CHAPTER 6 (PART - B (conclusion to chapter 6))

Also I would like to dedicate this part of the chapter to my new friend Ms Unicorn who's material I borrowed from with her permission (rewritten of course) as she too is a great writer.
I would like to direct those who want to read the original here: Captain's Camp Fire Tale, an adventures of tintin fanfic | FanFiction



A moonless night was over Marlinspike Hall and all was calm. The windows had been repaired, again. Professor Calculus, Nestor, Thomson, and Thompson congregated in the dining hall each with a bowl of vegetable soup and a hot cup of tea at the long table where many banquets took place. Professor Calculus sat on the left side of Captain Haddock’s seat as that was where the “Lord” of the manor as Tintin would jest sits. To the right another empty chair. This was where Calculus knew the Lord’s prince sat. Professor Calculus knew Tintin meant the world to Haddock. When they travelled to South America, Calculus pretended to be clueless, but could see he was disheartened without Tintin around. The moment Tintin appeared he saw a fire light back up in Haddock’s eyes:

“So what made you change your mind?” Haddock asked Tintin with much surprise. Calculus stood there watching as if some drama was unfolding before him. “Let’s just say… I was missing you… Captain…”

Calculus couldn’t see Tintin’s face, but he saw the Captain’s as his bright blue eyes began to brim with tears of joy and a smile that only Tintin could elicit from him. It was that day when the Professor knew that something much deeper than any bond could be existed between the two of them, but never spoke anything about it. The Professor couldn’t help but to feel just a little jealous of Haddock and Tintin’s relationship for he had dedicated his entire life to science and research. The ladies he dated during his younger years were just as eccentric as he was which never really led to anything lasting. The only other interesting thing Calculus remembered was during the whole fiasco with Castafiore, her emerald, and the kiss she gave him before she departed. After hearing part of Thompson and Thomson’s story Professor Calculus sank into his mind remembering events. He was used to being alone, but knowing that Haddock and Tintin were in danger really made it difficult for him to focus for too long on anything.

“Professor?” Thompson waved. “Professor! Are you ok?” Thomson asked trying to redirect the Professor’s attention. “Oh, I’m sorry, I’m having trouble focusing on anything right now” Calculus admitted as he straightened his lab coat as he was busy in his lab trying to conduct research for a colleague when both Thompson and Thomson arrived earlier. “Clueless Calculus” was one name that Tintin and even Captain Haddock would say teasing him, but Calculus just let them have their fun.

“Why didn’t you two inform us sooner of what was going on?” Calculus snapped back to the present. Nestor glanced at Calculus and knew when he became emotional his rationality would somehow disappear momentarily. “We aren’t at liberty to divulge all of the information we receive” Thompson explained. “Precisely” Thomson agreed as he took a couple spoons full of soup. “Nestor this soup is superb!” Thompson complemented. “Why, thank you sir” Nestor smiled. “So what exactly is this ‘All-Seeing-Eye’ cult about?” Calculus remained calm trying to finish his soup. Both Thompson and Thomson were wearing grey suits with grey bowlers rather than their usual black.

“It’s a rather bizarre cult riddled with demon worship and aliens” Thomson began. “It would seem that for some reason they have taken in interest in Tintin to be precise” Thompson added. “All of this makes no sense gentlemen” Nestor interjected. “…but it will, because Dr. Mueller escaped, and according to intelligence, he has aligned himself with this cult like group” Thomson continued. “Well I’ve never been a man to truly affiliate myself with any religion and don’t judge others based on their belief, but that is strange that Dr. Mueller would align himself with such a group” Calculus stated. “This group gets more bizarre with the more information we receive” Thomson continued. “Rituals, some including animal sacrifice and other suspicions human as well” Thompson replied grimly. “My word! Let’s not speak of such things” Calculus exclaimed. Nestor was a bit unnerved by the comment but didn’t show it.

“I don’t understand folks these days. That is why I enjoy the peace and quiet here out of the way of other people’s affairs” Calculus reiterated. “So according to registry records, the Sirius is ported in Glasgow” Thompson went on. “That was its last delivery” Thomson clarified. “Perhaps we will get a telegram just as Master Haddock wrote in his letter” Nestor concluded logically. Thompson, Thomson, and Professor Calculus just kept seemingly talking themselves in circles. Nestor sat quietly for ten minutes listening after he finished his tea then began collecting the empty bowls to return them to the kitchen. When he returned back to the dining hall they were still debating all of the possible places Captain Chester could be as the hour approached almost eleven O’clock as the chimes in different locations in the manor began to chime.

