October 16th, 2065 - 09:33 NZST
It is an quite morning on Tracy Island, and Scott has prepared a family film time to allow everyone to relax. Over the past couple of weeks the situation on the island has been tense but exciting. Ridley has managed to speed up the upcoming completing of Thunderbird 10 by a few months which will allow resources to also flow towards the new Zero-X. With the help of John, the GDF remain in the dark about the changes that are occurring. Kayo has also dodged questions successfully with the UN and MI6 about why she allowed the Chaos Crew to escape back in June for the protection of Braman.
Gordon is now well on his way to recovery from his accident but still has a couple of months to go. Up in the Roundhouse, Alan is beginning to look over plans that he found in Jeff Tracy's office, when he was looking for Scott and has started work on a project of his own, with some input from Brain's on the far side of Tracy Island. Virgil and Nina left to go on a date yesterday and were returning in around a couple of hours.
Finally, Scott is in the kitchen making some popcorn for the film. He is by himself as last week, Marion was called by the UN to attend a series of meetings in Switzerland on nuclear power and if it should be phased out completely due to the dangers of nuclear radiation. Scott became disappointed as this week he is planning on proposing to Marion as he figured that there's never going to be the suitable or perfect time for it, he's just got to ask.
5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Thunderbirds are Go!
He enters the lounge were an episode of Stringray starts and lets out a small chuckle to himself as he sees he's the only on here.
"Gordon? Alan? Anyone?" Scott calls but receives no response. Sighing, he takes a seat and pops a few pieces of his popcorn into his mouth, "Huh, so much for a family movie. I picked a good one, too."
Suddenly the emergency alarm goes off and the eyes in John's portrait start to flash. The holo-television's image then flickers and is replaced by John's hologram. "John, I don't suppose you're beaming in for the movie," Scott jokes.
"Sorry, Scott," John laughs, "We have a situation that needs a fast response."
"FAB. I'll see you in the sky," Scott nods and stands up leaving his popcorn in his seat, pointing at it, "Don't go anywhere."
5
Scott descends and get suited up.
4
He arrives at the bottom of his elevator and steps onto the moving platform.
3
Scott retracts the chair inside Thunderbird 1 and closes the hatch.
2
The launch pad starts to move.
1
Thunderbird 1 comes to a stop as the swimming pool above starts to retract.
Thunderbirds are Go!
October 15th, 2065 - 23:21 BST
"A GDF guard is trapped in a lift shaft and needs help right away," John explains to Scott as he approaches the Great British coast.
"The GDF need help with a lift rescue?" Scott questions.
"Turns out it's inside the old Shackleton Powerplant," John informs.
"Shackleton?" Scott queries, "That place is still radioactive."
"Extremely," John notes, "Even with a protective suit, the radiation's dangerous. If you're inside to long..."
"It's like taking a bath in poison," Scott interrupts.
"A little dramatic, but sure," John deadpans, "That works."
"I'll get the guard before his radiation levels spike," Scott states, "Anyone else inside?"
"That's just it," John replies, "The guard said he saw something. But nothing is showing up on scans. The GDF are sending a nuclear expert to investigate."
"FAB," Scott responds and cuts communications with John. He gets out of his seat and into the back of Thunderbird 1 to change into his nuclear radiation protective suit that had been designed by Brains following the rescue of Marion back in 2060. Once he is changed, he prepares Thunderbird 1 for landing near the entrance of the power plant. When Thunderbird 1 settles on the ground, Scott exits his craft and adjusts his utility belt as he takes his first few steps. He looks up at the storm that is comfortably over the power station, with the sound of thunder and occasional lightning that lights up the sky.
"Fancy seeing you here," a familiar voice calls out causing Scott to look over to his right.
"Marion van Arkel," Scott smiles and approaches her.
"Ooh, full name," Marion smirks and walks towards Scott. She is also in an International Rescue orange nuclear suit, "Am I in trouble?"
"What are you doing here?" Scott inquires.
