Story Notes: I'm very happy with the first chapter. I didn't realise just how long this was going to be. Thanks for the views and the reviews for the last chapter. This won't be a long story in terms of Chapters. I'm enjoying writing this story which is probably why it's a little easier to write than the last few stories and one-shots that I have been writing. If anyone is wondering why the artwork for the story looks strange, it's because I misspelt the name. I couldn't alter it the way I wanted. I covered up the word and put more text on top.

Chapter Summary: Tintin wakes up in a completely different place. Are they friends or foes? And where exactly is he?

Suggested Music

1. Nichts als Horizonte (Rock Mix) - Santiano (I love this tune anyway)

2. Répondez-moi - Gjon's Tears

3. Arctic - Sleeping At Last

4. Hymn of the Cherubim - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

5. AelathĂȘn - Adrian Von Zeigler

6. Moon - Sleeping at Last

x

As his eyes opened, not a single speck of light entered his eyes. Sounds slowly make their way to his ears but he couldn't react. He tried with all of his might to move.

Nothing made a difference.

So cold ...

His muscles ached across his entire body.

Where am I?

How did I get here?

A man rose from his position beside him. Tintin could neither flinch nor try to move away as he tried to ascertain the man's identity. Fingers pressed on his pulse point then hovered over his mouth. As the light finally entered his eyes, under his blurred vision two figures emerged but he still couldn't see them fully. The weak dim light from the lightbulb above didn't aid his resolve.

"Captain Beaufort, he's waking..,"

Captain? I'm on a ship?

Tintin's eyelids slowly flickered as another face came into view, but the thick moustache secured to the Captain's upper lip caught his attention the most.

Tintin's eye's gently flickered to see the Captain with a thick prominent moustache.

"Is he responsive, Claude?" Captain Beaufort asked. His statement carried a heavy french accent as he spoke.

"He's still quite weak," Claude replied. "He may require more medical attention than I can give him,"

"We'll alter course and head for port. A hospital may be more appropriate to treat him. Let me know if his condition changes,"

The French Captain's voice faded as darkness began to overtake his mind once again, pulling him back into the darkness he feared the most.

I don't want to go to sleep...

What if I don't wake up?

Just moments before he fell back into the blackness of his subconscious, the faintest touch of fur brushed against his hand.

Snowy ...

x

As Tintin's eyes' snapped open he could have sworn he'd been asleep for seconds. Flexing his fingers he glanced down for the confirmation he desperately needed.

I can move...

He struggled up raising his torso from the thin sheets, letting them fall from him as he swung his feet out of the bed. He winced, cradling his head as pain throbbed across his brow.

What happened?

How in the world did I get here?

Dare I stand up? He thought as a surge of dizziness pulsed through his eyes and head. As the room steadied, he decided the risk would be worth taking. Slowly raising himself from the bed he stood tall, managing to avoid swaying. Tintin breathed with relief as he turned round to see Snowy lying on the side of the bed, still gently snoring. I'm glad to be Alive, Tintin thought as he ran his hand across Snowy's comforting soft fur.

Tintin paced over to the porthole, gazing out at the scene below him. Echoes of chains and winces punched the air as containers were loaded and unloaded from ships.

I'm in port? Where? I must be somewhere on the Red Sea... He gulped as he recalled the events in Wadesha.

I shouldn't be here ... there's a price on my head

Without warning the door opened, slamming against the wall. Tintin turned, pushing himself flat against the wall as Snowy leapt from the bed and to his side.

"Come with me, quickly!"

Tintin wanted to hesitate, but a gut feeling pushed through making him step towards the man who ushered him from the room and up the narrow corridors of the ship.

"Where are you taking me?" Tintin exclaimed as they turned into a room. The man didn't reply as he pulled open a hidden door into the wall and ushered them all inside. As he closed the door behind him the room plunged into darkness. His eyes feverishly scanned the space but revealed nothing. Snowy brushed against his leg, whimpering slightly, pausing only when his master lifted him into his arms.

Tintin didn't dare say a word as shouts echoed from the decks above. After what felt like an hour, the sounds gradually ceased. Footfalls quickly sounded outside and the door opened the bright lights. He squinted as he stepped out and lowered Snowy back onto the floor.

I'm assuming you're the Captain, Tintin thought as he gazed at the older gentleman who had opened the door.

"They've gone, Claude,"

"Finally," Claude exhaled with relief.

The older Captain immediately extended his hand.

"It's an honour to meet you Monsieur Tintin, despite the circumstances. Welcome, aboard The Northern Star. I'm Captain Beaufort," As the man spoke, Tintin noted the strong french accent, under his dense moustache.

Tintin smiled and accepted, shaking his hand in return.

"Thank you .. for aiding me,"

If it weren't for you I'd be dead, you have no idea how grateful I am that you found me.

"Once we realised who you were Claude remembered you were wanted in Wadesha, hence the reason he hid you in the wall," Beaufort continued.

"I still don't understand why ... How .. where .. How did you find me?" Tintin stammered, unable to find the words.

"We were struggling to return to port during the storm and ended up of course. We found you and your dog clinging to a large piece of wood. We thought you were the victim of a sinking vessel. We attempted to radio any vessels in the area once we had you on board. We weren't sure if you would survive,"

"The ship my friends and I were on was boarded. i .. they threw me overboard.."

Tintin paused, recalling Haddock's scream as Allan tossed him overboard. Claude and Captain Beaufort stared at him in shock.

Allan had meant to kill him. Once again he'd failed.

Great Snakes... He thinks I'm dead. This could be an ideal advantage.

If only I could catch them up...

"My goodness... you are incredibly lucky to be alive.." Claude exclaimed, gently patting his shoulder.

