Hi! So, seeing as how people liked chapter one, I thought I might as well put up a chapter two! Please, let me know what you think, and if you have any ideas for the story!
Thanks so much to everyone who's read, reviewed, faved, and followed! Please keep it up!
Disclaimer's on my prof.!
Sorry if at any point it says 'Jack' instead of 'Jim', spellcheck doesn't like me DX
Enjoy the chap, and please review and/or PM!
Jim sat upon the roof of the Benbow Inn, eyes misted with thought as he stared out across the starry night sky.
This was one of his favorite parts of the day, sitting outside, cheeks stained red by the chilly air, and his mind racing with thoughts of exploring the stars he watched.
But today, he felt a bit on edge, seeing the tall masts of the Cyborg's ship, imposing and dark as a shadow in the night. And Jim was annoyed to admit that his thoughts kept returning to the strange device that hid in the floorboards of the ship. It was a map of some sort, he was sure of it! He'd seen planets among the holograms that had sprung from the golden orb.
A cold wind blew past, and Jim drew his dark, baggy jacket tighter around himself. He lifted his nose to the breeze, taking a deep breath, tasting the wind. He could smell the tang of salt, a tell-tale sign that a storm was coming. It would be best to get inside-
Jim froze, looking surprised when he saw a large, humanoid figure leave the Inn and head towards the ship in the distance. The amber-gold glow that came from the general area of his eye revealed it was the Cyborg. Jim frowned. This didn't make sense, the 'Borg had rented a room, why would he be leaving in the middle of the night?
Curious, Jim quietly slid down to the edge of the roof, brows furrowed in confusion as he continued to watch the large Cyborg limp down the path. Once sure that the 'Borg was far enough that he wouldn't be heard, Jim carefully dropped down to the ground, landing in a crouch so that the impact was far less on his legs. Pushing himself up with a hand, Jim followed after the older male.
Always fleet-footed, Jim managed to track the man silently, the gravel beneath his boots muffled. Jim knew he was likely to get in trouble for prying into another's business (especially when the person was a paying customer at the Benbow Inn), but he knew that something about all this just wasn't right.
Ducking behind a rock, Jim waited and watched as the 'Borg went up the gangplank, then vanished above on the ship's deck. Taking the opportunity, Jim bolted, going to the side of the ship, pressing his back against it and listening closely to the voices from above.
"Captain on deck!" One voice called, hushed as to disturb no one at the Inn. There was the thudding of many feet, and then Jim heard the Cyborg laugh.
"Ah, no need fer formal'ties, too late in t'e evenin' fer t'at!"
Several laughs from various crew members. Jim frowned to himself. These people didn't act like a normal crew...
"Any luck, cap'n?" Yet another voice asked, this one seeming stronger. First mate, if Jim had to guess, hearing the authority the tone held.
"Afraid not, Mr. Skavah. No'ne has a clue as t' who trespassed 'pon our fine vessel."
"Then why're we even stayin' 'ere?!" This voice was female, and impatient. The Cyborg chuckled once again.
"Temper, temper! T'ere be one I 'aven't asked yet, an' I be t'inkin' t'is lad may know."
"Oh?" Again, the man called 'Skavah', spoke, sounding curious.
"A very int'restin' lad t'at I saw at t'e spaceport, though t'at be all I know 'bout 'im."
Jim felt his blood turn to ice. The Cyborg...He was talking about him!
Fear grabbed at his chest, and Jim bolted for the Inn. It took every ounce of self-control to keep himself from making any noise even as he ran up the hill towards the Inn. He tried to force himself to breathe, all he had to do was stay away from the Cyborg, nothing more! Just wait until the ship and its crew left. That was all.
Jim stared out the kitchen window boredly, taking in the sight of the storm clouds and the sounds of heavy rain outside. He'd wanted to go solar surfing, to get away (especially from the weird Cyborg and his crew). But now he was stuck inside, taking food orders from grumpy customers.
"Honey! I need some help out here!"
Jim sighed, looking away from the window at his mother's voice.
"Coming."
Grabbing an empty tray, the teen turned, going through the door to the main dining area.
And there, waiting at one of the tables, was the Cyborg. He man lifted a hand, smiling as he tried to flag Jim down.
Jim considered ignoring the man, but that would reveal that he was actively avoiding the 'Borg. And so, forcing himself to act non-chalant, he went over.
"What can I get for you, sir?"
The old Cyborg smiled crookedly at the youth.
"Truth be told, lad, I be lookin' fer information."
Jim glanced away.
"We don't sell info. Sorry."
A bark of laughter.
"Ah, quick as a whip, ye are, lad! But amuse me, aye? Did'ja happen t' be at t'e docks yesterday, did ye?"
Jim managed a mask of confusion.
"The docks?"
A strange look came to the 'Borg's face, but it vanished quickly.
"Well, never ye mind, t'en. Jus' a question from a crazy ol' 'Borg, aye?"
Jim slowly nodded.
"Yeah...Whatever you say."
Turning away, the teen hurried away. He hoped he had been convincing, because for once, he didn't want to understand what was going on.
