Reckless | Tintin

" The model boat is increased in a bullet-proof glass case."

The following mourning Tintin and Ana were still rowing as Captain Haddock just stared at the water while Tintin explained what their next few steps were going to be.

"... We have to get to Baggar ahead of Sakharine."

" I know, I know!... Why?"

Tintin and Ana both stopped rowing for a moment as Ana told Haddock," Because he has the third model ship."

" How do you know?"

Tintin set down his oar and reached into his pocket before pulling out the brochure he'd taken from the radio room and showing one of the paged to the Captain." The Sheik collects old ships and this," he tapped an image on the paper," is the prize of his collection."

" Blistering blue barnacles!" Haddock exclaimed." That is the Unicorn!"

" Captain, do you see the distortion around the model?" Tintin asked, indicating what he was referring to.

" Aye."

" The distortion shows that the model boat is increased in a bullet-proof glass case, kept in Sheik Omar Ben Salaad's palace," Ana explained.

" And Sakharine is going there to steal it!"

" Yes, he has a secret weapon; The Milanese Nightengale, but that won't be enough to solve the mystery and that is why Sakharine needs you," Tintin told the Captain." That's why he made you his prisoner; there is something he needs you to remember."

" I don't follow you."

Tintin sighed and sat down again." We read it in a book. That only a true Haddock can discover the secret of the unicorn."

Haddock gasped, as though recalling something, causing both Tintin and Ana to smile, thinking that they'd gotten some headway at last... before the Captain opened his mouth.

" I don't remember anything about anything."

" But you must know about your Ancestors-" Tintin started before Ana took over for him.

"- Sir Francis, anyone else who would know the tale, your family legacy! Captain, surely you must remember something!"

" My memory is not what it used to be."

" Well, what did it used to be?"

" I've forgotten!"

Snowy let out a whine as Tintin and Ana both sighed.

" Captain?" Tintin asked after a while." Can you get us to Baggar?"

Haddock looked at the boy for a moment before scrunching his face up as though his pride had been severely hurt." What sort of a stupid question is that!?" He got up to switch seats with Tintin and Ana." Give me those oars! I'll show you some real seamanship laddie. I'll not be doubted by some pipsqueak tuft of ginger, his irritating dog, and a know-it-all hoyden!"

He picked up the second oar to move it to a different spot, spinning around and knocking Tintin out in the process as Ana ducked and Snowy stayed on the other side of the boat. He paused mid-swing for a moment before swinging the oar around a second time and hitting both Ana and Snowy in the back of the head, effectively knocking all three of them out." I am Master and Commander of the seas! I know these waters better than the warts on my mother's face!... look at the three of 'em, fast asleep, typical Landlubbers; no stamina these days.

Several hours passed on the boat as Tintin, Ana, and Snowy all slept in peace...

" Tintin?... Miss. Smith?" The pair slowly opened their eyes, feeling warmth very close... warmth being caused by a fire aboard their small, wooden, boat." Come and warm yourselves Laddie's."

The two quickly sat up, now fully alert.

" Captain!?" Tintin asked, a slight hint of fear in his voice." What've you done!?"

" Oh, no need to thank me!" Haddock said, clearly unaware of the fear rippling through the two young adults.

" What!?" Tintin and Ana exclaimed simultaneously.

" Well, the two of you looked a little cold so I lit a wee fire."

" In a boat!?... No! Those are our oars! We need those oars!"

" Yes, but not for much longer."

" Have you gone mad!?" Tintin yelled as both he and Ana both began to attempt to put the fire out." Quick Captain! Help us! Captain, help us Quick!"

" He's right!" Haddock panicked." What've I done? What've I done!?" Thinking quickly, not brightly, the Captain picked up the bottle of whiskey he'd been drinking from earlier and, against Tintin and Ana's logic, dumped it on the fire, causing a mildly large explosion.