At an oil field, one of the pumps is on fire. Virgil contacts Scott and says he's going in now. Scott tells him he's only got once chance. Virgil moves Firefly into position, and gets it right next to the pump. He then takes aim with the cannon, and fires a single shell from it.

The shell hits the pump, causing an explosion that knocks Firefly back. But the shot has worked, as the fire has been put out. The pump is no longer ablaze, and Scott tells Virgil good shooting. Virgil turns the Firefly back around, and starts driving it back towards Thunderbird 2.

Nearby, news presenter Ned Cook tells his cameraman, Joe, about how this could have been the greatest news report of the year. Joe says they can't do a thing about it. Ned doesn't know why International Rescue are so touchy about having their pictures taken. They've for a job to do as well as they have. Virgil drives Firefly into the pod, and Scott says he'll return to Thunderbird 1. Ned tells Joe to get on the camera -they're going to get that story of the year!

Virgil reports he's ready for lift of, so he takes off in Thunderbird 2. Scott says he'll see him back at base. Ned tells Joe that as soon as Thunderbird 1 takes off, he's to start shooting. Ned drives their camera truck forwards.

Joe is ready on top of the truck with the camera, and films Thunderbird 1 taking off. This immediately sets of Thunderbird 1's automatic camera detector, alerting Scott. He lands Thunderbird 1 and tells Ned and Joe he said no pictures.

Ned tells him he's done a good job today, so let him do his. Scott repeats that he said no pictures, and asks for the ones taken to be destroyed. Ned thinks Scott is crazy to tell him to do that, and then drives off. Scott takes off in Thunderbird 1 again, and goes after them. Joe tells Ned to stop the truck.

Ned says no deal, as this is the best news story they've ever had, and he's not going to lose it now. Thunderbird 1 catches up with their truck, and pulls up alongside it. Scott then does something that causes a bright light to emit from Thunderbird 1. Ned sees it and wonders what's going on.

Scott reveals that he's electromagnetically wiped the video tape, so now the entire recording is blank. Scott says he's sorry, but they've got to protect themselves. He then tells them so long, and heads way from their truck. Ned stops the truck, and Joe looks at the film. Ned thinks Scott was bluffing, what he did isn't possible. Joe says he wasn't bluffing, and it is possible, revealing that they've lost their story.

Scott tells Virgil his take off from the danger zone was delayed, but he'll fill him in with the details later. Virgil radios Tracy Island and reports that the rescue operation was successful, and he's returning to base. Jeff then resumes what he was doing, which was making a reply which Tin-Tin is typing up. Jeff says that due to other pressing business, he is declining to view the moving of the Empire State Building. But the scheme to move it strikes him as being daring and imaginative. Redevelopment of obsolete areas is vital, but so too is the preservation of national monuments and institutions.

Virgil says he's picking radar reflection of a surface vessel. Scott asks what's so special about that, and Virgil says it's the vessel's phenomenal speed. Scott thinks it could be the Sentinel, the Navy's new strike vessel. Out at sea, the Sentinel is at a speed of 200 knots. The ships commander asks for a routine report from missile control. But he then hears a report via radio about an unidentified object approaching, which is at a height of 2,000 feet and has an air speed of 5,000 miles per hour.

The commander sees it on the ship's scanner, and also finds out which direction it's traveling towards. He asks Clayton if there are any reports of military aircraft in this area. Clayton says their last report indicated this whore area was green. The commander says to stand by interceptor missiles, and get immediately clearance for launching. Virgil says he's changing course, and he thinks the Sentinel must be tracking them and they don't want to lead it back to their base. Scott says he'll do the same once he's closer.

The commander sees that the object has changed course, and is now on a direct course for New York. He asks Clayton what is it, and Clayton says he wishes he knew. It's too fast for an aircraft, and too slow for a missile. They then receive a radio report stating that no aircraft are scheduled in this area, and to treat the unidentified craft as hostile. The commander sounds battle stations, and has all missile launchers prepared. Six interceptor missiles and prepped to fire.

After a 10 second countdown, the first two missiles are fired. Virgil immediately picks them up, and reports to Scott and the base that he's under missile attack. Scott tells him to switch on the jammer to try and throw them off course. Virgil says he thinks it's too late, so Scott tells him to take evasive action.

