September 29th, 2061 - 04:14 BST
A broken bridge, known as the Allington Suspension Bridge, has collapsed under the high winds due to maintenance on the bridge being neglected for the past few months. This sudden collapse has left a Global Defence Force truck teetering on the edge with the driver still stuck in the cab. A thick mist has engulfed the suspension bridge leaving visibility at a low.
"...That man doesn't have an hour," Casey cries, "This bridge won't last 10 minutes." Just then, the engines of Thunderbird 1 are heard overhead and out of the think cloud, the mighty bird comes into view.
"Colonel Casey, looks like the Global Defence Force could use a hand," Scott calls switching to her frequency.
"International Rescue, you boys are a welcome sight," Casey smiles before pointing, "My driver and the bridge."
"F-A-B Colonel," Scott acknowledges, "Thunderbird 2, how quickly can be stabilize this bridge?"
"Faster than you can say 'Thunderbirds are Go'," Virgil replies as Thunderbird 2 arrives on the scene.
"Okay, you get the bridge, Virgil, but be careful of that downdraft. I'm on the driver. Marion, can you keep Thunderbird 1 steady for me?" Scott asks.
"F-A-B," Marion nods getting up.
"Good, Thunderbirds Are Go!" Scott says.
"Alright. Maybe I was exaggerating a little," Virgil says, "Foam stabilization pods deploy." In Module 2, the hatch doors open below to allow Alan and Gordon to exit in Pods A and B, that have been arranged into Foam Stabilization Pods to start work on the bridge. Virgil than fires two grapples from inside the module, which grabs onto each side of the bridge and bring it up. "This should keep the bridge from falling but we can't do much about that twist until the pods are in place."
"F-A-B, Thunderbird 2," Scott says, "Open Bay doors Marion."
"On it," Marion says and positions Thunderbird 1 overhead of the vehicle. She then proceeds to open the bay doors allowing Scott to jetpack down to the man, along with a harness attached to a cable to bring him back up.
"Careful!" the driver shouts, "Hurry! She's about to go over."
"Need a lift?" Scott enquires, hovering next to the driver and begins to attach the harness to him.
"Is this thing safe?" the driver questions.
"Scott, heads up!" Marion yells.
"Huh?" Scott asks looking up before quickly ducking under one of the loose cables of the driver that is flapping about in the wind.
"Heads up? Don't you mean duck!" Scott asks.
"Sorry," Marion replies but watches as another cable snaps and heads in Scott's direction, "DUCK!"
"Look out!" the driver yells.
However, it comes too late. Scott moves downwards and shuts his eyes, bracing for a near miss only to have the cable lash out at him, hitting the back of his jetpack. A large spark flames up the jetpack as it fails, causing Scott to let go of the harness. The jetpack fails completely and Scott starts to fall only just managing to grab onto the end of the truck.
5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Thunderbirds are Go!
"This may not be as bad as it looks," Scott admits.
"Really?!" the driver screams just as the truck slips completely and plumets towards the ground. Scott and the driver lose their grip on the ATV door causing them to helplessly into the ravine, with the ATV above them. With the ATV being the heavier object, it soon chases up to them quickly slamming both Scott and the driver into the roof.
"Shit! Scott!" Marion says and starts Thunderbird 1 up and dives into the ravine after them.
Scott helps the driver crawl from underneath the ATV onto its side before leaping off it to gain some more ground as the pair continue to fall.
"Scott, heads up!" Virgil shouts.
"Do you mean duck?" Scott questions.
"Not this time!" Virgil cries.
"Right!" Scott winces as he sees a large section of the bridge deck coming right at them. Scott gets himself in front of the driver before it slams into the front of his helmet. They craw to the top of the section and jump up as Thunderbird 1 comes into view. Marion swoops below them and ensures they land on the top of the body.
"This is Thunderbird 1. Everyone is alive and well," Marion says.
"F-A-B, deploying stabilizing foam," Alan acknowledges as he works on one side of the bridge while Gordon works on the other side. The cylindrical tanks on the sides of each of the pods start to whir and vibrate as foam is fired out of cannons positioned at the front of the pods. The foam is sprayed onto the underside of the bridge.
"Foam's away," Gordon says as the pair spray the foam along the length of the bridge and meet up almost in the centre, where a section of the bridge is now missing.
"Pods, disengage," Virgil says as his hologram of the bridge turns green, "That ought to do it."
"Fine work, International Rescue. Many thanks," Casey states as she watches the two pods return inside Thunderbird 2.
"We're just happy to help," Scott says, getting back into the cockpit after seeing the pods safely return to the module. Just as he's preparing to land, the bridge begins to creak dangerously. "Huh?"
