Abandoned, Book One of the Reluctant Heroes Series

Chapter One: Riddle Me This

Captain Illia Tyan-Piquin stormed down a bright blue corridor.

"Where is she?" she would ask any passing crew member. None seemed to know, until she came along Kalen, who had been walking with Ewiquia and Tatrin, who, as usual, had been arguing over something or other. Kalen had difficulties lying, and especially to Illia. The twins looked at her worriedly, hoping that she would be able to lie just this one time. Alas, their hope was not enough.

"She's hiding in the kitchen." Kalen answered, eyes on her shoes. Illia gave a tight smile, and thanked her third mate. She then turned sharply in the direction of the kitchen as Tatrin sighed and Ewiquia assured her girlfriend that Jaquin would surely forgive her, and stormed her way through the halls.

The person she was looking for clearly knew the best places to hide. Though, she wasn't exactly hiding, persay. But, said girl knew that Illia couldn't touch her, considering who she was with.

"JAQUIN TYAN-PIQUIN," Illia yelled in a thunderous voice as she entered the kitchen.

"GET YOUR BLUE ASS OVER HERE THIS INSTANT."

Like most seventeen year olds wouldn't, Jaquin did not get her blue ass over to her adoptive-mother. Instead, she hid behind her adoptive-grandmother-like-figure.

"Jaquin is not present at this exact moment, Captain," Jaquin replied in a ridiculous voice, still hiding behind the chef of the ship.

The chef of The Artemis was Grannie G, and Illia probably would've known better than to yell at her daughter when Grannie G was in the room.

Grannie G, or GG, as a majority of the crew called her, was quite big, albeit rather short, and of a very sturdy, aquamarine build. She may have been seventy-eight years old, but she was still kicking and pirating her way through space. Grannie G was quite possibly the most respected person on the ship. Illia may hold the title of 'Captain,' but Grannie G was the true authority on The Artemis.

Grannie G was also quite protective of Jaquin, acting as though the teenaged Trenion could do no wrong. Which, of course, was ironic, considering their profession.

She walked straight up to the the captain, reached up for her ear, and pulled down. The chef turned around and began nagging as the Yensinnian captain repeatedly replied with "ow."

"Now, Mrs Illia, you know I respect yeh, and I love yeh, but yeh can't talk to yer daughter in such a way!" she began. Whenever Grannie G got like this, there was no stopping her. After a few more minutes of similar defenses, the light at the end of the tunnel of nagging appeared.

"She ain't done nothin wrong, Mrs Illia! She been down here helpin' lil ole me make cookies for the whole crew!" With this, Grannie G seemed content with her argument, and gave a little nod, as though to confirm that she was done now.

Illia, in her calmest, most passive-aggressive voice, said, "Grannie G, if you would please, as I know you are kind enough to do, release my right ear, I would greatly appreciate it. In fact, I will enlighten you with an explanation to my outburst."

This seemed like a good response in theory, but Grannie G didn't appreciate it. After letting go of Illia's ear, she slapped her captain upside the head -not too hard, but none too lightly, either.

"Don't you go sassin me, young lady!" Grannie G once again seemed satisfied with this response, and, leaning against the counter of her kitchen, gave another nod to herself.

Illia composed herself, and walked over to her daughter. She leaned in and whispered.

"And what made you think that was a good idea?" she hissed. Her daughter gave out a shaky chuckle, knowing that her response would probably get her dish duty for the next month or so.