Story Notes: It's been a while since I uploaded anything to fanfiction. I wasn't happy with how I wrote my last story so I've taken a lot more time to draft and edit this story. I've made these chapters a lot longer in terms of word count. This story is another alternate story that deviates from a particular plot point in the comics. After finishing the Greek Resurgence, I decided to go back and read the books again. I had an idea for an alternate Red Sea Sharks previously. This was called Into the Deep, which I published in early 2022. I ended up deleting it, but I decided to expand on it and soon I had a good idea. This is similar to The Guardian of the Red Sea. I've already planned a second story to follow this one. Both stories are linked to the comics and follow the canon, but I just wanted to add some extra angst to the story and have the characters pushed into dangerous situations. Please Enjoy and review.
Title: The Arabian Altercation
Category: Adventures of Tintin
Genre(s): Adventure, Friendship
Rating: T (For Safety)
Language: English
Characters: Tintin, Captain Haddock, Skut, Allan, Rastapopoulos, (OC's)
Summary: Tintin and Captain Haddock's small win doesn't last. Allan and his men retake the Ramona. Rastaopopulos orders Allan to take drastic action to get rid of the reporter for good, and all seems lost. Who will save them from their terrible fate?
Suggested Music (Due to the vast amount of Music I used to write this I will be writing the full playlist on my profile bio. If you do wish to see that please click on my name above)
1. Zeit - Rammstein
2. Waterland III - Roberto Cacciapaglia
3. Always Too Late - Benjamin Monday (This goes well with the final scene)
4. At the Plaza - Cobby Costa
5. The Vanished - John Barzetti
Chapter 1
The rolling Arabian sea barreled against the unnamed ship. Dark clouds filled the skies, replacing the shining orb of the sun, trapping it behind a wall of rain and lightning. The electricity ignited the violent yet beautiful side of nature. For the crew, struggling to control the small vessel, all they could do was roll with the deep troves and peaks, riding out the worst of the storm as best they could.
Allan Thompson cursed, wiping the sea spray off his face as he tried to concentrate on the radio.
"I want my cargo back!" Rastapopolus demanded over the radio. Allan bit his lip, holding his thoughts back. He'd wished the plan with the Ramona had gone as planned.
I wouldn't be doing this if the ship had exploded! That damn Reporter!
He glanced at another one of his officers, sitting next to him trying to keep the radio dry and smoke at the same time. Leaks sprung repeatedly from the sides as the boat dipped into another wave.
We're not even close...
At the rate we're going we are more likely to sink and drown before we find the Ramona.
"Sir, it's impossible," Allan risked the reprimand from his boss, remembering fully well what happened to the last person who had told him that.
"Listen very carefully, I will not repeat his,"
Allan pulled himself up straight, forcing himself to concentrate on his superior.
"Your orders are as follows; find the Ramona, board it and reclaim my cargo,"
"What about its occupants; The Captain ... and that meddlesome reporter?"
"I have special orders for you concerning the Reporter" Rastapopoulos...
I'm listening intently.
A smile spread across his face.
x
As the day started to fade into early evening, The Ramona finally left the safety of the port that it had taken shelter in, heading back into the perilous open water. Pink clouds streaked across the sky, trying to hold onto the last remnants of the day. On a clear evening, as the sun set below the horizon and in the right conditions, the green flash could be seen lighting the sky with emerald tones. There were many tales and myths about the meaning, but to see it was a sight in itself.
The Ramona ploughed through the sea, cutting like a knife through the waves. Silence shrouded the ship as its occupants settled into the oncoming evening. Skut had already succumbed to sleep in the radio room. Now slumped over the desk and snoring, nothing would be able to rouse him. Haddock remained at the bridge, watching out as best he could despite the urge to sleep growing minute by minute. Rubbing his eye, he glanced back at Skut and then returned his attention to the open sea.
Tintin and Snowy had retired to a cabin about an hour ago. Now they were sound asleep and drifting towards a deep dreamless sleep.
All was quiet, all was calm.
Tintin shot in his bed as a massive bang echoed throughout the ship, ricocheting straight through his ears. Snowy jumped to the door, starting to growl as Tintin froze.
Great Snakes! What was that?
