[b]Chapter 1: Shipwrecked[/b]
"What's going on here?' Tetra called as she emerged from her cabin. 'I said I was not to be disturbed until we were within 30 minutes of docking!" "Sorry about that, Miss Tetra, but we've got an emergency out here! replied Niko, gesturing frantically towards the back of the ship. A tempest had formed, and waves 30 feet high were crashing against the ship, driving it onwards relentlessly. A howling wind was making the sails of the ship bulge outwards. Just then, there was a crashing noise as the blond-haired, green clad swabbie Link flew through the door leading to the cabins, bursting onto the deck. "This...better be important" he said, gasping for breath. "I was having a nap." "You're always having a bloody nap", muttered Gonzo. Link spun round and snapped, "Well, I didn't have any duties to attend to, so I was perfectly entitled to be having a bloody nap! "Besides," said Link, flaring up, "it's your fault that I'm so tired because you kept me up half the night repairing that bloody sail that YOU ripped!", Link finished angrily, pointing vociferously at Gonzo. "THAT'S ENOUGH!" Tetra yelled, as Gonzo made to retort. "We've got enough problems without you two laying into each other." she said, as Gonzo fell silent.
"Right, everyone to their positions! Niko, Gonzo, the wheel! Zuko, Mako, lookout! Senza, Nudge, sails! Link, navigation! There was a scampering of feet as they all took their positions, Niko and Gonzo at the wheel, Zuko and Mako on the lookout platform, Senza and Nudge at the foot of the sails, and Link and Tetra in the middle of the deck. "Land ahoy!" Make called out from the platform, as an island emerged on his line of sight. Link picked up the map of the island that the old man had given them, and started to frown. "Zuko", he asked, "what direction are we traveling in, do you know?" "Northeast, I think" came the reply. "And at what speed are we traveling, do you know?" "About 30 knots, why?" "Fuck." Link muttered. "What? What is it, Link?" Tetra whispered anxiously. Link gulped. "Well... if we're traveling at that speed, in that direction, the according to the maps, we're gonna... hit... the rocks. The look of terror on Tetra's face was clear to see, and she cried out, "Everyone to the wheel NOW!"
"There's the rocks ahead!" Gonzo said fearfully. "TURN! PORT SIDE!" Tetra yelled. Slowly, painstakingly, the ship began to move away from the rocks. But not fast enough. Suddenly, there was an ear-splitting grinding noise. "We've lost the rudder! We can't steer! Niko cried out. "If we go any further it those rocks, it'll be the end for us!" yelled Nudge, crying hysterically. "It's all up to fate now!", Link shouted over the din. Tetra grabbed Link's hand, closed her eyes, and gripped tightly. Just at that moment, a strong gust of wind blew the SS Hyrule into a nearby cove. Feeling the boat slide to a gentle halt underneath her, Tetra opened her eyes and looked around amazed. Link, Gonzo and Niko let out a loud cheer, as Senza, Zuko, Mako and Nudge started to laugh, Nudge still half crying. It took a little over half an hour to calm the crew down (Nudge needed a shot of whisky). When they had finally settled, Tetra drew their attention to a skull and cross bones flag rippling in the wind, far above the ground.
"Link and I are going ahead to explore. We may be a while, so I want you to get that rudder fixed by the time we get back, okay?" Tetra asked the crew. "Why can't we go ahead and explore with you?" enquired Gonzo. "Becasue Link and I both have swords, and experience at using them." she replied. "Good point. I'll make sure the rudder is fixed by the time you get back, Captain." Link laughed. "Don't worry about your captain, Gonzo. I'll take good care of her." "See you later then, swabbie." Gonzo called after Link and Tetra as they began to walk away from the ship and up a hill. Link raised his hand in acknowledgement. Suddenly, a woman's terrified scream rent the air. Link and Tetra glanced at each other, nodded and began to run...