March 12th, 2061 - 08:00 NZDT
"Come on Alan wake up!" a voice calls.
"Huh?" Alan mumbles as he slowly opens his eyes. Today is his 17th birthday and unlike most years, when his brothers would allow him to sleep in, someone is currently trying to wake him up a stupid o'clock in the morning. "What time is it?"
"It's eight in the morning Al," the voice says. Alan slowly opens his eyes and comes face to face with Kayo, who is currently sitting on the edge of his bed giving him a warm smile, a small present in her hand that she presents for Alan to take.
"Oh, hey Kayo what's up?" Alan says, now fully awake.
"It's your birthday silly," Kayo giggles, "Happy Birthday Al!"
Alan smiles, sitting up and rubbing the remaining sleep out of his eyes. He accepts the gift out of Kayo's hands before deciding to stretch and manages to catch Kayo off guard by giving her a warm hug. Kayo blushes but returns the welcoming embrace. "Thanks K," Alan says causing Kayo to redden deeper at the new nickname, "Not doing a surprise party like we did for Virgil last year?"
"Of course not!" Kayo cries slapping Alan as she snuggles into him and watches as the facial expression turn to one of a smirk. Kayo's smirk is becoming a signature look and the Head of Security for International Rescue. It remines Alan a lot of the Black Widow in the old film series, the MCU.
"Ow!" Alan says in mock hurt.
"You know how badly that went..." Kayo trails.
5... 4...3... 2... 1... Thunderbirds are Go!
August 15th, 2060 - 07:31 NZST
Virgil whistles as he strolls into the kitchen. He sees most of his brothers sitting down at the table with Brains and Marion as Sally walks in with a fresh batch of bagels and places them on the table.
"Good morning, International Rescue!" Virgil says.
"Hi Virgil," Scott says.
"Sup!" Alan calls.
"Oh look, bagels, did you order them specifically for a special reason?" Virgil asks as his brothers pick up a bagel off the tray before passing it down to Brains.
"Order? They were meant to be pancakes," Sally sighs, "But they didn't turn out right."
"Oh," Virgil mutters.
"Today is a very important day," Brains notes.
"It is!" Virgil beams.
"We're installing a new r-ramjet in Thunderbird 1 this morning," Brains explains picking up a new bagel.
"And I get to test it," Alan says.
"Which means there's a thirty-four percent chance I'll be trying out Tracy Island's new f-firefighting equipment as well," Brains smirks.
"HEY!" Alan says.
"Hmm, August 15th... does that date ring a bell?" Virgil asks and watches Alan pick up his 3rd bagel.
"I don't recall anything happening today," Marion says.
"Absolutely! I have a meeting with the top brass at GDF," Scott groans, "Urgh! Wish me luck."
"Er... Good luck." Virgil says, and watches everyone walk out the room except Gordon who stays to finish his orange juice.
"Uh... Gordo, have you guys forgotten something?" Virgil asks.
"I don't think so," Gordon says pausing, "Wait, yes, of course! Thunderbird 4's new cells needs cleaning. Thanks for remaining me, Virgil." With that Gordon walks out the room and down to his elevator.
"Hm, one of the hazards of being in the world's most elite rescue team," Virgil mumbles to himself, "Life doesn't stop just because it's your birthday." He sighs and looks over to where Max is by an empty tray. "They could at least have left me a bagel." He is relieved to see Max whip out one he had hidden. "Thanks, Max. Hm, not exactly birthday cake but I'll take it."
Suddenly, the hologram projector on the table switches on and John appears, "Virgil, good. Thunderbird 2 is needed. It's time to move."
"Looks like Grandma's tooth buster will have to wait Max," Virgil says before looking up to the hologram, "Wait, John, you do what day it is don't you?"
"Of course, I do. It's Sunday," John says and ends the call.
"Best Birthday ever," Virgil sighs.
5
Virgil runs over to the painting of a rocket and gets suited up.
4
The pod equipment is loaded into Module 2.
3
Virgil lands on top of the passenger elevator and closes the roof hatch before selecting Module 2 on his control unit.