"My friends are still out there ... I need to get back to them ... I need to help them,"

"I'll do as much as I can to help you. What Do you need?" Captain Beaufort asked.

"I need to get ashore,"

Captain Beaufort's face formed into a frown at those words.

"I would not recommend that. Every militant out there is looking for you. if they see you ..."

"I need to find a ship," Tintin interjected.

I don't have any time to waste. If I leave it too long I'll lose Haddock forever.

"I'll advise you to wait, just for a day or so,"

x

Tintin did listen to Captain Beaufort's recommendation, but it only lasted 3 hours. After locating a headscarf and a second set of clothes, he left the ship, leaving Snowy behind to avoid being recognised. The fake moustache he found looked real enough but remained incredibly itchy, making his nose twitch every few minutes.

He strode to the harbour master's office, aware of the large number of soldiers patrolling.

I won't just leave Haddock and Skut behind. And those poor refugees.. they'll be sold as slaves the moment they Mecca...I won't allow that...

He repeated the phrase as a mantra as he took the final steps towards the Harbour Masters' Office.

x

As he sat down opposite the Harbour Master everything remained amicable. The Harbour Master even offered him a cigar, which Tintin politely declined.

"What can I do for you, Sir?"

Sir, that's a first, Tintin thought, resisting the urge to raise his eyebrow.

"I'm looking for a ship," Tintin said.

"If there has been any news about it or if it's docked, I should know about it," He replied, placing his cigar in the ashtray and opening the top drawer. "What's the name of the ship?"

"The Ramona,"

He paused and stared at him, blinking his eyes. "The Ramona? I'd hate to break it to you sir, but that ship has just been reported on the news"

Tintin froze and continued to stare at him.

I hope you're going to tell me that the vessel's been captured by the police.

"Reported? What for?" Tintin asked, deepening his voice slightly.

"it sunk yesterday just off the coast,"

No .. No it can't have.

It can't be true.

"Sunk .. are .. are you sure.." Tintin stammered, fighting hard to retain his composure in his presence.

"I'm sorry sir. according to the news, it happened so quickly that no one survived,"

Tintin grit his teeth, gulping down the lump in his throat.

Haddock ... He, he's gone...

No this can't be the end...

Tintin fought hard to retain his composure... This can't be the end. Haddock died thinking he'd drown, and he couldn't change that.

"Did you work on this vessel .."

"No.. yes... I... I knew its Captain.."

He died thinking I drowned... I'm never going to be able to change that...

x

Tintin fell onto the bed with a thud, pulling off his moustache and then the headscarf. As tears began to roll down his face, he did not attempt to fix his dishevelled state. Snowy cuddled into his side, and he held him close, unwilling to let him go.

I've failed... He's gone and it's my fault...

Rennard, another member of the crew, and Captain Beaufort suddenly rushed into the room.

"Where have you been?" Captain Beaufort exclaimed loudly. "You're going to get yourself captured!"

"Or worse.." Rennard added.

Captain Beauford paused then sat on the bed opposite him, watching him carefully. Tintin couldn't control his shaking hands and leaking eyes. He couldn't hide his emotions, no matter how hard he tried.

"I ... I went to the harbour master's office... the Ramona .. it sank yesterday.. no survivors.." His breath caught in his throat as he struggled to find his words.

"What? What about lifeboats?" Rennard asked softly.

"They threw the lifeboats overboard before me... I ... "

As Tintin's head dropped, Rennard gently squeezed his shoulder.

"Tintin, I'm so sorry," Beaufort whispered. "What will you do now?"

"Start the long road home I guess.."

"You're welcome to join us on our way back to France.."

"Thank you, Captain. If you require a radio operator, I have some skills ..."

Captain Beaufort nodded in acceptance but as they left the room plunged into complete silence.

I'm never going to see him again...

Falling onto the bed, he clung to the white sheets, bursting into tears as his thoughts overcame him. He couldn't bear the thought of returning to Marlinspike without his best friend, living in a vast manor...

How will I tell them? What am I going to say to Calculus and Nestor?"

I'm sorry, Haddock. I'm so sorry.

x

The ship pulsed through the open waters as the winch lowered a small submarine onto the main deck. Allan strode onto the deck, meeting his less-than-happy superior; R J Rastapopoulus.

"Boss.."

"Update, Now!" Rastapopoulos spat, hastily hurrying towards the radio room. Allan followed, determined not to anger him even further.

"Your Cargo is in the hold,"

"Any incidents? Rastapopoulos questioned as he lit his cigar, blowing the smoke cloud into Allan's face.

"No, Sir," Allan stated, resisting the urge to cough as the smoke irritated his nasal cavity and throat.

"Hmmm, Good,"

"Is everything .." Allan paused as his boss turned round and stared at him with sharp grey eyes.

"The Authorities boarded the Scherezade! I just managed to escape," His voice boomed around the ship as he took a long drag of the cigar.

"At least we don't have the reporter to worry about now," Allan said.

Ras smiled and calmed further.

"I just wish I could have been there to see him scream,"

"He shouted so hard Davey Jones heard him. What should I do with Captain Haddock and the Estonian?"

"They're just loose ends, another two witnesses. Have they been troublesome?"

"No, Boss," Allan sighed. He'd wished they had been a bit more resistant. I would've had no trouble giving him a thump or two.

"We'll deal with them when we reach Mecca. What's our current heading?"

"Port. We need to resupply," Allan said, noting the port city looming in the distance.

"Make it snappy. Despite the chances you've managed we will not loiter,"

When I created the OCs in this story, I could picture Gorden Kaye as Captain Beaufort, only with a massive moustache, and Kenneth Connor as Claude. Both appeared in Allo Allo and have fab french accents in this. Thinking of particular faces and/or voices like this when I'm writing allows me to write a lot better. This should be updated soon!