"Same as you," Marion laughs, "Situations like this is exactly why I've been in Switzerland the last few days. Once I heard that the GDF where having issues here I came straight over."
"Makes sense, seeing that you're an expert when it comes to nuclear physics," Scott comments and offers Marion a hand, "Shall we?"
"I also came as I knew that Thunderbird 5 would also pick up the call for help," Marion laughs as the couple make their way inside the power station but then turns to Scott with a serious look on her face as they near the entrance doors, "To contain the threat of radiation, Shackleton was designed with these blast doors. On way in, one way out. Expect in emergencies." She inserts her wrist communicator into the door panel and the lights inside light up before the door starts to open.
"What happens in an emergency?" Scott asks.
"Lockdown. No way in, no way out," Marion replies darkly as the doors shut behind them. They continue down the main corridor. After a couple of minutes Marion walks off to the side towards another control panel that is situated on the wall and pulls the lever on it. There's a buzz before more lights turn on, illuminating the power station.
"How is this place still running after a meltdown?" Scott questions.
"Shackleton was the cutting edge of nuclear technology," Marion explains, "Everything was built to last. Keep a close watch on our radiation level. The longer we stay, the closer it gets to red."
"And red is bad," Scott comments as they make a right turn, "Got it. Things never go to plan do they."
"This kinda reminds me of the first time we met," Marion chuckles, "Only I'm not pissed off at you this time."
"Yet," Scott jokes, causing Marion to giggle.
"I like to think I've grown a lot since our first meeting," Marion jokingly glares.
"You certain have," Scott smiles and pulls Marion into him slightly, mid-jog, "Does Shackleton have any giant mech suits?"
"Oh, fuck off," Marion laughs and shoves Scott off, "We're here to rescue the GDF guard and make sure no one else is here."
"Is that the shaft?" Scott points over to the left as they turn the corner.
"It should be," Marion nods and the couple quickly make their way over as they start to hear a voice down the hole.
"Hello? Is someone up there?" the person calls.
"It's International Rescue," Scott yells down, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Sort of," the guy replies, "Sorry for all the trouble."
"Don't worry, we'll get you out," Scott responds.
"But be careful," the guy continues, "Something else is in here."
"Let me guess," Marion sighs, "You saw the Shackleton Beast."
"Yes!" the guy says, "Well, no, but I heard it. Very groany. Sort of a... Arrrrgh!"
Scott raises his eyebrows as he prepares his grapple line. He attaches a grapple pack into the slot and fires it at the nearside of the elevator shaft and gives it a small tug.
"Or maybe like... Urrrrrrgh!" the guy continues as he tries to mimic the sounds that he had heard earlier.
"Right," Marion deadpans and shakes her head.
"But that's not what I meant," the guard continues, sensing the frustration from Marion, "The senor didn't go off by mistake. Someone else is here."
"Okay. We'll look around after we get you to safety," Scott interjects as he starts to lower himself down the elevator shaft.
"Actually, no," Marion states and Scott looks over to her, "You rescue our guard, I'll find the intruder."
"Marion, wait," Scott calls, "That's the GDF's job. You don't even have your gun with you."
"That's where you're wrong, Scott," Marion sighs and reveals her weapon, "Stop being a mother hen and let me investigate."
"FAB," Scott mutters and watches as Marion walks away and vanishes around a corner. He then looks down and focuses on the rescue in hand, "You know, I don't believe I got your name."
"It's Cameron, Sir," the guard replies.
"Hold on tight and we'll be out of here in no time," Scott states, "There's nothing to be scare of." He then starts to slowly winch himself down to Cameron's position and decides to turn off his com channel to speak to Marion. While he knew Marion could take care of herself perfectly, doesn't mean he doesn't worry. "Scott to Marion, how's it look?"
"Dark and creepy, as expected," Marion responds, "But we need to hurry. Our levels are starting to rise."
There's suddenly a massive boom that shakes the whole power plant. It throws Scott into the opposite side of the shaft but he quickly swings back across to grab onto a panicking Cameron.
