BEST OF THE BEST - Chapter Twelve

Drak scrambled to her feet too quickly. Feeling dizzy, she stumbled and grabbed onto a piece of the rail that was left intact to keep on her feet. She looked around at the wreckage surrounding her and sighed.
The Marauder had been completely obliterated. No Minecraftian could have survived that. But neither Thalia nor the pirate were anywhere in sight. “Thalia?” Drak called, letting go of the rail. “Star?”
“Here.” Star flew down and let Thalia climb off her back. She tossed Logan roughly to the ground. “I don’t know what possessed you to want to save HIM…” Star muttered.
Thalia knelt next to the pirate and grabbed his collar, holding it firmly with one fist. “If you EVER try to do anything to my ship or my crew ever again, I WILL kill you.” Her voice was calm and quiet, but a fire raged in her eyes. “Drak, hand me that rope.” Thalia said, refusing to take her eyes away from the pirate’s. Logan, in turn, glared back up at her fearlessly.
Drak picked up the short piece of rope on the ground beside her and handed it to Thalia. Thalia then used the rope to bind Logan’s hands behind his back.
“By the authority of Skylord Kal, I take you, Logan Keyes, my prisoner.” Thalia said.
“Oh great, now I have to spend time with you?!” Logan shouted.
“A lot, yes.” Thalia replied. She continued before Logan could respond. “What will happen to the Omega?”
“Why should I-”
“Because if you don’t, I’ll shave your head.” Thalia interrupted.
Logan let the smallest sound of fear escape his throat. Suddenly his mouth felt dry. He gulped. “My men will continue on without me. Pirate’s Code.”
“I am aware of the Pirate’s Code.” Thalia said, annoyed.
Logan raised one eyebrow but didn’t pursue the matter. But how could a Skylord know about the pirates’ way of life? “My first mate, Watts, will take command of the Omega in my place. He’ll take it to that base a few miles off.”
“Base?” Star asked. “What base?”
Logan shrugged.
Drak rolled her eyes. “What does it LOOK like?” She asked.
“It’s dark blue and black and filled to the brim with flying squids.”
“That would be a squid base.” Drak said.
“And with any luck, it’s ours.” Star added with a nodded.
“But why would anyone WANT to go there?” Drak asked.
“Why not?” Logan asked. “The squids are allies to my men.”
Star snapped her fingers. “That’s it!” She exclaimed excitedly. “That’s our ticket in!”
“What is?” Drak asked.
“We follow the Omega on foot until it gets to the base. Then we sneak in through a back entrance or something, grab Ant, get out, and go home!”
“We use the Omega as a guide…” Thalia said thoughtfully. “I like it. But I am not leaving that base until I have command of my ship.”
“Tuh. Good luck with that.” Logan muttered, rolling his eyes.
“Hey, are you guys alright?” Jason said as he landed on the deck of the airship, turning off his jetpack simultaneously. Ty climbed onto the deck over the rail a few meters behind him.
“We’re fine.” Drak replied.
“Who’s that?” Ty asked, gesturing in Logan’s direction.
“Logan Keyes, Captain of-”
“He’s a pirate.” Thalia interrupted.
“Now listen, we’d better keep moving if we’re gonna keep up with that airship.” Star said.
“My crew will stay put for the night.” Logan replied. “There’s nothing that will stand between them and at least twelve hours’ sleep.”
“I’m sorry, what?” Ty asked.
“I’ll explain later.” Drak hissed.
“We’ll take turns keeping watch to make sure it doesn’t leave without us.” Star said. “I’ll take first.”
“Second.” Jason claimed.
“Third.” Drak offered.
“I’ll take first tomorrow night.” Thalia said.
“And I’ll go second tomorrow.” Ty said.
“And we’ll keep the cycle going.” Star said with a nod.
“Good, not that’s all figured out, would ya mind telling us about this ‘Follow the airship’ plan you’ve all decided on?” Jason asked.