Hey all! Sorry I took so long, I always hit writers block x.x Sorry! DX
So, there's a part in this story where there's a word that's in a foreign language, but never fear! There's a translation at the end XD
Thanks so much to those of you who have read, reviewed, PMed, faved and followed this story so far!
Please review if you have ideas for the story, and let me know if I'm portraying the character's correctly!
Also, sorry if at any point, it says Jack instead of Jim, it turns out spellcheck doesn't like me -_-"
Disclaimer's on my prof.!
Enjoy reading, and please review!
Jim couldn't believe that this was happening. What did these pirates want from him?!
He kicked and pounded his fists against the Cyborg as he was carried towards the docks. The pirate captain didn't seem at all fazed by his struggles, keeping a firm hold on the teen. Behind them, the Cyborg's crew talked, occasionally throwing taunts at the irritated teen that they were kidnapping.
They came upon the docks, and there, towering above them, was the large and magnificent ship that belonged to the fierce pirates. Panic settled all the more firmly in Jim's chest, and his struggling became much more desperate.
The youth yelped when he was given a jostle.
"T'at be enough, lad. No more strugglin'."
"Then put me down, you son of a-!"
He was cut off by a laugh from one of the pirates. This one was a female Human around twenty-five years, Jim couldn't get a good look at her, but he caught bright, fierce green eyes.
"'E's got fire 'n 'is veins!" She laughed out. Jim vaguely recognized the voice as one he had heard from the night before when sneaking about the ship. "I like this'n!"
Jim scowled, glaring in the general direction of the woman and spitting out a few rather...Colorful words. This only prompted laughter from the pirates. The teen continued to struggle as the pirate captain went up the gangplank of the ship. The boy then managed to grab at a few wires in the Cyborg's mechanical arm and yanked them. Hard.
Jim was dropped onto the stiff wooden deck of the ship, and he crawled back slightly as the Cyborg cradled his now malfunctioning arm. There was along, stunned silence in which no one spoke, the pirate crew looking shocked and...Frightened? For Jim?
Slowly, a blazing amber optic turned to Jim, and the boy froze, feeling his heart sink. Another moment in which he was stared at. And then...The optic faded to a briliant gold, a the captain's scowl became a grin that showed pure amusement.
"Why, not many know t'at t'ose wires 're vital t' a mechan'cal prosthetic."
Steeling his nerves, Jim frowned at the man.
"Yeah, well, I'm full of surprises." He spat in return, crawling back until his back hit the ship's railing. He had to get up, had to run away! But his muscles weren't obeying his brain.
The youth's retort coaxed a laugh from the 'Borg.
"Ah, sharp as a whip, ye are!" He looked at one of his crew members then, jerking his chin in the direction of Jim. "Take 'im t' t'e Hold."
"Yes captain."
Jim fought as he was grabbed by the arm and dragged along, down the stairs and towards where a pair of large cells waited in the back, beyond the many crates and barrels. The room was only lit by two simple lights, making it hard to see very well.
A pained grunt left Jim when he was tossed into one of the twin cells, and the door slammed shut, locking immediately. The youth jumped to his feet, running forward and grabbing at the bars.
"Hey! Let me out of here you blasting-!"
He was ignored, the pirate leaving. The door shut with a heavy thud, and Jim was alone in almost complete dark.
A frustrated yell left the teen as he slammed his hand against the bars. This couldn't be happening! He'd only explore the ship, opened a map! That was all! Why would these pirates want to kidnap him?!
The teen shuffled back, feeling suddenly weak as all the adrenaline left him. He backed into one of the corners so that no one could sneak up behind him and dropped down, sitting with his arms folded on his knees. He rested his forehead on his arms and shut his eyes. All he could do was wait. Wait until he had a chance to escape.
Silver had been to many places in his life time. Dozens upon dozens of planets, spaceports...He'd met thousands of people from all different walks of life, young and old, wealthy and poor.
But never, never had he met a person like the boy they now had in the Hold.
The teen was brave and smart for one his age, and when one looked into his eyes, it was like looking into pools of ice-cold steel.
And for him to be able to open the map that led to Treasure Planet? The one object that no one else could pry apart. Then, when the boy had saved the civilian at the warehouse distrinct, had put his own life in danger for someone he didn't even know...
The boy was certainly no hero. No, he'd taken a cutlass from someone else, and he showed no kindness, only indifference or anger. The boy was no hero...But under the right guidence, he could be one amazing pirate.
Of course...It would take some time. First he'd need to break down the boy's barriers, chip away at his trust of others. Then, rebuild that trust, but with him and his crew instead of any other. Judging by the defiance he had seen, Silver knew that the process would take awhile, but there was time for that.
A pink, gel-like blob suddenly floated over, giggling and gurgling as it nuzzled against Silver's cheek. The Cyborg chuckled, petting the small creature with a large fingers.
"Ah, Morphy! I was wonderin' where ye'd gotten t'!"
The blob, Morph, giggled happily in reply. Silver smiled.
