I am a sailor. It's all I have known, and it's probably all I'll ever know. Now, don't get me wrong. I love sailing. It's my life. I only wish that there was a little more adventure involved. Yeah, i know it sounds crazy. A sailor's life sounds like it would be chalk full of adventures, but that's a misconception. Sure, I've traveled the world, more than most people who live to be ninety-nine, but I have found that people everywhere are all the same. They all have their routines, living simple, little lives, not wanting to be disturbed in any way. Basically, I've come to the conclusion that human beings have become content with their lot in life. Where is the fun in that?

Sailing, is deceptively similar. Day, after day, full of the mundane activities of a life at sea. I wake up, as the fist steak of light paints the sky, check the captain's list of chores for the day, and set to work. Then later in the evening, I play a tune on my fife, and some of the guys dance a lively little jig. Not me, though. I never dance. Ever. The only time, that routine is broken, and we have some hope for genuine entertainment, is when the captain decides to dock the ship. Actually, we're due to reach land in a little less than two days. Someplace, called Shireland. How boring does that place sound?

I sit, straddling the figure head of the Oak Leviathan, our ship. It is carved out of wood, in the image of a mermaid. The smell of the sea salt, and the feel of the wind ripping at my face, takes me away for a moment, in spite of the chill October air. I imagine myself the king of the world.

"Hey, Salty!"

I recognize the voice, to be Piper, my best friend aboard the Leviathan. Maybe, if I keep still, he won't notice me. Suddenly, I feel something heavy, thud against my head. I look up, rubbing the site of the growing lump. I see Piper grinning at me. He threw something at me, but I didn't catch a good glimpse of it before it hit the water with a splash, and sunk to the bottom of the ocean. Whatever it was, the merfolk have it now.

"What?" I yell at him in irritation.

"Get up here, now," orders Piper.

"No," my answer is simple, yet forceful.

"Why not?" Piper presses.

This little game is becoming quite childish, and tiresome, and I am in no mood to be bothered. As much as I like Piper, there are times when I can't stand him. He always wants to talk about feelings. What do I look like, a therapist?

"Can't," I reply, turning my attention back to the rolling waves, "I'm busy."

"Too preoccupied daydreaming about mermaids, again, huh?" my friend teases.

I swear that I saw a mermaid once, while the Leviathan was docked in Toboga, a small island, just off the coast of Panama. No one believes me, though. Not even Piper.

"Go away, I've finished all my chores for the day," I grunt up at Piper.

"The captain is looking for you, Sam," Piper informs.

"What does he want?" my neck is starting to hurt from looking up at Piper.

"Don't know," he shrugs, "but stay here and hide all day, if you want. It's your head on the line. At least you have that mermaid to keep you company!"

Then Piper disappears, but the sounds of his unbridled laughter still linger behind. I sit for a moment trying to figure out what the captain would want with me. I am not lazy, I do everything the captain asks of me... eventually. Okay, so I'm loud, hot headed, and sarcastic. All lovable characteristics if you ask me. Sails? mended. Rigging? Checked. That loose floor board? Repaired. Well, I did nearly drown Mullet yesterday, and he is the captain's nephew. But I can't help it. I don't care for Mullet much, and besides, he was asking for it.

As I scratch my head in concentration, I notice that the sun is low on the horizon, ready to set at any given moment. I had better get to the captain now. If he really needs to see me, then he just might he steaming mad, and that is never a good thing.

Finally, I knock on the door of the captain's cabin. He calls for me to enter, from behind the door. The captain is seated at his desk. You would think, that there isn't much work left for a captain to do. After all, his crew competes all the menial tasks for him. Yet, the massive pile of paper work, strewn about my captain's desk, suggests otherwise.

"Well, Sam," begins my captain, "Piper tells me, you've been spending time with our mermaid again."

I'm embarrassed, but I refuse to blush in front of him.

"What do you want?" then add in respect, "sir?"