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!
August 15th, 2060 - 07:42 NZST
As Virgil set his course towards the north of Greenland, where the emergency call originated from, John calls in to inform him on the details that he has received.
"We've intercepted an incomplete distress call. All I got was a single word. Breakdown," John informs.
"Breakdown? Thunderbird 2 is a state-of-the-art rescue vehicle, not a tow truck," Virgil deadpans.
"The call came from a priority emergency beacon on a glacier ice-shelf eight-hundred miles inside the Arctic Circle," John says.
"Now that makes a difference," Virgil smirks, "Thunderbirds go where other tow trucks can't."
"Precisely. It'll be a quick one," John says, "You'll be there and back before lunch."
"F-A-B," Virgil says, and John ends the call leaving Virgil lost in his thoughts as Thunderbird 2 zooms across the Pacific Ocean at a low altitude — to avoid crossing the flight path of commercial airlines.
August 15th, 2060 - 07:47 NZST
In the lounge, Alan and Kayo are stood by the table as Scott walks down the stairs with a large present, with the help of Marion. Brains is still decorating with Max stood beside him. They have decorated it with balloons and streamers with their party hats already on and the table is full of food.
"Okay guys, Thunderbird 2 is away," John calls in, as his hologram appears above the table, "Virgil doesn't suspect a thing."
"Urgh, I was worried I was going to have to eat this," Alan complains.
"We've got about two hours until he gets back," Scott notes.
"Virgil totally thinks we've forgotten about his birthday," Alan laughs.
"Now, let's get this island ready for a party, Tracy Style," Gordon says.
"Yes," Alan cries, "Ooh, cake! Someone else made this right?"
"Straight from Paris," Sally says and sees Alan reaching for the cake, so she pushes him back, "And not till Virgil gets back."
"Virgil better hurry!" Alan says.
August 14th, 2060 - 19:14 WGST
Virgil hovers Thunderbird 2 above the snowy iceshelf. The ice around the coastline of Greenland has been unstable for almost a hundred years now and there are clear cracks that run through the ice sheets. It is no place for Thunderbird 2 otherwise it'll become the new largest submersible in the Thunderbird Fleet.
"You're approaching the iceshelf now. Do you have visual?" John asks.
"Wow, it's beautiful. It looks like... like a huge frost of birthday cake," Virgil mutters.
"What was that?" John asks.
"Er, nothing," Virgil says. He approaches a more stable bit of the ice shelf, this several hundred meters above the sea level, he notices something on the top of it. "I've located the emergency beacon. I'm putting her down on the ice." Thunderbird 2's VTOL engines are put to work as Virgil circles the large Thunderbird around the beacon and slowly lowers her a short distance away. To easily access the module, he lowers the landing legs of Thunderbird 2 slightly before getting up out of his seat and leaves on foot via the passenger elevator. He runs over to the beacon where he notices someone with the visual aid of his helmet. "I think I found our guy," Virgil shouts and kneels beside him, "Hey there buddy, it's a bit cold to be taking a nap out here."
"Break... down," the guys slowly says.
"Yeah, sounds like our man all right," Virgil says and scans the man with his helmet, locking onto his vitals, the details being sent to John, "Uploading vitals."
"Pulse is weak, but stable. Core temperature is dangerously low," John notes, "Get him onboard Thunderbird 2 and put him into a hypo-chamber stat."
"We'll soon have you toasty as a tea cake. Mmm, cake," Virgil muses and carries the man over his shoulder into Thunderbird 2. He puts him laying down on the medical table and monitors his vitals on the screen in front of him. "Blood pressure's rising, he's warming up nicely."
"Now just drop your guest off at the Nuke Medical Centre and return to base. I said this was just a quick breakdown call," John says as Virgil moves through to the cabin and stands behind his chair but pauses when a thought strikes him.
"Breakdown? Doesn't a breakdown usually involve some kind of vehicle?" Virgil asks, "I didn't see anything out there. Not even a pair of ice stakes."
