I hope this story is processing well. I've spent a lot of time working on this story alongside other commitments so I really hope it is good and that it's in character. I want to try and expand on Pablo's story so I will be writing from his perspective for a few scene's.

Suggested Music

1. Theodorakis: Epitaphs - Original Version - 3. A Day In May - Milos Karadaglic

2. Granados: Danzas españolas, Op.37 - edited by Michael Lewin - No.2 Oriental - Milos Karadaglic

3. Tarrega: Lagrima - Milos Karadaglic

Chapter Three

Tintin was dragged from the room, his wirsts now handcuffed together as Sponz flexed his hands to relieve the muscle pain. Despite the pain he was extremely content.

Colonel Alverez watched was pulled in the direction of the cells, gritting his teeth as much as he could bear it. Tintin had bruises across his arms and wirst's and there was a distinctive black bruise around Tintin's eye, like he had been repeatedly punched hard in the face.

"Was that really necessary Colonel?" Alverez questioned.

"Extremely" Sponz replied slowly, rubbing his fist into his other hand. "Everything will go to plan"

As Tintin was dragged down a few flights of stairs his mind lost all focus. All he could do was roll with the motion of the two guards who were pulled him in the direction they wanted. As he heard a door open in front of him he immediately heard Snowy barking. The guards practically threw him into the cell and quickly shut the door as Snowy begun to growl. The moment the guards disappeared Snowy moved to his master, gently nuzzling his hand with his cold nose. Snowy wined softly into Tintin's ear, attempting to rouse him. Tintin didn't dare move but he did manage to raise his hand slightly and ran his fingertips across Snowy's soft fur. It was almost a comfort after the beating Sponz had subjected him to.

xx

Pablo kept following the guard who had accompanied him since he entered the building. Even though he was trusted by both General Tapioca and Sponz he wasn't entitled to walk freely around the building. As he moved through the various floors he noticed two guards holding onto a young man but it wasn't until he saw the ginger hair that he realised who they were handling. He paused for a moment, his eye's widening in shock as he saw the bruises and cuts on his face and arms. What have they done to you, Pablo thought as the guard urged him on to Sponz' office. The guard paused when he saw Sponz in the corridor and announced Pablo immediately.

"Ah Pablo. I trust you have your assignment"

Pablo however ignored the order.

"Why is Tintin here?"

Colonel Sponz raised his eyebrows.

"That is none of your business"

"But I don't understand why are you going forward with your plan when you already have Tintin. I know he's the only one you want ... and I've seen what you're done to him"

Colonel Sponz slammed the documents down upon the table, glaring at him.

"You will go ahead with the plan. It is essential that the rest of Tintin's 'friends' are cornered and removed. If the others die there will be no chance of a rebellion"

Pablo's eye's glanced to the floor and hastily exited the room, breathing hard.

"What have I Done?"

At this point he knew there was only one way to ensure the safety of Tintin and his friends.

xx

The Next morning ..

Captain Haddock was beginning to feel very isolated in the confides of the hotel despite having Professor Calculus for company, but at the minute even than was starting to turn into a daily annoyance. As he grabbed the Loch Lommond bottle, Calculus couldn't help but watch as he poured it into the glass.

"WHEN are we going to see that confounded fellow Tapioca? After all, that's the principle reason we came here" Haddock expressed out loud, painfully aware that the Professor wasn't paying attention. "Instead of which, for three days they've shuttled us from the Museum of Ethnography to the birthplace of the Great Liberator, General Olivaro then to the Zoo ..."

As the Captain proceeded to place the Whiskey Bottle onto the coffee table, Calculus watched carefully, wondering if the whiskey would have the effect that he desired.

"And what marvel will they have in store for us tomorrow?" The Captain continued as he brought the glass to his lips.

"A confetti marker for the carnival? Or perhaps a sombrero factory? Heaven knows what!" Haddock exclaimed taking a good swig of his whiskey. The action didn't last very long as he immediately spat out the whiskey in disgust. Despite the liquid being whiskey it certainly didn't taste like whiskey. Tar was a more accurate description in Haddock's mind.

All Calculus could do was quietly chuckle.

"Billions of blue blistering barnacles! What's happened to me? Why can't I take a single drop of whiskey anymore?" The Captain thought before a series of knocks interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in!"

