The second installment for you. Thank you for your sweet comment, Kilgharrah1.

Chapter Two

A metallic whirring stirred my slumber. I stirred and immediately regretted it. Sharp, blinding pain streaked up my side, jolting me fully conscious. Breathing hurt, but I soon found out that not breathing hurt even worse. I was still trying to regulate my harsh, choppy breathing by the time my vision came back. I squinted, trying to focus on the dark wooden beam that spanned the clean white ceiling. The strange sound that had woke me caught my attention again. I tilted my head to find the source and my world spun. It felt like my head was splitting with my vision. Two blurred images of the room floated in front of me as I choked with the pain. When the pounding in my head eased, I opened my eyes. A gleaming, sterile-looking robot was bustling about the room. It vaguely resembled a human in the aspect that it seemed to have a head, trunk and limbs, but there the resemblance stopped. Gears substituted joints and it had nothing you could call a face. Frankly, it scared me. I had no way to tell if it could see, and if it could, what had it seen?

Suddenly, I panicked. Looking at my clothes, it didn't look like I had been undressed at all, but there was no way of knowing. I was still covered in my bloody clothes, but my shoes were gone. Had the bot seen it? Had anyone else? In my planning aboard the Dark Doubloon, I hadn't anticipated on getting hurt. I had overlooked about the only piece of evidence, proving that I'm a pirate. One that would never leave me. When I joined up with the Dark Doubloon and her crew, I had been tattooed like every pirate is, if they're worth their salt. Scrawled across my left shoulder blade, bold script states I am a crew member, bound to the ship until death takes me. If that is seen, I'm done for.

The robot seemed to sense that I was awake and swiveled to face me. It remained still for a moment, then reached back and pressed a button on the bell system, a panel in every room on the ship, notifying someone of something. Then it advanced, whirring.

My breath caught in my throat. I started to whimper in protest, shaking my pounding head. Still, it advanced. I stretched out my hand, as if to ward it off. As it came on, my whimpers turned into shrieks. In an attempt to get away, I shifted on the bed I was lying on. Pain attacked my body. Now, I was not only screaming in fear but in pain as well.

The door opened with bang. I whipped my head around to see the captain and the first mate step in quickly. They took in the scene and the first mate stepped towards the bot, stopping it, while the captain came over to me, saying, in a hurried, reassuring tone, "Hey. Hey, it's ok. It's ok, it won't hurt you. You're safe here."

I was breathing heavily, looking back and forth between the captain and the bot. I shuddered with a sigh and nodded. With the adrenaline fading, the pain came back full force. I cried out and double over with the pain, only making it worse.

I felt cool hands on my shoulders, pressing me firmly back down on the bed. "Hush, you will only make it worse." The first mate said in a no-nonsense tone. I groaned, grabbing at my side, in some effort the ease the pain.

"Look at me." My gaze met her clear hazel eyes. "This is M.E.R., a Medically Engineered Robot. He is here to help you, not hurt you. You are injured. You need help, let him help you. We will be here the whole time."

There was no arguing with her. I let my hands slip away from my bloody side. M.E.R. rattled over to the bedside. The equipment that served as it hands were made up of various tools. It pulled out a pair of small scissors that cut away the ragged fabric of my blouse. For the first time I noticed there was gauze already in place. I felt a small stab of pain as a needle slid into my side. Soon after, I neither felt nor cared what the bot was doing. I groggily watched it cleanse the wound and patch my ragged skin back together.

How long this took, minutes, hours, I could not tell. I was fairly content just to exist without pain. Eventually, I started to feel movement in my injured side. The pain started to trickle back into my body. It must have shown on my face because the captain leaned over to the bot and said something I could not hear. The next thing I knew, another needle, bigger than the last, was plunged into my my arm and the world started to go dark.

I tried to fight it. I had to. If I fell unconscious and if they decided to change my clothes or wash the filth off of me, I would be found out. Desperate, I cried out, struggling just to speak, "No! Please don't drug me, please!" I thrashed out on the bed.

The captain stepped closer, saying, "It's fine, it's just something to help you sleep."

"I don't want to sleep, I can't. Please, no!"

"Nothing will hurt you while you sleep. One of us will be here when you wake up."

I had to do something, I could barely think now. "Please," I begged, "Promise me you won't do anything to me as I sleep. Keep it away from me. Promise?" I mumbled.

My vision was gone, but I think I heard him agree. I guess I'd find out when I wake if he was true to his word.

Like a loving enemy, pain was the first thing to greet me on my return to consciousness. I did note that the pain was slightly less sharp, it did not take my breath away with each movement. I opened my eyes and was pleased that my vision seemed to be back to normal. I saw the captain slumped in a chair on the far side of the room. It took me a second to realize he was asleep. He was sprawled out on a chair, his head tipped over the back of the chair. Every detail of his neck was visible. The first mate was nowhere in sight. I braced myself for the worst as I looked down at my clothes. Thankfully, they were still covered in blood. A smirk twitched my lips, I never thought I'd think that before. I studied myself as much as I could laying flat on my back. The blood on my clothes had dried and turned a dark, rust brown. How long have I been asleep?