"I'll scan the area for vehicle readings," John says doing a scan on the holo-screen, "Negative, nothing for two hundred miles. Looks like your job here is done. Come on home."
"F-A-B," Virgil says sitting down but then thinks of the elevation that Thunderbird 2 is currently at, "Hmm. Thunderbird 5, can you redo that scan, but this time focus it down."
John then reruns the scan which picks something up at the bottom of an ice tunnel, "Good call Virgil. I'm picking up a vehicle signature and there's two life signals as well."
"In the ice?" Virgil questions, "How far down?"
"Approximately two-thousand meters," John replies, "Better prepare a pod."
"Looks like this won't be such a quick rescue after all," Virgil grimaces and walks down into Module 2 to assemble a pod. In the module, Virgil rushes over to the selection panel and picks a Pod Explorer. The mechanical arms quickly get to work, bringing out Pod A. Several lights, a repair claw and three sets of caterpillar tracks before getting in. "Alright, Pod Explorer is go," Virgil announces and starts to slowly drive the pod forwards.
Outside, Thunderbird 2 rises revealing the module door. A second later, the module door starts to gradually lower and acts as a ramp for Virgil as he drives across towards the hole in the ice, where presumably the man had to climb out of. When he arrives at the tunnel, he uses the caterpillar wheels to flips the pod over the edge. As they extend, they cling to the walls at the tunnel's opening, hanging the body of the pod into the tunnel. "Cool," Virgil muses and releases the break, causing the wheels to start sliding, rapidly descending the pod into the tunnel. "Nine-hundred meters…. Sixteen-hundred meters... Seventeen-hundred meters... Sheesh, this thing goes down forever," Virgil comments as he begins to see the end of the tunnel. "Woah!"
Virgil slams on his breaks trying to stop the pod from crashing down into the hole and getting destroyed. Unlike Scott, Virgil doesn't have a jetpack and it would take a while with just his exo-suit to get both of the crew that are trapped down there out. Unfortunately, the pods breaks aren't strong enough and the pod falls from the tunnel into an open space. "Deploying grappling hooks," Virgil cries and he whacks his hand onto the control panel. The grappling hooks, located at each nose of Pod A, deploy thus stopping him from crashing into the floor. "Argh!" The pod's fall comes to a harsh stop. It it weren't for the straps that are holding Virgil down in his seat, he'd have gone flying out the cockpit window.
"Pod Explorer, you okay?" John asks.
"Yeah, I think I found the cause of the breakdown," Virgil says as he sees a laser drill machine that has trapped by falling snow on the ground of the ice chamber. It is clear that it had been a large avalanche with several snowy boulders dotted around the broken down machine, having destroyed a couple of its mechanic legs. Virgil releases one of the grappling hooks and slowly lowers the pod to the ground. With the pod stable, Virgil opens the cockpit and runs over to the laser drill. "Hello? Did someone call a tow truck?" Virgil calls as he gazes around for any sign of life. He hears grunting coming from inside the drill and head over to it, tapping the door which open it. A man and a woman step out.
"Finally, we've been waiting forever. The fall knocked our laser out of alignment. It's incredibly inconvenient!" the man rants and walks round to the front of the machine and the woman leads Virgil in the opposite direction.
"I am Professor Gonchorov, and this is Doctor Peck," the woman introduces, "We are on a scientific expedition when we hit this chamber. Our crew leader volunteered to climb up to the distress beacon."
"We got his call," Virgil explains, "He's a brave man. A bit chilly, but he's going to be fine. Now let's get you two out of this oversized ice cube." He starts to walk towards the pod, but Peck runs over to stop him.
"No, not happening! Our research is too important," Peck cries, "Just fix this thing and we'll continue on our way."
"I'm not really a repairman," Virgil states.
"This is non-negotiable!" Peck yells.
"Well, I am pretty handy with an electron monkey wrench. Give me a minute and I'll see what I can do," Virgil says and walks over to the pod to get some tools out.
"Good. And be quick about it!" Peck demands folding his arms.
