November 23rd, 2064 - 13:00 NZST
It had now been just over a month since Alan took over the running of Thunderbird 5. John and Ridley announced their relationship to everyone else soon after their arrival on Tracy Island. While everyone was happy for them, Scott was worried about his youngest brother. He knew that Kayo leaving for London had hurt him badly and his suggestion to stay on Thunderbird 5 was a way to distract himself from that sadness. Alan also claimed, when Scott asked, that it would allow him to focus more on his university studies. Being in his second year, Alan needed to make sure he wasn't going to fall behind his studies as he works tirelessly at International Rescue.
After finishing his lunch, Alan goes to the mission control room to check if any emergencies have appeared while he was on a break. Upon arrival, an orange alarm appears on his screen, indicating that there is a situation that International Rescue needs attending to. He clicks on the warning that has shown up over the Californian Desert and his eyes widen in horror. "Major rupture reported at the Western Hydro-methane Storage Facility," Alan exclaims and pulls open a channel to Tracy Island, "International Rescue, we have a situation."
5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Thunderbirds are Go!
In the lounge, Scott, Marion and Gordon are gathered in a small discussion when Alan appears on the holo-screen in front of then and explains the situation. The previously orange warning by this point as changed to red, indicating a high priority. Alan displays a hologram of the Hydro-methane Storage Facility as he explains all the information that EOS has gathered for him.
"The United States Major Incidents Division are fielding this," Alan states as he closes the hologram of the storage facility, "I've got one of them on the line. He wants to speak to us."
"Hey there, International Rescue," an older man says, replacing Alan's hologram, "This is—"
"Kip Harris!" Virgil suddenly yells from the balcony and distracting him from his painting.
"Guilty as charged," Kip replies with a smirk.
"Hubba hubba!" Sally smiles as she walks into the room after hearing a commotion from the kitchen.
"Mr Harris, how can we help?" Scott asks.
"A worker called in the hydro-methane rupture," Kip explains, "She says there's no casualties, but it's leaking like the Rio Grande. My team are busy with a forest fire upstate. I'm shorthanded and wondered if you couldn't spare a couple of yours.
"Yes," Virgil whispers down to Scott, "Say yes."
"Er," Scott stutters as he looks over to Marion who just smiles, "Sure thing, Mr Harris. We'll send three of our best to meet you there."
"Much obliged, son," Kip replies and tips his cowboy hat before his hologram disappears.
"Okay, who wants to—" Marion starts with a smile.
"I'll go! Count me in," Virgil yells running down the stairs and towards his rocket silo, "Thunderbird 2, no question."
"What's the big deal, Virge?" Nina asks as she enters the room with raised eyebrows at her boyfriend.
"Yeah," Gordon chuckles, "Why are you so keen to help out the old guy?"
"Gordon, that's Kip Harris," Virgil replies, "THE Kip Harris."
"Oh, Kip Harris!" Gordon says in realisation and starts nodding his head but stopping, "Nope, never heard of him."
"If cavemen discovered fire, then Kip Harris invented putting it out," Virgil exclaims, "He's a living legend. I've read all his books. I've studied all his major missions. I've even got a vintage Kip Harris action figure."
"Okay, Virgil," Scott sighs, "You're up. Now who's going with you?"
"SEND ME!" Sally calls.
"Grandma?" Scott questions in surprise.
"That Kip Harris is a grade A silver fox," Sally explains, "A hunk! A knockout!"
"Grandma?" everyone cries, with the Tracy Brothers saying it with some disgust.
"I think Gordon better go instead," Marion chuckles, "Along with Nina."
"Fine," Sally sighs, "But you boys find out if he's single and ready to mingle!"
"Ugh!" Gordon shudders, "FAB."
"Let's go, let's go, let's go!" Virgil mutters and he runs over to his silo.
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
Thunderbird 4 prepares to exit from the cave doors at the seabed.
3
Module 2 is loaded up with Thunderbird 8 with Nina sitting in the driver's seat.
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!
November 22nd, 2064 - 17:51 PST
"The hydro-methane is sitting over the area," Alan explains to Virgil, "You have to seal that leak before the wind changes direction and blows the gas towards San Francisco."
