September 11th, 2062 - 20:21 NZST
Alan observes Kayo and Gordon sparring. It had been brought on my Gordon challenging Kayo that he could beat her in a sparring match. Everyone knows that Gordon is going to lose the fight, but it will still be some good entertainment. Even Scott, Marion and Brains had come to watch just before the match started.
"Relax your arms or I'll know you're about to attack," Kayo says in a nice way, mainly to make sure that Gordon doesn't make too much of a foul of himself. However, seconds later, Gordon found his arse to be firmly planted on the floor. "Lesson over." Scott helps Gordon up while Alan high fives Kayo and laughs at his closest brother.
"Brains," Kayo offers, seeing that he had been watching the match intensely.
"I thought I'd let Max go f-first," Brains says.
"You programmed Max to do the Win Chung Sticky Hand Technique?" Kayo questions, but Brains only grins in responds. Max wheels forward and gets into position in front of Kayo. They start and Kayo struggles at first.
"I wonder if Kayo has finally met her match," Gordon says, and while it did take a little longer, Max soon ends up on his back.
"Oh, M-Max," Brains cries.
"I guess not," Alan says and high fives Kayo again.
"The program still needs a little fine tuning," Brains defends as a call comes in from Thunderbird 5 and John appears on the hologram.
"International Rescue, we have a situation," John says.
"What's the story, Thunderbird 5?" Scott asks.
"I'm picking up some major seismic activity in the middle of the Aegean Sea," John says.
"Are you worried about a Tsunami?" Gordon asks.
"No, but I've issued a warning just in case," John says, "A lot of sediment just shifted on the ocean floor and I'm detecting structures down there. They seem to be man-made."
"Want me to get Virgil?" Alan jokes.
"I'm sending a probe down first," John says and sends a probe. The probe itself, is the reused stealth mine that chased Alan and Kayo back in 2060. Within a couple of minutes, the probe lands in the sea. "Switching to probe view," John says and hits the button to display a hologram of what the probe is seeing. What they see is a statue of a man standing with a trident.
5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Thunderbirds are Go!
The room goes quiet as they wait for Lady Penelope to phone. There had been a lot of commotion when International Rescue first received the images of the underwater man-made structures. As they are located off the coast of Greece it is reasonably stated that they are looking at the reminisce of Atlantis. The World Council had been immediately informed which is why they are now waiting on Penelope to phone in. Being on the council did have a lot of benefits for the organization and the fact that it happened in the first place was a total accident. After a couple more minutes, Penelope's hologram appears.
"The World Council Emergency Conference just ended, and the archaeologists agree it is the Lost City of Atlantis," Penelope states.
"Imagine that. A city reappearing after t-thousands and thousands of years," Brains says.
"If it's been buried under water for that long, there won't be much left that's worth seeing," Scott shrugs.
"On the contrary, Scott, p-particularly if the Solar Kythera survived," Brains says.
"I'm sorry. The Silica what?" Alan asks.
"Solar Kythera," Brains explains, "Some say it was the f-first computer, but nobody knows what it is for sure. And I'd love to be the m-man who told them."
"I've got a feed coming in," John says as the probe's proximity signal goes off, "You need to see this."
"This is Francois Lemaire bringing you lucky viewers yet another chance to watch me make history," Francois states, "And here we are on the bridge—"
"Control Room," Madeline interjects.
"Control Room of my luxury sub the Jules Verne," Francois says and Scott facepalms in annoyance while Kayo rolls her eyes, "From where I'll be bringing you footage of the very first human, that's me, to explore the legendary Lost City of Atlantis and I couldn't do any of this if it wasn't for my helpful assistant—"
"Biographer and wife," Madeline mutters when the camera pans on her.
"Madeline," Francois says, and a beeping sound is heard before his feed is cut off.
"Mr. Lemaire, on behalf of the—" Penelope says.
"How dare you jam my signal?!" Francois asks, "This is a broadcast of the utmost historical value."
"As is your location," Penelope replies, "Which you could be permanently damaging by your presence."
"Is somebody jealous because someone else got here first?" Francois asks.
"Somebody is trying to prevent someone else from destroying priceless artefacts," Penelope states, "So, with the full authority of the World Council, I order you to leave the area."
"All right, all right," Francois says, "I was just trying to bring a little culture to the masses."
"Your submarine is in a live seaquake zone, Mr. Lemaire," John says joining the call, "I strongly advise for you to leave as fast as you can."
"What is this? The International Rescue Baby-Sitting Service?" Francois asks, "I'm well aware of my location. Thank you." He hangs up on them before John has a chance to reply.
