Chapter 11

"We don't move 'till we got the treasure in hand." Silver's distinctive voice seemed to cut at Jim, and his eyes grew more hurt and angry with each of them. Alex usually enjoyed being right about things, but one look at Jim's horrified look made her wish she'd been wrong about the cook. She'd been warming to the man despite her distrust over the past few weeks, and had come to enjoy spending time with him in the kitchen. He'd even taking to calling her Rosie as a nickname. She'd never suspected him to be planning a mutiny!

"I say we kill them all now." Scroop's gravelly voice grated on Alex's nerves as always, and now it made her shiver. Jim wrapped an arm about her shoulders, though she could tell he was focusing on the conversation more than her.

"I say what's to say!" Silver growled, grabbing Scroop around the muzzle and pulling him down to his height. "Disobey my orders again like that stunt you pulled with Mr. Arrow-" this time it was Alex who gasped and Jim who covered her mouth in case she tried to call out. "And so help me, you'll be joinin' 'im!"

Silver threw Scroop right at the barrel they were hiding in, dislodging its three occupants. Morph floated up, about to squeak a protest before Alex grabbed him and cuddled him close to her chest in an effort to keep him quiet. She turned frightened eyes to Jim, who moved his arm from her shoulders to her waist as he pulled her protectively to his side. Normally such an action would have made her heart beat madly, but now it was too busy thumping with fear.

"Strong talk, but I know otherwise." Scroop said as he climbed to his feet, sounding much too smug for someone who'd just gotten thrown into his place. He reached down behind him into the barrel and the teens pressed away, trying not to get bumped. Realizing what he was reaching for, Jim picked up a purp and placed it within reach of the alien's grasping claw so he wouldn't have to look down at them.

"You got somethin' t' say?" Silver asked, a challenge in his voice.

"It's those brats." Scroop hissed. "Methinks you have a soft spot for them." His sharp claw punctured the purp along with his words, making it perfectly clear what he meant. Looking at Silver's face, she was surprised to see a guilty look flash across it for a split second. He covered it up so fast that Alex wasn't sure if she'd imagined the whole thing. Now, he glowered at the spider-like creature, his anger seeming to emanate from his form. Alex could swear the room got colder.

"Now mark me, the lot o' ya." He said in a low, dangerous tone. "I care about one t'ing and one t'ing only. Flint's trove. You think I'd risk it all on some nose-wiping little whelp?"

Jim's eyes were round with disbelief, and Alex bit her lip in sympathy. He looked at her, his blue eyes so lost she could practically feel it herself. She shook her head in mute apology and found his hand, squeezing his fingers as Silver went on.

"What was it?" Scroop asked in his sickly sweet voice. ""You got the makings of greatness in ya." Wasn't it?" Alex wasn't sure what he was talking about, but both Jim and Silver flinched.

'Shut yur yap! I cosied up t' that kid to keep him off our scent. The girl I just worked to death, and as you all noticed, it worked like a charm." Alex glared at what she could see of him though the slit in the barrel, and Jim's arm tightening on her waist showed his own anger. "But I ain't gone soft." Silver warned his crew members.

Both of the teens hiding in the barrel were stiff as they waited to see how Scroop replied, but a distant cry interrupted the impromptu meeting.

"Land ho!" the lookout was shouting up in the rigging. Those of the crew who'd conjoined in the galley shouted for joy and rushed up on deck to see, Silver and Scroop included. Alex loosened her hold on the wriggling Morph and he flew off after the cook, while Alex and Jim just looked at each other.

"I think we got on the wrong ship, Jim." She whispered, not even bothering to attempt the wry grin that would normally have accompanied such a statement. Jim understood. Both of them were still reeling with what they'd learned, too much to feel the fear she knew would come later.

"No." he shook his head firmly and grabbed her hands in his own. "We'll go to the Captain and tell her everything. She'll know a way out of this. Come on."

He stood and climbed out of the barrel, lifting Alex out after him as if she didn't weigh a thing. They were running for the stairs when Silver himself blocked the sun at the top of them. Alex's hand found Jim's once more as they backed away.

"Silver? What's going on?" Alex asked, feigning a yawn. "Normally you've started breakfast by the time I get down here."

Silver raised an eyebrow. "Funny, you were awake when I went to find you, lass. Not in yur hammocks, either of ye. And I know for certain you weren't in the kitchens…playin' games, are we?"

"Yeah," Jim said, his voice low with distrust. "Yeah, we're playing games." The pair couldn't back up any further, they'd hit a table.

"Well you see, I was never much good at playin' games." Silver said softly. "Always hated to lose."

Alex's throat was choked with fear, she felt like she couldn't move. What would Silver do to them if he figured out they'd overhead his little meeting? Oh who was she kidding, he'd figured it out already. But her mind was jumping around so quickly it was hard to keep track…what could she do?

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jim's hand scrambling for anything he could use to get them out of this mess. Just out of his reach was a sharp tool she'd been using to core Abalask berries the night before. She slipped her hand from his and pushed the tool into the fingers of his opposite hand. Unlike her, he didn't hesitate to act.

