Thunderbirds (1965–1966): Season 1, Episode 19 - Danger at Ocean Deep - full transcript
A new tanker, the Ocean Pioneer is lost under mysterious circumstances. The team at International Rescue work to understand the reasons behind the loss. They discover the tragic truth behind the loss just as the latest Ocean Pioneer begins the same fatal voyage
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Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
Thunderbirds are go!
Yes, sir. Six more like Ocean Pioneer and
we'll have the most modern fleet afloat.
That's if my line don't
catch you up, Johnson.
My company wants to save money
by getting eight tankers like this soon.
I can't blame you, sir. Three men looking
after 120,000 tons of seaworthy steel
sure makes the
balance sheet look good.
What is it, Collins?
The reactor's overcompensating.
Switch to manual. I'll trim it.
On manual now, sir.
Right. Give me your
readings as I trim.
0-5-4, rising.
0-5-9, rising.
There seems to be a
large amount of mist ahead.
That's strange.
Those weather boys don't usually
slip up. There was no mention of mist.
0-6-3, rising.
0-6-8. Still rising, Captain.
Yes, your ladyship, as chairman I
can say the men certainly appreciate
your doing us the honour today.
My pleasure, Lord
Roden, I assure you.
If you will just step
this way, dear lady.
A thoroughly excellent
vintage, Parker. Excellent, I say.
Indeed it is, Stephens.
A toast, Parker!
A toast to Lady
Penelope Creighton-Ward.
A toast, Stephens!
A toast to one of
England's fairest... roses.
Pardon me, Stephens.
Course, dear chap, course!
To her ladyship, cheers!
It gives me great pleasure to
name this ship Ocean Pioneer II.
May God bless
all who sail in her.
Oh, a lovely sight, Lord
Roden! A lovely sight.
It's incredible how they can fit
these ships before launching.
Man, she's a beauty!
Just look at that! Oops!
Och, my beret!
Hoorah!
And now, as Ocean Pioneer II
hits the water for the first time,
the crowd goes wild.
Yet for all the excitement,
there must be many whose thoughts
must turn to the ill-fated Ocean Pioneer I
that disappeared so
tragically only six months ago.
- Yeah, I'll say - Hold it,
Scott. Look. There's Penny.
This has been your
first major launch.
It must have
been a great thrill.
Oh, indeed it has. The flags, the
people and such a wonderful ship,
although I must confess
the bottle of champagne didn't .quite
break with the pop that I expected.'
Yes. Thank you, Lady
Penelope. And now, viewers,
we leave the Clydeside shipyards
and return you to the studio.
Right. All we've got to do now
is wait for Penelope to report in.
I wonder if she's found
anything interesting.
Parker?
Parker, can you hear me?
Loud and clear, m'lady!
Parker, where did you
get the champagne?
Well... well, m'lady, it was
such a good year, 1998,
it seemed a pity to waste it.
So I slitched it. I
mean, I snitched it.
I mean, switched it.
I thought that bubbly didn't hit
the ship with much of a bang!
Parker, what was it that
I launched the ship with?
M'lady, it was pure tonic water.
I shall have to talk
to you about this later.
Meanwhile, I've got a
message to relay to Jeff.
Ah, there's Penny
now. Go ahead, Penny.
Jeff, my plan to launch Ocean
Pioneer II was entirely successful.
Yes, we saw the whole
thing on television.
Did anybody suspect anything?
I don't think so. Lord Roden
was delighted I was there.
How about the ship? Did
you give it the once-over?
Yes, Jeff, I did. But I found
nothing that indicated sabotage.
I really believe the
ship is in no danger.
Well, I'm glad to have your
assurance. Thanks for investigating it.
You're most welcome, Jeff.
Despite what Penelope says,
I'm still worried about that craft.
- Father, I don't get you.
- What's there to worry you?
Listen, boys, if Ocean Pioneer I
can blow up for no apparent reason,
- anything can make sense.
- You mean, it could happen
again?
That's it exactly, Alan.
I've just got a feeling we're gonna
hear more about that ship once she's left.
Well, there's no
use brooding over it.
If anything's going to go wrong,
our worrying over it won't prevent it.
- Well, I'll be...
- Gee, already?
OK, John. Let's have it.
There's a distress call come in
from Oahu in the Pacific, Father,
- requiring immediate action.
- What's the trouble, John?
A typhoon just hit the island
and struck the hospital full-force.
The foundations are crumbling
and the patients are in danger.
Right, John. Brief Scott
when he's airborne.
