April 6th, 2061 - 16:46 NZST
The sun has begun its descent, a fiery orb that grows larger and more intense as it approaches the horizon. It is a sight that is not new to those who reside on Tracy Island as Thunderbirds 1 and 2 makes their final approach on the island. The colours of the sky transforms from a clear, azure blue to a warm palette of oranges and pinks, as if a giant artist has dipped their brush in molten gold and streaked it across the heavens. The light dances on the waves below, casting shimmering paths that seem to wrap around the small collection of islands that Tracy Industries owns. The horizon grows hazy, a mirage of light and shadow that makes the water and sky seem as one.
"Last one there has to do dishes for a week," Scott cries as everyone makes their final approaches.
"Well, you'd better put on your rubber gloves now!" Alan informs as Thunderbird 3 lowers on the roundhouse.
"You guys go for it. I'm just glad to be home," Virgil shrugs.
Thunderbird 1 zooms ahead of Thunderbird 2 and makes a dart towards the island. As Scott changes into horizonal flight, the tip of Thunderbird 3 just disappears behind the seclusion of the roundhouse.
"Hey, just because I'm dock with slowpoke here doesn't mean I'm sharing dish duty," Gordon says as the pool starts retracting for Scott to land.
"Looks like we're first Al," Kayo announces.
"Thunderbird 1 coming in for landing," Marion calls. Thunderbird 2 then lands on the runway and starts making its way towards the hanger.
"Thunderbird 2 and 4, back to launch," Virgil says, "And technically speaking my body entered the hangar first."
"Well, looks like we have our winner, Gordon," Scott chuckles.
"Ugh, dishes here I come," Gordon sighs, "Better not be lasagne tonight!"
The brothers, Kayo and Marion head upstairs to the lounge and take a seat with Alan placing his feet on Kayo's lap and Gordon sitting across from them.
"Ah, another mission complete," Scott says as Alan yawns.
"What a day," Alan states.
"What a week!" Gordon exclaims.
"But you guys did great," Marion says as Alan sighs.
"I know it's been a tough week with missions back-to-back—" Virgil starts.
"To back," Gordon says putting his feet up on one of the sofas.
"To back," Alan says as Kayo puts the footrest up.
"And now we can all catch a break." Virgil finishes but immediately, a beeping sound signals John's call.
"Sorry, guys, we have a situation," John says causing everyone to scoff.
5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Thunderbirds are Go!
John has brought up a hologram of a power station that is located in the Artic Circle.
"Destination Arctic Circle," John says.
"Aurora Borealis: The Northern Lights," Scott says.
"The lights are created by charged particles in the high atmosphere. All that electricity crackling in the air puts on quite a show. Now, this power station was designed to harvest energy from it. It's called the Aurora Generator," John explains.
"Let me guess. Something went wrong?" Alan asks.
"Give that Tracy a prize," John says with a slight humour in his voice, "The system was designed to discharge excess energy. But that failsafe has malfunctioned. We could be headed for a massive electrical explosion."
"What's the current status?" Marion asks.
"Approaching dangerous levels. This is a recording of the distress call," John says before playing it.
"I've done everything I can to stabilize the system, but nothing seems to work. We need immediate assistance," the woman says.
"J-John, if you can connect me with that engineer, I may be able to help," Brains says from his lab.
"F-A-B," John says as Brains' hologram disappears.
"Is this something the GDF can handle instead?" Virgil asks.
"International Rescue are the only ones equipped and able to mobilize in time," John says.
"Understood," Virgil sighs.
"Well, you heard him." Scott says, "Mobilize."
"Let's do this," Alan says sitting up.
"Just tell me what you need," Gordon says just a Kayo's wrist controller starts to beep.
"Sorry guys, the GDF want me in Cape Town," Kayo says standing up and heads over to her chair, "I'll see you guys later."
"Good luck Kayo! Also, Scott, Marion and I will take care of it," Virgil says.
"We will?" Scott asks, quickly turning his neck over to Virgil.
"They stay here," Virgil says firmly to Scott.
"Okay, Virgil," Alan says swinging his legs back onto the sofa, "Well we're here if you need any... cheeseburger." Before Alan can finish his sentence, he falls asleep.
"Just the three of you?" Gordon asks, "The mission sounds pretty unpredictable. Are you sure you don't need backup?" Brains then enters the room with Max close behind him.
"I'll b-be going too," Brains says.
"You will?" Gordon queries.