"Huh?" Casey asks also seeing the bridge worsening.
"What?" Scott asks.
"It's settling. All structures do," Virgil tries to reason before the bridge breaks even more and plunges to the ground. "Oh no!"
"It's times like this that I'm glad we're up here," John interjects, who'd been monitoring the whole situation.
September 29th, 2061 - 04:37 BST
Colonel Casey is now on the ground beneath the broken bridge when Scott and Marion walk over to join her. As they do, the sound of a GDF plane engine whines overhead as it comes into land beside Thunderbird 1. The huge door at the back of the flyer opens to reveal a singular man dressed in a Colonel uniform, similar to Casey's. He lifts the brim of his hat as he walks out and approaches the trio, a smirk plastered over his face that sends chills down Marion's spine.
"Who's that guy?" Scott enquires.
"Colonel Martin Janus," Casey introduces, "My newly appointed second-in-command. Apparently, he knows the right people." She turns to face the man, who proceeds to salute at her "Colonel! To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I'm have been sent to relieve you, pending investigation on your role in this... fiasco," Janus says.
"Fiasco?" Casey asks confused.
"Now hold on a minute," Marion butts in, "You weren't there. We had to make a spilt-second decision."
"And this wasn't the first time," Janus states, "International Rescue has been answering to no one for too long."
"That's the way we like it," Scott says.
"Then I should remind you that International Rescue operates at the pleasure of the Global Defence Force," Janus responds, "And right now we're not pleased."
"Meaning?" Scott asks.
September 29th, 2061 - 17:07 NZST
"From now on, we have to get GDF's permission to deploy!" Scott states angrily as he stands in the lounge with a hologram of Penelope in front of him. Alan, Marion, Brains and Sally had all taken seats around the table to listen to what's going on. "We've been grounded!"
"Scott, you haven't technically been grounded," Penelope says, "You just have to ask Colonel Janus for permission."
"That little control freak wants to get his teeth h'into everything," Parker says, appearing behind her.
"Parker's right! We can't let Janus do this to us," Alan says determined.
"I wasn't talking about the Colonel," Parker complains as a growl is heard in the background.
"I'll talk to Janus and see what I can do. I suggest that in the meantime you not rock the boat," Penelope says, "My father's had run-ins with Janus before he's known to be tightly wound."
"F-A-B, Lady Penelope," Scott says with a sigh and turns to face the others while Marion brings up a hologram of the collapsed bridge, "We did everything right. The bridge collapsing like that makes no sense."
"Scott, lives were saved. No one was hurt," Sally interjects, "Your dad would have called that a win."
"Maybe you're right, Grandma," Scott sighs, "Still... Brains, any chance the stabilising foam may have failed?"
"Well, anything is p-possible." Brains states, "I'll need someone to take me over to check it out."
"You could call Kayo in," Alan says hopefully, "She'll be happy to take you over."
"No, no," Scott says, "We'll need Kayo to investigate Janus from the inside seeing as she's at one of the GDF's bases."
"I would need to do a molecular analysis to be certain," Brains says, "I'll take Thunderbird 6 out to investigate."
"Great idea, Brains," Scott says as the alarm beeps.
"Guys, we have a situation," John says appearing on the hologram, "I'm picking up a cargo ship in the middle of the Pacific that's taking on water. I've alerted the captain that we're on the way."
"I've got this," Scott informs.
"Don't forget to get permission," Alan smirks.
"I'll take care of that," John says.
"Marion you can stay here it should be a quick one," Scott orders.
5
Scott descends and starts to get suited up.
4
Scott is carried across on a platform into Thunderbird 1's cockpit.
3
The front doors close as Scott gets into the pilot seat.
2
He starts moving along and towards the launch pad.
1
Thunderbird 1 comes to a stop as the swimming pool above starts to retract.
Thunderbirds are Go!
"John, I need you to tell the captain, eta two minutes," Scott orders.
"I need you to standby," John states.
"Uh, okay," Scott says.
"Well, that took a while. So, are we clear to proceed?" John asks to the GDF operator when he gets through to him.
"Sorry, International Rescue, but..." the guy says.
"Permission denied? How can they do that?" Scott demands angrily.
"Scott, you need to turn around. We really have been grounded," John says.
September 29th, 2061 - 18:24 NZST
Virgil and Gordon have joined the meeting on the sofas with Scott standing up at the table again throwing jesters around left, right and centre. The holograms of Lady Penelope and John have remained showing.
"It's just not right. Those people needed our help!" Scott states.