Virgil pulls up, but says the missiles are still coming dead at him. Scott tells him to gain altitude, and pull Thunderbird 2 up. Virgil does so, and the two missiles explode beneath Thunderbird 2. Scott asks him if he's ok, and Virgil says he's still here, but that was close. He feels that Thunderbird 2 has taken some damage on its tail unit.

The Sentinel then launches another two missiles, but the frequencies to their combat jammers have been changed. Virgil says here they go again, and Scott tells him to get that jammer working. But Virgil says the missiles have changed frequency, and are coming straight for him. Scott tells him to hold his present altitude, and then climb one second before impact, he might be able to throw them.

Scott tells Virgil to gain more height. Virgil pulls Thunderbird 2 up, but the missiles explode and hit the craft. It is engulfed in a fireball, and smoke starts pouring out of the engines. It starts to go into a dive.

There is then an explosion in the cockpit. Scott calls base and says he can't get through to Virgil, but he can see in the distance that Thunderbird 2 is on fire. Jeff says he's been on to Washington, and hopes that they can stop this senseless attack.

The Sentinel then fires another two missiles. The Commander and Clayton then receive an emergency call from Washington, explaining to stop the attack immediately. The unidentified craft is a Thunderbird machine of the International Rescue organization. The Commander orders Clayton to destroy missiles five and six, and they are detonated before they get anywhere near Thunderbird 2.

Virgil wakes up to hear Scott yelling at him to pull up, he's going to crash! Scott tells him to pull out of the dive, and Virgil manages to do so just in time. Scott asks how it looks, but Virgil isn't sure. He says the engines are running smoothly, but the tail section is giving trouble. Scott asks if he can make it back to base, but all Virgil can say is he'll let him know.

Back on the island, Jeff explains that Virgil is trying to bring Thunderbird 2 back to the island. It's on fire and badly crippled, so he tells Gordon and Alan to standby on the firefighting equipment. He then asks Brains what Virgil's chances are. Brains thinks that as long as the reactor plant hasn't been damaged, the chances are good. Scott asks Virgil if the reactor is damaged, but Virgil says he can't tell. The instruments have suffered severe damage.

Virgil asks Scott how much further it is to base, and Scott tells him it's just another 10 minutes -he knows he can make it. Kyrano asks Jeff if he'd like some tea, and tells him that his boys will be safe, he'll see. Jeff is distracted and asks him what he just said. Tin-Tin says her father asked him if he would like coffee. Jeff says no thanks, and then says he'd better get over to landing control, as if they arrive at all, it'll be soon. On Thunderbird 2's runway, the palm trees move aside and several extinguishers move up out of the ground.

Jeff sees that Gordon and Alan are ready. Alan says they're two minutes away. Virgil says the flaps are down, and he's banking for the final approach. Thunderbird 2 makes a heavy landing on the runway, and bounces along it. Virgil says the wheels have gone, and he can't hold her -he's going to crash! Jeff orders for the foam to be released in section B.

The extinguishers are activated, and start spraying foam everywhere. Thunderbird 2 is on fire, but eventually comes to a stop on the runway. The foam puts the fire out, but on the inside, Virgil is still in the cockpit...

Virgil wakes up and immediately asks about what happened to Thunderbird 2. Jeff says Thunderbird 2 was badly damaged, but will be ok. Scott says it's nothing a few weeks of work won't fix. Virgil thinks that's terrible, asking what'll happen if Thunderbird 2 is needed on call. Jeff says they'll have to hope that doesn't happen, and then tells Virgil to relax, as he needs a lot of rest. He needs to take care of himself, and they'll take care of Thunderbird 2.

Thunderbird 2 has been taken back into its hangar. Tin-Tin asks Brains how it's going, and he says slowly -this is going to take some time. Scott and Jeff look down on Thunderbird 2 from above, and Scott thinks it's a mess. Jeff says once the new components arrive they'll have to work round the clock to get it right. Scott says trying to keep everything secret is the tricky part of their operation. Jeff says they order each component from different aircraft corporations, and none of them know what they're making. It's only when they all arrive here that the jigsaw fits together.

Kyrano tells Virgil it's good he's eating again, although Virgil thinks it's because of Kyrano's marvelous food. Gordon then enters and asks Virgil if he's got his TV switched on. Virgil says he's seen enough TV to last him the rest of his life, but Gordon says this is a special program: they're moving the Empire State Building right now. Virgil switches his TV set on, whilst the rest of the family watch it in the lounge. Ned Cook presents the show, telling the audience they're about to witness one of the greatest engineering feats of all time.

