k OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE TRACY ISLAND CHRONICLES JANUARY-MARCH 2013

HELLO from THUNDERBIRDS NEW STORIES ON NEDNED COOKCOOK Hello readers, and welcome to another TIC! edition of Ned Cook’s NTBS Newsflash. infamy! The Zero-X crew make a horrified WWW TRACYISLANDCHRONICLES COM break for it as the assembled might of the . . I’d like to take this moment to ARE GO! Martian rock snakes sets about spitting LMC’S STORY: acknowledge the passing of a truly great MOVIE SYNOPSIS PART 4 their sparking missiles at the exploration THE TELL man, the man who gave me my first break lee pod, and the crew fire off a hurried may- He was a most charming man. Why, when in television journalism – Gerry Anderson. day as they set off at speed back to Zero-X. When last we left off, the majority of the he spoke of the grand things that filled his When other network executives were (So much for the long-awaited head, those eyes were enough to make even describing me as wooden (one even went extended Tracy Family was frolicking by exploration of Mars, then. The discovery the most suspicious spy believe these were so far as to say I had a face for radio), Mr the pool, while the lone family member of the Mysterons – who must live on the things that would come to pass. with a work ethic was sitting in his other side of the planet, well away from Anderson saw past my polished maple uniform up in Thunderbird Five, the rock snakes – will have to wait for SAMANTHA WINCHESTER’S STORY: brashness and let a fresh-faced rookie wondering where it had all gone wrong. another day, and another earthman with ACID TEST onto his team. He welcomed me into his Actually, he wasn’t wondering. Like any an itchy trigger finger…) The Zero-X- The moment skin touched skin, Virgil yelled world, and you could say he literally made middle-ish child from a large family, he Martian-Rover-thingy then surprises us by out and shot upright in bed, hand clamping me what I am today. His faith and his vision knew it had all gone wrong when his turning from a ground vehicle to an aerial on to Scott's wrist with bone-breaking force. enabled me to rise to great heights as father had insisted on continuing to have one, blasting off into the atmosphere and His eyes stared wildly, uncomprehending. NTBS’s star reporter (covering the children. (It had also gone wrong when returning to dock with Zero-X. "Easy, Virgil!" Scott resisted the urge to pry relocation of the Empire State Building the iron fingers loose from his arm until his his brothers had cashed in the face-lift Back at Tracy Island, the party has moved remains a highlight), and he was also with vouchers their father had bought them brother realized who he was. "Easy. It's just to the pool room, where Jeff and Scott me." me when I plunged to great depths (into all for Christmas.) challenge each other to a green-velvet the pit beneath the Empire State At any rate, in the subzero void of space duel with Virgil keeping score. The game LEE’S STORY: Building…). (nicely juxtaposed against the blistering is only a device though – their minds are DOMINION Without Gerry Anderson, I would never tropical heat of Tracy Island), John is not on the game so much as discussing The man stands over him with the bowl, the have become the globally recognised star monitoring the progress of the Zero-X as black eyes lingering on his own. 'I need you what they’ve heard about the rock snakes that I am today, and if Mr Anderson hadn’t it heads towards Mars. After all the false and the imminent return of Zero-X to awake,' he says, and he shrugs, as if the known exactly where to place me, I would starts (at this point one needs to Earth. statement excuses the sudden violence and appreciate that the Zero-X debacle has the bloom of warm blood that has surely never have met the courageous True to schedule, Zero-X has arrived back blossomed in Virgil's hair. Virgil steels men of International Rescue (although it’s been ongoing for well over a year, leaving home and enters Earth orbit. Given the plenty of time for our heroes to do some himself against the pain, opts to take his a shame they never let me take any green-light, the spaceship penetrates the refuge in denial. photographs). rescuing in-between, instead of lounging upper atmosphere and prepares to by the pool the entire time as the movie reunite with the lifting bodies we last saw Have you read a work of Thank you, Mr quite bizarrely suggests), the Zero-X has at the start of the movie. The Zero-X will Thunderbirds fanfiction that Anderson. You brought finally landed safely on Mars and the crew re-dock with the lifting bodies, and under you think should be included the 21st century to life, have deployed what looks to be the their power be brought back down to the on the Tracy Island and it won’t be the detached Zero-X nose-cone, which Chronicles? Contact our ground. same without you. apparently doubles as a kind of armoured selection panel via email and let us know! Martian Rover thingy. But wait. What? Oh no!!! The crew of the Zero-X-Martian-Rover- There’s a problem with lifting body 2, and thingy are looking for life on the red the Zero-X crew can only watch in horror planet, but in the rocky and waterless as it collides with their ship and then spirals grey wastes (oh, so Mars is not red after out of control and explodes in mid-air. THIS ISSUE: Episode Synopsis...... 1 all?), finding life doesn’t seem likely. Ground Control attempts to send up Only Dr Grant shows any signs of another lifting body, but are advised that Farewell to a Legend...... 2 optimism in their search, pointing out it will all be too late. And even worse, the PennySpy’s Episode Guide...... 3 some weird spirally rocks and opining that collision has damaged the escape units! Chris Thompson’s Thunderbirds Art ..7 the expedition might find life as they Luckily for them, International Rescue’s Brit SciFi Event...... 8 “don’t know it.” The rocks are so unusual chief eavesdropper (John, as if you didn’t Thunderbirds comes to TV21...... 9 that the crew decide to take a sample by know) is listening in, and he quickly relays Thunderbirds are Glo! ...... 12 blowing one up (ah, we humans and our the information to Jeff, who turns to his The End of an Era...... 14 itchy trigger fingers) so they can carry off assembled crew to convey the sorry If you’re interested in THUNDERBIRDS Flights of Fantasy...... 16 a chunk. scenario: Zero-X is coming in on one and all things Tracy Island, how about FICTION: Acid Test...... 19 wing, the escape pod is damaged, and joining the TIWF Yahoo! Group? It's fast, Dr Grant must be psychic, because no easy and FREE! GO TO: sooner do they blast a rocket at one of the whole thing will crash to the ground the ‘rocks’ than they all come to creeping in 30 minutes! www.tracyislandchronicles.com/ life, revealing big red eyes and gaping Will International Rescue be able to save tiwf/tiwf.html maws that spit fireworks – ah, these must the crew of the Zero-X in 30 minutes? Stay STAFF: be the infamous rock snakes of infamous tuned to find out! TRACY ISLAND CHRONICLES Contributing Editor - TRACY ISLAND CHRONICLES Samantha Winchester Contributing Editor - GillyLee Format & Contributing Editor - Lee Contributing Editor - MCJ Original Concept - LMC CONTACT [email protected] www.tracyislandchronicles.com NTBS NEWSFLASH SUBSCRIBE NOW! [email protected] m

1 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 GERRY ANDERSON On what my native country of England calls Boxing Day, You couldn’t help but be inspired by Gerry’s shows. Over December 26, the world lost a legend. the years I’ve met and spoken with so many people who 1929-2012 pursued careers in science, engineering, astronomy and My favorite story about Gerry Anderson dates back to rescue of all kinds because of him. Thunderbirds (and later a visit he made to Tokyo in 2001 for meetings over a co- the Angels in Captain Scarlet) made me want to be an Air FFarewellarewell toto aa LegendLegend production with a Japanese company. On his arrival at Force jet pilot when I grew up, although that particular the first venue, every high powered executive in the ambition turned out to not be possible simply because unlike room stood up to greet him. Gerry made the joke that he the time period in which Thunderbirds was set, the reality supposed they were doing that because the money was in my own timeline was that women just weren’t permitted good…and the response stunned him. “No, we are doing to do such things. Fortunately that’s changed now, and I this because we are all Gerry Anderson’s children.” like to think that Gerry’s programs might have had a hand in encouraging that in some way. It’s hard to ignore the I think that sums it all up right there. We are all Gerry possibilities when you are seeing them every week on your Anderson’s children. I know I was. Even all these television screen. decades later, the opening “5…4…3…2…1… Thunderbirds are go!” countdown still sends thrills down I still like Gerry’s vision of the future. He loved the tech of my spine. Gerry Anderson gave me some of the happiest it, the big machines, the gadgets…but yet understood that too much confidence in all that tech can lead to disaster. memories of my childhood – Marineville disappearing The human element was always what made the difference. into the ground with sirens blaring, Stingray leaping out The message of his shows was frequently about helping of the water, Terror Fish in hot pursuit, Thunderbird One others…his characters were true heroes, putting their lives launching from under the swimming pool in a roar of on the line to save the world. And who didn’t want to be smoke and flame, Thunderbird Two crashing on the part of the Tracy family? Their love for each other shone runway on Tracy Island. The Fireflash, the Sidewinder, from the screen. the Crablogger…and the greatest pod vehicles ever, the A big part of the magic was that Gerry never talked down Firefly and the Mole. I collected the TV21 comics and to his audience. He was creating programs for the whole the annuals faithfully…fortunately, although my mother family, not just us who were kids at the time. He was working looked sidewise at it all, my father was a fan just like hard to make the future not only exciting but also visually Thank you, Gerry, for everything, from the bottom of me and he aided and abetted my passion. For years authentic and real in every possible way. And that, I think, my heart. I’d tell you to rest in peace…but I don’t think we’d quote lines like “Anything can happen in the next is a major reason why so many of us still love his creations that’s really what you’d want. I think you’d rather be half hour!” to each other. Of course my mother threw just as much as adults as we ever did as children – and also up there teaching angels how to blow up clouds. my stash out first chance she got – but I’ve gotten the why every time Thunderbirds is rereleased on television, last laugh. Thanks to the Internet, my Anderson it gains a whole new generation of fans. There just isn’t memorabilia collection has been resurrected in recent anything out there like it, and there hasn’t been for almost Samantha Winchester years and is alive and well and still growing. fifty years. (aka Jaimi Sorrell)

Stand By For ACTION! Gerry Anderson’s Projects Are Still GO There’s good news from Andersonland! Yes, it’s true… even as we are all mourning the loss of Gerry’s creative genius, we have been given a reason to celebrate. Gerry’s youngest son, Jamie Anderson, has picked up the torch. He has just unveiled www.gerryanderson.co.uk, and although it is full of information, pics and videos of all the Anderson shows we know and love, it’s much more than that. It’s also a venue to announce brand new Gerry Anderson productions. Considering how prolific a creator Gerry was, we shouldn’t be surprised to find that he left behind many unfinished projects. Jamie says: “They’ve all got the Anderson magic. There are four of those projects that we’re working and developing right now. None of them are what I call reimaginings. There’s one book and TV project that he was working on for two years that, for me, takes the best elements of an Anderson show and elegantly puts them into a brand new setting. I’m really excited about that one. The others are new but all true to the Anderson spirit.” So against all odds, the future will still be FAB. We can’t wait! Support Jamie in keeping his father’s legacy alive by checking out the new website at www.gerryanderson.co.uk and signing up for updates. You can also see the Official Gerry Anderson Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ GerryAndersonOfficial.

2 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 PENNYSPY’S THUNDERBIRDS EPISODE GUIDE 30: LORD PARKER S OLIDAY Here it is, Parker’s big episode. This becomes very clear at her word and hopes’ that the “inclement‘ weather” won’t part of the lounge. Jeff is hoping that Penelope enjoys her when Parker is featured in the pre-title teaser sequence affect his “outfit.” There’s some snarkery in her voice as “vacation” (aww, difference between American and British much more than he has been before. He’s looking fancy she says this, but Parker isn’t worried, assuring her that phrasing, guys) and Brains does too. Jeff asks if Brains has in what appears to be an orange and gold medieval “the sun h’always shines in Monte Bianco”. had a chance to “evaluate” the solar generator at Monte outfit. All we see of the Tracys in the opening sequence Sure enough, the sun is blazing in the little Mediterranean Bianco. Brains says he has “studied the basic principles,” are a shot of Thunderbird Two gliding over a mountain town of Monte Bianco. The owner of what we assume is but “sure wishes” he could go with Penelope for a closer and Alan watching Brains being lowered in a heat suit. the only hotel in the place, Señor Faccini, is telling the look at it. Clearly Jeff is tight about vacation time. Jeff Also, a big satellite dish looks important. Anybody want only waiter and general punchingp bag, Bruno, that the seems impressed that Professor Lungren seems to have to bet that’s what breaks? town will be very busy because of the solar power “solved the problem of storing electricity on a commercial The show opens on a beautiful sunrise lifting over a experiments. Bruno complains that all the new visitors scale.” Brains is interested to learn more about the mountain town, and the morning light begins to affect a will do is “bring more work,” but Faccini is thrilled that generator’s “cyclonic batteries” which are apparently, big dish on the cliffside. In a room dominated by a the little town will be “famous.” It turns out that sleepy according to Jeff, fuelled by concentrating the sun’s energy scientific-looking swirly thing, two men are watching the Monte Bianco will be the first town in the world to be into “a beam of intense heat” which they use to create day’s arrival with great interest. The older man, the entirely lit by a “solar station.” However, Bruno bitterly power. Hmm. That sounds familiar. Now where..? Anyway, German-accented Professor Lungren, marvels at the sun’s complains that this is “against nature” and that it “will be Jeff calls it a “great breakthrough” and Brains agrees that vast energy and tells his assistant, Mitchell, that tonight a great disaster.” Get used to that phrase, folks. A note although the concept is old, Professor Lungren has “licked” they will “harness a little of that energy” to generate here…how is solar power ‘against nature’? More so than the technological problems. He once again wishes rather fervently that he was “there to see it” – but no luck. Jeff’s enough power for “one small town.” Later, he hopes, they nuclear power, which seems to run everything else in this still not biting. will be able to fuel “the whole world.” Very powerful. universe? Bruno thinks that the sun will “take its revenge” Now that the sun is up, they start to move the dish, using and goes on again about the “great disaster.” “Idioto!” Back at the solar dish, morose music plays over the glowing it to absorb the sun’s rays, and the strong heat haze is Faccini berates him, and sends him “back to work.” light. The Professor monitors output voltage and they very visible on the solar mirror. However, Faccini then guarantees disaster by muttering calculate that the generator will work for twenty hours, The title card then pops up, taking us into a lovely scene “Stupido, what can go wrong?” D’oh. The solar station is, and they’ll activate it when it gets dark. The Professor at Creighton Ward Mansion where Lady Penelope is of course, DOOMED. notes that this may be “earlier” than expected, and we see what he’s looking at…dark clouds approaching. “I think ‘hmming’ over the last of her packing. She calls for Parker, Up in the solar station control room, the scientists are telling him that he may take these last cases down to the we are in for a storm,” he says. Just in case you weren’t keeping a close eye on the temperature “circuit” — “Keep convinced by Bruno the waiter’s dire predictions, that is. car. He enquires if that “will be h’all,” and she thinks so, it below one thousand degrees absolute,” Professor As thunder booms and the rain lashes down, FAB1 pulls apart from a few “knick-knacks” that she’ll bring herself, Lungren instructs Mitchell. He is anxious that the although she’s worrying about forgetting something. up to the hotel and Señor Faccini eagerly greets Penelope aforementioned “cyclonic generators” don’t “break Think it’s likely she’d worry about the oven being left on, with a large umbrella, apologising effusively about how circuit,” because they don’t want to “disappoint” all the like regular people? Perhaps not. Just as Parker’s leaving ashamed he is to welcome her into this weather. He visitors coming that evening. the room laden with Penny’s luggage, she generously tells swears that it “It is terrible, we never rain here for four him he can “consider the next few days a holiday” and Two of these visitors are Penelope and Parker, en route in months.” Every tourist has heard that one, buddy. that he can “feel free” to “discard” the uniform and go FAB1. As Parker’s driving we can assume his leave only Penelope gracefully assures him that “The English are casual (which you could also call ‘mufti’, a word familiar kicks off once they’ve reached the town. Seated always prepared for rain,” as the camera slides down to to British servicemen and others who are used to wearing comfortably in the back of the shocking pink Rolls-Royce, reveal her mud-drenched white pumps. While the uniforms). Less generously, she’s only giving him ten Penelope feels she’s “beginning to catch the holiday thunder rolls, Parker’s socks and sandals combo is in an minutes’ notice to get sorted before they leave. mood” and requests that Parker finds some appropriate even worse state. He snaps “What are you starin’ at? Get The mansion weathers a violent storm as Penelope music on the radio. Try as he might with the dial on the them bags inside!” at poor Bruno. Clearly Parker’s holiday shelters, waiting to get into FAB1. She’s alarmed by the old fashioned radio, Parker can’t get any station without starts here. Think he tips? heavy rain but is anxious to “make a start” and wonders interference. Penelope blames it on the mountains, since Inside the hotel, Faccini tells Penelope that they’ll where on earth Parker’s got to. Well, she did only give him they are “very near them now.” FAB1 may have the hottest celebrate tonight’s solar event with “fancy dress” and a few minutes’ notice. It probably takes that long to get to technology Brains can provide, including submachine guns, offers to show her to her room — which is the best in the the servants’ quarters and back! He turns up right then, but its radio is still defeated by mountains. Let’s take note hotel of course! She must be the biggest celeb at this thing. startling Penelope, dressed in a snazzy straw boater and a of that, shall we — no radio signals! Parker is doing less well, as Bruno snarks, “You’d better bright orange and yellow ensemble designed to cause On Tracy Island it always seems to be a holiday, and a lazy change, señor, before you flood ze hotel.” No kidding, maximum retinal damage. Penelope sees that he took her mood prevails as Jeff chats to Brains in the sheltered off Parker is drenched! One flip of the screen later, though,

