Story Notes: This is not technically a what-if story, but it is a scene that could be a lot more angsty given the circumstances. This story also concentrates, mainly, from the perspective of a secondary character. I switch to a primary character to finish the story. I've never done this before, so I hope this is alright and it pays off. Most of the music that inspired me is by the same artist. I have also included some of the original text from the end of the comic. I intended on ending it differently in the first draft, but I thought this brought everything to a close better. Please enjoy and Fav, Fol and Review.
Title: Breathe
Category: Adventures of Tintin
Characters: Mr Baxter, Tintin, Captain Haddock, Professor Calculus.
Summary: Baxter finds Tintin in a bad way when the Rocket lands. Can the doctors save him?
Genre(s): Drama, Friendship
Rating: T
Theme(s): Near Death,
Suggested Music
1. We Have To Go - Steve Jablonsky
2. I Had My Moment - Steve Jablonsky
3. Izzy - Steve Jablonsky
4. Seglass Ni Tonday - Steve Jablonsky
Air hissed into every corner of the rocket as the hull succumbed to the blades slicing through its metal belly. As Baxter stepped in followed by the engineers, clicks from his shoes echoed around the room.
Oh my, I feel as though I'm walking into a tomb.
Baxter quickly reached the next door, which he opened from his side. Everyone rushed towards the beds as the door opened. He quickly scanned the room, rushing to Professor Calculus on the bottom bunk. As he found a steady heart rate, he sighed in relief.
Thank goodness, Baxter breathed, Just in time.
As he gazed around the room, a sudden thought made him pause.
Where's Tintin?
Baxter recalled the events before they lost contact with the moon rocket.
The autopilot. I was telling Tintin how to adjust the controls to land the rocket.
The control room.
He swiftly pulled himself up the ladder that led to the control room, nearly slipping as his hands started to shake. As he rushed to Tintin, he tried to rouse him, but it had little effect. Tintin lay slumped in the seat, his arms hanging over the sides. His chest remained still, neither rising nor falling.
No. He can't be.
Pressing his fingers to Tintin's skin, he froze.
No .. No!
A fading pulse made its way to his fingers, struggling to leave an imprint upon his skin.
Gathering his strength, he pulled Tintin onto his shoulders, grimacing at the weight. Tintin's arms and legs hung loose, making the job difficult. Baxter kept his fingers across Tintin's wrist in a bid to monitor his pulse. Making his way down the ladders proved even more difficult until he shouted.
"Help! I need help!"
"Baxter, Whats ..."
"Get Dr Patella! He's not breathing,"
Baxter rushed outside as fast as he could, meeting Dr Patella, a group of nurses and some stretchers. As he lowered him down, the medics overtook.
"Get the oxygen," Patella directed, as he pressed his stethoscope to Tintin's chest. "Get him to the lift, Now!"
Baxter stepped into the lift with the medics unwilling to leave Tintin's side. His chest heaved as the lift started to descend. If it hadn't been for all those setbacks everything would have gone according to plan, and this wouldn't be happening, He thought. His mind filled with even more startling questions, questions only the Professor and the others could answer.
Why did everything go wrong?
Could I have done more to keep them safe?
Is this my fault?
Baxter kept back, allowing them to work, but it didn't erase his fears. As he bounced a curved knuckle off his mouth, a phrase pierced the silence.
"Doctor! I've lost his pulse!"
"Start compressions!"
Baxter could watch no longer. He turned around, forcing his fingers through his hair. Even the other staff in the lift couldn't bear to watch. They too hung their heads in grief. He let his head hit off the metal grate of the lift, letting his eyes slowly close as he removed his glasses. It didn't stop the shouts from the medical staff entering his ears. His stomach churned as he managed to turn his head to witness Patella, pressing rhythmically against Tintin's chest.
"Come on Breathe," Patella begged.
"I've got a pulse! It's still weak," A medic cried.
Come on, Tintin. Come on...
"Doctor, we're losing him,"
The comment only seemed to make Dr Patella more determined.
"Not on my watch, keep going!"
Baxter held his breath as the medic performed yet another rescue breath. Time appeared to freeze.