“The mail should be running tomorrow, if you don’t mind me saying it may be better to wait until we get a more definite location” Nestor suggested.
“That may be the best idea in the end” Thompson agreed. “Indeed Thompson” Thomson too agreed. “I must be up early gentlemen. I will notify both of you if we do receive a call from them. I have a couple of gadgets I simply must give to Tintin and the Captain that I should finish within a day or two” Calculus concluded.
“Fascinating” both Thompson and Thomson replied.
“Well good night professor” they both again in unison replied.
“Good night to you too gentlemen, and notify me too if you hear anything” Calculus reminded. Nestor escorted them to the door. As Nestor watched both of the detectives drive off, Nestor couldn’t help but feel concerned for Haddock and Tintin after hearing all of this insanity he thought; however, Haddock and Tintin had dealt with many perilous situations in the past and come out unscathed.

After a wonderful meal the travelers felt much better. The HM Customs finally showed up and finished the few left overs and were quite thankful. Tintin could not believe just how well connected Captain Chester was with his country folk. When they first arrived they were quite reserved, but within a few minutes of conversing with Chester, they were all laughing and sharing food and drink. Tintin noted on how relaxed they were with their ship inspection and Snowy remained hidden down in the storage area.
“Make sure you give my regards to your sister” one of the coastal guards reminded.
“I will indeed” Chester laughed. “Thanks for sharing that tasty meal and the whisky” another thanked as the three coastal guards returned to their small ship.
“If you see Mr. Schnider arrive please notify my sister, I do believe INTERPOL has a warrant out for him” Chester reminded.
“Don’t worry, we will be consulting with our sources and detain him if he does” the third one spoke being the more serious out of the three.
“So are we making port tonight?” Tintin asked.
“We may as well spend the night here and port in the morning as the hour is late” Chester replied. “Well then I’m going to go get Snowy” Tintin disappeared momentarily to bring Snowy back on the deck.
“You and Enzo get dish duty!” Haddock commented when Tintn returned.
“Fair enough” Tintin nodded.
“Since we got to enjoy a nice meal it’s only fair” Enzo agreed.

After thirty minutes of returning the eating area to its prior state, they sat outside to admire the starry night. Tintin had a small look of concern in his eyes as they continued to sit quietly watching the HM Customs make their rounds from afar. Captain Haddock never truly seemed to miss a beat, “What’s on your mind lad?” Haddock sat across from him at the nose end of the ship.
“Just wondering how the professor and Nestor are faring” he answered truthfully.
“I’m sure they are fine” Haddock seemed convinced.
“Why don’t you send them a telegram tomorrow” Chester suggested. Tintin nodded in agreement. “So who’s going to share a sea tale tonight?” Enzo asked as Chester had plenty to share.
“Why don’t we let Haddock share one of his tales” Chester winked.
“That’s a swell idea! Captain tell them about ‘The Lady Polly’” Tintin’s face lit up instantly.
Captain Chester gave Tintin and Haddock a confused look. “Na…” Haddock smiled.
“A lady?” Chester cocked an eyebrow. “No, it was a strange tale I told Tintin, Calculus, and Nestor a couple Halloweens ago… about an abandoned ship named ‘The Lady Polly’” Haddock corrected.
“Oh…” Chester nodded, “This should be interesting” Chester smiled.
“Yes tell us please!” Enzo got comfortable as the ship rocked only slightly.
“Alright!” Haddock grinned repositioning himself lighting his pipe. Chester, Tintin, and Enzo intently listened.

“This happened actually about twelve years ago actually when I was captain of the Karaboudjan. She was a grand passenger ship that had set off from Norway on her way back to England but never reached her destination” Haddock’s face became animated. Chester lit his pipe trying to remember if he too had heard any such story while he sailed, but continued to listen. Enzo’s eyes widened as Tintin just loved to watch how the alcohol seemed to turn him into a book of fascinating tales.

“We sailed those Norwegian waters, and I daresay on some nights when the skies were overcast, if it weren’t for the lights of our ship it would be so pitch black you couldn’t even see past the tip of your nose” Haddock paused. “Without the ships lights you can't tell which is the sea or the sky. It's foggy, dark and cold. This is the kind of cold that once it sets into your bones you’ll be needin’ more than a bonfire to ward it off. The last thing you'd want to happen is a power failure; no way to move, no way to see, and no way to radio an SOS. That recipe for disaster is exactly what happened to the Karaboudjan!” the captain paused again as the only sound they could hear was the lapping of the calm waters on the side of the Shooting Star.

Tintin and Enzo were both sitting around the captain like children full of wonder despite Tintin already having heard this tale before. Captain Chester was nodding with everything Captain Haddock said remembering a similar incident on the Sirius. “Go on…” Enzo prompted eager for him to continue.

