Disclaimer: I do not own Treasure Planet. Thank you.
Chapter II of Hold Dear the Studious and Invariant
Meeting
"Jim! Oh, Jim! Wait for me!" I shouted to my companion who was, I hoped, not too far ahead. He had been quite silent on the ferry ride up here and not very friendly on top of which. Not that I accepted much, but it was sort of hurtful, if you will, to be ignored and some what shunned. Of course I could always try again.
"Well, Jim," I said as I finally caught up with him, "this should be a wonderful opportunity for the two of us to . . . get to know one another! You know what they say; Familiarity breeds, ehm-well, contempt, but in our case-,"
"Look, let's just . . . find the ship, okay?" Jim basically chuckled before walking on ahead. I could see that this was going to be difficult. At least I could see until the confounded lid to my helmet fell over my face. In fact, I was really starting to feel the weight of the pressurized suit I was unfortunately wearing.
"Why me?" I mumbled quietly as I followed the lad along. I didn't want the baggage I had on, but I had bought it and darn it, I was going to use this thing even if it killed me. Maybe that's why the boy is being so distant. If he feels just as ridiculous standing next to me in this thing as I do wearing it, then that explains it all. How come I could never say 'no' to a good deal? Hopefully though, this topic would get the teenager to at least respond.
"It's the suit, isn't it? I should never have listened to that pushy, two-headed saleswoman! This one said it fit, that one said it was my color, I didn't know what to do! I get so flustered-."
I hadn't noticed that Jim stopped until I accidentally bumped into him. He looked at me, rather annoyed, and I made my amends with an apologetic gaze. Then I looked up to see why the boy had stopped in the first place. What I saw lifted my spirits immediately.
"Oh, Jim! This is our ship! The R.L.S. Legacy!"
This was it. We were really going to do this. The ship was marvelous, the open etherium was in front of us, and there was a planet to discover ahead of us. Well, better be on our way, it's almost seven already. As we walked up the gangplank of the huge light ship, I couldn't help but remember my childhood imaginations and fantasies of going on an adventure like the ones I'd read about. I could remember the long winter nights of dreaming and the endless summer days of exploring when I was a child. My thoughts were interrupted though by a very unpleasant yet very familiar sound. It seemed that Jim had upset a flatulan, which is a rather rude creature by habit and nature. I walked up alongside the boy just as the man finished his crude insult, to say the least. Seeing that the boy clearly had no idea what the individual said, being flatulas speak flatula, I decided to intervene.
"Allow me to handle this," I said to Jim, before turning to the gentleman, who was still glaring in front of us.
"Pfft pffft pffft. Eek eek eek eek. Poit," I apologized by, for lack of a better explanation, making flatus noises with my mouth and armpits. The man chuckled at my fine remarks and compliment.
"Eek pfft," was his reply. I then turned to Jim and smiled, seeing that he was impressed by my long ago acquired skill.
"I'm fluent in Flatula Jim. Took two years of it in high school," I said to him before looking back at the being in front of me and finishing with, "Pffft." I then walked on hearing the teenager comment with "cool" and smiling to myself. Maybe that would encourage him to focus more at school. Across the way I saw a very large man dressed in uniform, yelling what must have been orders to the crew. This had to be the captain. He looked just as I had imagined an etherium captain to be.
"Good morning, Captain! Everything shipshape?" I asked. He turned and smiled at me.
"Shipshape it is, sir. But I'm not the captain. The captain's aloft," he said, gesturing up towards the mast. I, along with Jim, looked up to see what the officer was talking about. To my surprise a rather feminine figure ran along the sails, performing an array of leaps and jumps. The person than grabbed a rope and swung down, released it and did a perfect somersault in the air, before landing on deck with excellent balance. What I saw, before the blasted lid to my helmet fell again, was a woman dressed in a blue navy uniform, but more importantly she was a felinid. I turned to Jim, who gave me a puzzled look as I must have given him. A female, felinid captain. It was not what I expected.