I decided against trying to push myself up on my elbow after an attempt that left me nearly blind with tears as I tried to keep from screaming. I was just about to wake the captain, and ask him how long I've been here when a thought struck me. Once he's awake, he'll want to know who I am and why I was on a pirate ship. This might be my only time to have my thoughts to myself. I should craft my story now.

The closer I stick to the truth, the stronger the lie. So, I started with my basic past but simply changed a few things until I was painted as a victimized slave, not a treacherous pirate that I am. With my story down after lots of repetition, I needed to know how long I had been here and when I could leave.

I was about to say something wake the captain when I noticed that he seemed to be stirring on his own. Thinking fast, I closed my eyes and let my head loll to one side, feigning sleep. It would be suspicious for him to wake and just have me laying there, watching him. I heard him shift in his seat and mumble something incoherent that sounded like a curse. He groaned as he stood up, stumbling across the room. I heard liquid being poured into a cup and then he sat back down in his chair.

My eyes fluttered open with a soft groan. I glanced over at him and gasped slightly, eyes wide and startled.

I love acting.

It took him a second before it registered that I was looking at him. He set his cup on the wooden floor. He crouched, somewhat, keeping himself at my level as he raised his hands to show he meant no harm.

"You're awake." He said simply.

I couldn't tell if it was a statement or a question. Either way, I nodded.

"Do you remember me?" The way he looked at me was puzzling. His blue eyes were intense and his brow was furrowed slightly. At first I thought he was looking at me like one would look at a wild, unpredictable animal. But it wasn't quite that, it was more like he was trying to solve something.

I had to answer his question, the silence was going on too long. "You're the captain." I thought back to the first time I passed out. "Jim?"

His face softened, almost smiling. That was a good sign. I continued, "You were the one who saved me."

He smiled. "Yeah. I didn't think you were conscious."

"Barely." I half smiled and started to relaxed my position. The pain caught me off guard this time. I gasped, reaching my right arm across my body to hold my side. I gritted my teeth until my aching and bruised jaw stopped me. There was an inhuman moan ringing in my ears, I must have been the one making it.

The captain stood, his face telling me he wanted to help. "Do you want me to get M.E.R., the bot?" He clarified.

When I opened my mouth to reply, my words were strangled by an agonized cry. I shook my head, slowly regaining control of myself. "I'm fine. I'll be fine."

This didn't pacify him at all, but he sat back down anyway.

"How long have I been here like this? Asleep?"

Did he just flinch slightly?

"You've been out four days." That hit me over the head. I tried not to panic. "I stayed true to my word, even against my first mate's better judgement, no one has touched you while you were asleep and I kept the bot away, too. The first mate and I watched you around the clock." He hastily added, "But not in a creepy way!"

I smiled, as amused as I could be at this pain level. "When can I leave? You have been more than kind but I would like to leave as soon as possible. I can be out of your hair by the next time you dock."

Air hissed out of his clenched teeth. "That's the problem." He stood, rubbing the back of his neck as he did so. "I don't quite know how to say this." He stopped searching the ceiling for inspiration and looked me straight in the eyes. "This Imperial Star Galleon is on an exploration mission for the next three to six months. Her crew will be documenting what planets and lifeforms they find as well as enforcing justice in the far reaches of the Galactic Empire. There will be no safe ports until we return and I cannot, in good conscience, release you from this ship until we return to civilization." He forced an exaggerated smile, "So, in other words, welcome aboard the Crystalline Nebula, spacer!"

"What?" I choked. My plan was crashing down around my ears. I would never last three to six months trying to lie about who I am. None of this was supposed to happen, I was never supposed to get hurt. "But you have to get repairs after the battle, don't you? You'll need supplies, can't you let me off there?"

"We are completely stocked up on supplies and we did come into port. Two days ago." He looked sorry but his tone was unapologetic. It didn't suit him, this commanding air.

"Why didn't you move me to a hospital, wake me up, something?" I tried to keep my voice level but I could feel it trembling.

"Every time you started to wake, you were too distraught. You would thrash around and injure yourself more. So we would put you back under for your own safety. Your condition made you too unstable to move. If we had tried to move you, we might have made you worse or even killed you. Not to mention, that would have been breaking my word."

"I'm a prisoner." I blurted. "Again." I had enough of my thinking skills left to subtly plant part of my story. I actually surprised myself. I felt relatively no panic, my only guess it was pure survival that was keeping me this calm.

"You are not a prisoner..." He started.

"Can I leave?"

A pause. "No."

"My point."

"You are not a prisoner because you will be granted as much authority as one of our quartermasters, yet with little to no work load. No one will be above you except the first mate and myself. No one can harm you. See, not a prisoner." His face softened. "Look, I am so sorry this had to happen to you but this is the way it has to be."

"You confuse me." I said. Then I shut my eyes to sleep. I heard a short, sarcastic laugh. I waited, but he didn't seem like he was going to leave. And I realized I wouldn't be able to sleep. "Are you going to leave?"

A chuckle. "No."

"Do have more of that pain killer?"

"Yes, but I'll have to get M.E.R. to administer it."

