Writer's notes: The virtual tours of the Legacy on the DVD are a big help with writing! I've watched the movie like four times already, lol. Anyways, this chapter deals with Ms. Morgan, digging more into who she is. Sorry, Benjamin doesn't show up for now, though I will finally have Amelia show something for him in Chapter 7. I want to say how much I appreciate the reviews!!! Yall are helping me get this fic moving, because it usually takes me from a month up to a year to update a fic of mine. I have too many to write :D Enjoy!
***
Chapter 5: Randy Scouse Git ((translation: luxurious liverpoolian idiot))
Three days into the exploration, and everything was running it's course. No big incidents or anything of the sort both on the ship and off had not happen. Another bright morning, another uneventful day.
Jane opened one eye then closed it quickly. The sunlight from the porthole was shining straight in her face. She thought it to be a nuisance, but a very effective wake up call. She always wanted to be first awake, to have a little privacy before the bustle of the crew stirred the day. She pushed herself from her comfortable feather pillow - feeling sorry for leaving it, swinging her legs to touch the wood flooring. A small, round mirror adorned over a basin of water. She splashed the cold water on her face, shivering involuntarily. The mirror stared back at her as she wiped the droplets away.
"Oh bother" Jane murmured at the sight of the early forming bags under her eyes and irritatingly red pudgy cheeks. Beauty was never a subject she dwelled on; staying alive was more important especially in her younger years.
Ignoring her image, she grabbed her brush and smooth the loose strands to appear presentable. As she pulled her brush across her head, it giggled! Jane gasped, letting go of the brush that suddenly felt oddly like jelly. A pink blob flew before her chirping and trilling - apparently amused.
"What the devil?" Jane asked aloud. She watched the blob swirl around her. "Wait, I know what you are, a shape-shifter. You must be a stowaway" she said, for she had not made acquaintances with Morph, surprisingly!
Morph wagged his tongue. "You must be hungry." Jane knelt to the floor, pulling out a rectangle box stored under her bed. Upon opening it, she handed Morph a sliver of some sort of bread. Morph excepted willingly. "It's waybread. Keeps my stomach from becoming sick on voyages…for I am prone to motion sickness." Morph gobbled it down in seconds, rubbing his belly indicating he enjoyed it. One side of Jane's lip curled up, revealing what could be a smile. "Tasty?" She handed him another piece, bigger this time, and she chomped down on one herself.
The next few minutes were spent dressing. Jane quietly made her way to the deck with Morph fluttering behind. As usual, Jim was just climbing down from the crow's nest. He was about to wish the first mate a 'good morning' when he stopped short. "Ah, Morph, there you are" he said, recognizing his blob. Morph flew to him, rubbing up against his cheek.
"It's yours?" Jane asked, taken aback.
"Yeah, this little squid is mine" Jim replied, as Morph spun around his finger. "His name's Morph."
Jane's cheeks turned a livid shade of red. Her secret hopes of having a companion were shattered in that instant. All that was left was to jump to conclusions. "You sent him into my cabin, didn't you?"
"What?" Jim grilled her with a look.
"Your shape-shifter was in my cabin. If he is yours, you must of sent him in there to play a trick on me! You seem the sort to do that kind of trick."
"I did none-the-sort" Jim mocked, now growing in anger and sarcasm.
Jane's eyes shrank to slits. "I will have you thrown into the brig for that kind of talk."
A snort escape Jim. The politeness and respect had sank down the drain. He didn't care who she was! "Who do you think you are? You're not some high and mighty queen or general!"
Jane stepped forward in protest. "I am first mate of this ship, that's who I am! I have power over you!"
Jim also forwarding. "Well, Captain Amelia has power over you, and I am not going to stand here listening to your stupid accusations." He pushed passed headed for the crew's quarters with Morph following, leaving Jane as red as a beet and alone on the deck.
***
"Mr. Hawkins."
Jim felt like rolling his eyes, but held back, turning to meet the Captain. "Yes, ma'am?"
