Thunderbirds Are GO Page #4

Zero X from MEV. We're under attack

from a form of life we do not understand.

Require immediate rendezvous

with main body.

I'm just coming round on third orbit.

Will be in position in four minutes.

We'll take evasive action

until you're in position.

- Give us liftoff clearance when it's OK.

- Will do.

But we must lift off immediately. We don't

know what damage they can do to us.

Doctor, we can't lift off until the main

ship's in the correct rendezvous position.

Otherwise, we'll be stranded in space.

Greg, there's a whole line of them ahead.

We'd better return their fire. We can't

take too much of this punishment.

OK, skipper. So far, all systems are go.

Zero X from MEV.

How are we doing, Brad?

Approaching orbital position.

Starting countdown.

Rendezvous liftoff: minus 100,

99, 98...

- ... 34, 33, 32...

- Skip the countdown. We're lifting off.

- Paul, you may not have enough fuel.

- We've no choice. We're coming up.

Greg, lift off.

- Leaving atmosphere.

- Right.

MEV from Zero X. I have you on screen.

You're approaching Zero X orbital path.

Five seconds to retro firing.

Four, three,

two, one. Retros.

Thanks, Brad.

Guess we'll make it OK now.

All systems here appear to be at green.

OK, Paul, stay where you are - conserve

your fuel. I'm coming up right behind you.

At least the Martian excursion vehicle has

joined up with the main body of Zero X.

These so-called rock snakes, Father -

what do you make of them?

Well, clearly, there's life on Mars.

But I guess it's not life as we know it.

You... you think they'll get back OK?

According to the reports John

monitored in the space station,

the damage to the MEV

has not impaired their efficiency.

As a matter of fact, I...

I had a word with the controller

at Glenn Field this morning.

He said their re-entry into Earth's

atmosphere will be straightforward.

They've done it a hundred times before

on test flights.

What's the scheduled date

for the re-entry, Dad?

Well, their flight takes them six weeks,

so they should be arriving

on the morning of September 2.

Dr Grant, Dr Pierce,

are you ready for re-entry?

- OK, Greg, we're ready.

- Roger.

OK, skipper, all set.

Central Control, this is Zero X.

Computer reports fire retros 30 seconds.

Ground stations, verify countdown.

You have our green light. Five seconds,

four, three,

two, one. Retros.

Central Control from Goldstone.

Retro firing A-OK.

Zero X re-entry attitude correct.

Woomera to Central Control.

Verifying Goldstone's report.

Zero X from Central Control.

You are in correct re-entry attitude and

are about to enter Earth's atmosphere.

Roger, Central Control.

Retros.

Zero X from Central Control.

Lifting bodies now at 50,000 feet.

Radio control over to you

in five seconds,

four, three,

two, one.

Over.

OK, Paul, we've got the lifting bodies

under our own radio control now.

Rendezvous with lifting bodies

at 120,000 feet:
20 seconds.

Reduce speed to Mach 2.

Rendezvous about to take place.

Right, hold her steady, skipper.

I'm bringing in lift body 2.

Roger.

Keep her steady, skipper.

Radio-control failure. I can't hold her.

What's happened?

Central Control, this is Zero X.

Emergency.

We have lost lift body 2 in a collision

caused by a fault in our radio-control unit.

I'll send up another lift body immediately.

That won't help - the locking gear

was damaged in the collision.

Check on all systems shows

fuel systems go. All control systems go.

Remote-control radio circuits

are dead. Escape unit is...

Central Control from Zero X.

Escape-unit circuits are dead.

OK, John, I get the picture.

- Continue to monitor their frequency.

- FAB.

Right. Now, we've got to move fast.

Zero X is coming in on one wing.

It's impossible

to get another wing attached.

She's unable to maintain height

and will crash in about 30 minutes.

The most recent check shows that

they have an escape-unit failure.

Unless we get the crew out before they

hit the ground, they are all doomed men.

Scott, you know what to do. Take Brains

with you for technical advice.

Yes, sir.

Virgil, take pod 4, with the

air-to-air rescue equipment,

and rendezvous with Zero X.

- Alan.

- Yes, sir.

I want you to board the Zero X

and fix that hatch.

- Father?

- Yes, Gordon, you'll be needed too.

Yes, sir.

Tin Tin, I'll want your help.

Thunderbirds are go.

Maximum speed, Scott.

We're gonna need all the time we've got.

Zero X from Central Control.

What is your rate of descent now,

and what is your air speed?

Rate of descent:
stabilised at 3,000 feet

a minute. Air speed: Mach 1.2.

We can't slow the rate of descent -

the motors are flat out. Over.

Zero X, roger. Stand by.

Emergency Control,

this is Central Control.

Contact Washington immediately.

Zero X crash position established

as Craigsville - population 4,800.

Impact time:
35 minutes.

So you'll need to move.

International Rescue, Zero X Central

Control here. This is an emergency.

This is International Rescue,

Thunderbird 1.

Anticipated your call. We're on our way.

ETA Glenn Field:
ten minutes.

Will you give Thunderbird 2 a course

to steer for a rendezvous with Zero X?

- They're on this frequency.

- Roger.

Thunderbird 2 from Central Control.

I'm passing a steer to you.

Zero X's present position

is international fix system 2-4-0-4,

- on a heading of 143 magnetic.

- Roger, Central Control.

I've tried everything,

but the escape-unit system is dead.

If only International Rescue

had been with us this time.

Zero X, this is Central Control.

Change to channel 4.

International Rescue are on their way.

They require to make contact.

- Is that understood?

- Yes, sir. Changing to channel 4.

I'll be glad when Scott's

got his Mobile Control operating.

We'll need his assistance

in locating the Zero X.

We must be getting pretty close by now.

I'll get my rescue gear on.

- Gordon, get up to the astrodome.

- OK, Virgil.

Zero X, this is International Rescue

Mobile Control. Can you hear me? Over.

International Rescue, this is Zero X.

We hear you, loud and clear.

Zero X and Thunderbird 2

from Mobile Control.

Transmit ten seconds of unmodulated

carrier wave on this frequency.

One at a time, please.

- Zero X.

- Zero X. Roger.

- Thunderbird 2.

- Roger, Thunderbird 2.

Thunderbird 2 from Mobile Control.

Steer 0-0-2. Fly at 45,000 feet.

With your present air speed, you should

sight Zero X in about four minutes.

Roger. Will do.

- What do you intend to do?

- We hope to put a man aboard Zero X.

If we succeed, we may be able to

fix the escape unit. Excuse me.

- Zero X, this is Mobile Control.

- Mobile Control, this is Zero X.

Here are your instructions. Follow them

precisely if the rescue is to succeed.

Go ahead.

There are approximately 15 minutes left

before your aircraft crashes.

For the next ten minutes,

lose as little height as possible.

Keep your aircraft steady.

Watch the trim.

In ten minutes, switch to automatic pilot

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