"It's okay, Scott," John says, "I found a fishing trawler in the area and directed them to the sinking cargo ship. They got the crew to safety, barely."
"And what about next time? The Global Defence Force can't always get there. What is this Janus guy trying to prove?" Scott asks.
"Scott, breathe," Penelope says, "I'm on my way to see Colonel Janus now."
September 30th, 2061 - 14:38 NZST
John calls in to Tracy Island to find everyone sitting around with angry looks on their faces. They were having another meeting over what to do about the GDF. Worryingly, they still hadn't heard from Kayo either from the base in the Middle East which has left Alan in a pit of worry which no matter how hard he tried; everyone could see it. Feeling he needed to say something, John brings up a hologram of a geological terrain.
"We have a situation. The Dubai Desert. Oil sucked from the ground, add gravity, equals massive cave-in," John explains, indicating over to the diagram next to his hologram. He changes it to a different image of the 3D surface. "For now, it's affecting an unpopulated area, but the sinkhole is rapidly expanding toward... Sa'd Madeena. At 300 stories, soon to be the world's tallest city."
"Or the world's shortest," Gordon jokes.
"Call the principal's office and secure a hall pass," Scott says sarcastically.
"Way ahead of you," John notes, "I requested permission via text link while we spoke. Hang on. And..."
"This time we won't take no for an answer," Scott states.
"The answer is no," John sighs.
"Those construction workers' lives are at stake!" Scott growls, "We have to act!"
"We can't," Marion interjects.
"Then we'll stand by outside the perimeter, just in case the GDF needs help," Scott shrugs, "If they are getting it done on their own, International Rescue won't assist. We'll all go together in Thunderbird 2. Agreed?"
"Agreed!" everyone says and gets up.
"All right then. Let's gear up. Thunderbirds are go!" Scott says and everyone heads to the passenger bay, except for Virgil who runs over to the painting of a rocket.
5
Virgil runs over to the painting of a rocket and gets suited up.
4
The pod equipment is loaded into Module 2.
3
Scott, Marion, Gordon and Alan board Thunderbird 2 via the passenger elevator.
2
Thunderbird 2 taxis down the main runway and comes to a halt allowing the ramp to raise.
1
The blast shield rises.
Thunderbirds are Go!
September 30th, 2061 - 07:59 GST
Thunderbird 2 arrives on scene and stops above a growing sinkhole in the ground that has started to affect a newly built section of motorway. A few cars are on it still coming down the road, but traffic is starting to build up on both sides. Virgil circles the sight a couple of times to see if any GDF personnel have made their precents known.
"That is one big hole," Alan muses.
"And the GDF are nowhere in sight," Gordon states.
Scott does a scan of the building from his seat in the co-pilots chair. The building flashes red, identifying life signs near the top of the building. "The construction crew! Virgil take us up."
"F-A-B," Virgil acknowledges and takes Thunderbird 2 into the air. He pulls up a holo-protractor and flashes it over the building to work out the rate of tilt as they slowly rise up next to the building. "The building is already tilting past its rated wind tolerance of four degrees."
"It's coming down fast," Scott says and Thunderbird 2 breaks the cloud at the top of the tower.
"That worker is trapped on the roof," Virgil points out.
"We gotta act now. Virgil, take us in," Scott says, "I'll evac the construction crew. Gordon, you and Alan find a way to stabilize the building."
"We could try the foam again," Gordon says.
"Guys, this isn't the time," John sighs.
"Ah, John's right. We've still had no word from Brains if it's effective," Scott says.
"Sorry, Scott, I really need to work on my phrasing," John says, "What I meant to say is, you have a situation." The four brothers and Marion look around and see GDF planes breaking the cloud surrounding them, preventing any escape.
"Are we glad to see you guys. There are workers trapped on the roof who need your help," Scott points.
"International Rescue, you are in violation of my directive. I'm escorting you to the nearest base and impounding your ship," Janus says sternly, "Come peacefully or be fired upon."
"Well, I definitely wasn't excepting that response," Marion comments.
"Huh?" Scott and Gordon ask.
"That motherfu—" Alan says.
September 30th, 2061 - 08:13 GST
Thunderbird 2 is parked behind some hangers in the GDF's Abu Dhabi Military Base. The Tracy Brothers and Marion are becoming increasingly concerned as they've been left on their own for a while now. What is more troubling is that they've yet to hear from either Thunderbird 6 or Thunderbird Shadow. Eventually, several GDF ATV's roll up in convoy outside of Thunderbird 2 and park up. Colonel Janus steps out and is flanked by several officers. A group of them run round to the back of the ATV and walk out with a battering ram. Janus pulls out a megaphone.