"I'd like a word with you." Amelia gestured him into her quarters. Jim walked in, and the door shut behind. "Ms. Morgan reported to me that you exchanged some disrespectful words with her right there on deck. Is this true?"
"Yes, ma'am, it is."
"Care to explain?" Amelia slicked into her desk chair.
Jim blew air from his cheeks, his bangs ruffling up. He started to pace. "What is Ms. Morgan's problem anyway? I know I've only known her four days and I've given her my utmost respect. But, she's so…WEIRD. She barely speaks in full sentences; she freaked out when I said a simple 'good morning' to her; this morning she accused me of something I did not do! I know she's the first mate and you picked her for good reason, but she's like younger than I am and threatening to get me thrown into the brig." He halted, snapping his eyes up to hers. "Who does she think she is?!"
For several moments, Amelia sat there silent, expression blank and hands clamped together in front of her. Soon an amused expression formed on her face. "You know you and Ms. Morgan have a lot in common."
Jim looked flustered. "And, what does that have to do with our situation?"
"I am aware of Ms. Morgan's temperate." Amelia rose from her desk, and walked around it. "Yes, she is my first mate by chance. I hadn't planned on letting a twenty-one year old girl help run my ship, but out of favor to a friend, I decided to. Ms. Morgan has had a hard life, I'm sorry to say. That is why I can say that you and her have a lot in common."
"What would that 'common' be?"
"I would very much prefer you two getting along. I cannot answer your question, because that is Ms. Morgan's business. You will have to find out yourself. Will you at least try to get along with her?"
Jim stared at her then rolled his eyes. "Yes, ma'am."
"Thank you. You are dismissed."
***
Meanwhile, near the bow of the ship, Jane was making her rounds - a stormy air about her. She'd brooded on her conflict with Jim all day, not realizing she had no real reason for her anger toward him. Now night was falling. She was so absorbed in her thoughts as she gazed out into the etherium, she took no notice of Delbert coming up from behind.
"Hello Ms. Morgan" Delbert greeted. When she didn't reply, he lay a hand on her shoulder. "Ms. Morgan?"
Jane flinched then slowly turned her neck. "Oh, hello, doctor. I apologize. I have been distracted all day."
Delbert moved to the front of her, arms crossed. "What's on your mind? It might help talking about it."
"Maybe that'll help" Jane said, shrugging. She sighed. "I have had a problem with one of the crew."
"Who would that be?"
"That blasted Mr. Hawkins!" The doctor's interest was surely caught now. Jane began walking about, not even realizing her actions. "He is nothing but trouble! This morning he sent his little shape-shifter into my cabin to play a trick on me which I did not appreciate. Can you believe he has the nerve to wish me a 'good morning'!"
Jane stopped at the sound of light chuckling. She whirled to shoot daggers at the doctor. "What is so humorous?!" Delbert shook off another chuckle then turned to the etherium. Jane joined him by the railing. "Well?"
"I think you maybe overreacting, Ms. Morgan. Jim was only wishing you a 'good morning' as anyone else would do. He is quite a cordial young man now. As for his shape-shifter, Morph slips in and out of trouble without a thought. He's a mischievous little blob." Jane wanted to protest, but her mind blanked as Delbert continued, "Ms. Morgan, I've been informed about your life, and I know for a fact that you and Jim have a lot in common."
"Oh really?" Jane replied, sarcastically. He had sparked her curiosity. "What hell has he been through also?"
"That, I cannot tell you. You would have to find out that information on your own."
Jane's mouth hung open, disappointed. "Well, that'll never happen!"
Delbert shook his head. Ms. Morgan was a stubborn mull, indeed. Maybe if you grabbed her by the horns the right way, she'd yield. It was worth a chance. "You and Jim are the same age, and really the only two members of this ship in their early twenties. Now I know you two could get along…"
"Out of the question" Jane interrupted. "The three years I studied at the Interstellar Academy, I never made not one friend. But that reason was those brutes were too hoggish. I would not dare contrive with them. Besides, they didn't take kindly to female students."
"I've known Jim most of his life. He is not that type. Could you at least try to get along with him? You may see he is actually a good person."
