Road Rovers Rescue Brigade in Thunderbird 6

## Summary

The film is largely set on Skyship One – a futuristic airship designed by Brains, the inventor of International Rescue's Thunderbird machines. Alan Tracy, Lady Penelope and Parker representing International Rescue as guests of honour on *Skyship One*'s round-the-world maiden flight, unaware that master criminal The Hood is once again plotting to acquire the organisation's technological secrets. The Hood's agents murder the airship's crew and assume their identities to lure International Rescue into a trap. Meanwhile, Brains' efforts to design a proposed Sixth *Thunderbird* collide with fate when Skyship One is damaged and its occupants' only salvation seems to be Pongo's hover ambulance.

## Characters

* Pongo
* Perdita
* Balto
* Jenna
* Kodi
* Delilah
* Dylan

* Scott Tracy
* Virgil Tracy
* Sherbet (Belongs to PawPatrolThunderbird4)
* Alan Tracy
* Gordon Tracy
* John Tracy
* Brains
* Jeff Tracy
* Lady Penelope
* Parker

## Episode

(New World Aircraft Corporation Holidair Terminal.)

Glenn: Gentlemen, we are gathered here today as representatives of some of the greatest design teams in the world. We are here to listen to a proposal from a Mr X, a man who is fifty years ahead of his time. A man who is undoubtedly the world’s greatest aircraft designer. The daddy of them all. Mr X, are you with us?"

Brains: Yes I-I am with you, Mr President.

Glenn: Gentlemen, you must forgive the extraordinary security precautions taken today, but when I tell you that Mr X is none other than the man who designed the International Rescue aircrafts, you will understand the importance of security. Mr X has a proposition to put to us for a revolutionary new type of aircraft. It is perhaps the most exciting moment in the history of our company. Now, gentlemen, the moment has come. What is it to be? An aircraft that flies ten times the speed of sound? A space vehicle that travels the speed of light? If I were able to guess, Mr X would not be here today. And now Mr X it is with great excitement that we await breathlessly the details of your new design.

Brains: Well gentlemen, I thought it would be a good idea, in this new day and age of ur… speed and ur… things like that... er, to build an... airship.

Glenn: An airship? An airship!

(They laugh, some to the point of tears.)

Narrator: A beautiful island in the pacific. Secret base of International Rescue, so far… undetected. Outwardly, the luxury home of millionaire, ex-astronaut, Jeff Tracy.

Jeff: Now, let’s have a rundown on the International Rescue craft. At the moment, there are five. Thunderbird One: elite, first and fast. Thunderbird Two: giant transporter. Carries all the rescue gear to the danger zone. Thunderbird Three: designed for space rescue. Thunderbird Four: capable of withstanding the pressures of the depth. Thunderbird Five: space monitor. Capable of receiving and intercepting distress calls from any part of the world. And now Shepherd, because of your help from your rovers, we are adding additional rescue vehicles to the International Rescue fleet for our new members.

Shepherd: Splendid! Thanks, Jeff. Now my rescue brigade rovers can have their own Thunderbirds.

Jeff: Of course you are. And Brains.

Brains: Yes, Mr Tracy.

Jeff: In no uncertain terms – that we now need a Thunderbird Six.

Brains: Sure, Mr Tracy. But you can you give me some sort of a steer? I-I like to work to a specification.

Jeff: Specification? You didn’t have to work to specification when you designed that airship for the New World Aircraft Corporation.

Brains: That’s right, I didn’t. A-and what happened? They laughed.

Jeff: Yes, that’s right. They laughed. And then they built it.

(Opening titles over Skyship One.)

(At Road Rover HQ, the rescue rovers were celebrating Pongo, Delilah and Jenna as Thunderbird pilots.)

Perdita: To my husband, Pongo.

Balto: and Jenna.

Dylan: Along with Mom.

(Meanwhile, Jeff and Shepherd were very desperate with Brains of the new vehicle.)

Jeff: I'm sorry about this, Brains. But Shepherd and I've got this feeling, and I know we're not wrong. We desperately need a Thunderbird Six and a Thunderbird Seven.

Brains: That's okay, Mr Tracy. course, I-I would have liked to have been on the maiden voyage.

(Virgil showed a portrait of Skyship One that he just finished.)

