Treasure Planet-Collection of stories from the voyage to Treasure Planet

All the Stars in the Sky

-Takes place approximately one month after the Legacy's departure-

Silver yawned, walking up the stairs from the ship's storage lodge. He pulled out a pocket-watch from his coat and checked the time, continuing up to start his shift. He yawned again as he reached the deck. Why did he always get the night watch? 

His legs felt heavy as he moseyed to the poop deck, leaving against its wall. He pulled out his pipe and lit it, taking a long draw from it as he observed his surroundings. He didn't mind the twilight shift, really. It was nice to let down the facades he had to double up for the crew and the Captain, instead able to take a few hours for himself.

The stars twinkled quietly, almost seeming to recognize the solitary moment Silver was having as gentle breezes blew around him. He took another drag from his pipe, looking around at the sails...before spotting a familiar jacket up in the bird's nest. He squinted, putting out his pipe. Sure enough, there was Jim. Silver quietly walked along the side of the deck until he was underneath a mast, looking up at the boy. 

"Ahoy up there," he called, loud enough for the teen to hear, but not enough to wake the others. Jim turned his head down to him. "Hey."

"Mind if I join you?" The cyborg asked, putting a hand on the shrouds.

"You sure you can get up here?" The boy asked, his blue eyes narrowing. Silver waved a hand. "I've climbed many a shroud in my time lad, I'll be just fine."

The cyborg climbed up to the nest, hoisting himself over the ledge, taking a seat next to Jim. They sat in silence for a few minutes. Breezes blew past them, rustling the sails gently. Silver peered at Jim out the corner of his eye.

"So, what are ye doin' out this late?" He asked. Jim looked down at his knees and flicked a piece of stardust off them, frowning. "I dunno."

"Oh," the cyborg replied sarcastically, mocking being convinced. "Is that so?" Jim looked back at his hands, wrapping his jacket more firmly around him. "It's just nice up here. That's all," he said quietly. The cyborg hummed in agreement. Silver looked up at the Etherium and smiled, nudging Jim's shoulder. "Ye see that?" He asked, pointing at a cluster of stars. The boy nodded. "That constellation's called 'Geno.' It's been 'round fer eons and we spacers use it ta tell how far from The East Solar Wind Current we are."

"And that one," he continued, pointing at a deep purple nebula. "Is ta Twilight Nebula. We use that to gauge what direction we're facin.'" Jim's lips began to turn upwards into a small smile as Silver pointed out a brightly glowing star. "That star gives us the most energy on this route. Think it's called Ursela or somethin.'"

"What about that one?" Jim asked, pointing at a space cloud. "That's the Sailin' Ghost," the cyborg said, smiling. "See how it's shaped like a bow there?" He said, gesturing to its shape. Jim nodded, a genuine smile on his face.

"The Etherium's a pretty place, eh Jimbo?" The cyborg said, resting his head on the mast. "Yeah," the boy replied, yawning. Silver ruffled the boys hair with a chuckle. "Well yer lookin' pretty tired there, lad. Why don't ye head off ta bed?" 

Jim nodded, stepping off the nest and onto the shrouds, giving the cyborg a small smile as he climbed down to the deck. Silver watched him as he walked to the crew's quarters, disappearing into them. He sighed, smiling. 

"Yer a good lad, Jimbo."

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Thanks for reading! Any reviews or comments would be great, constructive criticism is always appreciated. 

I initially wanted to take this chapter in a different direction where Jim would be thinking about his dad and how he left to live a sailor's life-which I still hold to be true from a writer's perspective. The plan was that Silver would join him and that conversation would be started, in which case they'd talk about following dreams and how the path to them can be altered, and how sometimes your dream can change because of that. Instead, it turned into a different father-son moment where Silver shares his knowledge of the Etherium-something that felt better for this story, and something I feel projects a more solid father-figure. I may decide to take up my original idea in the future, and I may not. Any thoughts on this would be great. Stay happy and healthy everyone!