John appears over the pod's comm system as Virgil grabs his wrench. "Pod Explorer, what's your status?"
"It seems like they don't really want to be rescued," Virgil states, "Perhaps we should just change your name to International Breakdown."
"International Breakdown we have a situation," John tries, "Doesn't quite have the same ring toit."
August 14th, 2060 - 20:46 WGST
Virgil makes his way back over to the laser and attempts to get is fixed. Peck and Gonchorov wait outside, but Virgil's work isn't helped by the fact that Peck is acting really impatient. "Let's see," Virgil muses.
"You know how important it is to keep going on. We cannot stop this is far too important!" Peck says to Gonchorov just as some ice begins to cave in from the ceiling over where Virgil is currently working.
"What was that?" Virgil calls, not knowing what it was.
"What? I didn't hear anything," Peck quickly says.
"Hmm," Virgil hums thinking he is just hearing things and resumes working. However, more ice caves in. "You had to hear it that time."
"Oh, that it's nothing, just... glacial shift," Peck swiftly responds, "Don't worry, it's completely normal. Now hurry up, I don't have all day!"
"That's got it," Virgil says and steps out with his tool kit. The laser switches on and starts to melt the ice.
"Come on, we've got to hurry," Peck says to Gonchorov and he runs past Virgil and into the laser, with Gonchorov close behind him.
"You're welcome," Virgil mumbles. However, now he is outside, when the ceiling starts to crumble again he knows exactly what is about to happen. "Uh-oh." He drops his toolkit and runs back over to the laser. "Get out of there, it's not safe!" Thinking quickly, Virgil helps Gonchorov get back out, but has to drag Peck as he refuses to leave.
"No! We have to keep digging!" Peck yells and is dragged away from the laser as the ice crashes down on top of it. The group are forced to take cover behind the Pod Explorer as seemingly the whole ceiling starts to come down. The whole ice chambers shakes and Virgil grits his teeth, not knowing if the hole that the laser has come down has remained stable.
"I'm picking up major seismic disturbances in the ice shelf," John says to Virgil over the comms as his holo-screen picks up activity, "Give me a sit-rep."
"This is a little more than my repair skills can handle," Virgil says. The shaking stops and as they walk out from underneath the pod they are met with the sight of the crushed laser machine that has been completely obliterated by the fall of several snow boulders.
"It's a disaster!" Peck complains.
"Looks like this is the end of the road for this research trip Doc," Virgil says politely.
"We'll have to continue into the Vision Network on foot," Peck calls to Gonchorov.
"But we decided it wasn't safe without the drill," Gonchorov fires back. Virgil starts to walk away, enabling him to talk to John.
"This time we really don't have a choice!" Peck whispers.
"Thunderbird 5 we're ok, but our friends have lost their ride," Virgil informs, pressing down on his green sash.
"Then you better get them out fast. My scans are showing the ice shelf is highly unstable and in danger of imminent collapse," John explains.
"There's less time than I thought," Peck intervenes, overhearing the conversation, "We have to hurry!" He starts to walk off but is cut off by Virgil.
"Doc, no science is worth risking your life for. You can tunnel into the ice another time," Virgil negotiates.
"I must complete my research before the shelf disintegrates," Peck explains.
"I'm going to evacuate you in the pod," Virgil says and starts to walk towards the pod as the Goncharov comes over to join them.
"But—" Peck starts
"This is non-negotiable!" Virgil says sternly turning around to Peck who sighs in dismay, "I can only take you one at a time. Who's first?"
"Professor Gonchorov, I insist," Peck says folding his arms and turning away.
"Ok Doc, I'll be right back," Virgil replies and walks over to the pod with Gonchorov, "Your associate is very... how should I say it? Very determined."
"It's what makes him an excellent scientist," Gonchorov says climbing into the pod, "And a somewhat difficult human being. But I believe in what we are doing and that helps." Virgil starts the pod up and fires a line to the roof and starts up the tunnel.
"Steady now, easy does it," Virgil says and pulls Pod Explorer up onto the surface and back into Thunderbird 2. He and Gonchorov enter to see the crew leader now sitting up. "What's so important down here anyway?"
