Amelia leaned out over the railing of her father's ship, letting the wind buff her hair and ears.
"You're not supposed to be up there, Mia," Olivia called up to her, barely looking up from her sewing.
Amelia leaned back and looked down at her, "I'll be fine, Liv. I'm going up to the crows nest!"
Olivia leapt to her feet, "No, Amelia! Mama said not to!"
This did nothing to stop the 12-year-old from climbing further up the ratlines. In the crow's nest was the ships 13-year-old cabin boy, Alton Arrow. He was reading a letter rather than keeping a look out.
"What are you reading?" She asked as she tumbled into the basket.
"A letter from my cousin, Antonia on Earth." Alton replied, "Wait! Mia! Your mother doesn't like it when you climb up here!"
"Aw,Papasays that I have to be able to if I want to be a captain some day," Amelia sat beside him.
Alton rolled his eyes and stood up, "I hardly believe Lady Smollett will let you. She would prefer you marry well and—"
"And be a lady like she is and like Olivia will be," Amelia wrinkled her nose, "Yuck!"
"You'll still have to be a lady as a captain," Alton glanced down at her, "And I think you'll do it amazingly."
Amelia lit up, "And you can be my first mate! Like your dad is for Papa!"
Alton's laugh died on his lips, "Amelia, get down and stay down."
"Why?"
She crouched down none the less. Alton leaned forward before turning to the communication tube.
"Captain Smollett, Mr. Arrow, there's a ship approaching fast on the starboard side. No flag visible."
There was a moment of silence.
"We hear you, Alton. Keep an eye on it and be at the ready." Captain Smollett's voice rattled up the tube, "If they raise an unfriendly flag, come strait down."
"Aye, Captain. But I do have Amelia in the crows nest."
Another moment of silence.
"Have her stay there. She's unarmed and she should be safe so long as she stays down."
Alton looked down at her.
"Aye, Captain," She called.
She crouched back down, staying quiet as Alton kept his eye on the approaching ship. He lowered his spyglass slowly then leapt at the communication tube.
"It's Captain Doppler, Captain!" He shouted before jumping back over the edge of the crows nest, "Mia, stay down. I'll come and get you when it's over."
She swallowed thickly and nodded. Alton nodded back and ducked out of sight. After only a couple more minutes she heard the shouts below. Then, the gunshots started.
She jumped and it took everything in her to not scream. She closed her eyes and covered her ears, praying that the attack would end quickly.
Thud!*
She jumped and the crows nest shook. She looked up. A boy crouched on the other side of the crows nest. He couldn't have been much older than she was and, frankly looked just as scared. He hunched down, knife in hand.
A scream echoed from the deck below and they both jumped. He looked around and swallowed.
"I'm sorry." He tucked his head and adjusted his hold on the knife, "But she'll hurt me if I don't."
He lunged at her. Amelia screamed and ducked to the side. She felt the knife on her shoulder and yelped. She reached up and sunk her claws into his arm.
He howled and jumped back. Amelia snatched the knife from the ground and faced the boy. He held his arm close to his chest. He looked around, grabbed the rope, and swung away.
Amelia watched him go before she slumped back and started crying. Slowly, the shouts and gunshots started to quiet. Still, she dared not move. The deck was quiet for a long time before Alton climbed back up.
"Alton?" She looked up at him, "What happened?"
He winced and sat next to her, "We were attacked by Captain Doppler and her crew."
"I know," She held up the knife.
Alton hissed between his teeth and put one hand on her shoulder. He took a deep breath.
"Captain Doppler got into the captain's quarters," He admitted.
Amelia felt her stomach drop.
"Olivia and Elizabeth aren't hurt but," He took another deep breath, "Mia...your—she...Lady Smollett...she's dead."