"Just think," Virgil says as Alan's hologram disappears from his control panel, "We get to see Kip Harris in action first-hand. He's a master at major gas leaks."
"I've been known to master some major gas—" Gordon starts appearing where Alan once was.
"Gordon!" Virgil cries, "Ladies are present. And this guy is my absolute hero. It would be like you meeting..."
"A mermaid," Nina giggles.
"Exactly," Virgil nods, "So please, don't embarrass me."
"I'll do my best," Gordon smirks and signs off.
November 22nd, 2064 - 18:08 PST
Soon enough, Thunderbird 2 arrives at the scene of the storage facility and Nina spots a USMID vehicle around a mile and a half away.
"That must be where Kip Harris is," Nina nods.
"I hope so," Virgil says and flies Thunderbird 2 over to the vehicle and sure enough a small figure is standing beside it with binoculars in one hand and a cowboy had on his head. Virgil makes sure to land a safe distance away from him before he and Nina stand on the passenger elevator and lower themselves to the ground to meet him. Virgil bounces with excitement and before the elevator hits the ground, he jumps off and runs over to meet Kip.
"I wish he was that excited to see me all the time," Nina mutters to hear and steps off once the elevator comes to a stop and slow walks after Virgil.
"You must be Jeff's boy," Kip states to Virgil and reaches out for a handshake, "I can see the resemblance. A real chip off the old block."
"I, we, um..." Virgil stutters.
"What my boyfriend means to say," Nina says standing beside Virgil and shaking Kip's hand, "It that it's an honour to meet you, Sir. I'm Nina and please excuse him, he's a really big fan of yours. Aren't you Virge?"
"It's Virgil," Virgil glances to Nina nervously and rubs his right wrist for comfort.
"Why don't we take off and get you to that gas leak?" Nina smiles and goes to walk back to Thunderbird 2 when Kip calls out.
"Hold your horses," Kip calls, "Your thrusters would turn that hydro-methane facility into the world's largest firecracker. We'll have to hoof your equipment in, unless this big green bathtub has wheels."
"Wheels?" Virgil asks, "Wheels!" Virgil then starts running back into Thunderbird 2 and goes up the elevator again.
"Just lower the module, babe!" Nina calls after him and shakes her head as Thunderbird 2 then rises on her support legs and drops Module 2 and the door opens to reveal Thunderbird 8.
"Very impressive," Kip nods. He and Nina walk over and get into Thunderbird 8 and get ready to drive off. A few seconds pass before Virgil jumps into the front passenger seat beside Nina and Nina reaches over and gives Virgil a reassuring hand on his thigh. Thunderbird 8 is filled with a comfortable silence as Nina drives them slowly and carefully over to the storage facility and parks up by the edge of the cliff. Just before they got out, everyone puts on their rebreathers for protection against the hydro-methane. Nina then opens the driver's door and steps out before letting out a small cough.
"Whoo!" Nina exclaims, "Somebody open a window! I can smell that snick through my rebreather."
"Nina!" Virgil mutters as Kip lets out a small chuckle.
"Yup," Kip agrees with Nina, "Hydro-methane smells worse than a skunk's armpit. Don't worry, you get used to it after a while."
"How long does that take?" Nina asks nervously.
"Oh, er, about 15 years," Kip responds and walks over to the facility. Nina gives Virgil a worried glance before slowly making her way behind Kip. Virgil remains rooted to the ground for a few more moments before running after the pair. "The worker reported finding an unauthorised valve and shut it off," Kip explains, "That's the first lesson with gas, boys. Don't touch anything till you know what it does. That busted valve is definitely an add-on. Same for this hose here." He points over to where the leaking valve is and a strange black hose coming off the side of it that leads away from the facility and down the side of the cliff into the Pacific Ocean. "Looks like we've got ourselves some gas bandits."
"No kidding," Nina says and opens a hologram of Gordon, who'd been listening in to the conversation as he makes his way to the Western Seaboard in Thunderbird 4.
"I had a run-in with a wildcat hydro-methane extraction rig once," Gordon states.
"The one that fell underground in 2061?" Kip queries and looks back to the hologram of Gordon, "I read about that rescue. Impressive."
