8 Chapter 8: Allies?

Become a pirate? I thought. Me? I had never considered anything like it, probably because there weren't a lot of pirates where I came from, but still. They robbed people, and worse, killed. But hadn't I just killed a man? Wasn't that proof enough I could be one if I wanted to be? It was certainly much more exciting than the life I had before, but also very new. Was I ready for such a big change in my life? Was I prepared to make the sacrifice of giving up everything I had ever known? I needed time to think.

"Can I think on it?" I asked the capatin.

"Sure," he said, "Take all the time ya need. Though I'd prefer you figure it out by next week, that's when we're doing our next heist."

I nodded, taking into consideration l would have to participate in a "heist" if I did agree to become a pirate. It was a strange idea.

After everything had settled down in the great room, Warner led me back to my room. Before he closed the door behind him he said, "By the way, I wanted to say thank you again, for saving my life."

"Oh," I said, unsure of how to respond, "You're welcome."

Warner nodded awkwardly and left the room. As two men, I guess neither of us really knew how to express ourselves that well. I guess even in the future, men were conditioned to believe emotions were a sign of weakness. It had been two thousand years, but it didn't really seem like much had changed, other than the technology.

I flopped down in my new bed and sighed with delight. It really was the most comfortable bed I had ever slept in. I wondered if I would be allowed to continue sleeping in it after I became a pirate. If I became a pirate. I was starting to think like I had already become one. I shook my head to dismiss the idea. I had to think this over calmly and thoroughly. But what was there to think about really? Obviously, I wanted to be a pirate. I wanted that excitement of everyday life. I mean, what else was I going to do? I have no way of getting home, and do I really want to go back?

It was all too confusing! I thought, as I rubbed my head vigorously. I decided I would have to sleep on it and curled back up in my bed, feeling slightly guilty about running away from the problem, but extremely joyful at the prospect of getting even more sleep on this heavenly mattress. With those as my last thoughts, I drifted slowly into a deep sleep, hoping when I awoke the answer would present itself to me with ease.

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This time I woke up by myself, without Warner's help. Nothing had disturbed me during my rest and I was feeling fully rejuvenated. It was a little strange not waking up to sunlight, but I could adjust to that. There I go again! Acting like this is already my home!

I threw the covers off top of me and swung my legs over the bed, then took my head in my hands and rubbed my eyes with displeasure. So, the answer would not simply come to me after all.

After I had my fill of self-pity, I picked myself up from the soft mattress and moved towards the door. When I got closer I realized something I hadn't before, the door had no handle. I started to panic a little at the idea of not being able to open the door, but then it slid open out of nowhere without any trouble. of course, I thought, sliding doors. I chided myself for being such an idiot.

I moved outside my room cautiously, unsure of where I was really planning to go. I spotted a man headed in the direction of the great room and asked him where he was headed.

"Why, I'm headed to the mess room," he said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Oh," I said, "Thank you."

"Wait a minute," he said, squinting his eyes at me, "Ya're the ladey from yesterday, the one who says he traveled through time!"

I chuckled awkwardly, "Yeah, that's me."

"Well, ya can come with me to breakfast ladey! The name's Charles!"

"Asher," I responded, as I moved to walk beside him.

"I know ladey, there isn't a lad on this ship who don't know yar name. Ya're famous!"

"Really?" I asked, still thinking the situtaion rather awkward.

He nodded his head eagerly and then continued to ramble on until we reached the cafeteria. When we walked inside I was just a little but shocked at the sight before me.

It was a large room. It was film to the brim with tables upon tables, I assumed of which were for sitting and eating. But even more astonishing, all those tables were full. Everywhere I looked, there was a pirate. Of all shapes and sizes, but mostly big and burly. It was a stereotypical setup, and I remembered what the captain had told me when I asked about the lack of aliens. He didn't seem like the racist type, but I think it was more a matter of finding someone of a different race who wasn't currently at war. That was something else I had to consider, this world wasn't really all that better than my old one when it came to progression.

Charles led me to a table where five others were sitting having a heated conversation about last night's battle.

"No, no, no," one was saying, shaking his a head, "That guy was definitely only twice your size."

"Are you kidding me?" A woman responded rather passionately, "He was no doubt three times bigger! Three times!"

"I agree with Carina. He was a lot larger than her," another chimed in.

"Yes," said the first guy, "But not by three times."

"Hey everyone! Arguing about who took down the largest enemy again?" Charles greeted.

"Yeah," the two times guy replied.

Carina nodded towards me, "Who's this?"

"That," Charles said, looking at me, "Is Asher."

"The Asher?" said two times guy.

"Yes, the Asher," was Charles's reply.

I waved sheepishly.

"Well come on over ladey," Charles said, and two times guy nodded in agreement waving me over.

I went and sat down then listened as Charles introduced everyone in turn. First, he pointed to two times guy and introduced him as Florence. I thought it was an awfully feminine name for such a large man, but I tried not to discriminate. Then he introduced Carina and the guy who supported her argument, who was apparently named Dallan. The last two were named Crowey, and Laser. Crowey was a measly looking fellow, with slicked back, jet-black hair and narrow eyes. And Laser was, well I wasn't really sure how to describe him. His most prominent feature was a ginormous scar running across the whole of his face, which I assumed, miraculously, was from a laser gun accident. They both just nodded at me to let me know they had acknowledged my presence, then went back to their food.

After introductions, Carina turned to me and held out her hand, "It's nice to meet ya son."

I took it and then responded, "Thank you, but I don't think we're that far apart in age."

Based off her radiant skin and lack of wrinkles I assumed she must have been in her twenties. She was quite beautiful really. She had long blond hair pulled back in a tight ponytail, and gorgeous brown eyes that lit up everytime she spoke. It was almost as if she were the embodiment of a goddess. I sighed, knowing she was way out of my league.

"Really?" she said surprised, "How old are you?"

"Eighteen," I said.

"Oh my! Well, a lady never reveals her age, but I suppose I really don't have any right calling ya son."

I chuckled at her little joke, but it made me wonder how old she actually was.

I then turned to Florence at his saying, "Well, it's a real honour to meet ya ladey!" He took my hand and shook it with a very tight grip.

I thanked him and things continued on like this for a few minutes before Charles announced it was time we both got our food. We left the table and made our way to the breakfast line.

On the way, Charles continued to make conversation, "So ladey, I hear ya're considering joinin' us pirates."

"Yeah," I said, unable to explain to him exactly how I felt on the matter.

"Well, I think it's a mighty fine idea, ya'd really make a great addition to the team."

"Thanks," I responded once more, again unsure of what to say.

We continued to talk in this manner the whole time we were getting our food, but I was only half listening. My heart and mind were elsewhere as I thought about what would become of me, and whether or not I was prepared to accept whatever fate had been laid out for me.