Thunderbirds: Welcome to Tracy Island

Chapter 3

"Are you ready to embark on the adventure if your life?"

"Not particularly. I'd prefer a lie down."

"Oh come on, Alan. You've gotta be excited about this!" his brother enthused, practically bubbling with joy.

"About what, exactly?"

"Exploring our new surroundings on the high seas!"

"High seas? Give me a break. You want me to chart out an underwater map for navigation purposes knowing full well I hate drawing." Alan complained as he watched the tranquil sea brushing against the rocks underneath the small wooden pier they were standing on.

"Exactly! Exploration is key! Plus it'll give me chance to try out my new diving gear." Gordon chimed, stepping onto his boat, which wobbled a little at the movement. Alan followed and the two started preparing it for departure.

After a few minutes, the speedboat started up and slid gracefully away from the harbour, cutting a path through the calm sea. Once they were about a mile away from the shore, Gordon looped the island twice before coming to a stop in an area sheltered by the imposing cliff face of their new home.

Gordon dropped anchor and pulled on his diving gear, which consisted of a grey and red wet suit, black flippers and a diving mask. Alan handed him the bronze breathing tube and helped it onto his brother's back.

"Is the water deep?"

"That's what I'd like to find out." Gordon replied, sliding on the eye mask.

"Alright, well, I'll be up here in case you need anything."

"Okie dokie!"

Gordon sat on the side of the boat and allowed himself to slide over into the water. Alan walked back inside the boat wheelhouse and opened the radio feed to his brother. "Do you read me, Gordon?"

A high-pitched gurgling sound was all Alan received in return. He groaned and fiddled with the radio to try and fix the sound problem. He eventually lost his temper with it and gave it a smack which ironically seemed to cure it. As the static faded away, he could hear Gordon talking to himself.

"-looks amazing down here. So crystalline. Look at all those hidden caves! The water is in perfect condition too. Would be great if the old man let me do some underwater research here. Just look at that coral formation!"

"How's it looking down there?" came Alan's tinny voice over the radio.

"Oh Al, it's wonderful! It's like an underwater paradise! You have so got to see this for yourself."

"Maybe some other day. I don't fancy getting the seawater in my hair. How deep is the water?"

"My sonar device reckons it's 12,000 odd feet."

"How deep?" came Alan's startled response.

"That's pretty accurate for the South Pacific. It's generally around 14,000 feet but can get as deep as 36,000 feet! Ever heard of the Mariana Trench?"

"Yeah, but... we're not that close to it, right?"

"It's near the Mariana Islands."

"And where are they?"

"Off the coast of the Philippines, so you don't have to worry about accidently falling down it or anything."

"Gee, thanks for that image."

"You're welcome!"

Alan grabbed himself a carton of orange juice from the cooler. "So what do you want me to do with this map now?"