FAB. Switching to standby.
At least it's not the tanker.
OK, Scott, on your way.
Yes, sir!
Thunderbird 1 to headquarters.
Heading across the Pacific
on course 3-2-4 by 0-0-7.
OK, Scott. Any more information?
A tidal wave has undermined
the footings of the main hospital.
John is still getting details. We'll need
Thunderbird 2 with double crew and pod 3.
FAB, Scott. Leave it with me.
- Virgil, on your way with pod
3.
- OK, Father.
- Alan?
- Yes, Father?
You're due in the space
satellite at 15:00, so you're out.
Yes, Father.
- Gordon?
- Yes, sir?
Double-crew with
Virgil. On your way.
Yes, sir!
- Father?
- Go ahead, Scott.
'I'll be landing at the danger .zone
in two minutes. I've briefed Gordon.
Tin Tin, get Brains up here.
Right away, Mr Tracy.
What's causing the
interference, Father?
Wait, Alan. Virgil's
coming through.
I don't get it. Virgil's lost contact
too. This could be very serious.
Ah, Brains! What
do you make of this?
I'm afraid that John up in the satellite
is now out of contact too, Mr Tracy.
I think it only affects
transmissions via the satellite.
Yes, but it cleared
itself then, didn't it?
Yes, Mr Tracy, but the interference
appears much stronger this time.
- Alan?
- Yes, Father?
You're relieving John in six hours
anyway. Can you take off now?
I guess so.
Brains, you'll need information
from the satellite, right?
Yes, Mr Tracy.
All right. I want
you to go with Alan.
We've got a communications
black-out, and that leaves us vulnerable.
International Rescue could fall
down on the job for the very first time.
Yes, sir.
- All set, Father.
- Ready, Mr Tracy.
Right. On your way, boys.
Well, Brains, there's your
recording of the interference,
but it seems a long way
to come to pick up a tape.
Not at all, Alan. For
analytical purposes,
a recording made outside the
earth's atmosphere is much cleaner.
OK, let's move. The sooner
I get you back to the base,
the sooner you
can find an answer.
- See you, then, boy!
- See you, John.
And don't forget,
you owe me six hours!
See you!
Stand by for blast-off!
Is there no news yet, Mr Tracy?
No, Kyrano, nothing. That
interference is still with us.
It's terrifying to realise how much
we depend on communication.
Now, now, you mustn't
encourage one another!
It's probably nothing
to worry about.
And Mr Brains? You
haven't heard from him?
No, Kyrano. We
don't know anything.
With all this interference,
long-distance transmissions are out.
As far as I know, only transmissions
over short distances are possible.
Between Thunderbirds
1 and 2, for instance.
I suppose I'd better start organising
lunch. It'll be just the four of us again.
Yes, Tin Tin. I guess so.
That will be the mail plane.
No, that's Thunderbird 1.
Tin Tin, lay an extra place. It looks
as if Scott will be joining us after all.
Not much point in using the
radio with this much interference!
Well, Father, I'm coming in now.
I just hope you're ready for me.
- Hello, folks.
- Scott. How did it go?
Fine. We managed to shore
up all the walls with hydrostats,
but not before the
isolation ward collapsed.
- Boy, that was close.
- Any casualties?
No. There were no cases
in the ward at the time.
- Virgil and Gordon, are they
all right?
- Sure, and muddier than me.
They' should be back soon.
We could contact each other when
we were close, despite the interference.
Well, that's something, Scott.
You'd better get cleaned up.
Sure thing, Dad.
By the way, Mr Tracy, the inter-telecast
on Ocean Pioneer II is almost due.
Thank goodness we don't have
interference from outside transmissions.
I'll watch the programme while
we wait for Virgil and Gordon.
Island dead ahead.
All we need is for Thunderbird 3 to get
back and the whole team is together again.
Yes, and let's hope Brains clears
up the mystery of this interference.
Er... can I hear the
tape once more, Tin Tin?
Coming up, Brains.
Right, Tin Tin, keep
that sound in your mind.
Now, listen.
And with her first
cargo of liquid alsterene,
Ocean Pioneer II sails the
blue waters of the Mediterranean.
Just three men, one ship
and 200,000 tons of nature's latest
aid to mankind - liquid alsterene.
Jensen, for goodness' sake,
we're well clear of port now,
- check your circuits instead
of playing with that siren!
- Yes, sir.
- Switch to auto, Number Two.
- Auto it is, sir.
Pioneer II to Pioneer
base. Are you receiving me?
