Hey everybody! Well, i'm at it again, the CP geek is still writing. I don't know where the hell i'm going with this fic, but i didn't plan out any of my other fics either. This will be TOTALLY UNRELATED to my other fics, so if u are expecting a sequel to Return/Planeteers, this aint it!!!! In a nut-shell, Linka will quit the group but find herself in a more dangerous position than she could ever have anticipated. Of course, guess who comes to her assistance!!! Not a re-write of the 'Missing Linka' episode, more my own version of how and what could have happened if Linka left the group.. L/W rules!!!! Love Goldy (Sarah)
Feel free to review or email!!!!
The Tunnel
Chapter One
Utterly exhausted, Linka propped herself up against a wall in the shade, cursing herself for leaving her shades in her room. The Planeteers had been asked to help clean up in the wake of a ferocious sandstorm that had battered large settlements within Tunisia. Homes had literally been torn up without warning during the night, the inhabitants sleeping at the time. Many had died during the night, either crushed to death or from waiting too long for medical assistance. Shielding her eyes from the sun, she surveyed the others who were exhibiting varying states of exhaustion. Gi looked ready to drop where she stood: sweat clinging to her forehead and clothes, her water bottle clutched tightly in her hand. Gi's power was limited in such a dry environment, so she sought out survivors with Ma-Ti and alerted the volunteers. Kwame was using his power to clear the rubble and move debris, guided by Wheeler. Linka had been helping, but was close to passing out and chose to rest for a few minutes.
A cool breeze ruffled her hair for a moment, followed by an over amorous fly which began buzzing around her face. Linka swatted it away, annoyed at the interruption to her rest. Unfortunately, it returned with a vengeance, landing on her nose and finally, her lips. Perhaps it was the heat, the loss of life, the excessive hours that she had been working lately, or maybe the fact that Linka had had virtually no sleep the night before (the boys had played music until the early hours of the morning). Whatever the reason, Linka jumped to her feet in frustration and let loose a torrent of heavily-accented swear words, leading the other Planeteers to turn and watch in surprise.
"She really needs to get laid......." commented Wheeler dryly as he watched Linka's slim figure retreating towards the Geo Cruiser, still attempting to pummel the fly assaulting her senses. Easily dodging the water bottle thrown towards him by Gi, Wheeler looked at Kwame for confirmation that they could go.
"We've done all we can....." Kwame replied, nodding towards the constant stream of helpers continuing to arrive from neighbouring villages. Gathering their equipment, the four turned and headed in the direction that Linka had so memorably moved earlier.
They were in the air within ten minutes, all passengers feeling tired, hot and dirty. Linka sat quietly at the back, watching the patterns and colours of the land they were flying over. The blurred images gave way to thoughts and memories as she contemplated her role in the group. The five of them had been planeteers since they were teenagers: it was all that they knew. Wheeler had often talked about what he'd do when he left the group, but no one had seriously entertained the idea. In fact, Linka was terrified of facing reality when the time came.
In the early years they had exhibited too much bravado, thinking that they were invincible. This view had changed dramatically when Looten Plunder had grown tired of constantly being outwitted by the kids. During a dramatic confrontation, Plunder had produced a gun and fired several shots towards Gi and Wheeler. Since Captain Planet had been released, the were powerless to prevent the outcome. Gi's leg had been grazed superficially, but it was Wheeler who had pushed Gi to the ground and received more serious injuries. The result was 6 nights in hospital, two bullets lodged in Wheelers collar bone and a 5 day suspension for Kwame who had furiously retaliated against the Eco-Villian with his fists. Linka had sat cradling Wheeler's head in her lap until the ambulance arrived, watching Ma-Ti and Cap wrestle Kwame to the ground. This sequence of events had frightened her immensly, and they all had learned from the experience. A sense of cautiousness pervaded all of their missions now, and Linka continued to suffer the anxiety. She was tired, anxious and stressed out all the time. Linka also felt that Wheeler had given up persuing her, and this just depressed her further.
The Geo Cruiser touched down several hours later. Ma-Ti and Gi jumped out and ran towards the beach immediately, Ma-Ti tripping over a tree root in his haste to get wet. Kwame walked towards the living areas, obviously a shower and some sleep being his main priority. Wheeler sat and observed Linka's sleeping profile for a while, dark circles present under her eyes. Hesitant to wake her but not having the strength left to carry her, Wheeler gently roused her.
Stirring slightly, she locked eyes with her friend and found herself whispering "I don't want to do this anymore......" Standing up uncertainly, Linka stumbled out of the plane, missing the shocked and dismayed look on Wheeler's face.