Treasure

by Jim Ladd

  Eventually Sam and his parents pulled themselves apart.

  “Nice beard, Dad,” grinned Sam.

  “Never mind the beard – how did you get here?” said his dad, looking at him in amazement.

  “We were hoping that Interstellar Rescue was going to come, but when they didn’t show we thought we were stuck here forever,” his mother said. “We’re so happy to see you!”

  “I got the homing beacon with the map in it,” explained Sam, “but it hit the satellite aerial on the house when it landed and broke it. I couldn’t get in touch with anybody.”

  “So how did you get here?” asked his dad.

  Sam was about to explain when Captain Comet and his crew appeared over the brow of the hill.

  “SPACE PIRATES!” shouted Sam’s dad. “Quick, Sam, get into the ship with your mother and lock the door. I’ll try and hold them off with … with … erm,” He looked round for something that could be used as a weapon. All he could find was a long-stemmed flower from the garden.

  Sam just laughed.

  “Don’t worry, Dad, it’s only Captain Comet – I’m part of his crew.”

  “You’re a space pirate?” asked his mother.

  “I stowed away on their ship,” Sam explained. “It was the only way I could get off P-Sezov 8 to try and get help. When they found me I told them about the map…”

  “You showed space pirates the map! Was that wise?” asked his dad.

  “I’m here, aren’t I?” Sam said smiling. “And they’re not your usual pirates! Come and see for yourself.”

  Comet and his crew appeared by the spaceship. Comet swept off his tricorn hat and bowed extravagantly.

  “Mr and Mrs Starbuck, I presume,” he said. “May I introduce myself: I am Captain Joseph Hercules Invictus Comet, of the pirate spaceship the Jolly Apollo, and this is my crew. Do not worry; we mean you no harm. Rather, we have come to rescue you. Ooh, a flower. For me? Thank you!”

  He took the flower from Sam’s dad and gave it a sniff.

  “Ah, delightful! Now, I take it that is your ship?” Comet continued.

  “Erm, yes,” Sam’s dad replied. He seemed to be struggling a bit with this unusual and surprising turn of events. “I think we’ve damaged the auto-sensors, and the reverse thrusters are a bit mangled.”

  “Right-ho, me hearty, we can get that fixed – we have some experience of repairing ships. Romero, Zlit, see what you can do about getting that vessel up in the air again.”

  “Aye aye, Cap’n,” the pirates replied.

  “Oh, thank you. I’ll show you the damage,” said Sam’s dad.

  “I don’t know how to repay you.” Sam’s mum smiled.

  “Nonsense, madam. Your son has been so much help to us that we are simply returning the favour,” said Comet.

  “Aye, that and the hope of getting rich by finding Planet X – but that plan didn’t work,” grumbled Pegg.

  “Yes…” said Comet. He leaned in close to Sam’s mum. “This is definitely Planet X, isn’t it? It’s just we were led to believe that it was made of gold, islands of rubies … that sort of thing.”

  Stella Starbuck hugged Sam close. “Yes, this is Planet X,” she smiled. “And since you’ve come all this way to rescue us, there’s something I think you should see.”

  She led everyone past the crash site to the edge of the purple pool. Sam could hear a gentle thundering noise. At one side of the pool was a waterfall that tumbled and foamed into a large pool of the purple water below. Sam’s mum started to climb down the rocks by the side of the waterfall. Sam and the pirates followed.

  “Where does this take us, Mum?” asked Sam.

  “You’ll see,” she smiled.

  The rock face was steep and tricky to climb down, but eventually they all reached the bottom safely. The pool spread into a huge cavern that echoed to the sound of dripping water. Inside was a great underground lake, and above it large stalactites, easily as long as the main mast on the Apollo, hung like the spires of upside-down churches – but that wasn’t what grabbed everyone’s attention.

  “Mum, are those rubies?” Sam asked, pointing to the huge red stones glinting from the cavern walls.

  “They are,” she replied.

  “Well, blow me down with a hoob feather,” said Comet. “They’re enormous!”

