CHAPTER 5

LAUNCH AND PROMOTIONS

"ALL HANDS TO STATIONS!!!"

I sighed to myself as I heard Mr. Arrows loud voice boom around the Legacy.

Jim seemed to be excited about the launch, and ran off as soon as we left the stairs.

I looked around the ship as myriad different Aliens roamed around the deck, scaling the rigging and prepared for departure.

Looking around, I could see what the Captain had meant about them being ' a ludicrous parcel of drivelling galoots,'

They had to be the shadiest lot I had ever seen, but as long as they go the job done, I wasn't bothered.

I suddenly heard a crackling above me as the Sails were loosened. I watched in fascination as they appeared to light up as the nearby sun's ray shone down on them.

As I watched, a suddenly realised I had the feeling of weightlessness. Indeed, as I looked down, I realised I was floating about a metre of the ground.

"Mr. Zoff, engage artificial gravity," I heard the captain call out, followed my the tooting of the Faltulan, before I suddenly felt me feet drop to the ground.

I landed carefully, on both my feet and one hand, though a rather large clang from the bridge informed me the poor Doctor had landed fair less happily.

"South by south west Mr. Turnbuckle, heading 2-1-0-0."

"Aye Cap'n: 2-1-0-0." a large tentacled alien replied.

I strode to the bow of the ship, and gazed out as the curve of Crescentia Spaceport came into view.

"Take her away!" I heard Arrow call out.

Suddenly the ship lurched forwards, almost throwing me off balance, almost.

I smiled as I leaned over the side of the ship, watching as the spaceport began to disappear fast behind us.

I sighed with content, the wide open space of the Etherium in front of us.

"Mr. Dearing!"

I spun around quickly at the sound of Mr. Arrow's voice, there was something about this guys voice that was commanding. No wonder Doppler had mistaken him for the Captain.

"Yes Mr. Arrow?" I asked as calmly I could, "may I help you with something sir?"

The first officer clumped (That being the only word I could think of for the way he walked) up to me, a hint of amusement on his rocky features.

"Relax Mr. Dearing, I'm not going to going to reprimand you," he said calmly.

"Oh," I looked up at the towering man blankly, "So...um...what did you want me for...sir?"

Arrow's smile seemed to broaden slightly, "Captain Amelia wishes to see you...privately in her stateroom Mr. Dearing. Now."

"I see," I nodded, "Well, I guess I better go see her...then, sir."

Mr. Arrow nodded, before carrying on about his duties.

"what does the Captain want to see me about?" I thought to myself.

"Most likely something to do with the map," a voice in my head replied.

I nodded to myself, yeah that had to be it. I was the original owner. It would be natural for her to want to see me about it. I had taught Jim how to open the map as well, just in case something...happened to me.

Well if there was one thing the Optician had taught me on my visits to him, it was to always think ahead.

A lonely sound of whales suddenly caught my attention.

"Wait a minute...whales!?!"

I looked up and gasped. High above my head was a large whale like creature made it's slow way over the mast, and it wasn't just one of them, it was around a dozen, "A pod of space whales," I mused.

I watched in fascination as one of the gentle creatures sidled up to the ship, it's great black eye looking down on me, before it turned away from the ship to join the rest of it's pod.

As I watched, I noticed the doctor, still in that stupid suit gaze over the edge of one of the flying bridges at one that had gottan close.

"Upon my word, an Orcus Galacticus!" he breathed, before pushing a button on his suit, making a camera pop out.

"Smile!" he shouted at the poor thing.

I suddenly heard the captains voice punch through my thoughts from the bridge.

"Err, Doctor I'd stand clear if I were..."

But to late, the Galacticus had become irritated at the large metal yellow thing that was shouting at it, and proceeded to fire something, that could only be described as a form of mucus, covering the poor doctor from head to toe in the green sticky liquid.

I couldn't help but chuckle at the poor man. Everything bad seemed to happen to him.