A sudden inhalation of air pierced the silence of the lift.
Baxter nearly fainted as Tintin's chest finally started to rise and fall. A wave of relief spread through the staff as Baxter clung to the metal for support, fearing he would topple to the ground. As the lift finally hit the ground, The medics swiftly lifted the stretcher and headed over to the waiting ambulance, hooking him up to much-needed oxygen. Tintin remained unconscious throughout.
Baxter stayed beside him, unwilling to leave his side until the doctors cleared him. In the meantime, the others quickly awoke and recovered quickly. The Thompsons and Calculus remained in their stretchers. Snowy had started to wander around, likely searching for his master. An immediate shout followed as Haddock refused to stay lying down.
"Captain Haddock, please restrain yourself," The medic replied calmly. Haddock paid no attention and staggered onto his feet. Baxter immediately intercepted, trying to prevent him from falling as he led him to Tintin.
"What... What happened.." Haddock stammered as he held into Baxter for support.
"It's okay Captain... He's fine,"
He helped Haddock onto the Ambulance step so he could sit next to Tintin. After gently licking his hand, Snowy nudged Haddock's knee. Baxter smiled as Haddock took the hint and lifted him onto his lap. Dr Patella returned after checking over the others and checked his pulse. His smile and a sigh of relief gave Baxter all the information he needed.
"Excellent Strong Pulse, Much better. He'll be fine,"
As Tintin's eye's flickered, a soft moan broke the silence. Baxter couldn't help the smile that spread upon his lips.
"Doctor, he's waking up!" Baxter exclaimed with glee.
As Doctor Patella removed the oxygen mask, he didn't have time to prop himself up before Snowy bounced into his arms. Haddock pulled them both into a tight hug anyway.
"What happened?" Tintin stammered, his eye's immediately darting around
"You made it, You all made it," Baxter beamed. "You gave us quite the scare there, Tintin. It's good to have you back,"
Tintin smiled.
"It's good to be back. That's an adventure I will never forget," Tintin exclaimed as Snowy licked his face.
"Haddock! Tintin!"
x
They all turned towards the shout to see Calculus and the others striding towards them.
"My dear friends! What an adventure! What an adventure!" Calculus exclaimed.
"Here comes the conqueror of the moon," Tintin stated, pulling himself up from the confines of the stretcher. His heart burst for joy at the sight of his friends. When he blacked out in the control room, he thought he wouldn't wake up.
I've been on the greatest adventure anyone could dream of and survived to tell the tale, Tintin beamed. His entire body warmed with a glow no one could eradicate. At the same time, a pang of guilt swept through him. Wolff should be here, he thought, but if it hadn't been for his sacrifice, they would all be dead. Wolff's collaboration with Jorgen didn't change his view either.
Haddock's voice cut through his thoughts as he shook Cuthbert firmly by the hand.
"Cuthbert! Let me shake you by the hand, old friend!"
An officer handed over Haddock a bottle of whiskey and glasses, prompting Calculus to raise his voice in a gracious toast.
"I want to drink a toast with you, Captain! My friends, we have lived through the greatest epic of all time: The marks of our feet are inscribed upon the surface of the moon. And shall we let the dust of centuries hide those glorious marks forever, gentlemen?"
As Calculus paused, Tintin reflected, proud of their achievement.
"No, that shall never be! For I promise you that we will return there!"
Haddock nearly choked, pouring whiskey everywhere but his mouth.
"WHAT! Us go back there? To the moon? Me go back to the moon?!" He stammered.
Tintin covered his mouth, trying to hide his growing smile.
"May I be turned into a bollard, blistering barnacles, if I so much as set foot in your flying coffin again! Never, d'you hear? You interplanetary goat, never. Never!"
Haddock turned around and walked away, not observing his surroundings.
"I tell you, I've learnt one thing from all of this," Haddock continued, walking dangerously close to the end of a stretcher. "Man's proper place .."
As Haddock's foot caught the edge of the stretcher, he tripped, falling flat on his face. He lay dazed for a moment as chuckles filled the air. Even Tintin couldn't help but chuckle as he walked over to help him up.
"Is on dear old earth," Haddock finished before breaking into fits of laughter.