  “And there are hundreds of them,” said Sam.

  “Thousands,” gasped Legg and Pegg together.

  “Hundreds of thousands!” cried Vulpus.

  Comet grabbed hold of Sam and spun round and round until he felt dizzy. They flopped to the ground and watched the pirates scampering around the cavern, trying to find the largest rubies they could.

  Sam tried to picked up the one nearest to him, but it was completely embedded in the rock.

  “They’re stuck,” he sighed, tugging hopelessly at it.

  “Not a problem, my boy. We’ve got hammers and laser spades galore back on the Apollo; we’ll have these out in no time,” said Comet.

  “Just one ruby that size could keep a pirate in grum for the rest of his life. And you know what that means, me hearties? We’re rich beyond our wildest dreams!”

  “I don’t know about anyone else,” said Barney, slapping Sam playfully on the back, “but being rich has made me really thirsty. I’m going for a drink. Bet that purple water tastes like maroonberries!”

  “Barney, I’m not sure that’s a good idea; you don’t know what’s in it,” Sam replied. “Mum, is this water OK to drink?”

  “NO!” his mum cried. “Stop him!”

  Sam dived at Barney, grabbing his tentacles in a rugby tackle.

  “Hey, what’s the big idea!” shouted Barney.

  “That water’s highly acidic. Look at that poor chap,” Sam’s mum explained.

  Lying by the edge of the pool was a badly dissolved skeleton with a shiny metal key on a chain draped round its neck.

  “Whoa,” said Sam.

  He carefully removed the key and chain from the skeleton. The key was a bright silvery-white colour with a golden skull on the flattened end. The skull had two blood-red gems for eyes and diamonds for teeth.

  “Why didn’t this dissolve, like the bones?” Sam asked, putting the chain around his neck.

  “Because it’s made of quantillium,” said Comet in a strange voice.

  “Quantillium? I’ve never heard of it,” said Sam’s mum.

  “It’s the rarest, strongest material in the Universe,” said Comet, his eyes wide open. “And if I’m right, there should be a symbol on the key.”

  “There is: a golden skull with red eyes and what looks like—”

  “Diamonds for teeth,” Comet continued.

  Comet leaned in closely to look at the key. His hands were shaking and beads of sweat were forming on his brow. Sam had never seen him like this before – Comet looked nervous, but a really, really excited kind of nervous. He stared for a few seconds, clapped his hands together, whooped with joy and did an excited dance around the edge of the lake.

  “Pegg, Legg, call the crew,” he shouted. “I’ve got news! Amazing news! STUPENDOUS news!”

  “What’s up?” asked Sam.

  “What’s up?” Comet repeated. “EVERYTHING! That there key, that wonderful key you’re holding, is only the key to Dwarfstar’s chest!”

  Comet waited for a reaction, but Sam and his mother didn’t have a clue what he was talking about.

  “Planet-lubbers,” sighed Comet under his breath. “Right, me hearties, ready yourselves for a tale and a half. Dwarfstar was the meanest, most successful pirate in the history of piracy. He disappeared years ago, leaving his treasure chest. The Pirate Council have been guarding it ever since. They have decreed that whoever finds the key, gets the chest!”

  “Why doesn’t someone just break into the chest?” asked Sam.

  “It’s against the Pirate’s Code!” said Comet, horrified.

  Sam shook his head; he would never understand the Code.

  “Besides, i
t’s made from quantillium, so no one can get in. But now we’ve got the key!” crowed Comet, “we’re going to be the most famous pirates in the galaxy!”

  “And the richest!” cheered Sam.

  “This calls for a celebration!” Comet yelled. “Back to the Apollo, boys. The grum’s on me!”

  The happy pirates started clambering back up the rocks by the waterfall.

  “After you, madam.” Comet bowed low to Sam’s mum. Stella put her arm round Sam as they followed the pirates back up the cliff.

  “It’s all worked out OK,” she grinned as they reached the top. “You’re safe, the pirates are rich, and your father and I have been rescued.”

