Story Notes: This chapter is technically the end of the first part of the story. Please enjoy. I didn't intend on writing the section about the Captain waiting in the airport, but it didn't make sense to remove it. I've based the Syldavian names on Polish and Czech names due to the described location of the country in the comics. I had a lot of difficulties trying to find some names, but a friend of mine recommended . I was able to find a load of brilliant names. This chapter is just as long as the last one. I never thought I would be able to write that much in one chapter.

Chapter Summary: Tintin, Snowy and Krikov finally reach the Professors. Are they completely out of the woods? Haddock waits for his friends to appear at the airport, what will he do when they don't turn up?

Suggested Music:

1. Ins Dunkel - Bannkreis

2. Lilly's Theme - L'orchestra Cinematique

Chapter 10

Belgium. 11 am.

The Captain's toe tapped on the polished floor as the passengers from the flight from Borduria filtered into the area. As the crowd dissipated, The Captain glanced at the room then to the plane, waiting for his friends.

"Where are you?" The Captain whispered.

Everyone who had taken that flight had now left the immediate area. Confused the Captain paced the short distance between himself and the window.

As he turned back, two men entered the room. Their eyes settled on Haddock. The Captain's eyes narrowed as they conversed. Both of the men wore suits. The taller man adorned a black suit, the other navy blue with braces visible beneath.

Polished brogues, Suits, I wouldn't be surprised if your policeman, The Captain deliberated, as the men approached him.

"Excuse me, Captain Archibald Haddock?" The man wearing the Black suit asked.

"Yes," The Captain replied slowly. "What's going on?"

"We're Syldavian Secret Police," One said as they both presented IDs.

Krzysztof and Andrzej Jankowski.

"We need to talk to you concerning Tintin and the two professors he was travelling with,"

The Captain paused in shock.

What happened? Blistering barnacles, what happened to them?

"We have been informed that your friends disappeared in Borduria. Interpol asked us to investigate. The Bordurian Police are refusing to cooperate,"

Why am I not surprised?

"We have information that they are near the Syldavian Border, but we can't confirm it yet. We're standing by as more intelligence emerges,"

"But you can't do anything if they are in Borduria" The Captain stated, attempting to hold back his anger at how pointless the situation was. Or do you know something that I don't, the Captain thought. Krzysztof motioned him into a more secluded room off the side of the waiting room. Once the door closed the conversation took a serious tone.

"We have other ways of keeping track," Krzysztof explained.

"Spies, you mean," The Captain commented, raising his eyebrow.

"We have infiltrated several Bordurian government departments," Andrzej continued. "Our information originated from the Department of Defence,"

"Is that all?" The Captain exclaimed, disturbed at the lack of clarity from the Syldavian detectives.

"I'm sorry, Captain Haddock," Andrzej replied.

Alright, I get the point, Haddock concluded. With that statement, he walked straight out the room, striding straight up the main desk.

"When does the next plane to Szchod leave?" Haddock immediately asked, not realising that Andrzej and Krzysztof had followed him out of the room.

"Captain Haddock ."

"Thundering...I am not sitting here while my friends are missing" Haddock exclaimed.

"Maybe there's a compromise. We have no idea what may happen if you go to Borduria" Andrzej explained. There was a short pause before he continued. "Come to Klow instead. It'll be a lot safer there than in Borduria,"

The Captain sighed and turned to face them.

If something happens, I need to be there.

At that moment he made his decision.

x

As they pulled up, Tintin stepped out of the car first.

"Where are we?" Asked Krikov.

"An old Interpol safehouse, The Thompsons told me of them, told me I could use them,"

Tintin approached the house nervously. As he reached the porch, he could have sworn the curtains moved. Wrapping his shaking fingers around the handle, he took a deep breath and pushed. The moment the door opened a sudden force collided with his head, forcing him to rush straight into the house in a panic.

"Who are you?" a voice called.

Calculus?

"Stop! Calculus! It's me!" Tintin exclaimed, managing to stand up to witness a rather panicky Calculus holding a large broom.

"Tintin?"

Calculus thankfully dropped the brush but raised his eyebrow all the same.

"Why on earth are you wearing that? I thought you were a soldier!" Calculus breathed.

"Is it safe to come in?" Krikov called from the porch.

"Yes, it's safe" Tintin chuckled.

Calculus smiled with relief as Krikov entered the property.

"Ivanovitch, my old friend! How good to see you again!" Calculus exclaimed. "Why are both of you dressed in Bordurian Uniforms?"

"It's a long story," Krikov replied. "It's good to see you, Cuthbert. It's been far too long,"

x

They removed the uniform with relief. They had pulled on the uniform on top of their regular clothes. As Tintin adjusted his long black trousers and pulled on a blue jumper from his suitcase, he reflected on the events of the day and the interrogation with Sietz.

Why is the department of defence interested in the Professors?

What's Colonel Sponsz got to do with this?

His train of thought ended as Krikov entered the room.

"What now? How are we going to leave the country?"

"I'm not sure," Tintin replied, wandering out of the room. He expected Krikov to follow. He didn't. Krikov walked into the room as Tintin joined the professors in the hallway.

"So what are we going to do?" Calculus asked.

"I don't know,"

For once he'd run out of ideas.

As Krikov emerged, he stared straight at Tintin. For the first time since the initial arrest, Tintin found himself feeling quite nervous. The atmosphere in the room altered.

"We're close to the border," Topolino said. "We could make a run for it,"

Biting his bottom lip, he considered it, reminding himself that he had no ideas of his own.

"Can I make one little suggestion?" Krikov added.

Before Tintin could reply, Krikov pulled a gun from behind him, shooting Tintin straight in the chest. Tintin collapsed onto the ground in shock, helpless as Krikov pointed the weapon at the professors.

"What are you doing!" Topolino shouted.

They both attempted to move towards Tintin, but Krikov stepped forward, preventing neither of them from moving closer.

"Don't even think about it,"

Tintin attempted to pull himself up, but sharp stabbing sensations inevitably made him think twice. His hands transformed into a bloody red as he pressed them against his chest. As his eyes started to flicker, Krikov spoke again.

"I'm doing my duty for my country," Krikov stated. "Now move it!"

As Snowy gently nuzzled his head, blood started to slip down the side of his chest. As Krikov turned around Snowy growled defensively, clearly unwilling to let Krikov anywhere near his master. Krikov offered a derisive snort and paced away, forcing the professors out of the door. Even though blaring sirens sounded in the distance, nearing every second. Snowy's sounds began to fade as the sirens approached. His eyes closed. When they reopened, he could only manage to open his eyelids halfway. Bright lights flooded his line of vision only he couldn't react. His limbs remain stiff by his side, frozen in ice as everything moves around him. Then everything faded to black.

What will happen next? I was going to finish this part and write a separate fanfiction, but I've never written a fanfiction that could potentially have 20 chapters so I decided to leave it and keep going. I love seeing the views for this story increase little by little every day. Please stay with me for the second half. I have now finished the last chapters, and I can't wait to publish it on fanfiction.