Chapter 9

"All right, here's what we're going to do," Tintin said, once they were away from the docks and back inside a secluded corner of the museum. Snowy was off staring at a painting of the Unicorn, trying for the life of him to place where he had seen it before. "Eden, Snowy, and I are going to go aboard that ship the Thompsons just got off of," he continued. "Captain, you and the Professor stay on the dock in case something goes awry. If we aren't back in fifteen minutes, sneak on board the ship and try to find us. Be as discreet as you possibly can."

"Er, excuse me," Eden interrupted, raising her hand slightly. "Sorry, but what's my role in all this?"

"You're going to serve as a distraction," Tintin answered.

"Meaning?" Eden demanded testily.

"Meaning you're going to ask them all the questions that a reporter usually does, while I sneak around the hold trying to find the actual jeweled rose," Tintin explained.

"Why don't I get to sneak around? Why can't you be the distraction?" Eden asked.

"They're sailors. You're a woman. Need I continue?" Tintin said.

"Fine, but after this, the two of are going to have a long discussion about how it's not all right to objectify women," Eden declared. "Mostly me talking, and you listening."

"All right, all right," Tintin said exasperatedly. "But for now, just, please do as you're told, and we'll write the article together. I'll even credit you as my colleague."

"Really?" Eden asked, excited.

"Yes," Tintin sighed. "Now, are we all clear on what we have to do?"

"Crystal," Captain stated. "Isn't that right, Professor?"

"A fight?" Calculus asked, nonplussed. "Not in the middle of the museum. I would rather suggest an arm-wrestle, Captain."

"Never mind," Captain groaned, rolling his eyes. "Just come along."


Snowy looked up, noticing that his master and friends weren't around him anymore. He caught sight of them heading towards the back door of the museum. Barking joyfully, he shot off after them and caught up to them quickly, pawing at Tintin's jeans.

"Oh, there you are, boy," he said. "I was wondering where you'd gotten off to." Eden glanced at Snowy suspiciously, but then let her feelings slide.

"Right, we'll stay put right here," Captain Haddock said, pointing his thumb at a souvenir store. "The old bat will probably be better occupied around seashells and fossils. I'll be keeping time for fifteen minutes. All right?"

"Perfect," Tintin confirmed, holding up his last three fingers to signify his approval. Turning to Eden, he asked, "Shall we go?"

"Yes we shall," she replied, ducking out of the store with him. Snowy pranced along with them, around their feet.

"Here she is," Tintin said as they pulled up to the oddly familiar freighter. It was about thirty feet high from the sea level, and at least three times that long from bow to stern. The outside had been painted a deep blue-grey, but Tintin couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen this ship somewhere before.

"Is this where we split up?" Eden asked, dropping her voice to a whisper and looking around to make sure that no one was listening.

"Yeah, I guess so," Tintin replied, similarly lowering his voice. "I'm going to try to get in without anyone seeing me."

"All right, be careful," Eden warned him. "I would hate for our rivalry to end for some stupid action on your part."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Tintin said lightly. "But not to worry, I've done this at least a dozen times."

"Yeah, each time ending with you nearly killed somehow," Eden pointed out dryly.

"How do you know?" Tintin asked slyly.

"That's not the point," Eden snapped, blushing. "Just try not to get yourself killed."

"I'll be fine," Tintin assured her. "But you take care of yourself. This is the first time you're doing something stupid like this, isn't it?"

"How do you know that?" Eden returned.

"That's not the point," Tintin echoed. "Let's get going."

"Right, let's get going," Eden said.


All right, fourth update of the day! :D I feel like I'm on a roll here, but knock on wood. :P However, I must ask you guys - do you like where it's going? Who is the mysterious villain? And how to they know what's going on all the time? Is there a traitor?

Disclaimer: Tintin and his friends belong to Herge, and I own only Eden and the plot.