Interstellar Academy
Chapter 17: BREAK 3
No matter how much they fired back, Jim using two pistols, Rayn on his giant flintlock and Silver on the cannon, nothing was phasing these guys. Jim had to move from shooting to steering, since at the moment they were sitting ducks. Rayn covered him, standing right beside him to take guard. Even as they maneuvered most of the attacks, one of them damaging their sail, they still weren't a match.
"We either run off or we get on their ship," Jim said. "And you know me, Silver: I hate losing."
The old pirate winked and smirked, moving the ship quickly toward the bottom of the pirates, throwing them off. They waited there awhile, until one of them decided it'd be a wise idea to open the hatch below. Rayn and Jim leapt first, blasting back anyone who came near them. Next came Silver, wielding the big flintlock Rayn had earlier.
"I highly suggest you step back, and bring forth yer cap'n," Silver instructed.
The crew muttered and searched about, a man in a trim black uniform finally coming forth. His fellows looked more organized when he was around.
"And what have we here, men? A giant gerbil and his naked mole rats?" The crew laughed at his joke, though the smaller crew didn't find this at all humorous. "Oh don't be so serious, I'm only kidding you!" The man inspected them up and down. "You three look like you've experience in this field."
"Pirating?" Jim said lamely, his shoulders sagging. Now that he'd really seen the crew up close, he wasn't as intimidated by them; only annoyed.
"Exactly. Like voyaging space has no effect on you."
"We've had our run-ins from time to time," said Silver, putting on the safety of his weapon and fastening it to his back. "What's yer point, man?"
"My point is, how do you feel about joining my crew?"
This shocked the three of them, Rayn's jaw literally dropping. He spoke up: "Are you joking? You try to shoot us down and then expect us to join your ship of misfits?"
"Well dressed misfits," said the captain, his eyes glistening.
"He's gotta point."
Jim rolled his eyes, tired of this banter. "Look, we just… we have business to take care of, and don't have time for-"
The captain slammed a whip onto a nearby wall, stunning them all into silence, even the whispering pirates of his crew.
"I know why you're here. Rolanda's Treasure." Rayn jumped at the mention of his grandmother. "We've felt close to it, but it seems like the planet is narrowly escaping us."
After a moment of thought- and it being evident how stuck they were- Silver finally sighed, "OK. We'll work with ya."
Jim and Rayn both looked shocked, but agreed.
"Tie their… ship… next to ours. We don't want the poor thing… getting lost in space, do we?" The crew guffawed but went to work, a couple diving toward the ship and moving it to the top, the others meeting them to tie it down.
"Ah, where are my manners?" The captain took off his hat and bowed to them with great flourish. "I'm Captain Steven Grill."
"Don't you mean PIRATE Captain?" Jim challenged, crossing his arms. The man eyed him but said nothing, only turned away and walked upward toward the top deck.
Silver hobbled after him, his cyborg leg acting up.
"Silver?" Jim sped up beside him, stepping behind him when the hallway was too narrow. "What's wrong?"
"Just need to do a little tweekin', lad. Don't worry about it." He lowered his voice and turned his head slightly back to his companion. "And you need to really start picking your fights better. I thought we talked about this?"
Jim knew the old man was being serious, but he couldn't help but smile.
A/N: Short chapter is short, sorry! At any rate, I am enjoying writing from Jim's point of view and keeping Nova out of the picture for awhile. I'm also in love with Silver, so writing about him makes me so happy! Any notes? Well, you know where the review button is!