A/N: I enabled anonymous reviewing! I had no clue that when I signed up for ff.net, they automatically said to anonymous posting... So sorry! If you had something to say before, but couldn't, please go on and say it now! =)

*****

VI. Of Pirates and Refugees

*****

Dawn rose golden on the decks of the R.L.S. Redemption.

She also had the nerve to shine through the windows of the first mate's cabin, effectively waking Jim Hawkins. He moaned and rolled over, avoiding the intruding rays.

Morph, seeing that Jim was certainly awake enough for a game, shifted forms to resemble a laser flintlock, and hovered in front of Jim's face, muzzle pointing toward the unsuspecting first mate.

That sense that pricks at you when something other than the seen, smelled, tasted, touched or heard occurs, told Jim that he had to open his eyes.

He immediately wished that he hadn't.

He shrieked and reached for his own weapon before realizing that the gun before him was hovering on its own.



The flintlock laughed.

Unable to keep the form and giggle madly at the same time, Morph reverted to his normal, blobby shape and nuzzled Jim's cheek.

The first mate smiled and rubbed Morph with his index finger.

You annoying little squit... He yawned. C'mon. Let's go get some breakfast.

Breakfast! Breakfast! Yippee!

Jim grinned and meandered out on deck. A few crew members were already up and about, and Jim greeted them all before continuing down to the galley.

Spence, as usual, had breakfast ready as Jim appeared.

Mornin', Spence.

Mornin', Spence!

Well, g'mornin' Mr. Hawkins, little Morph. I trust you slept well?

Very well, thanks. Jim sat down at one of the tables. By some unknown sense, the Conevian grabbed a bowl of a porridge-like fare and made his way to the same table Jim was at.

Here you are, son.

Thanks, Spence. Looks good. He wasn't lying. It did look quite good. Aubrey was right: Spence, for being blind, was a pretty good cook. Heck, he was good for a cook that had super-sight.

Ah, I forgot a little bowl for Morphy there... Spence stood and moved back to the stove.

Jim grinned. Thanks again, Spence.

Of course.

He returned carrying a smaller-sized bowl. Morph chirped ecstatically and dove in - literally. Both Jim and the cook chuckled at that.

Spence turned back to the first mate and smiled. So Jim, you having a good time as first mate then?

Jim nodded. Yeah - sure am.

Spence nodded, staring vacantly just below Jim's eye-level. Sure beats cabin boy, eh?

Jim looked at Spence incredulously, then snorted. Sure does. Fletcher told you about that?

Aubrey tells me everything.

Yeah, not my favorite job on a ship, I gotta say.

But surely some good came from it...

Jim smirked. Yeah... Did, uh, Fletcher tell you about that too?

Spence chuckled. About how you befriended one of the most ruthless pirates ever to roam the etherium? Of course. Jim snickered. Kiddo, you must be one of the most interesting people I've ever met. And that's saying a lot.

He furrowed his brow. How so? I mean, that's quite a compliment coming from you, sir.

This evoked another chuckle from the Conevian. You start out a troubled kid half a step from juvenile hall, and end up going to Treasure Planet. That alone is enough adventure for one lifetime, but you also make friends with John Silver, who ends up saving your life... Silver - a pirate who probably wouldn't stick his neck out for his own mum, let alone some trouble-making kid. You get a near-full ride to the Royal Naval Academy, at the recommendation of Captain Amelia, no less. And now you're Aubrey Fletcher's first mate... She never even glanced at another resume, kid. You were her first choice. She probably would have come looking for you if you hadn't applied.

Jim looked down at his breakfast, grinning like an idiot.

In fact, I don't mean to add fuel to that over-inflated ego of yours, but you're somethin' grand, kid. We all know it, and half the crew can't wait to see the James P. Hawkins in action. He winked, and though it wasn't quite focused, it made Jim flush.

Well, ah... Thanks, sir. But, um, I mean, I'm not really... That is, I don't think -

Spence laughed. Don't try to act modest, kiddo. It doesn't suit you in the least.

*****

The day progressed as normal - the crew worked, ate, played... Jim lounged in his cabin, stroking Morph idly while he studied a chart of the Marconian system.

About supper time, a whistle sounded from the deck outside. It was followed quickly by a strained yelp. Pirates!! Off the starboard bow!

Jim leapt to the stateroom door, Morph on his heels. Aubrey was already on the bridge, shouting orders to the Redemption's crew. Jim got up to the bridge just as the captain asked the helmsman where the first mate was.

Good lad. Ye got a spyglass on ye?

Yes, Captain. He reached inside his jacket and handed her the object in question.

She took it and pointed toward the ship in the distance. It was a smaller vessel, with a completely black hull and crimson sails. She muttered something that Jim didn't catch and shouted an order to one of the gunners.

Striker! Fire one volley directly beneath mid ship, then two astern! Snap to it!

Aye-aye, Cap'n!

The gunner, Striker, followed her orders perfectly, as all of Fletcher's crew was wont to do.

The captain narrowed her eyes and watched the pirate ship. Jim held his breath. For a crew that had just fired three quite inaccurate shots at a band of pirates, they were remarkably calm.