Jane heaved, turning away from the etherium. "All right. I may try," she poked a finger at him. "But, if he is the jerk who I suspect he is, I'm blaming you for talking me into befriending him."
"Oh, you won't have to" Delbert said, watching Jane walk away.
***
Chapter 5: Randy Scouse Git ((translation: luxurious liverpoolian idiot))
Three days into the exploration, and everything was running it's course. No big incidents or anything of the sort both on the ship and off had not happen. Another bright morning, another uneventful day.
Jane opened one eye then closed it quickly. The sunlight from the porthole was shining straight in her face. She thought it to be a nuisance, but a very effective wake up call. She always wanted to be first awake, to have a little privacy before the bustle of the crew stirred the day. She pushed herself from her comfortable feather pillow - feeling sorry for leaving it, swinging her legs to touch the wood flooring. A small, round mirror adorned over a basin of water. She splashed the cold water on her face, shivering involuntarily. The mirror stared back at her as she wiped the droplets away.
"Oh bother" Jane murmured at the sight of the early forming bags under her eyes and irritatingly red pudgy cheeks. Beauty was never a subject she dwelled on; staying alive was more important especially in her younger years.
Ignoring her image, she grabbed her brush and smooth the loose strands to appear presentable. As she pulled her brush across her head, it giggled! Jane gasped, letting go of the brush that suddenly felt oddly like jelly. A pink blob flew before her chirping and trilling - apparently amused.
"What the devil?" Jane asked aloud. She watched the blob swirl around her. "Wait, I know what you are, a shape-shifter. You must be a stowaway" she said, for she had not made acquaintances with Morph, surprisingly!
Morph wagged his tongue. "You must be hungry." Jane knelt to the floor, pulling out a rectangle box stored under her bed. Upon opening it, she handed Morph a sliver of some sort of bread. Morph excepted willingly. "It's waybread. Keeps my stomach from becoming sick on voyages…for I am prone to motion sickness." Morph gobbled it down in seconds, rubbing his belly indicating he enjoyed it. One side of Jane's lip curled up, revealing what could be a smile. "Tasty?" She handed him another piece, bigger this time, and she chomped down on one herself.
The next few minutes were spent dressing. Jane quietly made her way to the deck with Morph fluttering behind. As usual, Jim was just climbing down from the crow's nest. He was about to wish the first mate a 'good morning' when he stopped short. "Ah, Morph, there you are" he said, recognizing his blob. Morph flew to him, rubbing up against his cheek.
"It's yours?" Jane asked, taken aback.
"Yeah, this little squid is mine" Jim replied, as Morph spun around his finger. "His name's Morph."
Jane's cheeks turned a livid shade of red. Her secret hopes of having a companion were shattered in that instant. All that was left was to jump to conclusions. "You sent him into my cabin, didn't you?"
"What?" Jim grilled her with a look.
"Your shape-shifter was in my cabin. If he is yours, you must of sent him in there to play a trick on me! You seem the sort to do that kind of trick."
"I did none-the-sort" Jim mocked, now growing in anger and sarcasm.
Jane's eyes shrank to slits. "I will have you thrown into the brig for that kind of talk."
A snort escape Jim. The politeness and respect had sank down the drain. He didn't care who she was! "Who do you think you are? You're not some high and mighty queen or general!"
Jane stepped forward in protest. "I am first mate of this ship, that's who I am! I have power over you!"
Jim also forwarding. "Well, Captain Amelia has power over you, and I am not going to stand here listening to your stupid accusations." He pushed passed headed for the crew's quarters with Morph following, leaving Jane as red as a beet and alone on the deck.
***
"Mr. Hawkins."
Jim felt like rolling his eyes, but held back, turning to meet the Captain. "Yes, ma'am?"
"I'd like a word with you." Amelia gestured him into her quarters. Jim walked in, and the door shut behind. "Ms. Morgan reported to me that you exchanged some disrespectful words with her right there on deck. Is this true?"
"Yes, ma'am, it is."
"Care to explain?" Amelia slicked into her desk chair.
