Author's Response:

Lalalala/hello: Well I certainly am glad you're enjoying the story. I'm sorry to say this is a short update, but I do appreciate the reviews.

Raine Ishida: Thank you so very much for your prayers. I believe they've been answered. I'm feeling much better now, and I think I'm ready to start writing again. Also, thank you for informing me of the errors in my last chapter. That actually happens when I go to edit with fanfiction's edit/preview feature. For some reason it doesn't register spaces very well. I will repost that chapter after I make those corrections. Thank you again, and I hope you enjoy the update!

Moonfyre: I hope that you have/had a wonderful vacation! Thank you so much for all your reviews and I look forward to hearing more from you upon your return!

Ausra Cerise: Thank you. I'm feeling much better. I hope you enjoy the update.

Wolfarine Garoh: I agree with you completely. They left out a lot of Silver and Jim bonding, and it's still very disappointing even when I watch the movie now. I'm almost hoping they'll come out with a sequel, but at the same time I'm afraid they'd completely butcher my love for Treasure Planet afterward (like they did with Lady and the Tramp). Grrr. Anyway, I sincerely hope you enjoy.

Thank you all for your reviews,
Ela,

Silver did not leave his quarters until nightfall, when he could be guaranteed a quiet smoke with no questions, and even fewer questioning gazes. (He could not afford being recognized by anyone who might still be aware of the fact that 'Long John Silver' was still out and about in the Etherium.)

Silver had taken to enjoying the nighttime hours when out in space. It was quiet and peaceful; the deepest sense of peace a person could get while alive, he believed. The absolute silence of it all, despite the vastness, gave him all the space he needed to think. The deep blue and violet hues that seemed painted into the surroundings was soothing to his soul, while the gentle flickering of stars reminded him of hope, and retold once more the tale of the grand beauty that existed around them. Wisps of titanic nebula clouds soared gently around them while the soft hush of their whispering winds could be heard even to Silver, who had only one functional ear. Of course, that wasn't all he was picking up. Somewhere off in the distance he could just hear the distinct lulling moans of Galaxy Orcas. Their song loosened the tension in Silver's muscles and calmed his nerves.

For the first time in weeks, he felt truly relaxed and at ease.

This, however, was brought to an abrupt end when he heard up above him the whispering of two young cadets. Silver peered up into the crow's nest and was relieved when he realized that they were not paying him any mind. In fact, they seemed deep in conversation about something. What it was, Silver wasn't certain, but he decided very quickly that if there were still people out here then it would be wise to return to his room.

But just as Silver stepped into the galley that would lead him into the bowels of the ship, he heard a very interesting bit of news that he could not dismiss easily. Someone had mentioned the R.L.S. Mars, which had been the ship that had gone down so many months ago near Salvus. The fact that these two young men were talking about it was most peculiar to Silver, since this was technically old news to anyone who had not been touched by the tragedy personally. Nevertheless, Silver was highly intrigued. He crept deep into the shadows and paid close attention to their words, determined to hear anything that might perhaps give him more answers.

"Well, you know what they're saying about it, don't you?" asked the older of the two cadets.

"No."

"Well, they're thinking that it wasn't the nebula that did it. At least, not all of it."

"You don't say!"

"Think about it! Why would a military spacing ship head straight into a nebula that strong?"

The younger cadet started to answer, but was immediately silenced. Apparently he could think of no reason.

"Exactly! They wouldn't! A captain would know better."

"So, what are you saying?"

"Well, they're thinking that the Protean Armada had something to do with it."

"What?"

"They were sailing out into uncharted territory, remember?"

"Yeah but they were having engine trouble. They had to make their way to the nearest planet."

"I thought they had some of those new trainees for that?"

"They did you idiot!" There was a definite sound of hand meeting flesh. Silver snickered. "But the cadets can only do so much."

"Yeah, but I thought Jim-"

"Even Jim Hawkins can only do so much, Percy!"

Silver smiled. Apparently Jim was well known amongst his peers as well.

"Yeah. Hey, what happened to him?"

"Never found him."

"That's too bad."

"Yeah."

There was a moment of silence between both young spacers before they went on.

"Anyway, they think that the Protean Armada snuck up on them. Blasted them into the nebula winds."

"But why?"

"It was a warning, they think. A warning to tell us that they're more powerful now. Some of the higher ups at the academy say that there's already been news of war."

"Wh-what?"

At these words, Silver left the deck and returned to his quarters. This new piece of information hit him hard, but also made him question. If this had been the case, why hadn't the Interstellar Navy said anything? Why would they keep such dire news a secret?

'Figures,' he thought as he pulled back the sheets of his bed and slipped in. 'Goes to show what use the government and military is.'

Silver stared up at the ceiling of his quarters, his brow creased in anger. If even a little of that story had been true, he couldn't begin to think about what it meant for Sarah. The fact that the academy had lied to her was...was...unthinkable! Silver snarled out of anger and had a good mind to punch his wall, when suddenly he felt something quiver violently under his sheets. Startled, Silver immediately rolled out of his bed and began to sift through his bed. He found nothing, and began immediately to dig through his pants pockets (he hadn't taken the time to change into pajamas). All Silver could find was his golden pocket watch. Frowning, he tossed it up in the air a few times, his frustration at the news he had just heard overhead now momentarily forgotten at the preface of his newfound situation.

"All right, Morphie," he sighed. "I found yeh out. Yeh don't have to hide on me no more."

Tossing the watch in the air one last time, Silver was not surprised when it began to hover on its own. The gold face and chain melted away to reveal a joyous pink blob with bright, eager eyes and a lolling, saliva drenched tongue. Silver chuckled while his old familiar friend nuzzled his face and cooed excitedly.

"Awww, Morphie, I sure am glad you're here."

Morph chirped and swirled into the image of Jim once more time. Apparently he had misinterpreted the reasoning behind their leaving.

Silver sighed sadly. He didn't have the heart to break Morph's, so all he could do was force a grin and pat the creature's head.

"Yeah, Morphie. We're gonna go find Jimbo."

Morph cooed and flipped in the air. Silver only shook his head. How disappointed Morph was going to be when he realized that there was no Jim to find.

At least, that was what Silver had told himself.