Yay!! Chapter Seven is up!!! Here are the pirates for y'all, although they're kind of in a bad way at the moment... but all will be revealed in due time :-)

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By the time Jim pushed his way through the crowd, Nik was already far ahead of him. He rushed on after her, trying to be a gentleman, but shoving when necessary. Finally he caught up with her, in a shadier area of Montressor Spaceport.

"Nik, what is the matter with you?" He grabbed her arm, stopping her dead in her tracks.

"Jim!" She looked shocked. "What are you doing here?"

"Saving your life, probably." He glanced at the various denizens glancing their way with unpleasant looks. "Let's get out of here first, then you can explain yourself."

Nik planted her feet firmly on the ground. "No."

Jim raised a skeptical eyebrow. "You'd rather cause a scene in THIS area of town?"

She glared at him defiantly. "I can't go back."

Jim rubbed the bridge of his nose. "What is up with you? Yesterday, you were fine and now you're talking like if you stay you'll bring doomsday with you!"

His raised voice attracted even more unwelcome attention.

"Jim, please!." Her eyes softened. "I...I just can't tell you. I don't want you to end up in the same trouble I am."

"What trouble? I...."

His comment was cut short by a sizzling bolt of energy hitting the ground not a yard from his feet.

"Get down!" He push Nik bodily behind a stack of broken cargo crates. "What the.."

"Shhhhhhh," She clamped a hand over his mouth. "We've got to get out of here now! I knew something like this would happen!"

They slipped out from behind the crates, and the instant they were in view, lances of energy shot out at them from all directions.

The two scurried quickly across the open dock area and slipped into the crowd with the shouts of their pursuers ringing in their ears.

"In here!" Jim yanked Nik into a shady looking setup masquerading as a second class pub. Once inside, they slipped behind the counter, much to the protest of the bartender, but a couple bucks from Jim's pocket fixed that easily enough.

It was a tight squeeze for both of them to fit, but the sound of angry shouts and the cries of their pursuers quickly banished all thoughts of discomfort.

The room instantly grew silent, and they creak of the hinged door as it swung open seemed to be the only noise Jim could hear - besides Nik's rapid breathing. He covered her mouth gently with his hand and looked to him, here wide blue eyes filled with fear as he had never seen them before.

The barkeeper glanced down at them, and Jim grabbed the man's ankle and dug his nails in. With his free hand he produced several gold coins. The man flinched and nodded ever so slightly.

A moment later, the counter vibrated with the thump of a large arm coming down on it hard.

"'Ello" A deep, gravelly voice muttered. "Ye haven't happened to have seen a couple o little troublemakers, have ya?"

Jim tensed at the sound of the voice, and Nik tried her best to look up from where her head was buried in his chest. He shook his head as a warning, and she shifted her attention the much intimidated bartender.

"N-no sir, I haven't." He stumbled over his words.

"Is that right?" The disembodied voice rose in pitch, and a hand shot out and grabbed the man by the collar.

Jim increased the pressure.

"Y-yes, s-sir." The man gasped.

The grip on his throat was released, and he collapsed against the bar top.

"Fine, then." The voice said slowly. "But if I find out otherwise.."

The bartended nodded weakly, and heavy steps sounded just before the creak of the door.

After a few moments or silence, Nik let out a sigh of relief and pushed away from Jim.

"Yuck.you're all sweaty1"

He raised an eyebrow. "Like you aren't?"

She grinned. "Does it look like I am?"

He frowned. "No, darn it." Jim tossed the coins to the barkeeper. "Thanks."

The man nodded and thrust the coins deep into his pocket.

As soon as they had left the pub through the back door, Nik grabbed Jim's shoulder and stopped.

"What was it?"

"What was what?" He looked at her quizzically.

"You tensed up back there..when you heard that man's voice. You know him too?"

Jim gave her an odd look, then nodded. "Remember when I told you about John Silver?"

"Yeah."

"Well.that sounded like him. That's all."

It was Nik's turn to tense. "Old guy.not human, cyborg?"

Jim started. "Yes! It was him, wasn't it!"

She nodded slowly. "I guess so."

"How do you know him, Nik?"

She shrugged as they resumed walking. "It's nothing really - he, well, he was the one who told me about the Benbow, only I don't think he knew exactly who I was at the time, or he would've killed me on the spot."

Jim's heart sank. "Killed you? Why?"

Nik shot him an icy glance. "That's none of your business."

"Oh yeah?" He cocked an eyebrow and brushed away a stray strand of hair. "I got shot at too...bit it's none of my business?"

By now they had reached the end of the ally and were back in with the normal spaceport credentia. As they headed back for the SILVER, Nik looked up at him, here eyes wide but cautious. "Maybe some day I'll be able to tell you, Jim. But for now it would just make matters worse."

"I don't see how that could happen." He led her back towards the berth.

"Well believe me..." She muttered. "It could."

Jim was about to comment when she clasped a hand over his mouth.. "Shhhh..." She released her grip and pulled him a little off to the side. "Don't look now...but we're being followed."

Jim pointed up ahead. "There's the SILVER, we'll be there soon. Maybe..maybe a little cruise might be in order.."

"Or maybe a long one.." She glanced over her shoulder as they neared the ramp. "Jim!! One of them has a gun!!!"

Jim snorted. "Go figure."

"NO he's..GET DOWN!" Nik tried to shove Jim to the ground unsuccessfully, and a bolt of energy whizzed not six inches over their heads.

The crowd around them gasped and ducked, some even dropping to the ground.

"Where is a cop when you need one..." Jim muttered to himself as he grabbed her arm. "Come one."

In an instant they were up the ramp.

"Launch this thing, someone!" Jim yelled to the crew.

"Yes sir!" A nearby man clicked his heels together and started to yell out orders.

Another bolt of energy sizzled up towards the ship and blasted out a small piece of railing.

"Dang it!" Jim grabbed Nik's arm and pulled her to the deck." Here we a re headed off..I don't know any of my crew and I have no first mate."

Nik looked up at his sheepishly and the ship slowly began to rise.

"Sorry."

He arched an eyebrow. "You better be, and once we're clear of the spaceport, I expect you to tell me what's going on."

Her expression softened. "Maybe..." She sighed. "Maybe."

The SILVER rose above its berth, the Montressor Spaceport, and entered free space. At Jim's command, the set off, full speed ahead.

Nik picked herself up off the floor and glanced at Jim worried expression. "I - I..."

Then she fled.

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MHUHAHAHA.there's chapter Seven! The next chapter will clarify a lot of things..I hope :-)

Hope you like it1 And if you do, drop a comment! I don't mind!!! I like reviews :-) Thanks ever so much for reading!!!!!!!!!! And thanks all my reviewers! I'm flattered you like it, no on else seems to!

Thanks again,

Treasuregirl.