Virgil: So, you like the painting, ay?

Jeff: Say, talking of painting.

(The aircraft hangars. Alan is spray painting.)

Jeff: Alan?

Alan: Yes dad?

Jeff: You'd better get cleaned up. Don’t forget it’s your farewell dinner tonight.

Alan: Just ten more minutes dad, and I’ll be through.

Jeff: How they're she looking?

Alan: Great. Just great!

Shepherd: So, Jeff, Any plans you want me to tell the rovers for assistance?

Jeff: Well, yes, Alan wanted to travel to England in an unconventional way. Well, besides I’ve organised that, but it’s gonna be a long journey and I want you to arranged an emergency escort once Alan leaves tomorrow.

Shepherd: No problem and I know just the rovers for this job.

(The next day. Cliff House Observation Platform.)

Jeff: Come on, Mother, over here. We’ll get a good view.

Scott: Well, we’ve seen a lot of launchings but er... this will beat all. Here she comes.

(Coming out of the hangar, a hovercraft ambulance that has been purchase and designed for Pongo by Shepherd.)

Alan: So long, folks.

(They took off from the Island. Meanwhile, at Lady Penelope's Mansion, she and Parker were all packed and ready to go.)

Lady Penelope: Isn’t it a lovely outfit? It belonged to my ancestor, the Duchess of Creighton-Ward. Well, what do you think Parker?

Parker: Oh, I think it’s very elegant, m’lady. Mind you, I prefer miniskirts myself, but I suppose it’s appropriate that you be dressed like that for the reveal of the airship, so to speak.

Lady Penelope: Thank you, Parker. And that outfit suits you beautifully. Well, if Alan’s on schedule, he should be arriving at any moment.

Parker: Er, yes, m’lady. I h'understand he’s been on his way now for two weeks.

Lady Penelope: That’s him, Parker! We must go to the front and see him there. Come on.

Alan: Hi, Lady Penelope. Hi, Parker.

Lady Penelope: Alan, I’m so glad you’re safe.

Alan: Gee, I like your outfit, Penelope.

Lady Penelope: Yes, I was rather pleased with it myself.

(In the lounge, Lady Penelope and Alan were having a toast.)

Lady Penelope: Of course, I saw immediately what Alan was up to, because I knew you were on board. Jeff called me yesterday. I could hardly keep a straight face. Come in.

Parker: All the baggage is aboard, m’lady.

Lady Penelope: Thank you, Parker. Now, there’s only one thing left to do before we leave. Bon Voyage.

Alan: Bon Voyage.

Parker: Bon Voy-age, m’lady.

(At the New World Aircraft Corporation building)

Glenn: As President of the New World Aircraft Corporation, this flight is of paramount importance to me. The fact that members of International Rescue will be on the maiden flight enables us to achieve worldwide publicity. In order to make this possible in the first place, we have given assurances to them that the strictest security arrangements will be enforced. That is why the airfield is cleared of all personnel. The passengers are due to arrive in um... thirty minutes.

(As they got into their vehicle and took from Lady Penelope's House. Thunderbird One and Two joined in.)

Scott: Virg, I can see them at two o clock.

Virgil: Okay, I’ve got them Scott.

Scott: Right. Operation escort: go!

Parker: This is what I call driving in style, m’lady. It isn't h'every Rolls Royce that 'as an h'aircraft h'escort.

(In the engine room of Skyship One.)

Captain Foster: Okay, all checks complete. Martin?

Steward Martin: Yes, Sir.

Captain Foster: Lane?

Steward Lane: Yes, Sir.

Captain Foster:: Carter?

Steward Carter: Yes, Sir.

Captain Foster: Hogarth?

Steward Hogarth: Yes, Sir.

Captain Foster: Okay. Return to your posts and await the arrival of the passengers.

(But then a man cames out of nowhere with a gun in his hand.)

Foster: Hold it right there. Quick, we haven’t much time.

(At the runway)

Lady Penelope: Scott from Penelope. Come aboard with the others and have a farewell drink. We’ll meet you in the ball room.

Scott: The ballroom? May I book the first dance?

Lady Penelope: No, Scott. It isn’t what it seems. You’ll see.

(In the ballroom)

Parker: And now, by the courtesy of the New World h'Aircraft Corporation, we bring you the Drinking Half Hour! Now, m'lady, what will it be?

