April 4th, 2064 - 17:12 NZST
Since the ending of the Rescue Operation Robot program, incidents with the Chaos Crew had decreased significantly. The GDF presumed this is due to The Hood planning a major move at some point in the near future. Colonel Casey remained well aware that the systems were hacked by Havoc, the only issue for her is that Casey had no idea what information Havoc got a hold of.
Kayo and Alan have formed quite a team, but duty called for and Scott decided that it would be best to only send Kayo to the GDF and keep Alan on Tracy Island in case a rescue needing him was required, like with the public space elevators. The couple where disappointed by the news but Kayo reassured Alan that she'd have Captain Rigby to watch her back, which left Alan sceptical. With some persuasion by Marion, Scott did promise though that any major lead the GDF got, Alan would be allowed to go off with Kayo.
In the workshop, Brains finally completed Thunderbird 8 and Nina was ecstatic to try her new Thunderbird out. Thunderbird 8 is essentially a large van which can reach speeds of 230mph on land with a booster that could propel speeds to 470mph. That is just on land, it can also transform into flight mode, similar to FAB 1. As Nina would be working a lot with Virgil, Thunderbird 8 could be transported in Module 2 to get to any situation faster. Most of what's stored in the van is heavy lifting equipment and weapons.
Considering The Hood and the Chaos Crew had upped the ante on rescues, each person now would carry a stun gun as a bare minimum, Alan had already had experience at this. However, now members of International Rescue would also have a real gun stored on each Thunderbird just as a precaution. It was something that Jeff Tracy used to do back in the day but was removed as they were seen as unnecessary. That's no longer the case
Currently, in the lounge, Nina is sitting on one of the sofas reading on her tablet and behind her Virgil is doing push-ups with Gordon on his back. Nina tried to keep her eyes on her book, but it got quiet distracting with her boyfriend showing off his strength.
"...nine and... ten!" Gordon exclaims, "Ha-ha-ha!"
"Well done, Virg," Nina winks.
"Thanks," Virgil blushes and opens his mouth to say more when John appears on the hologram.
"International Rescue. We have a situation," John says.
5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Thunderbirds are Go!
"Ridley has picked up a distress call from the Molla Carrera Pass," John says and Ridley appears next to him suddenly and displays a hologram of a vehicle.
"This truck is carrying Nutrezine got caught in a rockslide," Ridley says.
"Nutrezine? As in the dangerous, tends to blow up even if you look at it the wrong way kind?" Virgil asks and walks over to take a seat next to Nina.
"That's the one," Ridley confirms.
"If it's so explosive, why are they taking it by truck?" Gordon asks.
"Flight altitude makes Nutrezine... unstable, for a better word," Ridley says, "But there's a factory on the other side of the mountain that needs it. Ground transport is the only option."
"I'll head over in Thunderbird 2," Virgil says.
"Want me to tag along?" Gordon asks.
"Errrrrrr..." everyone groan as Gordon looks at them funny.
"What?" Gordon asks.
"It's just that that mission may need... a delicate touch," John says.
"I can be delicate." Gordon says and Nina shakes her head, "When am I not delicate?"
"Time to fly, Nina," Virgil says, "Gordon can stay here and be... delicate."
"Awe, come on," Gordon wines.
"Never mind Gordo," Nina smiles, "At least this'll be the perfect opportunity to test out Thunderbird 8."
"Agreed," Ridley interjects, "Virgil should take Pod A as well,"
"FAB," Virgil and Nina say before running off to their launch pads.
8
Thunderbird 8 awaits in a small hanger, separate to the modules.
7
Nina jumps down a slide next to the stairs that go up to the living quarters.
6
Nina arrives at Thunderbird 8 suited up and drives down to the modules.
5
Virgil runs over to the painting of a rocket and gets suited up.
4
The pod equipment and Thunderbird 8 are loaded into Module 2.
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!