"Well at least we tried," John sighs.
"I'll be heading over to Greece in the next couple of hours," Penelope informs John, "Let me know of any developments."
"F-A-B, Lady Penelope," John says and ends the call. Not a second later a distress call comes in from the Aegean Sea.
"International Rescue! Come in, International Rescue!" Madeline says.
"This is International Rescue," John deadpans, annoyance dripping in his tone as he crosses his arms, "Didn't expect to be hearing from you so soon."
"Look, sorry if I was a bit snippy with you earlier, only we're being crushed and possibly suffocated," Francois explains before there is a large rumbling and their hologram shakes, "HELP!"
"I'm sending their coordinates to Thunderbird 2," John informs, patching in the lounge to the call, "There is a slow leak in the air tank, but they should be fine until you get there." Virgil runs over to the painting and Gordon over to his elevator.
"We're c-coming to!" Brains says.
"You get sick on a moving walkway, Brains. How are you gonna cope if there's a seaquake?" Gordon asks.
"Just f-fine, if it means I get to see the Solar Kythera," Brains responds, and he races down to the passenger bay with Max beside him.
5
Virgil runs over to the painting of a rocket and gets suited up.
4
Thunderbird 4 is loaded into Module 4.
3
Brains and Max join Gordon and 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 11th, 2062 - 11:08 EEST
John and EOS are currently working with the local Mediterranean emergency forces as there has been some flooding along coastal areas due to the seaquakes that have been occurring. No major tsunami resulted as feared but there is still the warning out there as the seaquake zone remains active, no body knowing when the next quake is going to be. Suddenly, John gets a call again from the Lemaire submarine.
"Hello? How much longer do I have to wait?" Francois asks.
"It's only been half an hour," John says, "Is the crack in your tank getting worse?"
"No. I'm bored," Francois states.
"Patching you through to Thunderbird 2 for an update," John says and presses the button.
"This is Thunderbird 2, Mr. Lemaire. Sorry to keep you waiting," Virgil says, "We're overhead. About to launch Thunderbird 4 to come and get you. Standby for launch."
"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 says and launches Thunderbird 4 into the depths below, "Dive angle calculated. Reaching maximum descent velocity."
"Erm... G-Gordon," Brains stutters from the med-bay, "I p-probably should have mentioned this earlier, but I t-tend to get a little seasick."
"Really! You don't say?" Gordon sighs sarcastically just as alarms start to blare and Thunderbird 4 begins to shake.
"What's that?" Brains asks as he and Max are thrown about in the back.
"Aftershock," Gordon replies, "We need to get out of here fast."
"I wish I'd had the t-time to p-pack my m-motion sickness p-pills," Brains groans.
Gordon heads down another couple hundred meters and reaches Lemaire's location It appears that the submarine has gotten caught in the trident of one of the statues which subsequently broke, trapping them on the seafloor. What appears to have punctured the air tanks in the subsequent debris that has fallen on top of the submarine, presumably after another seaquake. "This is Thunderbird 4, Mr. Lemaire. I'm going to free your sub."
"Careful. The Jules Verne is an extremely expensive piece of equipment," Francois says.
"Is it T-Titanium steel or Anechoic-plated?" Brains enquires.
"Erm..." Francois trails as he wasn't sure.
"We'll soon have you on your way," Gordon says and moves Thunderbird 4 in closer.
"Any chance my route might cut through Atlantis?" Francois asks.
"No chance at all," Gordon informs. He presses a few buttons and activates Thunderbird 4's mechanical arms, which he controls using the joist sticks on his chair arms. He uses the claws at the end of the mechanical arms to pull away at the debris trapping the submarine.
"Even if I made it worth your while?" Francois asks, "I'd die a happy man if I could just see 'The Temple of the Gods'." Before he can continue, Brains reaches over and mutes the Lemaire comm.
"I'm t-telling you, he is after the Solar Kythera," Brains says.
"Was. Past tense. Not gonna happen." Gordon states and unmutes the comm. He continues to move small bits of debris before only the trident is left trapping it.
"...and it's the most important building in the city, so there's bound to be proof there that merpeople existed," Francois explains.
"Merpeople?" Brains questions, "You b-believe in mermaids and mermen?"
"Of course," Francois says.
Gordon carefully drags out the submarine only the seafloor until it is clear of the trident. The using the mechanical arms, he flips the submarine back to the right side up. He retracks the mechanical arms back inside Thunderbird 4 and pulls up alongside the Lemaire's to escort them out of the area.