'It was just as I expected' I thought as I walked over to my first officer.
"Mr. Arrow," I addressed him as he straightened to attention," I've checked this miserable ship from stem to stern and as usual it's . . . spot on," I smiled, "Can you get nothing wrong?"
"You flatter me, Captain," he replied. Indeed, he had won again at getting the preparations done and I let him know with a wink and a light gesture of my hand. I turned around only to face an out dated and extremely ridiculous pressurized suit. It was painfully obvious that this must be the nitwitted doctor who hired this crew.
"Ahh . . . Doctor Doppler, I presume?" I asked almost mockingly. As he tried to bumble out some kind of response, I noticed he was a Canid through the faceplate of his helmet. Mmm a clueless landlubber and a canine, surly explains a lot. Might as well make a good impression, or at least what I deem as a good impression.
"Hello! Can you hear me?" I shouted at him, knocking on the top of his head gear. He really was quite laughable in that suit.
"Yes I can! Stop that banging," he yelled angrily, waving me off before trying to remove the helmet. But seriously though, if he is going to wear a piece of equipment he should at least wear it properly. He probably doesn't even know what he's wearing. But then, all these 'educated, landlocked people' think they know what they're doing. Mmm, now there is a quick way to put them in their place though.
"If I may, Doctor, this works so much better when it's-," I directed, grabbing the battery and plug pack in the front and turning it, "right-way up and plugged in!" I said, securing the cord to, for lack of a better term, his back end where the outlet was located. Couldn't have a pressurized suit without pressurized air, now could you.
"Lovely, there you go!" I said smartly, glancing back at Arrow to smile and wink humorously. This one was defiantly an amateur. The good doctor had finally taken off his foolish helmet and unplugged the cord from his back.
"If you don't mind, I can manage my own plugging!" He scolded, waving the plug in front of me. However, I needed to be about my business, so I had better make my impression on the financier and be off, even though this was quite amusing. Grabbing the hand that was furiously waving at me, I shook it vigorously and introduced myself.
"I'm Captain Amelia. Late of a few run-ins with the Procyon armada; nasty business, but I won't bore you with my scars."
I could tell by the expression on his face that our good doctor was not only shocked but displeased that I was to be the captain. Not uncommon for the fish out of water, so to speak. I then turned and spoke to Mr. Arrow.
"You've met my first officer, Mr. Arrow. Sterling, tough, dependable, brave and true!"
"Please, Captain . . ." My friend said modestly.
"Oh, shut up, Arrow, you know I don't mean a word of it," I said jokingly, knowing full well he deserved that credit and more.
"Ahem, excuse me. I hate to interrupt this lovely banter . . ." The doctor disrupted quite snobbishly, "but, may I introduce to you Jim Hawkins."
I turned back to the man, not wanting to hear about a troublesome teen and not the least bit pleased that he interrupted me. This only made the process longer and . . . wait. Found the treasure . . . he's ready to blabber. I grabbed his trap just in time.
"Doctor! Please!"
I almost hissed. I looked back to see if the crew overheard what was being said. The work hands glared back at me before carrying on with their business. I was most definitely going to have to talk to my naive guests. The last thing I wanted this pack of what I saw as no less than raiders was that there was a treasure map onboard.
"I'd like a word with you in my stateroom," I instructed, releasing my grip on his muzzle and watching him twitch and wiggle his nose.
"Mister Arrow, if you will, please led the way," I said. He nodded and motioned for the boy and doctor to follow as I traveled behind. When we reached the top of the bridge I noticed that our guests were still carrying baggage and decided to relieve them of that before they entered my stateroom. I halted our expedition and asked for one of the nearby crew members to kindly take the financier and future cabin boy's things to their respectful places. It took a bit of fussing to get the doctor's equipment off his back, but then, after all that, I went with the others into my stateroom, and closed the door. As I locked it, I tilted my head in the direction of the canid and began speaking.