  “Let’s not be hasty there, me deary,” said a deep, gruff voice. A rough hand grabbed Sam’s mum and she screamed.

  Sam scrambled after his mum quickly, then froze as he reached the top. Black-Hole Beard was standing there with a laser cutlass held to his mum’s neck. His clothes looked slightly blackened and charred from the lightning strike.

  Behind him, Goldstar, Yarr, One-Hand Luke and the rest of the Revenge’s crew had surrounded Sam’s dad, Barney, Zlit, Romero and the other pirates from the Jolly Apollo.

  “What’s wrong, Sam?” puffed Comet as he reached the top. “Oh, shiver me timbers – it’s him!”

  “Ahoy there, Joseph,” said Black-Hole Beard. “Surprised to see me?”

  “I take it this isn’t one of your friends, Sam?” gulped Sam’s mother.

  “You’ve guessed right there, me lass!” Black-Hole Beard gave a cruel smile. “Me and the Apollo have some unfinished business to attend to. Especially seeing as how they tried to get us killed in that there wormhole.”

  “Killed!” Sam protested. “We saved your lives!”

  “It’s true,” Comet added. “We got the Revenge running again.”

  “Ha!” barked Black-Hole Beard, stroking his beard menacingly. “Mebbe you did. But ye also got us electrocuted on purpose … and now it seems like Planet X is as useless as you are, Comet. You’ve led us on a wild gold chase…”

  Black-Hole Beard’s voice trailed away – instead he was staring at the key around Sam’s neck.

  “Well, well, well, me hearty, what have you got there?”

  “That? Oh, that’s nothing,” said Comet, standing in front of Sam.

  “CAWR! Liar! Liar! Pants on fire!” cawed Baggot.

  “Yes, me pretty, I reckons he is,” muttered Black-Hole Beard. “Now, Joseph, that wouldn’t be Dwarfstar’s key, would it? A skull with two gems the colour of a red dwarf? I’d recognise that symbol anywhere!”

  Black-Hole Beard edged closer with a menacing glint in his eye, brushing past Comet. Sam stepped back. His heels were hanging over the edge of the cliff and the purple lake was fizzing menacingly below him.

  “Now, let’s not do anything stupid, me boy,” said Black-Hole Beard in his most wheedling voice. “Just pass the key over here and I’ll let your parents go.”

  “Let them go first,” said Sam, pulling the key over his head and clutching it tightly in his fist.

  “No, no, no, me hearty, that’s not going to happen,” said Black-Hole Beard, edging ever nearer, dragging Sam’s mum with him.

  Sam shuffled back a little more until he was really teetering on the edge. He stared round desperately, trying to think of what to do.

  Comet was creeping around behind Black-Hole Beard. As Sam watched, Comet widened his eyes and pointed to himself. Sam suddenly knew what Comet wanted him to do.

  “OK then,” Sam said to Black-Hole Beard. “Both at the same time – agreed?”

  “Aye,” grunted Black-Hole Beard.

  “Right, on my count of three. One … two … THREE!”

  Sam threw the key up into the air over Black-Hole Beard’s head, towards Captain Comet. Black-Hole Beard pushed Sam’s mother roughly to one side as he leapt up for it. The key glinted as it arced through the air. Comet jumped at the same time and Sam lunged towards his mum, but his back foot slipped. Sam wobbled, arms windmilling frantically as he tried to keep his balance.

  “Arrrgggghhhh!” he cried as he tumbled over the edge.

  Desperately, Sam threw out a hand as he fell and grabbed at a bunch of grassy reeds. Legs kicking in the air, he managed to haul himself up, bracing his elbows on the edge, struggling to get himself back on solid ground. A shower of rocks cascaded down the cliff and bounced into the deadly water below, where they fizzed loudly as they dissolved.

  Sam glanced up and saw his mum lying on the ground. His dad, Barney and the other pirates were fighting the crew of Gravity’s Revenge to try and reach Sam, but it didn’t look like they were winning. Dwarfstar’s key had landed on the ground between Comet and Black-Hole Beard and both pirates were dashing towards it greedily.