"I also helped," Virgil interjects but clearing his throat.
"I'm sure you did, Virgil," Kip smiles kindly.
"Alan," Nina calls, "Seems this wasn't just an accident. Find out where this hose leads and alert the GDF."
"FAB," Alan replies and does a scan of the facility with the help of EOS and identifies the hose which EOS lights up in red, "The pipe goes to the water, but I can't see anything underneath. All that hydro-methane is messing with Thunderbird 5's scanners."
"No problem," Gordon smiles, "This is where I come in. Approaching the Western Seaboard now."
"I'll send you the details from Thunderbird 8," Nina states and walks back over to her bird. Once she is out of earshot, Kip walks over to Virgil and places a hand over his shoulder.
"Okay, kid," Kip says, "I know your mouth doesn't work so good, but I'm hoping your hands do, cos we've got a gas leak to cap." This close proximity to Kip causes Virgil only to let out a nervous chuckle and Kip shakes his head in response but keeps a smile on his face, "Attaboy."
November 22nd, 2064 - 18:56 PST
Thunderbird 4 arrives on the scene of the where the pipe runs into the ocean and runs his own scan to identify where the pipe exactly leads to. In the corner of his eye, he spots the pipe itself and starts to head towards it.
"Looks like this pipe goes all the way to the sea floor," Gordon announces and pulls up the details that Nina had just sent him. He then looks up again and lets out a gasp and swiftly acts to turn off all of Thunderbird 4's lights and power down. "Alan?" Gordon whispers, "I just found out who's behind all this... It's the Chaos Crew."
"I've alerted the GDF," Alan informs, "Except, the gas leak is making this area a giant no-fly zone. Until we shut it off, the GDF flyers won't be able to enter."
"FAB," Gordon nods, "Thunderbird 4 is powered down and out of sight. I'll let you know if I see any movement."
November 22nd, 2064 - 19:09 PST
"No movement yet from the Chaos Cruiser," Gordon informs Alan after waiting for over ten minutes to see if the Chaos Crew were going to do anything that could make the situation of the surface even worse, "Who knew that thing could go underwater?" After a few more moments in silent, Gordon spots some movement from inside the Chaos Cruiser. "Wait. I've located Havoc. No sign of Fuse, but knowing those two, he isn't far away," Gordon explains to Alan. Just as Gordon is about to do a scan for life signs in the area, there is a loud clank and Thunderbird 4 shakes violently. "Urgh!"
"Gordon," Alan calls, "Status report."
Gordon checks one of the cameras that are on Thunderbird 4 and sees that Fuse has latched onto his exo-suit silo underneath. In a flash, Gordon starts to power up Thunderbird 4 again and turns on his engines to get Fuse to release him. Fuse goes flying to the floor and Gordon turns Thunderbird 4 around to face the man as he slowly gets himself to his feet again. He turns on his high beam lights to try and blind Fuse by disconcerting him. Instead, Fuse clenches his fist and punches the seafloor creating a massive shockwave that throws Thunderbird 4 into a spin.
"Urgh!" Gordon cries and tries to regain control. After hitting the seafloor, the spin slows down enough for Gordon to turn and face Thunderbird 4 back at Fuse again, just with some added distance this time.
"Gordon, do not mess with the Chaos Crew," Alan orders.
"I'm not!" Gordon interjects over the sound of alarms that are still blaring inside Thunderbird 4, "They're messing with ME!" He looks back at Fuse just in time to see him do another power punch on the seafloor but much larger than the previous one. "Aaargh!" Gordon cries and braces for impact. Thunderbird 4 gets thrown backwards and Gordon is almost thrown out of his seat, luckily, he manages to grab onto the controls for his engines and diverts more power to the starboard engine which brings him to a halt once again. "Wait," Gordon groans as he looks over to the Chaos Cruiser, "He's walking away. What's Fuse up to?" There are a few tense seconds for Gordon until the Chaos Cruiser's engines then fire up and they leave with one of the two hydro-methane tanks that they've collected. "They're leaving!" Gordon explains to Alan, "And they've taken one of the gas tanks with them."