April 4th, 2064 - 09:53 CEST
One of the people in the truck is someone called Sophie. Today is her first day on the job and is quite worried about being stuck on the side of a mountain with an explosive substance. She looks into the snowy mist as she hears what sounds to be jet engines. Sophie turns to her right and sees Thunderbird 2 approaching them.
"Transporter-GH65. This is International Rescue," Virgil says.
"Glad to meet you," Road Hog Renee says, "Road Hog Renee at your service. That's my trainee, Sophie, waving... in the back."
"Hiya!" Sophie calls.
"Damage report Greenhorn!" Road Hog Renee says.
"Oh right. Minor damage to the front magnetic coupler. Not to mention we're, erm, stuck," Sophie replies.
"No problem, we'll clear the way for you," Nina says, "Firing grapples." Nina presses a couple of buttons that open the base of the module, and two lines are fired at the largest rock that has the back of the truck on its side. Virgil then wheels the grapples in and drops the rock off the side of the mountain. The truck groans and the back flips onto four wheels once again.
"One rock down," Virgil states.
"And a whole lot more to go," Nina sighs.
"Hope those seats are comfy Road Hog, this might take a while," Virgil says.
"It isn't the seats I'm worried about," Road Hog Renee responds, "This tank can't store Nutrezine forever. In a few hours, this stuff'll be unusable."
"What about that road we passed earlier?" Sophie asks.
"Ah! I like your thinking, Greenhorn," Road Hog Renee says, "International Rescue, be advised we're taking the scenic route out of here."
"Ten-Four." Sophie says.
"FAB," Virgil and Nina say in unison.
"Safe Travels, Road Hog," Nina adds as the couple watch the truck make off.
"Okay, back to those rocks," Virgil says and turns to Nina who looks back at Virgil with excitement filling her eyes.
"You mean..." Nina trails.
"Thunderbird 8 is needed," Virgil says.
"YES!" Nina cries and makes her way down to the module and gets inside.
"Thunderbird 2 is in position," Virgil says, "Standby for launch Thunderbird 8."
"Systems check complete. Brakes are on," Nina says, "We are go for module deployment." Module 2 is then dropped onto the road and Nina waits for the hatch to open for her before pressing the button to start the engine up.
"Thunderbird 8 is go!" Nina says and starts to move Thunderbird 8 out of the module. Nina then moves Thunderbird 8 into position and like Thunderbird 9, reverses to allow a crane to come out of the back and start moving rocks. When she pulls one of the side doors back, an exo-suit is displayed, and Nina quickly puts in on ready to move some of the smaller rock. She also takes out some scanners stored on board and connects them to the side of the mountain to survey for any more potential landslides. Virgil carries on moving the largest rocks using the grapples on Thunderbird 2. Once the worst of the rocks were cleared, Nina starts to use her exo-suit to climb up the side of the mountain to do another survey of the rockface.
"That's the last one," Virgil promptly announces, "How's it going up there?"
"No loose rocks so far," Nina breathes and stops for a second to take a breath. She looks back down and sees that Virgil has picked up the module again. "I'm almost at the peak," she adds. As she continues her climb up the side of the mountain, Nina spots something in the snow. It's a purple box with some yellow symbol engraved on the side. "Wait a minute," Nina states and walks over and scans it with her exo-suit, "Thunderbird 5, I've just run a scan on something. What is this?"
"It looks like some kind of detonator," Ridley says.
"This was no accident someone caused this rockslide," Nina says, "This isn't good. We sent the truck on the only other road round the mountain."
"Which means, the saboteur could be ready to catch them off guard," John mumbles, "Ridley, get a visual on the truck. Nina, can you send a photo?"
"Sure," Nina replies and sends the image.
"Oh, shit!" John cries.
"I've got a visual on the truck," Ridley says.
"It's Chaos Crew all right," John growls, "Looks like Fuse."
"He must be after the Nutrezine," Nina states, "The rockslide was only step one."
"Then we'll fly over and stop step two," Virgil says.
"Not so fast, Virgil," John says, "The ridge above the route is unstable."