3 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 and he’s much more presentable. He’s scrubbed up well, metal tower on top of a mountain might be bad news in place “free from interference” and drives FAB1 away to wearing a bright yellow fancy dress getup complete with this kind of weather. He says that they’ll be “in real find it. Her driving seems to have vastly improved from floppy hat and feather and cape…he looks like he’s off to trouble” if the storm doesn’t ease. The lightning continues the cringeworthy efforts of earlier in the show’s run, visit a Renaissance Faire. Faccini tells him he looks “very to strike, of course, blowing the conductors, and then which is a very positive change (also seen in “Brink of fine” but is more interested to know where “Signorina cracking the metal stanchions supporting the dish. Uh oh. Disaster”). OK, so she then drives FAB1 straight off the Penelope” is. Just then, she makes her appearance at the As the metal twists, the power gauge goes nuts, and the end of a jetty into open water, but luckily, she clearly top of the staircase, all very Scarlet O’Hara in a dramatic Professor orders a cutoff. The sudden darkness freaks out MEANT to do that. And FAB1 is equipped with some orange and black period gown – although with that white the hotel guests until Faccini orders the candles to be rather nifty hydrofoils. Naturally there’s a drunk wig she could only be Marie Antoinette! Faccini is smitten, relit. “Something must be wrong,” Penelope says. “Is it partygoer on a yacht, who drops his glass over the side “Ah, belissima!” Penelope floats to the bottom of the serious, Milady?” Parker asks. Penelope doesn’t know. as the Rolls steams past him. “I’ve heard of pink staircase and calls Parker “dashing,” while he responds by Up in the solar station, lightning strikes again, and the elephants,” he slurs, “but a pink Rolls Royce out at sea, driven by Marie Antoinette, is ridiculous!” telling her, bashfully, that her costume is “a bit of a Professor exclaims that they can’t take much more of this, knockout.” She takes this as a “most gracious compliment” because “the tower will collapse.” He suddenly gets the Once she figures she’s clear of the interference, while the storm continues to rage outside. urge to go out into the dangerous storm and see how the Penelope radios Jeff to explain. Hopefully she’ll be able Some time later, everyone’s sat down to eat by dish is doing, over Mitchell’s protests. Ah, well, Lungren to find her way back to dry land! candlelight, and Penelope is with Parker whilst lots and won’t be the only crazy scientist in this episode. In the On Tracy Island, nearly everyone’s hanging out in the lots of extras fill up the hall. Faccini makes the hotel, Bruno is reciting his favourite line once more as the lounge. Scott’s staring out the window, while Virgil and announcement that soon the town will be entirely lit by dish is hit again, and the tower collapses on top of the Alan read magazines on the sofa and Jeff optimistically power generated directly from the sun. Penelope finds it Professor! Lungren falls on the concrete as the mirror rolls takes on Brains at chess. Penelope’s call finally comes “quite exciting” and Parker concurs. Faccini hushes down the cliff, and back at the hotel, Penelope exclaims, through, and she tells them about the accident with the everyone and then tense music plays while the storm “The reflector’s been smashed!” Cue close-up on the solar mirror. Brains and Jeff quickly get the picture…when roars and he starts the countdown in Spanish. In the solar reflector, intact and lodged halfway down the morning rises over Monte Bianco, the town will be station, Professor Lungren continues the countdown, mountainside. Cue dramatic music! burned to a crisp by the solar reflection, and International Rescue must race the sun itself to save it! Scott, who “Seven…six…five…” When he hits zero he calls “Activate!” Against all odds, the Professor seems to be alright, as still seems heavily medicated compared to last season, and Mitchell throws the switch. In the streets of Monte Mitchell comes up to get him and tells him what’s Bianco, we see the lights all come on in the windows. tells them all blank-faced that Thunderbird One will be happened. In the hotel, Faccini notes that “The storm, There is Light. In the hotel, there is applause. “Magnifico!” underway “in thirty seconds” – because hopefully by she is passing,” and the clouds part to reveal a huge full declares Faccini. Everyone is ridiculously impressed! then his tranqs will have worn off. OK, he doesn’t really moon. The mood eases as the silver light hits the fallen say that last bit, but you can’t help thinking it. Despite At this point, in an earlier season, the Hood would reflector dish, and it fires a pure beam down to the town. probably show up. However, this time nature is the the fact that he’s sitting right next to Virgil, Alan hops up Lots of oohs and aaahs from the guests at this lovely sight. and announces that Thunderbird Two will be “right enemy. The storm is worsening…the Professor endears Faccini thinks that this is lovely, and they all go outside to himself to us when he complains that the forecast was behind him.” Surely that earned him a wedgie from her enjoy it. At their table, Parker comments on how things pilot in the privacy of the cockpit. Then we’re treated to “light rain, so much for the weather satellite.” Hasn’t have a “strange way” of “turning out for the best” and improved much, Prof! He and Mitchell are worried that lengthy launches from stock footage, which really show that the mirrored moonlight is “almost like day.” off the changes in the designs and film stock quality, these “freak storms” can “get ppretty violent.” In Penelope’s spider sense tingles at this, and she since series one. It’s worth a smile to see the “original” punctuation, an impressively rendered streak of lightning thoughtfully repeats, “Yes, Parker, almost like day…” cuts across the clouds. Scott and Virgil appear for a few moments during that As she ponders this, Bruno seems to spot a sympathetic process. Down in the hotel, Parker is perturbed by a big plate of ear. He grabs her, telling her (surprisingly) that it will be pasta. In fairness, that’s a pretty unappetising looking slop Jeff instructs Brains to join the brothers, as this will be a “great disaster” – and then whispering something else “a tricky one.” Brains is going to get his wish to see the of bolognaise he’s got in front of him. Penelope gently in her ear. Faccini shoos him away, apologising for the instructs him to “wind it around the fork.” Amazing to solar generator up close, although not really in the way interruption. When he leaves, Parker asks Penelope he wanted! think at the time that pasta was an exotic dish, at least for what Bruno told her. Apparently, Bruno thinks that when Parker, lots of class questions being raised by this pasta. the sun rises tomorrow “it will be a great disaster” and We’re exactly halfway through the episode, and the sun The lights flicker ominously, and Faccini assures the guests Penelope believes “he may be right.” She has seen the will soon rise on Monte Bianco. that there’s nothing to worry about, because “the storm series to date, of course, so that’s a bit of a no-brainer. As the Thunderbirds launch, Grandma asks why Jeff will soon pass. He calls for “musica,” and look, Cass She elects to call Jeff Tracy straight away, and orders suddenly looks so worried. He explains that he’s got “a Carnaby, the suave musician from “The Cham-Cham,” is Parker to find Bruno and “make sure he tells no one.” feeling” about this assignment, adding to the general at the piano! Is he doing a gig here? Have to wonder if he Surely he’s told everyone by now, only they all think tension in an episode where half the cast seem to have recognises Penelope as a blonde! Bruno isn’t listening to he’s nuts? Although evacuating the town would make a turned psychic. his boss or the “musica,” — he looks out of the window lot of sense, Penelope thinks it’s a better idea to keep Penelope has returned to the hotel and informs Parker and repeats, “It will be a great disaster.” Well, the guy everyone close, as they “may need every pair of hands” that International Rescue are on their way. She also finally isn’t going to be losing any bets, there… to fight any fires that arise. This baffles Parker, but tells him what the actual danger is. Penelope will now Up on the mountainside, the solar mirror gets struck — Penelope’s already gone. get changed and drive up to the solar station, for reasons c’mon, you knew that was going to happen! — and the Still in full Marie Antoinette costume, Penelope attempts best known to herself. She orders Parker to make sure no Professor realises it’s attracting the lightning “like a to radio Jeff Tracy from FAB1. It doesn’t work and she guest leaves the hotel. He ponders how to achieve that magnet.” Obviously nobody told him that sticking a big reasons that the storms aren’t helping. She thinks of a while she drives away again, with much more sensible

4 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 hair and clothing. Parker now accosts Bruno and tells him response until he tells him “Lord Parker” wants him fill Scott in on the plan, which is surely the wrong way the “trouble” in store tomorrow, using the patented downstairs. Faccini complains about the early hour until around, and Scott says, “I’ll stick around in case I can help.” method of ‘speak loudly and slowly to foreigners as if he realizes what Bruno said. Lord Parker. He perks up Stick around? You mean there was actually an option where they’re deaf.’ Bruno, of course, immediately repeats his significantly at the magic ‘L’ word. he left the scene? That’s it, we’ve crossed over into by now classic, “It will be a great disaster!” Parker enlists Meanwhile, Scott takes some snaps of the dish — Thunderbirds Bizarro World. Bruno’s help, explaining that they need all the guests “switching camera to instantaneous transmission” — and As Brains is lowered from the hatch under Thunderbird present in order to fight any fires caused by the dish. He Brains looks at them as they come out of a machine in a Two’s nose in a white protective suit, Alan warns him not hits on the idea of keeping them all “occupied” in the continuous row, like a ticker tape of photos. Brains thinks to look down “too much” as it’s “a long drop.” Brains lands morning by getting them all to “play a little game.” that although it looks “tricky” the “rotation gear seems inside the wrecked girders under the dish and tells Alan Up at the solar station, Penelope checks on the Professor, undamaged,” and he’s hopeful that they may be able to to “stop the winch.” He is soon cross that he can barely who seems to be a friend of hers — he tells her he’s sorry “tilt the rotator up so that it faces skywards.” Alan points move within the harness. He takes it off, and the sudden they had to meet again “under such tragic circumstances.” out to Brains that he said earlier that it weighs 400 tons, loss of tension in the cable alarms Alan and Virgil. Maybe he’s Professor Borender’s cousin (from “The Perils and Brains admits it “won’t be easy” but that it’s their Frustrated, Virgil says he told him not to take chances, to of Penelope”)? Mitchell says he’s “done some “only chance.” Unless they can get a shedload of black which Brains responds tartly, “Don’t worry. I know what calculations,” and the sun won’t be high enough “to do paint up there, maybe? Maybe not. I’m doing” — with a little “I hope” added on under his breath. He then freaks out a little at the looong drop much damage” until about 6:30am. As it’s currently 5:13am, Down at the hotel, Parker starts his cheeky Greek chorus they have just under an hour and a quarter until then. stretching out below him, with only his arms around the of Bingo calling, putting on even more pompous airs than girder stopping him from falling. Jeff’s going to be mad as As the sun sets on Tracy Island, Grandma is still watching usual as he organizes the event. Turns out he’s got hell if they lose their genius, you know. Virgil adds to the the horizon with Jeff, for whom the sunset “holds no everyone interested in playing the game by pretending pressure, reminding him to hurry up as time is running pleasure” as he points out “as the sun sets here, on the to be a real English lord who often “travels incogniko” out. other side of the world it’ll rise on sleeping Monte Bianco.” [sic!] Here comes the sun. Alan repeats the admonition to be Gulp. In Thunderbird Two, Virgil radios base (this is the first careful as the scientist begins a difficult climb up the dish As the sun rises, Thunderbird One has reached the area time he’s spoken in this episode!). The signal is badly surface beside the girders. As he climbs, Brains tells Alan and zooms above the town, with Scott telling Thunderbird distorted. He tells Jeff that they’ll be over the dish in two to lower the magnetic clamp, and Virgil opens the hatch Two his ETA. Virgil doesn’t seem to be talking to Scott in minutes. Because of the “communications problem,” Jeff as Brains scrambles to another position. Lots of tense foot this episode, as he doesn’t say a word…Alan responds to announces that he’s making Virgil responsible for “any on slippage here. We’re reminded of the presence of the Scott, and then Brains asks if Scott’s been able to contact the spot decisions.” ever-looming sun as Brains directs Alan…”Down about the solar station. Scott couldn’t get through, blaming Hang on just a minute here. Thunderbird One is right five feet. Steady…steady…” He tells Alan to stop, and then “residual static,” but Brains still urgently wants to know there! There’s no “communications problem” between makes a grab for the magnet. And slips, sliding down the the situation. Scott suggests he use the “radio camera” to One and Two. So isn’t Scott the field commander slick surface out of the shot! send a “few shots” to Brains when he gets there. anymore? Did he do something to get removed as mission There are gasps of horror — but we quickly realize we’ve As the sun rises and the danger grows, the crew at the leader (all those tranquilizers, maybe?). This feels all cut back to Parker and his bingo game, and the gasps were Solar Station have also realised that they can’t make any wrong…the chain of command seems to have been from the excited players in the room. He proclaims, “’Old radio calls and are frustrated that they can’t do anything thrown out of the window, inexplicably…rousing echoes on, ‘old on…Honest Lord Parker doesn’t pay out until he’s but watch the town burn. Penelope, knowing help is on of the same situation in “Alias Mr Hackenbacker.” What checked your card!” We can assume at least someone is the way, elects to make a move and take the Professor to happened to the resourceful, decision-making Scott of winning so far. hospital as he “needs treatment.” She adds that she’s the first season? The one who backed down his father in Back at the dish, Brains is of course safe…he tortuously contacted IR and that “they’ll take care of everything”. “City of Fire” by saying that if they couldn’t use the climbs back up again and positions the magnetic clamp. It’s activated, and then Virgil tells him to get clear of the But what if they fail? Oxyhydnite gas, they might as well just go home? Did pJeff’s rough treatment of him in “Atlantic Inferno” give area. Brains doesn’t have to be told twice! He comments Down at the hotel, Parker and Bruno have been hard at him a crisis of confidence? that he’s “getting mighty hot inside this suit,” and the work, and have set up the grandly named ‘Lord Parker’s climb down again looks just as difficult. The sun is getting Bingo’ game. Wonder where they got all that sign and Jeff then piles on the pressure for Virgil by adding, “Be nearer. Soon, though, Virgil tells Alan that “Brains is clear” bingo card printing done, and at such short notice? Pleased careful. I’ve got a feeling about this one,” and he doesn’t and that he’s “taking her up.” TB2 starts to gain altitude, with the results, Parker then instructs poor Bruno to go mean the fuzzy kind. Virgil says he’ll take responsibility, the aim obviously to tilt the dish upwards. At first it won’t and wake all the hotel guests, even though Bruno points but again, surely mission control and tough decisions are budge, and remains stuck even as Virgil increases power. out they only went to bed at 3.00am. Parker insists that in Scott’s remit? Brains is watching this and still looks a bit too close, they need to be woken and fully distracted by the game Alan spots the dish, and Virgil notices the sun, and says frankly. Alan points out anxiously that “it’s still not before all the action and danger begins. A cock crows as if they’ll have to “work fast.” He hovers Thunderbird Two shifting,” so Virgil declares he’s going “all the way — full to emphasise that it’s dawn. Danger is nearer than ever. over the reflector, and Brains strongly insists on going thrust!” (Steady, ladies.) No luck, though. “It’s no good,” Parker compounds Bruno’s problems by telling him to down to check the dish out “at close quarters,” despite he finally says. “The reflector’s too heavy.” he says. wake the manager, Faccini, first, as they’ll need him to Alan’s adamant objection that it isn’t his job. As they argue, Brains surmises that “the rotation gear must be jammed,” organise the guests. Bruno looks appropriately glum about Virgil tells them to quit it and as time is getting short, he and asks Alan to send down “the laser unit.” this. As he shuffles off, Thunderbird One has arrived, and makes the decision to let Brains go down there. Virgil Parker keeps up the commentary by announcing “Thing Scott skims her down for “a closer look” at the solar dish. sternly warns Brains not to take “any chances” and orders are really ‘otting up now. Number One, gimmee the gun!” Then Bruno tries to wake Faccini, getting a very grumpy Alan to help out with the descent. Only then does Virgil As above, so below, hmm?