Scott recognizes Ned, and says he was the guy has had to stop filming them at the oil well. Jeff thinks Ned would do anything for a story. Ned says that in a few moments, they'll show everyone a construction job that leaves the building of the pyramids in the shade. Today, the Empire State Building is going to be moved 200 yards, not piece by piece, but as it stands -all 1,250 feet of it. Firstly, they'll explain how this tremendous task is going to be performed. The reason why the Empire State has to be moved is simple: the whole area around the great monument has been demolished, to make way for modern development. After tunneling under the foundations, hydraulic jacks were placed beneath the building. The jacks were then raised, and up the building came.

The next step was to lay a heavy duty track under the building and run it to the new site. Now all that remains to be done is to move the giant building inch by inch to its new site. Ned says it may sound easy, but it took ten years of planning and two years of construction to get this far. The Empire State building has a gigantic gantry attached to it. Ned says that any minute now, the powerful atomic engines will start to move its gigantic load to the new site.

A siren then goes off, and Ned says the signal has been given. The gantry begins to slowly move, pulling the Empire State Building along with it. Ned says that in all the years of his broadcasting, this must be the most breathtaking moment he's ever experienced. But he then says to hold everything -something has gone wrong. On the track, cracks begin to appear, and Ned says it's like an earth tremor.

Ned then says that the atomic motors are shutting down. He reports that this is a mighty dangerous situation, as the ground around the building is crumbling. They're in direct line of fire, but they'll stay in the danger zone to bring everyone up to the minute pictures of this fantastic spectacle. Jeff thinks Ned is a crazy fool, he should get the heck out of there. Scott says it's like he said: Ned would do anything for a story. Ned then reports that it looks like it's going to be alright, as the ground subsidence has stopped. But he doesn't think they'll see the Empire State move again today.

Ned then says they've just been ordered off this site by the police, and he understands that there is a very real danger that the entire building could collapse at any moment. As he starts to say when they'll be on the air again, the ground beneath him opens up, and he falls. The tremor also causes Joe and his camera to fall.

Ned and Joe survive, and are both ok other than some cuts. Ned says the whole are is subsiding, so they've got to get out of here fast. But up above, the tremors continue to get worse, and part of the gantry explodes. The Empire State Building tilts, as the ground under the track continues to break up and crack open.

Another reporter says they apologize for the loss of picture, and they have grave fears for the safety of Ned Cook. They hope to bring pictures of minute to minute happenings in a few moments, as soon as they can get a new outside broadcast in position. There is then another explosion on the gantry, causing further damage to the Empire State Building. The ground under the track shifts again, causing more explosions. Joe realizes the building is going to come down right on top of them, and he and Joe can only watch as the Empire State Building collapses.

The news reporter states that what they're seeing is the result of this terrifying tragedy. The Empire State Building has crashed into a mountain of rubble, and is no more. Everyone then hears Ned's voice, asking for help and if anyone can hear him. Scott wonders how anyone could be alive under all of that, and Alan says he doesn't know, but one things for sure: they'll never get him out. Scott says their equipment could do it, they've got to get Thunderbird 2 there right away! Jeff reminds him that Thunderbird 2 is out of commission, so there's nothing they can do.

The reporter says there will be no more transmissions by this station for the moment. Ned Cook is trapped under the ruins of the Empire State Building, and is in touch with them via his radio microphone. They'll be using this channel in order to maintain contact with him. The report asks Ned if he can hear him, and Ned says he can. Ned says just before the building crashed, the ground collapsed beneath them, then the building came down on top of them. It was a miracle they weren't crushed, but they are now sitting in a hollow about ten feet wide. They aren't hurt, but he can hear water seeping in from below. Brains says that's the answer. He was trying to figure out why that area would suddenly collapse, and the reason is because of underground rivers. Tin-Tin thinks he could be right, as many cities have rivers running beneath them. Brains says if there was an undetected river running under the Empire State Building, that could have caused the trouble.

