September 5th, 2060 - 13:17 NZST

John is walking through to the holo-map on Thunderbird 5 with a small drink in his left hand which he had manage to quickly grab on what has been another busy day. As he walks in a screeching noise can be heard and John puts his free hand to his ear in discomfort. "What?" John questions as he approaches the map and twists it around to the Pacific Ocean, not too far below where Tracy Island and Thunderbird 5 register. He clicks on a warning symbol to bring up the source of the noise before putting a hand over his ear again to try and block out the noise that is being created. He sees a disaster waiting to happen.

"This is International Rescue," John answers, "Don't worry, we're on our way."

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

September 5th, 2060 - 13:17 NZST

In the main lounge, Gordon and Virgil sit alone on opposite sofas as John appears on the hologram, bringing up an image of the extraction platform that is in danger.

"A heavy metal what?" Virgil asks.

"A heavy metal extraction platform," John states, "It scoops up old toxic waste from the bottom of the sea. There's a fire on board and no way to rescue its driver. My next call is to Hydrexler, the company that owns it."

"We're on our way, John. Should we bring in Scott and Marion?" Virgil asks, "Maybe even Alan?"

"We'll let them continue their training with Kayo, but I'll keep them posted," John says as Virgil gets up ready to leave, "Oh, and there's one more thing."

"There always has to be a cherry on top doesn't there?" Gordon sighs getting up himself and walking over to his elevator.

"If the platform breaks apart so will the tanks holding the poisonous cargo," John explains.

"F-A-B. Gordon and I will save the crew and secure the toxic sludge they've been collecting," Virgil acknowledges.

5

Virgil runs over to the painting of a rocket and gets suited up.

4

Thunderbird 4 is loaded into Module 4.

3

Gordon boards 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 blast shield rises.

Thunderbirds are Go!

September 5th, 2060 - 13:21 NZST

Above the Earth in Thunderbird 5, John is in the middle of a holo-call with Mr Ambro, the CEO of Hydrexler.

"I can assure you, no one is more anxious to see that toxic waste recovered than those of us here at Hydrexler. So, your help is much appreciated," Mr Ambro says to John after he was called to let him know of the situation, "We'll be standing by to take those storage containers off your hands the moment you recover them."

"And your crewman?" John asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, of course. Of course. We'll take him too," Mr Ambro says.

"I'm curious. What does your company do with all that toxic waste?" John asks.

"It's processed at our state-of-the-art facility. It's all very technical. We spare no expense to save our planet," Mr Ambro says.

"I see," John muses and as Mr Ambro hangs up. He shakes his head with disgust and contracts Gordon. "Did you hear that?"

"Every word of it," Gordon says as his hologram appears on the monitor that is on the opposite side of the command room, "He seems more interested in his payload than the crewman, or even his ship."

"Also, there's something about that transmission seemed off," John states.

"Let me make a call. I think I know who can help," Gordon smirks.

September 5th, 2060 - 02:21 BST

Penelope lies in the quiet embrace of her four-poster bed, nestled in the softness of her ivory sheets. The gentle hum of her antique ceiling fan provides a soothing lullaby as it dances in the moonlight. The scent of lavender fills the air, a lingering reminder of the candle she had blown out hours ago, promising a night of restful sleep. Her breathing is steady, a testament to the peace she has found in the cocoon of her sanctuary. The digital clock on the bedside table reads 02:21, but the numbers hold no sway over her weary eyes.

The softness of her pillow cradles her head as her eyelids fluttered slightly with each exhale, the world around her faded into a distant memory. The room is still, save for the occasional rustle of fabric as she shifts in her sleep, seeking the perfect position to greet the night.

Suddenly, the tranquillity is shattered by the jarring sound of her phone. The piercing ringtone pierces through the silence like a siren's wail, sending shockwaves through her slumber. She bolts upright, her heart racing, the serenity of the room replaced by the cold light of the device's screen. The name 'Gordon Tracy' illuminates the darkness, a stark contrast to the peace she has so recently known.

"Gordon, what a surprise," Penelope yawns, "Don't you think its a bit early to wake a lady up?"

"Sorry, Penelope there's just some business that needs taking care of," Gordon explains.

"Its fine Gordon, what seems to be the issue," Penelope reassures.

"Have you ever heard of a company called Hydrexler?" Gordon asks.

"Of course. My father is one of its investors," Penelope responds, "He cares deeply about cleaning up the oceans."

"Well, we just got off the line with their CEO..." Gordon trails.