Jim walked through the streets of Montressor spaceport. He'd asked his mother for a day to himself, hoping that once he returned, the Cyborg and his crew would be gone. It was later in the day, and the sun was setting slowly on the horizon. Almost time to go home, Jim mused.
The roads were becoming quieter, though he was in the ware house and dock sector, a much more secluded, poorer part of the spaceport. Not many came here, and even the police patrols rarely visited.
Jim paused, looking out across the sky. Everything was so peaceful...Like there was nothing wrong, like Montressor was the nicest place instead of a mining planet where falling boulders could easily crush a person, and where many were too poor to afford proper lodging...
Was it like this, Jim wondered, on other worlds? Each surely had their wonders, but dangers as well. He himself would rather be in the sky, among the clouds, and oh how he wished he could be among the stars!
The boy paused, then shook his head vigorously, scowling. He had to get his head out of the sky and back onto the ground. Back to where his almost non-existent future was-
A loud bang suddenly split the air, followed by a small explosion that rocked the ground. Jim stumble, steel colored eyes widening as he looked up. Smoke rose from among the rooftops, where Jim knew there was (or at least there had been) an abandoned warehouse. There were sirens now going off, and Jim held a shiver race up his spine when he heard screams of fear.
Without a second thought, Jim took off towards the area from which the smoke rose and curled in the air. While the teen acted careless and distant, anti-social, others could say, Jim had a good heart beneath his stoic expressions and old clothes.
Blood pounded in Jim's ears, the screaming of people and wail of alarms muddled among the racing of his heart and the smack of his feet against the ground as he ran as fast as he could.
Who would attack the spaceport?! Who would be so foolish as to do that?!
Turning a corner, Jim froze.
There, down the road, was a tall, burly Felinoid. He had a shorter, stout man pinned against a building, and the Felinoid was threatening the man. Telling him that if he didn't give him the information he wanted, he would-
"HEY!"
The Felinoid froze, ears perking up immediately at the voice. Slit pupilled eyes then turned to the speaker. To Jim.
The teen stood, shoulders hiked high and tense, posture showing he was ready to try and fight against the tall male on the behalf of the poor, trembling, terrified citizen that the Feline had captive.
The Feline's ears quirked, expression becoming one of interest. Finding the boy that glared at him far more intriguing than his captive, the Felinoid dropped his captive, who hurried away.
Jim tensed, hands balling into fists as he took in the strange Feline's appearance. This guy wasn't dressed like a trader, a Navy soldier or a thief.
He was dressed like a pirate.
The tall, imposing male grinned, dangerous fangs flashing.
"Brave child." He stated. His voice held a heavy accent, reminding Jim of the tribal people of Veostalic. And his voice sounded familiar...
The Felinoid began to slowly stride forward, and Jim took a step back, gritting his teeth and trying to shove away the anxiety he felt building in his chest.
"Perhaps you can be of help to me, you look to be a smart lad."
Jim backed up another step, mind racing through ideas and scenarios He took in the Felinoid's movements. He had strong arms, but favored his left leg slightly, signs of an old, long lasting injury around the Feline's knee.
"Now now," The man chuckled as Jim took a third step back. "No need to be nervous, just amuse me and answer a few questions."
The Felinoid was seven feet away...Six...Five...
Jim lurched forward, and the Feline yowled in pain when Jim slammed his foot down into the man's trick knee. The Felinoid dropped like a rock, and, grabbing the Felinoid's cutlass from his belt, Jim bolted down the street. He heard the Feline cuss violently before setting chase.
The teen quickly managed to lose the Feline within the many twisting back alleys that Jim knew like the back of his hand, and he reached the warehouse sectors square.
Men, women and children were all on the ground, on their knees and heads down. Children wailed, terrified while their parents tried desperately to silence them. All around pirates walked about, ensuring no one attempted to fight or escape.
Jim jumped, surprised when a voice split the air.
"Now, we ain't unreasonable, we only wish fer information concernin' the one who trespassed 'pon my crew's fine ship! No'ne need be harmed."
"We keep telling you, we don't know!" A man managed, crouched low with his hand's covering his head.
"Ah, come now! All I need t' know is t'e name of t'e one t'at invaded my ship! T'e whole spaceport knows 'bout t'e 'Mysterious Lights' at t'e docks!"
"But we-"
The civilian was unable to finish, a choked sound leaving him when a mechanical hand wrapped around his throat. The Cyborg lifted the man into the air, friendly smile replaced with a scowl, and his golden optic was now a blazing red.
"Don't. Say. T'at ye don't know."
The civilian was then tossed aside, colliding with a wall. The man landed with a thud, and a pained groan left him. The Cyborg glanced at one of his crew members.
"Teach 'im what happens t' liars, aye?"
The pirate in question, a slightly short, male Vaskr (a reptilian race with slit nostrils, narrow eyes and long, serpentine tail) grinned. He approached, listing his cutlass. He struck down-
There was suddenly a clang of metal on metal, making everyone jump.
