The Atlantic Via Bathtub CH 9

John dreamed.1

Three little ducks swam happily around the pond. As John watched, the crystal clear water of the pond slowly became murky. Soon it was so dirty that they couldn't swim anymore. 'Quack?' said one to the other. 'Quack.' it agreed. So they packed their bags, a fact which John thought was very strange, ducks didn't have bags, well, most didn't, but these did. 2

They set out to the edge of the pond, on reaching it, they waddled out of the water, and began the long journey to the next pond, which was far larger, and was clean! 3

As they waddled, out of the sky swooped at huge guinea pig, which grabbed the littlest of the ducks in it huge claws and flew away with it. It was minutes before the two larger ducks noticed it was gone, they quacked around for a minute, before calming down as they realised they didn't have to look after the little ducky anymore. This seemed to make them very happy, and so they waddled to the larger pond, oozing contentment. 4

John stared at the horrified, how could they forget about their little ducky like that? He turned his attention to the little ducky in the claws of the strange flying guinea pig.5

After flying a few minutes, it set down on a tree. As it landed, the little ducky smacked it's head on a branch, and passed out. This seemed to please the guinea pig very much, a fact shown by the large grin on it's face, as it pulled a knife and fork out of it's back pocket, and tucked a napkin into it's shirt. Which John couldn't recall seeing before. 6

Just as the guinea pig was about to start eating the poor little ducky, a pigeon in a tuxedo burst out of nowhere and stopped him. A vicious fight broke out between them, soon the guinea over came the pigeon, but before the guinea pig could finish off the poor pigeon, the squirrels who lived in the tree all came out, and started to attack, the noise getting to much for them. So the guinea pig flew off with the little ducky in it's claws. But the pigeon wasn't finished yet, it flew off after the guinea pig. 7

After many hours of flying, they were attacked by a lizard with an eye patch. The lizard swept both the guinea pig and the pigeon to the ground. The little ducky was forgotten for the moment. 'Quack?' quacked it, but no one answered, they guinea pig and the pigeon were busy fighting the huge lizard.8

The lizard threw them both to the ground, they hit it with and all mighty bang. But they were tough and bounced back up again, they fought the lizard side by side, uniting to defeat a common foe. But not even their united strength was a match for the power of the lizard. Again and again he threw them to the ground, crash after rumbling crash they hit the ground, each time they got up, and fought again. But they were wearing down, and being thrown to the ground far more...9

John woke up with a start, thunder pealed over head.10

What a strange dream, he thought. He shook his head and tried to clear it from his head, but it refused to go, but kept replying one scene in his mind, the fight between the pigeon the guinea pig and the lizard.11

He swung his legs over the edge of the bunk, and went to get up, but feel back onto the bed as Bootle hit a wave. He tried again, this time holding firmly onto the side of the bed. 12

Once on his feet, he carefully walked toward the door, well keeping hold of any solid objects.13

He made it to the door with out falling over, and turned the handle. Instantly the wind caught the door and slammed it open, knocking him over, rain poured through the door as John staggered to his feet and clambered out the door, and jerked it shut behind him.14

Outside on deck, the wind was howling, and blowing the rain almost horizontal. Waves crashed over the sides of the small tub. spraying salty water over everything. 15

John squinted too try keep the salt out of his eyes. Keeping a firm hold of the railing, he looked around the deck, he could see Charles and Pete both by the wheel, one on each side, trying to hold it steady. 16

A minute later John gave up, deciding that in the cabin was much safer, warmer, and a lot less wet. He wiped the water out of his eyes so he could see, this didn't help much so he started groping around for the handle. He soon found it, and started to turn it.17

Suddenly there was a blinding flash of light, John quickly put his hand over his eyes, trying to block the light. He heard Charles yell something, but couldn't hear what.18

At first John thought the light was lightening, but it kept shining. Almost to the point were it hurt when he uncovered his eyes. 19

He heard Pete bellow, 'Get inside and lock the door kid!'20

Groping he found the handle again, and twisted. He fell forward into the cabin, rolled over, and kicked the door shut. As the door shut, everything became much quieter. Getting up, he turned the key in the door, and slid the bolt in place.21

John sat down on the floor and leant against the wall, panting. 22

Outside he could hear Pete and Charles yelling, then it struck him, they weren't the only ones yelling. Straining, he could hear other people outside, yelling, he saw the handle on the door turn slightly, and then was left alone.23

After a moment the yelling stopped, and the light disappeared, the only sound now was the sound of the wind and rain. Slowly John stood up, a worried look on his face, what had happened? Had he been left? Questions flooded his mind, as panic threatened to overwhelm him.24

Standing up, he hurried to the door, slid the bolt back, turned the key, and opening the door stepped outside.25

No sooner out the door, then the light snapped back on, and two hands grabbed him roughly, and a sack was thrown over his head.26

John screamed and struggled, but the owner of the hands was to powerful, and he got no where. His feet left the ground as he was picked up.27

'Leave the kid alone!' he heard Pete thunder. There was a sharp slap, and another voice snarled, 'I didn't say you could speak. 28

Terror surged through John, and he screamed again, this time he kept screaming.29

'Ahh shut up,' growled a voice.30

Whump!31

For john everything went white, and then nothing. 32

'You didn't have to hit him!' snapped Pete.33

'Shut up, or you'll get the same,' said one man, who looked to be in charge. He was a short stocky man, with long black hair tied in a pony tail. His sharp nose, pointed chin, and lips curled into a snarl looked out of place next to the delicately trimmed moustache and large pale grey eyes.34

Pete glared at him, but remained silent, seeing that talking would get him nowhere. He glanced sideways at Pigeon, who was standing there apparently unconcerned by the whole happenings.35

