“Mobile Control to Thunderbird Two, we’ve received reports that the fire is spreading into the forest” Jeff’s voice came across the radio.

Mobile Control was simply a fold out desk and a laptop networked to the special network Brains had created. This was used out on rescues to save them time and to give the team regular updates.

“FAB Mobile Control, we can try and put it out but reports show that this area is suffering a drought” Virgil replied as they flew through the black smoke of the fire.

“There is a mansion in the woods, the locals think it’s empty but they’re not too sure” Jeff’s voice responded, some of the locals and rescue services talked behind him.

“We can try and scan it but the heat is increasing all of the time, the hull is warming up too” Gordon’s voice came across the radio.

“We can try the missiles around the mansion to buy us some time but I’m not sure how much” Virgil added as he focused on flying the large Thunderbird over the forest fires.

“Worth trying Virgil but get out of there if things get too hot for you up there” Jeff replied as he continued to work down on the ground.

“FAB” Virgil replied as he switched the thermal cameras on, hoping that they would help.

"The fire is getting closer Leo! We’re running out of time” Paul yelled up the stairs, the posh mansion around them gave him the creeps.

“Then how about you pickpocket this blasted lock and I’ll stand guard with the shotgun?” Leo replied glaring at his friend that stood behind him before going back to picking the lock on the safe.

“No thanks haven’t got the skill for it but” Paul stopped and the shotgun fired, “Hate rats! Especially dull green rats!” He said running up the stairs and coughed into his shoulder.

Leo stopped and coughed before flexing his hands, “We’re running out of time, the smoke is getting thicker” He croaked before continuing with picking the lock, soon a loud click was heard and the safe opened.

Paul sighed and looked around, “We should get out of here” He said reloading the shotgun before coughing a little, frowning to listen around the mansion.

Leo finished packing the files into the rucksack and watched his friend, “What is it?” He asked brining out a handgun locking the safety off.

“International Rescue is here” Paul replied as he jumped over the balcony landing on the floor and shot a few more rats, “Let’s just set the bomb and go, before they find the bikes” He said as he opened the door seeing the fire in the distance and getting closer.

Leo ran down the stairs and looked up at the smoke filled sky, “They’ll use those missiles, probably thinking of buying time to check this place out” He said as he backed away to set the bomb.

“Then let’s leave nothing for them to check” Paul suggested as he watched the large green craft hover close by.

“We’re ready to fire the missiles, but we’re getting reports that the weather is changing” Virgil updated his father on the ground.

“FAB Virgil, I’ll contact base and see what they say” Jeff’s voice replied across the radio.

“Virgil we’re ready here!” Gordon called across the shared radio; he had taken Alan down into the cargo hold, ready to use the bigger scanners that they carried.

“Ok Gordon, hang tight for a few more minutes!” Virgil replied as he focused on swinging Thunderbird Two around ready to fire the missiles.

Gordon and Alan got the scanners working and focused it on the mansion; Alan frowned as the results came in on the screen between them.

“Gord, should it look like this?” Alan asked looking at the screen then at his brother.

“It shouldn’t…” Gordon muttered then cursed violently as he activated the shared channel across the network, “We’re going to need to evacuate the area now!” He half panicked, half yelled into his hands free radio.

“What’s going on?” Virgil called sounding a slightly bit edgier than normal.

“There’s a massive heat source and getting bigger in that mansion, I think its going to blow!” Gordon replied and looked at Alan, whose eyes were wide with shock.

“Then get up here, I don’t want to shake her up until you’re both up here” Virgil replied, around them they heard the engines whine to turn the craft around at a high speed.

“Ok we’re coming up” Gordon said shooing Alan on ahead of him.

Paul kicked the bike hoping that it would work but nothing happened, “Damn bike!” He cursed as Leo watched anxiously close by.

“Get on, that bomb or the fire isn’t going to wait!” Leo called over, making room on his bike.

“We’ve got to get out of here” Paul coughed as he climbed on.

Leo grinned and revved the bike’s engine up before letting it loose tearing into the burning forest.

Paul kept low, shutting his eyes as he felt the heat of the forest fire as they drove through it. He held on tightly as Leo navigated through the dangerous fire with trees falling through the forest around them and in front of their path.

“Hang on!” Leo yelled before he revved the bike up and jumped over a wide ditch then swerved sharply to the right as he dodged around a falling tree.

They shot out of the forest and onto the road, “W-what’s that” Paul called over the noise of the forest fire around them.

“I don’t know but we’re closed off by the fire!” Leo called back looking around them for a path to take.

“Just our luck… can we just follow the Thunderbird? As much as I hate to say that” Paul suggested looking up seeing Thunderbird Two high above them.

Leo glanced back at Paul and nodded before following the large green Thunderbird along the road being away of the burning trees that had fallen onto the road, he felt Paul tighten his hold pushing the knifes tied to Leo’s waist being pushed in.

“Where are they going?” Leo muttered glancing up at the aircraft before dodging a falling tree.

“Where ever they’re going, let’s keep our distance” Paul replied as they shot past a team of fire fighters, the bike jumping over the ditches and sandbags used as fire breakers.

Jeff battled with his inner emotions as he listened to the communications between his boys inside Thunderbird Two, he held onto the edge of the laptop tightly while looking over at where he knew the rescue craft was.

The chief of the fire fighters was close by telling him an update on the situation of the fire; Jeff gave him most of his attention. He listened how the fire had crept around boxing them in the middle of this dangerous inferno.

“Ok tell your teams to start work on clearing the road but just keep the fire back” Jeff told the team’s captains.

“Thunderbird Two to Mobile Control, this fire is getting intense, what do you suggest” Virgil called across the radio; Jeff relaxed a little at seeing the green craft approach them.

“Use your missiles to put the fire out nearest the roads; all we can do now is contain it! We need to evacuate and fast” Jeff ordered nodding at the chief close by as a plan formed in his head, not hearing the motorbike screeching to a halt.

To be continued…