"Oh, Hector Ambro," Penelope says with equal disgust as to what John had earlier, "For a company that does such good work, he's a rather... oily fellow, isn't he?"

"That's a good way to put it," Gordon scoffs, "One of their platforms is about to crash and burn. He's accepting our help but brushed us off when we asked what they did with the toxic waste they collected."

"Hmm. Let me see what I can dig up," Penelope muses.

"Be careful. I hear hobnobbing with corporate types is dangerous work." Gordon says trying to get a joke in there.

"Why, Parker, I believe Gordon is mocking us," Penelope says who by now has gotten up and is ready to leave in FAB 1. She gives a hard stare to Gordon's hologram before hanging up on him much to his shock.

September 5th, 2060 - 13:29 NZST

"She hung up on me," Gordon says disappointed, "Some people can't take a joke."

"It helps when they're actually funny," Virgil deadpans, "We're making our approach now. Better go strap in."

"F-A-B," Gordon sighs and enters Module 4.

"Thunderbird 5, tell them we've reached the drop zone," Virgil says, "Standby for launch Thunderbird 4."

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

"Thunderbird 4 is go!" Gordon announces and launches Thunderbird 4 into the depths below.

September 5th, 2060 - 13:35 NZST

"Thunderbird 2, this is Thunderbird 4, I'm on my way," Gordon says, "I'm sending coordinates now, and I'll need an MCR link to mat—Actually, scratch that, we won't need tracking coordinates or an MCR link."

"How come?" Virgil asks.

"Because... it's kinda hard to miss," Gordon states, and pulls up along side so he can scan it in order for Virgil to see what they were dealing with. The large yellow machine trundles along the ocean floor, pulling its trailer of toxic waste along with it.

"Wow. Now that's one mighty hunk of junk," Virgil comments, "Time to make contact, Thunderbird 4."

"International Recue to Hydrexler heavy metal extraction platform," Gordon calls, "Come in over." He waits a second but gets no response. "You okay in there?"

"Oh, yeah. We're fine. Just peachy," a man responds, "No rush. Isn't that right, Gladys?"

"Who's Gladys?" Gordon asks confused, "My intel said it was a one-man crew. Ned Tedford."

"That's me. Gladys is my geranium," Ned explains.

"Right..." Gordon says.

"Hold on, where are the others? Surely one person can't stop this monster of a machine," Ned says.

"It's just me, pal. With a little help from above," Gordon says, "Now, then, what's your status?"

"The fire's spreading and the pressure system's not gonna hold much longer," Ned explains, "I told the boss man we're going too deep, but he says the planet depends on me. Sorry Gladdie, on us."

"Okay, keep the platform straight, or better yet, slow to a standstill," Gordon orders.

"That's a big fat no. I've lost steering," Ned says trying the controls again, "We've got no pressure regulation. No life support, nothing! In other words, get me out!"

"Don't worry, everything gonna be okay," Gordon says.

"We are not going to be okay!" Ned cries as the pressure starts to crack the porthole cabin he is in.

"Hey Ned, calm down. Take a breath. I mean it. Breath in," Gordon orders as listens as Ned breaths in and out deeply, "I can't have you cracking under the pressure too. I need you focussed, we'll get through this." Gordon helps Ned remain calm, who grips onto the pot of his flower. Eventually, the platform comes to a stop. "See, the platform's stopped."

"That's because I've lost more power," Ned cries.

"Relax, that's good," Gordon smiles, "Let's just focus on getting you out of there."

"But the fire's blocking off our exit!" Ned yells.

"Well then, first order of business. Let's put out the fire," Gordon replies.

"Seems like a smart boy," Ned comments to his flower, which seems to nod in return, agreeing with his owner.

Gordon moves Thunderbird 4 down to below the extraction plant. He spots the orange glow of the fire coming from the exit hatch. "Thunderbird 2, I'm gonna open the hatch and flood the fire."

"Won't that damage the pressure system even more?" Virgil questions.

"One problem at a time," Gordon replies and activates Thunderbird 4's mechanical arms, which he controls using the joist stick on his chair. He uses the claws at the end of the mechanical arms to pull away at a yellow hatch, opening the fire to the water. As he moves away to deal with figuring out how to get Ned out, the orange glow of the fire fades and gradually disappears. "Compartments four, five and six flooded. The fire's out. Time to get Ned and Gladys."

"Who's Gladys?" Virgil queries.

"His Geranium," Gordon responds.

"Okay…" Virgil says, clearly confused, "Glad to see our skills being put to good use."