"He's right, Thunderbird 2's engines could trigger a rockslide even worse than before," Ridley says.
"I'm glad I look Pod A then," Virgil says as he lands Thunderbird 2 and exits via the passenger elevator, "I'll configure a Mountain Pod." Thunderbird 2's body then rises, and the module door opens. Virgil walks over to the control unit and selects the Mountain Pod and allows the machinery to put it together.
"Isn't one of the features a speed enhancer?" Nina asks as she watches Virgil's pod walk out of the module.
"Something like that," Virgil says, "You might want to drive Thunderbird 8 over as well."
"FAB," Nina replies, "Packing up equipment now."
"Thunderbirds are go-o-o-o! Whoa!" Virgil yells as he goes down the side of the mountain in the pod, an almost 90° drop. Nina quickly gets back into Thunderbird 8 and drives after the truck along the winding road.
"I hope we make in in time," Nina mutters.
"As do I," Virgil responds.
Nina turns the corner onto the scenic route when she swerves out the way of a large vehicle. Taking it closer look, she realises it's Basher, Fuse's all-terrain vehicle. "Thunderbird 5, they have incoming!" Nina warns.
"FAB," Ridley replies, "I'm tracking him now and the GDF have been alerted but I doubt they'll get there."
"No worries," Nina says, "Inform Virgil as he'll probably get to them first. I mean... he did get a head start."
"On it," Ridley says and contacts Virgil, "Thunderbird 5 to Mountain Pod, Fuse in pursuit of the truck,"
"FAB," Virgil says, "I'm closing in now."
"Be very delicate around the Nutrezine," John says.
"Of course, I will, John," Virgil chuckles, not realising he tripped a wire, "I'm not Gordon you know." He then hears an explosion and looks up to see another rockslide starting, "Shit!" In an instant, Virgil remembers that the pod as magnetic gripping and goes over the side of the road and attaches to it, holding the pod in place.
"Virg, what's going on?" Nina asks, "I heard an explosion."
"A trip laser," Virgil grunts, "Trip laser. Fuse wants us off the trail."
"Then he's about to be really disappointed," Nina says and speeds up.
"Be careful of the rocks that are now on the road," Virgil warns.
"Don't worry, I'll just fly over them," Nina states as she approaches Virgil's location and sees the Mountain Pod get back onto the road. She takes over Virgil and gives direct chase to the backend of Basher, which is now visible in the mist. "I see him." As she gets closer, Nina notices that Basher has rammed into the back of the truck and that Fuse is currently on top. Fuse hears the screeching of tires come from Thunderbird 8 and turns to face it.
"International Rescue." Fuse says in annoyance and takes out one of his sonic detonators and attaches it to the roof of the Nutrezine tank, "Good luck with this. Bye!" He then makes his way back to Basher and drives off, almost running Nina off the road, while Virgil jumps over in the Mountain Pod.
"That can't be good," Nina says and watches as the truck comes to a stop in front of them.
"There's a sonic detonator - up there," Sophie says. Nina brings Thunderbird 8 to a halt alongside the truck and gets out and onto the roof.
"Well, this is gonna be hard to stop—" Nina mutters.
"Figure something out then," John says and Nina gets over to the detonator just as it begins beeping.
"We're out of time! Everyone off now!" Nina says and starts to run away as Road Hog then comes over and picks up the detonator. Are you crazy that things going to—" Nina starts before the bomb shuts off, "Blow?"
"I knew it. He planted a dud," Road Hog says.
"How did you know?" Nina asks.
"The kid wants our cargo, right? Blowing the tank would take out half a mountain but he wouldn't get the Nutrezine," Road Hog says.
"You're right," Virgil says, "Fuse is reckless, but not that reckless."
"He wants us off the truck," Road Hog says, "But we're not moving. Come on Greenhorn, we'll get this tank to where it belongs."
"And we'll make sure Fuse doesn't try that again," Nina says, "FAB?"
