Galaxy Pirates

Chapter 11: Young Captain's Secrets

"So that's the story, Baxus".

"He asked you that question? Hmm, Zehu, what do you think?" Baxus turned to his friend, who had been listening to Violet's story together with him.

"I guess he's testing her. You know him, right? He values willpower the most".

"What am I supposed to answer? I don't want to be treated as a slave or a 'Gaian Worm' anymore!"

"Then you must prove you're worthy of it," Zehu shrugged.

"How? I don't even know what that existential question might mean! I've never thought about it in such details before".

"Wait," Baxus brightened, "Did he tell you anything about using others' help?"

"No, I guess not..."

"Then it's decided – I'll let you meet some entities who might help you find a hint".

"You don't mean them?!" Zehu widened eyes.

"Who, 'them'?"

Baxus didn't spend much time to explain it to Violet – he just grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the chamber while Zehu followed them. They descended in depths of the ship, walked through a maze of corridors, and reached a certain wooden room. He knocked, then entered right away and yelled:

"Anyone home? I need your help, guys!"

"Baxus, we've told you a hundred times that barging into people's rooms is a bad habit!"

"I did knock!"

"Lame excuses!"

Another door built within the said room opened wide, to reveal two entities whom Baxus talked about: a fair young lady of long orange hair and shimmering golden eyes – the one to have spoken; and quite an extraordinary man – wise beyond his years, yet young like the woman, no more than thirty-year-old. His hair was pitch-black as well as his eyes, and he held multiple weapons – laser-swords and guns – about him.

The woman had now put arms to her waist and scoldingly eyed both Baxus and Zehu. Once spotted Violet, her frown gave place to a surprised look:

"Hmm? Who's that?"

"This is Violet Hawthorne, a human – my cousin from mother's side. We met her while still on Sinbad's ship, and Sinbad gifted her to Captain for the Root Cherishing Day".

"Gave to Aru, as a gift?!"

The woman's eyes expressed the utmost fury. Violet noticed their spark much resembled the one of Sinbad's.

So it's not just her aspect or aura that overwhelms me... She is too much like him.

The man's nerves strained on his temples as he clenched his fists:

"That filthy_"

"Watch your mouth, Roderigo, he is still my cousin! But I do agree, what he did is atrocious".

"Cousin?! What do you_"

"Violet, meet Captain's parents: a Daluma-Herminoid hybrid, Maluma Arruroe (she happens to be the very daughter of the Daluma writer Yuuh Arruroe); and her husband, Roderigo Alvarez – one of the very first to be abducted from Earth and sold into slavery. A pure human, just like you," Baxus smiled.

"Captain Sinbad and Lady Maluma are cousins. However, as Lady Maluma is a hybrid with a Daluma, she's not considered a pure Herminoid, so Sinbad is counted as the last of his species," Zehu added.

"Come on, just call me Malu! I am your auntie, aren't I, Prince Zehu? Not by blood but who cares – you boys were practically raised under my wing".