Story Notes: Welcome to my new story. I am so happy to be writing again. I have put so much work into this, and I love this short. The story will be under ten chapters but will have much more content per chapter. Each of these chapters should contain a maximum of 3000 words. This is to make the story a little shorter. It will also mean longer chapters and fewer updates. The following starts after the motorcycle crash, and Haddock and Tintin have returned to Marlinspike Hall to find that Calculus has called the fire service after mishearing Haddock. This story contains my OC, Tintin's father, Antonin la Roux. Antonin featured in the story Guardian of the Red Sea. If you haven't read it, please check it out. Thanks to all the people who favorited, followed and reviewed my last few stories. I hope you will like this story. I also have a second Alph Art story ready without Antonin. If I get stuck for ideas, I may end up publishing the story. Anyways, please enjoy and FAV, FOL AND REV.
Story Summary: Tintin and Haddock travel to Italy to track down Akass, but they have no idea of what they are walking into. After remeeting his father, Tintin is pulled into danger when he comes face to face with Akass. Who is Akass, and why does he want to kill him?
Chapter Summary: Following another attempt on his life, Tintin decides they need to go to Italy to find Bianca Castafiore. What will await them?
Suggested Music:
1. Double Per chitarra - Franco Piersanti
2. Montalbano Noir Concertante - Franco Piersanti
3. Addio Al Noir - Franco Piersanti ( I used this for the last part when Haddock receives the phone call)
Chapter 1
Tintin landed in the tub chair, exhaling as much as his lungs would allow.
Why is this happening?
Who would want to kill me?
This all revolves around Akass. I need much more information than I have.
How could I get any information? Who could aid me?
Haddock trudged into the room, shaking his head with a sigh.
"Blistering Barnacles, Calculus needs to sort out his hearing aid. At least the firemen were understanding,"
Tintin managed a smile before Haddock continued.
"But who is trying to get rid of you? And Why?"
"It all revolves around Endaddine Akass," Tintin replied, sitting up as Snowy jumped up onto his lap. "He planted that Jewel-microphone transmitter on Miss Martine ... What for if it wasn't to spy on Fourcart?"
Tintin couldn't stop himself.
"We must discover more about Endaddine," Tintin vocalised. He sat back on his seat to contemplate their next move.
"Yes, but where can we find him, the overdressed windbag?" Haddock muttered, sitting on the tub chair opposite him.
"Yes, where?" Tintin said quietly. He stroked Snowy, allowing his mind to wander back to the conversations he'd had recently, trying to recall anything that might be able to aid them.
As Calculus mumbled on his way past the door, a sudden thought emerged.
Castafiore! Of Course!
"Great snakes! I've got it!" Tintin exclaimed, springing from his seat. "When Bianca Castafiore telephoned last week, she told me she was going to spend a few days with him, on Ischia,"
Haddock's eyes widened as he glanced at him.
"Where's Ischia?"
"It's an island across from Naples," Tintin finished.
Haddock's eye's immediately sank. Tintin could read him in an instant. The likely phrase would be: Please don't take me on a jolly jaunt to Italy just to find Bianca Cataclysm.
If they wanted information concerning Endaddine, this would be the only way to gain it.
Haddock sighed and fell back into the chair.
"When do we leave?" Haddock half grimaced, half-smiled.
x
Five hours later
Tintin unbuckled the seat belt and mused over the events of the last few days.
Why is this happening?
As Haddock spoke, Tintin snapped out of his trance.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Tintin replied quietly.
"Someone just tried to kill you," Haddock exclaimed.
"I've had worse," Tintin smiled, recalling the countless times he'd come close to being killed whilst trying to do the right thing.
Haddock smiled and returned to immerse himself in the book he'd brought.
Recalling the last few days, he suddenly remembered someone even more important.
"You know my father said he was finishing a job in Campania the last time I spoke to him,"
"When was that?" Haddock beamed.
