Treasure Planet

Sophie Pennant

 "Miss Pennant! If you insist lying in your squalor-like pit all day then I will not brief you on our next voyage!" hollered a strong female British accent. The feline stood tall with one paw on the smooth banister and the other behind her back. She rolled her eyes and tutted when she heard a small thump and the rushed patting of bare feet on the floor above. She could just picture the teen stumbling over herself in a blind panic to get dressed. Amelia did feel sorry for her goddaughter – Sophie always wanted to make a good impression and be on time, today was no different. Her ears perked up when her sensitive hearing caught onto the girl's usual mumblings which occurred when she banged into something. Amelia gave a small sigh, knowing Sophie would utter a forbidden word sooner or later. "I expect you to be fully dressed... And don't you dare think about muttering profanities! I have more efficient hearing than you." The cat had interrupted the girl's muttering before she could even begin but muffled "I'm coming" could be heard as the girl was frantically rushing to get ready. With a sigh, the feline sat at her desk and began to read over the High Overseer's briefing, this mission brief seemed more unusual. The map or journey plan was not included; it was labelled as "Classified". If it was a simple voyage then why would the destination be so highly secretive? Could she take a young cadet on this voyage? Her thoughts were interrupted by a pair of feet running on the mahogany floor and eventually sliding towards the desk before coming to a perfect stop. The girl's dirty blonde hair covered her face despite it being tied up, the feline took note of having some carpets laid out whilst she was away.

"I am so sorry for sleeping in Amelia. And for sliding around in the house, I'm sorry." she finally breathed, lifting her head up and clasping her lightly tanned hands together. Amelia couldn't help but give a light smirk; the girl amused her and was different from the other cadets that she had encountered. Amelia explained the mission briefing to Sophie who was rather skeptical about the classified information. Sophie asked for the files for the crew that was hired, it was peculiar that none of them were known and came as a set, as in they all came in as one large group for interview. Pushing the notes she made of the crew aside, Sophie began to pack her bag for the ten week voyage.

She always felt emotional when packing – it made her think about her parents. She was bitter about the other students at the academy – they had parents there to wave them off at port, send letters (though she greatly appreciated Amelia's) and be there for graduation when it finally comes in three years. She wiped away a lone tear and started to pack the rest of her things and found a spare ten minutes to herself which she occupied with doing some embroidery. It was of her family crest – a wolf with green eyes surrounded by gold leaf vines and red roses. She only had the eyes and some extra detail left to do on the piece then it would be finished. She hoped her parent's would be proud of her which brought another bitter thought about her peers at the academy – she always heard then complain about them. At least she had Amelia and Mr Arrow, they were there for her, just not in the same way... A holler from Amelia signalled that Mr Arrow had arrived to pick them up, quickly she packed her embroidery drawings, needles and threads and slid down the hall and practically jumped down the staircase to be greeted with a half scowl and smirk from the two officers. Mr Arrow found the scene as rather amusing but remained proper, Amelia however chuckled. "Miss Pennant, if you are going to slide around in this house then please follow my example and execute the manoeuvre with more grace."

Sophie sat on the opposite side of the carriage to Amelia and Mr Arrow, losing interest in their conversation about the Protean Armada – she knew there was fatalities and the two of them did get injured (Amelia now sported a jagged scar on her right leg whilst Arrow got chipped slightly). She stared out of the window, keeping in mind not to mark her white Interstellar uniform; thankfully she only had to wear it at school and going on and leaving ships. Sophie observed the many different beings going about their daily business and wondered what her life would have been like if her parents were still around. Then her mind wandered off to where this ship was going to go, none of them seemed to know where they were going; just the further outskirts of the galaxy. Maybe she could write an essay on it! That brightened Sophie's damp spirits. Maybe they were going to discover a new civilisation or even a long forgotten abandoned planet. Sophie looked up in awe at the RLS Legacy, it was much bigger and grander than she expected and she felt a sudden swell of excitement and pride rising up from her stomach and throat. Sophie couldn't wait to explore the ship and go on another adventure. For some reason she thought more deeply about her parents since she was summoned for this voyage – maybe because it she was going to graduate soon.

"Miss Pennant. *No response* Sophie, please *reaches over and touches her hand* We're here." Sophie jumped when Amelia touched her hand; she had been plaiting her dirty blonder over her shoulder again. The three occupants of the floating carriage gathered their light luggage and headed towards the grand ship known as the RLS Legacy. Sophie didn't know very much about the ship or its history but both officers have used it, apparently it was one of the few ships that didn't receive extensive damage when battling the Proteus Armada. She really hoped she would never encounter any wars or major battles in her career as a culture and language advisor. She remembered being taken out of her History of Flatulen class to be told Amelia had been injured – she was still undecided whether the process of militarising young people was a good idea because with distressing news, the students had to keep going. Sophie was in a terrible state when her last surviving grandparent passed away and instead of finding sympathy from some of her lecturers she found distaste as she missed a week of classes. The three uniformed individuals explored the ship with Amelia making sarcastic comments about the state and quality of the repair job.

The ship had everything but cargo and crew, the ship wasn't old at all but it bore numerous minor dents and some scratches that couldn't be covered with paint. There wasn't very much that Sophie could do since her duties included cabin girl and advisor to Amelia and because she wasn't training to become an officer of any sort, she wasn't allowed or needed to help Arrow with anything. Sophie went to unpack her luggage, it was all she could do but it was relaxing for her – because she had OCD she had immaculate cleanliness and everything was folded and cared for. With her room being in the captain's quarters Sophie could hear Arrow and Amelia talking about the crew, neither were best pleased with the voyage financier's choice and judgement of worthy spacemen. It always amused the teenager when Amelia had rant before morning coffee; it was a good way of finding out what subjects to avoid talking to her about for the day. It certainly saved her hind and Arrow's as well. Before Amelia made Arrow her permanent first mate – she had sacred off many men and cadets who were working towards the rank of captain and somehow Arrow was the only one who never broke down – they clicked so well. He balanced out her bold personality with a calm persona. Banter grew from it since he just accepted whatever she came out with and never took it personally; it was a hilarious thing to listen to. Sophie listened closer to their conversation.

"How can someone with a doctorate hire a ludicrous parcel of drivelling galoots! It is totally preposterous! I suppose my entertainment for this voyage will be terrorising the daylights out of him. Now coffee, please Mr Arrow." Amelia had finished her rant and was more interested in her coffee meaning Sophie could join them without having a rant directed at her. Looking in the small mirror, she observed a tired looking teenager, everything was tidy apart from a loose strand of her hair that refused to cooperate no matter what she did. Sophie really couldn't wait to get changed out of her uniform as it was a warm day and despite it being white it made her feel like she was being cooked alive! "Just until the launch..." She muttered to herself, repeating it a few times as she peered out of the window to the space port below.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~

So what did you think? YOU can help me decide what Sophie looks like - whether it's a drawing or from the Internet!