"Oh, not in person," Brains elaborates, "After vigorous testing I reconfigured Max for Arctic conditions. He'll serve as my eyes and ears for this t-trip."
"Okay Max, you're riding with me," Virgil says as Max whirs. Scott, Marion and Virgil then get up and go.
"Alright then. Looks like... Thunderbirds are go," Scott announces.
5
Virgil's rocket painting tilts backwards as Scott descends down his launch tube to get suited up.
4
The pod equipment is loaded into Module 2.
3
Max boards Thunderbird 2 via the passenger elevator while Marion is lifted into Thunderbird 1's hold.
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!
April 6th, 2061 - 17:04 NZST
"Tell us what we need to know, Brains," Scott says as he and Virgil fly over the North Pacific.
"Your first m-mission will be to go straight to the core of the Aurora Generator and manually trigger the release of the excess energy. T-Time is of the essence," Brains states.
April 6th, 2061 - 18:36 CEST
Thunderbirds 1 and 2 fly through the dark skies of the Artic Circle. The Aurora Generator is located on one of the Norwegian Islands that are located in the far north. Below, the ocean is replaced by thick snowy ice caps, that despite looking safe, wouldn't be able to support the weight of Thunderbirds 1 or 2, let alone both.
"Coming in for our final approach." Scott says as they head over the mountains that surround the power station, "I have eyes on the Aurora Generator." He flies towards it before he's hit with a red flash. "Thunderbird 1 is experiencing magnetic interference."
"The same for Thunderbird 2," Virgil informs.
"I think I can make a forced landing without the guidance system," Scott says before Thunderbird 1 gets hit by another red spark, "Ugh, I can't get in close."
"The energy field is too volatile," John states, "Abort your landing."
Scott steers Thunderbird 1 upwards, over the generator as Thunderbird 2 pulls away. "We'll have to go around it," Marion says.
"There's a safe landing area beyond the ridge, 500 aeronautical miles north, north-west," John informs.
"No, that'll take too long. I can do this," Scott says. He comes in again above the station and tries to lower Thunderbird 1 down. However, the magnetic field cuts out his instrumentation again and reluctantly, Scott aborts the landing.
"It's our only option. We can travel back to the generator in pods," Virgil sighs.
April 6th, 2061 - 18:45 CEST
Thunderbirds 1 and 2 land on the ice away from the station. The powdery snow swirls in the air as their engines get close to the ground. As Thunderbird 2, it's landing gear extends and its VTOL engines are cut. It raises to release Module 2, to allow Pods A, B and C to convert into Pod Explorer's. Virgil selects the correct pod and number and the mechanical arms inside the pod get to work. They attach skis to the front of the Pod as well as the caterpillar tracks, which are off centre, at the back. Max is forced to duck and swivel its heads to avoid getting hit by the moving machinery before a magnet attaches to him and lifts him inside Virgil's pod. The ramp goes down and Scott, Marion and Virgil exit in their pods.
"Alright, Pod Explorer is go," Virgil announces, "The Pods are configured for Arctic conditions, so we should get there safely."
"Great. Then let's blast it," Scott says.
"Not so fast," Virgil interjects, "We're surrounded by ice hazards. I've plotted a route that will skirt us around most of the more treacherous landscape. We'll head just North of this ice cliff."
"But the Generator is South." Scott deadpans and starts to leave, "The fastest route between two points is a straight line."
"Scott, follow the route it's too dangerous!" Virgil calls and sighs, "What's up with him?"
"I don't think he particularly wanted to come out," Marion offers.
"I guess so," Virgil says, "Buckle up Max."
"We'll be fine," Scott shouts as his pod races away, re-joining to comms, "Trust me."
April 6th, 2061 - 19:22 CEST
Scott kicks the crashed Pod B, that now lies in pieces. As he'd pushed the pod to its limits, he has to wait a while before Virgil and Marion are able to catch up to him and retrieve him. Scott sighs as he looks at the arriving pods slightly regretting not listening to him earlier. Marion opens the cockpit of Pod C to allow Scott to get into the passenger seat
"Can we do it my way now?" Virgil asks.
"Fine," Scott says and buckles himself in his seat as they start trekking through the snow again.
April 6th, 2061 - 20:37 CEST
They are now taking Virgil's route at a swift pace which surprises Scott though, he's slightly relieved that he isn't driving. Virgil decides to talk to Brains once they had passed the half-way point.
"Brains, will Max be okay once he's out there?" Virgil asks.