Gordon decides in call Ned again and inform him of the development. "Ned and Gladys, good news. The fire's out. I'm coming to get you"

"Um... somehow I think flooding the compartment was a bad idea. The water pumps are offline. We can't get past the flooded compartment. We're trapped," Ned says in a panic as the platform starts to creek, "What?" Before he knew it, the platform starts moving again.

Gordon is taken by surprise from the sudden movement and Thunderbird 4 is almost taken out by the platform. "No Ned, keep the platform stationary," he orders unclear as to any other explanation as to why the movement had begun again.

"I didn't touch it. It's moving all by itself again!" Ned cries.

The platform starts to veer off course and Gordon attempts to follow it trying to see where the platform is now heading. "The platform is veering off course," Gordon relays before a warning appears on Thunderbird 4's holo-map of the seabed, "Uh-oh."

"Uh-oh?" Ned asks, "That's a new code for everything's a-okay right?"

"Ned, the platform is heading for a cliff. We gotta get you out of there now," Gordon says not really thinking it was a good idea to lie, "Thunderbird 2, if the platform goes over that edge we'll lose Ned and the toxic cargo."

"One problem at a time remember?" Virgil says, "Let's get Ned out first."

September 5th, 2060 - 13:57 NZST

The platform is continuing on its course towards the deep-dark chasm. It trundles along at a slow pace, easy enough for Thunderbird 4 to remain comfortably at it's side and allow Gordon and Virgil to come up with a plan to not only free Ned and Gladys but to stop the extraction platform from going over the edge.

"What's your status, Thunderbird 4?" Virgil asks after getting radio silence for the last few minutes.

"Same as before," Gordon sighs, "Ned's trapped in his compartment and the platform's heading straight for a sea cliff. Any ideas?"

"Hmm," Virgil thinks, "If Ned can't get out maybe its time to do a little fishing."

"The grappling cable! Great idea Thunderbird 2," Gordon says, "What would I do without you?"

"Hold on," Virgil says catching onto Gordon's sarcasm, "Are you actually thanking me?"

"I'll try anything once," Gordon fires back.

Virgil positions Thunderbird 2 over the current location of the platform. He attempts to get a fix with the cable and after several tries, he finally gets one and fires the cable as far as he can into the water. Seeing this happening Gordon then brings Thunderbird 4 outside of the raised cabin, where Ned and Gladys are located. He pulls out the mechanical arms of Thunderbird 4 once again. He uses one to grab hold of the base of the cockpit and has a laser cutter attached to the other. He activates the laser and fires it towards the base of the tower, to which the cabin is situated on.

"Hey!" Ned yells in fear, "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to separate your compartment from the structure so we can haul you up with a grappling cable," Gordon explain hastily, "Nothing to worry about, we do this all the time."

"You fuckin' what?" Ned cries, "You'd have to be fucking crazy to want a job like that."

"Says the man with a geranium for a best friend," Gordon deadpans as he manages to free the tower completely and pulls it away from the platform to safety. It is at this point when Thunderbird 2's cable arrives at the sea bed. "Ah, just in time Thunderbird 2. Up for a game of catch?"

"F-A-B," Virgil acknowledges and Gordon starts swinging around repeatedly gaining the momentum he needs to throw the cabin at Virgil. Ned continues to yell when Gordon releases the compartment, throwing it through the water until it hits the cable with a jolt. When Virgil gets confirmation of the contact, he starts to pull it up.

"We're ok," Ned sighs, "We're going to be ok. We made it."

"Looks like you've got it all in hand Thunderbird 2," Gordon calls, "Say hello to Gladys for me."

"How's that platform looking?" Virgil asks.

"Hmm, not so good," Gordon says as he pulls Thunderbird 4's arms back in and returns to the platform, "If it goes over the edge of that cliff the spill will be a global catastrophe."

"Well then, let's stop that thing once and for all," Virgil states.

"F-A-B," Gordon acknowledges and changes his position, "Thunderbird 2, send down your hook again. This might need a little bit of pull."

Having stopped to get Ned to safety, the platform had gained some distance on Thunderbird 4. Gordon catches up just in time to see the platform reaching the edge of the chasm and begin to tip over the edge. Virgil is continuing his attempts to get a fix. He then manages to get it and fires two cables down. They both latch onto the cargo trailer. Gordon brings Thunderbird 4 closer to the trailer, bringing out the mechanical arms once again — with the same components as he used to rescue Ned and Gladys. He uses the right arm to attach to the main body of the extraction platform and tries to go in with the laser cutter.