Pushing the sheets back he quickly pulled his jumper on, along with his shoes. As he ran down the corridor, shouts repeatedly called from the main deck.
What's going on?
Tintin pushed the door open to the sound of gunfire. A force immediately pushed him down to the ground before he had a chance to do anything. He raised his head to find bullet holes scattered across the wall and Skut over him.
"Thanks, Skut," Tintin exclaimed, thankful for the actions of the pilot as he struggled onto his knees. "Where's Haddock?"
"At the bow, they coming from everywhere,"
Keeping his head low, he followed Skut to the deck. Tintin dived to the side as a further gun blast sliced through the air in his direction. Peering over the top of the boxes, he started to sneak into a much better position, hoping he might be able to creep up behind one of the men to disarm him.
Before Tintin had a chance to move any further, a fist smacked into his face. He landed on his stomach, unable to absorb the brunt of the blast as everything faded into a blur.
x
Haddock fired back as much as his chances allowed, determined to push them off the ship.
You're not getting this ship!
Haddock grit his teeth as sweat leaked down his brow. Diving back down for cover he reloaded.
All the gunfire ceased.
He froze, retaining his current position as a frown pushed its way onto his face.
Blistering ... What's going on
Wiping his head, he stood poised and ready only to find an impossible choice waiting, and a very familiar face.
Allan!
You swine...
Blistering Barnacles no!
Allan had his arm wrapped around Tintin's neck, holding him so close he couldn't risk firing.
Blistering... I can't...
His heart broke at the thought of accidentally shooting Tintin, but he didn't lower his gun. He tried to calm his pounding heart, but as the men surrounded him he knew there was no way out. His eyes watered furiously as he considered his actions. He kept the gun poised on Allan, keeping his eye on Tintin at the same time.
"Give up or he dies," Allan shouted, raising a gun to Tintin's temple.
You brute!
I don't have a choice...
Allan smirked, starting to add pressure to the trigger.
Haddock snapped, unable to hold himself back.
"No! Don't .." Haddock shouted.
"Haddock, No!" Tintin begged, even with the gun trained on his head.
"Thought as much," Allan smirked. The snide comment made Haddock squirm. "Secure the cargo .. back in the hold,"
Haddock, begrudgingly, let his gun fall to the ground unwilling to risk shooting Tintin in pursuit of his desire to take revenge on Allan.
I won't be responsible for your death, he thought as men approached him and Skut from behind, binding their hands together. The men began to round up the refugees, herding them into the ship and in the direction of the hold.
Haddock kept his eye on Allan, watching carefully as he failed to relinquish his hold on his best friend.
Haddock whipped his head around as a large splash gained his attention, just in time to so the men slicing away the lifeboats. As they dropped into the ocean, a chill ran through his spine.
No lifeboats ... we can't escape...
Allan then lowered the gun, focusing on Tintin.
x
Tintin waited for the inevitable bindings and the talk down.
Nothing.
Allan kept smiling
"Now for you.."
Without warning, two men grabbed him, forcing him against the side of the ship.
What are you doing?
Get off me!
"NO! Get off me!" Tintin struggled, desperately trying to move his hands, as another man appeared with a tight hold on Snowy.
"Leave him Alone!" Shouted Haddock, fighting hard against his bindings only to be thrown onto the deck.
As Allan's hand slammed against his cheek, Tintin gasped, absorbing the sting.
Allan jabbed his fingers into Tintin's chin, forcing him to look straight at him.
You had no intention of letting me go ...
What are you doing?
"I hope you suffer slowly, it's what you deserve," Allan hissed, before stepping back. As the other man grabbed his feet, Tintin's eyes darted to Haddock in sheer panic.
x
Don't! You tin-hatted tyrants! Let him go!"
Haddock stumbled onto his feet, only to be hit across the head with the but of a gun.
"No! Don't! Thundering typhoons, stop!" Haddock begged, but mostly shouted. His rapsy tone did no good.
This was no bluff...
As Tintin's desperate scream filled the air, the men threw him and Snowy from the confines of the ship and into the wrath of the Red Sea.
"No!"
Haddock crawled as best he could along the deck trying to get to the side. Allan's boot on his back ended his mission. Tears filled his eyes as Allan kicked him onto his back.
