Disclaimer: I don't own Treasure Planet at all. Blah blah... More bad-assery from Alex and a fight to see who's top dog.
Chapter 7: Establish a Hierarchy
The crew prepared for launch shortly after the squabble and the excitement was almost too much for Alex to bear, she explored the deck so thoroughly that she was getting a headache. Jim on the other hand stood alongside the Captain and Astrophysicist, supervising the crew's progress. Following a brief moment of weightlessness and initial take off Jim scanned the decks, searching for a familiar tail. Alex sat in a cradle of rope mesh staring out into an endless Etherium; her ebony-black hair whipping about her shoulders and face. Amelia joined his side, surveying the situation. "You are aware that you'll have to punish her?" Jim tensed before lowering his head. Just what he needed, Amelia breathing down his neck as he gawked at the only other female on board. That wouldn't put him in the best of standards.
"How? She gives the word arrogant a whole new meaning."
"There's always a way to break in a horse they say. Do you recall the punishment Silver bestowed upon you when you had been aimlessly flitting about?" He grinned and nodded, heading towards the galley.
"Alex?" She turned in her makeshift seat to see Jim standing a few feet away, his arms folded behind his back like the authoritarian he was.
"How's your nose? Did I break it?"
"You seem enthused by the prospect. I have some folks I'd like you to meet."
"Save the formalities and just tell me."
"I'd like you to meet Mr. Mop and Mrs. Bucket." Tossing them to her she threw him a scowl of genuine distain.
"If I wanted to clean up after a bunch of insufferable assholes I could've stayed at the Inn."
"No one's stopping you. By the way, congratulations you'll be spending the remainder of the voyage as our cabin girl."
"You've gotta be kidding me?" Jumping from the rigging she threw the bucket and mop to the deck with a resounding clang.
"Captain's orders." He hardly blinked as he assumed that she would make it a point to break his nose this time.
"Ya can tell that flea carrying cat tat she can go to hell."
"Ms. Michaels? You will address me as Captain or ma'am, is that clear?"
"You can kiss my-"
"Alex, a word?" Jim interceded, dragging her aside. "I know this is a little frank but are you insane? I was trying to help you but since you prefer to be a smart ass I'll do it the hard way. When are you going to learn that this isn't play time- this is the real world and no on gets off easy- much less those who disrespect their commanding officers."
"And what makes her so special huh? Cuz mommy and daddy could afford to put her in the academy?"
"She's earned the respect. She's worked her entire life to get where she is. Can you say the same?" Her knuckles blanched white at her sides.
"On second thought, what about you? You wouldn't have gotten where you are if it weren't for her in the first place."
"Ms. Michaels?" The squabbling pair redirected their attention to Amelia. "Are you willing to adhere to our rules?"
"So long as your bitch stays on a leash." The words slipped through grit teeth.
"I suppose that'll do. Oh and by the way, your first order of business, once you've finished mopping the deck you will report to the galley for further instructions. Is that understood?"
"Yeah sure."
"Excellent. Mr. Rotham-" As the feline strolled across the deck to speak with the helmsman Alex snatched the rickety bucket by its broken handle and Jim grabbed the mop from behind a large barrel. She yanked the wooden stick from his hands, seriously contemplating beating him with it.
"Go to hell." She stormed off towards the stern.
"Alex!" She flipped him the bird in reply. She would have enjoyed cursing him out but that would mean face-to-face interaction- and she had the damn deck to clean.