"Doctor," I started, walking over to where he stood next to my desk, "to muse and blabber about a treasure map in front of this particular crew demonstrates a level of ineptitude that borders on the imbecilic. And I mean that in a very caring way." I smirked. It appeared I had outraged him beyond words. I cocked an eyebrow and looked to my first officer, who couldn't help but smirk as well.
"Imbecilic, did you say? Foolishness, I've got . . ." He blurted, before I interrupted him.
"May I see the map please?" He proceed to look at me with a frown, as if he were going to insult me or at least reprimand me for my blunt speaking. However, he turned to the teenager, who, in turn, looked back with searching eyes, as if asking for guidance. The boy shrugged and the canid waved his had in such a fashion as to let me have the map. The adolescent than brought his hand from his pocket, and tossed a round object to me.
"Here," he said emotionlessly. I caught the sphere and turned to inspect it. The object certainly was different from anything I'd ever seen.
"Hmm. Fascinating," I said, more to myself then anyone else. However, there are other matters to attend to, such as the disrespect of a 'rebellious teenager'.
"Mr. Hawkins," I addressed him as I walked over to my cabinet, "in the future you will address me as "Captain" or "Ma'am". Is that clear?" After locking up the map and preparing to close my storage locker, I listened for the answer to my question. Not receiving a quick enough response I turned my head to look at the boy. "Mr. Hawkins," I said, dangerously.
"Yes, ma'am," he finally answered. Not the response I wanted but . . .
"That'll do," I said closing the doors to my cabinet and locking it. As I turned around to face the others, I put the key in my pocket and explained. "Gentlemen, this must be kept under lock and key when not in use." Noticing that the good doctor was more interested in looking at my desk than me, I decided to give him orders specifically. "And, Doctor, again . . .," I said, grabbing his attention, "with the greatest possible respect, zip your howling screamer!" I stated, hoping the insult of 'howling' was not lost on him.
"Captain, I assure you. I-,"
"Let me make this as monosyllabic as possible," I stated, taking my seat at my desk. I really didn't want to hear what he had to say or care for that matter. "I don't much care for this crew you hired."
I smirked slightly at the peeved canid before turning to Arrow.
"They're . . . how did I describe them, Arrow? I said something rather good this morning before coffee," I asked, before turning my head down to my maps, and plotting an invisible course across it. I didn't want to give away my smile just yet as I heard my first mate answer.
"A ludicrous parcel of driveling galoots', ma'am."
"There you go- poetry," I said factually, with maybe a hint of satire.
"Now, see here!" he exclaimeded, slamming his hands on my desk, very rudely. He stared at me angrily, but my only thoughts were 'I know he did not just bang on my desk.'
"Doctor," I addressed him, standing to my feet. His expression faltered a little into fear before returning to one of anger. "I'd love to chat- tea, cake, the whole shebang," I said as calm and pleasantly as possible, leaning into his face, "but I have a ship to launch and you've got your outfit to buff up," I directed, emphasizing my point by running a claw up the absurd suit. Before he could interrupt with another 'witty' comment, I backed away and called to my friend.
"Mr. Arrow, please escort these two neophytes down to the galley straightaway," I said, before noticing that the young boy was playing with a piece of my navigational equipment, "Young Hawkins will be working for our cook, Mr. Silver."
That certainly got the teenager's attention.
"Where, what? The cook?" he questioned as if I had asked him to jump ship.
"Come with me Doctor, Mr. Hawkins," Arrow directed, showing our guests to the door. I sat back down and watched as they left, my friend closing the door behind them. That had taken a bit longer than I had anticipated, but at least I had a better knowledge of our funny financier and contrary cabin boy. However, it had been a very long morning and we haven't even left port yet. I would need to become more familiar with our helmsman, Mr. Turnbuckle and others such as the lookout and specialists.
I had to admit, to a certain degree, the crew was comprised of capable and experienced spacers.
