Ok, chapter number five.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any parts of Treasure Planet; Jim Hawkins; Captain Amelia, Long John Silver; Interstellar Academy etc.

As always please review and constructive criticism is welcomed, after all it's for your enjoyment as much as mine. And of course most importantly,

Enjoy!

The comet bore them forwards, back towards where the rest of the school was waiting for their return. Everyone was holding onto part of the ship as cold dusty snow blew against them, sticking to their clothes and hair. Jim's decision had been met with scepticism at the beginning but now everyone's eye was turned towards beating the other team back. Rivalry was never far behind in any circumstance. Jim had asked Bill to produce one final push of energy from the engines and luckily enough it had been be mustered to propel them onto the star. Now the ship lay lodged safely in a crevice as they were taken for a ride. What the examiner was thinking Jim didn't know, after all he was fulfilling all of the objectives.

"Jim we're nearing port. Shouldn't we be thinking about disengaging?" Emma called down from above.

Jim nodded. The solar sails had restored their energy levels to full capacity so making it back wouldn't be a problem. "Bill, full capacity."

Bill clamoured down below towards the control room. Waiting Jim looked at the faint outline of their planet as it started to come closer. Holding onto the helm Jim placed his foot back to steady himself for the surge forwards. Turning the helm Jim quickly changed the course of the ship away from the star. The end was so close now. After the turmoil of the past day it didn't seem real.

Jim could see the light from the port, and the other ship. It was coming down from their route. Calling down Jim alerted the others who ran on deck to see for them selves, and re-kindle the competitive spark.

Thrust forwards by the new solar energy in the ship Jim's ship was soon level with the other one.

They raced all the way back, one ship over taking another before falling back again. The crowd had begun cheering having spotted them in the sky. Suddenly the other ship sped forwards taking the lead, and landing, albeit not gracefully, in their port station first. Jim's quickly followed suit, the captain groaning at their loss.

Walking down the ramp onto the port Jim joined in the hugging and back clapping while listening to the whistles from the school.

Smiling he looked across at the other ship. It appeared to be somewhat beaten as well, though not half as much in comparison to his. Well that was judging from the interior of the ship. He hadn't dared to look at it from the outside yet.

As he watched them come down the ramp he noticed the girl from before. She looked tired but her face was smiling. Again when he looked at her she turned to look at him. Giving him the once over with her eyes Jim saw her raise her eyebrows and give a sharp two fingered wave. Curious at her expression Jim looked down at himself, and there he found the reason. His clothes were damp and dirtied from the shooting star and had one or two rips in places as well. Looking up he saw that she had vanished. His eyes darted back and forth in search for her but he was interrupted by a hand on his shoulder. It was Ralph,

"Come on mate. You need to clean up," Ralph said with a grin.

Returning the smile Jim, along with Bill and some other lads headed back to their lodgings. They had a few hours before finding out their results and it was preferred that candidates were clean when receiving them.

Jim was dressed in his white uniform. They were waiting in the hall of the academy, both teams. The examiners had yet to arrive. Jim was stood by the door watching people milling around, his shoulder resting against the door. He felt a presence beside him and expecting to find Ralph didn't turn round.

"Do you reckon they'll mark us down for sailing through an asteroid belt?" he asked.

"So that's what happened to your ship," A female voice spoke next to him. Jolting off the wall he looked to see the girl with the feline features stood next to him. Seeing her closer confirmed his opinion that she looked vaguely like Captain Amelia. Her hair was a light auburn and curly from what he could see from her loose bun at her neck. She had the same accent too.

She had turned to look at him when Jim jerked away from the wall. The action had made her smile. "And why you came back looking like you had just arrived back from a battle."

"Yeah, we had a few … problems, getting back," he responded.

"Clearly. They never take this long when deciding if someone passes or fails. It's not usually a hard decision." She was looking at the other entrance to the hall as she spoke. The two examiners had entered and were talking to the president. Everyone's attention had shifted their way. Anticipation hung in the air.

"It might be your group they're talking so long about."

She did not respond for a moment but her eyes held something of amusement.

"Perhaps," she responded finally.

A voice echoed across the room. The president was stood on small raised platform.

"Students take your seats," he said.

Jim and the girl looked at each other. She gave him a small smile and the same brief salute from before. Then she walked off to take her seat. Watching her briefly Jim made his way over to his own seat. Already sat down Jim found Ralph.

"Where were you?" Jim asked.

"Didn't want to interrupt you," Ralph replied with a grin.

"What?"

"Do you know who she is?" Ralph asked. Jim gave a twitch of his eyebrow in response. He had not gotten round to asking her name.

"No. Why, do you?"

Ralph looked over at her. She was sat loosely draping her elbow over the back of the chair. She glanced over at them. The boys quickly turned back round, attempting to look forward innocently.

"That's Captain Amelia's niece," Ralph said after a moment.

"She's what?" Jim said surprised; although her similarity to the Captain made sense now.

"Yep. So seems you two have a thing in common."

"The Captain," Jim said indifferently. Though his voice was neutral his curiosity piqued.

Ralph shrugged. "It's a start."

"I wasn't looking for start," Jim said, making sure he didn't glance her way. He didn't want to be caught looking at her again.

"Mphm."

Jim looked at Ralph's whos face held a sly smirk. Knowing what was being implied Jim spoke with more conviction.

"I wasn't."

Ralph's provoking disbelief continued but Jim was silenced when the examiners began speaking.

"Candidates after due consideration we have decided … that's congratulations are in order. For all."

Sighs of relief were heard issuing from the block of students.

Phew finally. That was a bit of an eventful few chapters, but it's going to simmer down. For a little bit anyway. Need to do some character work. And btw, Silver will be along soon, I promise.

RHM