Chapter 2: The Crew

Disclaimer: Disney owns Treasure Planet, but I own the original characters

Amelia glanced over the application form carefully again. This was unlike how other people signed up to be a crew. She observed the figure that was sitting across her. She had distinct Mongolian features and was properly dressed in a dark purple dress with a white corset. Her figure wasn't as toned as Amelia's. Even though she carried the appearance of a high class noble, she was twirling locks of her black hair and swung her legs nonchalantly.

"Canolin Ma'ir…or should I address you as Ms. Ma'ir." the captain spoke.

The 20 year old finally straightened herself and crossed her legs, resting her hands on her thighs.

"It says here that you were recommended by your adoptive father and only had little experience in space voyages." The captain continued.

She only nodded her head.

"What makes you think that you can handle being a crew for this mission?"

"I've been trained by my dad." the human girl finally spoke, "he brought me to all his voyages, and I've even faced stampeding orcas before. So I'm sure it would be right to say that I won't let you down."

Captain Amelia only squinted her eyes. She had known Mr. Ma'ir during one of their voyages. But she didn't think that he would have adopted a daughter. He had always wanted a son, but his spouse only said otherwise. She carefully studied the human again, and she was now picking dust underneath her nails. "Well," the feline stood up, "Since I've known your dad before, I think I'd take the chance and recruit you into our crew." She then extended her clawed hand. "Do you accept the risks that are involved in this mission?"

"Yes," the human jumped up gleefully and shook the captain's hand. "I'll make you and my dad proud!" and she picked up her musical instrument and skipped out of the door.

The feline could only think to herself, she doesn't act 20. She rang the bell and called out, "Next!"

The student body met at the hall just as planned. They have all gathered their supplies and had their lunch and was well prepared for their mission. They all took the shuttle to Crescentia Spaceport and was eager to meet the crew for the RLS Lyra.

As Jim took a look around the spaceport, he heard a female voice call his name. "Mom?" he wondered, "How do you know I'm here?"

"Dr. Doppler told me that you were going to be here. So I thought I'd stop by to see my son off." Sarah gave a smile as she stroked Jim's hair out of his face. Ben the robot was right beside Mrs. Hawkins as he cried out, "JIMMY!" and was bawling as he hugged Jim a goodbye. Jim gave his android buddy a hug before he was forced to push him away for being too touchy.

The student body was already walking up to the deck. "Don't worry mom." Jim held his mother's hands, "I promise I'll be back in one piece." Jim followed the rest of the students up and waved his mother goodbye. Mrs. Hawkins could only do the same; tears were rolling down her right cheek.

"Bye, Jimmy! Take care of yourself!" Ben said his farewells to the sophomore before being led away by Sarah.

Canolin stood in her line - and she had also changed into more comfortable loose-fiting clothes - and took a nervous gulp. She was never good at introducing herself formally. Each of her soon to be crewmates all took their turn, stepping out of line and saying their names and interests. Before she knew it, it was her turn already. She held onto her instrument and stepped forward.

"I'm Canolin Ma'irs, I have the strangest surname for a human being only because I'm adopted and as you can see, I love playing the solar lute, so I'll be providing most of the entertainment though not always as I'll also have duties on board-"

She was cut off when Captain Amelia cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, you'll just get to know me better later." She guiltily took a step back in line, tempted to smash her lute to her face, hard. Her eyes wandered off to the student body lining up across her, taking every one of them into account: the short, the tall, the hairy, the scaly, the husky, the lanky, and more. All of them seemed rigid in their uniforms, and was pretty much afraid of what life is like in the Interstellar Academy. She was afraid to lose her fun side that has been a part of her since she was born.

Jim's eyes also wandered to the crew that was hired opposite of his line. He can't help but to have a bad impression of that girl with the lute. He only hopes that she proves to be more than just what she is during her introduction. After all, first impressions may not be the last. The crew and students were then mixed together and split into groups as ordered by the captain to different posts on the ship. Jim and Sethor were in charge of the quarterdeck and stern of the ship on its port side. Frieda and Ross were on the same post but on starboard. As the captain called out more names, Jim only realized that he ended up having to be in charge of Canolin, and he could only sigh. Before the launch of the ship, Frieda could only find herself gossiping. She flicked her wavy silver hair as she approached Jim.

"Well Jim, this time it looks like we're all just gonna get this Leland Hawkins guy out and then jail those "outsiders." Piece of cake, don't you think?"

Jim could only shudder to hear that name, but he straightened up and replied, "Yeah."

"Hey, you know I think that Canolyn whatever girl is weird," Frieda snickered as she whispered into Jim's ear.

"I can't agree more." Jim whispered back.

"Good luck handling her." said Frieda as she walked up to the quarterdeck to attend to her partner.

Captain Amelia gave an order to loose the solar sails when the crew from the crow's nest said that it was clear, and the ship began to rise. The crew was lifted up into the air as the altitude caused gravity to become weaker. This was normal procedure for the standard spacer.

"Mr. Valiente, engage artificial gravity!" the captain ordered. Sethor threw the switch after responding "Aye, ma'am."

She approached the student at the helm. "East by Southeast, Ms. Patti. 0-4-5-0."

"Aye, captain. Headed to Kinapis, ma'am," the helmsman replied as she turned the wheel with her four claws to face where the captain ordered.

"Full speed ahead, Mr. Karr." she called into a pipe that leads to the engine room.

A faint "Aye 'aye Captain!" can be heard from the pipe, and the ship thrust forward. The experienced crewmates only jolted backwards a bit, but didn't lose their stance on their feet. Before they knew it, they were at the Etherium once again, salty air filled their lungs and the ship passed by other space creatures like cetaceans and rays. It is one of those scenes that would take one's breath away due to its stillness even if noises from the engine and thrusters can be heard.

Jim was a bit distracted from his post as he continued to think about Leland, and the Zeitmanipular. What could it be? Why was Leland being chased after for that contraption? How did he find it? What did that thing do? He'll only have answers to those questions as he followed on his mission.

Author's Note: the scene with Canolin and Amelia can be a bit of a "deleted scene" in a movie. No, Canolin will NOT be Jim's lover and I can promise that. But she still plays an important role for Jim to a theme similar to Silver, which you will all find out what it is. Her surname, if you're curious, is pronounced like "my ear" but quicker. Thanks to Welsh Gem and S.A.M. Fonceca for their reviews!