Sunlight

10: Scroop

Jim and B.E.N. worked to open the lid of a smaller entrance they'd reached after a few minutes of walking. During that time, they made small talk; it seemed to speak however loudly as one wished, since no one but them knew of its location.

"Do you regret any of this, Jim?" Nova asked, trying to keep up but unfortunately becoming distracted by the insides of this mysterious planet.

"'This' what?"

"The journey, the people, everything."

"No, not really. Because my reason for being here is obvious: my mother. I have to do it for her, so I'm willing to go through anything, if it's for her."

Nova let this settle, then she said, "That's awful admirable of you-"

"That's Jimmy for ya! Admirable and brave and wonderful," B.E.N. interjected excitedly and proudly.

"Uh, thanks," Jim said simply, embarrassed.

They shoved the entrance open only a bit, enough to peek out. Only B.E.N. had a more direct approach. "So what's the plan, Jimmy?"

Jim, in a futile attempt to shut up the robot, grabbed hold of his mouth and held it shut, glaring disapprovingly at him. "B.E.N., shush!"

"Sorry, Jimmy," he mumbled to the best of his ability.

Jim took a quick glance at the sleeping pirates before turning back to his companions. "Okay, here it is. We're going to get on the ship-"

"Mmm-hmm."

"-disable the laser cannons-"

"OK."

"-and get the map."

"Dat's a goo' plan, I yike dat plan. Only ting is, how do we get dere?"

"With that," Jim whispered, gesturing with his head toward Silver's longboat.

On the Legacy, the gang snuck over the edge and down toward the galley, heading toward the haul. "Alright," Jim said, "I'll go find the map. You stay here."

"Right. Disable laser cannons, Captain Jimmy, sir!" Going from legs to wheels, B.E.N. rolled away in the opposite direction Jim intended to go.

"Wait, B.E.N., no!" Jim sighed, rubbing his face with his hand frustratingly.

"I-I'll follow him, Jim," Nova volunteered, turning away. Jim grabbed hold of her arm, shocking her. "Are you alright?" she asked, looking back at him.

"I just… don't want you to get hurt, is all. Stay safe." He let her go, as if her skin was on fire. Nodding, they went their separate ways.

Jim made his way into the haul, where the map still lay. Reaching inside the rope coil, he pulled out the golden sphere, delighted at the sight of it. Then alarms sounded overhead, and Jim made his way back up the stairs in an attempt to escape. "That stupid robot is going to get us all-"

To his demise, Scroop stood in the way of their only exit. "-killed."

"Cabin boy," Scroop smirked, making his way down the stairs, taking his time with each step.

Panicked, Jim makes his way toward another exit- any exit. Morph tried his best to hold the spider psycho at bay, turning himself into a piece of pie and slapping himself into Scroop's face, but it only faltered the spider for a moment. Angrily, he flung the pink blog into an air vent and away he flew.

Jim hid behind a dead end, pulling out his flintlock and getting it ready. He didn't like the idea of shooting anyone, however he knew it was necessary- kill or to be killed. When the steps of Scroop became closer, almost too close for comfort, Jim revealed himself, gun aimed directly at Scroop's face. The spider looked shocked and almost scared at the barrel in his face.

Then the lights shut off.

"B.E.N.!" Nova shouted, loud enough for Jim to hear.

When the lights came on again, the spider had disappeared. Jim's heart raced as he looked either direction, not thinking to look above him. The spider, when the boy's back was turned, lowered himself onto the ground and when Jim looked back, flung him across the room. Jim landed on his back, harshly, his flintlock flying to the right of him, out of reach.

When his life seemed to flash before his eyes, B.E.N. came through by mistaking the cannon plug with that of the anti-gravity. They began floating into the air, catching Scroop off guard. Jim took this as his opportunity to take the spider down, kicking him in his gut and sending him through the air vent toward the vastness of space. As they floated upward, Jim tried, and failed, to grab his flintlock, one last desperate measure to get Scroop off his tail for good.

Having gone too high, Jim grabbed hold of Silver's flag, his hands tightening on the fabric for dear life. Scroop stalked up the pillar, using the inside of his claw to slowly cut the rope. "Say hello to Mr. Arrow for me."

Jim lunged himself onto the pillar, still holding on tight. His mind was racing, knowing Scroop would become frustrated with Jim's little games and take care of the business quickly. As expected, Scroop crawled up the pillar, and with one final lunge, kicked and hurled the spider into space, the flag going along with it. "Tell him yourself!"

When his fingers could no longer hold onto the pillar, gravity forced him back into the crow's nest. He tried to catch his breath, his eyes shutting, having become tired. Morph came out of the microphone, covered in soot. "… Morph?"

"Laser cannons disabled, Cap'n Jimmy sir! See? That wasn't so difficult."

Jim pushed himself off the ground to look down, his gaze falling on a robot covered in wires, and a girl relentlessly trying to untangle him.