I have to admit, she was stunningly beautiful . . . but so are a lot of man-eating plants. I just cannot believe the way I was treated. Insulted in such a roundabout way, for practically no reason.
"The galley is right this way, Doctor," the officer said, gesturing his hand to some hole in the ship. Right now I didn't feel like going to the boat's mess hall and I surly didn't feel like having this captain for my voyage. I am paying for this expedition and deserve to be treated better. Of all the commanding officers in the etherium, it had to be this one. As we began descending down the stairs I couldn't help but vent my displeasure and frustration.
"That woman! That . . . Feline! Who does she think is working for whom!"
It appeared I wasn't alone in my disapproval of the captain either.
"It's my map, and she's got me bussin' tables-," Jim began before we were both interrupted in our rant by Mr. Arrow. With a firm hand on each of our shoulders he angrily reprimanded us.
"I'll not tolerate a cross word about our captain! There's no finer officer in this, or any galaxy."
I couldn't help but frown as he released us. I felt like a child again, being corrected and all, but then again I was acting a bit childish with outbursts like that. However, a whistling sound came from in front of me and when I looked forward my anger was but forgotten. The lights were low, I noticed for the first time, in the galley. The only source of illumination came from a stove located in the cooking area. But what caught my attention was the man half hidden in the shadows.
"Mr. Silver?" I heard Mr. Arrow below from behind me. As soon as the man was addressed, he turned around, wiping his hands on the apron he was wearing.
"Why, Mr. Arrow, sir," he said in a loud, brass voice, "Bringin' in such fine and distinguished gents to grace my humble galley."
He said, bringing forth a mechanical arm into sight. He was a cyborg, with a very decent proportion of his right side composed of metallic parts, including his eye.
"Had I known, I'd tucked in me shirt!" He finished, actually performing the act of tucking his apron into his pants. Then he began laughing heartily and walked over to the other side of the kitchen. I couldn't help but stare not knowing what to make of him. He must be the cook, but he sure didn't fit the part, other then the fact that he must taste a lot of the dishes he prepares being he is on the . . . um rather large side.
". . . introduce Dr. Doppler?" I heard Mister Arrow say. I glanced back momentarily to the Cragorian then back to Mr. Silver. Obviously I was being introduced, so I stepped forward, and tried to put on a friendly smile. I couldn't help but fidget with my spectacles a little and lick my lips, though I had nothing to say. As the officer finished up who I was in relation to the trip, I stopped and bowed slightly.
"Love the outfit, Doc," he said while he,what I call no less than shot a red beam of light at me through his eye! I was more than a little alarmed only knowing laser beams as forms of weapons or cutting tools. I closed my eyes out of reflex, but I wasn't hurt.
"Well, thank you," I began, before a startling assumption came to mind as he didn't retract the beam and it was slowly traveling down the length of my body. What if it was X-ray? I quickly covered myself with my hands and arms, " Um love the eye."
I turned back quickly and spotted Jim standing with his hands in his pockets, next to Mr. Arrow. As much as I hated to do this to the boy, I was quite tired of being the center of this stage. Plus, Jim needed to be more social anyway.
"Um, this young lad is Jim Hawkins," I introduced quickly, pulling the teenager up and nudging him forward. I knew he'd be annoyed and upset that I had done that to him, but then that was not anything new.
"Jimbo!" Mr. Silver greeted, the instant the boy had turned to face him. He jutted his cyborg hand out, as if to shake, but instead of a hand he had all kinds of sharp objects on the cybernetic arm he offered. Then, as if it were a mistake of some sort, he changed out the implements for a hand. Jim still refused to shake and I didn't blame him.
"Ah, now, don't be too put off by this hunk of hardware," he said as he walked over to the counter, changing his right hand into a pair of shears. He began humming as he did an assortment of different cooking techniques, cutting up vegetables, coruscations, and eggs. I almost choked however when he took out an ax and pretended to chop his real hand off in the mist of cutting some foods. However he was fine.