5 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 Brains now undoes the hatch into the rotation gear of the It’s night time on Tracy Island, and all is well. Jeff checks in dish. We know that because the hatch is helpfully labelled, with his crew, asking if they are “certain that Brains is OK.” like all things in the show. The dish itself probably has the It’s worth noting here that only Thunderbird Two’s cockpit words “Solar Reflector” painted on it, somewhere. Brains is seen here…there’s no sign of Scott and he isn’t included CHECK FOR: declares he’s located the trouble — “the gear’s jammed.” in the debriefing. I’d be looking for a pink slip in my pay > Reused stock footage of a launch: Again, the differences between Season One footage and now are very He thinks it’ll take “a couple of minutes” for him to cut envelope soon if I were him… Jeff says he’s “glad this one is over—I had a feeling something might go wrong.” Brains obvious. Lengthy launches shown, though. through. Deep-frowning Virgil doesn’t think they have a > Hitting on Tin-Tin: Where is she? couple of minutes…”the hotel’s starting to smoke!” chimes in, telling him not to worry, and Alan thinks they’ll be home for breakfast. “Breakfast?” Jeff exclaims, “it’s > Tin-Tin and Alan snuggle: She's missing from the It is indeed…we can now see that the roof is already 2.00am here, I’m going to bed!” and Brains makes a crack episode. starting to smoke. Was keeping everyone there really a about how with all the differences in the time zones, > Tin-Tin snuggles someone else: Maybe that's where good idea, Penny? But Virgil’s words give their chief sometimes “even I get confused!” Everyone laughs, and she was… scientist a brainwave. “Smoke! Why didn’t I think of that Thunderbird Two flies on home. Thunderbird One is > Each bro's appearance: Tranquilised Scott blowing before?” He asks if Scott’s still around. The fact that he nowhere to be seen. smoke and not much else, and Virgil in charge of the mission even has to ask is pretty disturbing. If I were their erstwhile instead? Baffling. Alan gets most of the lines (Virgil doesn't field commander I’d start worrying about being written Back at the hotel in Monte Bianco, over tea, Penny feels even speak until they actually reach the danger zone), and out of the show. Of course, Scott’s still in the area, and she’s owed an “explanation” from “Lord” Parker. Parker Gordon's MIA except for one silent appearance. Sorry, John Brains suggests that he uses the “new device” which was has his cape wrapped around him, hiding the brightly fans, he doesn't even get to hand over from Penelope's call conveniently installed “last week.” Scott has heard the colored regalia from last night, and has ditched the to Jeff. No relay via Thunderbird Five here…was their space request and swoops in to help out. feathered hat. He explains that he felt the guests would station offline for maintenance? be “more inclined” to take orders from an “English lord” > IR's fantastic-but-unreliable equipment!: All Bingo! At this, Parker congratulates a lucky winner and and that he “anticipated” that she would not mind. working ship shape here, although there's very little to do. cheers, “Now we’re goin’ like a house on fire!” At this he Presumably she’s a bit miffed that he pretended to have Kudos that the magnetic grab didn't fail! Brains must be gulps and says to himself, “What am I sayin’?” Yep, the a title — is it illegal to pass oneself off as a member of the using better suppliers. house is, literally, now on fire. Almost. Sort of burnt toast British aristocracy, perhaps? But in any case But now she > I'm SURE all the photo evidence got destroyed': levels at this point. Still not good. says, “All right, Parker, in the circumstances, we’ll forget No sabotage by our bald friend this time, and everyone Scott swoops around, blowing a huge cloud of dirty black it” and asks him what got all the guests “so engrossed” was kept busy at the hotel so nobody was out taking pictures. smoke from Thunderbird One’s rear. Let’s assume he’s that they “didn’t notice the danger.” Parker explains that trying to block the sun, as it’s not clear at this point. At it was a game “very popular in my youth, as I remember. > Alan-teasing: Nope, although he does nab a lot of the lines during the rescue. one point he says, “How am I doing, Brains?” At which Bingo.” Penelope remains baffled and says he’ll have to Brains pauses in his laser cutting and looks out of the hatch > Rescuing one of their own: Brains putting himself in “instruct” her “sometime.” He promises that he will. harm's way, although he doesn't actually need rescuing, door at the sun, which is being rapidly obscured by the Hmm, who thinks bingo will barely hold her attention for smoke. “FAB, Scott!” he responds, and goes back to his and Lady Penelope making sure no one else needs rescuing. about five minutes? Unless there was a massive cash prize, > Vehicles used: Mainly TB1 and 2. task. Shortly after that he calls up to Virgil and Alan that which Parker is perhaps keeping quiet about. > Surprisingly dextrous puppet hands: Brains' puppet he’s “freed the rotation gear,” and Virgil says he’ll start Now that the excitement is over, Penelope is ready to hit the lift as soon as Brains is clear. Brains is once again feet scrabbling up the side of the solar mirror, and back the beach, and suggests “Lord Parker” goes to change, town again -- nerve wracking. complaining to himself about the suit, and that he can because “the sun is shining.” He smugly tells her he’d “hardly move” in it. > Brains actually at a rescue: Somewhat unbelievably “h’anticipated” her again, and with a terrifying cry of here. Brains is surely IR's most valuable asset, but pushes A few moments later his voice comes through in Two’s “BINGO!” he yanks open the cape to flash her his blue and himself front and centre into the danger zone, leaving the cockpit, “OK, boys, take her up!” Exciting music plays as white striped, long sleeved bathing suit, which was Tracy brothers to peer inertly from their flying machines and they try one final time! As Thunderbird Two hauls upward, probably the height of beach fashion in the 1920s! Then shout 'look out' when everything goes explodey. the dish finally starts to tilt to a safe angle. But then, again, perhaps we should be thankful he didn’t opt for > CRASH ZOOM drinking game: Every time the SUN disaster! As the dish tilts, it collapses back against the cliff Speedos… In any case, Penelope is rendered utterly LOOMS over the town. And of course, every time Bruno and sets off a rockslide — and we see a white protective speechless. Hopefully she didn’t mace him right after the says "It will be a great disaster". suit tumble down the mountainside! “Brains!” Alan camera cut away! > 'Biggest Jerk of the episode' award: The pompous exclaims in horror. “Virgil, he’s fallen!” hotel manager yelling at Bruno and sucking up to LadyP “Lord Parker’s ‘Oliday” is a well-made episode with quirky and then to Parker when he thought he was an English It gets worse. Huge rocks tumble downward, and then the touches, and Lady Penelope’s midnight drive as Marie lord. Parker aims for a close second in the snob stakes, and dish itself goes crashing down after them! Rocks pound Antoinette — over water, yet! — was a surreal high point. finally Brains deserves a mention here for keeping schtum and pound the earth — and the protective suit! — and the The foreshadowing is a bit heavy handed (‘I have a bad about his suit removal until AFTER the Tracy brothers were dish caps it off by landing last. At least it winds up with the feeling about this’ and the oft-repeated ‘It will be a great panicking like crazy - which he surely heard. reflector side downward. One white gloved hand is left disaster’), all of which was an obvious attempt to convince > It was the 60s!: Parker getting them all to play sticking out from the tons of rubble. Oh no…have Jeff’s us that Brains really had been smooshed by a falling solar bingo…although revived and popular in the UK today, it premonitions, and Bruno’s dire predictions, come true? mirror. It’s all slickly filmed, with loving attention to detail, still seems baffling. Also, Parker's total bafflement at this Virgil frantically calls Scott, saying “there’s been an and there’s nothing wrong with it at all, at first glance. It’s exotic new food called pasta…this episode also serves as accident…Brains has fallen…can you assist?” Scott, who also the second time in the series that the sun has been a an indicator of the British class system, especially at the has obviously been hitting the tranqs again judging by his time, with Parker 'lording it' over the riff raff, whilst Penelope major threat, and it’s interesting to see how differently remains polite and thoughtful to the bitter end. all-too-calm response, says, “Sure, Virgil, I’ll see what I it’s handled this time. There’s not a space rocket in sight. can do.” Not even a frowny face. Hmm. > The Jeff jinx!: It's all backwards this time…Jeff actually In the comics, they probably would have sent Thunderbird calls the sense of impending doom correctly, while the hotel Alan is worried enough for both of them, and asks “Are Three up to try block out the sun! manager gets to fill the role of inflicting the jinx on the we just gonna sit here?” Virgil says that Scott’s doing But while there’s a lot to appreciate here, the increasing solar reflector by asking "What can go wrong?" “everything possible,” although what this is isn’t at all clear. relegation of the Tracy brothers to supporting characters > Unanswered Questions: So at what point did Scott Surely Two would be more useful, seeing that they can in their own show loses this episode a point, especially get reduced to silent subordinate and Virgil get put in lower someone to the accident scene? given the peculiar alterations in rescue command charge of missions? What happened to John and Alan is the most emotional of the three, sounding stunned structure, which don’t really make sense in the context of Thunderbird Five? And how did Lady P get back onto the as he says, “I saw him fall — he must have been killed.” shore after hurtling off the jetty? Did she drive around most of the previous twenty-nine episodes. Scott’s looking for a ramp? Minor gripe as well, but characters do There’s another sad close up on the little glove sticking command role (and voice) is increasingly MIA, and there’s like to whinge at Jeff for not getting time off to join Penelope. out. It doesn’t look hopeful. a sense of things shifting towards Penelope and Alan more However, if this episode comes right off the end of "Alias Then a second later, Brains is on the top of the cliff, radioing than the other characters. (Isn’t Gordon the relief pilot Mr Hackenbacker," then perhaps Jeff thinks Brains has had to say, “Don’t worry, boys, I’m fine.” He tells them that he for Thunderbird Two…just asking? And where the heck is enough 'vacationing' for a while? took off the “awkward suit” and Virgil orders him to “get John?) This creates a real sense of unbalance, and leads > Best Second Series hair: A spectacular Marie back in that safety harness and that’s an order!” Brains us to wonder what the backstory behind Scott’s suddenly Antoinette wig means Penny wins effortlessly. gives a rather flirty, “Yes, sir” in response. Gawd. Now sidelined role could possibly be — but the episode brings > Most Overused Phrase: Very obviously - 'It will be a why isn’t Scott tearing him a new one for that? We see no a fun, whimsical story otherwise. And even if it great disaster' and also 'I have a bad feeling about this'. response from Scott at all, in fact…and then we cut away occasionally overplays the foreshadowing of doom, it And Brains goes on and on about his discomfort before from the scene. mostly does it with panache and charm. taking off the awkward protective suit, too. > New category - But couldn't they have just…?: : Scott partially addresses this by covering up the sun with a thick smoke screen, but perhaps another way to stop a mirror reflecting is to chuck a great deal of black paint onto it? Or covering it in dirt? At the very least, that might have worked as a backup plan…although perhaps those solutions wouldn't have been so exciting. Fortunately for all of them, the mirror crashed to the bottom of the valley - and didn't really squash Brains in the process. A SOLID 7/10 Next time: RICOCHET! 6 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 THUNDERBTHUNDERBIII RDSRDS ARTART FFROMROM FFIII LLMMAKERMMAKER CHCHRRISIS THOMPSONTHOMPSON Part Four of our continuing series on Chris Thompson's Thunderbirds artwork Artwork © Chris Thompson.

THE MOLE [above] THE DOMO’S LAST STAND [below] A storm has hit Malaysia, causing an illegal diamond mine to collapse and trap several A devastating tsunami has the inhabitants of a South Pacific island in its grip. miners. Because of the poor construction of the mine, water is leaking in. As International rescue is on the scene. Scott buys vital minutes by using the International Rescue arrive they receive word that the nearby Bakun Dam has burst Domo to reinforce the last crumbling flood defence while Virgil and Alan and the entire area is about to be flooded. desperately clear the island hospital. Will IR clear the inhabitants in time? With only minutes to spare, Virgil takes the "Mole" and plots a direct path to the Will the flood defence hold? trapped men, knowing full well there won't be time to get back up again... Has Scott doomed himself to certain death? Chris’s notes: This was the first picture I completed following Gerry's death. I thought about Chris’s notes: : Made to brush up on my skills for the Fanderson Forum design putting together a tribute image or something but nothing came to mind/hadn't been done competition. The prize was that I adapt the winning design and the artwork I made already. I'd already been working on this piece for some time so I went ahead with this one. would be then printed and signed by Gerry Anderson. Disappointingly only 3 people The setup plot-line is pretty close to the Hood's origin from the 2004 film, which I kind of liked. entered, but on the flip-side, all 3 won. I decided to model the Domo as practice in order to get down all the intricate details and IR stylings. This was during my early It gave him more motivation than "He's evil, just cuz". I also quite liked the idea of using the attempts at doing water so I think it came down rather well. Mole as a lifeboat, a situation so desperate IR are literally crossing bridges as they come to them. Made with: Vue 9, with lots of Photoshop and Particle Illusion. Made with: Vue 10, Particle Illusion, Google sketch-up, Mud, Metal, Epic, and some vague info on Malaysia I obviously Googled in five minutes... THE RED ARROW [below] The Red Arrow destroys the evil General Bron's fighter ("Edge of Impact"). Chris’s notes: : I was getting stuck for images for Fanderson's TV21 Convention (2010), so a friend suggested I do something more obscure like the Red Arrow. So I did - I figured it would be interesting to actually pit it against General Bron's fighter - something that didn't occur on screen. Oddly enough few people recognise it, as it was only ever seen from the side in the episode. As an interesting side note, a friend who has read the original "Edge of Impact" script recalls a scripted but not shot scene towards the end of Thunderbird 1 shooting down Bron in his fighter. Made with: Vue 6, Photoshop

more of Chris Thompson’s artwork will be featured next issue...