"Hold on!" Scott shouts, only to hear the grinding of metal above them. The pair look up and see the elevator starting to slowly slip downwards. "Don't move," Scott mutters. There's another boom and Cameron winces as the sound of metal grinding is heard briefly again. Scott narrows his eyes and thinks on the best way to exit the shaft. Just as he is about to voice his plan, the com crackles into lift.
"Scott," Marion whispers, "I've found the intruder. It's Fuse. And he's after the uranium storage."
"Why would The Hood still want uranium?" Scott asks rhetorically, "He hasn't tried anything to get anything like this in years."
"I need to stop him," Marion replies and draws her gun.
"Marion, do not confront him," Scott whisper yells, "You know he's dangerous. Dealing with him is a job for Kayo and the GDF. You need backup."
"I think I just found it," Marion responds and runs over to a giant mech suit that is located in the corner of the room and gets inside. As she powers it up, she sees Fuse punch the control panel causing an electrical shortcut. The piston mechanisms that where keeping the vault door shut start to clang. A few moments later, the door opens and a bright cyan glow covers Fuse's face. Fuse takes a step towards entering but Marion is prepared.
"Step away from that uranium," Marion orders, causing Fuse to turn and look in her direction, "Fuse, you are under arrest. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way."
"Hard works," Fuse responds with a smirk after pretending to think for a second.
October 15th, 2065 - 23:37 BST
Scott prepares to slowly winch him and Cameron up the shaft. He growls in anger as he loses contact with Marion after she cut him off. He knew that this is exactly something that Marion used to do, defy orders and run headfirst into danger, but over the years of her working at International Rescue, Scott thought she'd learnt a thing or two. He starts to climb only to stop as a third boom rocks the nuclear facility.
"Argh!" Cameron cries as they watch the elevator slide down towards them. Luckily, Scott's grapple stops it from going down any further but the wire itself snaps. Scott sighs as he removes the grapple pack and throws it down the shaft. He looks up and sees that the floor he came down for is now blocked by the elevator.
"This is all my fault," Cameron sighs.
"Don't talk like that," Scott states, "We'll find another way."
"Sorry," Cameron mumbles, "But what can we do? There's no getting around that lift."
"You're right," Scott trails as an idea formulates in his head, "There's an old saying that if you can't go over it, and you can't go under it, you go through it." He attaches a laser cutter pack to his grapple and turns it on. He starts to cut away through the centre of the elevator, to avoid dislodging it further by cutting at the sides.
October 15th, 2065 - 23:39 BST
Marion throws Fuse across the room and into one of the air vents. She then moves quickly across and uses the giant mech suit to pin Fuse to the wall. Fuse struggles as he tries to remove himself from the arm of the suit. After a couple of attempts, he lets out a sigh and stops his attempts at moving. A whistling sound is then heard, echoing around the power plant causing both Fuse and Marion to look up in wonder.
"Again?" Fuse questions, "What is that thing?"
"The Beast..." Marion breathes, but Fuse is only using it as a distraction and breaks out of Marion's grasp and runs at one of the legs of the mech suit knocking it to the floor. Fuse laughs in satisfaction and walks back over to the entrance of the uranium vault.
"Fuse," Marion growls as she tries to escape from the suit, "You listen to me. You have no idea how dangerous this uranium is. Do you really want another meltdown?"
"Sounds fun," Fuses replies and reaches for his utility beat and presents one of his death charges, throwing it next to Marion. He lets out another laugh and runs inside the vault. The death charge's timer then starts to go off and Marion looks at in alarm. She pulls out her gun and fires at the door mechanism. There's a click as the door becomes lose allowing for Marion to escape and run out of the vault room and down the corridor. The death charge then goes off in a loud explosion, the soundwave of which throws Marion off her feet.
October 15th, 2065 - 23:40 BST
Scott finishes cutting through a circle in the elevator when the explosion reaches the shaft. He and Cameron watch the discarded piece fall past them before the whole elevator starts to fall towards them.