"Two days ago,"
"I wonder if he's still there,"
"It would be great to see him again," Tintin softly replied.
His father, Antonin, had been preoccupied with assignments for two and a half months now. Tintin missed him so much. They rarely had time to spend together as his occupation with the Secret Service predominantly demanded his attention. His father had little time to do much else. He'd savoured the time they'd had together in Khemmed, despite the event that had brought them together.
I hope you are still there, Tintin thought as he focused on what might face them.
When the flight arrived at Naples, they still faced a two hour trip to the Island. Once they reached the hotel in Ischia, all the energy they had accumulated had faded.
"This is sheer, deliberate, unqualified masochism, to come 2,000 kilometres by air .."
"And another two hours by sea," Tintin interjected with a chuckle as they wandered into the reception area.
".. all to find Castafiore!" Haddock continued. "We must be raving mad!"
As they checked in, Tintin decided to be bold as they were still flying blind.
Maybe the receptionist knows where we need to be.
"We need a little information .. Can you tell me where to find the villa belonging to Mr Edaddine Akass?" Tintin asked.
"That's easy, Signore. I will show you," He smiled, guiding them outside and pointing to a villa on top of a hill. "There, that is the Villa of Signor Endaddine Akass. I've heard that the famous diva has just arrived there,"
As the receptionist returned to his post, they stared up at the Villa.
Now we have our next step.
After placing their suitcases in their rooms, they headed straight out with a pair of binoculars to survey the Villa. Once they located a suitable spot, they were able to survey with ease. After a few minutes, Haddock exploded.
"Blistering Barnacles! Ramo Nash!"
"Ramo Nash?"
Haddock kept talking as he peered through the binoculars with even more determination than before.
"Yes, the high priest of Alph Art, creator of the H I bought,"
Tintin raised his eyebrow, becoming acutely aware of Snowy, who was now pushing against him impatiently. Snowy had never been one for sitting still for long periods. He stroked Snowy in an attempt to calm him then spoke again.
"We must try to get into the house. I have a feeling in there lies the key to this whole mysterious business. But how do we do that?"
They needed a chance in a million to get access to the house. Tintin questioned if it would come quickly enough.
x
Tintin, Snowy and Haddock quickly returned to the town, opting for a short detour before returning to the hotel. The sun was high in the sky, refusing to dip even though noon was close to dissipating.
"What should we do now?" Haddock asked.
I'm not sure, but we can't just go up and barge in. We need a plan,"
They continued to stroll along the seafront, enjoying the invigorating warm breeze combined with the spray of the sea.
When was the last time I went on holiday? Tibet? Although I did try and go to the Space Exploration conference in Sydney, Tintin pondered. His thoughts continued to run away with him until a familiar voice broke through the hustle and bustle of the street.
"Augustin?"
Tintin immediately turned. A beaming smile spread across his face as his father hurriedly approached them. Snowy barked fit to burst and rushed to him, jumping up against his leg for a stroke.
"Father!" Tintin cried joyfully, as they embraced each other.
"It's so good to see you again!" Antonin exclaimed with glee. Antonin hugged Haddock firmly, his beaming smile never leaving his face.
"I wasn't sure if you would still be here,"
Great snakes, I can't stop smiling!
"I'm just finishing up today. Follow me, I know a brilliant cafe just around the corner,"
x
As Antonin ordered the coffees and bantered with the waiter in fluent Italian, Haddock stared at him in awe.
"Blistering Barnacles, how many languages do you speak?"
"Elven, although my Russian could do with refreshing," Antonin replied, returning his attention to them. "What brings you here to Ischia?"
"We .. we're ... erm," Haddock quickly glanced across at Tintin, his eyes pleading for what to say.
"Researching," Tintin finished with a smile.
Well, it's not a complete lie, Tintin thought.
Although he was smiling, Antonin narrowed his eyes as if he was examining them.
After a few uncomfortable seconds, Antonin nodded, gazing to Haddock's binoculars.
