Chapter 7 - Seriously
'The Book of Peace? Has he lost his mind?!' Jim thought to himself, mind reeling from the sudden announcement. It was bad enough that he'd wound up stuck on this ship – there was no way he could let himself get tangled up in treason to boot!
Dragging his eyes away from the doorway the all-too nonchalant Captain had just strutted out of, he saw that the rest of the galley's occupants were having similar objections. Countless cries of "What the hell?" and "He can't be serious!" were being thrown at the first mate, who was fervently trying to lessen the clamour of the frantic crew, placing his body between them and the door so as to prevent them from chasing after and accosting the Captain. Jim had to hand it to him, even though he seemed to be just as confused about Sinbad's actions as the rest of them, he still defended the man.
After a moment's hesitation, Jim slid from his perch atop the barrel in the corner and, using the distraction provided by the rowdy crowd to his advantage, silently made his way behind Kale and out the door. He saw his opportunity and he was damn well going to take it! He marched towards the cargo bay, intent on retrieving his solar surfer and getting the hell of the ship as soon as possible. Thoughts of his goal filled his head as he made his way through the belly of the Chimera.
At least, that is, until he passed the stairs which led above deck. The teen strode past them before faltering, staring intently ahead of him before passing an agitated glance at the open hatch above him.
'"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to set a course for Sirakyuse,"'
That's what he'd said. But was the man really planning on stealing something so valuable? Surely he knew how much disaster such an action could cause? How much danger it would put so many people in?
...Surely Kale would be the best person to try and talk the Captain out of his decision. However, it had seemed that the first mate would be occupied for quite some time trying to pacify the agitated crew. Hell, come to think of it, everybody on board seemed to have gotten caught up in the clamour in the galley. Which just left...
"...Ohh no, this isn't any of my business," Jim thought to himself, throwing his hands up and quickly turning away from the stairs and shaking his head in determination.
"I could just up and go, right now!" He cast his gaze down the corridor ahead of him. The cargo bay was just a few paces away. All he had to do was take a few steps forward...
'…,'
"...Gahh!" The teen brought both his hands to his face and groaned, before turning on his heel to face the stairs before grabbing the railing angrily.
'If this guy really is planning something so dangerous – I'd be just as bad as him if I just walk away and let it happen.'
Sinbad stood at the helm of the Chimera adjusting the map route, occasionally shifting his gaze from the ship's compass to the Etherium above as he did so before a muffled noise from the direction of the stairwell caught his attention. Breaking his focus to look at the source of the sound, a moment passed before he saw the riled figure of Hawkins stomp it's way onto the deck.
"Hawkins, out for an evening stroll?"
"Are you some kind of moron?!" The boy snapped, completely ignoring the Captain's casual jibe.
"Excuse me?" the older of the two looked offended, snapping the compass' cover closed.
"The Book of Peace!? Seriously?! Do you even know how much damage that could do!?"
"Of course I do, I'm not an idiot," Sinbad returned, resting an arm casually on the wheel in front of him and resting his chin on his hand.
"Is that so? 'Cause this dumbass plan of yours would say otherwise."
"Ouch. You know Hawkins, that kind of talk can really hurt a guy's feelings," The captain winced jokingly.
"Ugh," the younger groaned in frustration, "Would you be serious for two minutes here!"
"...," The captain paused at the helm, looking at Jim for a moment before speaking, "...Alright."
"Huh?"
"Two minutes. All-serious. Times-a-ticking Hawkins,"
Jim faltered, not sure whether to take the man's statement at face value, before realising he had little other chance of ever getting a straight answer as to the reasons behind his foolhardy plan.
"Alright, start from the beginning. What the hell made you suddenly want to go after the book in the first place?"
"A smoky creepo Goddess offered me anything I wanted – you know, endless riches, eternal glory, the hole shebang – and in return all I've got to do is take her that book."
Jim stared up at him in disbelief.
"... On a side note, pretty sure she had a crush on me."
"You said you'd be serious!"
"What? I am being serious!"
"Oh yeah? Give me one reason to believe anything you just said!"
"Fine!" The captain retorted, grabbing something from the panelling in front of the steering wheel before vaulting over the railing of the helm, landing on the deck and striding over to the cabin boy.
"What are you-"
"If I was lying," Sinbad said, defiantly holding the item in front of Jim's eyes,"then explain this."
The item in question was unlike anything Jim had seen before. It was an orb made of some kind of worn golden metal, and inscribed into it were intersecting patterns and markings that Jim knew Doctor Doppler would have a field day poring over, ancient as they looked.
"...What is that supposed to be?" Jim asked as he reached out for it, starting to doubt just how untrue Sinbad's story actually was.
"I have no idea," The captain tossed the orb into the air and caught it, keeping it out of Jim's reach, "but hey, Miss Goddess slipped it to me before we said our goodbyes, so unless it was some kinda parting memento I'm going to assume it's important."
Jim blanched at the carefree ignorance of the man in front of him. Was he for real?
"Two minutes are almost up Hawkins," The captain jibed, pocketing the orb.
"Okay okay," Jim shook his head, attempting to bring order to his thoughts, "let's pretend I believe this whole story of yours – which I don't -" he paused, "...Why would you agree to take something that could hurt so many people? Don't you care about anyone but yourself?"
The older man stared at him for a second, seemingly debating his reply.
"...Do you?"
"What?" Jim replied, taken aback.
"Do you have people out there that you care about?" Sinbad asked, gesturing widely with his arms, "People that you'd want to protect?"
Thoughts of the Benbow flashed through Jim's mind, of his Mother, of Dr Doppler. He hesitated.
"Of course."
"Well sorry to surprise you Hawkins, but so do I," Sinbad snapped, "The only difference is that the people I care about are all right here on this ship. And I'm sorry to disappoint you, but they'll always come first. If we bring that Goddess the Book, the reward is going to be bigger and better than any treasure we've found in the past – we could retire! Never have to pillage another day in our lives!" he had become more and more animated as he spoke, but he now adopted a more serious tone, "...As long as I can do what's best for my crew... frankly I couldn't give a damn about anyone else."
"...You can't mean that." Jim responded quietly. Sure, that may have sounded all well and good; but surely the amount of people who could get hurt outweighed the happiness of his crew?
"Try me," Sinbad stated sharply, meeting Jim's eyes with his own clear ones. In that moment Jim could see just how determined the man was to see his plan through. He saw the complete disregard for the people who may be affected, or those who may stand in his way. He saw his resolve to do his best for the people he cared about.
In that moment, Jim's resentment for Sinbad and his reckless plan was overshadowed by a flicker of understanding. And while he couldn't forgive the captain's disregard for the innocent people he was surely about to put in harms way, he couldn't argue with his reasons. If he were in the other man's place, he knew he wouldn't pass up the chance to make his loved ones' lives better.
The two stood in silence for a time, neither daring to break the tension their conversation had built up.
"...Two minutes are up Hawkins," the captain eventually said, realising he may have said too much already. He turned away from Jim and began to make his way to the helm once again, "You'd better get back to your post."
As Jim watched the captain return to his previous task in silence, it dawned on him that he would have to put his escape plans on hold.