"It's complicated,"Gonchorov says.
"You'll be safe in here," Virgil says.
"Thank you. Arthur," Gonchorov directs at the crew leader.
"Just gotta pick up Doctor Peck and we'll be on our way," Virgil says to John who appears on the comms.
"Be quick Virgil. That ice shelf could collapse any minute," John explains.
"Trust me, I won't take a moment longer than I have to!" Virgil replies.
August 14th, 2060 - 22:34 WGST
Virgil slowly manoeuvres the pod back into the ice chamber after getting back into it and heading, once again, back down the tunnel that the laser machine has drilling into the ice chamber. The cockpit door lifts as the Pod Explorer nestles on the ground. Virgil quickly hops out and walks in the direction of where he'd left Doctor Peck.
"Come on Doc. We've gotta get out of here," Virgil says looking around and not seeing anyone, "Arr! Where'd he go?"
"Infra-red scans show Peck has gone into the Fisher Maze on foot," John says informs as Virgil tracks down his infra-red heat signature using his helmet.
"I'm going in after him, "Virgil states with a large sigh, "I'll drag him out kicking if I have to." Returning to the pod, Virgil presses a button on his wrister communicator which lifts the pod upwards. Under the belly of the pod, his exo-suit is displayed. He walks up to it before turning around, allowing a mechanical arm to put it onto his back automatically. Once it is secure on his back, Virgil runs off in the same direction Peck had gone. "Doctor Peck, hold up. You're being rescued remember?" Virgil calls as he runs down the tunnel. Up ahead, Peck is also running at a fast pace through the narrow horizonal tunnels.
"Got to keep going. I can't stop. I've gotta find it," Peck mumbles to himself as he clambers over the uneven icy ground, consisting of unpredictable icy slopes. Due to his coat not being very protective against the cold, Peck starts to slow down and gets weaker, allowing Virgil to catch up to him.
"Got you now Doc," Virgil says sternly but watches in horror as Peck runs across a bridge that starts to crumble and shake along with the rest of the cave as he does so. Virgil fastens his pace and manages to use his exo-suit to grab onto the last part and avoid falling.
"Virgil that was a major icequake. Virgil are you there? Virgil?" John calls worried on the comms, "Pod Explorer respond. Virgil!"
"Don't worry, I'm still hanging in here," Virgil replies after he has pulled himself up. Peck is just ahead of him and after the last quake had gotten stuck under several ice blocks. "Doctor Peck."
"Help, quick! I'm trapped," Peck panics. Virgil lifts one block of ice and then the next.
"When you said you could go on, on foot, I don't think you meant one foot," Virgil jokes, "Maybe now you'll agree to be rescued?"
"No! I must complete my research. It's non—" Peck starts.
"I know, I know, it's non-negotiable!" Virgil sighs and turns around, walking away slightly so he can talk to John, "Er, Thunderbird 5, does the big book of saving people say anything about rescuing someone who doesn't actually want to be rescued?"
"Does he seem like he's lost his mind or acting against his will?" John questions.
"He's weird and rude and kind of frustrating but that's about it," Virgil states.
"Well, whatever you do you better choose soon. That ice shelf is about to dive into the ocean," John responds.
"F-A-B," Virgil acknowledges, "I'll be out of here in a few minutes with or without Doctor Peck." Virgil ends his call with John and turns back to face Doctor Peck. "Just what is so important down here that it's worth risking your life for?"
"Bacterium C Platensis," Peck states.
"Right, now I know you're crazy. Ok, you're coming with me," Virgil says and picks Peck up off his feet and over his shoulder.
"Stop! Put me down! It's a matter of life or death!" Peck cries.
"Explain yourself. Quickly," Virgil demands and puts Peck back down again.
"This glacier is a 110,000 years old. Core drilling revealed this ancient bacterium has been trapped inside the ice for all those millennia," Peck explains, "When the ice shelf collapses this bacterium will be lost... forever."
"And? What's so important about a bunch of old germs?" Virgil asks.