"Research ... Bird Watching or something a bit larger?"
For goodness sake, your father isn't an agent for the Secret Service for nothing. He's seeing right through me, Tintin thought.
Tintin told him everything from start to finish, beginning with the death of Fourcart and finishing with the attempt on his life, and the reason they'd come to Ischia. Antonin listened intently to every word. His eyes widened in terror when Tintin informed him of the various attempts made on his life.
"Someone doesn't want you to find out what they're up to," Antonin asked softly. "It all sounds quite bizarre. I've never heard of Ramo Nash or Endaddine,"
"We're he'll be able to give us some answers,"
x
As they stood up to leave, Antonin pulled Tintin into a tight hug.
"Please be careful, Son," Antonin whispered
"I will, I promise," Tintin replied.
Tintin hoped everything would come to a close once they spoke to Endaddine. Part of him feared this was only the tip of the iceberg.
Upon returning to his hotel room, Tintin opened his window as wide as it would go, gazing at the marvellous view. The sun had finally lost its dominance over the shimmering sea. Bit by bit, the horizon snared and reeled the orb of light to its edge. The evening was almost upon them. The searing temperatures had now started to drop, replaced by a refreshing breeze from the sea, creating the perfect ambience for an evening walk.
As Tintin inhaled the fresh Italian air, his mind almost erased the thoughts troubling him.
Only the ringing of the telephone pulled him back into the reality of the world he resided within.
It's probably Haddock.
"Hello, Tintin speaking,"
"Listen carefully," Came a gruff voice.
Tintin stepped back, his eyes darting around the room.
"There's a boat leaving in two hours," The voice continued. "I strongly advise you to take it. The climate in Ischia doesn't suit you at all. It could even become very unhealthy for you!"
As the phone tone rang through his head, Tintin held in a gulp.
That voice, I know that voice.
Tintin quickly left his room, knocking on Haddock's door. As his voice called for him to come in, Tintin tried to calm himself before speaking.
"I've just received an anonymous telephone call. Someone strongly advises us to leave here and fast,"
"But who knows we're here?" Haddock asked, blinking furiously.
"I've no idea, but news can travel quickly on an Island,"
"The one thing we must avoid at all costs is Castafiore finding out we're here,"
The precise moment Haddock finished speaking, the phone started to ring.
I've got an awful incline that it may be Castafiore, Tintin thought as Haddock moved to pick up the phone.
"Hello, Yes...Who?"
Haddock pressed the phone to his chest, his lips forming into a distinctive 'NO!'
"What's wrong?" Tintin asked quietly.
It's Her! Castafiore! Haddock mouthed, before placing the phone back upon his ear.
Tintin moved closer so he could listen.
"My dear friend," Haddock said. "But how did you know?"
"You old slyboots!" Bianca replied. Her feminine frequencies were distinguishable from anyone else they knew. "Irma recognised you! She was taking a walk by the landing stage! You have to come here, Captain Karlock. The Master is the most ado-o-orable man. You 'have' to meet him,"
"I ... I'm sure... Yes. I promise.." Haddock stammered.
"He's gone to Rome for a few days, but he'll be delighted to meet you ... I send a car to pick you up,"
"You don't need to do that," Haddock replied quickly.
"No... No! The friends of our friends are our friends, Caro Mio. Ciao!"
Haddock fell into the seat behind him like a deadweight, thrusting his hands onto his face.
As Haddock exhaled, Tintin quickly acknowledged the opportunity that had appeared.
Well, we're halfway there, Tintin thought. Now we need to meet Endaddine.
"That alters everything!" Tintin exclaimed.
Originally in the story, they go up the Villa the following day, but I thought It would make more sense given that they end up staying the night, so I changed it slightly. I've only made minor alterations to the Comic, but from maybe the middle or the end of Chapter 2, everything will have a slight basis on the version that Yves created. Most of this story will be told from Tintin's perspective, although there will be moments where it switches to Antonin and Haddock.