"Me too!" he yelled, lunging forward and plunging the tool into Silver's cyborg leg. Smoke billowed and the cook cried out as he fell over, all function in the limb lost. Alex was still frozen in her panic, but Jim grabbed her wrist and pulled her up the stairs. They didn't even stop to look at the planet looming in the distance, instead running right back to Captain Amelia's stateroom.

As they swung the door shut, Silver had made it up the galley stairs. No time now! Jim pushed the door closed and locked it tight, while Alex tried to explain to Amelia and Delbert why the Cabin Boy and Kitchen Maid were barging in on their tea.

"It's the crew, Captain!" Alex exclaimed, trying to put her words in the proper order. She was finally coming out of her panicked state, and a slightly calmer fear had taken its place. It wasn't much of a blessing, but at least she could think straight. "They're pirates, working under Silver. They're going to take over the ship!"

"They already are." Jim corrected, looking through the peephole in the captain's door. "Silver's rounding them up now."

"Pirates? On my ship? I'll see them all hang." Amelia whipped out a gun, spun and charged it expertly. "Doctor, are you familiar with these?" She didn't wait for his reply before tossing it to him.

"Well I've seen-er, I've read-" The gun went off, the blast shattering the lamp over the captain's shoulder. "No, no I'm not." Amelia rolled her eyes as she grabbed the bronze map, tossing it to Jim.

"Mr. Hawkins, defend this with your life." Morph, not understanding the severity of the situation, caught the map in midair and Jim had to jump at him to get it back.

"Morph, here!" Alex cried. He happily zoomed over and plopped on her fingers, but she shook her head at him. "This isn't a game, Morphy." She whispered, gasping as she heard clanking of metal on metal as someone outside banged on the lock. Someone stopped the banging, but the sound of a blowtorch took its place.

"Miss Valentine!" Alex turned to have an armful of pistols shoved into her arms, forcing Morph to float up over her shoulder instead. Amelia grabbed a few more pistols and charged one of them, blasting a hole right through the floor of the room. The finely crafted wood floor exploded and wiring melted, giving them access to a smaller passage below in the hull of the ship. The captain lead the way through the opening; Delbert, Alex and then Jim following her. The four of them charged down the red lit hall, through the metal door at the end just as a few pirates hopped through the hole after them.

"To the long boats, quickly!" Amelia ordered as she slammed the large metal hatch shut, melting the lock with a shock pistol to slow down their pursuers. The others continued on, jumping into the longboat as the Captain hit the lever to open the hatch. Alex was dumping her armload of weapons when Morph zipped over to Jim, grabbing the map from his pocket.

Jim leapt out of the boat and after the playful blob, and Alex cursed softly to herself. She couldn't help him, it'd be a waste. Not when Amelia and Delbert needed help here. Instead she hunkered down in the boat and charged up a pistol, carefully taking aim as the hatch was blown wide open.

Alex didn't know if she shot anyone. She wasn't even sure if she'd really tried. Rather than force herself to deal with her confusion over the idea of shooting other living beings, she aimed for other things. A nearby switchboard shocked passing pirates when hit, and by shooting the corner of a net holding large boxes, she could take them out by making the boxes fall on them.

She didn't see Scroop coming from the side until it was too late. The flash of red in the corner of her eye made her turn, and without thinking she turned her pistol and fired. Both girl and insectoid froze, staring at the smoking hole on one of his shoulders. Her shot had melted through the exoskeleton there and boy was he mad… Alex couldn't even squeak before he grabbed her around the neck and hauled her out of the boat.

"Alexandra!" she heard Delbert cry out, but Scroop was using her as a personal shield. They couldn't help. She wiggled and tugged at the claw, but to no avail. It had settled in a concrete ring, just large enough to not crush her windpipe. Wonderful…

"Don't worry about your friends." He whispered. "They won't be going anywhere." He turned her so she could see the closing hatch beneath the longboat. At the same moment, she spotted Jim, charging back to the longboat with the map in hand.

But no…the door was too far closed. They'd be stuck, even if Amelia and Delbert were able to the shoot the pullies tethering them to the ship! Scroop was right, they'd never escape.

Alex's eyes met Amelia's eyes and she saw the Captain's widen in understanding. She was shaking her head no…but Alex knew there was no other choice. She made a split second decision and swung her legs up, kicking Scroop in the shoulder she'd shot.

The alien screeched in angry pain, but he also dropped her in the process. Alex landed badly, twisting her ankle, but didn't stop to dwell on the pain. Instead she lurched forward and grabbed the lever pulling it downwards and opening the hatch once more. She half hung on the thing as she lowered herself to the floor. Her ankle was throbbing, but her eyes were locked on Jim.

The boy ran towards the boat at full speed, Silver shortly behind him. Meanwhile, the Captain and the Doctor each shot at the cables holding the boat in place, and the thing dropped. It landed, sitting precariously on the edge of the still-opening hatch. Jim jumped and grabbed the edge of the boat, just as it tipped and fell through space and towards the planet below.