Lady Penelope: I think this occasion calls for champagne all round, Parker.

Parker: H'all round, m’lady?

Lady Penelope: All round, Parker.

Foster: And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of the New World Aircraft Corporation I welcome you aboard Skyship One. As you know this is the Maiden Flight. It is of course a great honour for us to have such distinguished guests. You can be assured the crew, and myself, will do everything in our power to make this a trip to remember.

Lady Penelope: Well, bon voyage.

Scott: Bon voyage.

Virgil: Bon voyage.

Parker: Bon voy-age, m’lady.

Pongo: Bon voyage.

Delilah: Bon voyage.

Jenna: Bon voyage.

Foster: Okay, one minute to take off. Now, we know the ship is fully automated. Everything is pre-programmed - height, speed,
course. We are all supposed to be trained men. The only way that our cover will be broken is if anything goes wrong with the ship. Take off now thirty seconds.

(Skyship One takes off)

Lady Penelope: Well, we’re off. Come in.

Martin: Dinner is served in the Bottle Room, m'lady.

Lady Penelope: "Well, they’ve gone. May we have the blinds drawn, Captain?

Foster: The entire operation of the Skyship, Lady Penelope, is totally automatic. As the light falls, the curtains will draw automatically.

Lady Penelope: Of course. That’s just the sort of thing Brains would have thought of. Well, it looks as if we’re all set for a lovely, peaceful holiday.

(The next morning)

Carter: Calling Black Phantom. This is White Ghost. Calling Black Phantom. This is White Ghost. Come in, Black Phantom. Come in, Black Phantom. Have disposed of cargo. Operation Ambush underway.

Foster: Calling International Rescue, this is Lady Penelope. Jeff, I want you to send Thunderbirds One and Two to a disused airfield, ten miles south of Casablanca. International fix system, two-four-zero-four, reference E. Ensure that Brains is aboard. This is imperative. Do not reply to this transmission. Will call later with further details.

Carter: It’s going to be difficult.

Foster: That’s what we’re paid for. Now, I’ve had this whole place bugged. I want every word she speaks on this trip to be recorded. Whenever possible I’ll talk to her myself and manoeuvre the conversation in the right direction. Right, get to work.

Foster: Okay, Carter, breakfast is served. Start recording.

Lady Penelope: Morning Alan.

Alan: Morning Penny.

Lady Penelope: Breakfast over New York. What an experience!

Alan: Yeah, it’s great. Only thing is, as the ship’s fully automated, if anything should go wrong with the computer, we could hit one of these skyscrapers, and then we’d really be in trouble.

Lady Penelope: Then, Alan, it would just be a simple case of calling International Rescue.

Foster: Okay.

Lady Penelope: Calling International Rescue.

(At HQ, Brains was showing everyone his prototype Thunderbird Six and Seven)

Brains: And now, gentlemen, it is with pride that I present to you, Thunderbird Six. Now, so that I’m able to demonstrate this new machine properly, I have built this radio controlled model. The situation: man trapped in different floors of burning skyscraper. Thunderbird Six drives up to the building. The helium balloon now rises, lifting a plastic hose into the air. When the balloon reaches the correct height, the reel is locked up.

Virgil: I don’t get it, Brains. What’s the point?

(A rescue platform is lifted to the top floor.)

Brains: This is the point. And so you see, gentlemen, another International Rescue is made possible. Well, Mr Tracy, what do you think?

Jeff: Well, it’s er... it's certainly ingenious, Brains, but it means building a two vehicles that gives us only one means of rescue. The end product just doesn’t justify the cost. I... I’m sorry. I'm afraid you’ll have to scrap it and start again. Too bad about the wasted effort.

Brains: Wasted effort, Mr Tracy? What’s a mere twenty-eight days, working day and night? Think nothing of it!

(Brains smashed his first model. Meanwhile, Skyship has just descending to the grand canyon)

Lady Penelope: We must be descending, I’m getting butterflies. I always do when we lose height.

Foster: You’re absolutely right, Lady Penelope. We’ll soon be flying over the Grand Canyon at zero feet. An automated announcement will tell us when it’s the right time. Don’t worry, you won’t miss a thing. There, you can see our exact position. The Grand Canyon! You know, I was once hopelessly lost in a jet plane. And then at last, I made contact with the ground. Was I glad to hear that voice. You are directly over the Grand Canyon. Your position: International Fix System two-four-two-four reference E.

