Galaxy Pirate chp 1

1

I looked out of the window of the ship and wondered what I was doing out here. I’m eighteen years old and the captain of a space pirate ship, I should be in college, but then again I never did graduate from Mars Space Academy. I sigh and catch my reflection in the window, my short purple hair in disarray, my golden eyes dull and hopeless, and my tall stocky build visually unappealing. Eh, there goes my modeling career huh? I giggle at this thought as Strawberry walks up to me; her creamy pale complexion and bright green eyes compelling; what I would give for her beautiful red hair. She has been a good friend to me ever since we met. Her healing powers have really come in handy on this journey.2

“Hey Tallie!” Strawberry greets cheerfully. “Have you seen Zane?”3

“No,” I replied monotonously.4

“Okay,” she says. “If you see him tell him I need him right now.”5

“Sure,” I say.6

I watch her skip happily down the corridor. I envy her naive outlook and carefree attitude. I turned my attention back to the window. I instinctively knew that something was wrong. I watch a greenish planet move closer and closer to our ship. Then, it hit me, our ship is rapidly approaching an unknown planet. I run through the corridors and into the main room. Everyone was panicking and I tried my best to calm them down.7

“Quiet!” I yell over the noisy ruckus, “Someone grab the wheel! Take down the sails! Tie all the loose objects down!”8

The crew rushed to obey me as Zane rushes to my side. “Captain, the navigation equipment has been shut down! There’s some sort of electrical interference,” Zane states. I look at him and something snaps inside me.9

“Is there anything else you want to tell me?! Giant jellyfish in the brig? Being followed by space sharks? Could anything else possibly go wrong!!” I scream at Zane and in a huff I fall on the floor, cross my legs, and sit there. 10

Then, in a very nonchalant way I say, “Crash the ship yourself.”11

“But Tallie,” Zane starts hesitantly, “we need you.”12

“Do it yourself,” I say.13

“We’re descending too fast!” Someone yells. “We’re going to die!” 14

Through the frenzy of yells, I kept my position. Zane shakes his head and runs to the origin of the sound.15

“Everyone move to higher elevation! We are going to crash!” He yells over the frantic crowd. The crew races by me. I sit still on the floor. Zane herds the crew toward the western bow of the ship.16

“Hurry, we're losing altitude fast!” Zane says franticly. 17

“So what,” I say sadly. 18

“Come on,” he says as he tries to get me up. He sighs. “Your going to hate me later,” he says while picking me up.19

“Put me down!” I demand.20

“No,” he says.21

“Put me down,” I repeat a dangerous edge in my voice. He ignores me as he carries me through the crowd, “I said put me down. Now!”22

“We have to get to the bow,” Zane says. “The crew needs you.”23

I contemplate the severity of the situation. I realize that he was right. My crew needed me, and as captain I had an obligation to the people on my ship. I sigh and spot Strawberry in the crowd. The normally merry filled face pale in distress. “All right crew, this ship is going to crash. We haven't a choice. Tie everything down and hold on maties; it's going to be a bumpy ride!” I say as my crew scatters. Zane smiles proudly as he and Strawberry find something stable to hold on to. I rush to the wheel and look at the on coming planet. “Well, this is going to be fun,” I mutter to myself.24

The ship jerks as it hits the unfamiliar planets atmosphere, almost sending me to collide with the floor. I steady myself and with sweat on my brow, I watch as my ship fast approaches the tree tops of a lush green jungle. “Hold on!” I yell as loud as I can.25

As soon as we hit the tops of the trees, I was torn away from the wheel, but luckily Zane caught me. We braced for the landing. The ship started to fall apart and everything that was tied down started to fly off the sides into the jungle. I crouch down, hoping to protect myself, and stayed there until the ship stopped. I heard Strawberry whimper. With all of my heart, I hoped that she didn't get hurt. 26

“Tallie are you okay?” Zane asks. I saw that he crouched over me to act as a shield and I wonder why he wasn‘t with Strawberry instead.27

“Yes,” I reply looking up at him. “Do you know what planet this is?”28

“Not a clue,” he says as he looks up. “Is anyone injured or other?” I hit him. 29

“If they were other, they wouldn't answer,” I say. “Your supposed to know these things.”30

“Sorry Tal,” he says apologetically.31

“Don't call me that,” I say.32

“Why not?” Zane asks with a teasing smile.33

“Forget it,” I reply. “Go check on your sister, the crew, and evaluate the damages. I have to do some scouting,” I say. “Tell the crew I'll be back.” 34

He nods and goes to help the crew. I rush off the broken ship, bounding into the unknown forest. The forest couldn't possibly that big, no planet had a jungle over 20X20 yards wide, no known planet did anyway. The sweat acted as glue, sticking my clothes to my hot and fevered skin. I collapse in exhaustion and pass out.35