The blade had been caught...By another blade.
Jim felt his arms tremble as he fought to keep the Vaskr's blade away from the civilian. Finally, he managed to push the pirate away and took a strong (if slightly sloppy) stance. His dark eyes darted from one face to the next, angry.
Interest sparked in the Cyborg's still intact eye, and he raised a brow.
"Leave. Us. Alone." Jim hissed through clenched teeth, his lean chest rising and falling with harshly as he fought to regain the breath he had lost during the his fast paced trek to the square.
The Cyborg went to speak when suddenly, from a side street, the Felinoid from before ran out, looking around. He then growled when he saw Jim.
"You insolent little-!"
"Mr. Skavah!"
Everyone jumped at the sudden exclamation from the Cyborg captain. The Felinoid, Skavah, was immediately at attention.
"Yes Captain Silver?"
The 'Borg, Silver (Jim guessed that was his name from what the Felinoid had said), sent 'Skavah' a look of pure confusion and curiosity.
"What 'as gotten int' ye?"
The Felinoid in question scowled, pointing accusingly at Jim.
"That sneaky little brat managed to kick my bad knee and he took my blade!"
A pause, then the others of the pirate crew laughed, making the Felinoid's cheeks flare red in embarrassment. 'Silver', though, regarded Jim with a look of...Curiousity? He seemed almost impressed...
Jim, so distracted while watching the interactions of the Felinoid and other pirates, didn't notice two of the crew sneaking up.
A cry of alarm left the teen when the sword was smacked out of his hand, and before he could do anything, he was grabbed by the arms and forced onto his knees. Jim struggled fiercely, trying to wrench his arms free, but he failed miserably. A kick to his ribs immediately brought an end to his struggles as the boy doubled over slightly with a gasp of pain.
As he tried to regain his breath, Jim heard approaching steps. He refused to look up, glaring defiantly at the ground, even when a boot and metal leg came to the edge of his vision.
And then, the youth's chin was snagged by a large, strong hand, and Jim was forced to look up.
A golden optic and dark eye met Jim's own steel colored orbs.
There was a long silence in which no one spoke, and Jim simply glared at the Cyborg, who stared back with an expression one would have when inspecting an object they had great interest in.
Then...The 'Borg grinned.
"Now, ain't ye t'e seventh wonder in t'e universe..."
Jim's scowl deepened, and he spat at the man. The Cyborg raised a brow, swiping it off of his cheek while one of the pirates holding Jim kicked his leg harshly. Jim winced, managing to pull free of the Cyborg's hand and curling up slightly, gritting his teeth as he tried to ignore the throbing that now pulsed in his leg.
"Ye be too young t' play hero, lad." The man, Silver, said. His voice almost sounded pitying, which only added to Jim's irritation.
"I'm no hero."
A chuckle as the Cyborg took a knee, again grabbing Jim's chin and making the boy look at him once more.
"No...No ye ain't, are ye? Takin' down my first mate, grabin' his cutlass...Ye be right. Yer certainly no hero."
Jack glared darkly at him, eyes cold as ice yet blazing like fire all at once.
"Why're you attacking everyone? They didn't do anything."
There was a pause, then the pirate captain raised a brow.
"'T'ey'? An' what 'bout yerself, lad?"
Jim was silent for a moment, considering what to say.
"You called that guy a liar, but he isn't! Why is this map of yours so important? You're crazy."
Something flickered through the Cyborg's eyes (well, eye and optic). A strange emotion that Jim couldn't identify.
"Ah, so it was you who trespassed 'pon my ship. Who opened t'e map."
Jim didn't reply, eyes flickering away. The Cyborg released the youth's chin, letting the boy's head fall. He spoke, but to himself rather than to Jim or his crew.
"A lad so young, yet able t' outsmart my first mate an' open t'e map. Such a brave boy...Cert'nly no hero...But me t'inks cert'nly somet'ing far greater..."
Another silence fell, then the Felinoid first mate spoke up, albeit hesitantly.
"Captain?"
This seemed to rouse the 'Borg from his thoughts, and he stood, turning to the rest of his crew.
"I t'ink we shall be off, b'fore t'e authorities be catchin' up."
A pause, then he looked at the two who held Jim captive.
"An' we'll be bringin' t'e boy, I be t'inkin'."
Jim looked up, startled. The boy felt his blood turn to ice in his veins at the 'Borg's words.
"What?!"
A grin pulled at the pirate's lips as Jim was forced up, even as the teen struggled fiercely, trying to get free. This couldn't be happening, he wouldn't let it. Jim looked at the other's who had been trapped in the square, eyes silently pleading, but no one helped. No one dared to face the fearsome pirates who had so boldly attacked the spaceport.
One of the two pirates that held the boy yelped in pain and alarm when the boy managed a very good, strong kick. The Cyborg rolled his eyes, seeming exasperated.
"For t'e love o'-" He muttered, moving over.
Jim gave a yell of protest as the captain slung him over a broad shoulder. Even as the boy continued to spit out cusses and threats, the Cyborg ;ed his men back towards their ship.