This is Pioneer base at
Port of London. Go ahead.
Everything under
control. All systems go.
Our next check call
time for 18:00 hours.
Thank you, Pioneer
II. Over and out.
Steering course 2-5-9
by 3-5-4 at 53 knots, sir.
Fine, Jensen. Well, Number Two,
we'll be home and dry in next to no time.
Can I see you in the
lab right away, Mr Tracy?
Trouble, Brains?
We've traced the interference,
.but it presents a few problems.
OK, I'll be right with you.
Set it up again, Tin Tin, but
measure the quantities very carefully.
Yeah, go steady.
- OK, Brains, let's have it.
- Just setting up, Mr Tracy.
Can we have the
original, Tin Tin?
Coming up.
Right, Tin Tin, microphone on.
Microphone on.
Our experiments show
that the close proximity
of a high-density liquid fuel
and a low-density
substance known as OD-60,
produces high impedance waves...
..which can interrupt and
cut off radio communication
on our bandwidth
for a given distance.
Microphone off, please, Tin Tin.
That's the cause. Now the cure.
Too fast, Mr Tracy.
The experiment isn't finished.
No, sir. It sure isn't!
All right, what
are we waiting for?
Observe the contents of
the test tubes, Mr Tracy.
By even closer... proximity,
further chemical
action takes place,
until finally they...
OK, Brains, what
does it all add up to?
It adds up to a
very large explosion
in whatever area one
finds both A and B,
A being alsterene and B being...
Alsterene, you say?
Yes, Mr Tracy.
Alsterene and sea fungi
found close to the
Gulf Stream, OD-60.
It's used to make
dog food of all things.
Scott, have you got a fix?
Yes, but it just
doesn't make sense!
Working on Alan's orbits
and the black-out times,
I land smack in the middle
of the Mediterranean,
miles from the Gulf Stream
and the nearest landfall.
This OD-60, is it only found
in the Gulf Stream area?
I believe so.
Lady Penelope
could soon tell us.
Penny? How would she know?
Wasn't she on the panel to judge
the Allpets poodle competition?
Poodle competition?
Allpets - the only dog food that uses
the food that nature provides from the sea.
- OD-60, of course!
- Tin Tin, get on to Penny
right away.
I want to know each
location of OD-60
and whether any has been
found in or near the Mediterranean.
And tell her to make it fast!
- I've got a hunch.
- A hunch?
Yes, Scott, a very strong hunch
that somewhere just about here
there's a great pile of OD-60.
But it's not a hunch
sailing out from here.
There's 200,000 tons of
alsterene in Ocean Pioneer II.
75 miles from
the coast, Captain.
Excellent, Jensen. Excellent.
This is Port of London
Pioneer base to Pioneer II.
Come in, Ocean Pioneer II.
This is Ocean Pioneer
II to Pioneer base.
Our chart position is 3-5-0 by
2-1-0, proceeding at 60 knots. 0ver.
Good progress, Pioneer II. We'll
have a reception committee...
Get rid of that noise, Jensen!
Lady Penelope!
How very delightful!
Sir Arthur, it's so good of you
to see me at such short notice.
It's this doggie book that
I'm compiling, you know.
Now, In the chapter on feeding,
I feel my readers will want
to know more about OD-60.
Of course I know we
can rely on your discretion.
We don't want everyone to know
where to trawl for our product.
Oh, of course, Sir Arthur.
You can rely on me entirely.
Thank you, Lady Penelope.
Well, now, looking at this map,
if we follow the Gulf
Stream from its source here,
and around the coast of Florida,
we find the main
sources of OD-60.
The main sources, Sir
Arthur? There are others, then?
Well, we don't know yet.
Look... Look at the map.
Just look at the distance that
we have to transport OD-60.
The capital costs are
crippling to my company.
Now, what we have done is to
dump 150,000 tons of active OD-60
in the Mediterranean, in
the hope that it will flourish
and provide further
raw material for Allpets.
Then there is OD-60
in the Mediterranean?
No...
We don't know for sure yet.
Well, what a capital idea!
I promise I won't tell the
any of the girls at the club.
You can count on me, Sir Arthur!
I trust the mission
was successful, m'lady?
Yes, Parker. Sir Arthur
confirmed all our worst suspicions.
There really is OD-60 in the Mediterranean.
I must radio Jeff at once to warn him.
Ocean Pioneer II is
heading straight for trouble.
Ocean Pioneer II from
International Rescue.
Ocean Pioneer from
International Rescue!
It's spreading to the
lower frequencies.