"Ten-Four!" Sophie says. Road Hog then gets back into the driver's seat at the front of the truck. The truck resumes journey with Nina driving alongside in Thunderbird 8 and Virgil taking the rear in the Mountain Pod. They start to make good time when Nina hears something up in the mountains. Basher.
"What are you up to?" Nina mumbles to herself. She soon finds out when she hears a distant voice.
"Power punches!" Fuse yells.
"Fuck!" Nina yells and radios the truck just as a large rock starts to fall down the mountain due to the sonic boom, "Er, Road Hog, we need to step on it."
"I'm turning as fast as I can!" Road Hog says. The rock barely misses the cab Sophie is in and continues rolling down.
"Keep going, I'll buy us some time," Virgil says.
"Virg! You can't withstand that!" Nina cries.
"Neither will the tank if I don't do something," Virgil states and climbs slightly up the ledge, "Steady, steady, now!" Using the front two legs of the Mountain Pod, Virgil starts bashing rocks out of the way of the truck. By redirecting them, the effects of the many sonic booms Fuse is setting off is limited. However, two rocks come out of nowhere and Virgil overshoots, "Uh-oh! No!" He quickly stops the pod and uses both front and back legs to kick the rocks away, which barely miss both the truck and Thunderbird 8. But, before he could breathe, three detonators go off and Virgil is taken out, "No-o-o-o!"
"Virgil!" Nina screams and watches as the Mountain Pod gets buried. Despite Virgil's possible injures, Nina turns her attention back to the truck as it starts to take hits from the falling debris.
"Aaaaargh!" Sophie cries as Road Hog swerves to avoid some of the larger ones almost going over the edge a couple of times. However, luck isn't on their side and eventually a large bolder strikes the front of the truck where Road Hog is, and it goes over the edge of the elevated road.
"Whoa!" Road Hog exclaims.
"Oh!" Nina sighs then sees flickering in the cab, "The couplers! Road Hog, get outta there!" There's a loud clank and the tank slips forward slightly. Nina runs out of Thunderbird 8 and gets on top of the truck again and charges towards Road Hog. "It gonna fall!" Nina yells and gets to the other end and sees Road Hog holding onto a handrail.
"A little help!" Road Hog calls.
"Huh? Whoa!" Nina exclaims suddenly and takes a few steps backwards from the edge as the tanker starts to slip off the edge, "I can't get close." The tanker then levels and Nina falls onto her back, "Whoa! Huh?" Nina grunts and turns around to see Fuse holding it down.
"Ha-ha-ha! Ha-ha-ha!" Fuse laughs.
"It's not funny." Road Hog says.
April 4th, 2064 - 10:41 CEST
Virgil is still buried under the rocks. The impact had knocked him out and he starts to come to. He grunts and looks around before pressing on his com.
"Thunderbird 5 to Mountain Pod," John says.
"I'm fine, John," Virgil groans.
"You're buried in a rock pile and Nina is worried about you," Ridley states, "That's not fine."
"It's nothing I can't shake off," Virgil says and starts to play with the controls of the pod and gets it stands up on its feel again, "Nina, I'm on my way."
"Virg!" Nina cries, "Thank fuck you're all right. But we have a situation."
"Ha-ha-ha!" Fuse chuckles and joins Nina on the roof of the tanker, "Huh! Watch this! If you try to help her and I step here." Fuses takes several steps towards Nina and the tank tilts over the edge, "But if you hop off the truck, I step here." Fuse then goes back to where he was originally.
"Here's an idea, what if we all moved away from the dangerous explosive?" Nina scoffs.
"Hmm?" Fuse says thinking about it, "Nah." He then starts to walk closer and closer to Nina laughing, all the while, the trunk continues to tilt more.
"Whoa! Ugh! Ah!" Road Hog grunts as she struggles to hold on. Nina collapses onto her hands and knees to keep steady.