"T'is will be a mighty int'restin' journey, Morphy. Mighty int'restin' indeed."
"Captain! We've lost the persuing authorities and Navy personal." Skavah called up from the deck to where Silver stood by the door to his quarters. Silver grinned.
"Outstandin'! Have t'e crew tie down t'e sails, we'll drift 'til we can get t'e boy t' open t'e map."
"Aye, captain!"
Silver paused, thinking, then added,
"An' bring t'e boy above deck, me t'inks it be time t' talk wit' 'im."
Skavah looked a bit disgruntled, no doubt still angered at the boy who had kicked his bad knee and taken his weapon (Felinoid's were proud by nature, and being out-smarted by a teenager was a good, strong blow to Skavah's pride). But, not one to disobey the captain, he nodded.
"Aye, captain."
Silver smiled to himself, watching as Morph floated off to mingle with the crew.
The Cyborg made his way down the stairs, mechanical leg thudding muffledly against the wood of the deck as he then crossed over to where the map of Treasure Planet hid under a loose board. Some members of the crew watched, always fascinated by the little golden-bronze orb that puzzled even their fearless captain.
Silver straightened, examining the object for likely the hundreth time, rolling it in his hands. He then paused when he heard a young voice spitting colorful words and struggling (as well as a few choice words that could only be Skavah speaking). It seemed a couple of hours in a cell hadn't cooled the boy's temper.
Silver turned to look at the his first mate and the teen. The boy in question was shoved forward and landed hard on the deck, catching himself on his hands and knees. Silver smiled slightly, watching the teen, who refused to look up, shifting to sit on his knees and wipe his scraped palms on his pants.
Hands resting upon his hips, Silver grinned down at the boy.
"Los' any o' t'at fire in ye, lad?"
A glare from behind locks of brown hair was his answer, and Silver's smile widened.
"I s'ppose not." He chuckled, lifting his robotic prosthetic hand and revealing the golden-bronze sphere that was the map. Silver chuckled when he saw a flash of recognition in the boy's eyes.
The Cyborg turned the orb in his hand, examining the device with psuedo interest.
"Real beaut fer a bauble, ain' it?" He asked the boy, still looking over the map as the teen stood slowly. The 'Borg turned a raised brow to the boy. "Ye 'ave a name, lad?"
Bright grey eyes narrowed, and then the teen mumbled softly. Silver leaned forward, cupping his still intact hand around his ear.
'What was t'at, boy?"
The corners of the youth's lips turned down in a scowl. He was silent for a moment before repeating what he'd said, but louder.
"James Hawkins."
"Ah! James Hawkins, eh? T'oug' ye seem t' be more of a 'Jim', truth be told."
No reply, the teen, Jim, simply watching him with sharp eyes. Silver grinned, and tossed the map to the boy. The teen caught it deftly. A fine set of reflexes, Silver mused.
"Ye opened t'at map when ye tresspassed 'pon this vessel. No doubt ye remember, aye?" He jerked his chin towards the golden sphere the teen now held in thin, callused hands. "Open it now, would'ja?"
The boy only stared at him, a frown promenant on his young features.
"Why should I?"
The question was so blatant and simple that Silver couldn't hide a look of surprise. But then the expression was replaced with a grin that held a passing shadow of darkness.
"'Cause t'at map be why ye ain' dead, lad. T'ough I be mighty sure I could find anot'er who could open it. I'd sugges' ye don' make me search fer anot'er, 'cause t'en yer own life...Would be forfeit."
Grey eyes flickered about, taking in Silver, the map, the crew, even the cutlass' and pistols that many of them were armed with. The gaze then returned to Silver.
Glaring at Silver, the teen didn't break eye contact, daring the captain to speak a word, while long nimble fingers danced over the golden orb he held. A few buttons were pressed into place, a few twists and he light scratch of nails over metal. Then, the sphere split open, green holograms spilling from it and taking up the open space all around.
Many gasped, and Silver allowed himself to smile in awe. Nearby, Skavah murmured words under his breath in his native tongue, and even in a situation such as this, Jim couldn't help but grin just the slightest bit as he ducked around a hologram of a planet.
"Amazin'..." Silver mumbled, allowing a hologram to pass through him.
And then...It all faded to pixels and vanished. Silver quickly turned, alarmed.
Jim slowly, gently, shut the map, all gears clicking into place once more. He watched Silver blankly, waiting for a reaction. The boy was testing him, in his own way, Silver realized. Testing him to see if he would be killed in a fit of anger if he did something to displease the crew. He was testing boundries.
He was clever.
Lips quirking in a smirk, Silver glanced at Skavah.
"Secure t'e map fer me." He ordered, moving over to Jim. He clapped a hand upon the boy's thin shoulder, making Jim flinch. Using his metal hand, the pirate captain pried the map from Jim's own hands, tossing it to his first mate. The Felinoid caught it, nodding.
"Yes, captain."
Silver smiled, then nudged Jim's knee with a foot.