7 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 BritTIWF’s Pen Turner reports on the SciFithird Brit SciFi event at Leicester’s The National National Space Center (March 9-10 2013), this time honouring the Space Centre memory of Gerry Anderson. She was accompanied at the event by TIWF members Elizabeth and David. There were no reported sightings of Ned Cook. 3 We arrived at the Space Centre on Saturday morning about signed by his father, for the best question. Some of the half an hour after the event had opened; we had prebooked questions were from people asking what Gerry’s favourite our tickets and expected to be able to walk in, but instead character had been (Parker got a mention, so did Marina from found a long queue for the prebooked entrance while the pay- Stingray), or the panel’s own favourite Anderson series episode at-the-door entrance was almost empty. Talking to the staff or piece of Barry Gray music. later, they told us they had been totally overwhelmed by the I asked if the Thunderbirds series recently announced for a numbers of pre-bookings (800 in all) and had not expected 2015 début was the same one that Gerry had mentioned the everyone to arrive so early! day the stamps came out (in January 2011). It turns out it While queuing we were entertained by various people in isn’t, though Jamie said he couldn’t say any more than that costumes walking around outside, including a Cyberman, a for legal reasons. TIWF member David ended up winning the clockwork robot and a ‘Tom Baker’ Doctor Who with K9 on coveted stamps for asking a bold question about the ‘dark a lead. side’ of Gerry Anderson…any faults or flaws that Gerry had. Once we were inside the first thing that caught my eye was a Jamie’s initial answer was that his father’s navigational skills large screen showing stills from the various Anderson shows, were somewhat lacking -- he had been known to get them lost plus banners hanging down featuring Virgil Tracy, Thunderbird on more than one occasion! Others on the panel mentioned Brit SciFi Hall (below) 1, Lady Penelope and Parker, and Joe 90. This year’s Brit how he often lacked patience in business deals and would SciFi event was commemorating the life and career of Gerry ‘burn his bridges’. Anderson by raising funds for the Alzheimers’ Society, who Hilarity ensued at one point during the discussion; I forget the had a table there with information; people with fund-raising exact question that had been asked, but one of the panel buckets were also wandering around all weekend (the term mentioned an episode of NCS where ‘Scarlet was buggered’ ‘people’ is used loosely here, as their number included various and Phil Ford’s face registered some surprise; you could see well-known aliens -- who could say ‘no’ to a Cyberman asking him thinking ‘I don’t remember writing that one!’ before he for a donation?) realised the speaker was talking metaphorically. At first the Space Centre seemed chaotic – tables were dotted There was also an interesting discussion about how the around amongst the ordinary exhibits featuring models, props limitations of the different media (marionettes vs. CGI) could and stills from various iconic British SciFi series including affect the script. Marionettes had their drawbacks - walking, Blake’s Seven, Redthe Dwarf getaway and Doctor Who. There was plenty picking things up, but CGI has problems too -- depicting of merchandise onspace offer to walk tempt our purses as well as people moving hair, fabrics, water. Thinking of all the water used in whose hobby was to build a Dalek (about 400 hours’ work) Thunderbirds episodes (and explosions in water) you can see or a Cyberman headthe watchtower(and we think writing fanfic is an that the stories might have been very different if the newer eccentric pursuit!). technology had been available. by writer Phil Ford, Nick Briggs, who provides voices for One interesting stand was the ‘Minister of Chance’. This is Judith Preece had been a puppeteer on Terrahawks, and at one Daleks and Cybermen and Mat Irvine, the visual effects an independent ‘crowd-funded’ episodic audio play that point she was talking about operating those puppets, which designer who designed and built K-9. We also made time to describes itself as a ‘sonic movie: a film produced without a were controlled from below. At this point, Richard Gregory look round some of the regular exhibits of the Space Centre, camera, but with filmic sound, orchestral score and script’. reached behind him and produced a Scott Tracy marionette, including taking part in a simulator ride to Europa and watching It has a distinguished cast including Jenny Agutter, Sylvester which elicited gasps from the audience. He explained that this a planetarium show. On Sunday Elizabeth and I made a detour McCoy and Paul McGann; for more details check out their had been the late Christine Glanville’s own model of Scott. into the old part of the Leicester in the morning to visit the website at www.ministerofchance.com. About 50% is made from parts she had had in her garage, the famous car park where the body of Richard III has recently Several Doctor Who fans were walking around in costume; rest had to be remade. This was the model used in the Kit Kat been discovered, and see a very over the two days I saw at least five incarnations of different advert. interesting exhibition in the Guildhall Doctors, several UNIT staff, plus Amy, Donna, Ace and River Having read in Glo Thorogood’s article about this model [see about finding the last Plantagenet king Song. Glo’s piece in this issue of Ned Cook’s NTBS Newsflash – of England. Anderson Alley had its own room, where we found models of Ed], I was glad to know that it is still in good hands and not Apart from the weather (which was craft and characters, the Moonbase Alpha ‘set’ that I had just sitting in a glass case belonging to some collector. However, wet and cold) it was a great weekend previously seen at Cosford, a couple of actors from Space: I was not so pleased later that day when we were leaving to with lots going on. Hope some more of 1999 signing autographs, a table with Fanderson merchandise, see Jamie, Judy and Richard sitting together in the café and I you can make it to Brit SciFi 4 next and Richard Farrell from Andersonic selling his magazines and realised that the chair beside Richard was occupied by a black year! the Thunderbirds Haynes manual. plastic bin bag which must have contained Scott! At least Glo David with his stamps (right) Talks were held at various times of the day in a side room, and carries Virgil around in a baby carrier -- but a bin bag!!! one we did not want to miss was a panel led by Gerry [Scream! – Ed] Anderson’s youngest son Jamie Anderson (who has taken up The Q&A session finished (actually it ran out of time -- it the task of preserving and promoting his father’s legacy, as could have gone on much longer but there was another panel well as developing projects Gerry left behind). He was joined scheduled) with Jamie showing us the opening sequence of a by New Captain Scarlet writer Phil Ford, Mark Woollard (FX trailer for ‘The Anderson Legacy’. I’m looking forward to artist and director of New Captain Scarlet) Richard Gregory seeing the rest of this! [A video of the Q&A session can be (visual and special effects artist from Space Precinct and seen on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/ Terrahawks) and Judy Preece (puppeteer from Terrahawks). watch?v=wBRrqqSzN-A&feature=share – Ed] Jamie started the Q&A session by saying he would award a As well as that talk, we also attended others over the weekend Scott at Brit SciFi 2013 set of the Royal Mail commemorative Gerry Anderson stamps, on various aspects of Doctor Who production, including a talk Jamie Anderson at the Q&A Panel

8 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 THUNDERBIRDS IN THE TV CENTURY 21 COMICS Norm de Plume TV CENTURY 21 ISSUES #118 - 124 (22 Apr 2067 - 3 Jun 2067) Thunderbirds: "Newfoundland Quake Makers" by Alan Fennell (?) Illustrated by Frank Bellamy TV21 #118 wrote this and issue 141 didn’t really know what “Moscow. Morning of May 8th 2067...” The opening the “point on the Earth’s surface that is directly scene is a calm cityscape with the iconic ‘onion’ above the hypocenter or focus, the point where an domes of Moscow. Suddenly people scatter as an earthquake or underground explosion originates” earthquake takes place and jets are scrambled at is [Wikipedia]. breakneck speed. International Rescue rushes After a beautiful drawing by Bellamy showing the too...without any obvious signs of being asked! reflected light on TB2’s underside [below], the Mole Perhaps this is because they are getting ahead of is set to go 5,000 feet underground and we learn themselves — after all, this first episode is printed the Mole has an x-ray scanner. This alerts Brains on “22 April 2067,” 10 days before the events take and Virgil to a cavern with “machine tracks” on the place! The lads (and Tin-Tin in a rare appearance) floor. Cut to Jeff and Scott on Tracy Island where deal with a gas main explosion and rubble in Red Jeff is heading to bed and Scott covers things for Square (sounds like a James Patterson title to me!). him...another query answered — what happens They save a man from the rubble and head home. when Jeff gets tired? Meanwhile the Mole is Jeff Tracy compliments “the boys” — presumably heading forward when Virgil asks “Any idea where he didn’t know Tin-Tin was there — but Brains we are, Brains?” I know I have never driven the Mole, mutters “But was it necessary?” He refers to the fact but I wonder if it’s safe to drive such a vehicle there was no warning or pre-shocks and then one without having some sort of guidance system and of the brothers tells ‘Pa’ to look at the “headlines on map on board. Especially given the temperatures the evening paper” which show “400 Million Stolen down at 5,000 plus feet! We then see the Mole break in Gold from Quake City.” Interestingly, we see a through into the ocean and Virgil quickly goes to paper copy of a newspaper called “News back up but the tracks slip and they tumble. No code Extra!”...who delivered it? Why is it not an e- at the end of the story again, but this headline (or newspaper? There is no coded message at the should that be footline?) “IR alerted following bottom of the page this time, but instead a breakdown of communications with the Mole”. message: “Bank thieves make good their escape”. TV21 #120 TV21 #119 We see the Mole falling to the sea bed and Virgil Brains agrees with Jeff that the earthquake looks tells Brains that the engines are not working and man-made, so off he goes with Virgil in their oxygen supply is “none too full.” They call John Thunderbird 2 to investigate, saying, “By the way in Thunderbird 5...wait a moment, weren’t we told the buildings collapsed I’d say the epee-centre of just last issue there was a breakdown in comms? the quake was in Red Square.” Now, when we get So how come they can get through to TB5? ‘Pa’ is to include TV21 #141 in this series I want you to woken and Scott tells him the situation, which remember this particular issue. What did Brains say? apparently has the Mole in the White Sea. The “epee-centre”? I might forgive the hyphen, as the distance from Moscow to the nearest point on the word might have been wrapping within the speech White Sea is 1,248 kilometers (775.47 miles in old bubble, and an American spelling wouldn’t upset money) — 16 hours driving time! So not only have me, but “epee”?? Later, in #141, we will see whoever they gone 5,000 feet underground, but also 775

9 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 miles horizontally! Is it any wonder they are nearly out of oxygen? The plan is that Scott takes Thunderbird 1 to fetch TB2 to fly back and get Thunderbird 4 for the rescue and he takes Alan with him, who handles the return with TB2. Remember that communication breakdown? Forget it, TB1 contacts Virgil who lets Scott know that the Mole is upside down and therefore they can’t use the escape unit. The final panel shows Scott pointing TB1 down towards the surface of the sea, saying “We’ll see about that.” What’s he going to do? Can TB1 now swim? We’ll have to wait and see. TV21 #121 Ah, Scott fires two missiles and that frees the Mole from the seabed. Brains and Virgil are able to use scanner. The continuity person needs firing! Soon of TB1 in the dark with a device underneath — not the escape pod and TB2 finally arrives and sends Brains sees a machine resembling the Mole itself. really resembling what Bellamy drew. Brains says TB4 to retrieve the Mole and they get it (and The lack of a code at the bottom of the episode “I’ll call in the rest of the boys, Scott, you’d better presumably TB4) aboard TB2 just as the news comes means we can see instantly (without wearing out tell your father,” and Scott replies he will keep track from Tracy Island that there is an earthquake in our code capabilities), “Bank of Montreal robbed! of the digger. Jeff, back at base, says it’s not their Montreal, Canada. They are ordered to the danger Thieves used cover of earthquake.” job to catch crooks but as “prevention is better than zone. Now don’t think I’m quibbling but TB4 and cure” he gives the go-ahead. So Scott follows the TV21 #122 the Mole may not be my first two choices to assist signal using ‘sonasound’ this time, as the craft in an aftermath of an earthquake — especially as “After two earthquakes in two usual non-quake enters the ocean. TB4 arrives and manages to see Montreal is 279 miles from the Atlantic. Hold your cities, TB1 finally pinpoints the cause on a radar- the track left by the craft on the ocean floor. When I horses — it’s also a city in the middle of the St videoscope.” Hmm, Montreal has earthquakes and saw the craft for the first time I wondered why Lawrence River, so maybe I should stick to writing admittedly Moscow doesn’t often, but the last Brains hadn’t invented a Mole that could travel on as I know nothing of rescue missions and which quake in Moscow took place in 1977 (from our the ocean floor without turning over so the escape hardware is required! Bellamy does a lovely perspective), which the “reporter” in TV21 should hatch is blocked. The trail ends in Newfoundland drawing of TB2 using grapples to free piles of have known about as it was 90 years earlier and where the digger enters a secret hideout in a cliff rubble [above] and we see that there is no pod on perhaps there were others after this... but this time- face. The repairs to the Mole are completed and it’s board. The next shot shows Brains and Virgil in the travelling is doing my head in so let’s look at the flown to Newfoundland where the drilling begins pod with the door open and TB4 in the background, other claim. We were told Scott used the x-ray and the boys enter the secret cavern. “You’re all and Brains reminds Virgil about looking for the scanner previously and now it’s the radar- under arrest” shouts one of them to the four men, earthquake machine. “I’ll get right to it,” says Virgil, videoscope, which admittedly sounds more and one of the brothers shoots the gun out of one and next we see Scott in TB1 lowering the x-ray interesting. The cover of Issue 122 shows the photo of the criminal’s hands. However we then see

10 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 another man on a gantry above the scene taking Dictionary tells me that ‘undercover’ is an adjective Outside the cave we see the five IR men looking at place [above] and he has a rifle.... and noun which surprised me and proved me a giant explosion with two policemen saying “Let TV21 #123 wrong. I knew it as an adjective. But being brave, I’d us get you back to your machines.” Where the like to argue this with the editors. The OED gives criminals are is anybody’s guess. The last panel This is where the plot becomes a bit disjointed. The the following definition for its use as a noun “n. An shows Virgil and Alan bandaged up and Brains sniper takes a shot — we only know because Virgil undercover agent. slang.” and then gives two reporting to Jeff that it will take two months to build says he has a nick on the shoulder! Scott calls Alan examples: 1) 1962 K. Orvis Damned & Destroyed vii. another Mole. Jeff’s backup plan for this eventuality to bring the Mole up...but Alan was there with his 50 The Horsemen have sneaked plants, should be a warning to all of you who don’t have a brothers a moment ago. Continuity! Did they all undercovers, right inside here. and 2) 1972 J. Mills scatter like the criminals? “But as the Mole rolls backup plan...”Let’s hope we don’t have to do any Rep. to Commissioner p. x, She was a very good forward,” states the caption, one of the baddies tunneling for a spell.” Imagine me telling the editors tells a colleague “Get someone in the digger, I’m detective. She was a narcotics undercover. I’ll leave of this esteemed Newsflash my computer broke going to load the gold onto a truck — just in case you to decide, but standards of English are certainly down and that’s why I missed the deadline! we have to make a run for it.” What? The Mole is going to slip in 2067, in my opinion! rolling forward, what was he expecting, Getting back to the story, the boys and Brains tend entertainment? Scott uses the cover of the Mole to to each other’s wounds just as one of the gang tells run to the chain hanging from the gantry [below]. them there’s a nuclear device in the cave that will A man is seen climbing into the digger and Scott blow the island up. This is the first we learn of this “makes a quick decision,” but it’s unclear what this being an island hideout -- there are lots of islands means. We thought he was headed to the sniper, off the coast of Newfoundland and in the St. but then changes course and suggests the Mole Lawrence River so this is feasible. Scott asks where and digger should clash with one another. Before the device is and is told it’s on the gantry for loading they do, the International Rescue party split up, into the digger for the next bank job. Scott naturally Brains firing on some oil drums and Gordon with races in to stop the explosion (why wouldn’t he? Scott cutting off the criminals’ escape route. Then He has one of the fastest escape craft on Earth — the clash of the titanic machines ends in a massive TB1!) Scott’s race to the gantry and the device is all explosion that “shatters the cavern” in a classic bathed in a red colour, cleverly spelling danger in Bellamy shot. Having seen some of his original an artistic manner. It all comes down to which wire artwork that has not faded, his colours are superb and the printing process — let alone a scan of the to cut and Scott fortunately gets it right. One of his print copy — does him little justice. brothers appears behind him (!) and congratulates him. Imagine if he’d cut the other wire! The cover of TV21 #124 this TV21 shows the photo of an explosion and the The five members of IR are battling with the gang headline tells us the bomb was the equivalent of 5 of crooks “who are using a giant digger machine to megatons. The bombs dropped in Japan were both cause freak earthquakes, and using this means as exploded with an energy of about 12.5 kilotons, so an undercover for daring bank robberies,” we are this bomb would certainly be able to blow told in summary. A quick look at the Oxford English Newfoundland up!