It's no use, Father.
We'll never get through.
All right, Scott. It
was just a long shot.
I guess it's no use waiting for a
distress call. They just can't make one.
What are we standing around
for, then? Come on. Let's go!
Pioneer II to Port of London
Pioneer base. Come in, Pioneer base.
We're not getting through.
Number Two, trim your reactor
definition. You're two points over.
Very good, sir.
She won't respond, sir.
Jensen, switch over to
manual. I'll trim it myself.
Very good, sir.
Manual it is, sir.
Right, Jensen. Give me
your readings as I trim.
We're starting to
overcompensate, sir.
- Start your readings, Jensen.
- Reading 0-3-9, sir. Rising.
0-4-2, rising.
4-7, still rising, sir.
Speed rising to
80 knots, Captain!
Ocean Pioneer II to Pioneer
base. This is an emergency!
It's no good. The reactor's gone too
far! Close down the radiation shields!
Jensen, steer on radar,
course 3-7-0 by 2-9-8.
Boy, what a maiden voyage this
is. Even the weather's deteriorating!
Steering on radar course
3-7-0 by 2-9-8, sir, at 85 knots.
85? The engines won't
stand it! They won't stand it!
Jensen...
Jensen!
- S-Sir?
- The radio, Jensen.
Call International Rescue.
It's... our last chance.
We can't... last
long without air.
International Rescue...
Must call...
International Rescue.
OK, Virgil, I've found her. She's drifting
off-course towards the danger zone.
There's quite a lot of mist,
which isn't going to help.
I can hardly hear you. This
interference is getting worse.
I suggest we keep radio
contact to a minimum.
FAB! I'm going to try
to land on the deck.
Calling...
International... Rescue.
Radiation
shields... in position.
Air supply... failed.
Over.
Gee, it's getting real thick.
I hope Virgil's not far off.
Just take a look at that!
Terrifying, isn't it?
This is International Rescue.
This is International Rescue.
If you can hear me,
speak in the direction of
the lower port bulkhead.
We'll never find
the tanker in all this.
Try and get through to
Scott and home on his signal.
Thunderbird 2 calling Ocean
Pioneer! Come in, Scott!
Nothing.
Now, where the heck is Virgil?
We can't afford to split up now.
That's him! Calling
Virgil in Thunderbird 2!
Calling Thunderbird 2!
There he is! Come in,
Scott! Where are you?
I can hear your motors.
You're somewhere over to the
starboard side. Steer five degrees to port.
There she goes!
OK, hurry it up, fellas.
There's not a moment to waste!
OK, John. On your way.
Right, Virgil. Keep her steady.
Here it goes...
OK, Virgil. As soon as John
hits the deck, stand well clear.
- How's it coming?
- I'm nearly there.
Here it comes...
Say, they look in
bad shape, Scott.
Yeah. Now come on!
Just look!
This can only mean one thing.
We must be right
over the OD-60 now.
Virgil, come in and stand by.
And step on it, or we
might not be around!
I'm on my way. How's
Scott getting on?
He's bringing round the crew.
Captain, can you hear me?
Call... International Rescue.
It's our... only hope.
Well, I sure hope
you're right, Captain.
OK, Virgil, you're right
above us. Start dropping.
Look out!
Hold it there, Virgil!
Down rescue gear.
Captain, lead your
men off the ship.
Young fellow, I just
want you to know...
No time right now. Your
ship is about to blow up.
It's what?
OK, Virgil, pull away!
And you make it snappy!
FAB, Scott.
There's no sign of him anywhere.
Thunderbird 1 from
Thunderbird 2. Come in, Scott!
The interference has cleared,
but Scott doesn't answer.
He's just got to have made it!
Thunderbird 1! Come in,
please! Do you read me?
Loud and clear, Virgil.
OK, let's get out of here.
See you back at the base.
I still say that
120,000 tons of ship
stands for a heck of a lot
of capital investment, Scott,
and we should have
tried towing her out.
Sure. Oh, sure, boy.
But could have made it in time?
Who knows? It's
all part of the game.
Hold it, boys. John, how many
rescues have you been out to?
I guess about a dozen, Father.
- Scott?
- All of them.
OK. Yet you still argue.
- We weren't arguing.
- We were just discussing it.
Listen. For many years, man has
worked to perfect the material things,
and he's done
pretty well for himself.
If a building falls down, he
can soon build it up again.
With life, it's different,
and this is why the object of
International Rescue will never change.
Your job is to save
lives that are in danger,
and that's how it's
gonna be, always. Got it?