"Ooh! Out of time. Ha-ha-ha! Made your mind up yet?" Fuse asks before an engine rumbles and he goes flying off his feet onto his back, "Whoa!" Sophie tries to bring the tank back onto the road and the tires screech on the road surface as she barely makes ground. Fuse rolls off the side of the tank and this allows Nina to rush backwards and help Road Hog just as she starts to fall off the back. Nina sighs in relief and helps Road Hog up.
"Gotcha!" Nina sighs and the pair get back on top, "Way to go, Sophie."
"Don't thank me yet," Sophie says as the truck starts to slip backwards again, even further than before, "The reverse gear is burning out."
"Ha-ha-ha! This'll be fun to watch," Fuse says. Unfortunately for him, it isn't fun as Virgil comes just as the gears give up and connects the Mountain Pod to the front of the truck.
"Urgh! Virgil?" Nina gasps, happy to see him.
"I can't hold you for long. You have to jump off," Virgil responds.
"It won't make a difference if this tank blows up," Road Hog muses.
"I've got an idea," Sophie states, "Let us over the edge, slowly. There's a road down below I can steer us to."
"Is that even possible?" Nina asks, Brakes won't help at all and if we hit anything..."
"I know - boom. I can do this, but you all need to trust me!" Sophie explains.
"Okay, greenhorn, you've got the wheel," Road Hog says.
"Please be... delicate" Nina winces as Virgil starts to gently lower the truck. Not happy with what he is seeing, Fuse charges over to the Mountain Pod and breaks the legs that are holding onto the rockface behind. This causes the truck to fall straight off the edge and start to glide down the mountain side. Sophie and Virgil grunt as they try to keep the vehicles under control and not allow the Nutrezine to explode.
"We've got a tight squeeze up ahead!" Road Hog says. Virgil sees the front of the pod start creaking and know it's about to give so opens the pod hatch and jumps out, grabbing onto the back of the truck just as the pod hits a rock and goes flying into pieces. Nina is too focused on holding onto the top of the tanker to notice what just happened.
"Uh! Uh! Oh!" Virgil cries as his grip slips slightly. This Nina does hear and charges to the back and grabs onto Virgil just as he is about to fall.
"Aren't you glad I tagged along?" Nina asks the looks back, "Where's the pod?"
"I'll explain later," Virgil sighs and the two get on top of Sophie's cab, "Watch out!" Virgil gestures over to where Road Hog's side of the truck has ended up and manages to get the tank to avoid it, but her cab clips the side of it, and it rolls after them. The couple rush to Road Hog and help her to stand up.
"We're coming in too fast," Road Hog calls.
"Don't worry, I've got the wheel," Sophie says and she turns the wheel, so they swing around onto the side and skid onto the road cleanly.
"Way to go, Greenhorn!" Road Hog says and Sophie turns around her cab to take the front steering controls. The back of the truck then swings slightly over the edge, "Get to the other side." Sophie gets the truck back onto the road and Nina looks up with worry.
"Brace for impact!" Nina shouts and watches along with everyone else as the green truck slides down and miraculously connects to the broken coupling.
"You were right Road Hog. I think I'm getting the hang of it," Sophie says.
"You can say that again! Top driving!" Road Hog says and they head to a flatter part of the road to allow Virgil and Nina to get off.
"Oh! Proper glad you two hitched a lift," Road Hog says, "Thanks to International Rescue, we're here safe and early."
"Happy to help," Virgil says.
"Thunderbird 5? Any word on Fuse," Nina asks.
"Looks like he took off, but the GDF have already been alerted. If the Chaos Crew try this again, they'll stop them," Ridley says.
"Ten-Four. We better get going," Road Hog says, "Greenhorn, take us in!"
"Really?" Sophie asks.
"You earned the wheel today, my girl!" Road Hog says. The pair drive off and Nina activates Thunderbird 8's auto-drive.
"I'll bring in Thunderbird 8," Nina says, "We'll need to repair that damaged road."
"FAB," Virgil sighs forgetting about that part. It's going to be an even longer end to an already long day.