Charles turned to him, his face blank, except for a slight twinkle in his eyes, he winked at Pete, then turned back to looking ahead.36

Pete frowned at him, what on earth did he wink for? He didn't have time to think about it as two of the guard shoved them forward, ushering them toward a rope ladder that had been lashed to the railing, it travelled up into the sky, he was unable to see the top. But when there was a flash of lightening, he could see a huge shadow floating somewhere above them, he guessed it was probably a zeppelin.37

On reaching the ladder, one of the four guards moved ahead, slinging his gun over his shoulder, he started climbing the ladder, soon he was out of sight.38

Looking up Pete saw two small flashes, he didn't have to wonder what they were for, for long.39

'Go on, up you go.' the man with the moustache shoved Pete forward. Pete staggered, but grabbing the ladder kept his balance. How on earth did they expect to be able to climb up that in this storm? That was worse then climbing the rigging on a tall ship in a storm. 40

'Hurry up, before I give you a good incentive to climb.41

Frowning Pete started climbing the ladder. It swayed madly in the wind, and the rain lashed mercilessly against him. Gritting his teeth he struggled on.42

A minute of steady climbing he reached what looked like a huge building, there was a hole in the bottom, through which the rope went. Hands emerged from the hole and seized his arms and hauled him through. A guard shoved his hands behind his back, and snapped a pair of handcuffs on. He was the escorted to one side. Where the guard stood in front of him, with the gun levelled on Pete's chest.43

Pete saw one of the men stick his hand out the hole and flash a light twice. So that was what it was for, he thought, let them know when to bring the next person.44

He took the time to look around the room, it was about half the size of his tub, guns of all kinds, including a few Pete hadn't seen before, lined one wall, all locked into their holders. The other wall, Pete saw had a few what looked like diving suits, and various other gadgets. 45

What on earth was this? Everyone was dressed in matching black uniforms, the guards looked like they had some sort of armour on. The walls were lined with weapons. Maybe it was some sort of attack zeppelin, but he didn't think they made them. zeppelins were usually only for transportation. 46

Charles's head appeared the hole and he was likewise hauled through the hatch, cuffed, and sent to stand beside Pete.47

'Well, that was fun, remind me not to do it again,' muttered Charles.48

'Silence!' snapped the guard, hefting his gun threateningly at Charles. Who just raised an eyebrow and stared in an amused way at the guard.49

Ten minutes later they were all aboard the zeppelin, and John had been gotten aboard. The guard apparently had thought much before he'd hit John, and knocked him out. There'd been a bit of a fight as they worked out how to get him up, the end result was guard who'd hit him had to climb back down and have John strapped to his back, then climb up with the extra weight, he looked rather tired now.50

And serve him right, thought Pete.51

'Come on, move it,' barked the moustached man.52

The guard jerked his gun in the direction of the door, emphasising the point.53

Pete turned and followed the everyone else out.54

Charles however didn't move, the moustached man walked up to him and leant close to his face, well, as close as he could get, which was about to Charles's chin. 'I said move,' hissed the man menacingly, he jabbed his gun viciously into Charles stomach. 55

Charles winced slightly, before saying, 'So you did, my bad.' He turned before the moustache man could say anything and strode quickly out of the door, and fell into step beside Pete.56

'What was that about, Pigeon?' asked Pete.57

'Hmm? Oh, dunno, felt like it,' said Charles.58

'Felt like it eh? Trying to get yourself killed?'59

'Meh, I'm still alive,' replied Charles noncommittally. 60

'Aye for how long though,' muttered Pete more to himself then Charles.61

After what seemed like miles of walking, which made Pete wonder just how large the zeppelin was, they reached a door which was opened, and Pete and Charles were ushered through. Inside the room their handcuffs were taken off, and door was slammed behind them, and they were left alone.62

'Hey, where're they taking John?' asked Charles.63

Frowning Pete replied, 'I don't know, but if he gets hurt...' 64

'Aye, I think I'd join you there, I'm starting to like the lad,' agreed Charles.65

They looked about the room, it was small, sparsely furnished, having only one bed, no windows, no benches, just the bed.66

'Well, looks like you get the floor,' said Charles, grinning as he strode forward and flopped onto the bed, he closed his eyes and relaxed.67

'Ah-hah.' Pete stepped toward the bed, grabbing the mattress he lifted it sharply.68

'Wha-' Charles fell off the other side, and landed with a thud on the floor.69

Pete then shoved the mattress onto Charles, and lay down on the other mattress on the bed.70

Charles spluttered and thrashed round randomly till he got the mattress off himself. Standing up he was about to launch into a long "why'd you do that?" speech, but seeing the Pete was lying on a mattress, he paused, then said, 'Oh, there were two mattresses?' 71

'No, I cloned it,' said Pete sarcastically.72

'Sweet, cloned it? Do you think you could clone me? It'd be awesome to have two of myself.'73

'Haha... I don't think I could stand having two of you around...' muttered Pete, 'Now shut up and get some rest, you'll probably need it.'74

'Rest, rightyhoo.' Charles collapsed onto the mattress and instantly started snoring. 75

Pete lasted three minutes of Charles's snoring before he rolled to the side of the bed and punched Charles in the stomach.76

There was an 'oof' the sounds of pained breathing, and then silence, except for very careful breathing, the sort that you'd get from someone who didn't want to get punched again.77

Pete lay on the bed deep in thought. Who would want to capture a bunch of harmless people floating in the middle of the ocean in a bathtub? What had they done with his bathtub as well, they better not of destroyed it, he liked old Bootle. And what had they done to John? After minutes of coming to no conclusion he drifted into a disturbed sleep.