Gordon ventures deep into the Marianas trench to rescue a survey team, and ends up discovering an early International Rescue prototype vehicle once flown by Jeff Tracy. Gordon takes Thunderbird 4 down to save the crew and get a better look at the prototype. But the survey ship, designed by The Mechanic, transforms and wrecks Thunderbird 4. Gordon is forced to abandon ship and seek refuge on his dad's TV-21 plane. To save the survey crew, Gordon powers up the plane and manages to take it up to the surface.
In the 21st century, Jeff Tracy, a former astronaut, amasses a colossal fortune and decides that he must use it to benefit others. His answer to this desire is to create International Rescue, a unique private emergency response service equipped with customized designed vehicles and equipment that enable the organization to react to any crisis whether it be in sea, air, land, or space.
Jeff's five sons volunteer to operate as the pilots and field agents, as well "Brain" who acts as the teams engineer. In addition, Jeff's friend, Kyrano and his daughter Tanusha aka Kayo agree to be the support staff. In addition to the field team, IR also maintains an intelligence network with Lady Penelope and her ex-con chauffeur, Parker as the chief agents in this arm.