Rattle The Stars

Chapter Seven: Captain Amelia

As they walked into the captain’s state room, Alice looked around in awe. Her boots made a pleasing noise on the polished wood floor. Copious sunlight filtered through the large windows behind the captain’s desk, and on the wall opposite, a large, mechanical map with magnifying glasses presented dozens of worlds and galaxies.

Captain Amelia ushered them in, then locked the door behind her. As she turned back to face them, her feline eyes were slanted.

“Doctor,” she began, stepping towards them. “To muse and blabber… about a treasure map… in front of this particular crew… demonstrates a level of ineptitude that borders on the imbecilic. And I mean that in a very caring way.”

“Imbecilic?” Dr. Doppler repeated, his voice threaded with indignation. “Foolishness, I’ll grant—“

“May I see the map, please?” The captain held out her clawed hand.

Dr. Doppler paused, then glanced back at Alice. Alice glanced at Jim, who rolled his eyes, then shrugged. Captain Amelia seemed trustworthy enough. And if she was the captain…they’d have to keep her happy in order to make it to Treasure Planet at all.

Alice slipped the map from her pocket and handed it to the captain. “Here you are.”

Captain Amelia raised it to her eyes with curiosity. But as she studied the little golden globe, her ears perked up, and her eyes dilated, and Alice was struck with a memory of Dinah chasing a baby rabbit.

“Hmm. Fascinating.” She gave the map a little toss, then walked towards a tall cabinet. “Mr. Hawkins. Miss Kingsley. Going forward, you will address me as Captain, or ma’am. Is that clear?” She placed the map inside a locked box within the cabinet, then waited for a response.

“Yes, Captain,” Alice replied politely, dipping her head.

Jim didn’t answer right away. He rolled his eyes, then scowled at the floor, giving an almost inaudible sigh.

Alice blinked, puzzled, studying him. It was clear he didn’t like the captain’s authoritative manner. Alice had had her fair share of chafing against authority… but she’d learned to at least give a polite answer rather than start a confrontation she was fated to lose. She wondered what had happened to Jim to make him dislike authority so much.

“Mr. Hawkins.” Amelia’s tone rang with a hidden warning.

Alice elbowed him, giving him a questioning look.

Jim sighed, then composed himself. “Yes, ma’am,” he replied.

“That’ll do.” The captain locked the cabinet. “Gentlemen…and Miss Kingsley…” she said, nodding to Alice, “This must be kept under lock and key when not in use.” She stopped in front of Dr. Doppler. “And Doctor, again, with the greatest possible respect…” She brought herself up to her full height and enunciated each word right into the doctor’s face. “Zip your howling screamer.”

Alice stifled a laugh.

“Captain, I assure you…” The doctor began, but the captain continued, sitting down behind her desk, Mr. Arrow pulling her chair out for her.

“Let me make this as…monosyllabic as possible,” said the captain, and Dr. Doppler flung his arms out in frustration. “I don’t much care for this crew you hired.” She pointed her compass at him as she spoke. “They’re…” she floundered for words. “How did I describe them, Arrow? I said something rather good this morning before coffee.”

Mr. Arrow, his hands behind his back, as immovable as ever, rumbled, “A ludicrous parcel of driveling galoots, ma’am.”

Captain Amelia smiled, and Alice and Jim glanced at each other, both shaking with silent laughter.

“There you go, poetry,” the captain snarked.

Dr. Doppler, however, was not amused. He slammed his metallic hands down on the side of her desk.
“Now, see here—“

“Doctor,” the captain continued, completely unfazed as she pulled herself to standing. “I’d love to chat. Tea, cake, the whole shebang. But I have a ship to launch, and you’ve got your outfit to buff up.” She ran one claw up the metal collar of his suit to make her point.

She then stood at attention. “Mr. Arrow, please escort these two gentleman neophytes down to the galley straightaway. Mr. Hawkins will be working for our cook, Mr. Silver.”

“Wait, what?” Jim had been playing with the mechanical map on the wall, but he glanced up in alarm, his blue eyes wide. “The cook?”

“Off you go,” Captain Amelia said, giving a little wave as Mr. Arrow ushered the grumbling doctor and Jim from the room.

“Am I also dismissed, captain?” Alice asked, standing politely with her hands clasped in front of her.

“No, my dear girl,” the captain said. “It seems I’ve thought of the perfect job for you, too. You’ll be my assistant, and your cabin will be adjacent to mine.” The captain sat heavily behind her desk. “I can hardly expect a young lady such as yourself to feel comfortable or even safe in the presence of this particular crew.”

Alice gave a polite nod. “Thank you, captain. I’d be perfectly happy to assist you.”

“Very well,” Amelia concluded with a nod. “Tell me, Miss Kingsley. What are your skills or talents?”

“Well, captain,” Alice replied as she twisted her hands nervously. “I can write and read, of course, and sew, and make tea. I also sing a bit, if that’s of any interest to you. I’m also…” She hesitated, but Captain Amelia raised an eyebrow, urging her to continue. “I’m also an artist.”

“Hmm.” The captain’s eyes dilated with interest. “All very good. You’re a young lady of proper upbringing, that’s for certain.” Amelia smiled tiredly. “Here is your first assignment.” Her feline eyes glimmered with amusement. “I’d like a proper pot of tea.”

Alice smiled politely and stifled the urge to roll her eyes. “Oh, yes, ma’am. My sister taught me very well how to do just that.”

“Perfect, Miss Kingsley. In the adjoining room, you’ll find everything you need,” the captain explained. “I could use several cups before the launch.”

“Yes, captain.” Alice nodded and bustled off to make the tea.

As she worked, she reflected on her encounter with the feline captain. Although Captain Amelia put on a sharp, no-nonsense exterior, Alice could see a woman, older than herself, but with likes and dislikes, interests, and weariness beyond her years.

And, to top it all off, she hadn’t scoffed at Alice’s admission of being an artist. She’d simply taken it all in, as if it were expected and proper, not a mark of shame or immaturity.

Alice smiled. Despite only knowing the captain for a few moments, Alice thought she liked her very much.


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