"Ah, it's a grand day for sailing, Cap'n," a large brassy voice of a certain Cyborg I disliked was heard, "and look at ya. As trim and as bonny as a sloop with new sails and a fresh coat of paint," I gazed at Mr. Silver intently as I came up behind him. As he finished attempting to flatter the Captain, he proceeded to take his hat off to her in a large bow, letting little Morph out from under his hat. As soon as the pink blob was free he started to fly about Silver, before discovering me. He made a few squeaky noises, before coming up to me and nuzzling my face as he had the tendency to do.
I didn't understand why, but I seemed to find this little 'blob of mischief' to be extremely cute and care-free and I gazed at him fondly as he flew around my head.

The captain, though didn't seem impressed by Silver at all.

"You can keep that kind of flim-flammery for your spaceport floozies, Silver." she said coldly, making the cooks face drop, almost literally.

Morph suddenly stopped as it saw the captain, before turning into a miniature of her, in a slightly flirty pose I might add.

"Spaceport Floozies, Spaceport Floozies," he squeaked.

I watched him for a few moments with amusement, before knowing that the Captain would disapprove of it, so I tapped him lightly on the head, making him turn back to his original form.
"You cut me to the quick, Cap'n," Silver said, his voice filled with mock pain, "I speaks nothing but me heart at all times." the Captain rolled her eyes as Morph squeaked something at the cook, only to be shoved under his hat for his troubles.

I smiled to myself as I put my hands in the pockets of my wax jacket, while the Captain suddenly saw Jim in the rigging.
"And, um, by the way, isn't that your cabin boy, aimlessly footling about in those shrouds?" She pointed out.
Silver looked like he was going to try and make another excuse, but then thought against it.
"A moment to the aberration, Cap'n!" he said hastily, "Soon to be addressed, JIMBO!"

And with that he walked off to introduce Jim 'two new friends.'

I smiled up at the Captain as she watched the scene unfold, before turning back to look out to the space in front of us, only to catch my eye.

I smiled and gave a casual salute.

"Good Afternoon Captain, I trust the launch was good?"

She smiled back and rested her hands on the railing surrounding the bridge.

"Ah, Mr. Dearing. Yes it was a fine beginning to a voyage. I trust you are here because I sent for you?"

I nodded, "Aye Captain I am,"

"Good man. I like it went a man is prompt to being called."

I raised an eyebrow and smirked slightly.

"Would you like me to wait in the Stateroom ma'am?"

"That would be fine Mr. Dearing. Please wait for me there, I shall be down shortly."

Amelia sighed to herself as she watched Mr. Dearing nod to her before entering her Stateroom. There weren't many men like him. He was as gentlemanly as you could possibly get, but at the same time, he could have a wit as sharp as her own when he wanted too.

"Yes sir, not a lot of men like him at all," she thought to herself. She suddenly shook her head, what was she thinking?! She couldn't think thoughts like that! He was a charming fellow though...No, wait, you've only just met the man, how can you think such thoughts about him?

Shaking her head, she turned and headed down the stairs that would lead to the lower deck and her stateroom.

"Carry on our currant heading Mr. Turnbuckle." she said quietly as she passed the helmsmen.

"Aye Captain," came the reply.

Amelia nodded before heading for her stateroom.

Her Stateroom was large, probably the largest room on ship. It was also sparsely decorated. The only main objects I could see in the room was a large, gold lined table, a red velvet backed chair, and a small Piano in the corner. There were other things in the room as well, but they were mostly to do with nautical navigation, as well as the Cabinet she kept the map in next to the piano.

I sighed to myself as I gazed out of the large window behind the Captains chair. It seemed weird for me. I had been on an old sailing galleon before on a school trip once. When I had looked out of the back window there, I had seen part of the dock, as well as the water lapping at the bottom of the ship. Here though, All I could see was the wondrous and yet mysterious Etherium, with a faint blue glow from the engines below.

"Intriguing view, Eh Mr. Dearing?"