"My daughter, she's got Chiver's disease," Peck says sadly, "I've dedicated my life to finding a cure, for her and all the others like her. The bacterium holds the secret to that cure if I can get a large enough sample. That's why I can't go back, that's why I've got to go on! I've got to complete my research... for her."
"You're on rescue mission. Why didn't you say?" Virgil asks, effected by what he had learnt.
"This wasn't authorised by the foundation that owns the drill. I was afraid you'd shut us down," Peck responds.
"I don't have that authority. I'm only the tow truck driver, remember?" Virgil jokes trying to lighten the mood.
"And I could really use a lift right now. Please?" Peck asks.
"Thunderbird 5, this is Pod Explorer. I'm going to be a few more minutes," Virgil says.
"Virgil, you don't have a few more minutes. You've gotta get out of there now," John calls.
"Sorry, but there's more than two lives at stake here. Trust me," Virgil replies.
August 14th, 2060 - 22:56 WGST
Virgil helps Doctor Peck, who is limping from what had occurred when the ice had landed on him. They approach an open cavern with a slight glow.
"It's close. Very close, "Peck says before seeing something, "Bacterium C Platensis! Ah." He lets go of Virgil and steps over to the edge of the ridge, kneeling down to gather a sample.
"Ok, gather what you need and let's get out of here," Virgil states.
"Got it," Peck says as rumblings begin as the glacier continues to collapse into the ocean. Virgil grabs Peck and starts to run.
"Pod Explorer returning to Thunderbird 2. Pronto," Virgil says. He supports Peck as he charges back the way they'd come. Behind them, powdered snow and boulders start falling from the ceiling that if they'd be a few seconds longer, would've crushed them. As they get within a few meters of the Pod Explorer, Virgil has a quick glance over his shoulder and is shaken by what he sees. He picks Peck up off his feet and runs the last few meters to the Pod Explorer. He throws him into the passenger seat and climbs into the drivers seat with his exo-suit still on. Before he is even fastened in or with the cockpit door closed, Virgil fires a grapple up to the ceiling and starts pulling the Pod Explorer upwards.
"Virgil, the ice shelf is collapsing. Get out of there now!" John yells as warnings all over are flashing red, meaning immediate danger to life. Virgil races his pod as fast as it can go to the surface.
"We're going as fast as we can," Virgil shouts, "Two-hundred meters… One-hundred meters… There's the entrance."
"We're not going to make it!" Peck wails, "I made us stay down here too long."
"Don't give up. I'm due a little birthday luck. Engaging booster," Virgil replies as the pod speeds up, "Woo-hoo!" In a flash, the pod goes flying out the exit of the hole and makes it out of the glacier. Virgil charges it over to Thunderbird 2, where as soon as the pod is on the ramp, Virgil activates Thunderbird 2's remote pilot. As Virgil makes it to the cockpit, he engages thrusters just as the ice gives way and everything falls into the ocean. "This is Thunderbird 2. Mission complete, I'm on my way home."
August 14th, 2060 - 23:09 WGST
"Where can I drop you?" Virgil asks.
"Mercy Hospital!" Peck says.
"You got it," Virgil says.
March 12th, 2061 - 08:32 NZDT
"You know," Alan says, still sitting up in his bed with Kayo next to him, "I already feel like this is gonna be a great day."
"Is it?" Kayo asks, "How so?"
"Well, every birthday since you've come back to the island has just seemed to be getting better and better and I don't know why," Alan confesses with a light blush on his checks. Kayo's heart flutters as she looks back up into Alan's ocean blue eyes.
"That's comforting to know," Kayo smiles, "You better have something special for my 18th in June."
"I've already planned it K," Alan says using his new nickname again.
"Oh, have you?" Kayo smirks.
"Yeah!" Alan responds, "But I'm not going to tell you what."
"Aw come one Alan!" Kayo complains but is silenced by Alan putting a hand over her mouth.
"Shhhh!" Alan says, "Let's just enjoy this moment while we can before my brothers come and wake me up."