Chapter 1

            “Follow Bones and bring me that map,” a rough, masculine voice ordered.

 

“Aye, Captain,” I answered and ran across the deck.

 

I hopped into one of the longboats and started it up. My father, the captain, smiled approvingly as the boat lowered from the ship. I unfurled the sail of the boat and shot forward, heading down to the planet Bones’ ship was on a crash course for. Of course, I knew I’d arrive long before he did, possibly a full day sooner. I looked around as I flew. I saw a kid on a solar surfer and smiled softly. I remembered doing things like that when I was just a little girl. I landed my boat at the end of a pier and jumped out, tying it down. I dusted off my black pants as I stood and began walking up the pier. I noticed a sign for a local inn.

 

“That’ll do,” I mumbled and ran towards the building at the top of the pier.

 

Once at the building, I opened the door to find a full restaurant with one woman bustling about.

 

“How can I help you,” the woman asked; her nametag read ‘Sarah.’

 

“Uh… I’m looking for a room for the night,” I answered.

 

“Sure, no problem. I’ll set it up for you in just a moment. If you could just wait over there, that’d be great.”

 

I nodded and sat in the chair Sarah had nodded towards. About twenty minutes later, the woman was still bustling around. I dug my hand into my jacket pocket and started fiddling with one of the gizmos my father had given me to tinker with.

 

“I’m sorry it’s taking so long. I’m just so busy,” Sarah told me apologetically.

 

“It’s fine, ma’am. I don’t mind,” I answered.

She walked over to a man and served him, holding a short conversation.

 

“I know he had some rough spots earlier this year, but I really think he’s made a turn,” Sarah said, talking about her son.

 

In the next second, the door burst open.

 

“Mrs. Hawkins,” a couple of robotic police called.

 

I turned my head away and covered my face with my jacket, slipping out of sight. One of the main things about my job was making sure no authority figure ever knew what I looked like, so I could continue to stay free. My dad always made sure I was never suspected of anything.

 

“Jim,” Sarah yelled.

 

I made my way to the women’s restroom and shut the door behind me. I pressed my back against the thick, wooden door and closed my eyes, barely daring to breathe. I remained silent for ten minutes, straining my ears. I could only hear muffled speech with the occasional sound of Sarah yelling her son’s name.

 

“You take care now. Let’s motor,” the police said and I peeked out the door of the restroom.

 

The main room was silent for a moment before the other customers started their conversations again. Sarah was quietly scolding her son across the room as I made my way back to the seat I was in before. I was beginning to dislike this little excursion. If the police were involved, I would have a lot of trouble finding Bones or the map. Sarah walked over to me after her son disappeared into the kitchen.

 

“I’m sorry. I’ll prepare a room for you immediately,” she said, a tired look in her eyes.

 

I nodded and she led me upstairs, to one of the guest rooms. I sat on the edge of the bed and pulled the device from before out of my pocket. It was a simple, mechanical sphere my father had given me so I could practice my skills when I wasn’t working on the ship. I continued tinkering with the gadget for hours, until I heard the sound of thunder rumbling.

 

“It’ll be difficult to hear Bones in this weather. Might as well go and keep a look out,” I mumbled.

 

I climbed out my window and used the lattice along the wall to climb up to the roof. It was just like climbing into the rigging of a ship, only easier. I walked along the roof, staring up at the sky. I could hear Sarah talking to a man from inside. I assumed the man was a friend of hers.

 

“I really don’t know how you manage it, Sarah. Trying to run a business while raising a felon like- felon… fellow… fellow like Jim,” the man said.

 

“Manage it? I’m at the end of my rope! Ever since his father left, well, he’s just never recovered. And you know how smart he is. He built his first solar surfer when he was eight! And yet he’s failing at school, he’s constantly in trouble and when I talk to him, he’s like a stranger to me. I don’t know what to do, Delbert. I’ve tried everything,” Sarah answered.

 

I walked around the corner and sighed. I was beginning to feel sorry for the inn-keeper. Sure, I was a bad kid, by most standards, but my father was proud of my accomplishments. As I turned the corner, I saw Sarah’s son, Jim, sitting on the roof.

 

“Who are you,” he asked

 

“The name’s Ember,” I answered.

 

Things were silent for a few moments between us.

 

“T’ain’t my place to say, but your mom is worried about ya,” I finally said.

 

“What do you care?”

 

“Growin’ up without a mother, I guess I just feel sympathy for her.”

The boy shrugged and looked away, a scowl on his face. I leaned against an upraised section of the roof.

 

“Eh, who be I to interfere with the lives of an inn-keeper and her boy,” I mumbled.

 

Jim glanced over at me and I allowed a slight smile to adorn my features.

 

“So, you staying here with your dad or something,” he asked after a moment.

 

“Actually, he’s out working. I’m staying here for the night by myself.”

 

Jim nodded, but said nothing more. I pushed myself of the wall, just as clanking and sputtering could be heard. Jim and I looked up as a spaceship came falling into view. I mentally swore, immediately recognizing it. Bones had come earlier than I had anticipated. Jim ran forward, sliding off the roof, and took off towards the ship.

 

“Come on,” he called over his shoulder as her ran.

 

I bit my lower lip before following after him. I knew I’d probably regret showing my face to Bones, but I needed to get that map from him.

 

“Hey, Mister,” Jim called as we neared the ship. “Mister, you’re okay in there, right?”

 

A clawed hand slammed against the window and Jim jumped back. I allowed my long brown hair to fall in front of my face, hiding my identity as best I could. A man like a salamander fell out of the ship, along with a chest, and started coughing. He sounded as if he was dying and I resisted the urge to smirk at my handiwork. Bones grabbed Jim by the collar of his black jacket and pulled him close.

 

“He’s a-comin’. Can you hear him,” Bones asked. “Those gears and gyros clickin’ and whirlin’ like the devil himself.”

As he spoke, his neck elongated, causing Jim to move back. My jaw set at the lizard’s words. He let go of Jim and grabbed the chest.

 

“Uh, hit your head there pretty hard, didn’t ya,” the inn-keeper’s boy asked.

 

“He’s after me chest, that fiendish cyborg and his band of cutthroats. But they’ll have to pry it from old Billy Bones’ cold, dead fingers afore I-argh!”

 

He fell to the ground, coughing again. I bit my tongue to keep from lashing out.

 

“Not far off from that, old man,” I muttered venomously.

 

Jim scrambled to help the salamander and picked up the chest.

 

“Let me get that for you,” I offered.

 

“I got it. Just help me carry him,” Jim answered.

 

I growled under my breath and took Bones’ other side. We began up the path to the inn.

“Mom’s gonna love this,” Jim muttered as the rain began to pour down.

Author's Note

Yes, this story follows the movie, but I've added a new character and, honestly, quite a few people on FFN have really enjoyed this story so that's why I decided to put it up here.