordon out of the way from a swinging pillar that slams into the wall where they were.
"Thank you," Gordon says.
"You're welcome," Penelope nods, and looks at Gordon. The two stare into each other's eyes for a few seconds still laying on the floor before Parker comes up behind them and clears his throat, and pair look up back at him. Penelope looks away from the pair, blushing, while Gordon just looks sheepishly towards Parker.
June 7th, 2060 - 01:52 NZST
On Tracy Island, Scott, Marion and Virgil have gathered in the lounge. John had woken them up earlier in the night right after his initial call with Professor Harold as he became suspicious that he wasn't being given the whole truth. The eyes in John's portrait then light put and a hologram of John appears above the circular table.
"Gordon hasn't checked in since?" Scott enquires.
"No. Professor tells me that it's electromagnetic interference... As I said earlier, I've gotta feeling he wasn't telling me the whole story," John says.
"I don't like the sound of that," Scott mutters.
"Nor do I," Marion agrees.
"There's more and you're going to like it less," John winces.
"My scan is picking up chlorine dioxide gas around the base of the pyramid," John says.
"We better move fast," Scott says, "Virgil, follow in Thunderbird 2 in case we need to blast them out. Thunderbirds are Go!"
5
Virgil's rocket painting tilts backwards as Scott descends down his launch tube to get suited up.
4
The lifting equipment is loaded into Module 3.
3
Marion is brought into Thunderbird 1's hold and takes a seat in the back.
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!
June 6th, 2060 - 17:03 PET
In the pyramid, Gordon, Penelope and Parker head into another cavern and look around. Gordon waves a flashlight down into some flooded stairs. "It's flooded," he muses.
"First pyramid I've seen with an indoor pool," Penelope comments.
"The laughing king must 'ave liked h'an early morning dip before h'a 'ard day's cursing the innocent," Parker jokes.
"That's okay, I came prepared," Gordon says and places his helmet on.
"Yes, and you've only mentioned it a hundred times so far," Penelope deadpans and rolls her eyes.
"You're being dramatic," Gordon smirks, "Seven or eight times at the most." Having put on his diving mask, he dives into the water and Penelope watches him disappear. At the end of the tunnel is a wall with a circular contraption, similar to the one that Professor Harold set off earlier. Gordon pulls at it, pushing his feet at the base of the tunnel for leverage. He strains as he tries to push the door to the side, that would allow for the water to escape. He hears a groan and feels the door beginning to move. As it slides across, water rushes through the gap that Gordon has created, revealing the hidden exit.
Above the surface, Penelope and Parker notice the water start draining away. "Gordon?" Penelope calls panicking as she watches all the water drain away, "What's going on? Gordon? Are you okay?"
"I drained the tunnel, come on through," Gordon shouts. Penelope and Parker walk down the stairs, with Parker grabbing Gordon's bag, and they cautiously meet up with Gordon.
"What took you so long?" Gordon jokes.
"Wasn't sure there would be enough room for us and your big head," Penelope fires back with sarcasm dripping from her mouth as Gordon helps her through the doorway.
"Oh!" Gordon sighs.
June 6th, 2060 - 17:41 PET
Scott and Marion arrive at the pyramid and head over to Professor Harold's marquee. Scott opens the tent for Marion and they hear Professor Harold talking to himself.
"The tragic loss of Lady Penelope and her companions must not be in vain. We owe it to her memory to continue work in which she gave her life," Harold rehearses in the mirror.
"WHAT?!" Marion and Scott yell in unison.
NO!" Harold cries.
"What's happened?!" Scott demands, "Are they?!"
"No, no! Well... probably..." Harold stutters.
"Tell us what's going on!" Marion orders.
"NOW!" Scott shouts.
"They're lost in the pyramid," Harold admits.
"Why didn't you call it in?!" Scott demands.
"The other one said they'd blast the pyramid wide open!" Harold states, "And I couldn't allow this unique discovery to be destroyed! I'm sorry but people are just for a lifetime. History is forever."
"You motherfucker!" Scott says and goes to punch the guy. Luckily, for Harold, Virgil arrives in the marquee just in time to grab Scott and pull him back.
"Woah, Scott, we'll deal with this later," Virgil says trying to remain calm, "Right now, we need to find Gordon and the others."
"Okay," Scott says with a sigh and exits with Virgil.
"You better hope we're not too late," Marion adds sternly to Harold before heading out and over to the entrance of the pyramid where Scott and Virgil were standing.
"Can't use a Mole Pod. The whole mountain is unstable. We start digging and we could end up bringing the whole thing down on top of them," Virgil explains.
"I should have been the one to take Parker's call, not Gordon," Scott mutters.
"Then we would've ended up in the same situation," Marion responds.
"Give Gordon some credit. He can handle this," Virgil says, "Now help in the Pod bay. I have something we can try."
June 6th, 2060 - 17:58 PET
"These tunnels h'all look the same. 'Ow can we tell we h'aren't going in circles?" Parker asks.
"Because, we're not, okay?" Gordon replies.
"Could be some kind of maze," Parker says, "Made to fuck with h'our brains."
"No, I'm sure this tunnel is different," Gordon says, and they step on a pressure plate and a wall comes down behind Parker, "See, this one has a big wall in the middle of it."
"Listen," Penelope says as a noise becomes present within the tunnel, "Did you hear that? It sounds like the laughing king is coming to meet us."
"I'm not laughing," Parker winces.