"These gears have been tough gettin' used to, but they do come mighty," he began, throwing three eggs into the air with his left and catching them in his special tool before cracking them into the rest of the ingredients, "handy, from time to time."
He then resumed humming as he lifted the pan full of food and placed it over his cybernetic arm that was now a blow torch. He quickly let go as the flames took over, propelling the pan upwards. Then he quickly changed back to a hand, grabbed the handle of the skillet and poured its contents into a larger pot on the stove. He seasoned it and grabbed a spoon with his real hand and tasted the mixture.
"Mmh," he pronounced, gesturing to it with his mechanical hand. I had to say, that really was the finest technique handling I've seen in a long time. He quickly filled two bowls and handed them to us both.
"Here now, have a taste of me famous bonzabeast stew," he said. I glanced down at the chunky broth that he had given us and back at him skeptically. Seeing that he was smiling and brooding over it, the stew was worth a try. Sniffing it carefully, to take in every aspect of the flavor and finding it devoid of any unwanted odor, I bent my head down and lapped some of the broth up. I was surprised by the taste.
"Mmm. Delightfully tangy, yet, robust!"
"Old family recipe . . ." he commented. I licked my lips in anticipation of taking in more of the savory broth, but when I did lean in to get some an . . . eye popped out of the soup.
"Ahhh!" I half shouted, noticing what I was eating was looking back at me.
"In fact, that was part of the old family," he laughed, walking up closer to me and putting his maniacal . . . um mechanical hand on my shoulder. He then proceeded to laugh at his own joke and again I was reminded of my childhood. But then, he leaned me forward a little and took the eye from my soup and popped it in his mouth. "Oh, I'm just kiddn' Doc!"
"Um yes well," I mumbled as he released me and went to Jim.
"I'm nothin' if I ain't a kidder," he chuckled. Yes and I'm nothing if not sick. As the cook went on, I turned only to see Mr. Arrow smiling, just a little, at my misfortune. I lowered my head back down and placed the bowl of stew on the far counter, not wanting to finish the rest. As I walked back over to where the first officer stood, I couldn't help but feel a little out of place. It appeared I was even a joke to the cook. Jim was even doing a better job fitting in and he hasn't even said anything! Oh well, maybe after we get moving it will be better, or at least, I hope so. Then I noticed the little creature Jim was holding. I wonder what that is?
"He's a morph," Mr. Silver said as if answering my hidden question, "I rescued the little shape-shifter on Proteus one!"
Then the little morph flew over to the cyborg chef and nuzzled him.
"Ah, he took a shine to me. We been together ever since. Right? Yeah, nice boy," he cooed to his pet as he turned back to the kitchen. I guess he can't be all that bad, even if his humor is a bit abrasive.
"We're about to get underway. Would you like to observe the launch, Doctor?" Mr. Arrow asked from behind. I turned and smiled. Let's see if I can retract a smile from the Cragorian.
"Would I! Does an active galactic nucleus have superluminal jets?" I shouted happily, waiting for the amused chuckles of my comrades, but only looked up to see a very annoyed first officer. "I'll follow you," I said, pointing towards the exit and walking off that way. How could I be so fatuous? I just wanted to disappear from sight. Was I just bothersome? I mean I wasn't trying to be a nuisance, but it appeared that's what I was becoming. I made Jim upset for just breathing, the captain was spiteful with me and I hadn't even been on the ship for five minutes and now the first officer was upset or at least irritated that I had asked what I thought would have been a funny, witty question.
"Do you want to watch from the bridge?" Mr. Arrow said as he followed me out of the galley. I turned to look back at him and nearly smacked into his chest had it not of been for his quick stop. I smiled sheepishly still flustered by my poor attempt at humor with the man and for my embarrassment of not knowing what or where the bridge was. Not wanting to appear anymore foolish then I already had I just nodded in response.