The whole etherium seemed to stop in the eternity between Striker's shots and when the pirates made their move. A laser blast sailed directly across the nose of the Redemption, followed by a shot across the deck, just missing the heads of her crew members.

Jim subconsciously reached for his blaster, when Aubrey laughed.

What was with this woman and her terrible habit of laughing in the face of danger?

He looked at her quizzically. She smacked him on the back and leapt down to the deck. S'more old friends o' mine, Jim lad!

He smiled and shook his head. Would wonders never cease?

That ol' spacedog always did like t' show off. She called out to her crew, Hope he dinnae singe ye too bad, boyos!

Ahoy, Cap'n Fletcher!

By this point, the two ships had pulled abreast, and a small Canid alien was leaning over the railing of the pirate galleon.

Cap'n Tag, ye old mongrel!

It's about time you showed up, lass! We've been just itchin' for a party!

Jim studied Tag's crew. Most were Canids - Dr. Doppler's species, with one or two humans thrown in the mix. All of them looked far more gruff than Aubrey's crew, but then again, they were pirates.

When the two ships were close enough, Tag's vessel, The Mange lowered her boarding hooks, and her crew leapt to the deck of the Redemption. Jim grinned. He had never seen so much manly hugging and backslapping. Everybody knew each other.

Aubrey's voice raised over the din: Y' all need t' meet m' first (an' best) mate - Jim Hawkins!

Suddenly, Jim found himself and Morph in the middle of all the swarthy Canids and humanoids. He was slapped, hugged, his hands were shaken at least twice by everybody, and he was nearly knocked to the deck quite a few times. He emerged from the huddle quite dizzy. And understandably so. He barely heard Fletcher's next announcement.

Spence, boy! Break out th' pints! It's about time for a party!

*****

Jim didn't know pirates could play instruments so well. There had been dancing and music as soon as The Mange's crew could get their instruments over - which didn't take that long after the initial greetings. And that was six hours ago. He had danced, gotten a slight buzz from Spence's best ale, and was now listening to the crews tell stories that he was sure he would never hear in any classroom.

One of the Canids finished his story to much applause and laughter, and the players struck up a reel. The whirlwind notes stirred everyone back into a fervor, and while Jim decided to sit this one out, he watched Aubrey leap and bound over the deck with great interest.

She's some Cap'n, huh, Hawkses?

Captain Tag had come over to sit next to Jim. The first mate smiled. Yeah, sure is, Captain. The smell of alcohol on Tag was quite strong, and Jim tried not to wince at the Canid's breath.

Sh'used t' b'mine, y'know.



Used t' be m'spacer! A damn fiiiiiine womun, that'un.

Jim hoped he wasn't about to tread on any toes. What happened?

Tag shrugged and gave Jim the kind of unfocused, piercing stare that only the drunk can give.

I wusnt good 'nough f'er. He waved his hands about. She won' tell ya that... B'that's th' trufe. He hiccuped. Shhhssss too good fer ...... He thought hard, and it would have looked that way, had he not been crossing his eyes. Too good fer EV'BODY!

Jim chuckled. I'll drink to that, Captain.

Dammiman - So'll I!! Tag tried to stand, but only succeeded in falling forward. He made it up on his second attempt, though, and staggered over to one of the many kegs that had been rolled onto the deck in honor of the occasion.

To Flesher!! Tag cried out to the crews. Raucous, unintelligible shouts answered him.

Jim snickered and downed the last of his pint.

*****

He woke up on the floor of his stateroom.

The pirates had gone, and most of Aubrey's crew had made it to their cabins before passing out completely.

Jim appeared on deck, blinking in the glare of the ship's lights. At least the hangover isn't as bad as it could be...' He lurched to the port side of the ship and leaned heavily on the railing before retching over the side.



He brought his head up - Slowly, Hawkins, slooooowwwwly...' and the sight before him caused his hangover to evaporate immediately.



He turned and ran to the captain's stateroom.

*BANG* Jim's fist connected with the door.

Captain! Wake up!

*BANG* *BANG*

A thoroughly disgruntled Aubrey opened the door.

Wha' issit Jim? Can't ye let me die in peace?

Captain, you need to see this...

Fletcher's eyes came instantly into focus. What, lad?

Her first mate pointed off to the left. It was a ship. Not a pirate ship, either. A small passenger liner, stranded, it seemed. On the deck were the passengers, waving frantically at the Redemption.

All hands on deck! Up an' at em, lads!

A completely groggy and hung over crew arrived on deck, awaiting orders from the captain.

When they were all accounted for, Aubrey opened her mouth to speak, but realized she didn't have a plan. She turned to Jim.

Um, Mr. Hawkins, this is a tad embarrassin', but, um...

He ran his tongue over his teeth, fighting back a grin. It didn't escape her notice.

Shut up, lad. Ah'm achin' something terrible, and this damn boat won't quit wobblin'...

I'll go check the charts for a nearby spaceport.

Good lad.

It didn't take Jim any time at all to check the charts when he saw the area they were in.

Captain, do we have a tow line?

Aye, Ah b'lieve we do, Jim. It's a small enough ship that we can drag her somewhere. As long as it's not too far off... She blinked. Is there a spaceport nearby?

Sure is Captain. Home sweet Montressor - no more than seven hours east of our current position.