Lady Penelope: Correction, Captain Foster. International Fix System two-four-zero-four reference E.

Foster: Of course! Two-four-zero-four. Ha! I didn’t think I’d ever forget that.

Lane (over tannoy): Ladies and Gentlemen, we are now approaching the Grand Canyon. If you care to take up your positions on the balcony, you will be in good time to get the most advantageous viewpoint.

Lady Penelope: Thunderbirds One and Two are probably the most versatile...

Lady Penelope: I trust the Beaujolais is to your liking, Parker? And now, how about...

Parker: As you know, m’lady, h'I've been spending quite a lot of time with the stewards. Drinking and all that sort of thing. Well, what worries me... they don’t seem to know has much h'about the ship as they h'ought to.

Lady Penelope: Thank you, Parker. I’ve had my own thoughts on the matter. I’m glad you told me.

Parker: Yes, well er... sorry if I disturbed you, m’lady.

Lady Penelope: You were quite right, Parker. Good night.

Parker: Good night, m’lady.

Alan: Yes, Penelope?

Lady Penelope: I’ve just had some information from Parker, Alan. I’m a little uneasy. Tell me, what do you think of Captain Foster?

Alan: I don’t go for him, Penelope. He’s a little too smooth for my liking.

Lady Penelope: Tell me, Alan. Has he been questioning you about International Rescue?

Alan: "Well, as a matter of fact he has. Not directly, mind you, but the conversation always seems to lead that way.

Lady Penelope: I think we’ll have to go into the situation a little more closely. I don’t like the sound of it. The storm seems to be getting worse. I think you’d better come in here. We need to discuss this right away. Oh, well um... perhaps we are allowing our imaginations to run away with us. After all, everyone’s interested in International Rescue. It’s only natural they should ask questions.

Alan: Oh... so you don’t think there’s anything to worry about, Penelope?

Lady Penelope: "No. After all they have all been screened. They’re carefully selected men.

Foster: That was a close one. Put on the edited tape.

Hogarth: Right.

Foster: One thing’s for sure. We’ve got to play this really cool from now on. Lady Penelope, I underestimated you.

Lady Penelope: Calling International Rescue. Jeff, I want you to send Thunderbirds One and Two... International Fix System two-four-zero-four reference E."

Foster: Okay. Continue recording.

Hogarth: Doesn’t sound as if we’ll get much more tonight.

Lady Penelope: When I was talking to you just now Alan, I discovered a bugging device in the lamp by my bed.

Alan: I wondered why you changed your attitude so abruptly. What’s our next move?

Lady Penelope: For the moment, nothing. We know we’re being bugged, but we don’t know why. We must just be on the alert.

Alan: Ok. I’ll mosey around and see what I can find out.

(In Brain's lab)

Brains: Of course I understand, Mr Tracy. It isn’t quite the thing you had in mind. Of course I don’t mind designing yet another one!

Jeff: You know Scott one of the remarkable things about Brains is that he never loses his temper.

Scott: Well, if he did I wouldn’t blame him. After all the work he’s done.

Brains: Upset? Me, upset? Of course I’m not upset!

(And with that, Brains destroyed his second prototype Thunderbird model.)

Jeff: Go ahead, John.

John: Father, I’ve just received a message from Lady Penelope. It was sent in scrambled electronic code.

Jeff: Right, John, let’s have it.

John: It’s just coming out of the descrambler now. It reads: ship bugged, reason unknown, am investigating. Imperative no communication from you. Will contact you when we have a lead. Signed Penelope.

Jeff: F.A.B., John. Keep in touch.

Scott: I don’t like the sound of it, dad. We've gotta do something about this.

Jeff: Yeah, but what?

Scott: Well, why not radio the police at the next port of call. Have the crew interrogated?

Jeff: No. Whoever it is on that ship that is looking for information is probably an agent for a larger organisation. If we’re to protect ourselves we’ve gotta wait for them to show their hand.

(In India)

Fortune-teller: You lead an interesting, but secretive life. Your lifeline shows that you will meet many dangers. You will become involved with a handsome stranger. You would be well to let your heart guide you.