11 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 THUNDERBIRDSTHUNDERBIRDSTHUNDERBIRDS are Glo Thorogood reminisces about Thunderbirds, costuming,GLGLGLOOO!!! training with the real life International Rescue and, of course, Virgil Tracy — with and without strings.

Thunderbirds blasted on to our screens in the operative, the Duchess of Royston (from the middle of the nineteen sixties and I became an Thunderbirds episode “The Duchess Assignment”), instant fan. It held my eleven-year-old interest with Captain Kate Kestrel from Terrahawks, and the pièce stories that were made to seem so real. I refused to de résistance -- the Hood! When the BBC showed continue with ballet lessons on Thursday nights so Thunderbirds in the 1990s, I was Publicity Officer for I could watch my heroes, and I fell in love with Fanderson and it fell to me to do media interviews. Thunderbird 2 and its pilot Virgil, although I wanted The first thing the media want is a ‘look’, hence I to be him at first! Teased unmercifully about it at appeared in IR uniform more than once. It had its secondary school, I still raced home if Thunderbirds drawbacks, but usually it helped get the club a was on TV and made awful-quality recordings of the mention in magazines or even on television. episodes on a reel-to-reel tape recorder. The FAB 1 Convention in Wolverhampton (1992) Thunderbirds’ first episode gave me the idea of encouraged me to search out Virgil’s voice: David working in Air Traffic Control after my thick glasses Holliday. With little hope of a response, I wrote to made being a pilot appear unlikely. It took some American Equity enclosing a stamped (an American effort but I went to work at London Air Traffic stamp) envelope ready for an address and asked Control Centre in 1974 as an assistant and met my them to forward it. I was stunned to receive his controller husband there. Thirty-eight years later cheerful reply! I immediately sent back a cassette tape we are retired, and he has more time for his other asking him some questions for use at the convention, job as a flying instructor. I can fly whenever I want with the request that he record his answers on the to, but I actually don’t like being a pilot! tape and return it to me. The arrival of my tape UFOria (1988) was my debut at a Fanderson complete with answers had me needing therapy! He convention. I secretly made an IR costume and won opened with “Greetings and FAB from Virgil Tracy! a prize for it, and I was able to meet many of my Hi! This is David Holliday. Greetings from New York heroes and tell Gerry Anderson it was his ‘fault’ for City!” (Swoon!) He went on to provide a how my life had turned out! At my second comprehensive resume of his life and the admission convention, puppet replica builder and restorer that he hadn’t thought about Thunderbirds for many Barry Davies, another member, showed me a couple years. He became a pen-pal and sent me clippings of puppet heads he had made. I told him of my wish from the shows he was in and long detailed letters for a Virgil puppet and he offered to make me one, about his work and trips home to Florida to see his but I couldn’t spend the housekeeping money on elderly mum. Oh, and he had a cat called Higgins who Virgil! Barry has made a number of replicas over the walked into his apartment one day. At 20 floors up, years, but they are costly and take a long time – he that was no mean feat! It was a blow when he told Virgil and his toys... also has to work for a living. me he had cancer, but he was unbeaten to the last and got a PC and learned to type. He must have told nearby. They wanted team members so I joined up. Once I had the convention bug, I started working his mum about me because, shortly before he died, I learned a lot. Being taught how to listen for a again to finance my fun, but since I was primarily a she wrote and thanked me for being his friend. The trapped person (using a powerful pair of stay at home mum, having kids meant I only could next letter in 1999 was awful, it was an invitation to microphones placed in the vicinity of a possible work part time. I helped run a number of conventions join friends in New York to celebrate his life. Sadly I casualty, and listening for a tapping from them in and had a hoot dressing in costume, mostly in could not take leave so I sent a card and raised a glass headphones) was interesting, using a thermic lance Thunderbirds uniform, but I have been a UFO SHADO on the day. A short while later a letter arrived from (a powerful cutter that uses very high his friend saying several people commented on my temperatures, like when you see characters trying card (a cat very like Higgins) and wished me well. The to burn their way through a bank vault door) to cut end of another era. a slice off an inch-thick metal sheet was hair-raising, but abseiling down a cliff with a stretcher containing Concurrently I had seen in the paper the exploits of a very sick dummy and being asked to get on top the real life version of IR, the independent United and do CPR before getting to the ground was very Nations-registered disaster rescue service called Thunderbirds. Gerry Anderson was the patron for a the International Rescue Corps, whose offices were time, followed by HRH Princess Royal (Princess Anne). On her visit to the HQ Open Day, I nearly walloped her with a coat and ended up chatting to her after I had apologised! She was delightful. During my 15 year stint I manned the office on missions and had the pleasure of answering the phone with “International Rescue, can I help you?” on many occasions. I went back to full time shifts as an Air Traffic Assistant and eventually realised my dream: Barry Davies made me my puppet. Virgil arrived with Barry and a bunch of friends including Thunderbirds puppeteer Christine Glanville, just to see my expression. I was beside myself! And then they left for dinner out and I went to work. Hey ho! When I got time next day, I put on a video of Thunderbirds and stood him next to it and stared…WOW! The tricky part was stringing him, but eventually he made his first appearance at a Fanderson Convention. Christine Glanville, sculptor of the marionettes of Scott and Alan Tracy and Tin-Tin Kyrano, among others, was a lovely lady who invited Close-up of Virgil’s tux, lining and cummerbund Glo’s Thunderbird 2 set, with Virgil standing by. herself round for a cup of tea when she discovered 12 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 Troy Tempest to wear the episode “Terror in New York City”. The most complicated costume is the one worn by the character of Gary from the movie Team America. Could I find blue camouflage fabric? Not a chance in the scale I needed! I made my own by drawing the pattern on the computer and printing it on T-shirt material. Sourcing the accoutrements that hang from his belt was fun, Buckle = a Dime, dangly silver thing = a small nail clipper, a tiny carabiner, and lots of webbing and clips from key rings! Virgil even looks like Gary, too. I made a short, fat, Lisa (also from Team America) costume for me to wear which produced hysterics from my dear ‘friends’! It is lovely seeing the grins on people’s faces when Virgil walks into a venue; parents want their photos taken with him, which is my pleasure. Kids are more nervous, particularly the very young. Letting someone feel the weight of Virgil or having a go at walking him makes me feel I am continuing what Christine started. I am lucky to have the knack of [left] Glo being arrested for parking FAB1 illegally, and [right] disguised as The Hood. getting Virgil to walk reasonably well, and he did once tell Gerry Anderson off (puppets don’t walk - she lived near me, and was full of stories, many of risk cracking his body drilling the holes. [Ed’s Note: Ha!) by kicking him smartly on the shin and walking which she has repeated at conventions. My Puppetmaster John Blundall was the head of the away, which was very cheeky of me. favourite is the one about working on a Sunday puppet workshop for the Gerry Anderson Last year, after Gerry had been diagnosed with when the voice artists were in and finding a trolley productions from Supercar through Thunderbirds. Alzheimer’s, he became involved with the charity full of cream cakes parked outside the sound booth, He sculpted the marionettes for Parker, Kyrano and the Alzheimer’s Society. This led to Fanderson to which the puppeteers helped themselves! We Grandma Tracy.] asking me if I could help out at the photoshoot for met for various events and she was delighted to Virgil is mostly kept in a cabinet out of harm’s way, the press release about the 2012 Memory Walk. I show me her Scott puppet before I had my own; I but I’ll bring him out to conventions or events or spent a happy morning leaping on and off a picnic watched and learned. Then she offered to let me for anyone who wishes to see him. I’ve made him a table and dangling Virgil over Gerry, making sure have a go! Wow! I was surprised how heavy he was number of outfits to wear at conventions – I love his miniature Memory Walk t-shirt was in view, at and the intricacy of manipulating him so he moved seeing the looks on people’s faces when he turns the same time as Gerry’s son Jamie sorted out his rather than walked drunkenly was great fun. She up as a Bay City Roller or Superman! Making the dad. At the end we all had an ice cream! Come a was helpful to anyone with an interest and Scott clothes has been interesting; fabrics have to be light really cold October, Virgil and I, accompanied by my was lent to me more than once to show my local enough to move with the puppet and shaped to long-suffering husband, joined a group of group. She was a lovely friend. give ease. My puppet has ‘trixy’ costumes - they are Fanderson members, Alan Tracy’s voice Matt Once I had my own marionette, I worked hard to made to come off easily to allow him to change Zimmerman, Jamie Anderson and hundreds of get him to move properly. He is the weight of a small because I only have the one body. At the studio others for the last walk of the year. Sadly, Gerry was bag of potatoes and the control is held almost at costumes were sewn on and the heads exchanged. too ill to come, but Matt gave us a Thunderbirds arm’s length with 4ft strings made of various grades The exception to the ease of removal are his Are Go! start and cut the tape. Thousands of pounds of fishing line attached to his head and eyes. His legs trousers – those strings through his thighs need have been raised and thousands more as a result of have a string mid thigh so any foot movement is threading at just the right point and it looks Gerry’s recent death: donations were requested done by gravity and a flick of the wrist. His hands positively obscene! The tuxedo I made for him for instead of flowers. are for my purposes not a fixed feature, so I make the Barry Gray Centenary Concert (2008) was a Gerry Anderson’s programmes and what they did do with a slip knot of line around a wrist to allow challenge, I was determined not to make him one for so many of us will continue to inspire for years him to wave. It is well to note that the fishing line like the one I’m sure he ‘borrowed’ from Stingray’s to come and I for one will never forget him. becomes invisible as soon as there is a twist in it! At the last convention John Blundall (scary, he’s an eminent person in puppetry) was giving me some pointers, not least that Virgil should be strung from his shoulders to allow his head to work better. I agree it would allow some different control to be made, but I decided to leave well alone rather than

Christine Glanville’s Scott Tracy visits Glo. Glo and Virgil at the Memory Walk with Gerry and Jamie Anderson.

13 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 THE END OF AN ERA Funeral and Reception for Gerry Anderson 11th January, 2013

Pen, Gilly, Jules and David attend on behalf of As the coffin was pulled from the hearse, all you could He said Gerry had done his best work while in his thirties TIWF, to say goodbye to a legend. hear was the click of camera shutters from the press, which and always encouraged young talent. He remembered how seemed to go on for quite some time, while the pall-bearers he had got an idea for promoting the Thunderbirds stage PEN: lined up on either side. show on a Monday morning, Tuesday they had started shooting and by Thursday the advert was ready to go out The service was due to start at 11.30 and we (Pen and I had recognised Gerry’s youngest son Jamie Anderson as (at the première of the Batman movie). Gilly in Jules’ car) had aimed to arrive at 11.00am to make one of them, but only learnt later (from Glo Thorogood) sure we could park. We were about a minute away from that the one on the opposite back corner was Gerry Jnr, He had other anecdotes as well -- that Gerry never shouted the crematorium when David rang to say that he had arrived Sylvia’s oldest son, and the two sons linked arms as they if he was cross but ‘had a stare that would put the Hood to and the place was already filling up fast. carried their father into the building. shame.’ However, we did arrive in some style as we turned into the GILLY: Only recently he had met Sean Connery and told him that drive up to the crematorium just behind FAB1; this is not It was such a moving moment as we stood very close to he had been the model for Scott Tracy. Sean knew of the original 1966 version (which is in a car museum) but a the hearse and had a good look at the Thunderbird 2 and Thunderbirds and had watched it with his son, Jason, but replica I had seen before at Fanderson events. It has FAB floral displays. The hearse stood there for a few seeing a picture of Scott, his response was ‘my eyebrows different number plates for on the road, but the owner fits minutes and I was amazed that such a large group of people aren’t that big!’ a ‘FAB1’ plate once it is off the road. could remain so quiet. He had also met John Lassiter, founder of Pixar, and found out he is a great fan of Thunderbirds, knowing episodes So we drove up the approach with all the cameras trained PEN: on us; I told Jules we would probably be on the news that in detail, and also discovered that James Cameron was a There must have been about 150 of us standing outside, night! fan of Gerry Anderson’s shows, and had the helicopters in listening to the service on loudspeakers. Avatar designed to look like those in UFO as an homage to We had to park in the overflow car park and walk back to It was a humanist service, and the celebrant introduced Gerry’s work. Gore’s own son, aged ten, had found his the crematorium. We knew we would be standing outside himself and said that it was fine to cry or laugh as we felt father’s old Tracy Island playset in a box in the loft and and had wrapped up well on what was a grey, cold day. appropriate during the proceedings. discovered for himself the magic of Gerry Anderson shows We met David, and in the crowd I spotted Shane Rimmer and a couple of other familiar faces from Fanderson events. He then introduced the first speaker, Nick Williams from Gore finished his speech by saying ‘I’m sorry, Gerry, I just Many people were wearing Fanderson badges, and I spotted Fanderson. Nick started by saying that Gerry was an unlikely have to do this’. For those of us outside, this was very ones from Spectrum and SHADO, while I had Ste’s IR person to have a fan club; he was quiet and unassuming, frustrating; he had obviously moved away from the mike, badge (I hadn’t been able to find mine, so he had kindly not an actor or a pop star. He also was not a special effects but what was going on? We found out later (from Matt lent me his) while Jules wore her Alzheimer’s Society badge. man, a model maker or a puppeteer, but had drawn all those Zimmerman) that the tail fin on the floral TB2 had been people together and inspired them to create programmes folded back to clear the top of the hearse and he was trying GILLY: that would in turn inspire many other people. to put it back in its proper place. Had I been told that we would be standing outside I The next speaker was Jamie Anderson, who shared more would’ve worn gloves and put on a pair of more comfortable Derek Meddings and his team would spend hours building a set, getting the smallest detail just right, even if it was personal, family memories. He started by reading a couple shoes. So to keep my mind off my freezing fingers and of references he had found in his father’s papers: one from toes, I did some crowd spotting too. Apart from those above going to get blown up, and in the knowledge that it would probably only be watched once. Now this attention to detail Gerry’s first job, when he was 15, and one from his National mentioned, I saw David Graham arrive and a man wearing Service (he had been a Radio Telephone Operator for the a Carlton Media International pin on the lapel of his coat. means we can watch the programmes on a large screen and they still look good. The puppeteers/modellers would RAF) which both used words like ‘honest, reliable, And I discovered I wasn’t the only person from the industrious and trustworthy’, which Jamie said, shows that talk to their creations while they dressed them, did their European continent as somewhere in the crowd someone when you age, you don’t change. You just become more hair, put them to bed, and brought them to life for us. was speaking Dutch. so. The next speaker was Shane Rimmer, who continued the PEN: Jamie’s recollections included Gerry ordering a video theme, saying that Gerry had always inspired people to do recorder from Japan in the mid-1970s, when such things FAB1 was drawing a lot of attention, parked next to the their best, and what a great team it had been to work for. were unknown in this country -- which the Post Office building; we were admiring it and some people were taking He also mentioned how Thunderbirds had first broken in blew up because they thought it was a bomb! Another pictures when I saw the hearse come through the gates. to the American market, which up till then had been closed As it swept past us I could see the letters of a floral tribute memory was when his father inadvertently added anti- to outside programmes. on one side of the coffin. Often these have the person’s fungal dog shampoo he had got from his veterinarian to the name, or say something like ‘D-A-D’. In this case, the After Shane came Broadway producer John Gore, who soup he was making, then had to phone the vet to find out letters read ‘F-A-B’, which brought a lump to my throat. It had produced the Thunderbirds stage show. He said he if it would do him any harm, after which the vet added ‘not was only when the hearse stopped right in front of us that had been very young at the time, only 24, and had gone to to be used as an ingredient in soup’ to the label on the I realised that on top of the coffin was a floral model of see Gerry with the idea. Gerry had listened and said ‘OK, bottle. Gerry would often warn his children of the dangers Thunderbird 2. That’s when I nearly lost it. But what else let’s do it!’. To him, that is what a producer is -- someone of various activities, cycling, rugby, even eating and drinking would have been right? who doesn’t hang around but who makes things happen. (one assumes this included dog-shampoo soup) but this all

