The Adventures of Exodus Creed & Co.

In Which They Brush a Galatic Whale's Teeth

A month had passed since Exodus joined the Queen's Haven crew. It was a month full of new experiences and oddities, and Exodus was a ball of joyous energy. He learned quickly under the careful teaching of the crew (and sometimes Lochland), and the men fondly nicknamed him, 'Little Exo'.

"He's a bright lad," they would often say to each other, watching Exodus swing from the rigging with almost as much skill as Lochland himself.

Exodus didn't miss his old life on Gundaroll a bit. In fact, he barely thought of it, and when it did happen to cross his mind he scoffed at the pathetic image and mentally flicked it away. He was a Pirate now, not some boring Gundarollian.

There was only one thing on Queen's Haven that always managed to put a somber tinge to Exodus' playful mood.

First mate Picalo Barnes.

Picalo was not unkind, but he took his position on the ship very seriously. Exodus had only ever seen him smile twice, and they always brightened his sun darkened features. But he often looked at Exodus with a touch of annoyance, and would speak almost degradingly to him whenever he had reason to speak to him at all.

"Don't take it personally, Exo." Lochland told him with a smile. "Picalo's not used to kids, that's all. Just keep proving yourself to be a worthy crewman and he'll warm up to ye." Exodus sighed and nodded, wishing the first mate wouldn't be so intimidating.

They had sailed thousands of miles since picking up Exodus from Gundaroll, and had often gone below the cloud bank so that the earth stretched out below them like a patchwork quilt. Exodus loved watching the world at night, when the larger cities sparkled with golden lights. Like stars on earth. But he was glad that they never landed. He was fully content on 'his' ship. But over the past few days, they had gone much higher than usually, so that the cloud bank roiled far beneath them and there was nothing but sky above them like a giant blue canopy.

"Captain Loch, where are we going?" Exodus asked one day as they all ate lunch.

"Why, we're going up, Little Exo!" Lochland said around a mouthful of apple, looking stunned that Exodus had to ask.

"I know that," Exodus rolled his eyes, "but what's up there? Is there an island we're going to rob?" He tried not to sound too excited. The Queen's Haven had hit several small islands throughout the month, and even though Exodus was forbidden to join the raid, he always found it exciting.

"Nope!" Lochland announces cheerfully, "no islands. Whales."

Exodus hesitated before repeating slowly.

"Whales?"

"Aye! Galactic whales are migrating. Coming down from space with a mouthful of diamonds. And we're going to catch one!"

"And do what? We won't kill it, will we?" Exodus asked uncertainly, and the crew roared with laughter. Even Picalo flashed a rare grin.

"Bless the boy!" A sailor named Chortle gasped, "he really don't know about the whales!"

"No one kills Galactic whales, Little Exo." Lochland explained. "Even the most dastardly Pirate won't harm them. They live around Neptune, and feed on its gases (yes, I understand that sounds weird, let me finish!). Anyway, everyone knows Neptune rains diamonds. And Galactic whales always get those diamonds stuck in their teeth while feeding. They come to earth to restock their airways with fresh earth air, and then head back into space. We're going to catch one and collect the diamonds."

Exodus smiled excitedly at this news. That sounded much more agreeable than raiding an island!

"The only problem is finding one away from its pod..." Lochland mused, tossing his apple core overboard and watching it descend. "Whales in a pack can be dangerous."