October 23rd, 2063 - 21:14 NZST
Kayo had been asked by Penelope to join her and Parker in taking over an oil rig that Penelope had just bought. It is one of only a few oil rigs left in the world due to the Global Climate Agreement in the early 21st Century that would limit and then phase out the use of fossil fuels. The only nations using oil in the 2060s were China and several African nations. The person who controls most of the last remaining rigs is a man named Warren S. Grafton. This particular oil rig is just off the coast of New Zealand and relatively close to International Rescue's headquarters.
When Kayo was preparing to leave, she had bumped into Alan, who had been looking at some data on the current Hurricane Systems to help direct Thunderbird 2 over to any location in The Caribbean to help those in desperate need to help. However, upon seeing Kayo getting ready to leave he asked if he could join her and of course Kayo couldn't say no to Alan.
So here they are, landing on the side of the oil rig. Due to Shadow's stealth, the oil rig systems only detected FAB 1 approaching and not Shadow. The waves grow more restless as a storm's approach becomes palpable. Dark clouds roll in from the horizon, casting a foreboding shadow over the serene waters. The wind picks up, whispering an ominous tune through the rig's scaffolding. Only the floodlights on the oil rig pierces the darkness, creating a stark contrast against the inky black water. The light dances and flickers, casting eerie shadows that play hide and seek with the waves. Above, black clouds roll in. The control room looms before them, a fortress of glass and steel. The light within shining brightly, casting long shadows across the slick floor. They can hear muffled voices, but the words are jumbled, indistinct.
"Rig supervisor Malloy, I presume. My name is Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward—" Penelope starts.
"Yeah, yeah, like I say to all you people who show up tryin' to save the world," Malloy interrupts with a wave of the hand, "These are International waters, the law can't touch us."
"She's no h'ordinary do-gooder, mate," Parker scoffs as he watches Malloy lean back in his seat and laugh, "'Ere's the contract to prove hit." He presents a hologram of a signed contract for Malloy to view.
"What my driver means to say, is that I've just become the owner of this oil rig," Penelope states.
"Is she for real?" a worker says, who Penelope knew as Selsden.
"Yes, I am," Penelope says and places Sherbet on the control unit, "And my first order of business is to decommission oil production on this dreadful rig. It's a disaster just waiting to happen and hazardous for everyone on board."
"What do you mean 'hazardous'? It's perfectly safe," Malloy states and watches as Selsden falls over after leading on a bit on console that breaks off.
"Oh! I'm okay!" Selsden cries.
"If you're so concerned about safety, then maybe you should leave," Malloy says dangerously and Alan and Kayo prepare to make their entrance, "I'd hate for anyone else to have an 'accident'. You follow."
"Yes," Kayo scoffs and enters.
"Huh?" Malloy questions.
"That would be a shame," Kayo continues.
"Where did you come from?" Malloy asks.
"What about our jobs?" a female worker interjects, "Most of us are only here because we need the work."
"Oh, I'll still need your help, Doyle," Penelope smiles.
"How do you know my name?" Doyle questions.
"I make it my business to know all my employees," Penelope states, "I'm converting this rig into a solar plant, and once it's made safe, you'll all still have jobs - even him. Malloy, would you please have the crew assemble here in the control room. We'll get started right away." Malloy groans and leaves with the other workers.
"The storm's getting closer," Alan notes.
"Hmm. We may need to delay operations until the storm passes," Penelope says just as an alarm goes off on the panel.
"That's the overboard alarm system," Kayo announces and they hear screaming outside, "Someone's gone off the edge."
"Help!" Doyle yells as she holds onto the edge of a ladder.
5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Thunderbirds are Go!
Penelope, Parker, Alan and Kayo all run out of the control room. They cling onto the railings outside the control room that surveys the whole of the oil right platform.
"All hands-on deck!" Penelope yells as she looks down at a now empty lower deck, "Where did everybody go?"
"H- Hel- Help! Help! Help!" Doyle cries and everyone runs down onto the desk and search of her.
"There she is!" Parker cries and points over the side.
"Those waves could pull her under any second," Alan states.
"Hang on Doyle! We'll get you off there," Kayo calls.
"Please, hurry!" Doyle shouts and Kayo leans back and spots something to her right. She taps Parker on the shoulder and gestures over to a piece of equipment.
"Parker, have you driven one of those before?" Kayo asks and Parker looks across to a carriage lift.