[left] The Order of Service; [above] the floral decorations

t 14 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 [below] FAB1 and he just had to try to fix it! Another lady came up and GILLY: introduced herself as Judy Preece, explaining that she had A late arrival who I recognized was Zienia Merton, the been a puppeteer on Terrahawks (which were controlled actress who’d played Sandra Benes in Space: 1999. She from below rather than from above by strings as the announced the last big screen presentation: a spoof teaser marionettes had been on shows like Thunderbirds ). Matt for an episode done in black & white silent movie style then started talking about how he sometimes had to go in complete with hilarious text cards and with Crispin on the and pretend to be one of the puppets, wearing a latex glove piano. [The spoof they showed on screen can be seen here: to pick something up. He mentioned that one time they had https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ooo1m9A4S4Y wanted to dress him as Alan and drop him, so they could – Ed.] film him fall, but the idea had been abandoned. I pointed out that if he had, he would have been Alan’s stunt double PEN: - an idea that seemed to amuse him. Lots of people were moving around, chatting and sharing Matt kept looking round for Shane as Shane had offered to memories. There were people Gerry had known professionally, like Mike Noble (artist on the TV21 comics), came from his desire to keep his children safe and well. guide him to the reception. I then volunteered Jules as guide (I don’t think she’s quite forgiven me yet!), saying she was Phil Ford (writer on New Captain Scarlet) and special He finished by saying that of all his father’s achievements, local and knew the way. Matt liked this and said he would effects designer Brian Johnson (who I had heard talk at he was most proud of the fact that he had stepped forward drive round to the car park where we were parked and Cosford). The centrepiece of each table was a floral to help with fighting Alzheimer’s once he had been follow us. decoration of Thunderbird 1, Thunderbird 2 or FAB1; diagnosed. Jamie’s voice started to break towards the end the florists had certainly had an interesting challenge for when he talked about his mother, but on the whole I think A couple of minutes later this little sporty silver car came this occasion but had met it well. he did a great job and got through it very well. up; Matt was driving Alan’s car! There was a table in the corner where guests could fill in The final speaker was Jeremy Hughes from the Alzheimer’s GILLY: memorial cards. Both Gilly and I left messages from TIWF, Society. He started by telling us that he had been a great While Jules, Pen and I walked back to the car, with Matt and I also spoke to both Mary (Gerry’s widow) and Jamie. fan of Gerry’s programmes as a child, and his long-suffering following us in his low-slung Mazda two-seater, I have to I told them how Gerry had made my childhood such an mother had had to make costumes and birthday cakes admit I was thrilled… We were being tailed by Alan Tracy!! exciting place, but also talked about our group; that Gerry related to each new series as it came along. He said it was But how quickly one becomes jaded. As we sat chatting had brought us together from all corners of the world and unusual for an Alzheimer’s sufferer to approach the society together we sometimes forgot about him. “Is he still with forged friendships, and that we would keep his memory and offer to help, but he had been very grateful for Gerry’s us?” “Who? Oh, Matt! Yes, he is.” alive. support, as his announcement had opened doors, giving them PEN: JULES: publicity and articles in papers that had never featured them before. More people than ever had signed up for last year’s There was a lot of traffic on the way, but many cars were Pen has pretty much summed it up but I wanted to add a ‘memory walks’ and Gerry and Jamie had attended the turning into the reception, so we were probably responsible couple of my own memories. The service was very good London event, staying all day to wave people off and for most of it (and Henley was probably still trying to get and neatly united a group of people who had arrived with welcome them back. In addition, Jamie has done three over the sight of FAB1 cruising through its streets!) very different memories of Gerry. Nick Williams (Fanderson marathons for them, and their efforts have helped raise GILLY: Chairman) was obviously distressed but managed to finish over £1million for the cause. his tribute, particularly saying how welcome he had been When we arrived at the club where the reception was to made to feel by Gerry and his family in their home. Shane After this speaker there was a short pause while we all be held and walked with Matt from the car park, we saw Rimmer made the point that Gerry ensured everyone reflected on our own memories of Gerry and his work, FAB1 parked next to the entrance. Matt told us he had involved in his shows was aware that maliciousness in the then Crispin Merrill (composer for New Captain Scarlet once driven a short distance in the original 1966 version. programmes would not be tolerated in any way. John Gore who we had heard at the Barry Gray Concert a few years And as it had no reverse gear, Gerry and he had had to was an excellent speaker and had us all laughing. It appears before) played Aqua Marina on the piano during the push it back. committal. he travels the world judging people by the answer to the PEN: question “Do you like Thunderbirds?” Jamie Anderson The celebrant then read a short poem, and the service The reception was in the ballroom of a very posh club down told us of his memories of Gerry as his dad and had some finished with the strident notes of the Thunderbirds March, funny family stories. And Jeremy Hughes of the the version from the end of the movie Thunderbirds Are on the river; the sort of place where Lady P would go to watch the Henley Regatta while sipping her Pimms. Alzheimer’s Society wanted to express how grateful he Go played by the Royal Marines. was that Gerry had opened up so many new fundraising After this we were standing around chatting while the crowd We moved around, chatting to people; I recognised quite a opportunities for them. from inside filed out. FAB1 drove off at this point to make few from Fanderson, such as Katie and Graham Bleathman (Katie told me Graham is working on another Anderson- The three of us were standing outside for about one and a its way to the reception. The sky had cleared a bit by now half hours (and afterwards Gilly and I had lost feeling in and we had a pale blue sky, though I was still very glad of themed Haynes manual) and Glo Thorogood. Glo was able to tell us about Gerry Jnr being the pall-bearer, and that our toes!) but the service was so captivating that it was the fact that I was encased in Damart from head to toes - very worth it. - thermal hood (note the small ‘h’), thermal sweater and Gerry’s two daughters from his first marriage were also thermal tights. there. Then Pen volunteered me to guide Matt Z to the wake. I roundly told her off for that and was very nervous in case Gilly, Jules and I had been chatting for a few minutes when Glo told us that the last time she had seen Gerry was back I took him the wrong way but all went well and he turned I turned to see Matt Zimmerman standing just behind us. I in June when they took the publicity photos for the out to be a lovely man with a great sense of humour. My got a big hug, and introduced Jules and Gilly. He asked if Alzheimer’s Society memory walks (you have probably New Year’s resolution is to be much kinder to Alan in they read Ned’s newsletter (he’s really taken with that!) seen these with both Gerry and little Virgil wearing stories… and I said we all wrote for it! He said he still has the mug Alzheimer’s T-shirts). Gerry had been very frail, and I gave him at Cosford ‘in pride of place’ and recited the anxious whenever Jamie was out of sight. [See Glo As Pen said, the wake was at a place Lady P would feel slogan from it with some glee. [For the story of Matt Z, Thorogood’s article on how she became involved with most comfortable in. It was hard to keep still as everywhere Shane Rimmer, David Graham and the TIWF mugs, see Gerry Anderson series fandom, Fanderson, and the you looked there were people you either recognised or Pen’s writeup of her visit to RAF Cosford “Flights of original Virgil Tracy himself in this issue – Ed.] thought you did. As Gilly pointed out, name badges would have been helpful. People from Gerry’s various programmes Fantasy” Event in this issue – Ed.] On display were some models, including a replica of Parker were introducing themselves to each other and reminiscing. This was when I asked what John Gore had done at the that model-maker Duncan Willis had made and presented I hope the family felt it was a good send off — it was end of his speech, and Matt called over a tall, dark haired to Gerry in his last months, as he knew that Parker was his certainly a well-attended one. man who turned out to be John Gore himself, who told us favourite. During his radio interview on Marlow FM, Jamie that the tail fin had been bugging him through the service had mentioned this, and how it sat by his father’s side in his last days. They are going to auction it off to raise money for Alzheimer’s research.

GILLY: I spoke briefly to one of Gerry’s daughters and conveyed the condolences from TIWF. I was asked to thank you all. Admiring the models, I nearly bumped into Matt, who was a bit disappointed, I think, that there was no Thunderbird 3 model. So I pointed to the replica of Alan Tracy and said: “Of all the Tracys, they chose him to represent the family.”

PEN: During the reception there were a couple of short presentations on a big screen; clips from Gerry’s programmes, quotes from tributes and family snaps -- accompanied on the piano by Crispin Merrill who did a brilliant job with themes from the programmes. One presentation was introduced by Matt and the second by [above] The arrival of the casket. David Graham, who finished off in Parker’s voice. [above] Pen, Jules and Gilly

15 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 FFFLLLIGIGIGHTHTHTSSS OOOFFF FFFAAANNNTTTAAASSSYYY Pen Turner visits the Gerry Anderson series event at RAF Cosford (November 24 and 25, 2012) and ‘mugs’ voice actors Shane Rimmer, Matt Zimmerman and David Graham on behalf of TIWF

The Flights of Fantasy event took place at Cosford RAF down to the lecture theatre. When I went in, I spotted He had ‘a great time’ working with the cast. He had Museum; Cosford is an operational RAF base near Telford, fellow Tracy Island Writers Forum member Phil waving known David Holliday before, and said that Peter Dyneley Shropshire, with a museum attached that occupies to me from a seat in the centre of the third row. He had was perfect as Jeff. several old hangars and a couple of purpose-built saved me a seat and we spent the next few minutes The first time he saw Alan on film speaking with his voice exhibition halls. looking at the photos of his wind tunnel experiments. (when he had to go in to add some extra dialogue) he I arrived just before 10am, at one point driving through The first person to be ‘in the spotlight’ was Matt, but he found it ‘spooky’ to have his voice coming out of ‘this fog thick enough to make me worry that some people didn’t wait to be formally introduced – he just wandered doll’s’ mouth. might not be able to get there. The attraction had just in to the auditorium and started chatting to the crowd. As he had done at the Brit SciFi event earlier in the year, opened and already people were going in. I found my Then Chris Bentley and the manager at Cosford came in Matt mentioned to the audience that Ned Cook has his way into the modern ‘Cold War Exhibition Hall’ where and the event formally started with Chris interviewing own website – by which I think he means the Newsflash! among the various bits of aeronautical hardware and Matt. Matt didn’t sit down, he just wandered back and (Don’t tell Ned – it’ll only go to his head!) displays about the Berlin Airlift and MAD (Mutually forth – he’s a real live wire! Assured Destruction) were tables laid out with Next to be in the spotlight was David Graham, models and figures from the Anderson shows. who was introduced as having played 290 I would come back to look at these later, but characters for Anderson series. first I spotted a table which was clearly Ironically, David had done his National Service designated for the voice artists, and there was Matt Zimmerman just putting up posters with training right here at Cosford as a radar mechanic for Bomber Command, before being pictures of Alan. He recognised me from when Jo Neilson (Pennyspy) and I had interviewed transferred to Norfolk, but had never been back before today. (Matt had joked earlier that him two years ago for the Newsflash. Newsflash editor Samantha Winchester had they had both been staying last night in the next village but had still managed to get lost arranged ahead of time for Matt to interview fellow Thunderbirds voice over artist David on the way here.) Graham for the publication, and asked me to David had worked with Gerry on the live action be on hand in case they needed assistance. [left to right] Matt Zimmerman, Shane Rimmer, David Graham film Martin Kane and Gerry had told him that However, Matt told me he had already done he would be going into working with puppets, the interview with David at their hotel the night before; Here are some points I remember from the interview: so David had mentioned that he was ‘quite versatile’ with this was a bit of a relief as I had wondered if we would be voices. He went on to do several other series for Gerry Chris asked how much background the actors were given able to conduct an interview in a large, echoing hangar. before Thunderbirds. For Thunderbirds, at first he was about their characters. Matt replied that all he was told Just then Shane Rimmer approached the table, and Matt asked to do Parker, then Brains, then Gordon (as a ‘minor by Sylvia at the start was that Alan was the youngest and introduced me as the person who had interviewed him. character’) then Kyrano. Shane was obviously confused, as I was not the person that he was spoilt. But things evolved all the time from scripts – like Alan’s background in racing, his relationship he remembered interviewing him, so I said no, that had David and Ray Barrett did many of the ‘extra’ roles and been Jo. with Tin-Tin, and his crush on Lady Penelope. often he had several pages of script where he would be ‘talking to himself’. This he just did by pausing between Sylvia adored Alan and got the writers to include him I took this opportunity to give them each their mugs, characters, not doing all of one voice and then another. more – especially in the films. saying they were a present from TIWF. I explained that Chris Bentley asked if he used models for his voices, and they had been designed by one of our members, and Matt’s view of the other characters was that Scott and David said ‘Not all the time’. His rationale for Brains was that Scott’s design was in response to Alan’s. Matt looked Virgil were ‘serious’, Gordon ‘spent half his time under that this was someone who was brilliant but a bit vague; at his mug and read out the caption (in Alan’s voice!). water’, and John was ‘up there’ (gesturing vaguely his ideas would spill out of his mind but his voice just Shane then looked at his, laughed, and said ‘Can I read towards space). ‘We worried about him a lot.’ this out in public?’ couldn’t keep up. Chris then gave him a page to read as Sylvia decided who would play each of the extra roles. Brains (from the episode ‘Sunprobe’, where he gets The first of the talks was due to start soon, so I went He got on well with her but was ‘terrified’ of Gerry. Braman to calculate the frequency for the transmitter

[left to right] Shane Rimmer, Matt Zimmerman and David Graham with their souvenir TIWF mugs.

