Storm's a' Brewin' -Part one

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any part of Treasure Planet: Jim Hawkins, planets that features in the film, characters etc. OC though however are mine: Ralph, Emma and Bill.

The chapter is a bit long so I decided to cut it into two parts, this being part one. I didn't want people to be put off by reeealy long chapters so I cut it. Once again please read and review. I like to know what you think about the story and constructive criticism is welcome. Though like I said, no need to be rude if you do have comments.

Enjoy!

Jim had left another member of the crew Bill, at the helm while he climbed along the rigging. They all had to interchange between stations to show that they knew sufficient knowledge of all aspects of maintaining a ship. Though as Captain of the ship for the exam Jim had to take control of the wheel should any obstacles or problems arise.

It was the second day and they were making fast progress. They had passed the other ship the day before. Though the two ships sailed along the same interstellar test route they couldn't be side by side. Therefore the course had been split into two halfway through the first day. Since the two ships went in opposite directions Jim hadn't seen anymore of the other team, which he took as a good sign. If they came anywhere into his line of vision it would be a fairly clear message that one of them was extremely off course.

The examiner had spoken to them the previous afternoon after the ships had departed from each other and Jim's ship had emerged into a period of peaceful space. He had explained once again the skills that had to be shown to pass the test. At the moment he was sitting at the stern of the ship, a position where he could see everyone. It had unnerved Jim, having the examiner sat there. It felt like his eyes were constantly boring down on his neck, scrutinising him. Once when Jim turned round to look at the examiner he could have sworn that he caught the man's eyes quickly change direction. To have switched with Bill was a strange relief.

The group had begun to travel through the Gastrian Nebula, a large spiral of vibrant red stars. In the middle some of the stars would collide together to create explosions within the nebula. The phenomenon cast a red glow over the ship and surrounding area. It was making the voyage look beautiful but the tranquil calm didn't last long.

"Jim! There's a large space fog heading towards us. It's impenetrable." Emma's voice rang out from the mast. Everyone's attention turned towards the bow of the ship a few people leaning forward as if it would give them confirmation of what they were seeing. Jim leapt down from the sails and leant over the side of the ship to see how wide the fog stretched. He got his answer and not a good one. The fog was as Emma had said impenetrable and it stretched across the sky further than his eyes could see. Above and below it seemed to carry on forever as well, and it was moving in on them, fast. Wasting no more time Jim ran across the ship yelling out orders,

"Man your stations. Pull in sails, slow us down!" Immediately the recruits on the deck climbed up to help those already aloft. ""Secure the ropes. Bill help Ralph shut off all the engines. We need to proceed slowly. We don't know what may be inside."

"Aye, captain." Bill gave the over to Jim before turning and running down to Ralph. It took a few minutes but the ship began to slow down. Only a few moments more remained of clear vision until the fog began to engulf the ship. Turning his head up Jim called up to Emma in the look out post.

"Emma, keep as good a lookout as you can."

"Will do, Jim."

With that they vanished inside the fog.

The fog had remained around them for hours and still showed no signs of ceasing. The ship was deadly quiet with everyone remaining on their guard lest any abnormal noises occurred. Vision was almost completely impaired so the crew had had to rely almost entirely on a sense of hearing. It was doing them little good though, outside the ship was as silent as the inside. Barring the occasional sigh that is.

Jim was draped over the helm. His chin rested on the wooden wheel, the handles framing the sides of his face. The fingers of his right hand lazily tapped on of the handles. The examiner was probably watching him, though he wasn't feeling his eyes on his back. Besides Jim wasn't too fussed if he was being watched, the examiner knew that there was nothing that could be done until the fog dissipated. Might as well make him self comfortable. Stifling a yawn Jim called down to Ralph who was sat down resting his back against the mast.

"Ralph, make sure everyone has their lifelines on, including our examiner. Just in case."

Ralph nodded and pushed himself up off the deck. His black hair was tied in a plait at the base of his neck and he worse his signature black bandana as well. It was the only thing that set him out from anyone else and it looked out of place whenever he had to wear a uniform but he refused to take it off. It was his signature.

Making his way over to the life lines he scanned the fog. It seemed unnatural. Of course space fogs were not uncommon, but they weren't exactly frequent,

"Just our luck one arrives during our exam…" Ralph muttered under his breath. Bending down he unhooked the life lines that had been left and handed them out to the people who hadn't attached theirs yet. Some of them looked at him with a querying expression. Shrugging he handed them the ropes anyway.

"It's just a precaution," Ralph told them. "Better safe than sorry, eh?"

Jim, who was still slumped over the wheel, looked toward the bow of the boat, senses alert, preparing for something that may unexpectedly arise.

"Are you anticipating something happening?"

Jim stood up slowly at the sudden appearance of the examiner behind him. He was right; the examiner had been watching him. Placing his hands on the handles Jim glanced briefly over his shoulder.

"I'd rather be prepared than caught unawares. So I would prefer it if you would put that on," Jim said.

The examiner held his life line in his hands. Simply nodding at Jim's request he began loosening the knot, widening it to fit over his shoulders. Tightening it around his waist he turned to face Jim. Jim's eyes had watched him put it on and gave a satisfied nod when the examiner had finished. The examiner began to walk away when Jim spoke up again,

"So when do we get to know your name anyway?! Jim raised his eyebrows at the retreating man.

"When you find out if you passed or not," The examiner replied not stopping while he made his way down the steps. A small smile appeared on Jim's face,

"Great."