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Chapter 5:Calling International Rescue

         Paul Ford surveyed the ruins of the prison. The dust was finally settling, but already he could feel a small aftershock, taking place beneath his feet. He looked over to where the secure vehicles were parked and was at least happy that most people had been evacuated safely. 
          "I have called the jail in Mehico, Senor Ford, they feel the earth move too, but they report no damage. They can take our prisoners in an emergency" Said one of the local guards who had been using a radio link in one of the trucks.
          "Which this is."
          "What we do about the trapped men? Even if we could trust the prisoners to help, we could never shift all that rubble"
          "You're right Jose and it could take days to get heavy lifting gear here, by which time the aftershocks would have been sure to cave in the roof of those basement cells. No, there's only one organisation equipped to handle this."
          "Ah si, you think of the Thunderbird men Senor, but will they come to help men such as these?"
          "Yes I think they will. International Rescue has dedicated itself to saving those, whose lives are in danger. I'm gonna try and call them."
          Ford entered the cab of one of the vehicles and picked up the radio receiver.
          "Do you theenk you can get through on that Senor Ford?"
          "I have to try. Calling International Rescue, calling International Rescue, this is Paul Ford, Governor of San Miguelo prison, we need your help urgently."
          In Thunderbird 5, International Rescue's fantastic communications space station, John Tracy heard the urgency in the voice even if the signal was weak.
          "This is International rescue receiving your call, go ahead Mr Ford"
          "The prison has been destroyed by an earthquake, we've managed to evacuate all personnel and most prisoners are safe and secure in the special mobile evacuation units, however two of them are trapped in a basement cell under thousands of tons of rubble. The aftershocks could cave in the whole area occupied by those cells"
          "I suppose there's no chance of you shifting the rubble and reaching them yourselves?" Asked John.
          "Not a chance I'm afraid."
          "Okay Mr Ford, we're on our way" John promised.
          "One thing before you go. I think it's only fair to tell you that the trapped men are convicted felons serving a twenty year term for armed robbery."
          John immediately radioed base and informed Jeff of the details of the call.
          "The Governor stated these are convicted criminals father"
          "Makes no odds son. We can't start making moral judgements about whose worthy of our help and who isn't. Right now those two men need us. Carry on Scott"
          "Yes sir" replied the eldest Tracy Brother as he crossed to the wall and held onto the lamp brackets that triggered the revolving panel and took him into Thunderbird One's silo."
          Within minutes the sleek rocket plane was soaring skywards before changing to horizontal flight. A few minutes later Scott contacted Jeff via the video link portraits.
          "Father, I've had more information from John. I reckon, we'll need Thunderbird 2 with Pod 5 and double crew"
          Scott knew full well that the latter request would cause problems.
          "Hm, that's kind of awkward son. Gordon and Alan are still to ill even for light duties and Brains is in the middle of an important experiment. I guess it'll have to be me"
           Tin-Tin had just entered the lounge as Scott's call was coming through. The beautiful Eurasian girl had a suggestion of her own.
          "Pardon Mr Tracy, but you're needed here to co-ordinate things. Let me go with Virgil in Thunderbird 2"
          Jeff looked hesitant.
          "It's the obvious answer dad. Virgil and I will need to go down in The Mole together. What we need is someone manning the mobile control unit to feed us information from the computer and seismograph"
          Scott had made Jeff's mind up for him.
          "Okay Tin-Tin make your way to the passenger elevator"
          "Thank you Mr Tracy, see you in Thunderbird Virgil"
          "Thank you Tin-Tin" Jeff replied.
          Within minutes Thunderbird 2 was tilting upwards on it's launch ramp with Virgil and Tin-Tin aboard. Virgil had changed into his uniform, whilst Tin-Tin wore her blue jump-suit. The International Rescue cargo carrier blasted off and was soon out of site of the island.

          Meanwhile at the prison, the mobile security units were beginning to leave the site, starting the long journey towards Mexico city. One Unit remained with Ford, who had also managed to bring his jeep over. It had been parked outside the compound and had survived the carnage. Suddenly the ground shook again and Ford and the guards that were left had to hang onto the side of the security truck in order to keep their balance.
          Down in the basement Symonds and Sanchez felt the shock and the crack above them opened wider and more dust and small pieces of masonry fell to the floor.
          "Any more like that and it'll be all over" Said Symonds.
          "They not come down to find us. Why should they bother." Sanchez added.
          Symonds went and sat on the bottom of the two bunk beds in the cell almost resigned to his fate.
          "Yeah you're right for once. They'll just leave us down here and let the next shock finish us off" 

          Scott had been in the air for little over half an hour, but Thunderbird One's fantastic speed meant he was almost at the prison.
          "Base from Thunderbird One, I'll be touching down at San Miguelo in four minutes"
          "FAB Scott."  Jeff replied. "Thunderbird 2's about 8 minutes behind you"
          Ford glanced at his watch. He was worried about the effect the aftershocks were having on the structural integrity of the basement cells.
          "International Rescue should be here any time now."
           "Thunderbird 1 calling San Miguelo, I'll be arriving in a few minutes. On landing I'll set up my portable control centre and by that time the heavy rescue gear should be arriving"
          "Great Thunderbird 1. We'll sure be glad to see you" Ford heaved a sigh of relief. 
          Almost as soon as the radio call had finished he and the remaining guards heard Thunderbird 1's jet engines and watched transfixed as the craft glided smoothly in and landed vertically.
          Scott surveyed the ruins of the prison and could already tell how severe the quake had been. He also felt another slight tremor.
          "Thunderbird 2 from Thunderbird 1, What is your estimated time of arrival?"
          "Nine and one half minutes Scott"
          "FAB on arrival unload Firefly and start clearance of the rubble. I'll join you in The Mole. Tin-Tin."
          "Yes Scott" She answered.
          "On landing you come over here and man the mobile control unit. Virgil and I will need you to figure out the correct angle of drilling for the Mole and interpret the seismograph signals on the unit. Thunderbird 1's 'seismo' is already showing the build up of another violent shock-wave"
          "FAB Scott" she replied.
          "I just hope there is something you can do International Rescue" said the tired Governor.
          Scott forced an optimistic smile.
          "Yes, I'm sure that there is Mr Ford."
          Virgil was true to his word and arrived within ten minutes. He over-flew the prison wreckage slowly before turning Thunderbird 2 and landing her smoothly on a clear stretch of land. Scott had meanwhile assembled the mobile control and was paying particular attention to the seismograph readings. It was not looking good.
          "Mobile Control from Tin-Tin, I'm on my way Scott"
          "FAB. Virgil you better get started in Firefly right away. There's not a moment to lose."

On to Chapter 5.