"But that's like b-believing in elves and unicorns," Brains chuckles, "It's crazy to think they exist."
"No on calls me crazy!" Francois says and starts up his submarine again, "I'm going to prove merpeople were real!"
"Lemaire, wait!" Gordon calls and he gives chase after him.
"But I never said he was c-crazy," Brains says, "I said it's crazy."
"I'll tell you what's crazy, Brains. Us chasing Lemaire into an active quake zone," Gordon says and follows the Lemaire submarine deep into the sunken city. Ancient buildings stand either side, making it a very dangerous environment to be in. The slightest rumble from the seafloor and sediment flies up like a cloud and limits Gordon's view. "Thunderbird 2, I'm in pursuit of the Jules Verne. Can you stand by to lower a cable?"
"Already on it. I have you on radar," Virgil says, "If you can get him a little closer, I'll snag him."
"Mr. Lemaire, this is Thunderbird 4. You are in an extremely unstable environment," Gordon explains as he carries on his pursuit, "Rise to the surface now!" The submarine suddenly makes a hard right and takes his sub into a building.
"Where's he gone? I can't get a lock on him," Virgil says.
"Into some kind of building," Gordon says, just as another seaquake hits the area causing Thunderbird 4 to shake violently again, "We just had another seaquake, Virgil. If that building collapses, it'll crush them."
"Go get 'em and make it fast," Virgil orders.
"I'm going to clamp that sub with the grappling arm and drag him out," Gordon growls.
"F-A-B," Virgil acknowledges.
Once inside the building, Thunderbird 4 rises and comes out into a cavern. The small submarine bobs on the surface. They travel a short distance into the centre of the ancient building and stop alongside Lemaire's sub. Brains enters the cockpit of Thunderbird 4 and does an air reading of the environment outside the yellow submersible.
"It's b-breathable air," Brains notes.
"Well, it better be. Look!" Gordon points, indicating over to where both Lemaire's have exited out of their submarine and proceed to run around one of the quartz pillars, out of sight, "Ah! I'll have to go after them."
"We'll come too," Brains states excitedly before justifying, "Max's sensors will warn us of any more quakes."
Gordon nods and they get out of Thunderbird 4 and run off in the direction of where the Lemaire's went. They come across another large body of water and spot the Lemaire's on the other side. Across the water is a fallen pillar. Gordon, Brains and Max all jump down and start making their way over to the Lemaire's, who have now come to a stop and are talking to each other. "Lemaire, you're putting yourself and your wife in danger. We have to leave," Gordon calls.
"Look. There's solid proof that merpeople existed. Can you believe it?" Francois exclaims.
"N-No, I can't believe it," Brains replies.
"Not now. We're getting out while we still can," Gordon orders.
"You go ahead. I'll be right there," Francois says and turns to leave.
"Would you order Max to assist Mr. Lemaire from the area?" Gordon asks and Max beeps and nods before chasing after Francois and blocking his path. He the grabs Francois and forcefully turns him around, pushing him back towards the group.
"That wasn't necessary," Francois mutters, putting his hands up in surrender.
"G-Gordon, Max's sensors show massively increased seismic activity," Brains exclaims.
"Let's pick up speed, people," Gordon beckons and leads everyone back towards the two submarines.
A gentle rumble grows into a thunderous crescendo. The group scramble across the fallen pillar back across the body of water that has flooded the building. From the sky, several pieces of quartz to fall from the ceiling. They struggle to stay on their feet as the shaking increases with magnitude. As they hit the water, the quartz throw up huge fountains of water that soak everyone, who have now been brought to their knees. Then it happens, a deafening crack and the building's roof supports split like a rotten fruit. A curtain of dust and debris falls, sending a plume of grit into the air. Large chunks of quartz fall from the ceiling, landing on the Lemaire's submarine, crushing it completely. Worse still, it now blocks everyone's path out of the building — there is no way through or around it.
"The Jules Verne!" Francois wails.
"Gordon? Come in, Gordon! You, okay?" Virgil asks.
"No injuries. Half the building's collapsed. We're trapped and Thunderbird 4's on the other side," Gordon explains, "Is it still in one piece?"
"We're picking up full readings," Virgil responds.
"Thunderbird Two, if it helps speed things up, Lady Penelope is in the area," John explains from his earlier conversation with her.
"I'm already calling," Virgil says.
September 11th, 2062 - 11:28 EEST
"Hello, Gordon," Penelope says connecting to Thunderbird 4's comms.
"Lady Penelope!" Gordon replies, his voice going a few octaves higher.