I turned slightly, not as fast as I had when Mr. Arrow had called me, but just enough to see Captain Amelia come through the door, take off her Captain's Hat, and lock it behind her.

"Indeed it is Ma'am," I replied.

She smiled and placed her hat on her desk before joining me at the window.

"When I was a girl, I used to dream about what it would be like to travel the stars, on my own Solar Galleon. I dreamed of the adventures I would have, with me and my crew."

She sighed and looked a little depressed.

"What happened?" I asked, surprising myself a little for being so informal.

"As soon as I turned sixteen, I go the first transport to the Inter-steller Academy, rose through the ranks quickly, and received this ship, 6 months ago. I realised though, that this life was not the adventure I had hoped it to be,"

She sighed again, before perking up and sitting down on her chair.

"Well Mr. Dearing, I didn't summon you here to give you my autobiography."

I smiled to myself as I headed round the table to the other side, "of that I have no doubt Ma'am,"

She gave me that side-ways smile she had given me the first time I had met her.

"Touché," she said quietly, "you are correct though. I summoned you here to decide what to do with you."

Assuming she meant my job on the Legacy, I said,

"I thought I was to be a Cabin Boy for Mr. Silver."

Amelia shook her head, "No, I don't believe you are suited for that Mr. Dearing. The position of Cabin Boy is usually for someone of...Young Hawkins' stature."

I raised an eyebrow at this.

Seeing I didn't understand, she continued, "Seeing I believe Mr. Hawkins to be young and Naïve, I believe that Mr. Silver will be able to whip the boy into shape."

I nodded in understanding.

"You don't think I require Mr. Silver's...um...teaching, Ma'am?"

He tapped the table in front of her, "Spot on, Mr. Dearing, Spot on. Before the launch, I had a chance to talk to Dr. Doppler about you. Apart from his explaining of where you come from and how you came to be in possession of the map, he commented you seemed to have a rather vast knowledge of navel ships and the way they work. In fact, apparently he only chose this ship, and not a heavier Galleon, was because you suggested the Legacy, is that true?"

I flushed slightly at the high praise I had received from the Doctor.

"It is," I replied modestly.

"Care to explain? I know for a fact that until three days ago your civilisation had yet to go anywhere father than your planets Moon, if what the Doctor told me was correct. Care to explain how you knew about different class's of ships?"

"Well, back on earth, we used to have Ships similar to these, only they floated on water. They would travel the Sea lanes of the Planet, seeking out new territories, land, etcetera. I'm fascinated by the 16th centaury, that's the time these ships were made. I guess I just followed the guidelines of what I knew from that time, put two and two together, and that's how we chose you, and your fine ship while I heavier Galleon would be good if we ran into pirates or to carry the treasure home, The Legacy is a much more agile vessel and will get us there in half the time."

"I see," she settled down into her chair, her slim fingers steepled in thought, "Well, I don't know if the Doctor told you this, but he...rather unfortunately, forgot a rather important member of the crew. Well important to me anyway."

"Oh?" I looked puzzled, trying to think back. Doppler had been very specific when it had come to the crew, at least, that's what he had told me.

"Oh, yes." Amelia smiled at me, "I find that this crewmember is often a very useful man...or woman, to have around a ship like the Legacy: the Lieutenant."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise.

"You see Mr. Dearing," she said quietly as she stood and walked round the table, "whenever I go on a long voyage, such as this, I tend to find a Lieutenant is one of the most important men to have on my ship."

"Then way don't you employ someone for a full time application instead of have the Financiers of the Voyage's hire a different one each time...Ma'am."

"The roll of Lieutenant is a..." she paused, halfway around the table, trying to think of an appropriate word, "Slightly personal job. I worry slightly if I have a Lieutenant for too long, I might get...attached to him,"

I raised an eyebrow at her last statement but before I could inquire more she had begun to talk again.