"I'll tell him a knock-knock joke," Gordon says standing in front of the two protectively. Something comes around the corner and slithers towards them. Gordon raises his fists ready for a fight as the group watches as the object lifts to eye level then a hologram comes out of it when it opens up.
"Virgil?" Gordon asks.
"Hey brother, I see you met our cable cam," Scott waves.
"We couldn't dig without risking the whole mountain coming down on top of you," Marion explains.
"Most 'obliged," Parker says.
"I dug a small whole in to send in the camera and map the pyramid," Virgil states.
"We found a shaft that looks like it'll get you out through the top chamber," Scott informs.
"Keep heading up, but this time we're coming with you," Marion smiles.
They keep going and follow the camera back through the tunnel, the way it came. Soon, they go up a set of stairs and there's another doorway with an inscription that is shown above it. Gordon shines is torch onto it and brings the group to a stop.
"Hold up, there's another inscription here," Gordon explains, "Can John get us a translation?"
"Yeah he's watching the feed." Scott explains and then listens to John, "Says it means... Ah... Point of no return." All six of them sigh.
"H'I reached that h'a while h'ago," Parker mumbles, and they head up. They wonder into an enormous room. In the middle there sits a golden large statue that is placed on a pyramid of stairs. Several streaks of sunlight beam into the room, allowing the group inside to turn off their torches. As the cable camera slithers through the entrance, a slab of rock comes down sealing the chamber, destroying the camera.
"Should 'ave expected that by now," Parker deadpans.
"Guess we're on our own again," Gordon sighs.
June 6th, 2060 - 18:10 PET
"Gordon! Do you read me? Gordon!" Virgil says as he bangs on the camera station, the feed having gone static.
"Uh, it's completely dead, we don't have eyes in that last chamber," Scott says.
"They're in the final chamber?" Harold cries, bounding up the the camera station, "Have they found the treasure?"
"Will you please fuck off we're trying to work here and you're getting in our way!" Marion says angrily and turns back to the brothers, "Dickhead."
June 6th, 2060 - 18:13 PET
The group inside the final chamber take a closer look at the golden statue in the middle of the room. It depicts a laughing face and there are several red jewels adding some detail.
"King Quepanqui I presume?" Penelope mutters.
"Whoa! Maybe that means no more traps?" Gordon smiles.
"Or maybe we are the only ones who's ever make it this far," Parker counters. As if on que the area begins to shake, and the ground starts to cave in on itself. Bits of rock fall from the ceiling and they're force to cover their heads for protection. However, as the ground collapses square by square either side of them, the group are left with very little choice on what to do next.
"Follow my lead!" Penelope orders, and they rush to the stairs. They weave across the crumbing ground, as Penelope starts to gain some distance ahead of them. They aim towards the stairs that lead up to the golden statue. Parker is having the hardest time trying to balance and has his arms out wide trying his best to stay on his feet as the edge of the falling ground gets closer and closer to his feet.
"Nice moves," Gordon says to Penelope as reach the stairs and start climbing up.
"H'Oh, thank you!" Parker replies.
"Best hopscotch jumper in my school," Penelope comments, looking down at the boys.
"Your father must be so proud m'lady," Parker says.
They climb up the remaining steps and Penelope gazes up at the statue. "The wind! It sounds like he's laughing," she states as they feel a sudden gush of wind hitting their faces. The howling echoing around the walls, sounding much like laughter.
"The warning was true," Parker wails, "We disturbed 'is peace. Now we'll share 'is tomb!"
Penelope and Gordon don't really pay attention and start to make it up onto the statue and the area continues to collapse below them into a dark ibis. They eventually stand on top of the statue and look around and the room disappears around them.
"Gordon? Now what?" Penelope asks.
"We only have a few more seconds left, so it's now or never," Gordon says and grabs onto Penelope's hand and faces her, taking off her hat. Before Gordon can continue though there is a noise above and a grapple hangs from the ceiling.
"We're being rescued! Hold onto me tightly, for your own safety," Gordon says. He fires his grapple to the ceiling and they are carried away to safety by Thunderbird 2 that sits them down next to Thunderbird 1 and FAB 1.
"We're alive! We're alive!" Parker exclaims and starts to jump up and down, making silly faces towards the original entrance.
Gordon laughs. "Well it's all over, I'd better go over to Scott."
"Wait Gordon! We we were on the statue, I thought for a second—" Penelope starts.
"...that we were done for?" Gordon finishes.
"Mmm, yes," Penelope nods.
"Yeah me too," Gordon smiles and scratches the back of his neck.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Harold says as he walks over to the pair, "I was beside myself with worry."
"Do you mean us or the treasure?" Gordon snarls, silencing Harold, "Nice to know. Now get the fuck out of my sight." Harold sighs and walks away.
"After all we went through perhaps some things are best left buried," Penelope says.
"You're probably right. I mean you and me it just wouldn't..." Gordon trails when he sees Penelope's face, "You're talking about the Laughing King aren't you?"
"It seems he got the last laugh. We should let him rest in peace," Penelope states, "And I'm sure World Heritage will agree it's simply not safe in there."
"Where to now m'lady?" Parker asks as he walks over to Gordon and Penelope.
"Home, Parker," Penelope says.
"Finally..." Parker says and feels for his keys, "For fucks sake. H'I think H'I've misplaced my keys inside the pyramid. There must be h'a way back h'in." Everyone laughs as Parker starts walking back inside the pyramid.