Chapter 14.

"Admiral!" David moved to stand but the two older men shushed him and motioned for him to sit back down. "Admiral-" David said again, quieter, and leaned in to whisper. "What are you doing here?"

The Admiral ran a hand across his chin and sighed. "Well, Commander," he looked up at the boys. "I'll deny this if you repeat it- but I have stationed myself here as an emissary to keep the peace between the Navy and the Pirates. Silver here," he put a hand on the cyborg's mechanical arm. "is the only one who knows I'm here." He shrugged. "Except for the two of you of course." The admiral pulled a pipe out of his pocket along with a small box of tobacco. "So," he stuffed his pipe and pulled a wooden match out of his other pocket. "Tell me in your own words- exactly what happened." As he listened to the basic details of Jim and David's escape the admiral sat quietly without asking a single question. He didn't make any gestures or faces when David remarked that he and Jim wanted to be together, or even blinked when Jim recounted how the crew attacked him in the belly of the ship. When It was all said, David folded his hands on top of the table. Jim held his breath and rubbed a corner of his coat cuff out of anxiety. The admiral sat quietly for a moment, chewing on the mouthpiece of his pipe. "Well then," he finally spoke out of the corner of his mouth. He took his pipe in his hand and turned his head to look at Silver. "Seems Captain Vlow is in rough seas." He placed the pipe between his lips and furrowed his brow. "A bit unlike her to ignore an important new code such as that. And the death penalty?!" he huffed. "Why, that hasn't been used, in ages!" He turned to the boys. "At least not for something like this."

Silver scratched his neck. "Whaddya think now, Illyard? Shall we write her a letter?" The old cyborg shrugged. Admiral Illyard shook his head and sat back with his hands crossed over his chest.

"No, no." a puff of smoke billowed into the air like cream in coffee. "We're going to pay Vlow a visit." Jim and David gave each other side eyes. "And have a little, chat."

Captain Vlow sat at her desk, sighing in regret. First mate Lawhead approached her with a hot cup of tea. Seeing her distress, the alien set the cup and saucer down gently before putting a hand on her shoulder. "Captain?" he asked quietly.

The alien woman looked up at him. Her brow was furrowed in frustration. "Yes, Mr. Lawhead?" The latter cleared his throat.

"If I may ease your discomfort," he stood up strait. "you did what any Captain would be asked to do. You were presented with a difficult problem; and acted accordingly. No one would blame you for that."

Captain Vlow stood and walked across her quarters to a table in the front of the room. "I acted so rashly. Neither of them even got a trial, Lawhead." She brushed a tentacle across the Code book that sat front and center on the table before her. "I've searched through these pages hundreds of times. There was nothing- that could save them." She opened the book- letting the cover land with a thud onto the table. "I just," she scanned through the pages, flipping past the ones she knew were irrelevant to her dilemma.

First Mate Lawhead examined her stance before turning to face the window. "Just- what, ma'am?" he looked at his shoulder, listening for any movement.

"I just thought, there would be something in here, that would have given them a chance at a trial. I guess I was wrong." She ran a tentacle down the last page with writing on it. In her head, she silently read the most recent code her book held.

1,833. Any crewmember found guilty of insubordination, will be demoted to a position the captain finds suitable.

"I find it curious," she returned to her desk and picked up the cup of tea. "That no new codes have been put into law." She sipped on her tea and watched as the liquid rippled in the cup. "We've been to many Navy posts while docking- but none have added updates to our book." She looked back at the book and sipped on her tea. "Strange.."

First Mate Lawhead just stared out the window and clenched his hands behind his back. "Indeed, ma'am." He stood quietly for a moment before furrowing his brow. "Captain?" The shorter alien looked up at her first mate.

"Hmm?"

"Who took over the duty of updating the book since I was promoted?" he shifted his eyes to look at her.

The Captain wasted no time in her reply. She raced to the door of her quarters and threw it open without spilling a drip of her tea. In a loud, commanding voice; the Captain let out a call across the vessel. "Mr. Pline! Front and center!"

Silver watched from the bar as Jim and David were busy discussing how to write their statement for the Admiral's files. Illyard was leaning against the bar with the cyborg and the two of them held large cups of rum in their hands. "Thanks fer yer help, Illy." Silver smiled at Jim and felt a wave of relief wash over him. The Admiral sipped his drink and sighed.

"Don't mention it, John. It's my job."

"Aye, I know that." Silver chirped and chugged his drink. "But ye didn't have to help the lads. I appreciate ya doin' so."