"I'm attempting to separate the cargo now, but I'm pretty far away. Hang on tight, Thunderbird 2," Gordon says just as the platform begins to shift again, "Woah."

"Thunderbird 4, any chance you could hurry it up a little?" Virgil says straining, "I'm not really in the mood for a swim."

"Just… a little bit… more," Gordon says as he hastily cuts through the several cables that connect the trailer to the main platform. He looks over just to see the cargo starting to crack under the pressure. "Oh shit."

"What's happening?" Virgil says concerned.

"The pressure's affecting the cargo. It's about to burst!" Gordon cries. He turns the laser cutter to full power in a desperate attempt to separate the trailer. However, it isn't proving to be quick enough as the cracks along the toxic waste containers grow. The branch out as they travel along the width of several of the containers. The caterpillar tracks on the platform start to give up as the weight is being thrown towards the chasm. "The pressure's increasing," Gordon comments, watching the cracks get larger from the corner of his eye, "And this thing's getting ready to jump."

The weight of the platform is becoming clearer for Thunderbird 2 as it's starting to get pulled towards the surface of the ocean, with Virgil is struggling to keep his bird from going under. "Not sure how much longer I can counter the pull of the platform."

"Wait I can get a better cut on the cargo section if I go EVA," Gordon says.

"Why didn't you do that in the first place you fucking donkey?" Virgil grunts as the hologram of the platform in front of him is now flashing red, increasing with each part that falls over the cliff, "Though be careful as you'd have only three minutes before the pressure cracks your suit."

"Plenty of time," Gordon says.

"Nice and steady, Thunderbird 4," Virgil replies.

"Don't worry about me. You just keep hold on the platform," Gordon finishes. He puts on a diving mask as his chair beings to flip over, with Gordon remaining strapped into it. Once it had flipped over, leaving Gordon hovering head first, a hatch in the floor of Thunderbird 4, that is located behind the cockpit opens, and Gordon is automatically unstrapped from his seat and thrown into the water. As the hatch closes behind him, Gordon flips himself over and reaches over his shoulders to pull down a panel to bring out a propeller-driven backpack. He holds onto the arm rods and swims over.

September 5th, 2060 - 14:06 NZST

"Thunderbird 2's not going to hold. The platform's taking me under," Virgil says, "If you're going to cut it free it has to be now."

"Just one more second," Gordon says and manages to cut through the last wire, "Got it!"

Thunderbird 2 regains some stability as the weight of the platform considerably drops. "Well done, little brother," Virgil compliments.

"It wasn't so bad after all," Gordon jokes.

"Now get back inside Thunderbird 4 and lets figure out how to get this toxic waste up to the surface," Virgil says.

The remaining part of the platform begins to creak as it starts to fully topple down the sea cliff. However, it wasn't all good news as when Gordon turns around he sees something that makes him quite worried. "Thunderbird 2, slight problem," Gordon starts, "Thunderbird 4 is still clamped to the platform."

Virgil then hears over the comms what sounds like the platform going over the edge of the cliff completely. "Thunderbird 4! Gordon, come in," he calls, "Gordon are you there?"

A few seconds of silence pass as Gordon swims up from the cliff with Thunderbird 4 in tow. "Whoo! Sorry about the radio silence," Gordon finally says, "I had a sub to catch."

"Can we go home now please?" Virgil asks exhausted causing Gordon to laugh.

"F-A-B," Gordon acknowledges.

September 5th, 2060 - 19:23 NZST

Virgil and Gordon's footsteps echo through the corridors as they make their way to the lounge. The rest of the island is quiet, the others likely winding down from their own duties. The Tracy brothers knew the drill: debrief, eat, and then rest. As they arrive in the lounge, they find a hologram of Lady Penelope waiting for them. She has news from her little mission that Gordon had tasked her with from earlier. John also appears next to her in holo-form, having helped her with some of the digging.

"The Global Defence Force found the entire Clear Water 3000 treatment plant filled with toxic waste containers," Penelope explains.

"It looks like The Hood's plan was to secretly contaminate the drinking water supply and then charge a fortune to clean it up," John explains, "We stopped it just in time."

"I guess we won't be seeing anymore of Hector Ambro," Gordon says.

"But you will of Hydrexler. Some of the investors have decided its mission to clean up the oceans is worth continuing," Penelope informs.

"What about our old pal, Ned?" Gordon asks, "Did he make it back to dry land?"

"I made a few calls and got Ned and Gladys a nice safe desk job with the Global Defence Force," Virgil says with a smile.

"The GDF? I hope you and Ned have the same definition of safe," John says worried.