Parker: Well, stone the crows.

Alan: Right. We’ll take it.

Stallkeeper: Good. You won’t regret it, Sir. It will bring you much happiness.

Foster: The sari suits you very well, Lady Penelope.

Lady Penelope: It was a very kind thought Captain.

(Back on Skyship One)

Lady Penelope: Thank you, Captain, but no. It’s been a lovely, but very tiring day. I’m going to bed.

Foster: Oh, so soon?

Lady Penelope: I’m afraid so. Goodnight everyone.

(The next morning)

Lady Penelope: So your rooms aren’t bugged, but the lounge, bar and dining room are. All places where I go. It would seem it’s me they want the information from. But what?

Alan: If we knew that we’d know the answer to everything.

Lady Penelope: Have you found any trace of the receiver? Parker’s had no luck.

Alan: None. The only place I haven’t searched is the gravity compensation room.

Lady Penelope: Well, the trip comes to the end in fourteen days’ time. Whatever move they’re going to make must be made before we get back to England, so we’ll soon know.

Lady Penelope: I think I can claim to have been to most places in the world, but oddly enough I’ve never seen the pyramids.

Alan: Well, we won’t have long to wait. We land in fifteen minutes.

Lady Penelope: Oh, how dreadful!

Alan: What is it, Penelope?

Lady Penelope: There’s been a terrible air crash. A DX-102 airliner tried to make a forced landing on a disused airfield ten miles south of Casablanca. Its nose wheel collapsed and the aircraft blew up, killing all aboard.

Foster: At last we’ve got it! I’ve gotta hand it to you Carter, that newspaper idea of yours was just great. Now complete the editing. I want to hear that final message as soon as possible.

Alan: Don’t forget your camera, Penelope.

Lady Penelope: Don’t worry, I’ve got it right here.

(After some holiday snapshots, the scene cuts to Jeff on Tracy Island. He is holding a letter from Lady Penelope that starts with: "Dear Jeff, we've had a most wonderful time in Cairo. We visited a number of museums & had a glorious picnic in the desert. We went out with a guide on some camels & we jogged along for a couple of hours swaying from side to side and feeling ever so seasick! Parker, being used to driving cars of a special nature, had a great deal of trouble with his camel—in fact he tried to steer it the wrong way & it bolted—)

Jeff: So you see Jeff we nearly lost Parker. Ah, here’s the coded bit. We are enjoying our trip and looking forward to our last port of call, Switzerland. Scott, take this along to Brains lab and get it decoded.

Scott: Yes, Sir.

(Cut to Brain's lab.)

Brains: Oh, that’s alright, Mr Tracy. I just love having my designs turned down!

(Brains destroyed his third prototype model)

Scott: Gee, Brains! Your beautiful model!

Brains: Oh... h-h-hi Scott. Yeah, just slipped out of my hands.

Scott: Dad wants you to decode this right away.

Virgil: Gee I... I wish there was something we could do to help him.

Jeff: Don’t worry, I’ve got a feeling it won’t be long now.

Brains: Mr Tracy.

Jeff: Yeah?

Brains: Decoding of Penelope’s letter is as follows “interest is in me. Reason unknown. Continue to stand by.

Jeff: Thanks, Brains. Well, we now know they’re bugging only Penelope. They’re interested in what she says. Now, what could Penelope say that would mean so much to someone with designs on International Rescue?

Lady Penelope: Jeff, I want you to send Thunderbirds One and Two to a disused airfield ten miles south of Casablanca. International Fix System two-four-zero-four reference E. Ensure that Brains is aboard. This is imperative. Do not acknowledge this transmission. Will call later with further details.

(Back in Skyship One)

Foster: Perfect! Just perfect!

Carter: Okay, what next?

Foster: Now, watch carefully. Tomorrow we make our last stop: Switzerland.

(In Switzerland, they all riding down the slope in FAB 1)

Foster: It certainly is a fantastic car you have Penelope.

Lady Penelope: The only one of its kind in the word.

Foster: When those skis appeared out of the bottom I just couldn’t believe my eyes.

Lady Penelope: Oh, it has many other devises Captain. Many of them still top secret.

Parker: Switching to full boost, m’lady.

(W.I.P)