۞36

The sound of gibberish woke me from my daze. My vision returned slowly which allowed me to observe a few of my surroundings. “Where am I?” I whispered hoarsely. My throat aches as I try to call out, causing a hacking fit. It will be a while before I talk again. I look around again with my vision clear. It seems that I am in a small hut. I remember seeing the inside of one of these in an old book I found. I never in my life thought they existed. I get up from tiny hammock I was resting in. I slowly walk around the room. It was much more small than I expected. The room was furnished in an ancient Mars decor that had many tassels and furs. I spot a small charm hanging from the ceiling. The shape was of a dark purple crescent moon with blue strings and green beads. I took it and put it in my pocket. It may just be superstitious, but maybe I'll have good luck. I approach the door and hesitated to open it. I ponder my options. What could be on the other side? Would it be worse to stay here and run into the owner or owners of this hut, or to go out and explore my new surroundings while trying to avoid the natives? I decided that the second option was more dangerous, but I went with.37

As I walk out of the hut, I hear medolic chanting. I follow the sound to a big open area while carefully looking out for guards. I creep behind one of the larger huts and looked at the center of the tribal circle of rocks. There were crowds of people chanting and dancing to the sounds of small drums. I watched them perform a ceremony, religious, from the sound of the chants. I notice something very odd, but I can‘t put my finger on it. I quickly turn around. 38

“You, outsider,” a husky voiced woman said to me. It didn't sound like a question, so I kept quiet. “Back to hut. This ceremony tribe only.” I nod and act as though I'm headed toward the ragged, tattered hut. 39

When she looks back toward the ceremony, I make a run for it and hide behind a huge building with ornate decorations. Then, it hits me. I realize what is odd about this tribe of people. They are all women! I wonder how this tribe survives, but now is not the time. I must get back to the ship. My head is swirling, and I feel light headed. I wonder if I can walk out of the village. Even if I do, I realize, I haven't a clue in which direction I should go to find my ship. The marks on my face are burning, the odd sensation driving me mad. Tattoos aren't suppose to burn, even if you were born with them. My vision gets cloudy and I know I must hurry and get away from this planet. 40

I hear a savage scream coming from one of the huts and without thinking I rush to the sound. I busted into the hut and find a huge grotesque creature huddled over a little girl no more than five years old. It's beady eyes flashed in anger, mad at me for ruining its meal. I know the little girl is hurt badly, her breathing is raspy and slow. 41

The atrocious beast glances at its prey and then to me, deciding I'm enough of a threat to needed to be eliminated. It turns its attention to me. He darts at me with a screech and a furious uncaring look in his eyes. I reached for my swords...42

“Oh no.” A moan of disappointment and fear escapes my lips as the creature approaches. An arrow whizzes past my head and hits the monster in the eye. “Huh?” I turn to see a petite woman staring at me almost in tears.43

“Please help Ahmaisha!” She picks up the girl. “Take her with you, Amishiataruo!”44

“What?” I blink vacantly, “Amishiataruo?”45

“Please take her, Amishiataruo. Please Amishiataruo, the one who will lead. Take her with you. It is not good for her here,” the woman pleads.46

“Fine, I will,” I say. Man, I'm a sucker for little kids. It reminds me of when I met Zane and Strawberry, who was only eight, I had to take them in, because of Strawberry‘s bright expectant eyes. I pick up the girl and realize again that I have no clue where my ship is. 47

I run blindly through the village with Ahmaisha in my arms. I see the forest in the distance and run toward it. I was almost there when a group of villagers blocked my path. 48

“Where you going?” The tallest woman asks. 49

“I must get to my ship; the girl, she is injured,” I say out of breath. Then, fatigue hits me. I start to sway as I stand.50

“No, you stay. You our new leader, Amishiataruo,” she says as she caresses the tattoo on my cheek. “You the one.”51

I blink blankly blinded by the sun and confused by her words. Then, I shake my head. No, I can not lead you. I want to say that, but my tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth. My breathing becomes ragged and starts coming in shorter and shorter. I gasping breaths, and suddenly darkness clouds my vision...52

۞53

I awake in a hut different from the first. This one had bars on the windows, and it had no door. How did I get in here? Ahmaisha was laying beside me. Her condition had improved. “You awake kid?” I nudge her softly. “Ahmaisha?” She moans as if me nudging her caused her great pain. Her eyes fluttered open.54

“Amishiataruo?” She asks with her blue eyes staring into mine.55

“No, I am not her,” I say with sympathy. “I'm Tallie. I do not know who or what she. All that I do know is we need to get out of here.”56

“I get us out,” she says, “me can teleport. Just...” She takes a deep breath, “concentrate on where you want to go.” I quickly start thinking of my ship. 57

“I'm forbidden to use it,” she says weakly looking at me, waiting for approval, “Mommy wants me to go with you doesn't she?” I nod and she understands that I think it is okay to use her powers. The image of my pirate ship lingers in my mind. She grabs my hands and holds on tight. 58