"Very well, follow me," he stated, walking on ahead of me to the stairs that lead us to the Captain's stateroom. Of course I followed, watching as the mantabirds sailed over head, and the crew bustled about. As we climbed up to a platform just to the left of the top of the stairs, I breathed in deeply. 'Such a beautiful day, it really is' I spontaneously thought. It isn't right for me to dwell on such minor issues of whether I'm liked or not yet, especially when it's such a colossal occasion. We are on the verge of taking off into the wide expanses of the universe on the greatest adventure ever known to this Empire. I, Doctor Delbert Doppler, am about to make the most celebrated, no, no. Distinguished, renowned discovery of this millennium. Treasure Planet, the myth proven fact. Thank you Lord, for letting this fall in my hands. Amen.
Please Lord, give me strength. Thank you. I cannot believe I have the chance to explore the most addressed pirate treasury there has ever been, but my nerves are being tested to the limits. Though the helmsman and lookout appear to be on top of things I'm having trouble believing the rest are all but capable of lifting a pebble off the ground without injury, let alone a ship out of port. Especially with characters like Pigors, Dogbreath, and Moron (which speaks for itself). It makes it incredibly difficult to run a ship yard with them. But if they are smart and capable they are also temperamental, brutish, or insane such as Mackriki, Hands, and Meltdown. It would appear that I am going to have my work cut out for me. Still, I feel pressed to continue, even though my mind is screaming out to drop this mission. Ah, here comes Arrow and with our guest as well. The good doctor seems to be in higher spirits now. Wonder if seeing the kitchen has anything to do with brightening his mood. I know it is such as horrible prospect, but I cannot forget the stories I've heard about canids and their over active stomachs. However there were more pressing matters to attend to, such as mounting our journey.
"Mr. Arrow, I do believe we are fit to launch," I said as he came close to me.
"Yes Captain," he nodded. I listened as the whistle sounded for the readying of the ship's departure.
"Prepare to cast off," my friend shouted from beside me, sending the crew scrambling to their posts.
"Mr. Onus, see if our path is clear for us to set out," I instructed our lookout who was now in the Crow's nest. As I looked back out over the bridge I noticed that our guest was leaning all over the railing as if he were being called to fall over and break his neck. I could tell that he had never been on a ship before, but the way he was drawing in the scene, you'd think that he had never seen one before either.
"We're all clear, Captain!" I heard Mr. Onus shout down.
"Well, my friend. Are we ready to raise this creaking tub?" I said in a good-natured tone toward Arrow.
"My pleasure, Captain," he responded, and I nodded in reply before turning back to face my dear etherium. "All hands to stations! Smartly now!" As my first mate gave orders to our crew with is bold voice, I turned to look at how good of a job they were doing. The work hand quickly made their way up into the rigging and began working diligently, which was a relief to me personally. Now it was time to begin the usual routine of launching a ship.
"Release the solar sails, if you will," I commanded as I saw it time. Mr. Arrow echoed my orders perfectly, leaving no room for error. As the ship began lifting up, eventually so did we.
"Ooh. Oh," the good doctor gasped, as he began to float up. Being used to the lack of gravity on takeoffs, Arrow and I stood calmly. As entertaining as it was to the canid we did have a voyage to set out on.
"Mr. Snuff, engage artificial gravity," I ordered to the flatulan who in turn did as he was instructed. As we landed back on deck, our financier rather crashed head first. You would think someone with that much education would at least have done a little research on light ships before even thinking about setting foot on one. So, to say the least I had little sympathy for him, looking down at the man. However, I quickly turned to our helmsman to give him the orders that he would need.
"South by southwest, Mr. Turnbuckle, heading 2-1-0-0."
"Aye, Captain. 2-1-0-0," he repeated back to me. When we were about, I gave Arrow my command for full speed.
"Take her away!" I heard him shout from behind me into the voice tube. I waited patiently listening for the familiar noise of the engines warming up and they came. I also noticed that the doctor was just now stirring and getting himself together.