"I need to talk to you about something."

"Mullet had it coming to him!" I blurt out.

The captain furrows his thick eyebrows in confusion, but then shakes his head and continues.

"Piper seems to think you are unhappy here, on the Oak Leviathan, is that true, Salty?"

"Piper has a big mouth, and doesn't know what he's talking about," I reassure our captain.

"Really?" the captain prods, "not lacking in adventure?"

I look into the captain's gentle, smiling face and couldn't possibly lie to him.

"Well, maybe a little bit," I concede, "but I can never be unhappy sailing. I love the Leviathan, and her crew. Except, possibly Mullet. Sorry."

"That's all right, Salty, " the captain says, "Mullet isn't the easiest man to get along with, I know that."

The captain pauses for a minute. I assume that he is waiting for me to reply, but I don't say anything.

Again, he takes up speaking, "You know we'll reach shore, by the morning after tomorrow? Then, you're free for a week. I'm sure a young man like you, can find a way to entertain yourself, in Shireland."

"It sounds, painfully as boring as any other place we've visited," I sigh.

"Don't say that, Sam," the captain chuckles, "you never know what you might find. Besides, I hear you enjoyed yourself in Toboga. Any luck, hunting for that mermaid?"

This conversation is taking a toll on my temperament, "Is that all you wanted, Skipper?"

"Captain," he corrects, "and no, that isn't all. There is yet another matter, I would like to discuss with you."

"And that might be?" I question.

"It's been a month since, Anchor died of scurvy, now, and I've been observing all of you..."

I stop listing at this point, I have no idea where this is headed, and what I have to do with poor, dead Anchor, or scurvy. My mind wanders for some time, before tuning back into the captain's words.

"After some deliberation," The captain sits up straighter in his chair, "I've decided that you are the best qualified to be my new first mate."

"What!" I panic.

"Is that a no," the captain sounds disappointed, "the job comes with less chores, and more adventure."

"It's not that," I say hurriedly, "It's just... what about Mullet?"

"Nepotism, is always frowned upon, my dear boy," he smiles, "besides, Mullet's mind isn't the sharpest tack. Is it?"

"No, he's not, but still..."

"Yes or no, Sam," his voice rings with finality.

"Yes, of course, Captain. I won't let you down," I grin.

"Skipper."

"Excuse me, Captain?" Now, I'm really confused.

"It's Skipper," he repeats, "the first mate always calls me, Skipper."

I cannot tell if the captain means this, or if it is some sort of test. I decide to take the bait.

"All right, then," I nod, "Skipper it is."

I step outside Skipper's Cabin, and am hit with a face full of fog. By the looks of it, we are heading straight into a storm. It was days, away, yet, but still, storms could prove to be fatal. Many a sailor has lost his life in a great storm, and raging sea. This was great! I haven't been first mate for even five minutes, and already I have an opportunity to make myself useful to my captain. I turn around immediately, and reenter the Cabin. Skipper is still seated behind his desk.

"Yes, Salty?"

"A storm is brewing, Skipper," I hesitate at the last word.

"And what would you suggest we do?" Skipper asks, tugging at his graying beard.

"We sit right here, and wait it out."

"No," Skipper disagreed, "we sail on?"

"What!" I shriek in disbelief, "In a storm? We could all die out there!"

"You said you wanted, adventure, excitement, boy, and so help me, you'll get it!"

Ultra Special Blah Blah Blah

Tadah! I mentioned that I might rewrite this story from Sam's perspective. I'm not sure I should continue this, however? What do you say? Do you like it? Are you interested? Maybe you can do me a favor and review the ending of the original story told from Hali's perspective. No one, I repeat, no one, has done so yet.

I kind of needed a break from Ocean Star for a minute. You see, I want write a chapter about what's happening on the surface, but I'm not sure how to go about that. Any ideas? See you soon, readers!

Knock three times, on the ceiling if you want me,

xJadeRainx