"International Rescue, open the hatch or be boarded by force," Janus orders.
"Don't let Janus in. Stall them while I track down Lady P," John states, "Maybe her connections will help."
"If she doesn't torpedo us for rocking the exact boat, she told us not to," Gordon mutters.
"You have the right to ground us but not to enter our ship," Scott responds.
"Wait... Isn't this the base Kayo is working at?" Marion mumbles.
"Guys, the buildings gonna fall any moment," Gordon says as he continues to monitor the situation from the back of the cockpit, "And Janus hasn't evacuated the workers. They need rescue now." Just a Gordon finishes, they hear a loud clang from the GDF soldiers trying to break into Thunderbird 2.
"Colonel, you've made your point. But the construction crew..." Scott says.
"Is no longer your concern," Janus states, "I'm handling it. You are ordered to remain where you are."
"Ah, Janus runs Global Defence. You heard him," Scott says, "He must have ordered in a rescue team."
"On my own authority, I'm arresting all of you and confiscating your ship and equipment," Janus announces, "Permanently."
"And I'm challenging your authority to do so, Colonel," Scott fires back sternly.
"Yes! That's what I'm talking about!" Alan points.
"Scott, as far as I can tell, he's not lifting a finger to help those trapped workers," Gordon calls.
"Then this was never about us violating Janus' rules," Scott realises, "I think he's just after Thunderbird 2."
"And he's willing to sacrifice those people just to get it?" Virgil asks.
"Dad taught us to respect authority," Scott states, "But Janus, he's not acting like a good guy. If saving lives makes us outlaws, so be it. Thunderbird 2, defence protocol Gamma. Light her up, Virgil."
"It would be my pleasure," Virgil says with a nod and flicks a couple of switches as they hear Janus' scream from the outside where he got electrocuted.
"Thunderbird 5, we're going in. Any luck with Lady Penelope?" Scott asks.
"As a matter of fact." John says trails and from what the brothers and Marion can see, Thunderbird Shadow and a GDF flyer comes into view above the airbase. They land opposite Thunderbird 2. Out of Thunderbird Shadow walks Kayo, a snarl clear on her face as she walks up the Janus and goes nose to nose with him. Janus opens his mouth to speak but Casey, Penelope, Parker and Sherbet come up behind her to back her up. Several GDF guards exit Casey's personal flyer and walk over to Janus. There is a conversation that those in Thunderbird 2 cannot hear but whatever is discussed, it results in the arrest of Colonel Janus. Evidently, Parker had digging up some dodgy ex-military credentials on Janus.
"Colonel Casey? Kayo?" Scott asks, "Sa'd Madeena?"
"We've been given the all clear Scott," Kayo says, "Off you go." With that, Thunderbird 2's VTOL engines fire up and the great big green goliath takes off, heading towards the collapsing building.
"Scott," Brains calls, appearing on the hologram, "My metallurgical analysis shows the steel in the bridge had been artificially fatigued. It was sabotage, not our equipment."
"I knew it," Alan says.
"Alan, Gordon, you're up," Scott orders.
"F-A-B," they say together and head down into the module to configure two pods: The Mole and a Foam Stabilization Pod. The mechanical arms get to work attaching the correct components to the pods. Pod A is given a drill on the front of it while caterpillar tracks are connected to the underside. On the other hand, Pod B has several cylindrical tanks attached to either side towards the back of the body. Tubes then are connected to run alongside the length of the pod's body and connected to two large cannons at the front. Alan gets himself into Pod A - The Mole, while Gordon gets into Pod B - Foam Stabilization Pod. They fasten their helmets on and makes sure that their oxygen levels are well supplied. Virgil lands Thunderbird 2 at the bottom of the tower, next to the sink hole and releases the module to allow Alan and Gordon to bring out the pods and head into the sink hole.
"Pods away," Alan announces. Thunderbird 2 then proceeds to take off to head up and rescue the trapped workers. Alan brings The Mole to a stop, a short distance from the module and tilts it into a vertical position to start digging into the ground so Gordon has a safe way to go down after him. The Mole is stopped just in front of the falling tower supports as rocks start to cave-in. "Er..." woah," Alan mutters. Gordon pulls up next to him.
"Yeah. Let's do this," Gordon says. The cylindrical tanks on the sides of each of the pod start to whir and vibrate as foam is fired out of cannons. The foam is sprayed onto the underground supports of the tower to prevent it from collapsing any further. The foam expands around the foundations positioning them back into position.
September 30th, 2061 - 08:22 GST
Meanwhile, Thunderbird 2 arrives at the top of the tower and Scott, Marion and Virgil are relieved to see the tower beginning to straighten up. Virgil lowers the rescue harness to them with Marion going down with it to assist the workers, to ensure they get on safely.