"Hold on!" Scott calls and pushes them off the side of the shaft into a free fall. He removes his laser cutter from is grapple and attaches another grapple pack. Looking up and through the elevator, Scott aims towards a metal beam that is slightly sticking out from one of the high floors and fires his grapple. It makes contact, stopping his and Cameron's fall and allowing them to go straight through the elevator unharmed.
"I think we missed out floor," Scott jokes as there's a crash from the beneath them and an explosive shockwave shake them as they suspend in mid-air. He finally winches them all the way up and helps Cameron back onto solid ground. Scott goes to take a step further but stumbles backwards as Fuse goes racing past with something in his hand. Scott looks in the direction he came from and sees Marion in full chase of him.
"He's getting away!" Marion yells and fires a couple of rounds in Fuse's direction. Scott follows in suit, hot on Marion's heels.
"Don't leave me!" Cameron calls, as he follows the pursuing group. They race towards the entrance of the power plant with Fuse around 150 yards in front of them. As they turn around the final corner, they see Fuse punch the control panel to the inner door of plant which short-circuits the control mechanism and forces the door to shut in front of Scott, Marion and Cameron.
"He's locked us out," Scott growls as he bangs on the door with no avail. They watch through the small window of Fuse placing down the uranium source and trying to open the outer door of the facility forcefully. However, without the code, which Marion has attached to her wrist communicator, there is no way for him to get out.
"He can't force his way out this time," Marion states, "The door is magnetically sealed."
They watch as Fuse attached another death charge to the door and set a timer.
"Fuse, you need to get out of there!" Scott calls.
"What's it look like I'm doing," Fuse laughs as he turns to face Scott, "I'll be fine. My armour can take anything."
"Not this time," Scott growls in frustration, "If that goes off, it'll take the uranium with it and you, too."
They watch as Fuse looks back at the death charge in alarm and raises his fist at it. However, he pauses and looks down at the floor. He then raises his right arm and tries to contact The Hood but with the power plant in lockdown, there is no signal that is coming in or out of the facility. Fuse is clearly panicked as he tries to open the doors again while maintaining his wrist com open.
"Will the doors protect us from the uranium if that thing blows up?" Cameron asks.
"Yes, Marion sighs, "But not him. There's nothing more we can do."
"That's not true," Scott replies. As much as he didn't want to save Fuse, like The Hood before him, there is an obligation at International Rescue to save anyone that needs it. He brings up Thunderbird 1's autopilot and fires the magnetic cable at the door. Scott then increases the thrust of Thunderbird 1's engine and pulls backwards. There's some groaning and straining from the door that is heard from Scott and Marion's position but it doesn't take long before Thunderbird 1 rips off half of the outer door off with the charger off and away from Fuse.
"You're just allowing him to escape!" Marion glares angrily at Scott.
"But he needs our help," Scott replies. They watch as Fuse goes to run away but pause. Scott makes eye contact with him as he turns to face them. Fuse shakes his head and darts away just as the lockdown door comes down and completely seal Scott, Marion and Cameron inside. They hear the death charge go off outside and the whole facility shakes.
"The airlock's been compromised," Marion growls
"We're in lockdown," Cameron gasps.
"No way in..." Marion trails.
"And no way out," Scott sighs.
"Can't we yank this door off, too?" Cameron asks.
"The lockdown door is made from the strongest material on Earth," Marion says, exasperated, "We're trapped in here because you Scott let Fuse get away with the fucking uranium!"
"It was the right thing to do," Scott cries.
"He wasn't worth saving, Tracy!" Marion yells, "Now we're going to fucking die in this miserable shithole because of you."
"Everyone is worth saving, Van Arkel," Scott shouts.
"Um," Cameron trails as he steps between the couple with an arm raised, "Sorry to interrupt, but this radiation's not getting any lower."
"We've been in here too long," Marion states, still furious at Scott, "If it reaches red, the radiation will seep inside our suits."
"We need options, now!" Scott sighs before mumbling to himself, "This is really reminding me of that uranium mine."