"Brace yourself, Doctor," I smirked, knowing good and well that if he didn't know about the loss of gravity on a ship he surely would not know how much impel these ships' have. He mocked under his breath, but sure enough he wasn't ready for the jolt and immediately was flown back and slammed against the back wall, knocking the stuffing out of suit and him. Even then, he still persisted on getting up himself and putting the ludicrous equipment back together. As we, meaning Arrow and myself, watched him slowing stand up and wander back to the railing of the bridge he and I both knew the doctor would be a mixed bag of humor and trouble. Nonetheless, there were still things to be done, but at least the launch had gone smoothly. Mr. Arrow smiled slightly as so did I. There was something about being out here that made all the other issues and headaches worthwhile.
Suddenly, low grumbles and moans came from our port side. It could only be a pod of Orcus Galacticus, as the etherium creatures began coming up on all sides of the ship. As I glanced up to see the belly of one of these mighty animals, making sure it would clear us; I heard scrambling feet and banging metal. It appeared the financier wanted a better look and had managed to get on one of the flying bridges on port side. I looked down at him as he brought out a camera and leaned forward, to I guess, get a good shot of one of the near by Galacticus. It didn't surprise me that he didn't know that these animals were temperamental and do not like to be harassed physically as well as verbally.
"Smile!" He shouted down to it, getting ready to take his photograph.
"Uh, Doctor, I'd stand clear- -," I tried to warn, but it was too late. The creature, for lack of a better explanation, blew up a thick coating of mucus up on the doctor before continuing on its way. The canid stood there in a slimy mess, only thinking who knows what. I just couldn't help but chuckle just a little at the poor man's misfortune. I guess he is learning a valuable lesson, ignorance is not always bliss.
"Ah, it's a grand day for sailing, Captain . . . and look at you. You're as trim and as bonny as a sloop with new sails and a fresh coat of paint," I heard Mr. Silver's voice flatter from below me. I was not flattered however, and not amused either.
"You can keep that kind of flim-flammery for your spaceport floozies, Silver."
"You cut me to the quick, Captain," he said in what I called no less than mock pain, "I speaks nothing but me heart at all times."
All I could do to keep from locking this man in the brig was look to heaven. God give me strength. I looked back out and luckily found the answer to my dilemma.
"And, ehm, by the way, isn't that your cabin boy, aimlessly footling about in those shrouds?" I pointed out, hoping to relieve myself from the cook's attention.
"A momentary aberration, Cap'n! Soon to be addressed," he said quickly, turning to the boy, who was indeed, playing in the rigging. As soon as he was diverted, I walked away from the rail and back to the helmsman and Arrow.
"Make sure we remain on course Mr. Turnbuckle," I said.
"Aye, Captain."
"Mr. Arrow, if you will, remain on deck please. I will be in the stateroom plotting our way past the asteroid belt and reaching the current. It will be a few days before we even worry about the Magellanic," I said heading off toward my quarters.
"Yes Captain," I heard Arrow say, as he turned to look back out over the ship. He knew well that I liked to run a tight ship and that I tolerated very little foolishness. Ah, and speaking of absurdity here's the doctor himself. It appeared that he had finally gotten away from the flying bridge. Still covered in green gel, he glanced up at me from his previous position of head down. The only part of his face that wasn't covered in slime was his eyes, which must have been shielded by the camera. With embarrassment and shame he lowered his eyes again when he realized it was me. For a fleeting moment I felt guilty for not advising him better, however it's not my fault that he didn't have enough sense to research. Plus I wasn't paid overtime. But still . . .
"You would probably like to wash up before dinner," I said pointedly. He nodded in response, still staring down at the ground. Usually I would not tolerate such a obtund response, but I could see that demanding a 'Yes Captain' was not worth the ill feelings.
"Follow me, please."
Author's note: Thank you for the reviews. I'm glad you enjoy the story. And thanks to Vik who is beta-reading my story here. :-)