“It started with the radio, we could hear lots of static but voices as well, then the lights began to flicker, and suddenly we were dead in the water. I shouted for my shipmates in earshot of me to light a torch and get the engine back up and running. It was an awkward situation feeling your way around even though you’ve walked the ship a million times, it’s a lot different when there are no lights” he paused reaching into his jacket for the last of the bottle of champagne taking a big swig.

“Hey pass it around, some of us are thirsty too” Chester interrupted. Haddock passed the bottle to Chester who finished off the bit that was left.

“I’ll never forget that evil night… my biggest worry was that you don’t know what’s out there, could be rocks, an iceberg, or another ship! When we finally managed to get power back, out of the fog another ship was heading right our way. I panicked sounding the bell, screaming out orders to my crew as they all scrambled to try to get the ship out of the way; but it was too late. What seemed like a ram was nothing more than a mere bump, and no damage was done to my ship—and you know why?” Haddock stopped so his audience would take a breath.
“She was dead in the water…” Chester chimed in.
“Exactly!” Haddock pointed.
“It was the Lady Polly…the steel screeched like a banshee as she scraped by us… no power or lights on board as it just drifted by us. As it was our duty to board a dead ship to make sure there were no live souls trapped on board. We took torches and other provisions, me and five members of my crew. Dirt and dust lie thick on the deck of the ship. The ship’s dining hall was the first place we investigated. Plates and eating utensils lie undisturbed. Then we investigated open quarters where we found personal articles, suitcases, and other items simply left untouched as if everyone had simply vanished into thin air. We thought maybe there was a disease and people died, or a rogue ship had boarded to rob them, but nothing valuable had been taken. We were at a loss for what really happened. So we went to the captain’s log on the bridge and that was where our worst fears were confirmed” he stopped again so everyone would breathe.

“The captain of that ship’s last log was in 1906, more than thirty years before we discovered the ship. The handwriting was shaky as he wrote how passengers were disappearing one and then two at a time each day. People were frightened and so were he and all of his shipmates. Part of the log he wrote how he truly believed that something evil lurked among them on the ship. Who would be next was the only question he had on his mind as storm after storm blew them off course keeping them out at sea. Crew members become mutinous as passengers became hysterical and before they knew it the ship was in total chaos until the last log of the captain was written. He wrote that all that was left were he, his first mate, and two now orphaned young children who clung to him of nine and ten. We are holed up on the bridge. Something evil is definitely on this ship. As a captain it is my duty to protect my crew and passengers—may God be with those who read this…” Haddock stopped again.

“As we continued to investigate other areas of the ship such as the engine room we could hear movement from other parts of the ship as if something was dragging on the floor. Terrified as we all were, we went to investigate thinking someone was still living who was responsible for the disappearances. When we thought we got to the source of the noise we only saw our own footprints in the heavy dust of the ghost ship. Then we heard mournful music and clanging noises, it was at that moment I told my shipmates we make back to the deck as quickly as possible and return to our vessel. I could hear hissing sounds as if a voice were whispering in the air or from the depths of Davy Jones Locker. Our ship’s power seemed to be draining. Things started falling over as if to impeding our swift pace, maybe the ship didn’t want to give up fresh blood!” Haddock’s face looked ghastly as Enzo and even Tintin could feel the hair on their neck standing on end. Chester seemed fascinated but didn’t seem to completely believe the tale.

“We ran and climbed stairs and ladders until we finally made it to the deck we were almost home free when we could hear some unearthly growling. I never thought it was possible for one to move so fast, but we ran for our life boat and almost nearly all jumped in as we climbed down to our boat and suddenly….” Haddock turned away. “GRRRRAAARRR!” He growled loudly quickly grabbing Enzo and Tintin by their shirt getting a scream out of both of them.

“Har har har!” Haddock and Chester laughed hysterically as Tintin cursed himself for not being prepared for the punch line of the story and Enzo was still quite unnerved hoping that none of it was true. “So did you really encounter such a ship” Chester finally asked.

“Aye! That we did, but it doesn’t mean it wasn’t any less scary” Haddock nodded seriously. “Well I’m going to catch some shut eye so we can shove off early tomorrow. Night mates and watch for any ‘ghost ships’” Chester laughed and yawned. “Wait, I’m coming too” Enzo said following Chester back to their cabin.

Tintin and Haddock were left alone, “I got you again landlubber” Haddock laughed as they both stood taking another view of the starry sky as a meteorite went zipping briefly leaving a streak in its wake. Haddock stepped closer and pulled Tintin to him as they both continued to watch the sky as Haddock wrapped his arms around him. “These nights I live for lad” Haddock whispered in his ear. “Then let us live” Tintin whispered back. The rest of the night was silent with the faded lights of the shore and distant ships and the quiet lapping of the water against the Shooting Star.

__________________