"Thanks for your concern, but Max can withstand temperatures as low as -150°C or -238°F," Brains explains, "This is actually quite fun. Whoo-hoo!"
"You're enjoying it?" Scott asks amused.
"I have m-modified Max's programming to allow me the virtual experience of feeling the surroundings," Brains says.
"So whatever Max sees... you get to as well?" Marion asks.
"Without the f-freezing temperatures of course," Brains jokes.
"Well, we're happy to have you both along for the ride," Virgil comments.
April 6th, 2061 - 21:14 CEST
Virgil and Marion drive their pods in the harsh snowy terrain as the wind starts picking up. Random boulders scatter the landscape, causing the pair to deviate their pods off their semi-straight path in order to get around them.
"Can't this thing go any faster?" Scott asks, getting impatient.
"It sure can," Marion replies.
"Then why aren't we?" Scott counters.
"My pod, my rules," Marion states firmly which causes Scott sighs in dismay. The call signal beeps, and John's hologram form appears.
"Thunderbird 5 to Pod Explorer's," John says, "Just got word, the situation at the generator is deteriorating."
"Brains, how much time before it blows?" Scott asks.
"There is such a flux in the Aurora activity that it's not p-possible to p-pinpoint exactly how much energy is being harvested," Brains explains.
"Best guess?" Marion enquires.
"Closest estimate is six to fourteen hours," Brains says.
"You need to get there as fast as possible," John adds.
"We'll do our best," Virgil says.
"You guys can go faster than that. Step on it," Scott demands and reluctantly Marion and Virgil speed up, "Now that's more like it!"
April 6th, 2061 - 21:51 CEST
As time passes and they travel further across the artic ice, they approach a wall of thick ice fog falls. As Virgil and Marion drive forwards into the fog, it completely engulfs their surroundings, compromising their view of the path ahead. They are forced to slow down to a snail's pace with Max whirring unhappily.
"Why are you slowing down?" Scott asks.
"I can barely make out two feet in front of me," Marion responds.
"It's just a little ice fog. We've been through worse," Scott says.
"It's not just the fog I'm worried about," Virgil defends, "We're driving over, and ice field littered with cracks, some of them hundreds of metres deep. There's no way our sensors can cut through this suit."
"Virgil, this would be a p-perfect opportunity to test Max's scanning ability," Brains explains, "He can plot a safe c-course around even the tiniest of cracks."
"Sounds good to me. Even a small one could swallow this pod whole," Virgil replies, "Alright Max, time to live up to your name."
"Huh?" Marion questions.
"Mechanical Assistant Experimental," Virgil explains.
"Oh," Marion says. Pod A opens up and the mechanical arm of the pod lifts Max from the back seat and onto the ice field in front of the pods. He whirs and starts moving, prodding and scanning the ground as he goes.
"That's it Max. Steady as she goes," Brains say to Max as he bleeps and whirs before turning around and gesturing over to Virgil and Marion using his arm for them to follow him. He starts to move forward with Pod Explorer's following slowly behind. In the far distance they see a flash of green and blue coming from the power station, though it is hard to see in the thick fog.
"It's gaining in intensity. We don't have that much time. Oh, pick up the pace Max!" Scott cries impatiently. Max continues forward, bleeping and whirring at a slow pace. Suddenly, the ice beneath him crumbles and he disappears from sight.
"Max!" Virgil yells, bringing his Pod to a halt to see Max holding onto the edge of a newly formed ice cliff, "Hold on." Virgil lowers the pods arm down to reach Max. "Can just about reach," he strains. After a few seconds go by, Max eventually manages to grab on, but the ice begins to give way again with Pod Explorer tipping over slightly causing Max to jump over to grab onto a different part of the ledge. "Woah! The weight of the pod is making the ice unstable," Virgil states and reverses back out of the danger, "Hang on Max, I'll try another angle." He reverses back and round to the other side and lowers the arm again. "Come on Max." Max climbs up the ice ledge to try and reach the arm but keeps slipping back down but just as Max is about grasps the arm, he slips again. "Shit!" Virgil yells and lowers the arm quickly before bringing it back up having managed to grab Max, "I got him."
"Phew," Marion and Scott sigh and watch as Virgil moves away from the ledge before stopping on safe ground.
"T-Thank you Virgil," Brains says.
"That's it. We are going to have to wait until the fog clears," Virgil declares.
"If we stop now, we'll lose precious time," Scott complains.