Jim blew air from his cheeks, his bangs ruffling up. He started to pace. "What is Ms. Morgan's problem anyway? I know I've only known her four days and I've given her my utmost respect. But, she's so…WEIRD. She barely speaks in full sentences; she freaked out when I said a simple 'good morning' to her; this morning she accused me of something I did not do! I know she's the first mate and you picked her for good reason, but she's like younger than I am and threatening to get me thrown into the brig." He halted, snapping his eyes up to hers. "Who does she think she is?!"
For several moments, Amelia sat there silent, expression blank and hands clamped together in front of her. Soon an amused expression formed on her face. "You know you and Ms. Morgan have a lot in common."
Jim looked flustered. "And, what does that have to do with our situation?"
"I am aware of Ms. Morgan's temperate." Amelia rose from her desk, and walked around it. "Yes, she is my first mate by chance. I hadn't planned on letting a twenty-one year old girl help run my ship, but out of favor to a friend, I decided to. Ms. Morgan has had a hard life, I'm sorry to say. That is why I can say that you and her have a lot in common."
"What would that 'common' be?"
"I would very much prefer you two getting along. I cannot answer your question, because that is Ms. Morgan's business. You will have to find out yourself. Will you at least try to get along with her?"
Jim stared at her then rolled his eyes. "Yes, ma'am."
"Thank you. You are dismissed."
***
Meanwhile, near the bow of the ship, Jane was making her rounds - a stormy air about her. She'd brooded on her conflict with Jim all day, not realizing she had no real reason for her anger toward him. Now night was falling. She was so absorbed in her thoughts as she gazed out into the etherium, she took no notice of Delbert coming up from behind.
"Hello Ms. Morgan" Delbert greeted. When she didn't reply, he lay a hand on her shoulder. "Ms. Morgan?"
Jane flinched then slowly turned her neck. "Oh, hello, doctor. I apologize. I have been distracted all day."
Delbert moved to the front of her, arms crossed. "What's on your mind? It might help talking about it."
"Maybe that'll help" Jane said, shrugging. She sighed. "I have had a problem with one of the crew."
"Who would that be?"
"That blasted Mr. Hawkins!" The doctor's interest was surely caught now. Jane began walking about, not even realizing her actions. "He is nothing but trouble! This morning he sent his little shape-shifter into my cabin to play a trick on me which I did not appreciate. Can you believe he has the nerve to wish me a 'good morning'!"
Jane stopped at the sound of light chuckling. She whirled to shoot daggers at the doctor. "What is so humorous?!" Delbert shook off another chuckle then turned to the etherium. Jane joined him by the railing. "Well?"
"I think you maybe overreacting, Ms. Morgan. Jim was only wishing you a 'good morning' as anyone else would do. He is quite a cordial young man now. As for his shape-shifter, Morph slips in and out of trouble without a thought. He's a mischievous little blob." Jane wanted to protest, but her mind blanked as Delbert continued, "Ms. Morgan, I've been informed about your life, and I know for a fact that you and Jim have a lot in common."
"Oh really?" Jane replied, sarcastically. He had sparked her curiosity. "What hell has he been through also?"
"That, I cannot tell you. You would have to find out that information on your own."
Jane's mouth hung open, disappointed. "Well, that'll never happen!"
Delbert shook his head. Ms. Morgan was a stubborn mull, indeed. Maybe if you grabbed her by the horns the right way, she'd yield. It was worth a chance. "You and Jim are the same age, and really the only two members of this ship in their early twenties. Now I know you two could get along…"
"Out of the question" Jane interrupted. "The three years I studied at the Interstellar Academy, I never made not one friend. But that reason was those brutes were too hoggish. I would not dare contrive with them. Besides, they didn't take kindly to female students."
"I've known Jim most of his life. He is not that type. Could you at least try to get along with him? You may see he is actually a good person."
Jane heaved, turning away from the etherium. "All right. I may try," she poked a finger at him. "But, if he is the jerk who I suspect he is, I'm blaming you for talking me into befriending him."
"Oh, you won't have to" Delbert said, watching Jane walk away.