"Let 'em go," Alan reluctantly says, knowing that's what Scott or John would've said if he was in the same position he is in, "They're the GDF's problem, not ours."
Gordon then goes over to the other hydro-methane tank that has been left behind and is eyes widen before narrowing with a growl, "You're right, Alan. We've got our own problem. An explosive one." He then patches Virgil and Nina into the call, who have just reduced the gas pressure going into the leaking valve. "Guys, Fuse left a mine on the hydro-methane tank," Gordon explains, "What happens if the tank blows up?"
"Then nothing round these parts would survive," Kip says gravely.
"Mr Harris is right," Alan states as a simulation by EOS sets the emergency to a dark red warning, "By EOS' calculations, it would destroy all human and marine life within a 4km radius."
"Can we deactivate it?" Gordon asks.
"Maybe," Alan thinks, "But we don't have time."
"Then we need to act NOW," Gordon declares and gets his helmet on for protection before taking the control of Thunderbird 4's grasping claws, "I'm taking the mine as far away from the tank as I can." He slowly reaches in with one of the claws and manoeuvres around the pipeline that is still attached to the storage facility. The then carefully grabs onto it and pulls it off the side of the tank. "Got it!" Gordon announces, "Now to get it out of here. Full thrust." He then powers Thunderbird 4 up to her maximum speed of 160 knots.
"Gordon, that thing could go off any second," Alan calls and brings up a hologram of the estimated blast radius of the detonator and puts an exclusion zone around the tank, "You only have to get it past the minimum safe distance.
"How far is that?" Gordon asks.
"Just a little bit further," Alan informs and watches as Thunderbird 4 moves across the holo-map in front of him. When he sees the exclusion zone go from red to green, he immediately contacts Gordon again, "Now, Gordon! Drop it!"
Gordon releases it but continues going straight ahead in order to get out of the blast radius of the mine. He hears the explosion of the mine behind him and keeps moving away from the mine only to hear a second explosion moments later and Thunderbird 4 to starts spinning uncontrollably. "Shockwaves!" Gordon gasps, "Virgil, Nina, incoming!"
On the surface, the trio look around as they hear the rumble of the shockwave. Kip then looks over to the valve and notices that the hissing sound of the gas has become considerately worse than it was a few moments ago. He knows what is about to happen. He grabs onto both Virgil and Nina and makes a beeline for Thunderbird 8. The International Rescue pair realise what Kip has and start running without the support of him. It doesn't take long until an explosion goes off behind them throwing the group to the ground. They all land with a thud and turn to look at a massive ball of fire erupting from where they were standing moments ago.
"There's been a rupture in one of the lines," Alan exclaims not knowing if everyone on the ground had reached a safe distance.
"Virgil? Nina? Mr Harris?" Gordon calls into his com, "Are you okay?"
November 22nd, 2064 - 19:42 PST
"We're fine, Gordon," Nina replies.
"Except for the fact this gas leak just became a well fire," Kip mutters, "Fortunately for us, that's my speciality. We've gotta extinguish that fire fast before it ignites the underground gas stores and blows up the whole kit and caboodle. Are you with me Tracy?" He then walks over to Virgil and extends his hand out to Virgil for the third time today. Virgil looks down at Kip's hand before taking off part of his exo-suit and giving Kip a firm handshake.
"Yes, Sir," Virgil smiles. The three make their way back to Thunderbird 8 and Nina starts to flick several of the controls.
"Okay, kids," Kip states as he gets into the back seat, "Why don't you show me what kind of fancy equipment this thing is packing?"
"You got it," Nina responds and drives Thunderbird 8 around so she is facing the smoking facility, "What would you like, Mr Harris? This thing's got it all."
"Why don't you surprise me?" Kip responds.
"Hm..." Nina mutters as she looks over her options, "Deploying turrets. Virgil?"
"Launching fire-retardant grenades," Virgil replies. Several grenades are launched from two turrets that have extended out of the top of Thunderbird 8 and they disappear in the fire. Elements of grey smoke appear amongst the black fumes produced by the fire, but the fire still carries on. Virgil then fires another round of grenades at the fire and this time, the fire burns out and a large cloud of black smoke is all that is left.