Jeff says that means water will continue to seep into the hollow that's protecting Ned Cook, which will drown him. Scott says if only they could get along that river. Brains says it might be possible with Thunderbird 4. Tin-Tin says they can't airlift it to New York without Thunderbird 2. Gordon and Virgil appear, and Gordon says he'll have to go all the way by sea. Virgil tells him he'd never make it, as Thunderbird 4 is only a scout craft. He thinks Thunderbird 4 would have to be airlifted, but Gordon says he can make it on his own.

Jeff tells Gordon his solution is not only dangerous, it's also highly impractical. Even if he did make it, he'd only be in time to attend Ned Cook's funeral. Jeff wants to yell at the Sentinel Commander for causing all this, but Virgil says that's it -the Sentinel put them out of action, so they can put them back in action. Jeff says he gets the picture, and he likes it. He tells Scott to take off and head to New York, and then tells Gordon to launch Thunderbird 4 and proceed to the position where the fleet exercises are going on. He'll contact Washington and arrange for Thunderbird 4 to be picked up, and then rushed to New York.

Scott takes off in Thunderbird 1. Jeff quickly gets in touch with Washington, and organizes for Thunderbird 4 to be picked up by the Sentinel. He's told by someone at the other end that it's the least they can do. Jeff then contacts Gordon and tells him that the Sentinel will pick him and Thunderbird 4 up, then take them to New York as fast as they know how. Gordon launches Thunderbird 4, and leaves Tracy Island.

At the danger zone, site control has setup in a van. The two guys inside it are contacted by Scott, who asks if there's any news of the trapped men. One of the guys explains that they've drilled a hole to supply them with air, light and food. But the trouble is that the water level is rising. Scott says he wants the entire area cleared, but finds out this has already been done. The guy explains that the site is unsafe, and could give way any time. Scott says he'll be arriving in 30 minutes, and he'll need detailed plans of the underground river systems. Meanwhile, Thunderbird 4 is picked up by the Sentinel.

Gordon tells Scott he's made contact with the Sentinel, and is being taken onboard. But his estimated time of arrival to the danger zone is 24 hours. Scott then arrives in New York, and lands Thunderbird 1. Back at Tracy Island, Brains says he's been studying Manhattan Island. Its base is solid rock, and whilst underground streams do exist, they've never been considered a threat. But it's possible over the last 100 years the minor streams have eaten away the rock until they've become rivers. No recent surveys have been carried out, so it's going to be a difficult task to locate the river.

Jeff says it's already touch and go whether Thunderbird 4 will arrive in time, but now the rescue could be delayed even further. Scott then calls in and says the situation is that Ned Cook and his cameraman are still alive, and whilst they can get food down to them, the water is rising. According to their calculations, the two will be under the water about the same time Gordon arrives. Jeff tells him to pass breathing apparatus down to them to keep them alive until Thunderbird 4 gets there.

Scott then contacts Ned, and tells him to stay with it. Ned thinks that's easy for him to say, but it has been nine hours since they got on the scene. This hanging around is getting to him, and they're helpless down here. The water is freezing, and it's still rising. He thinks they have less than 10 hours, and will be under the water at around 10am.

Scott finds out from Gordon that his estimated time or arrival is 10:05am. Scott thinks that's going to leave things pretty tight, and asks if they can get more speed. The Commander says that they're at maximum speed now. Gordon says 10 hours to New York it is. Scott asks how the breathing gear is coming along. One of the cops says they've located some units from the Navy yard, and they're on the way.

Joe says the water is rising faster, and asks Ned if they're doing to drown. Ned tells him to hold on, as those rescue guys know what they're doing, and are going to get them out of here. Scott asks him if there's been any increase in the rate of the water level, and Ned says they'll be under by 9 o'clock. Scott realizes Gordon will be arriving one hour too late. The cop says that Johnson is sending the gear down now, and says they have a two hour air supply. Scott says the safety time is cut to only one hour, and that allows for no setbacks. Gordon asks if there's no way to get more speed, but the Commander says they're tearing the motors apart now.

Ned says the water is coming up faster still, and he reckons they have two short hours left. Scott tells them they'll have to wear their breathing gear for the last two hours. Ned thinks this will be cutting things fine, it won't leave them with much air in their tanks. Scott says they can still do it, and they will. More time passes, and Ned says they'll have to use the air soon, or they'll drown. Scott tells them to hold on for as long as they can, as the last atom of air in those tanks could be the difference between life and death. Ned says the water is up to their mouths.