"Well, is it working?" Gordon asks. Marion helps the last of the workers get off the tower before flying back to Thunderbird 2 to take them away.
"I'm not sure I'd wanna live in it," Virgil comments.
"But at least it won't fall on anyone. Good work guys," Scott replies to Gordon and Thunderbird 2 returns to the ground to pick the pods up before lowering the passenger elevator to release the workers they'd saved to meet the other three on the ground before taking off again. Thunderbird 2 then lowers over the module and brings it back into the main body before the VTOL engines fire up and it takes off. A relieved and free International Rescue team make their way back to the island. A hologram of Colonel Casey appears as they make their way over the Indian Ocean.
"Your father would be darn proud of what you boys did here today," Casey compliments, "Thank you International Rescue, for a job well done."
"Thank you, Colonel Casey," Scott says, "We're always happy to help."
September 30th, 2061 - 17:14 NZST
Virgil plays the piano to create a pleasant atmosphere for everyone after a painful couple of days. Kayo decided it was to return to Tracy Island with Thunderbird 2, cutting her break off by a few days. Scott is currently trying to clear up the incident with the World Council and sighs after another meeting with them ends.
"If Martin Janus was an alias..." Scott starts
"Who is he really?" Gordon interrupts asks.
"Who'd you think?" Alan asks.
"If you're thinking The Hood, that's a big negative," John says, "Just heard from Colonel Casey. It's not him."
"Strange," Alan says and walks away from the piano and over to where Kayo is sitting on the sofa, "Hey, can we talk?"
"Depends," Kayo says seriously, "I still haven't fully forgiven you."
"Oh," Alan sighs looking downcast but looks up again when he hears sniggering.
"Oh Al," Kayo giggles smirking, "Of course I've forgiven you silly. I've missed you this past month."
"Really?" Alan cries, "I mean sure that's cool." Kayo laughs again at Alan's expense.
"Definity," Kayo states, "Though I do think the break did us good."
"If you say so," Alan replies, "If I'm being totally honest with you, I've been quite lonely without you by my side."
"Lonely?" Kayo questions, "What do you mean? You're surrounded by four brothers, one of which has a girlfriend walking about the place."
Alan gives a sad smile in return. "Sometimes it's those surrounded by the most people who are the loneliest," he states, "I can't lose you K."
"I feel the same way Al," Kayo explains and pulls Alan into a hug, "You won't lose me."
"You promise?" Alan asks.
"I promise," Kayo returns.
"And no secrets between us, right?" Alan queries, not noticing the flash of worry that takes over Kayo's face for a quick second.
"No Al... No secrets..."
September 30th, 2061 - UNKNOWN GDF PRISON
Colonel Casey paces outside a cell, her hands firmly behind her back. She then turns to face the prisoner inside, Janus.
"We could lock you up and throw away the key," Casey muses and stops pacing, choosing to stare directly at Janus, "Yet you hardly seem like the mastermind type. So, who's pulling your strings?"
Janus grips onto the metal bars that separate the pair angrily. "I'm nobody's puppet!"
"Perhaps you'll chose to cooperate we your master can't help you in here," Casey states and slowly walks away to see if that comment would break Janus' will. It doesn't however and Colonel Casey exits the cell block and disappears out of sight as the doors slam shut behind her.
A sole prison guard, who'd been tasked to be stationed outside the cell, had listened to the whole conversation and approaches Janus as he prepares to station himself outside the room.
"It's not that I can't help you," the guard says, pressing a button on a small red device in his left hand, his right occupied by holding his helmet, "I simply believe it's bad policy to reward incompetence."
"The Hood!" Janus exclaims as the holo-projection of a guards face is replaced to one that is The Hood, "I did as you asked!"
"Oh really?" The Hood enquires, "You disrupted the Global Defence Force from within, dismantled International Rescue and then delievered all their vehciles as well as their island base to me?"
"I saw an opportunity to take Thunderbird 2 and I took it," Janus cries.
"And how has that worked out for you?" The Hood scoffs.
"The Colonel will cut me a deal!" Janus exclaims, "If you leave me here I'll talk."
"And if she frees you," The Hood snarls, not like being threatened let alone blackmailed, "Do you really think there's any place you can hide that's beyond my reach?" With that, The Hood presses the button on his device again, turning back on the holo-projection of a guard. "Think about it."
The Hood puts on his helmet and walks away with a chuckle, making sure that Janus heard it. Janus slumps against the cell wall, head in hands. Will he ever get out?