"One fire extinguished," Nina smiles. However, her smile doesn't last long as there is a secondary explosion from the facility and an even larger fireball erupts from the centre causing everyone inside Thunderbird 8 to shield their eyes from the brightness.
"Don't count your chickens," Kip mumbles as he goes to open the door again, "Gas well fires are tricky. Just when you think you've got 'em, they bite ya like an angry snake."
"Mr Harris, we're running out of time," Virgil calls, "The flame is going to reach the underground gas stores."
"When technology fails you, kids," Kip says as he hops out of Thunderbird 8 and goes to close the door, "You gotta do things the old-fashioned way."
"What do you mean?" Nina asks and the pair watch as Kip reaches into his back pocket and pulls an object out.
"Dynamite?" Virgil questions.
"Hyper-glycerine extra-dynamite," Kip explains, "We used to use it in the old days for oil well fires."
"You mean you've been carrying that the whole time?" Nina cries.
"You'll never know when it'll come in handy. And I'm a professional. It's in safe hands," Kip replies and closes the door. Nina and Virgil soon follow and hop out of Thunderbird 8 themselves and join Kip at the back of the vehicle. "We have to put this at the very base of the flame," Kip informs, "The explosion will drive the burning gas away, putting out the fire and hopefully capping the leak."
"Got it," Virgil states and extends his hand out to take the stick of dynamite of Kip but Kip just shakes his head.
"Sorry, Tracy, but I ain't retired yet," Kip says and turns to walk away, "Leave this one to me."
"No, Mr Harris, I can't let you do it," Virgil states and grabbing onto Kip's shoulder pulling him back causing Nina to raise her eyebrows at the boldness Virgil is now using, "It's too dangerous and... I'm meant to be helping YOU. And... And..."
"And?" Kip questions as Virgil stutters over his words.
"And... Well..." Virgil tries.
"I'm old?" Kip finishes for him and starts to laugh, "Too right I am! And do you know how I got to be this old?"
"Um," Virgil thinks before wincing, "By not being blown up?"
"Bullseye. Relax, kid. This ain't my first rodeo," Kip replies and places a comforting hand on Virgil's shoulder, "Now, I need you to do something real important for me."
"Anything," Virgil states and watches a Kip takes off his and places it on Virgil's head.
"Hold onto my hat," Kip smiles before leaving.
"Virgil," Sally calls over the coms, "I hope you're taking good care of Mr Harris."
"You know, Mrs Tracy," Nina replies, "I think Virgil has it all covered for you."
"Good!" Sally replies, "After all, he could be Virgil's grandpa someday."
"Grandma!" Virgil exclaims and ends the call. He and Nina then take a seat back inside Thunderbird 8 and watch as Kip disappears in the cloud of black smoke.
"Come on, Kip," Nina mutters, "Place that dynamite and get out of there!" They watch for several moments before there's a massive explosion and the whole facility disappears from view in the funnel of thick, black smoke. Virgil eyes widen in shock and opens his door straight away.
"Kip! Kip! KIP!" Virgil shouts and waits on the edge of the facility remembering he forgot to put his helmet on. He goes to race back but Nina goes flying past him with all her firefighting equipment on and disappears into the smoke. Virgil remains frozen in place on the edge of the facility and waits for what felt like hours. Then, Nina emerges from the smoke with a body in her arms and a glum expression on her face.
Kip Harris is dead.
November 22nd, 2064 - 20:27 PST
"Thunderbird 5 here," Alan calls, "I've just done a wide-range scan and the Chaos Cruiser is long gone."
"The fire is extinguished, and the gas leak has been capped," Nina states as she moves some equipment around for the USMID, where another team had arrived upon the news that their Chief had been killed in a gas explosion, "That's the most important thing."
"I'm sorry about Mr Harris," Alan states, "I know he meant a lot to Virgil and Grandma. Speaking of Virgil, how is he?"
"Not well," Nina sighs, "He's been staring at his hat ever since I recovered the body."
"I just hope now else major happens for this family anytime soon," Marion states replacing the hologram of Alan on Nina's communicator. Our Tracy boys have been through enough."
"You and me both, Marion," Nina mutters, "You and me both."
END OF SEASON 3A