He and Joe have to put their masks on, and start using the air tanks. He says now they've got to sit here and wait for their air to run out. On the Sentinel, the ship slows down. Gordon asks what's wrong, and the Commander says they're approaching costal limits. The Hudson and East rivers are crammed with shipping, so they can't possibly go any quicker at maximum speed. Gordon asks if it would be quicker for him to go in Thunderbird 4, under the shipping, and the Commander says it'd be much quicker. Gordon contacts Scott and explains about what he's going to do, and gives a 20 minute ETA. He hopes he can find that river mouth, and Scott hopes he can too, as in 20 minutes Ned and Joe run out of air.

Thunderbird 4 is lowered back into the sea, and submerges. Scott tells Ned that Thunderbird 4 is on its way, and asks how the air is going. Ned says it's going too fast for his liking, and asks if Scott's buddy can get here in time. Scott says he can make it... he's got to make it.

Gordon starts exploring the seabed, and eventually finds the entrance. But Scott knows he still has to navigate that underground river, and doubts he'll be able to reach Ned and Joe in time. He tells Ned that he's got to find that underground river from their end, as that water is flooding in from some hole. They need to find it, as Thunderbird 4 is on its way. Ned isn't sure if Joe can make it, but Scott says he has to. They need to swim around, and find that entrance.

Gordon enters the cave, and tells Scott he's moving upstream. They're in luck so far, as it's big enough for Thunderbird 4 to navigate. As Ned and Joe swim, Scott says to keep at it. Johnson then says a pretty serious message has just come in from central control. The land subsidence is spreading, and it looks like the Fulmer Finance Building is in danger, and could go over.

Scott sees the building, which is tilting. Johnson says everyone was evacuated from that area, but Scott says it's going to collapse right on top of the rescue hole. It'll start a tidal current that will hit those guys like an avalanche. At the Fulmer Finance Building, the ground starts to crack up, and some debris falls from the top.

Scott finds out that they've got about two and a half minutes until that building goes over, and the geologists think anything could happen after that. Scott tells Gordon about what's happening up top, and the result of the collapse could cave in the whole area. Gordon tells him to leave the frequency open and they can try to guide him to them. Ned has to swim back to Joe, who has collapsed. The air level gauges on their tanks now read empty. Scott says don't panic, as there will still be air left in those tanks.

Ned then finds a hole, and realizes it's what they're searching for. He says there is just enough room to get through, and gets Joe to start swimming again. Johnson says the tower is going to give any moment, so Scott asks Gordon if there's been any signal from them yet. Gordon says that hasn't, so Scott tells him to keep going -they've got to find them!

Gordon says he's come to a dead end, but then sees he's actually at a sharp bend. Joe and Ned collapse, but Gordon can hear their breathing over the radio. He says they need to hang on just a few more seconds, so Scott contacts Ned and tells him they've got to keep going, they must search for Thunderbird 4's beacon. Thunderbird 4 moves further down the tunnel.

Ned sees Thunderbird 4's lights, and tells Joe they've got to swim. The two are able to move again, and Gordon sees them up ahead. He tells Ned he's opening Thunderbird 4's hatch, and tells him and Joe to swim into it. Ned and Joe are able to enter Thunderbird 4.

Gordon says he's got them, so Scott tells him to beat it and get the heck out of there! He then sees the state of the Fulmer Finance Building, and tells Gordon it's falling. The building then collapses...

...and smashes to the ground. This creates a powerful current, which rips through the cave and tunnels, knocking Thunderbird 4 away.

A compère welcomes everyone to the Ned Cook Show. He tells the audience that Ned has not missed a performance in the last 167 weeks. A few days ago, Ned and his cameraman were involved in a disaster in which there seemed no escape. But true to his unique record, Ned is here tonight. Ned then rolls onto the stage.

Ned says that he's made the show, and what a show they have for them tonight. But first, he has one very important thing to say. He and his cameraman are only alive due to the unselfish action of an organization that is dedicated to its chosen task of rescuing people who would normally certainly die. He's referring to International Rescue, and he's taking this opportunity to thank the people behind that great organization. No one knows who they are, or where they come from. But come they do, and help they bring. He only hopes his words will reach those gallant people. On the behalf of Joe and himself, he thanks International Rescue from the bottom of his heart. As the audience erupt in applause, little does Ned know that International Rescue are watching.