"And if we don't, we may not make it at all," Marion counter, "Virgil is right."
April 6th, 2061 - 23:28 CEST
They set up an igloo device that Brains made and get inside to get warm and to rest. The orange glow coming from the heater in the centre of the room, warming them up immensely. All of them having removed their helmets and place them on the floor at their feet.
"What's going on with you today?" Virgil asks.
"Me? We're on a mission," Scott replies, "We need to do everything we can to get there ASAP and you're taking the scenic route."
"It's the safe route," Virgil states.
Scott scoffs. "I didn't come here to be safe."
"You can't keep pushing everyone and everything to the limit," Marion says.
"I don't push anyone harder than they need to be pushed," Scott fires back.
"You are so darned determined; you don't see the danger. We almost lost Max!" Virgil cries.
"Max is just a machine," Scott scoffs, "Brains is constantly breaking him apart and rebuilding him stronger. You don't know what you are capable of unless you keep pushing."
"But we're not fucking machines!" Marion shouts.
"Someone has got to step forward! I'm just doing what my Dad did," Scott says standing up, "He never gave up."
"Dad worked hard but even he knew there were limits," Virgil responds, "He couldn't do it all."
"But I have to do it all! I couldn't save Dad, but... maybe I can make up for it," Scott says.
"By saving everyone else?" Virgil asks and Scott nods, "But keeping our family safe is equally important. And we all need you to be around."
"And to help each other out so we don't push ourselves over the edge," Marion adds, "You brought me in and I'm forever grateful for that."
"I miss him," Scott finally admits.
"I miss him too," Virgil says, "We all do. It's hard to think he's gone."
"If I let myself think about... Keeping busy with International Rescue... is the only thing I have to keep me from going crazy," Scott says.
"Hey, you've still got us," Virgil shrugs causing Scott to chuckle.
"Yeah, yeah," Scott says, "Though if I'm perfectly honest with you Marion bringing you in to relive pressure wasn't the only reason."
"It isn't?" Marion asks.
"Well... This is probably the wrong time to say it," Scott mumbles turning away.
"No, no. You've started now," Marion says.
"I, er... kinda have a crush on you," Scott says.
"You're kidding?" Marion asks blushing.
"I take that back," Scott quickly says.
"NO!" Marion cries, a bit too loudly causing Scott to look back at her, "I mean that's kinda cute of you to say." She takes a breath before looking back at Scott, "I feel the same way."
"Really?!" Scott asks surprised.
"Really," Marion chuckles and the two smile.
"Too fucking cute," Virgil snorts, ruining the moment.
April 7th, 2061 - 02:41 CEST
After the ice fog dissipates, they pack up the igloo and get back into the two Pod Explorer's . The snow sparkling in the night sky. They'd re-applied their helmets and are readly to head to the generator.
"Ready?" Virgil calls.
"Ready," both Marion and Scott nod.
"Ready," Brains adds as Max whirs.
When they approach the power station, it is a slight to behold. The generator glows a bright white as a swirling cloud of red energy pours into it.
"I just hope we made it in time," Scott says.
"Me too brother," Virgil responds.
"The generator is moments away from a massive b-blow out," Brains explains as they approach the station, "From my calculations the magnitude of the discharge will cause a geomagnetic reversal."
"Which means?" Scott asks.
"The Earth's magnetic poles will flip," Brains deadpans, "That event might be considered... catastrophic." As they get closer, it is clear to see that the generator is taking in too much power and needs to be shut down. The flow of red energy even increasing in the sort time that they have been approaching. As the skies above the generator are covered in a dark red clouds, the generator itself starts to spark and splutter.
Virgil and Marion park up their pods across from the main entrance to the power station, but no too close that if there is an explosion they won't get damaged. "What exactly happens if the poles flip?" Marion asks.
"The most likely event will be a dramatic c-change in weather patterns resulting in crop damage and world-wide starvation," Brains explains as everyone climbs out the two pods and go the last distance on foot.
"Oh, that sounds pretty catastrophic to me," Scott comments.
"According to the schematics, the m-manual override is housed at the core section. I've sent Max the route. Lead the way Max," Brain says as Max whirs and goes, entering the generator with the others close behind, "The energy core should be just through those walls."
"And the engineer?" Virgil asks turning on his torch.
"Max has located her heartbeat," Brains states, "She's inside the main shut up area."
"She's still here?" Marion asks horrified.