"Basically you are like a Cabin boy, Second Officer and Assistant to me," she continued, "I like the Lieutenant to bring me coffee in the morning and evening, assist me in my reports during most of the day, do the occasional watch on the bridge while myself and Mr. Arrow are dining, and...in extreme circumstances, like if myself and Mr. Arrow were incapacitated, take temporary command of the Legacy. So Mr. Dearing." she had by now come round her table and not stood barely a hands breadth away from me, "do you think you are up to the job?"

I blinked in surprise. Never in my wildest dreams had I ever imaged I would be even part of the chain of command.

I gazed down at the hand she had held out to me.

I noticed that she happened to be slightly smaller than me, about 5"3 without her Captains Hat on. Why I had never noticed was beyond me.

"Mr. Dearing?"

I gazed into her Emerald eyes, trying to see if this was some kind of joke. I saw nothing but the truth.

I smiled at her, before taking her hand firmly in mine.

"It would be an honour Captain."

"Excellent," she seemed to say it a bit more quietly than before.

She suddenly turned and headed for the door that led to her quarters, "You will start from this evening, your first task will be to run the Bridge for an hour while Myself and Mr. Arrow eat. Mr. Arrow or myself will then relieve you of your duties so you can eat. After that the next time I expect to see you is with my coffee at 7:30 sharp."

She disappeared into her quarters but continued to talk.

"You shall immediately be moved to your new quarters Mr. Dearing, their right next to Mr. Arrow's you can't miss them. Oh, and by the way, I don't think it would be prudent for you to wear what your wearing right now tomorrow, it makes you look like a Cabin Boy."

I gazed down at my clothes. I was basically wearing what I had been the day I left, only they were cleaner. But I see she had a point.

"What would you suggest I wear then Captain?" I asked the open doorway, "I don't have any other clothes...save for a few Jim's lending me, and they don't fit."

I heard a brief shout of laughter, followed by the Captain appearing in the doorway.

In her arms she held several sets of clothes, which to my surprise, looked very much like her own, yet made for a man.

"I suggest you wear these Lieutenant," she said with a smile, before handing them to me, "These should be enough for the voyage.

"Ma'am, these look like Captains clothes," I mused as I noticed the gold along the collar of a tunic.

"They are. Unfortunately I don't have any Lieutenant uniforms on me. Usually the Neophyte that hires the Lieutenant has the knowledge to take him or her out of the Royal Navy."

I smiled to myself. Neophyte, I had to remember that one.

"The moment you put on that uniform," Amelia continued, "You will out rank every single member of this crew, aside from myself and Mr. Arrow of course. You will follow my orders as before, but you will also be able to order the crew about as well." she smiled as a thought of me ordering the crew to jump off the ship entered her head.

"Are we clear Lieutenant?"

I smiled, "Crystal Ma'am."

"Very Good, Mr. Arrow!"

The rocky first Officer opened the door and lent in.

"Yes Captain?"

"Please take Mr. Dearing down to the Lieutenant's Quarters. That will be his job for the reminder of the Voyage.

A smile suddenly graced Arrow's features.

"As you wish Captain. Lieutenant Dearing? If you will follow me."

I nodded before proceeding to follow his dark shape, but only before turning back to Amelia.

"I do have one Question Ma'am?"

Amelia smiled knowingly, "You want to know why I chose you, a man with no navel history of our world, over Dr. Doppler, Mr. Hawkins and the rest of the crew?"

I nodded silently.

"Well, as far as I'm concerned, I trust the currant crew of this ship about as far as I can throw Crescentia Spaceport! The Doctor has about as much sailing knowledge as the books he studies, and Mr. Hawkins is to young and needs to be taught some manners before I would give him a Lieutenants responsibility. You, on the other hand, have shown me courtesy and navel Knowledge that I wouldn't expect, even though your not even from around here. There's also something...very trusting about you,"

I nodded in understanding, before smiling at her, "It will be a pleasure to serve with you Captain." I said with a sideways smile, before closing the door behind me.

When the door clicked shut, Amelia smiled slightly with a sigh, "Oh no Lieutenant, The pleasure will be all mine."