A couple more weeks had passed, and it was dark once more back in Montressor. The lights on the top floor of the Inn were on in the night and the smell of coffee filled the air. Cecilia was serving it to Dr. Doppler and his wife, Captain Amelia. Jim was setting out maps across the table and Silver was sitting at the far end of the table. He would have been sitting with the other's; but when Amelia first walked into the house, she was about to cuff him and turn him into the authorities. Jim had to beg her to leave Silver alone. She agreed to leave Silver alone, but couldn't help but give him a glare occationally.
"So, let me understand the predicament you and your daughter have found yourselves in, Mr. Hawkins. Because of this…creature sitting outside of your cabin walls, you know Kelly's welfare, even whereabouts?" Amelia asked din her usual demanding tone. Jim was about to answer, when an all too familiar deep voice surprised Amelia.
"I have a name, you know. And Kelly is more than my healer, she is my friend. Of course I would never lie about her welfare! And for your information, Kelly's leg is now healed and is starting to walk, but Victor's Saginaw is still sailing away from Montressor. He's now in the Basin Nebula." With that, he turned around and went back to his spot in Kelly's pasture. As he left, Silver stood up from his seat and took out a chart and glanced at it. His eyes got wide as he found the Basin Nebula.
"What the…! They be almost a third away from here to the halfway mark of the galaxy!" Silver exclaimed. Jim just glanced down and shook his head in disappointment.
"Even if we still had a ship fast enough to reach them at that distance quickly, that area is out of our jurisdiction. We can't go into that area and hunt for pirates without consent of the galactic leaders, and even that could take months." Jim solemnly explained to everybody. Amelia then tilted her head down in pity.
"…Well, Mr. Hawkins's, I do know a pirate hunter in the Basin Nebula named Richard A. Wilson. I can dispatch a call to him tomorrow and tell him about this unfortunate predicament." Amelia offered. The room was silent as Jim closed his eyes and pondered about the offer. He'd heard about this pirate hunter before. By reputation, he was a ruthless man who was not afraid to go to any length to catch a pirate. He could then feel Cecilia squeezing his shoulder in comfort and support. Jim then opened his eyes and glared at Amelia, piercing her with his green eyes.
"Fine. Give him the call. But…just tell him to follow the ship. Keep us notified about its position and where it's been stopping and heading. He will not be allowed to attack the ship in any predicament. If he does so otherwise, I will personally see to it that he is dispatched from his duties as a Pirate hunter on this side of the galaxy!" Jim sternly replied. Amelia then nodded her head in reply.
As they discussed the call to Richard in the cabin, Leofwine was at work searching for Kelly's mind. He found it a short time later and tuned into her surroundings. It was obviously night time, for it was dark and the crew was gone. He saw her leaning against the deck railing resting her leg while Victor held her steady. They were both talking and laughing with each other; occasionally, one or both of them would blush, only to be followed by more laughing.
Leofwine opened his eyes as the image disappeared from his eyes. He just glanced at the ground, lost in his thoughts.
Kelly…you and Victor have long since warmed up to each other, but how deeply will you two go now? …Be careful Kelly. For your heart's sake, don't get in too deep with this pirate.