"If you don't mind my prying," Illyard swished his drink around his cup. Silver's ear perked up at the words, and turned his head to face his friend. "What's the connection?" He gestured toward the boys with his glass. Silver smiled and looked back at the table.

"Well-" he watched as Jim looked up from the paper at David, with that thoughtful look that made Silver so curious about the young man. "Ye might say he was like my son, once. And the feelin' of me bein' responsible for him hasn't changed a bit." The old cyborg shook his head. "That was so long ago, he's not a pup anymore."

"Seems that he's taken to the etherium life in your stead," Illyard ventured. "But in a more lawful manner." A chuckle emitted from his throat.

"Aye. Jimbo is a good'un." Silver caught Jim's eye, earning him a wave. Silver nodded back at Jim before walking over to the table. "How's it goin' Jimbo?" Silver placed a hand on the table and leaned to get a look at their work.

"We're done. If David would just stop analyzing it." Jim rested his cheek on his palm.

"I want to be sure we recalled everything." David justified and gave the paper a once over. Smiling, he handed it to Silver to read. The cyborg just folded the paper and stuck it in his pocket. "Hey-"

"No time, Davey. We best be off. Gotta find that ship before she finds us. Better we have the upper hand, ey?" Silver turned to leave. Jim jumped up from the table and followed like a small puppy.

"Hmph." David reluctantly followed behind. The four of them made their way out to the docks and onto a boat that would help them find "The Remnant."

Captain Vlow tapped a finger against her desk. The rhythm of the movement sped up dramatically as her frustration rose. Standing before her was Officer Pline; a challenging officer at the best of times, who enjoyed jumping out of line whenever he could. The officer had also been involved in the assault against Lieutenant Hawkins, and was known as one of Officer Uriratha's friends. "And you say you checked with the board at multiple," here she emphasized the word for effect. "locations when we docked?"

The scaly creature flicked his tongue in the air and nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

The Captain ran a hand down her face and groaned. "I find that hard to believe, Pline. Considering the behavior, you and your friends have displayed recently; I'm sure you overlooked one or two code additions to help move your plans along." She brushed her finger across the surface of a gold orb hovering near her. "You can imagine my frustration when I looked into the code updates of the last few months-" she glared at the officer. "And my embarrassment at discovering the legalization of same gendered relationships on any vessel in the galaxy." She leaned back in her chair. "Except for mine, apparently." She stood to her feet and placed her hands on the edge of her desk. "I demand an explanation."

Officer Pline swallowed and cleared his throat. "I can't imagine, ma'am." He flicked his tongue again, anxious. "I apologize, but I don't have any explanation for you. I will do better to check up on code from now on."

"No, you will not." Captain Vlow placed her hands behind her back. "Officer Pline, I am shocked by your enflamed hatred and malice toward others. As punishment, you and anyone else involved in this scheme will be sent back to the academy immediately; and await your punishment from the Admiral, personally." She brushed a piece of lint off her shoulder and looked back up at the officer. "You're dismissed." The serpentine officer saluted and left the office; grumbling all the way. Captain Vlow sat back down in her seat and let out a disappointed grunt. "Mr. Lawhead?" she addressed the alien standing in the corner.

"Ma'am?"

"Update the Admiral please," she rubbed her temples as she felt a headache coming on. "And get in contact with Lieutenant Commander Mogtrevo, and Lieutenant Hawkins."

"We've almost got them." Admiral Illyard glanced up from his tracker to see "The Remnant" flying off in the distance. The four men were cramped in the longboat- speeding off toward the vessel. "If they give us grief about boarding- they're in for quite the demotion."

Silver looked back at Jim and David, smiling fondly at them. "Ready to get your jobs back, boys?"

"Well, if we can also get Uriratha off our backs- I think we'll be satisfied." David called over the wind. Silver nodded once, understanding the concern. Not long after, admiral Illyard slowed the longboat and pulled up toward the port of "The Remnant." One of the crew in the crow's nest had alerted the crew to the approaching boat; bringing the vessel to a stop. Seeing it was the Admiral, some of the crew pulled a rope ladder over the side to give them access to the ship.

"Well now," Admiral Illyard straitened his coat when he was on deck. "Where is Captain Vlow?" he asked the crew crowding around him.

"Her quarters, sir." One officer saluted. The Admiral nodded and marched in that direction.