- That's OK by me, Father.
- Yeah. Sure, Father.
OK. Go and dip your hot heads
in the pool. I want to read my book!
---
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
Thunderbirds are go!
Yes, sir. Six more like Ocean Pioneer and
we'll have the most modern fleet afloat.
That's if my line don't
catch you up, Johnson.
My company wants to save money
by getting eight tankers like this soon.
I can't blame you, sir. Three men looking
after 120,000 tons of seaworthy steel
sure makes the
balance sheet look good.
What is it, Collins?
The reactor's overcompensating.
Switch to manual. I'll trim it.
On manual now, sir.
Right. Give me your
readings as I trim.
0-5-4, rising.
0-5-9, rising.
There seems to be a
large amount of mist ahead.
That's strange.
Those weather boys don't usually
slip up. There was no mention of mist.
0-6-3, rising.
0-6-8. Still rising, Captain.
Yes, your ladyship, as chairman I
can say the men certainly appreciate
your doing us the honour today.
My pleasure, Lord
Roden, I assure you.
If you will just step
this way, dear lady.
A thoroughly excellent
vintage, Parker. Excellent, I say.
Indeed it is, Stephens.
A toast, Parker!
A toast to Lady
Penelope Creighton-Ward.
A toast, Stephens!
A toast to one of
England's fairest... roses.
Pardon me, Stephens.
Course, dear chap, course!
To her ladyship, cheers!
It gives me great pleasure to
name this ship Ocean Pioneer II.
May God bless
all who sail in her.
Oh, a lovely sight, Lord
Roden! A lovely sight.
It's incredible how they can fit
these ships before launching.
Man, she's a beauty!
Just look at that! Oops!
Och, my beret!
Hoorah!
And now, as Ocean Pioneer II
hits the water for the first time,
the crowd goes wild.
Yet for all the excitement,
there must be many whose thoughts
must turn to the ill-fated Ocean Pioneer I
that disappeared so
tragically only six months ago.
- Yeah, I'll say - Hold it,
Scott. Look. There's Penny.
This has been your
first major launch.
It must have
been a great thrill.
Oh, indeed it has. The flags, the
people and such a wonderful ship,
although I must confess
the bottle of champagne didn't .quite
break with the pop that I expected.'
Yes. Thank you, Lady
Penelope. And now, viewers,
we leave the Clydeside shipyards
and return you to the studio.
Right. All we've got to do now
is wait for Penelope to report in.
I wonder if she's found
anything interesting.
Parker?
Parker, can you hear me?
Loud and clear, m'lady!
Parker, where did you
get the champagne?
Well... well, m'lady, it was
such a good year, 1998,
it seemed a pity to waste it.
So I slitched it. I
mean, I snitched it.
I mean, switched it.
I thought that bubbly didn't hit
the ship with much of a bang!
Parker, what was it that
I launched the ship with?
M'lady, it was pure tonic water.
I shall have to talk
to you about this later.
Meanwhile, I've got a
message to relay to Jeff.
Ah, there's Penny
now. Go ahead, Penny.
Jeff, my plan to launch Ocean
Pioneer II was entirely successful.
Yes, we saw the whole
thing on television.
Did anybody suspect anything?
I don't think so. Lord Roden
was delighted I was there.
How about the ship? Did
you give it the once-over?
Yes, Jeff, I did. But I found
nothing that indicated sabotage.
I really believe the
ship is in no danger.
Well, I'm glad to have your
assurance. Thanks for investigating it.
You're most welcome, Jeff.
Despite what Penelope says,
I'm still worried about that craft.
- Father, I don't get you.
- What's there to worry you?
Listen, boys, if Ocean Pioneer I
can blow up for no apparent reason,
- anything can make sense.
- You mean, it could happen
again?
That's it exactly, Alan.
I've just got a feeling we're gonna
hear more about that ship once she's left.
Well, there's no
use brooding over it.
If anything's going to go wrong,
our worrying over it won't prevent it.
- Well, I'll be...
- Gee, already?
OK, John. Let's have it.
There's a distress call come in
from Oahu in the Pacific, Father,
- requiring immediate action.
- What's the trouble, John?
A typhoon just hit the island
and struck the hospital full-force.
The foundations are crumbling
and the patients are in danger.
Right, John. Brief Scott
when he's airborne.
FAB. Switching to standby.
At least it's not the tanker.
OK, Scott, on your way.
Yes, sir!
Thunderbird 1 to headquarters.