I opened my eyes. "That will work. Is it possible for me to bathe? I feel disgusting."

"That might be possible, but I will have to call the first mate to watch you."

"No!" I blurted, "l mean, please, I prefer to bathe alone."

"I can't allow that. If you pass out again, you could drown, and I would be totally responsible."

I tried to calm myself and think. There was no way I could let anyone see my tattoo. A subtle guilt trip might work on him. "Please, I am already a prisoner on your ship. I just want some privacy, is that too much to ask?"

He shifted his weight as he considered my proposal. He rubbed his hand over his face, looked at me, then sighed. "Fine. But if you die, you can't blame me. Well… you know what I mean."

He turned away from me and activated the bot. After giving it a few commands, he drew back a curtain. Behind it, sat a burnished, metal tub. M.E.R. came at me with a yet another needle. It stung as it slid under my skin. It rattled off a few cautions for my bath, then drew away and powered down.

"Let me get you something to change into when you are done. Towels are on the bottom shelf." He left and the pain had gone, so I gently eased my way into a sitting position. A mirror hung on the opposite wall, just high enough that you could not see your reflection while lying down. Sitting, I saw stranger staring back at me. Crusted in blood, I could barely remember where all the all the bruises had come from. A large, dark mark spread across my forehead and disappeared into my hairline. Another swollen bruise spread from my right jaw to eye socket. My hair was a tangled mess and dirty even for my standards.

The captain came back in with fresh clothes and cut my mirror-watching short. He turned off the steaming water and left with a final warning about drowning. Imagine, drowning at space. Ridiculous.

As soon as the door shut, I gingerly swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood. My legs were shaking from too little use, but I managed to stumble to the door and lock it. After I secured my privacy, I walked over to the tub. The hot water had a lovely, clean scent.

I leaned against the edge and tried to cut away my shirt. The problem was trying to get my left arm out without moving too much. My once favorite shirt fell to the ground in bits and pieces. The loose pants were easier to get off.

Free of bloody clothing, I sank into the water's warm embrace. Instantly, the water turned a nasty red brown as the filth came off my body. After lightly scrubbing, I drained the water because it was so disgusting. While the clean water was filling back up, I painstakingly started to brush out the tangles in my hair. Then I washed it out again and called it good. I rubbed the bar of soap over my skin and just sat enjoying the water until it grew cool.

The towels felt nice and my appearance looked a little less startling now that I was clean. The clothes they had given me were clean cut and starched. The dark grey pants were tighter than I was accustomed to, but had a considerable amount of give. They were a bit on the long side, but other than that, they fit well. The white shirt torso was tight and constricting, but the full sleeves were loose and flowy. It paired well with the navy blue waistcoat that was edged with a pale yellow cord, it had a elegant, stately look about it. I hated it.

I wanted to twist my hair on top of my head to keep it out of my face, but the pain medication was wearing off and I was exhausted. I resigned myself to a wet braid on my shoulder. As I went to rest on the chair, I noticed my old boots sitting in the corner. I grabbed them and started to pull them on but realized how telling they would be. I reached my hand into the well-worn leather and pulled out the small dagger that never leaves my person. I shoved my feet into the stiff, glossy black boots and slipped the knife on the right side of my left leg. Now I felt complete.

I had just tossed my beloved boots on the pile of my clothing waiting to be burned, when there was a knock on the door. Holding my aching side, I walked over to the door. "Who is it?" I asked wearily.

"Emmeline Brent, first mate. I've come to see if you have finished." The clear voiced rapped out.

I slid the bolt back and opened the door with my left hand, my right still holding my side. I saw her do a visible double take. Her hazel eyes swept me up and down and returned to my face. "I see that you are finished. Allow me to take you to a proper cabin. Is there anything that you would like to take with you?"

You have to make a good impression, I thought over and over again. "No, thank you. I don't exactly own anything anymore, not even the clothes on my back. I can't thank you and your captain enough." I added a tentative smile for effect.

She nodded and her short bob swayed slightly. She lead me down the corridor to a small room. As she walked, I noticed that she was shorter than me, that might be useful if it ever comes to blows between us. But as long as I don't break my cover, it shouldn't come to that. "That door at the end is the captain's and mine is directly across from yours. These other doors are the various quartermaster's chambers. The rest of the crew bunks down below. You do know your way around a ship, right?"

"Seeing as I was held captive on several ships throughout my life, yeah, I think I know my way around." I had been looking up and down the hall until the last part, then I looked her in the eyes. No emotion had colored those words, I wanted to see how she took them.

Here I realized one of the differences between pirate officials and upstanding naval commanders. One rises through the ranks because their emotion knows no limits and the other because they learn to hide it so well. The only response she gave was a slight dip of her head.

Suddenly, a wave of pain flooded my senses. I felt the color drain from my face. My hand frantically felt for the wall behind me in case I blacked out. The first mate opened my door and grabbed my elbow, supporting me. She lead me to the narrow bed and apologized for keeping me up too long. With that, her hard leather boots receded down the hall.

I bit my lip as I leaned against the pillows, staring at my new ceiling. I would have to watch my step with that one.