"Um...?" Cameron starts, raising his hand again.
"You don't need to raise your hand," Marion snaps, rolling her eyes, "What is it?"
"I might have a way," Cameron explains, "There's a backup door deep inside the building."
"Here are the Shackleton blueprints," Marion replies with a glare and tries to show that there isn't another way out only to look back in surprise and take a close look at the schematic, "Looks like you're right. It's an older exit from when the pant was first built."
"Exactly," Cameron states, "It won't be as strong as the front entrance and it won't be on lockdown."
"How do we get to that door?" Scott asks.
"Getting to it isn't the problem," Marion replies as she scans the blueprint, "It's the 400 tons of concrete on the other side."
"Then we'll clear the path first and we know just the man for the job," Scott smiles and presses on his com, "Virgil, we need you here. Now!"
"You're lucky that we're not long back," Nina replies.
"We're on our way," Virgil adds.
5
Virgil runs over to the painting of a rocket and gets suited up.
4
The pod equipment is 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!
October 16th, 2065 - 00:51 BST
"Take the mole pod and drill through the door," Scott informs Virgil as Thunderbird 2 approaches the Shackleton Power Plant, "We'll be waiting on the other side."
"Mm-hm," Virgil mumbles as he munches on a snack, "FAB." Nina giggles as she watches the hologram of Scott and Marion run and also grabs a handful of the snack.
"Wait," Scott inquires, "Is that my popcorn?"
"I thought you were finished," Virgil defends as he looks over to the full bowl of popcorn on the control unit of Thunderbird 2.
"Ugh!" Scott moans, knowing that it'll be all gone by the time they get back to Tracy Island. He looks ahead at Marion leading the way and sees Cameron bring up his radiation level monitor, which is now deep into the yellow.
"The fastest way is through the reactor core," Marion informs as they continue to run at full sprint, "But that area is the most highly radioactive area of all. And we're almost to orange. At this rate, we'll never make it."
The strange whistling sound is then heard again.. The sound bounces off the walls of the power plant causing everyone to come to a complete stop at an intersection. They stop and look around to see if anything is about. The three stand back-to-back and slowly walk around in a circle. Scott the gasps as he sees a bright light emerging from one of the tunnels.
"The Beast?" Marion questions.
"Where?" Cameron shakes. They watch as the light gets brighter and Cameron whimpers and takes cover behind Scott out of fear.
"Soldier," Marion growls, applaud at Cameron's behaviour as a GDF Guard, "Stand your ground!" The lights get withing a few feet of them before whatever it is bangs into the side of the wall, cutting come of the power going to the headlights. Scott then starts laughing at the sight as the vehicle starts to beep in reverse.
"That's the Shackleton Beast?" Cameron questions as he comes out of hiding.
"It's just an old transport buggy," Marion states, "Probably been on since the meltdown."
"I can't believe I was so scared," Cameron sighs.
"If it's designed for transport, then this may be our answer," Scott comments, "The cargo area can protect us from radiation. We'll ride inside it. Cameron, can you set a path?"
"Yes," Cameron cries raising his hand once again.
"Stop raising your hand," Marion deadpans but has a small smile this time.
"Mole pod is go," Scott hears over the coms as they all get inside the transporter. They travel at lighting speed towards the reactor room with their radiation level going into the orange. Scott holds onto the handrail on the roof of the cargo area to steady himself, "30 seconds to the door."
"Let's hope that's enough," Marion mumbles.
"We've entered to core," Scott notes as his wrist communicator starts beeping, "No going back now." They all jump out of the transporter and start banging on the old door. "Virgil..."
"I'm here," Virgil replies, "But we have a problem. I'm on max power but I can't break through."
"But this door's not on lockdown like the others," Cameron mutters.
"That's Shackleton for you," Marion sighs, "Built to last through anything."
"Does this door have an override?" Scott asks.
"It would be all the way back in my guard tower," Cameron responds, "There wouldn't be time."