When Silver jumped over the side of the vessel, the crew began whispering to each other. They emitted gasps when David and Jim appeared behind him. Some of the crew glared in their direction, while others whispered amongst themselves at the absurdity of it all. "Well look at this," a voice called from the crowd. "Jimmy and David back from desertion." Almrez moved through the crowd with his drones following behind.

Silver leaned his head toward Jim. "Almrez?"

"Unfortunately." Jim mumbled. Silver moved his mechanical arm to it's gun setting and cocked his pistol. The crew of officers backed up and clucked like hens.

"Is he important?" Silver asked between gritted teeth. Jim sighed.

"No, but-" he didn't get to finish his sentence as Silver fired the pistol at the alien who hurt his pup. "Silver!" Jim grabbed the cyborg's mechanical arm and pulled it down.

"What in the name of Sandstone is going on here?" Captain Vlow bellowed from just a few feet away. Silver had shot a hole right between Almrez's legs; the impact mark still hissing. "Who in blue blazes shot my deck?" The captain looked up at the old cyborg, who replaced his pistol with his mechanical hand. The Admiral stood behind her with his hands folded behind his back.

"John, I don't think a Navy ship is the best place for revenge." He walked up to his friend and gave him a half-smile. He turned to look at the Captain. "Well, Vlow?" he raised an eyebrow.

Captain Vlow cleared her throat and turned to address her crew. "Gentlemen, we owe our comrades a sincere apology. We have treated them unjustly, and sent them away for unwarranted reasons." She turned to look at the first mate who was holding the code book. "Mr. Lawhead, please read the code put into law that we have updated into our book."

Lawhead held the book up and spoke in a clear, loud voice.

1,894"If any two mates find themselves wishing to partake in mutual companionship, under the approval of the Pirate's Counsel; they may share in matelotage."

1,895"No Captain or Company may override the rights of these two mates, once they have been approved by the Pirate's Counsel."

He skipped past the irrelevant ones that he and the Captain had written in, and read the third and final code that would finalize this change for the crew;

1,902"These laws are binding to both the Vessels under the control of any Privateer and the Government of the galaxies between the stars Lucinso and Optomina."

The crew murmured and whispered amongst themselves, some clapped at the news but a handful of them scowled. Jim and David's friends cheered and moved forward to greet the pair with back slaps and hugs. The two men were relieved at the warm welcome back amongst their friends. Silver crossed his arms, beaming with joy for Jim and David.

"This is ridiculous!" Almrez's voice cut through their celebrating. "Who would allow such immoral behavior?! Certainly not the counsel." he huffed and crossed his arms.

"Are ye sure I can't shoot 'im, Jimbo?" Silver grunted.

"Yes."

The Captain raised an eyebrow and smiled at him. "Well, then Mr. Uriratha, it seems clear what we need to do." She and Admiral Illyard exchanged looks before the Admiral moved forward and took Almrez by the arm. In a moment, he was escorted to the longboat, along with his friends. "You go back with Admiral Seneux and tell them that. I'm sure they'll be able to explain why such a law was passed under their jurisdiction."

Almrez's face paled. He realized his mistake too late and seeing that no one was on his side who could help him, was left speechless as the Admiral climbed into the longboat and drove them all away. Cheers erupted from the crew as Jim and David were welcomed back with sincere apologies and accounts of loyalty in their absence.

"I am sorry, boys." Captain Vlow stood shamefully in front of them. "I had no idea- if I'd have known-" she shook her head. "Well- I'm happy to say, welcome back." She turned to her crew and bellowed. "Back to work, boys! We're losing the wind!" She turned and escaped into her quarters.

As the crew dispersed, Jim and David were left standing with Silver on the deck. Jim turned to the cyborg and embraced him. "I guess this means you're leaving again?" The old cyborg heaved a sigh and held Jim close.

"That's right, Jimbo." Jim stepped back and looked up at the old man. "But ye take care of yerself, and Davey too." He winked and put two fingers between his teeth. With a loud whistle, a new longboat appeared beside the vessel, driven by a sleek, female alien. With a laugh and a grunt, Silver hopped over the side of the ship into the longboat. "'Til we meet again!" Silver tipped his hat before speeding off in the boat.

Jim waved after the cyborg and leaned up against the side of the ship to watch them go. David stood behind him and rested his chin on the top of Jim's head. Stroking Jim's arm with one hand, the bearded man kissed the top of the younger brunette's head. "I have a feeling, we'll see him again sooner than we think."

"I'm sure we will…" Jim smiled.