"Get in the boat, get in the boat…" she whispered as she watched the boat fall in almost slow motion. Finally Amelia grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him in. Even as the longboat fell away, she could see Jim looking around in confusion, then back up at her. She silly boy was actually worried about her while he was plummeting to the planet surface!

"Be safe." She whispered. Behind her, the crew was jeering and shouting angrily. Silver roared so loud she was sure they must have heard it back in Montressor. Scroop, now even more angry with her than before, grabbed her by the arm and half dragged her to her feet. Barely able to stand on her bad ankle, his claw was actually helping her, even though she could already feel the bruise his grip would leave.

"Shoot them down!" the crew shouted, angry at losing their prey. Silver didn't like this plan though, heading up onto the deck. Scroop followed, clicking his way up the stairs just in time to see Silver try and stop the gunman from firing. It was too late, and the lightning ball of energy spiraled at the ship. Alex gasped as it clipped the back of the longboat, sending it veering off towards the planet's surface and trailing a column of horribly black smoke. She thought they may have steadied a bit before they were out of sight, but they were hidden from view by the giant mushrooms with grew on the planet's surface. She told herself they'd be alright. They had to be alright or she'd go mad up here by herself.

Silver spun to glare at her and she glared right back. She'd lived with Jim too long to not have some of his defiance rub on off her. "You, Missy, are going to be locked away fer a century where you won' cause any more trouble. I'd still 'ave that map if it weren't for you!" he shouted angrily.

"I'd do it again in a heartbeat." She promised, pale blue eyes glinting in her own anger. "My friends wouldn't have had to run at all if it weren't for you."

"Your friends…ha." Silver rolled his good eye. "You'll never see 'em again, I guarantee it."

"Shall I…stow her away?" Scroop asked, a little too kindly for Alex's tastes. "She'll enjoy the brig I think."

"Nah, too easy. 'ow about we stuff her in that barrel she was usin' t' spy on us this mornin'?" The crew looked surprised at this update, but didn't seem to mind that much. They cheered as Scroop dragged her down to the galley, where she was unceremoniously dropped into the large barrel. Scroop wasn't going to leave it at that though, so he went and found the heaviest pot he could find and placed it on top. Cackling evilly, he filled it with the dirty dishes she hadn't been able to wash yet.

Well wasn't this grand? Alex pushed herself up onto her knees and shoved at the pot with all her might. It was no use though and she soon sank to the floor again. She couldn't lift the cast iron pot on the best of days when it was empty, let alone now.

"Buried under dirty dishes, it seems to be my fate in life." She grumbled to herself as she shoved the purps out from under her.

"At least you don't have to wash these." Came Silver's voice. Alex looked through the barrel's crack, seeing the cook propping his feet on one of the mess tables.

"Why would you do this to me? At least in the brig I would have had room to stretch and move." She asked him, furious.

"Because, Alexandra Valentine, I don't trust me own crew. They might try an' do things to you down there, and there'd be no one t' stop 'em from doin' it. This way I can at least keep an eye on ya."

"Oh…" Alex whispered. She hadn't really thought of that. "But why would you even bother? You're the bad guy, aren't you?"

Silver actually chuckled. "Because, Rosie, I like ya. Always 'ave. Yer a tough one, and you take everything standing straight and tall. Not to mention I like Jimbo, and he'd flay me if I let anythin' happen to ye."

"If you like Jim so much, how come you went through with all of this? I know you care about him. I can tell. I don't even think I mind it anymore. So why'd you do it?"

"Because that's what plans are for. To follow through 'til it's all been done. Our plan was to mutiny, and we did jus' that. Now once we get the treasure, we'll be off."

"What about us? Me, Jim, Delbert and the Captain…what'll you do with us?"

"We'll likely leave you here. It's a life sustaining planet, you'll get along jus' fine."

"What?" Alex exclaimed, horrified. "We'll die, you know that!"

"Perhaps, but it's safer fer us this way. You can't retake the ship, and the crew won't toss you overboard when they get twitchy."

Alex didn't have an answer, and Silver didn't seem to expect one. Instead he advised her to sleep away her boredom before leaving. He and the crew didn't want her to overhear their plans. Of course they didn't exactly have to keep their meetings secreted away in the galley anymore, did they?

Her stomach growled and she remembered her lack of breakfast. Thankfully she was stuck in a purp barrel, free to munch whenever she pleased. Even as she ate she continued to angrily mutter to the wooden walls of her tiny prison. She was fuming, and she didn't care who knew it.

Inside though, she was just a frightened kitchen maid, far out of her league. She was so worried about Jim and the others, and positively terrified about what would happen to her next. How would they ever get out of this?

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And finally things are happening! I admit, I enjoy writing stories more in the in-between scenes though. The scenes movies leave out. They on;y have so much time, so they're forced to leave out the boring every day stuff. But in my mind, that stuff is the most exciting to write. Not to mention allows me the most chance for creativity :D

Please review! I'm in serious need of inspiration right now, and reviews inspire me like nothing else. So please take the time to send me a little message and tell me what you thought of this chapter :)

Your sunburned authoress,

Whisperwings