"Aren't you lucky I was around to come and dig you out of trouble?" Penelope asks with amusement dripping in her tone.
"I am even happy to be rescued by a lady in a pink submarine," Gordon flirts. Thinking he might have been too forward he adds quickly, "If it gets me away from Lemaire. He is one royal pain in the ass."
"Looks like h'one good sneeze would bring the 'hole lot down," Parker comments.
"There's no time to wait," John states, "You'll have to blast through. When this quake hits, it's not gonna take any prisoners. And I don't want you in there when it happens."
"F-A-B," Penelope acknowledges.
"H'arming the missile, m'lady," Parker says.
"Gordon," Penelope calls, "Parker's standing by to fire a missile."
"Do not fire a missile at my submarine!" Francois declares.
"I wouldn't need to fire anything at all if you hadn't led my friends into this situation," Penelope fires back with a glare. Francois sighs and he, along with everyone else back away from the impending explosion.
"We're all clear," Gordon announces.
"Fire, m'lady?" Parker asks.
"Fire, Parker," Penelope nods. Parker launches a missile at the rubbles and the explosion fills the cavern with smoke.
"Guys, there's another huge aftershock heading your way," John calls. Everyone looks around as a massive chuck of a wall falls off and crashes into the water below.
"Okay, Lady Penelope," Gordon says, "It's all clear in here. I'll bring Thunderbird 4 in remotely." He walks to the edge of the platform and watches as FAB 1 and Thunderbird 4 come through the gap Parker had created.
"Francois, Madeline, get in," Penelope orders. The group starts to walk over to FAB 1 when Francois suddenly gets out a tablet and selfie stick and wonders off in a different direction.
"Francois!" Madeline cries, "Come back! It's not safe!"
"It is," Francois says smugly, "International Rescue's here." He charges off away from everyone.
"I'll g-get him," Brains cries and chases after him, "Max, stay there and scan for q-quakes."
"Oh! Wow," Francois says coming to a stop and Brains catches up with him, "Magnificent."
"W-W-Wonderful," Brain exclaims, "The Solar Kythera!"
"Final proof that merpeople existed!" Francois says and looks up at the massive structure. Brains just rolls his eyes as he follows Francois into the room.
"S-Spectacular," Brains states.
"What is it?" Gordon asks, as he and everyone else join the pair.
"A shrine to Poseidon," Francois says, "Built by merpeople. They represent his children."
"That's ridiculous. They're the p-planets," Brains says, "Clearly it's a map of the sky." Francois walks over to it and accidently pushes a lever and activates it.
"Oh, dear," Francois mutters.
"It still works," Gordon says in amazement.
"Oh! Look, it c-calculates the orbit of the planets. Amazing!" Brains says.
"Might we discuss this later in somewhat safer surroundings?" Penelope enquires.
"Thunderbird 2, Max's scanners show local magnetic fields and radon emissions are spiking and there is a band of foreshocks moving towards Atlantis," John explains, "Prepare for impact. The quake's gonna hit any minute."
"Stabilisers on full thrust," Virgil replies, "And ready for take-off as soon as Thunderbird 4 gets back."
"Gordon," John exclaims, "Water's flooding in around Thunderbird 4. Virgil is standing by. What's your ETA?"
"Two minutes tops," Gordon responds.
"Copy that," Virgil John acknowledges.
"There's h'no way out," Parker sighs as they see that the opening had completely closed off.
"I'll get Virgil to fire a depth charge to clear a route," Gordon says.
"No," Brains interrupts and begins to walk back, "It's t-too risky. We only have one option. Get Thunderbird 4 and m-meet me in The Temple of the Gods."
"What are you going to do?" Gordon asks.
"If you m-make a map of the sky, you have to be able to see the sky to m-map it," Brains explains, "I think the temple roof opens."
"Francois, no!" Madeline cries as he runs after Brains.
"What can I say?" Francois says as he turns around, "You married a hero. And think of the book sales."
"Thunderbird 2," Gordon sighs, "There's been a slight change of plan."
Back in the Solar Kythera room, Brains starts looking around at the different levers, including the one Francois accidently hit earlier. If he could work out how it works, then they might just be able to open the roof and escape through there.
"What are we looking for?" Francois asks.
"S-Something to open the roof," Brains states.
"Why would it be up here?" Francois responds.
"I think this is a viewing platform," Brains explains.
"Or an altar," Francois wonders, "For merpeople to worship Poseidon."