"Move yer feet, lad."
This earned scowl from the boy, but Jim did as told, shuffling along, allowing the Cyborg to guide him.
Silver took the boy up the stairs and into his cabin. He pointed to a nearby chair.
"Sit."
He didn't give the teen another glance as he went to a nearby chest of belongings, rumaging through it. Jim hesitated, but, deciding he prefered staying alive, he did as told and sat down in the old chair. He fidgited, glancing around, taking in the room and its decor.
Silver, finding what he had been looking for, straightened up and turned to Jim. He held up a thick metal band with wires and ciruitry.
"Ye know what t'is is, lad?"
Wary eyes flickered from the band to the Cyborg's face, and the teen nodded quietly. Silver raised a brow.
"Ah, a smart boy, ye are. Care t' share what ye know?"
Grey eyes turned away, an attempt at hiding fear.
"Stasis cuff. Police use it on prisoners. It's controlled remotely, and if a prisoner gets violent, a remote command causes the cuff to inject sedatives into the prisoner."
The Cyborg's brows raised up, seemingly impressed.
"T'at be t'e truth, lad." He chuckled, moving forward. "T'at be t'e truth."
Jim was immediately on his feet, shuffling away and looking both wary and nervous. A small frown came to Silver's face as he continued to approach, metal leg thudding quietly against the ground.
"Easy t'ere, lad, easy. No need t' be so fearful. T'is only be in case ye cause trouble."
For some reason, seeing the fear on the boy's face made guilt pinch at Silver's heart. He didn't know why, and so he only shoved the emotion away. He managed to latch onto one of Jim's arms and, ignoring the teen;s protests and strugglings, Silver fitted the band of metal around the lower right forearm. Once it was secure, he released the thin arm, allowing the teen to stumble away.
Jim tried to pry off the band that sat just above his wrist, but it didn't budge. He turned angry eyes onto Silver.
"Get this thing off of me!"
The demand had Silver raising a curious, amused brow. The man then chuckled, leaving Jim feeling on edge.
"Not 'xactly 'n a position t' be given orders, lad." The Cyborg reminded, going to the door of his cabin. He opened it, poking his head out.
"I be needin' some'ne t' take t'e boy back t' his cell." A pause as the Cyborg thought, then added. "An' some'ne take a cot t'ere fer t'e lad!"
There was some muffled yelling, sounding vaguely like someone agreeing with the pirate captain's words. Silver closed the door once more, smiling as he looked at Jim.
"I'm afraid t'at all t'e cabins an' hamocks in t'e crew's quarters 're full. An' since yer stayin' awhile, I'll make sure t'at some b'longin' chests an' lights 're put int' t'e cell."
Jim scowled, shoulders hiking up slightly as he shifted back a step.
"Why did you kidnap me?"
Silver was silent for a moment, then turned an appraising look on the boy. Jim froze, uncomfortable under the sudden scruitiny. The Cyborg suddenly smiled. And the expression was almost...Soft.
"B'cause yer a smart lad."
Jim blinked, looking startled and confused.
"What-"
There was a knock at the door, cutting him off.
"Cap'n." Skavah's voice came through. "The cot has been placed. Do you wish me to lock the boy within the cell?"
Silver grinned, the expression on his face no longer near as kind as he opened the door.
"Ah, t'ank ye, Mr. Skavah. Me t'inks it'd be best t' lock t'e lad up, let 'im get some rest an' cool his head, aye?"
The Felinoid nodded, an annoyed twitch coming to his tail when he saw Jim. He was still mad about getting kicked in the knee, it seemed. Moving over, he tightly gripped one of Jim's thin arms.
The teen winced, but didn't say anything in protest, only glaring at the ground. The glare, though, turned to Silver as Skavah led the boy away.
Silver's grin simply widened.
Jim winced as the cell door slammed shut. Not many ships held such old-fashioned forms of prison keep, with sturdy steel bars and an old lock. But it was effective, either way.
Trudging to the cot in the back of the cell, the teen dropped, sitting down on the lumpy mattress. He rested his elbows on his knees and threaded his fingers together, staring at the ground.
He was then suddenly aware that the Felinoid, Skavah, was still standing outside the cell. Jim glanced up through his brown bangs, and his grey gaze met a pair of bright yellow orbs.
A long silence, which Jim then broke.
"What?"
A triangular ear twitched and the felinoid crossed her arms.
"You are a strange child, Mtoto Jasiri." (1)
Jim frowned, raising his head more to better look at the Felinoid.
"What's that mean?"
A small smile.
"Nothing bad, I assure you." Was his simple reply before he left.
And Jim was left alone in the dimly lit room.
Jim ran a hand across the back of his neck. Now what would he do..?
Phew! Took awhile to write up this chap x.x So, translation time!
(1): Brave Child
This language is Swahili, a language that many in Africa use! I decided to use this language because I wrote Skavah as a character with an accent that I imagine as African!
So...yup! Until next chapter!