"Buenas tardes, Senores"

The captain's eyes narrowed as he observed the man who walked in the room as it certainly wasn't Manolo. This man looked younger and seemed much more happier which was a change from the boring dirges that Manolo muttered. He smiled as he walked to the Captain and motioned towards the Spanish music gently playing on the record player.

"Good evening, Senores. My name is Pablo. I've been sent to replace Manolo. He suffered a minor accident this morning" Pablo stated, placing the evening papers on the table, moving his fingers at the Captain, motioning that he was holding a dial and turning it up. The Captain took the hint and moved to the record player, glancing at Pablo as he did so until Pablo nodded.

"He'll be back in a day or two" Pablo finished before walking up to the captain.

"Waste no time, amigos! Your lives are in danger!" Pablo exclaimed immediately, not wasting any time.

"Blistering ... What? Our lives?"

"Yes. The day after tomorrow a commando of Picaros, not real Picaros, will pretend to attack this villa. In the course of the fighting, quite by accident, the two of you will be killed"

"Killed?"

"The official version: the Picaros tried to kidnap you"

The Captain was stunned. He didn't know what to think although one question was burning in the Captain's mind.

"I don't understand, who wants to kill us?" the Captain asked.

"Do you know who runs the Security Police in this Country? No? ... Well it's Colonel Esponja or, to give him his real name: Sponz"

"Blistering Barnacles" The Captain exclaimed. "He was the Chief of Police in Szohod when ..."

Haddock's voice trailled off slightly as he remembered the events of a few years ago, when Calculus was kidnapped by the Bourdurians.

"That's the one! He's been 'lent' to General Tapicoca to reorganise the Security Police in San Theodoros ... and when he heard of Signora Castafiore's arrival, he dreamed up a plan to get rid of the three of you."

Pablo paused, choosing his next words very carefully.

"But there's only two of us, Blistering Barnacles. Why does he want to kill me and poor Calculus? Tintin had sense not to leave Marlinspike, he suspected a trap from the beginning. I should have listened to him"

"Captain Haddock, Tintin's not at Marlinspike" Pablo commenced slowly. "He arrived here yesterday by Plane but ... Sponz's men grabbed him before he could contact you"

The Captain didn't know what to say. He couldn't take it in.

"I've seen him Captain Haddock, I need to get you and professor calculus safe before I can even attempt to get him out"

"Blistering ... Can't you do it the other way round? Haddock thought, knowing the safety of his best friend was more important that this own.

"That may give them an advantage and they may change their plan. I need you to go with plan that I am about to tell you, trust me, it's better that way and then I can get to Tintin without being noticed"

The captain still wasn't sure.

"I've known Tintin for a long time Captain Haddock. I've helped him before and I'll do it again without question" Pablo continued desperately trying to assure the Captain.

"Whats your plan?"

"Tomorrow, Colonel Alverez will take you on a trip to Hotuatabotl to see an ancient pyramid. You'll climb to the top with me. The soldiers will encricle the base. Then a commando of Picaros, real Picaros this time, will open fire on the northern face of the Pyramid. Under cover of the diversion you'll climb down the south face, having disarmed me and carefully tied me up. Two hundred metres away, right in front of you, one of Alcazar's trucks will be waiting for you"

The Captain exhaled slowly. It seemed quite simple but the fact that his friend was going to remain imprisoned for at least another night made him worry.

"Captain?"

"Did Tintin trust you?"

"Yes" Pablo replied, immediately feeling guilty, remembering the sight of Tintin being shut in the jail.

As the music came to an abrupt end Pablo watched the Captain in silence, waiting for a reaction. As the Captain slowly nodded in agreement, Pablo exhaled in relief. As he walked to the door the Captain spoke again.

"Pablo"

"Yes Senor?"

"Thanks"

Pablo smiled, then shut the door behind him. After taking a few steps Pablo exhaled shakily, rethinking his loyalties. It didn't take him long to decide who he would remain loyal to.

I really hope this is in character especially the ending of this chapter. Thanks for all the views and I'm grateful for the reviews I've already received. Many thanks to 1999, ItsYaBoi and the two guest reviewers. I'm really happy that people are reading this. Next chapter should be up soon and I've finally started writing the ending which I'm hoping will really pack a punch. Till next time TR56