She chants a sort incantation over and over. The air warms as the sound of her voice gets louder. I keep the image of my ship in my mind except this time I add the faces of my crew. Zane, Strawberry, the many men and women who helped this journey continue on. I hear all of their voices. 59

A refreshing breeze blows past my face, making my hair rustle in the wind. I breathe in deeply. The fresh air revitalizes my body and my spirit. It combined with the soft breeze remind me why I chose to become a space pirate. Freedom. It was all I ever wanted. The ability to do whatever I want, whenever I want was the entire reason. I do not have to be bound by a boring daily Marian life, I can float around the endless abyss that we call space. Being a pirate means that the normal restraints of society do not affect me nor my crew. This is my life and I enjoy every minute of it.60

My feet touch the ground slowly but steadily. I open my eyes to see Ahmaisha's bright blue eyes staring innocently into mine. “Is this where you live?” She asks curiously.61

“Yes,” I reply with a smile, “This is home.” I look up to see that the damage to the ship is repaired.62

“Tallie!” Strawberry yells as she runs toward me. “Where have you been?”63

“On an adventure,” I reply.64

“Well, you worried Zane,” She states. “He would have started to look for you, but I told him you could handle yourself. So he started to work on the ship and hasn't stopped. I think it calms his nerves. He's so weird.” I smile and inwardly laugh. “Who is she?”65

“This is Ahmaisha. She is the new member of the crew.” I lay my hand on her shoulder.66

“Hello, my name is Strawberry,” Strawberry says. “Would you like it if I showed you around?” Ahmaisha looks at me, then at Strawberry, and back to me. I nod slightly.67

“Yes,” Ahmaisha says happily. Strawberry grabs her hand and leads her to the ship. 68

“After we're done, we can have a feast,” Strawberry says. “Would you like that?”69

Ahmaisha nods while Strawberry continues to tell her about the ship.70

“Captain!” I turn to see Zane running towards me. “Where have you been?”71

“On an adventure,” I reply nonchalantly. He gives me a strange look. He sighs. 72

“I know I'll never get a straight answer from you,” Zane starts, “but I'm glad you came back.”73

“You shouldn't have been worried,” I say smiling, “because I'm the captain. I'll always stay with my ship and never will I abandon my crew.” He smiles and very smoothly takes my hand in his, letting me know how worried he had been. “Also,” I added, there are hostile natives here. We better take off before they find the ship.”74

“Your lucky I work to keep my mind busy otherwise, this ship would be a wreck,” Zane says, “But there's one thing you have to do before we leave.”75

“What's that?” I ask. He gives me a goofy grin.76

“You have to give the word,” He says. I absorb his words and smirk. 77

“Okay maties! Let's cast off!”78

But trouble hit us, even though it was fixed my ship was not in perfect condition. The engine was over worked and the ship was too heavy to lift off. It shook terribly, knocking many people down. So now I had to choose; do I leave behind supplies or some of my crew?79

It was a troubling thought, without supplies we might all die, but leaving my crew… I couldn’t do that the thought of it made my stomach churn.80

“Throw all extra supplies overboard!” I yell, my crew staring at me like I’ve lost my mind.81

“But, Capt’n…” one of my crew says worriedly.82

“Either it’s the supplies or you, you fool!! Do as I say, the ship is too heavy to take off as it is!!” I say with more earnest in my voice, My crew scattering to throw off anything that had little importance.83

I heard something, leave crackling… an arrow whizzes past my head.84

“Amishiataruo!!” the lead woman yells.85

“Hurry!! Hostile natives are on us! If you don’t hurry I’ll leave you scurvy dogs!” I yell, of course I’d never leave them behind, but this got them started. They were throwing everything away, and I watched as a lot of our hard earned treasure was thrown to the jungle below.86

I try and start the engine again, and it roars to life, shaking the ship tremendously complaining about the weight it could just barely support.87

“Cast off! Raise the sails! Let’s rock-n-roll maties!” I yell as my crew gets into their places and we sail off, just barely missing the natives.88

Epilogue89

Our ship passes through the stars and I think about how my eyes travel through the galaxies faster than any ship, and I now know that out there are many planets we've never seen. Many people do not understand. I smile at Ahmaisha and think of all the little girls like her and me, rejected by society, and I know my life has a purpose. I am hope, a role model for many who do not fit in, and it is my job to inspire them. 90

“Okay team,” I say. “We're going far away traveling to new places.” Everyone nods. “Anyone want to get off?” I ask.91

“I'm sure I speak for everyone,” Zane begins while looking at the crew who nods in agreement, “when I say we'd be honored to stay with such a great captain.” I smile, my big goofy grin that shows I'm really happy.92

“Onward then to the Rose Nebula!” I say happily, knowing my crew loved me. 93

They cheer with great enthusiasm and I know I am to lead my crew to galaxies unknown. Now, together, Strawberry, Ahmaisha, Zane, and I are to sail into the stars, I know not what lies ahead or what troubles we will face, but one thing is certain; though we are not related by blood, we are a family and together we can make it through anything.94