"H'I can drive h'anything, miss," Parker replies.
Alan and Kayo make their way onto the lift and close the safety gate behind them. Parker goes over to the control panel and presses a button. "Take it down," Kayo orders as the lift starts to slowly lower for the first few meters. Suddenly, it jerks to a stop, almost throwing Alan overboard. Alan looks up at Parker questionably but before he can utter any words, the whole lift drops rapidly. Above them, Parker's eyes widen as he messes with the controls, trying to bring it back under control.
"Argh! Parker!" Alan yells as the lift goes shooting past where Doyle is clinging onto the ladder.
"Sorry," Parker states as he stops the lift, "'Ard to get the knack for this h'one."
"Hey!" Doyle yells as the ladder she's holding finally breaks, "Ah!"
Kayo leans over the side of the lift and as Doyle is passing her field of vision, she reaches out and grabs her arm. "Got you," she sighs and starts to pull her over the side with the help of Alan. The trio return to the top and exit the lift. They make their way over to Penelope is looking very worried.
"Doyle, are you alright? What happened?" Penelope asks.
"We've got to hurry," Doyle breathes, "They pushed me off the railing before I could warn you."
"Warn us? About what?" Alan asks. Suddenly, the rig is shaken by a large explosion and a fire rips through part of the rig. The deck starts to tilt, and everyone struggles to keep their balance.
"Malloy," Doyle states. They hear the sound of engines and they all turn around just in time to see an orange boat leaving from underneath the rig. "He's taken the only lifeboat and left us to sink."
"We'll deal with them later, right now, putting out that fire is our top priority," Alan says pointing to the huge flames.
"The storm's getting closer, m'lady," Parker says.
"It's an oil fire, the rain won't stop it," Kayo replies.
"No, but the deck's foam canons will," Doyle responds.
"Splendid. Move in everyone," Penelope smiles and they make their way over to two canons.
"Right, each canon needs two people," Doyle explains, "One person steers, the other blasts. But the foam is limited, so make shots count." Penelope and Parker head over to one canon while Alan and Kayo run over to the one further away. Sherbet jumps at Penelope, and she helps him onto her lap.
"Steady Sherbet," Penelope smiles.
"Aim for the base of the fire," Doyle shouts from the deck and Alan starts to fire foam from his canon. Penelope gets ready to fire from her canon when it spins at an odd angle almost throwing her off.
"Woah, Parker!" Penelope exclaims.
"Sorry, m'lady," Parker mumbles, "This h'is h'even 'arder than the last h'one." He eventually gets it under control and starts to aim for the base of the fire that helps Penelope finally get the foam firing into the correct place.
"That's more like it," Penelope smirks.
"Take that! Good work, m'lady," Parker compliments. After a few minutes the fire is out and half of the rig is left smouldering.
"Got it," Penelope smiles.
"Nice work," Doyle states.
"Good work, Parker," Penelope smiles.
"Yeah!" Alan cries and jumps down from his canon to meet and helps Kayo down. They start to walk over to Doyle when Kayo hears something that comes to a stop and Alan looks back with a raised eyebrow, "Everything okay, Kayo?"
"Nobody move," Kayo states and taps her foot on the surface below her and listens to the noise and Doyle gasps.
"H'is, it supposed to sound like 'hat?" Parker asks.
"No! Get to the other side, now!" Doyle yells.
Everyone scrambles to get away from the canon as the platform creeks and groans. Suddenly, a loud crack echoes through the air, and a fissure zigzags across the planks beneath their feet. The rig lurches to one side, and the crew stumbles, grasping for anything to hold onto. The once solid deck had become a treacherous maze of shifting panels. The crack grows wider, a dark abyss threatening to swallow them whole. As Parker makes his way to safety, he hears whimpering and turns to see Sherbet slipping into the sea, his paws unable to grip on the wet deck. Parker knows he has to act fast and dives towards the dog, his boots skidding on the slick surface. As he scoops him up, the deck gives way beneath them. Time seems to slow as they tumble towards the yawning chasm, the icy water below promising a swift and unforgiving embrace. "H'up, we go," Parker mutters and with a roar of effort, he rushes back and jumps over the large gap, his muscles straining as Sherbet fidgets in his arms. They land safely on the other side and Penelope runs over to check on both of them.
"Parker, you saved Sherbet!" Penelope smiles.