16 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 90, The Secret Service and Captain Scarlet. Many were replicas, but some of the Scarlet ones were originals. There were also lovingly made models of craft – from Thunderbirds, Stingray, Fireball XL5, UFO, Terrahawks and a big display from Space:1999, including some full-size ‘sets’ of the control room of Moonbase Alpha which sported models of the costumes and computer banks with lots of flashing lights (got to have flashing lights!). Fanderson had a table, as did the publishers of the latest, newly-released Century 21 reprint book, so I treated myself to a copy which I got signed by Chris Bentley and cover artist Lee Sullivan, who drew in a quick sketch of Thunderbird 4 (including some fish for Gordon to look at). beam). David did this in Brains’ voice to a round of One table was taken up by a large model of Moonbase applause. Alpha, and behind it sat its creator, Brian Johnson. As well as working for Gerry Anderson, David was also Brian was the subject of the first interview that one of the original voices of the Daleks in Doctor Who, afternoon. Early in his career he had worked on the film as well as appearing in two Doctor Who episodes (one The Day the Earth Caught Fire. I had not realised that this with Shane Rimmer). was a Hammer Horror production that came out on a David finished by saying that working for Gerry changed shoestring budget, though it is now regarded as an SF his life and career, as well as giving him a pension from classic. repeat fees. Brian knew Derek Meddings, who had worked with Gerry Cover artist Lee Sullivan, signing Pen’s book David has a website http://www.davidgraham.co/ Anderson since his earliest series. Derek asked him to come and work for him as they had too much work for The last to be interviewed was Shane. He said Gerry had one unit. Brian became the director of the second special What came over most clearly from their back-chat was first seen him in a TV series called Compact and wanted effects unit of Thunderbirds, and explained that both to use his voice for his new show (Thunderbirds). Shane the friendship between the actors. For instance, when units worked concurrently on different episodes as this someone commented on Alan flying Thunderbird 1 in didn’t know much about Gerry when he went for his was the only way to keep up with production. He was audition, and nothing about the character, and found it ‘Atlantic Inferno’, David added that they’d put ‘L’ plates the expert at flying the craft, standing on a plank above on the craft. very hard to create an ‘atmosphere’ under those the set (which was often a tank of water). He told us circumstances. The character of course turned out to how the rockets used on take-off were commercially- When asked about the première of the Thunderbirds be Scott, and the background for the character came made pre-packed gunpowder charges, designed to film, Matt said he hadn’t been there because he was through gradually from the scripts. They were easy to release their charge in a controlled way, though one working. record as were done like radio plays, though with leaked and discharged all at once, catapulting everyone crowded round one microphone in a small David: ‘I thought you said you were banned’. Thunderbird 2 about four feet into the air! To make room the actors sometimes crashed into one another! Thunderbirds 1 and 3 take off vertically they attached a Matt: ‘No, I was in a band’. The pictures were then recorded to match their voices wire to the nose of the craft and ran it over a pulley in the Each was asked their favourite episode and craft. (this was easier on the actors than some shows which ceiling, so the operator had to walk away pulling a rope would want the actors to synch their voice delivery with to make the craft rise (simple, but clever). Episode: pre-recorded film). Johnson was ‘poached’ to work on 2001: A Space Odyssey, Shane: ‘The alligator one’ [‘Attack of the Alligators’]. Shane admitted he couldn’t really do other voices, ‘Not where he made models of spacecraft (including the David asked: ‘Was that a snap decision?’ like David who pulls them out of a hat’. Discovery that was over 50ft long), though he returned David: ‘Vault of Death’ (because he got to be both Parker He paid tribute to the technical crew on Thunderbirds, to work for Gerry on Space: 1999. (It’s no coincidence and his cell-mate, Light-Fingered Fred). who were all young, enthusiastic and very imaginative, that the moon base in 2001 looks like Moonbase Alpha). Matt: ‘Move – and You’re Dead’. and to the skill of the writers, especially Tony Barwick, He later worked on Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, and told us about how he got R2D2 to be shot out of the who would think up the most impossible situation – then Craft: invent a way out of it. swamp (using compressed air and a rubber membrane). Shane: Thunderbird 1 Shane passed on some writing advice from Tony – ‘Make The final event was a question and answer session from the reader want to turn the page’. all three voice artists. David: FAB1 That was the end of the morning session, so we had a It started with Chris getting them to read through a Matt: Thunderbird 3 section from Atlantic Inferno. couple of hours to wander around the exhibition stands. (No surprises there.) By now David Graham was sitting at the table, so I Matt still sounds like Alan when he has an upwards We were each given a signed photograph on our way introduced myself and thanked him for doing the inflection in his voice – phrases like ‘FAB, Father.’ Shane’s out. interview for the Newsflash, then gave him his mug, rendition of Scott sounds rather gravelly now, but David which delighted him. as Brains still sounds exactly like he does on the screen. The event was so popular that Cosford are considering There were models in glass cases of some of the Later he did a bit as Parker and that still sounds just as holding another one next year, so, in the words of another characters from Thunderbirds, Stingray, Fireball XL5, Joe good. Anderson series, stand by for action!

17 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 BRAINSCAN lee THUNDERBIRDS ARE (NEARLY) GO! On a dusty plain somewhere near McGregor, Texas, a man with a lot of money and an aerospace company called SpaceX tested something that might just bring Jeff Tracy’s dreams of reusable rockets a little bit closer to reality. Mr Elon Musk (the rather prosaically-named owner of the SpaceX corporation) sent his reusable rocket — the TRACY ISLAND CHRONICLES Grasshopper — climbing higher into the air (80 metres) than You may be wondering... why did we create this newsletter, The Tracy Island Chronicles and its brother sites The Tracy Island it’s ever been before, and managed to bring it safely back Writers Forum? down again. The point was, first and foremost, to preserve the beloved 60s The Grasshopper is ten storeys tall, and lifts off and lands television show Thunderbirds that we all know and love. We showcase vertically on four hydraulically-sprung legs. It propels itself the best of the best fanfic on TIC, we have lots of pictures, we have skyward like any other rocket, but it has a ‘self-stabilising sound bytes, and we have information on the voice actors behind guidance system that lets it come to a halt in mid-air and gently the marionettes. Not only that, you'll find useful links, games and land [back] on the pad.’ (Italics mine.) trivia...and eventually we will also have information in Brains' Lab that outlines all gathered evidence for the two different timelines Sound like anything we know? you might be aware of (2026 vs. 2065). Mr Musk wants to make orbital travel cheaper, and to do this TIA also archives excellent TB fan fiction, and the TIWF Yahoo! he needs to make rockets that can deliver their payloads and group exists for us to have a place to talk about writing and return to Earth in one piece. The current cost of manufacturing Thunderbirds... but not just that. It's to become part of a a rocket is $60 million dollars a pop, and all of that money community of caring people, a quasi-family, if you will, where we ends up being burned in orbit. A reusable rocket would no can come together from all different parts of the world under doubt cost a bit more than $60 million to make, but would the umbrella of a show that has endured for 47 years. only cost $200,000 to fuel up. (So now you know.) This newsletter exists to make sure all of you know everything that's An impressive video (complete with a rocking soundtrack) new in our family of sites. We hope you find it informative and fun and of the SpaceX taking off and landing again -- vertically! -- that you look forward to receiving it every two months! (At least... we can be seen at: try to get it out every two months -- you know how 'real life' is!!!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2Ivr6JF1K-8. So that's why we do this. We love fan fiction. We love writing. We And judging from what we see onscreen, I think the love Thunderbirds (some of us are a little hung up on certain Tracys!) mysterious Mr Musk might be well on his way to and we care about those of you who also share these loves. manufacturing his very own Thunderbird One. Or Three. Let’s Thank you for your support throughout these last few years and just hope he doesn’t produce five strapping sons that he stick around... because in the grammatically incorrect words of names, in this order, Ebenezer, Livingston, Winston, Boswell many who have gone before, "You ain't seen nothin' yet!!!" and Orville… HOW TO RECOMMEND STORIES FOR TIC BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! The Tracy Island Chronicles does not accept submissions directly. If you think the Original Series-based (non-Frakes-movie-verse Thunderbirds) fan Thunderbird One fiction is invited to TIC by our committee, but we depend on YOU to recommend really good Thunderbirds fan fiction. So if you find prototype a story that you think is "the best of the best," drop Mobile Control outlined above is [[email protected]] a line and let us know! eye-popping, then look out, your eyeballs are about HOW TO JOIN THE TRACY ISLAND WRITERS FORUM to explode right TIWF's credo is: out of your head! We exist for the sole purpose of discussing creative writing. The point A company called is to better ourselves as writers through advice, constructive criticism Aeroscraft is and conversations regarding writing well. A lot of the discussions may revolve around Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds, but we by no means building, for the wish to limit ourselves to the writing of fan fiction in any genre. If you Pentagon, an care about your writing, this is the place to be! unexpectedly So if you like to read TB fanfic, write TB fanfic, beta TB fanfic, like familiar airship to write, want to write or are just interested in joining a fantastic called the Pelican. group of people, go to the Tracy Island Writers Forum It’s described in the [http:groups.yahoo.com/groupTracy_Island_WF/] and join today! press release as looking like a ‘flying saucer,’ but as you can see from the image above, it is green, Remember, we also do special update announcements as special has two stumpy wings, and looks like anything but saucer-like. notices on TIWF, so sign up to make sure you know what's going on! The Pelican is technically an ‘airship,’ and the prototype shown above is 230 feet long and able to lift 10 tons of cargo. The final product will be 450 feet long and carry a load of 66 tons. In WANT TO GIVE NED COOK A HAND? addition to carrying cargo, the Pentagon (well, the Pentagon’s ‘Rapid Reaction Technology Office,’ So, you read this newsletter and think, "Hey, I have something I'd whatever that may be) also plans to use the Pelican for surveillance and reconnaissance. Sort of like to write for that!" Well, here's your chance to become a a stealthy cargo carrier. Possibly piloted by Livingston Musk, the handsome second son of contributor. billionaire Elon Musk. (Hmm... Doesn’t have quite the right ring about it, somehow…) What do you have in mind? Send it in either MS Word document format or plain text format as an attachment to [email protected] and our contributing editors will the roaming cone let you know what they think. We do ask that before you submit anything, you please ensure John couldn’t help but wonder why Scott’s grammar and spelling have been checked. Ned gets annoyed if he ice-cream was so much larger than his own... can't understand what he's reading! [Oh, and Ned reserves the HAVE right to edit any submissions he receives. It’s just how he is.] HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THIS NEWSLETTER BEEN You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed through YOU The Tracy Island Chronicles. Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone else, nor is it sold, rented or otherwise given away. It is used for the sole purpose of sending you this newsletter. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please send a request to READING Mobile Control [[email protected]] and ask to be removed. DISCLAIMERS NED COOK’S The NTBS NEWSFLASH!, The Tracy Island Chronicles, The Tracy Island Archives and Tracy Island Writers Forum were created NTBS NEWSFLASH! and are maintained for archiving and preservation purposes only. No copyright infringement is intended. No financial gain is being made from any of these endeavors. All original content is copyright for your FREE subscription, email: The Tracy Island Chronicles. [email protected] www.tracyislandchronicles.com

18 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 ACIDACIDWINNER OF THE 2013 TRACY ISLAND WRITERS TESTTEST FORUM ‘UNCOVERED’ CHALLENGE Samantha Winchester “Mr. Tracy?” To her credit, the nurse only looked slightly Something in Virgil gave in all at once and he sank the western end of the complex trailed down the confused when both the men in the waiting room, down into the chair. The fingers of one hand horizon like an airborne oil slick. At its choking black one sitting, one hovering by the window, turned to immediately began drumming nervously on the base the flames burned so hard and bright it was face her. “Mr. Virgil Tracy? The doctor will see you now.” leather arm. Dr. Marshall waved Scott to the armchair difficult to look at them directly. Scott Tracy glanced down at his brother. Virgil took at the other end of the grouping, and seated herself “Thunderbird Five from Thunderbird One. I’m on scene his time standing up, an exhausted kind of nervous at the end of the couch closest to Virgil. Scott noted now. Any update on those activists?” energy gathering like a storm cloud around him. He that she had a smartpad waiting on the table in front of her, but other than that the surface was bare. The screen before him blinked into a view of his stood eyeing the open door; for a moment it looked brother John’s Nordic features. “Not yet, Scott. All we as if he might bolt. Scott came up beside him and “Virgil, I want you to relax now.” Scott found he was have is that text message and a rough location, a pitched his voice low, reassuring. “It’s going to be all already doing so – Dr. Marshall’s voice was as storeroom in the administration building. I’ve been right, Virg. I’ll be right there with you.” soothing as cool water flowing over the stones of a listening in to the radio talk around the refinery, but Virgil glanced at him. Then his eyes slid away, the brook. It seemed to be having a similar effect on nobody’s talking about them. They’re too busy storm dissipating as if he didn’t have the strength to Virgil, he was glad to see. The drumming fingers were worrying about the fire.” slowing. “You’re here because I’m going to help you hold the center together. He hesitated another “OK, John. Keep me in the loop.” moment…then moved resolutely forward. figure out what all these nightmares are trying to tell you. We’ll get to the bottom of it, I promise. We’ll “FAB.” Dr. Patricia Marshall met them at the doorway to her solve the mystery.” office; tall and willowy, with short blonde hair and a Less than a minute later Thunderbird One’s landing grip that impressed both of them. She’d been a star Virgil nodded, his eyes meeting Scott’s across the struts crunched through the thin layer of snow as basketball player in college, Penelope had told them. room. “Now,” Dr. Marshall said. “Why don’t you tell she settled to earth upwind of the refinery, safely out She was also a top flight psychotherapist – and she me what happened in your life right before all this of reach of any potential explosion. Scott checked could be trusted implicitly. “I’m Patricia Marshall. You began.” the external sensors as the thunder of the engines must be Virgil…you look exactly like Penny described faded: besides the usual pollution, no significant you.” She glanced over Virgil’s shoulder, levels of any potentially hazardous frowning slightly. “And you’re Scott.” chemical in the air yet. He put his bird on standby mode and went back to the locker She waved them into the office, a calm, to get his hazmat suit. uncluttered space with a wall of windows and minimal decoration. Somehow the The salt-laden January wind stung his face effect was peaceful rather than barren. as he dropped down the ladder to the “Virgil, take a seat over there,” she said, ground. As long as the air was still safe to gesturing toward a leather armchair at one breathe, he’d carry the suit’s headpiece with end of a U-shaped grouping. As Virgil its built in faceplate and internal breathing passed her she moved sideways apparatus rather than put it on. It was a lot unexpectedly, blocking Scott from following. easier to communicate without the “Penelope explained why you both feel it’s headgear, and communicating in this necessary that you be present during the situation was probably not going to be easy session. But it’s not something I usually in the first place. Even without the constant allow, I’d like that on record. If anything goes blare of the refinery’s warning siren, which wrong, I may have to ask you to leave the was an assault on the ears even at this room.” distance. “Noted,” Scott said, meeting her flinty gray He gave the complex a quick visual scan, gaze with no quarter given. He had no assessing the situation. It was a mixture of intention of going anywhere. older brick buildings and newer She looked over at Virgil, standing in front construction, although “newer” was a of the armchair she’d indicated. “And you’re relative term by the looks of the heavily sure this is how you want it?” stained and chipped concrete and the rusted railings. The stiff breeze coming off the Baltic “Doctor…I’m not so sure I want it at all.” Virgil had As Virgil began, hesitantly, to speak, Scott found his was enough to keep a good portion of the smoke that bolting look in his eyes again. But before Scott own mind falling back immediately to the same travelling up and away from the buildings, at least could react, Dr. Marshall surprised him again. event. The Kaliningrad refinery fire. for the time being, but Scott knew from experience “Virgil, when was the last time you slept through a * * * * * that this would only deteriorate over the next few night?” hours. He spotted a small crowd of people, some in ONE MONTH EARLIER The evidence was on his face…the deep shadows coveralls and a few in official looking uniforms, under his eyes, the inability to hold anyone’s eyes, The sky was the color of molten lead, silvered in the milling around beside three oversized, mismatched the quick, nervous movements that were so at odds early morning light. But pretty soon it was going to vehicles that looked like a cross between armored with the calm, steady, unflappable Virgil that Scott had be black. cars and fire tenders. More or less typical for equipment in that part of the world: old, bulky and known all his life. Scott saw his brother’s shoulders Scott Tracy dropped Thunderbird One’s left wing, outdated. Some of the men in uniforms had paused hunch in defeat; wished for the hundredth time in banking hard to port and sending International to stare back at him and his ship, but nobody made a the last few weeks that he could do something more Rescue’s silver rocket plane in a screaming arc move in his direction. than this to ease his obvious misery. But he’d tried around the stricken oil refinery. His destination had everything else he could think of…they all had. been easy to spot from the air as he had streaked He wasn’t surprised at the lack of a welcoming He shot a look of honest gratitude at Dr. Marshall, and toward Kaliningrad over the choppy dark waters of committee; this wasn’t his first time in the Baltic. He’d was rewarded with a brief smile. Truce. the Baltic Sea: the thick column of smoke rising from even done a couple of tours flying F-35s in another