Allan smirked, clearly happy with the sight.
"You brute... you ... you .." Haddock's voice trailed off until he couldn't speak at all.
"Cat got your tongue... take them below.."
Haddock didn't resist. All his fight had faded, even as they unbound his hands and shoved him into a cabin. He didn't even register the bottle of whiskey one of the men slammed down on the side cabinet with a chuckle. As they locked the door, Haddock gazed around the room, frowning as he spotted the crumpled sheets on the bottom bunk.
Blistering...
This is Tintin's cabin...
He was sleeping here before...
As he clasped his eye's on the whiskey bottle, Tintin's voice echoed in his head.
You must promise to stop drinking. Think of your reputation, Captain! What would your old mother say it saw you in such a state...
The day they met on the Karaboudjan...
He remembered those words all too well, despite being in a drunken state.
Haddock squeezed his eyes shut, trying to stop his tears as his hands formed into fists, digging deep into his skin. Striding to the cabinet he grabbed the bottle, hurling it against the wall. He didn't hear the smash as the bottle reduced to shards, spreading like spears across the floor, alongside the alcoholic fluid.
Haddock fell onto the bed, clutching the sheets firmly as he screamed and cried in anguish, unable to distinguish his anger from the grief surging through his entire body.
My best friend is dead... I never told him how much he means to me.
x
As Allan strode into the radio room with a smile he couldn't erase, one of the men stood as he sat down.
"Tintin's overboard as requested, sir," Allan exclaimed into the radio microphone, gaining several chuckles from the rest of the room.
"Excellent ... and the Cargo?"
"Secured. Nothing will stand in our way,"
Not with Tintin dead.
"Even better. I will join you shortly," Rastapopulos replied.
"We'll be expecting you. Everything is ready,"
"if anyone gets in your way.. see to it. Did you see to our other arrangements?"
"Yes sir," Allan replied, recalling the strange request from his boss, concerning the many containers of explosives which had failed to explode in the earlier attempt to kill Haddock and Tintin. Rastapopoulus had very bluntly ordered him to blow the ship as a last resort.
Allan wasn't keen on the idea but didn't dare mention it given the destructive and swift nature of his boss.
x
The moment Tintin hit the water, the red sea removed every bit of breath that resided within him. With the majority of his strength obliterated, any attempt to swim would be costly. Currents pulled him in every direction but the one he wanted to go, dominating every single move. Bubbles of air floated to the surface before his eyes as he tried and failed to reach the sea. The waves dictated his moves, as the swells started to build once again, forging even bigger waves than before.
But he fought, and with every last bit of strength. As his lips finally reached the surface, Tintin quickly inhaled all the precious oxygen he needed. A large wave crashed right above him, forcing him back down into the depths of the sea
I can't ...
I can't do this...
The sea slowly swallowed him, pulling him down as waves crashed upon its surface. It seemed almost impossible now. He needed air, but the might of the sea had stolen his last chance, robbing him of precious air
I don't want to die ... not like this...
As much as he wanted to move, his limbs failed to comply, giving in to the superior, primitive and primal force of the ocean. Even as Snowy grasped his collar and tugged Tintin feared his time was up, and he'd become the new victim of the Red Sea, consigned to its depths miles away from the place he calls home.
Tintin's eyes slipped shut as water consumed him, invading every last breath until his will faded.
Snowy tugged and fought until he pulled his master to the surface. Tintin didn't move or inhale, but this didn't stop Snowy. As the storm moved on the waters calmed, but there was nothing to hold onto, no refuge, no raft.
Snowy held strong, swimming and holding his master until he came across a large portion of wood, likely from one of the lifeboats off the ship. The sides had probably been ripped off in the storm, but it was large enough for both of them. Grunting he pulled his master onto the wood, before pausing to shake off the water.
The skies cleared slightly, revealing the last remnants of the sunset in the west. Soon stars would replace them, to guide sailors across the sea.
Snowy nudged his master's hand. Whining softly at the lack of response he tried again, gently pawing his chest and licking his face. Tintin remained still even as Snowy's whine transformed into a heartbreaking howl spreading across the empty rolling waves, but none could hear it.
Next chapter coming soon ... Thank you. TR56