"We h'all make mistakes, m'lady," Parker sighs and Sherbet licks his face, "Get h'off." He hands Sherbet over to Penelope who starts to fuss Sherbet, making sure he's completely alright. Kayo opens up her wrist communicator and contacts Tracy Island.
"International Rescue, it's Kayo. We have a situation," Kayo informs. Virgil and Nina pick up the call from the lounge. Everyone else were out on missions due to the recent bad weather that is hitting areas all over the planet. Due to the frequency of the calls, International Rescue were only helping in the immediate emergency's and for now only Thunderbird 2 is available.
"What seems to be the issue, Kayo?" Nina asks.
"The rig has been sabotaged," Kayo explains, "I'm sending you schematics of the rig's current state."
"Woah! That looks more like a disaster than a situation," Virgil exclaims as he observes the schematics that Kayo has sent, "You got to evacuate before the whole thing goes under."
"Hang on, Virgil. Look what's happening underneath the rig," Alan states appearing on a hologram in the lounge and sending a new image.
"The drill pipe," Virgil says.
"Exactly, the submerged platform is damaging the pipe," Alan states and looks over to Doyle.
"We're talking thousands of barrels worth of oil spilling into the ocean if it ruptures," Doyle confirms and everyone looks worriedly at each other, even Sherbet whimpers.
"I'm going to remain on board and keep the pipe safe," Penelope explains, "As they say, the owner always goes down with the rig."
"I think that's only for Captains on ships," Kayo mutters.
"Well, they should say it for all equipment where lives on board," Penelope says, "Doyle, there's still time if you want to evacuate."
"No, I'm staying. I always knew what we were doing here was bad," Doyle sighs, "This is my chance to make up for it."
"Virgil? Nina?" Kayo calls.
"On our way," Virgil states and turns to Nina, "Time to fly."
"Too right," Nina nods.
5
Virgil runs over to the painting of a rocket and gets suited up.
4
The lifting equipment is loaded into Module 3.
3
Nina boards Thunderbird 2 via the passenger elevator.
2
Thunderbird 2 taxis down the main runway and comes to a halt allowing the ramp to raise.
1
The blast shield rises.
Thunderbirds are Go!
October 23rd, 2063 - 21:55 NZST
At the rig, the structure starts to groan and shudder as the wind picks up, sending a shiver down Penelope's spine. She can almost feel the storm's hunger, its desire to claim the structure as its own. The lights flicker, and the room plunges into momentary darkness before the generators kick in, bathing everything in an eerie red glow.
"The storm's picking up," Penelope notes.
"Yeah, it's gonna be a strong one," Doyle nods.
"We need a way to stop the platform from sinking any further and pressing against that drill pipe," Alan states.
"What about the crane?" Kayo asks.
"It could work," Doyle states, "The maximum pull is ten kilotons, but we'd need to secure the hook to a spot below the platform in order to lift it."
"That can be arranged," Penelope says looking over at Parker, "Parker, fire up FAB 1."
"Right h'away, m'lady," Parker says and the pair head off. Doyle looks sceptically over to Parker's retreating form.
"So, he's good to drive?" Doyle questions.
"This one's a little more his style," Kayo replies, "Come on, Al." The couple run over to the crane and grab a hold of the hook they bring it over to FAB 1. Parker activates the grabber at the front of FAB 1 and takes the hook off them. A few seconds later, FAB 1 takes off and plunges into the ocean below.
"FAB 1 to Rig Deck, we're approaching the platform now. Contact with the pipe appears to be increasing," Penelope informs. Alan and Kayo take another step back as the deck starts to creak further and the half that broke away slips slightly more. Kayo looks back at the crane then at Doyle.
"Doyle, wanna help me up there?" Kayo indicates.
"Of course," Doyle replies and the pair start their way up the crane.
"'Ook h'attached," Parker announces.
"Okay Doyle," Kayo breathes as they make it to the top, "Tighten the line." The crane whirs as the line gets pulled in and there's another loud creak from the platform before the deck stops sliding completely.
"It worked! The platform has stopped sinking," Penelope states.
"F-A-B," Kayo acknowledges, "That should keep the pressure off the pipe until Thunderbird 2 arrives."
"H'ohh..." Parker exclaims as an alarm beeps, "Something's popping h'up h'on the h'infra-red sensor."They pull back out of the way a little and a warning light with a human figure appears. "Crickey! There's people h'inside!"