19 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 part of Russia not so far from here while he’d been in been fighting this fire for three hours now with He could hear the tension crackling in John’s words. the USAF, during the Second Bereznik War. In this everything they had, and they weren’t even putting “Never say it can’t get worse. The fire chief just Russian oblast, cut off from the rest of Russia by its a dent in its ferocity. confirmed the refinery is leaking hydrofluoric acid.” geographic location between Poland and Lithuania, The heat was incredible, making Scott thankful for Scott swung around, scanning the air over the conditions were worse than in many other places in the internal cooling system in his suit, and the low- buildings for the telltale white cloud. “No visual on the former Soviet Union, and officials here were still hanging black pall over the doomed facility was that yet.” struggling to repair the economic damage from its growing thicker by the minute. Occasional wicked “Check your suit.” breakup all these years later. They weren’t inclined to downdrafts sent clouds of acrid smoke blowing be friendly toward outsiders, no matter what the across the fire crews, reducing visibility to near zero The hazmat suit’s external sensor was clipped to a situation was — unless they came prepared to before the wind whipped them clear again. Scott pocket on the right side. About the size of a grease a lot of palms. broke out respirators for himself and Elena and tried smartphone, it dangled on its cord like a futuristic They were likely to be even less friendly when they again, but even after two ground-shaking explosions pocket watch. Scott flipped it over and checked the found out why he was here. that sent spectacular fireballs roaring into the sky readings. “I’m in the clear so far. The wind is helping.” He glanced back at the refinery. “What kind of shape “International Rescue?” above them, raining down blazing debris that forced everyone to retreat temporarily, neither the refinery is their mitigation system in?” Scott turned to see a dark haired woman who looked managers nor the local fire department would have “Not great. They’re trying to fix an engine failure in to be in her forties, wrapped warmly in a chocolate anything to do with him or answer his questions the primary pump unit and they’ve already ruptured brown leather coat with fur at the throat and cuffs about the people he knew to be trapped inside the a hose. And from what I’m hearing, there isn’t enough and a matching fur hat. She at least looked like she storage building. It was like trying to talk to a wall of water in the tanks to last more than maybe six, six was glad to see him. granite. The only upside was that they had their and a half hours.” “Zdravstvujtye,” Scott dredged up the greeting from hands too full to spare the manpower to physically force him to leave, although Scott was sure a couple Scott watched as Thunderbird Two rose on her struts memory. “Elena Baranovsky? You’re the one who to clear the pod. “No wonder they aren’t bothering called us.” of times that their exchanges were going to come to blows. us too much. They’ve got their hands full. How much She smiled, holding out her hand. “Da. I won’t HF are we looking at, worst case scenario?” ask you to introduce yourself.” “110,000 pounds, give or take. Anything “Spasibo,” he said. “And that’s pretty much all within 25 miles would be at risk.” the Russian I’ve got.” Scott scrubbed his fingertips through his “So your operative told me when he gave hair. Just thinking about hydrofluoric acid me your arrival information,” she said, her on the loose made his scalp itch. One of the brown eyes twinkling just a little. Her English most toxic substances known to man, it was was good, if quite heavily accented. “He said capable of eating through concrete, rock, you have, as you say, a tin ear.” metal and glass. It could penetrate skin “Remind me to thank him for that. Any news easily, burning eyes and lungs and causing on your people?” death from pulmonary edema. And if you were unlucky enough to get the “Nyet.” Her expression shadowed as she concentrated liquid form splashed on your looked across at the refinery. “But I know they skin, the calcium-seeking raw fluoride ions are still in there. The last thing I heard was would smash through the body, eating it the text message I told your operative about. from the inside out. It was a really bad way The guards forced them both inside a to die. “Have they started evacuation?” storage building and locked them in. Alexei managed to get that message to me but after “It’s Kaliningrad, Scott. What do you think?” that, nothing. I am sure they took away their Scott forced his mind to stay on track. “Get phones.” on to base, see if there’s anything they can “And they weren’t even threatening do to get the authorities moving. anyone?” Thunderbird Two, you copying this? We’ll have to make it fast.” “They were filming the buildings and trying to talk to employees. This refinery is old, and “Copy,” Virgil’s voice came back. “We’ll do the in the opinion of many it is very unsafe. There best we can.” are many dangerous chemicals and they are “Level A suits. And be careful.” not properly stored. They have had several “FAB.” small accidents over the past few months, but nobody outside the company has talked about “I’m sorry,” Elena said at last, her expression taut as The pod door swung smoothly down, forming a them. We know this from a safety worker who was they retreated finally to the hoverbike. “I should not built-in ramp. Its leading edge had hardly touched fired for suggesting that an audit of the risks needed have come. They see me, they think you are on my the ground when the familiar broad concave sweep to be conducted. There has not been one done for side.” of the Firefly’s front scoop appeared at the pod’s many years.” entrance. “What is that?” Elena asked. “I am on your side,” Scott pointed out, temper on low Scott nodded toward the huddle of buildings. “Looks boil, jaw tight with frustration. “The only good news “That’s the Firefly. Cross a tank, a bulldozer and a fire like he was right.” here is that the fire hasn’t reached the building where tender and you come up with something like her.” “Our group contacted the owners, demanding your people are yet. We should be able to get our “These machines, they are amazing,” she said, answers. They would say only that the release of any equipment in there in time.” shaking her head. “In all my life I have never seen information would sensationalize the situation and But she wasn’t listening any more, staring past him anything like them.” raise issues of national security.” in awe as Thunderbird Two’s football field-sized bulk “I’m sorry it had to be under circumstances like this.” Scott snorted, shaking his head. “Unbelievable.” lowered to the snow with impossible grace. As soon Scott lifted his wristcom again but before he could as the VTOL jets flickered and died, Scott raised his “Welcome to Russia.” speak, he was thrown against the hoverbike as left wrist. “Thunderbird Two from Mobile Control. The another huge blast shook the ground under his feet. “Come on,” he said, “Let’s get you suited up. We need locals are hostile, so stay sharp.” Elena stumbled and fell to one knee. “Are you all to get over there.” “This isn’t going to be easy,” Virgil’s voice came back, right?” Scott called out to her. “I hope you are armed,” she said, her eyes serious. calm as ever. “The fire’s on three sides of that storage But she was pointing past his shoulder. “The He nodded. “Yes. Let’s just hope it won’t come to that.” building now. We could see that from the air.” building! The one where Alexei and Katya are! It’s on fire…” By the time the incoming whine of Thunderbird Two’s “Roger that. Unload the Firefly and get her over here turbines announced the arrival of International as fast as you can. It’s going to be quick and dirty. No Scott twisted around. Flaming debris from the Rescue’s great green transport forty minutes later, matter what happens, our priority is to get those explosion was raining down on the long, low Scott had given up trying to do anything like “liaise” people to safety. We go in fast, find them and get them concrete bulk of the storage building. “Firefly from with any of the officials at the refinery complex. He’d out.” Mobile Control. The target is on fire.” seen immediately when he got close enough that “FAB.” “FAB, Mobile Control. We’re going in now.” his assessment of their equipment had been “Mobile Control from Thunderbird Five.” accurate…there was no way it was going to be “Watch yourselves.” Scott glanced toward the group adequate for the task they had in front of them. They’d “Go ahead, Thunderbird Five.” of locals as the Firefly trundled forward on her

20 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 caterpillar tracks, her size dwarfing even the largest now, rising from the roofline. Scott couldn’t suppress Alan gave a frantic look at Virgil and obeyed, Russian fire tender on the site. The Russians stared the faint chill that shivered at the base of his spine. scrambling around the fallen bottles and as she passed. Two of the men he had tried to talk to The plant manager swung around and stared at Scott disappearing back toward the door Scott had come earlier, the plant manager and the fire chief, began for a long moment. Then he barked something that in by. Scott gripped Virgil’s flailing arm in both gloves. arguing with each other, gesticulating wildly. Then didn’t sound complimentary, and hustled his people “Virgil! Virgil!” they both marched purposefully toward Scott, flanked back in the direction of the refinery. Halfway there, he The expression of sheer terror in his brother’s eyes by two guards, both conspicuously armed with broke into a run. made his stomach lurch. He forced himself to keep automatic rifles slung over their uniformed his voice level. “Listen to me. Alan’s going to be back shoulders. “Mobile Control from Thunderbird Five. What’s going on down there?” John’s voice was tense. in just a minute with a new headpiece. I can’t take “Uh oh,” Scott said drily. “I guess we finally got their this off you until he gets back, the gas is everywhere, attention.” “It’s all done,” Scott said. “Let’s get your headgear on,” if you get it in your lungs it’ll burn you bad, you know he told Elena. Elena came to stand beside him, her smile nervous that.” but her jaw determined. Scott nodded approvingly “What do you mean, it’s all done?” John didn’t sound Virgil struggled, staring at the bubbling, seething and reached over to open the storage compartment happy. reaction happening right above his face. Scott held in the back of the hoverbike and remove his Sig “Later,” Scott said firmly. “They won’t be bothering us tight. “It’s gonna be OK, Virg. It’ll hold. I promise. Sauer. He made a show out of checking the clip for There’s time. Just hang on.” now they’ve seen the gas cloud.” the benefit of the oncoming men, then set the pistol Virgil’s glove gripped his upper arm. Scott prayed down on the seat, close enough to grab if necessary. He got Elena quickly into her headpiece and gloves, like he’d never done in his life. and he’d just gotten his own gear in place and The refinery men halted a few feet away. The one who checked the seals when the ground convulsed again, And then Alan was there beside them again with Elena had previously identified as the plant manager, the replacement headpiece. Virgil saw it and a short, stout man with black eyes in a rage-reddened even more violently this time. With a deafening roar, the building at the western edge of the complex blew immediately began thrashing again. “Get it off me, face, vented a stream of Russian. “He says you are Scott, get it off me!” trespassing,” Elena said. “He must insist you order apart. Flaming brick showered from the sky. your vehicle to withdraw from his property.” His wristcom began beeping insistently. He raised Scott looked at Alan. “I’m off, you’re on. Ready?” Beyond them, Scott could see the Firefly, massive his wrist, eyes scanning for the Firefly. He couldn’t see Alan nodded. Scott unzipped the seals and gripped scoop lowered, pushing flaming debris aside as it it through the smoke. “Mobile Control.” the headpiece on either side. “Hold your breath and close your eyes, Virg. On three. One, two…” powered its way to the storage building. “Sorry, no It was Alan, his voice frantic over the sound of can do. There are people trapped in there, whether something else, something he couldn’t quite make The transfer went by in a blur of speed. Scott hurled he wants to admit it or not. We’re here to get them out through the slight muffling of the hazmat gear. the fizzing faceplate away from him like it was out.” “Scott! I need help! Virgil’s down!” radioactive, suppressing shudders, as Alan whipped Elena translated the manager’s slit-eyed response. the new headpiece into place over Virgil’s head and It was then that Scott realized that the other sound fastened the seals. He could feel Virgil’s body “He says he still does not know what you are talking was Virgil. He was screaming. trembling with reaction through the hand that was about. The factory has been evacuated.” There was no thought, no hesitation. With no still locked tight around his bicep. “Are you OK, Virg? Anger made Scott step up closer to the other man. conscious memory of how it happened, he was Answer me, man. Are you OK?” “Oh, sure. You’d like me to believe that, wouldn’t you? suddenly in motion, whipping across the refinery Virgil opened his eyes, breathing ragged. He A lot more convenient for you if those two people grounds with every ounce of speed he could managed a shaky nod. “Jesus, Scott…” die before anyone gets to talk to them, right? We summon from the hoverbike’s engine. The going was wouldn’t want another one of those messy But there was no time. Scott looked up at Alan again. rough and dangerous, through piles of burning international incidents, would we?” “Where are the activists? Did you get them out?” rubble and close to zero visibility in places, and it The manager’s face darkened. He spat something, felt like an eternity before he finally saw the Firefly’s “I got them into the Firefly before the explosion,” Alan said, his voice sounding no steadier than Virgil’s. ejecting the words like blows. Elena didn’t even get yellow-painted rear end loom from the clouds of “Virgil was checking to make sure nobody else was all the way through the translation before Scott’s fury choking black smoke. “Alan! What’s going on! Where in here when the place went up.” erupted into action. are you?” It all happened very fast. Scott grabbed the plant His expression suddenly went ashen, looking at “Inside the building! Hurry, I can’t get it…off him…” something beyond Scott’s shoulder. Scott turned manager’s lapels and shoved him hard against the Alan’s voice was taut with strain. hoverbike. The taller man who’d come with the quickly…and felt immediately sick. The acid had manager began shouting at him. Elena shrieked a He halted the hoverbike beside the Firefly and leaped eaten all the way through Virgil’s original faceplate, warning and caught Scott’s arm as it swung back. off, moving as fast as he could in the direction of the leaving a hideous melted hole right above where Scott swore in frustration and tried to yank free but building and cursing the bulk of his hazmat suit as his brother’s eyes would have been. she wouldn’t let go, pleading with him to stop…and much as he blessed it for its protection. “John, where’s Too close. Way, way too close. the door?” then, suddenly, he saw why. The guards had unslung “Come on, Alan,” he ground out, forcing his gaze their automatic rifles and were aiming them straight John guided him to follow the wall to the left. At last away from what had very nearly been. “Let’s get him at his head. he spotted the opening and plunged inside. out of here.” Then the sensors on his and Elena’s hazmat suits It looked like a war zone. The entire left third of the began to shrill for attention. structure had collapsed, the jagged remains of the You can read the rest of ‘Acid Test’ in Thunderbird Startled, the guards glanced at each other. Breathing roof now open to the sky. Chunks of concrete were Two’s Hangar at the Tracy Island Chronicles. hard, Scott stepped back from the plant manager, still falling intermittently. Fires burned unchecked. http://www.tracyislandchronicles.com/tb2/tb2.html hands up in front of him to show the armed men Scott ignored it all, hunting for his brothers. Virgil that he was retreating. They didn’t fire but they didn’t was still yelling. Tracking them with his wristcom in lower their weapons, either. “Elena, tell them I need GPS mode, Scott swung to the right around a tall to check the sensors.” stack of what looked like large plastic storage bottles. Eyeing the guards whitely, she did as he asked. Taking Some of them had tumbled down off the top and their continued stillness as encouragement, Scott rolled out over the floor. carefully flipped up the sensor on his suit. Then he saw them. Virgil was on the ground on his It wasn’t good news. back in a pile of rubble that looked like it had once been part of the ceiling. Pinning him down was a “Elena, tell our friends that they need to get their very large beam and several of the plastic bottles. respirators on. Our suit sensors are picking up the Alan was heaving bottles and pieces of concrete roof first traces of hydrofluoric acid gas. They get a lungful away from him in an adrenaline-fueled frenzy. of that, they’re going to be sorry in a big hurry.” It wasn’t until he got up close that he could see Elena began talking very fast. Scott noticed for the first time that her hands were trembling. The plant exactly why Virgil had lost it. There was a jagged crack manager snapped back, his expression still across his faceplate, and something was…boiling on If you’d like to join in our Story Challenges and threatening. Scott pointed beyond him at the refinery. its surface. aren’t a member, how about joining the TIWF Yahoo! Group? It's fast, easy and FREE! “Look for yourselves.” That’s when Scott remembered that hydrofluoric acid GO TO: It didn’t need translation. They all turned to look back was stored in plastic. http:groups.yahoo.com/groupTracy_Island_WF/ at the buildings. The white cloud was quite visible “Go, Alan, get another headpiece!” he rapped. “Move!”

21 NED COOK’S NTBS NEWSFLASH! JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013