"Pushing to the limit: remind you of anyone?" Virgil muses, following Max through to the next compartment, where the engineer is climbing up the generator, "You've got to leave. Now."
"Not a chance. I have to get this grounded before it blows," the engineer says but the loss of concentration causes her to fall, but she manages to grab onto part of the generator. Scott quickly springs into action, running forward and grabbing her hand as she falls, pulling her back up to safety.
"How can we help?" Virgil enquires.
"I've been trying to get this grounding receiver to the top of the generator ever since I spoke to your engineer," the engineer explains handing the receiver over, "Can you help?"
"F-A-B," the trio say. Scott hands Virgil his grapple and starts towards the generator to start climbing. Virgil fires the grapple onto one of the stanchions above, allowing it to flip over like a pulley system, the magnetic grip attaching to the ground receiver.
"I'll be at the control station," the engineer says and walks away. Virgil raises the receiver up to Scott who pulls it from the grapple and climbs the last bit of the way with it. He connects it to the top but is hit by an energy surge. The massive surge causes Scott to fall backwards, dropping the receiver.
"Scott!" Marion cries and fires her own grapple in his direction and catches Scott, similarly to what he did to her in the mine last year. Once he is safely back on the group the trio head over to the engineer.
"Scott, Virgil, the energy build-up has reached critical," Brains explains.
"We have to go," Virgil says sternly.
"We have to keep trying," the engineer cries and goes to leave but is stopped by Scott, who grabs her arm.
"Sometimes you have to say there's nothing else you can do," Scott says calmly.
"Actually, there is. We can use Max!" Brains interrupts, "I've just finished running the calculations. His c-conductivity has been rated up to two point five gigawatts. That should be enough."
"Let's hope so," Marion says turning to Scott.
"Okay Brains," Scott nods, "Send Max in." Max moves towards the generator, beeping and whirring. He grabs tools from his back and fires a grapple of his own onto the stanchion, raising him up. He then fires a magnetic grapple to pick up the fallen ground receiver, reeling it in and placing it on his back before firing the grapple again at another stanchion. Releasing it, he swings over onto the generator and struggles to climb the last bit with his left side traction belt falling off.
"We need to get out of here," Virgil orders again and the group quickly leave the generator with Scott taking one last look at Max as he goes.
"Here we go Max," Brains says as Max continues to climb, "You were built strong for situations just like this." Max eventually reaches the top and takes the ground receiver from behind him. "You can do this Max. You can d-do it," Brains says and with that, Max connects the ground receiver, causing an energy influx, "You're doing great Max, just a little longer."
Outside, the engineer, Virgil, Scott and Marion climb back out of Pod Explorers to watch as the energy dissipates suddenly.
"Energy grounded," John says over the comms.
"It worked," Marion says and Virgil sighs with relief.
"You can say that again," Scott says, "Good work Brains. You and Max."
"I knew he could do it," Brains admits, "Would you mind going back to get him? I should warn you it is likely he suffered some damage."
"F-A-B," Virgil acknowledges and heads back into the generator.
April 7th, 2061 - 19:05 NZST
Later at Tracy Island, Marion, Scott and Virgil arrive back with only remanence of Max being his memory chip. Scott looks at Brains sadly while Virgil holds up the memory chip.
"Sorry, Brains." Scott says, "This was all that was left."
"Max was a real hero," Virgil nods.
"Hi Max!" Brains smiles picking up the chip, "You made it seem like it was a complete loss."
"But we couldn't salvage the rest of him," Marion states.
"This is Max," Brains points as the chip whirs and beeps, walking away from the group, "Everything else is simply spare p-parts. You really shouldn't get emotionally attached to your equipment, gentlemen. Come on Max, let's go find you some legs."
"Ah, it's so good to be home," Scott says and sits down next to Marion.
"Yeah, it is," Virgil says going over to an empty sofa.
"Let's get some rest," Marion says.
"You gonna tell us what happened out there?" Alan asks.
"Nope," Virgil says as Scott yawns and Marion puts her feet up across Scott's lap. Suddenly, the comms start beeping and John appears on the hologram.
"Sorry guys, we have a situation," John says and looks over to Scott, Marion and Virgil asleep on the sofa, "Scott! Virgil! Marion!"
"No, not the cookies, Grandma," Virgil mumbles in his sleep.
"We'll take this one," Gordon chuckles.
"Head to launch. I'll give you the coordinates in flight," John orders.
"Last one to launch pad does laundry for a week," Alan says and the pair run away.