"You n-never give up, do you?" Brains muses. They start the climb of the platform as some of the planets move around meaning they sprinted across a moving surface. "This one controls rotation. Keep climbing," Brains says. As the platforms move, Francois gets stuck on a level below Brains, "T-Take my hand," with a little help, Francois joins Brains on the next level.
"Thank you," Francois says as he takes a breath.
"Don't mention it," Brains smiles, "This is all an elaborate p-puzzle. Thunderbird 5, I could use some extra n-number crunching."
"That's a first," John mumbles as he gets a holo-scan of the 'computer', "Alright. Looks like the first dial sets orbit speed."
"And these represent dates on a calendar," Brains notes, "But what date do we use?"
"Try the merpeople's birthday," Francois shouts.
"Actually," John says and pauses, "That might work."
"EOS, run a planetary simulation and look for an alignment date," John orders.
"Here you go John," EOS says.
"Thanks EOS," John says, "Brains it's, Gamma. Epsilon."
"Yes, that's it. Well done," Francois compliments, "You're doing really well." The pair then climb again in order to get to the next level. "Level 2 complete. This reminds me of Mermans and Dragons 3."
"We're at the n-next controller," Brains says as they come to a stop."
"Running the numbers now," John calls, "Zeta. Delta."
"G-Got it," Brains says. They repeat the process several times until they reach the top of the structure. "Jump!" Brains calls and they leap to the next platform. The water below them had been steadily rising and is now only a few meters away from them. "I'm s-slipping! Argh!" Brains cries and falls, only for Francois to catch him.
"Now who's crazy?" Francois asks and gets him camera out, "This is my bestselling book cover."
"Thanks," Brains sighs.
"One more to go," Francois announces.
"This one control Azimuth," Brains examines, "J-John?"
"Beta. Delta. Alpha. Gamma," John lists.
"Yes!" Brains cries, as the final platform starts to rotate. Climbing up a flight of stairs, they reach an enclosed room. "Wow! We're at the t-top of the mechanism... We've found the mechanism!"
"Can I help?" Gordon asks from inside Thunderbird 4.
"J-Just be ready to p-pick us up when we're finished," Brains says, "We're just trying to open the roof."
"Hang in there, Brains. I'm coming," Gordon states, "Now for the fun part. Ready FAB 1?"
"Parker loves playing pinball, don't you, Parker?" Penelope says.
"Not when h'I'm the ball m'lady," Parker states. The two vehicles make their way around the structure and its rotating parts with care and eventually reach the surface. As they do, Brains radios in.
"It's opening!" Brains states. Water starts to rise rapidly now and Brains and Francois manage to quickly jump into the back of Thunderbird 4 before the water got too high. "Ah. We did it, Max."
"Let's get outta here," Gordon calls. They exit the building just before the roof implodes under the pressure.
"Could you get a wiggle on delivering me back to Madeline?" Francois asks Gordon, "I need her to start planning my publicity. I'm going on an 'I-proved-merpeople-exist' tour."
"Oh!" Brains groans, rolling his eyes.
"Snappy title," Gordon chuckles and smiles cheekily, "Lady Penelope! We have a passenger for you."
"Standing by," Penelope sighs in dismay.
"Now, don't go all mushy when you thank me," Francois says to Brains, "I do hate big displays of emotion."
"T-T-Thank you?!" Brains exclaims, "For what?!"
"If it hadn't been for me, you'd never have seen Atlantis," Francois muses, "Bye-z-bye."
"B-Bye-z-bye?" Brains sighs and rolls his eyes again.
September 11th, 2062 - 22:22 NZST
"Poor Brains. Waited a lifetime to see the Solar Kythera. Then never had a chance to examine it properly," Sally says at late dinner with Alan and Kayo.
"I saw it working," Brains says as he walks into the room, "Oh, did I see it working. And I got a scan. We're going to rebuild it in the assembly hanger. In f-full scale!"
"So, I guess you'll be wanting to go on more adventures with the boys now?" Sally asks.
"P-Perhaps. As long as Mr. Lemaire stays out of them," Brains says.
"I'm thinking a swim," Alan says, "Wanna join Kayo?"
"Why not," Kayo says, "I've bought a new bikini recently and this'll be a perfect opportunity to try it out."
"Right..." Alan trials going slightly red, "Brains?"
"I've had enough of w-water for one day," Brains says, secretly to Alan's relief, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an ancient celestial d-device to build."
"Need some help? I can call in some mermen!" Gordon shouts from across the room.
"Very f-funny Gordon," Brains says and walks away while Alan and Kayo make their way to their rooms in order to change for the pool.