"Fire the sonic antenna. Let's see if we can communicate," Penelope orders and Parker complies,"Hello? Can anyone hear me?"
"Oh, thank goodness," a man sighs, "This is Deck Crewman Hooper. The door is jammed, and the water is rising. Harry Malloy locked us in here."
"Malloy did this?" Alan asks over the comms.
"We refused to follow along after he threatened Doyle. Is she alright?" Hooper asks.
"I'm fine, Hooper," Doyle says using Kayo's comm, "You and the others sit tight. Malloy won't get away with this so long as I'm on the job."
"Hmm," Kayo says looking at the updated holo-diagram of the rig, "We can't afford to wait any longer with their compartment flooding. It needs to be raised above water."
"My thoughts exactly. We should try lifting the platform higher," Penelope states.
"Surely the crane can't pull that kind of weight," Alan says.
"We have to try, Al," Kayo replies, "It's the only option we've got."
"You're right," Doyle sighs as being to wheel the platform in.
"Rig deck to FAB 1, we're trying to bring the platform back up to the surface. How's the drill pipe?" Kayo asks as the platform slowly starts being lifted.
"Still intact," Penelope observes, "And I suggest we take this moment to seal it once and for all."
"Agreed," Kayo responds, "Doyle and I will focus on the platform and crew."
"I'll observe from here," Alan says as he stands on the raised section of the deck by the control office, "Hopefully the crane can hold on."
"You and me both," Kayo says as Doyle starts straining at the controls. They both feel the crane groan and Alan sees the issue.
"Guys!" Alan cries, "The crane is coming loose from the rig base."
"It's too heavy! The crane can't lift all this weight by itself," Doyle shouts.
"Hold that thought," Kayo says and brings up her wrist controller and engages Shadow's autopilot bringing it up to the top of the crane, "It's no Thunderbird 2, but it will have to do." She takes a device from her belt and throws it to Doyle who catches it."This comms device will keep up connected. Good luck Doyle."
"F-A-B," Doyle smiles and watches a Shadow takes off with Kayo inside.
"Doyle, are you there? The water's still rising," Hooper states.
"Hang on tight, Hooper. You're about to get a big lift," Doyle informs and watches a Kayo uses the landing gear of Shadow to clip onto the crane wire.
"Thunderbird Shadow attached. Firing engines," Kayo says as she starts the engines.
"Oh, it's working! The water level's starting to drop," Hooper states. However, the crane is still struggling with extra weight and Alan notices the bolts at the base of the crane were coming loose.
"The crane's coming apart. Get out of their Doyle!" Alan shouts. Doyle acts as fast as she could and gets out of the crane before making her way down. Alan runs to the bottom and allows Doyle to jump the last several metres as he is able to catch her. They both run away just to see the crane buckle and fall into the ocean. The whole weight of the rig is now being held by Thunderbird Shadow as the engines start to stall due to this. Kayo starts to increase her pull but to no avail.
"I can't hold any longer. It's pulling me down!" Kayo cries.
"Kayo, you've gotta let go!" Alan calls and reluctantly Kayo does with bits of debris falling into the ocean below. Shadow's engines start to smoke, and Kayo uses the landing gear to grip onto the side of the rig that's sliding into the ocean.
"Crewman Hooper? Can anyone hear me?" Kayo calls into the comms.
"Yes," Hooper finally replies, "But the water's really coming in fast."
"Alan, you'll need to climb down and open their compartment when the platform resurfaces," Kayo states walking over to him and Doyle.
"How?" Doyle interjects, "Without the crane there's nothing we can do."
Suddenly, the whirring of engines can be heard causing everyone to turn and see a great big green goliath arrive on scene.
"Anyone need a lift?" Virgil asks, "Sorry for the delay but had to take a detour due to these tropical storms."
"Good to see you guys," Alan sighs.
"What do you need?" Nina asks.
"There's people trapped below, we need to bring the rig up to extract them," Kayo explains.
"F-A-B," Virgil replies and brings Thunderbird 2 above the rig and fires grapples to the platform, "Magnetic grapple secured." He starts to pull away, but the grapple breaks off."Okay, let's try that again," he states and fires the grapples again but gets the same result, "I'm starting to think this deck is a real safety hazard."
"You're a bit late on that!" Doyle chuckles lightly.
"Hooper to rig deck, we're running out of time. Please hurry," Hooper calls.