Heading across the Pacific
on course 3-2-4 by 0-0-7.
OK, Scott. Any more information?
A tidal wave has undermined
the footings of the main hospital.
John is still getting details. We'll need
Thunderbird 2 with double crew and pod 3.
FAB, Scott. Leave it with me.
- Virgil, on your way with pod
3.
- OK, Father.
- Alan?
- Yes, Father?
You're due in the space
satellite at 15:00, so you're out.
Yes, Father.
- Gordon?
- Yes, sir?
Double-crew with
Virgil. On your way.
Yes, sir!
- Father?
- Go ahead, Scott.
'I'll be landing at the danger .zone
in two minutes. I've briefed Gordon.
Tin Tin, get Brains up here.
Right away, Mr Tracy.
What's causing the
interference, Father?
Wait, Alan. Virgil's
coming through.
I don't get it. Virgil's lost contact
too. This could be very serious.
Ah, Brains! What
do you make of this?
I'm afraid that John up in the satellite
is now out of contact too, Mr Tracy.
I think it only affects
transmissions via the satellite.
Yes, but it cleared
itself then, didn't it?
Yes, Mr Tracy, but the interference
appears much stronger this time.
- Alan?
- Yes, Father?
You're relieving John in six hours
anyway. Can you take off now?
I guess so.
Brains, you'll need information
from the satellite, right?
Yes, Mr Tracy.
All right. I want
you to go with Alan.
We've got a communications
black-out, and that leaves us vulnerable.
International Rescue could fall
down on the job for the very first time.
Yes, sir.
- All set, Father.
- Ready, Mr Tracy.
Right. On your way, boys.
Well, Brains, there's your
recording of the interference,
but it seems a long way
to come to pick up a tape.
Not at all, Alan. For
analytical purposes,
a recording made outside the
earth's atmosphere is much cleaner.
OK, let's move. The sooner
I get you back to the base,
the sooner you
can find an answer.
- See you, then, boy!
- See you, John.
And don't forget,
you owe me six hours!
See you!
Stand by for blast-off!
Is there no news yet, Mr Tracy?
No, Kyrano, nothing. That
interference is still with us.
It's terrifying to realise how much
we depend on communication.
Now, now, you mustn't
encourage one another!
It's probably nothing
to worry about.
And Mr Brains? You
haven't heard from him?
No, Kyrano. We
don't know anything.
With all this interference,
long-distance transmissions are out.
As far as I know, only transmissions
over short distances are possible.
Between Thunderbirds
1 and 2, for instance.
I suppose I'd better start organising
lunch. It'll be just the four of us again.
Yes, Tin Tin. I guess so.
That will be the mail plane.
No, that's Thunderbird 1.
Tin Tin, lay an extra place. It looks
as if Scott will be joining us after all.
Not much point in using the
radio with this much interference!
Well, Father, I'm coming in now.
I just hope you're ready for me.
- Hello, folks.
- Scott. How did it go?
Fine. We managed to shore
up all the walls with hydrostats,
but not before the
isolation ward collapsed.
- Boy, that was close.
- Any casualties?
No. There were no cases
in the ward at the time.
- Virgil and Gordon, are they
all right?
- Sure, and muddier than me.
They' should be back soon.
We could contact each other when
we were close, despite the interference.
Well, that's something, Scott.
You'd better get cleaned up.
Sure thing, Dad.
By the way, Mr Tracy, the inter-telecast
on Ocean Pioneer II is almost due.
Thank goodness we don't have
interference from outside transmissions.
I'll watch the programme while
we wait for Virgil and Gordon.
Island dead ahead.
All we need is for Thunderbird 3 to get
back and the whole team is together again.
Yes, and let's hope Brains clears
up the mystery of this interference.
Er... can I hear the
tape once more, Tin Tin?
Coming up, Brains.
Right, Tin Tin, keep
that sound in your mind.
Now, listen.
And with her first
cargo of liquid alsterene,
Ocean Pioneer II sails the
blue waters of the Mediterranean.
Just three men, one ship
and 200,000 tons of nature's latest
aid to mankind - liquid alsterene.
Jensen, for goodness' sake,
we're well clear of port now,
- check your circuits instead
of playing with that siren!
- Yes, sir.
- Switch to auto, Number Two.
- Auto it is, sir.
Pioneer II to Pioneer
base. Are you receiving me?
This is Pioneer base at
Port of London. Go ahead.
Everything under
control. All systems go.
Our next check call
time for 18:00 hours.
