The boy winced upon being smacked in the back of the head.

"Did I ask fer yer opinion, lad?" Snapped the older, larger, half-metal man in a hushed shout. Gripping tightly to the dark cloak in his left hand, he shoved it towards the boy once more. "Now, put it on!"

Jim, annoyed, rolled his eyes. He still obeyed, though. He did not particularly desire another disorienting smack. Besides, it probably was for the best. Silver looked behind his back, briefly scoping the scene outside the dark alley they stood in. He knew from the start this was a bad idea. It was risky enough to walk through the empty streets at night, and now he had a boy he had to keep in check. A human teenager. The cyborg turned his head back around and nodded once, seeing that he was dressed in the cloak. He pulled the hood down over his head forcibly.

"Keep that low," he growled.

Jim groaned, "Fine."

Most planets in most galaxies believe and accept all forms of life. Some only believe in life on their own planet. Others believe in life, but refuse to accept it's other forms. And, unfortunately, Herritika was a planet in the "others" category. Described in terms Jim's species can understand, Silver informed him that the inhabitants here were anthropomorphic, and it was built into their systems to only accept others like them. They didn't take too kindly to different species. When questioned, Silver also told the lad that he was accepted - in fact, he'd been there many times before - because he was what Jim would call zoomorphic. He was similar enough to get by.

However, Jim was not. Silver had purchased a large cloak for him, to which he immediately responded by calling it completely gay. Hence, the smack.

As these two step out of the shadows, inconspicuous, you may be wondering, why are they even on Herritika? It's a simple reason: treasure. Not that this place had any, but it contained a lead. Rumors had been floating around the galaxy, rumors that stayed out of the story books. Rumors saying that Flint had not buried the entirety of his loot on the machine planet. He might indeed have stashed a good portion of his legendary treasure on a distant rock circling a distant star, the locations of either the two had no clue.

A few months after Jim had returned home post-destruction of Treasure Planet, Silver had returned to the location of their little inn, excitedly rambling on about more or Flint's trove. Jim served him a drink and sat with him after he'd calmed down, and they discussed all Silver knew. Silver hadn't known much, but he knew where to start.

Billy Bones had been the son of one of Flint's youngest hands. After the captain had drunk himself to death, the crew reluctantly parted ways. Bones was born, and his father filled his head with all stories he had of being on Flint's crew. It was actually Bones who, once he'd gotten much older, told Silver about the map and helped lead the crew to it. Not much was known about his personal life, but Bones had more than once fondly mentioned his adopted daughter. He'd found her on one of their expeditions, abandoned and starving on some primitive planet, and raised her. Knowing Bones, Silver had more than enough evidence to believe that he'd told his daughter the same stories his father told him, and many more.

Bones' father is dead. Bones himself is dead. His daughter is alive. Billy Bones' home planet was that of Herritika, and he'd said that he was somehow able to get those in his town used to his daughter. She'd stayed there working at the inn where she lived, not unlike Jim. Silver said that he had no other trails or hints or clues, but thought that with Bones' daughter, they'd be able to somehow track down Flint's lost loot.

It had taken just as much convincing as the last time, but in the end Jim's mother, Sarah, was willing to let her son go on a treasure hunt yet again. This now lands Jim and Silver on Herritika, where the cyborg realized at the last moment his predicament with Jim. Although, he had high hopes for this black cloak. The things covered the lad's entire body, and the hood his head and face.

This was not Silver's first time here, to the inn, he'd actually been many times with Bones and his crew, and had already picked a precise landing spot as secluded and as close to the inn he could get. It'd worked; they hadn't been spotted.

Jim's feet shuffled lightly as he strolled behind Silver, obviously still peeved about wearing the cloak. Now that they were somewhat safer, Silver didn't see a point in rushing him. The cyborg kept pace with the teenager as they made their way down the street. The inn's bright windows and torchlit sign were seen in no time at all. Jim caught a glimmer of this in the corner of his eye and looked up some. Silver's hand came crashing down on his head again, a silent, forceful gesture telling him to not do that. Jim hissed, pulling his covered head from under the other's flesh hand. He did manage, though, to sneak a quick peek of the sign before Silver opened the door.

Sky Inn

Jim pondered over the name.

"Welcome!" A heavy voice shouted, dragging Jim back. "Will it be wine or spirits?"

The big man grinned widely at the automated greeting line. "If I never hear spirits again, it will be too soon!"

"Silver!" Shouted others in the bar. Two more voices it sounded like to Jim. They were excited and friendly.

The eyes of the bull bartender suddenly lit up in recognition. "Long John, is that you?"

The cyborg's heavy step approached the bar. "Aye, Durst! It be me, back again for a night's stay."

Durst reached over and patted Silver on his upper arm. "Aye, aye, whatever ye need!" He stopped abruptly when he caught sight of the dark form behind the man. "Who be with ye there, Silver?"

Jim felt his shoulder being gripped gently, the cyborg pulling him up next to him. "This here is me daughter. Figured I'd take her on a little. . .Father-Daughter trip." He chuckled, slapping Jim on the back in a friendly way. It was on the tip of the boy's tongue to snap, but he knew he couldn't do anything about this. Silver was well aware of it too, and he was going to take full advantage.

"Daughter?" Asked the dark brown feline further down the bar. "I didn't know you were married, Long John."

"I'm not!" Then the entire bar erupted in laughter. Two drunk idiots, a bartender, and Silver. Jim didn't know how loud four people could get.

Up above, unknowing to them all, was the daughter of Billy Bones. She sat quietly atop the stairs, staring down at the five.

One of her elongated ears twitched; she'd lost interest in what they were talking about.

Catching his breath, Durst stated, "You'll be marrying her off soon, given your age?" He gave the cloaked figure a once-over.

Silver grabbed Jim's other shoulder and pulled him into his side. "Aye, but not to you!" Jim was seriously about to punch him.

"Let's at least see her face, eh?" A wolf jeered, holding up his ale.

The cyborg held up his mechanical hand. "Oh, no, couldn't do that to her. Lass got her face burned, you see, and while I admit she's fine, she's refused to show herself."

The toned canine looked like he was going to say more, but Durst cut him off.

"Aye, if she wants to be that way, let 'er."

Jim kicked Silver's flesh and blood leg quickly and unnoticeable to the rest. He drew his chin down in a sharp nod, now slowly making his way over to the furthest table. Silver had had enough fun. "And, we'll have a meal while were here as well!"

"Menu's not changed!" Reminded the warthog.

Jim kicked Silver again, harder this time. "Just bring us the special!"

The cyborg plopped down on the side facing the bar, Jim with his back to it. As soon as they'd sat Jim once more kicked Silver in the leg. He glared at him, threatening to kick back.

"What's that for, lad? Yer gonna give me a bruise the size o' the ship!"

"What was with calling me a girl?" Jim snarled in a hushed shout, like how they had in the alley.

"I was only havin' a bit of fun, is all." He found it in himself to smirk.

"Well stop it! It's humiliating, Silver!"

He slammed his fist on the table, whisper-yelling, "Better'n seein' you shot dead!"

"Piss off old man, you know what you did."

Silver quickly brought his leg up and kicked Jim's shin. Certainly not his full strength, but enough to shut him up for a moment. and in that moment, they both decided it was best not to spend the trip this way. After all, there's no way they'd find the treasure if the brutish pirate couldn't team up with the technical wonder child, right? Jim gritted his teeth. He needed the money just as much as Silver. He cleared his throat, looking down with his hand on his forehead.