"Third time lucky," Nina says and they go in for a third attempt and this also fails, "Oh, I can't get a lock. Nothing on this rig is strong enough."
"Then you need something better," Alan says and looks over a Kayo, who quickly gets on the same wavelength as Alan.
"What do you have in mind?" Virgil asks.
"Thunderbird Shadow," Kayo replies.
"But it can barely fly, let alone lift anything," Nina says.
"It doesn't have to. Brains designed it with ultra-strong grips. If we combine Thunderbird 2's strength with Thunderbird Shadow's grasping claws, that should be enough to sustain the lift," Kayo explains, "Send down the grapples to me this time." Virgil complies and lowers Thunderbird 2's grapples down to Shadow and Alan locks them in place while Kayo gets back in again.
"Grapples locked," Alan informs, "I'll head down to get the crew."
"Alright then, let's raise the roof... er, platform," Virgil states causing Nina to chuckle, and they start to lift the rig again, this time successfully. However, Alan picks up and alert on his wrist communicator and looks worriedly up.
"Kayo, I'm detecting damage to your hull," Alan says.
"It'll be fine. Now's not the time to worry about a scratch," Kayo states and brings up the same diagram Alan brought up, "Come on, Thunderbird Shadow! Don't fail me now."
The platform strains as Thunderbird 2 slowly pulls it upwards to bring it in line with the secure section of deck. The beeping on Shadow's console comes to a stop as Virgil stops pulling on it with the extra weight.
"It worked! The platform's holding," Virgil states.
"Alan, can you reach the compartment?" Kayo asks.
"Almost there!" Alan states and goes down the last of the stairs before opening a door and seeing three people look up at him.
"Oh, thank you!" Hooper says as Alan helps everyone up.
"Is everyone alright?" Alan asks.
"I think so. But we'll feel a lot better once we're off this rotten rig," Hooper replies.
"I couldn't agree more," Alan smiles.
October 23rd, 2063 - 22:21 NZST
FAB 1 rises out of the water once again. With the fuel pipe secure Penelope's work on shutting down the oil drilling on her rig has been completed.
"I'll begin stabilising the platform with Thunderbird 2's floatation devices. That should keep it from sinking again," Virgil states.
"Thank you, Virgil," Penelope smiles.
"Rig deck to FAB 1, everyone's out of the compartment safely," Alan states and Doyle breathes a sigh of relief.
"Excellent, Alan," Penelope says and turns to Doyle, "I've arranged for a ship to tow the rig away for repair, and I'll make certain your next assignments are far less hazardous."
"Thank you, Lady Penelope," Doyle says, "For the first time ever, I'm proud of the work we did here today."
"That was quite a rescue Kayo," Nina says to Kayo as she and Virgil approach her, "I'd say it was worth a few scratches."
"Be sure to tell Brains," Kayo smirks as she rubs her gloves against Shadow's paintwork.
"No, I think I'll leave that to you," Nina says backing down.
"Gee, thanks," Kayo scoffs and rolls her eyes playfully.
"Hey, no fighting, ladies," Virgil says firmly and everyone laughs.
"The storm h'is h'over h'at last," Parker smiles as the clear night sky breaks through the clouds, "'Ome, m'lady?"
"Not quite Parker," Penelope says, "There's still one more loose end to tie up."
October 24th, 2063 - 08:57 NZST
An orange lifeboat bobs on the surface of the ocean not moving. Inside one person is at work trying to fix it while the other is sat back in a chair relaxing.
"Oh, it's no use. We're completely out of fuel boss," Selsden says.
"I told you to relax. I radioed Mr Grafton to bring more," Malloy says and stands when he hears something on the deck, "Hear that? Must be him now."
"Hello, Malloy," Penelope smirks.
"Huh?" Malloy cries and turns to escape but comes face to face with Kayo.
"So nice to see you again," Penelope continues.
"I suggest you come along quietly," Kayo adds.
"You're gonna need an army to get me and my crew off this boat. You follow?" Malloy growls.
"Well then, it's a good thing we brought one," Penelope says and indicates to the GDF flyer overhead, "You follow?"
"You heard the lady. It's over," Malloy sighs, "But my employer will come after you!"
"No!" Selsden says and goes to leave, "I'm getting out of here." He runs up the ladder and accidently throws himself overboard. There's a loud splash. "I'm okay," Selsden shouts. How did he expect to escape?