Thank you, Pioneer
II. Over and out.
Steering course 2-5-9
by 3-5-4 at 53 knots, sir.
Fine, Jensen. Well, Number Two,
we'll be home and dry in next to no time.
Can I see you in the
lab right away, Mr Tracy?
Trouble, Brains?
We've traced the interference,
.but it presents a few problems.
OK, I'll be right with you.
Set it up again, Tin Tin, but
measure the quantities very carefully.
Yeah, go steady.
- OK, Brains, let's have it.
- Just setting up, Mr Tracy.
Can we have the
original, Tin Tin?
Coming up.
Right, Tin Tin, microphone on.
Microphone on.
Our experiments show
that the close proximity
of a high-density liquid fuel
and a low-density
substance known as OD-60,
produces high impedance waves...
..which can interrupt and
cut off radio communication
on our bandwidth
for a given distance.
Microphone off, please, Tin Tin.
That's the cause. Now the cure.
Too fast, Mr Tracy.
The experiment isn't finished.
No, sir. It sure isn't!
All right, what
are we waiting for?
Observe the contents of
the test tubes, Mr Tracy.
By even closer... proximity,
further chemical
action takes place,
until finally they...
OK, Brains, what
does it all add up to?
It adds up to a
very large explosion
in whatever area one
finds both A and B,
A being alsterene and B being...
Alsterene, you say?
Yes, Mr Tracy.
Alsterene and sea fungi
found close to the
Gulf Stream, OD-60.
It's used to make
dog food of all things.
Scott, have you got a fix?
Yes, but it just
doesn't make sense!
Working on Alan's orbits
and the black-out times,
I land smack in the middle
of the Mediterranean,
miles from the Gulf Stream
and the nearest landfall.
This OD-60, is it only found
in the Gulf Stream area?
I believe so.
Lady Penelope
could soon tell us.
Penny? How would she know?
Wasn't she on the panel to judge
the Allpets poodle competition?
Poodle competition?
Allpets - the only dog food that uses
the food that nature provides from the sea.
- OD-60, of course!
- Tin Tin, get on to Penny
right away.
I want to know each
location of OD-60
and whether any has been
found in or near the Mediterranean.
And tell her to make it fast!
- I've got a hunch.
- A hunch?
Yes, Scott, a very strong hunch
that somewhere just about here
there's a great pile of OD-60.
But it's not a hunch
sailing out from here.
There's 200,000 tons of
alsterene in Ocean Pioneer II.
75 miles from
the coast, Captain.
Excellent, Jensen. Excellent.
This is Port of London
Pioneer base to Pioneer II.
Come in, Ocean Pioneer II.
This is Ocean Pioneer
II to Pioneer base.
Our chart position is 3-5-0 by
2-1-0, proceeding at 60 knots. 0ver.
Good progress, Pioneer II. We'll
have a reception committee...
Get rid of that noise, Jensen!
Lady Penelope!
How very delightful!
Sir Arthur, it's so good of you
to see me at such short notice.
It's this doggie book that
I'm compiling, you know.
Now, In the chapter on feeding,
I feel my readers will want
to know more about OD-60.
Of course I know we
can rely on your discretion.
We don't want everyone to know
where to trawl for our product.
Oh, of course, Sir Arthur.
You can rely on me entirely.
Thank you, Lady Penelope.
Well, now, looking at this map,
if we follow the Gulf
Stream from its source here,
and around the coast of Florida,
we find the main
sources of OD-60.
The main sources, Sir
Arthur? There are others, then?
Well, we don't know yet.
Look... Look at the map.
Just look at the distance that
we have to transport OD-60.
The capital costs are
crippling to my company.
Now, what we have done is to
dump 150,000 tons of active OD-60
in the Mediterranean, in
the hope that it will flourish
and provide further
raw material for Allpets.
Then there is OD-60
in the Mediterranean?
No...
We don't know for sure yet.
Well, what a capital idea!
I promise I won't tell the
any of the girls at the club.
You can count on me, Sir Arthur!
I trust the mission
was successful, m'lady?
Yes, Parker. Sir Arthur
confirmed all our worst suspicions.
There really is OD-60 in the Mediterranean.
I must radio Jeff at once to warn him.
Ocean Pioneer II is
heading straight for trouble.
Ocean Pioneer II from
International Rescue.
Ocean Pioneer from
International Rescue!
It's spreading to the
lower frequencies.
It's no use, Father.
We'll never get through.
All right, Scott. It
was just a long shot.
I guess it's no use waiting for a
distress call. They just can't make one.