"We're going into red," Marion states with a blank look across at Scott. Just as their suits radiation metres start beeping rapidly, the old door slides open to reveal the thankful sighting of the green Mole pod. The three don't waste any time and charge through the door, just before they close behind them once again.
"Radiation levels are dropping," Marion breaths.
"Huh," Scott sighs and looks ahead at the retreating Mole, "That was some rescue. Good work, Virgil."
"Thanks, but I didn't do that," Virgil states, indicating to the door.
"Nor did I," Nina says, confused.
"If you guys didn't, then who did?" Scott questions and looks back at the door, which now has a large dent of where Virgil tried to cut through.
They make their way back to the surface and are greeted by a very thankful Nina. Marion and Cameron then make their way up towards the guard tower while Scott remains next to Virgil and Nina. After a couple of minutes, Cameron's voice comes over the coms.
"The radio's turned on," she says, "Someone's been listening to us."
"Guys you won't believe this," Marion then calls, "It's Fuse. He must have switched the override. And he's even left the uranium."
The three on the ground look at each other with surprise but Virgil raises his arm and lightly punches Scott's shoulder giving him a nod of approval. It is his way of saying well done. Nina smiles up at Scott and raps him into a hug just as Marion and Cameron return from the tower and approach the group.
"You were right, Scott. What you did for Fuse saved our lives," Marion states.
"Yet we were still close to death," Scott replies and let's go of Nina and approaches Marion, taking both her hands into his, "I know this isn't the best time or place for this and I had a whole thing written down in my head but there's something I need to say."
"Oh?" Marion asks.
"Marion while this mission was probably more dangerous it reminded me a lot of when we first met," Scott starts, "Radiation, main entrance becoming locked, Virgil rescuing us in the Mole. And while this was scary it was a good reflection of how far we've come over 5 years of knowing each other. Despite all the ups and downs, we've both grown as people and how we react, unless there's a giant mech suit." The joke causes Marion to let out a light chuckle as tiers form in her eyes, "I've loved you from the moment you agreed to move to Tracy Island as you were just someone that created a connection for me that I never knew that way possible. So, would you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?"
"Scott..." Marion trails as she tries to keep her emotions in check, "Yes! A 1,000 times yes!"
"Really?" Scott asks, "Are you sure? I'm not dreaming?"
"Last time I checked we're still outside Shackleton, so no you aren't dreaming," Marion giggles and watches as Scott runs over to Thunderbird 1 to grab something from his chair before running back. He presents Marion with a small black box which upon opening it reveals a small engagement ring with a bright emerald shining on the top.
"I chose an emerald as the suit you were in when we first met was green," Scott states nervously and scratches the back of his head with his free hand.
"It's beautiful, Scott," Marion says and watches as Scott takes the right and places it on her finger.
"Only for you," Scott smiles and the couple share a small, but sweet kiss.
"Congratulations," Nina squeals and runs over to Marion to check out the ring.
"Well done, bro," Virgil smiles and shakes Scott's hand.
"Wow," Cameron says, "Congratulations, Sir."
"Thank you," Scott replies.
"Well solider," Marion states as she walks over to Cameron, "I look forward to receiving your report on tonight's events. It'll come in handy for those UN meetings that I still need to finish off with."
"You will?" Cameron questions, "I did well?"
"You're the one who remembered the door," Scott responds and he grabs Marion into a side hug, "That was some fast thinking, Cameron." Cameron looks at the couple in delight and runs over to them giving them a both a big hug. "Huh? Oh..." Scott chuckles not expecting that reaction.
"Well done, solder," Marion smiles.
"Well, duty calls," Cameron says and salutes everyone before running back up to the guard tower.
"I guess I better take you back to Switzerland, future Mrs Tracy," Scott smirks.
"Hopefully I'll be home in a couple of days so we can really celebrate," Marion smirks in response causing Scott to lightly blush.
This chapter was made in memory of Keith Shackleton, one of the company directors of Century 21 who created the original Thunderbirds TV Show
1929-2019