What are we standing around
for, then? Come on. Let's go!
Pioneer II to Port of London
Pioneer base. Come in, Pioneer base.
We're not getting through.
Number Two, trim your reactor
definition. You're two points over.
Very good, sir.
She won't respond, sir.
Jensen, switch over to
manual. I'll trim it myself.
Very good, sir.
Manual it is, sir.
Right, Jensen. Give me
your readings as I trim.
We're starting to
overcompensate, sir.
- Start your readings, Jensen.
- Reading 0-3-9, sir. Rising.
0-4-2, rising.
4-7, still rising, sir.
Speed rising to
80 knots, Captain!
Ocean Pioneer II to Pioneer
base. This is an emergency!
It's no good. The reactor's gone too
far! Close down the radiation shields!
Jensen, steer on radar,
course 3-7-0 by 2-9-8.
Boy, what a maiden voyage this
is. Even the weather's deteriorating!
Steering on radar course
3-7-0 by 2-9-8, sir, at 85 knots.
85? The engines won't
stand it! They won't stand it!
Jensen...
Jensen!
- S-Sir?
- The radio, Jensen.
Call International Rescue.
It's... our last chance.
We can't... last
long without air.
International Rescue...
Must call...
International Rescue.
OK, Virgil, I've found her. She's drifting
off-course towards the danger zone.
There's quite a lot of mist,
which isn't going to help.
I can hardly hear you. This
interference is getting worse.
I suggest we keep radio
contact to a minimum.
FAB! I'm going to try
to land on the deck.
Calling...
International... Rescue.
Radiation
shields... in position.
Air supply... failed.
Over.
Gee, it's getting real thick.
I hope Virgil's not far off.
Just take a look at that!
Terrifying, isn't it?
This is International Rescue.
This is International Rescue.
If you can hear me,
speak in the direction of
the lower port bulkhead.
We'll never find
the tanker in all this.
Try and get through to
Scott and home on his signal.
Thunderbird 2 calling Ocean
Pioneer! Come in, Scott!
Nothing.
Now, where the heck is Virgil?
We can't afford to split up now.
That's him! Calling
Virgil in Thunderbird 2!
Calling Thunderbird 2!
There he is! Come in,
Scott! Where are you?
I can hear your motors.
You're somewhere over to the
starboard side. Steer five degrees to port.
There she goes!
OK, hurry it up, fellas.
There's not a moment to waste!
OK, John. On your way.
Right, Virgil. Keep her steady.
Here it goes...
OK, Virgil. As soon as John
hits the deck, stand well clear.
- How's it coming?
- I'm nearly there.
Here it comes...
Say, they look in
bad shape, Scott.
Yeah. Now come on!
Just look!
This can only mean one thing.
We must be right
over the OD-60 now.
Virgil, come in and stand by.
And step on it, or we
might not be around!
I'm on my way. How's
Scott getting on?
He's bringing round the crew.
Captain, can you hear me?
Call... International Rescue.
It's our... only hope.
Well, I sure hope
you're right, Captain.
OK, Virgil, you're right
above us. Start dropping.
Look out!
Hold it there, Virgil!
Down rescue gear.
Captain, lead your
men off the ship.
Young fellow, I just
want you to know...
No time right now. Your
ship is about to blow up.
It's what?
OK, Virgil, pull away!
And you make it snappy!
FAB, Scott.
There's no sign of him anywhere.
Thunderbird 1 from
Thunderbird 2. Come in, Scott!
The interference has cleared,
but Scott doesn't answer.
He's just got to have made it!
Thunderbird 1! Come in,
please! Do you read me?
Loud and clear, Virgil.
OK, let's get out of here.
See you back at the base.
I still say that
120,000 tons of ship
stands for a heck of a lot
of capital investment, Scott,
and we should have
tried towing her out.
Sure. Oh, sure, boy.
But could have made it in time?
Who knows? It's
all part of the game.
Hold it, boys. John, how many
rescues have you been out to?
I guess about a dozen, Father.
- Scott?
- All of them.
OK. Yet you still argue.
- We weren't arguing.
- We were just discussing it.
Listen. For many years, man has
worked to perfect the material things,
and he's done
pretty well for himself.
If a building falls down, he
can soon build it up again.
With life, it's different,
and this is why the object of
International Rescue will never change.
Your job is to save
lives that are in danger,
and that's how it's
gonna be, always. Got it?
- That's OK by me, Father.
- Yeah. Sure, Father.
OK. Go and dip your hot heads
in the pool. I want to read my book!