  “Help!” cried Sam. “I’m slipping!”

  There was an awful sound of ripping vegetation as Sam fell further down the rock face. He glanced down and saw more stones cascade into the water. Sam scrabbled at the grass, but there was nothing he could do. “Help!” he yelled again desperately. But it was too late. The grass came away in his hand, and Sam plunged down the cliff.

  Suddenly a pair of hands shot over the edge and grabbed his wrists. Sam dangled in mid-air as he looked up at his saviour – Captain Comet!

  “Avast there, me hearty!” said Comet. “Let’s get you upright and shipshape.”

  Sam was stunned. He was sure Comet had been going for Dwarfstar’s key! Barney and the crew appeared at the edge of the cliff, and Barney easily lifted the pair of them, using his tentacles to haul them back up to safety, where they fell in an unceremonious heap. His dad was close by, taking care of Sam’s mum. In the distance Black-Hole Beard and his crew were speeding back to the Revenge, cheering and whooping all the way.

  “What happened?” asked Sam.

  “Well, you slipped and I caught you,” said Comet, dusting himself down.

  “But how did Black-Hole Beard get the key?”

  “No real choice,” said Comet with a shrug. “It was you or the key. You never leave a crewmate behind. It’s the—”

  “Pirate’s Code?” said Sam.

  “Aye, me hearty, the Pirate’s Code,” smiled Comet.

  “But Dwarfstar’s treasure?” said Sam.

  “Aye, Black-Hole Beard will be unbearable now,” said Comet, “but I couldn’t lose my cabin boy.”

  “Well, not another one,” muttered Pegg.

  “And look on the bright side, you’re still rich,” said Sam’s mum, rubbing a lump on the side of her head.

  “Indeed, my lady,” said Comet. “Who can put a price on friendship?”

  “No, I mean there’s still the rubies,” said Sam’s mum.

  “Well, blow down me main braces, I’d completely forgotten about them, what with all the fuss and all!” said Comet. “Avast, me hearties! There’s treasure to load!”

  Loading the Jolly Apollo with all the rubies took a long time, but no one was complaining. In fact, everyone was so busy getting the job done that they didn’t even stop to celebrate with a tankard of grum. Although the crew were happy, Sam could see that something was still bothering Captain Comet.

  “What’s wrong, Captain?” he asked.

  “I almost had it,” he muttered sadly. “The key to Dwarfstar’s treasure, the greatest pirate horde ever collected, in my hands. It could have been mine…”

  “And you gave it up to Black-Hole Beard to save me,” said Sam.

  “Oh, it was worth it, but I’d feel a lot happier if I had it back,” Captain Comet answered.

  Suddenly Comet’s face lit up and his moustache pinged out at each side of his face.

  “That’s it!” he declared. “We’ll go and get it back!”

  “Get it back – from Black-Hole Beard?” said Sam.

  “We’ve tricked him before and we can trick him again!” said Comet. “The last thing he’ll be expecting is us sneaking up on him. We’ll nip in and out like space thieves in the night. What
could possibly go wrong?”

  Sam could think of plenty of things that could go wrong, but the chance of getting one over on Black-Hole Beard was too good an opportunity to miss. Besides, if it wasn’t for him, Black-Hole Beard wouldn’t have the key and the Jolly Apollo would be heading to claim the prize.

  “OK, Captain, let’s do it!” Sam cried.

  Comet sprang into action, slamming his hat on to his head and pulling up his two eye-patches to show his three good eyes underneath. “Right, me hearties,” he bellowed. “All aboard the Apollo. We’ve got our fortune stowed away, but now we’re going to chase down those dogs on the Revenge and get our key back! What say you?”

  The crew cheered.

  “Sam,” Stella called. “We’re ready to go. Time to say goodbye to your friends.”

  His mother’s voice caught him by surprise. She and his dad were standing in front of their spaceship. It looked battered and patched up, but ready to fly.

  “Say goodbye?” asked Sam confusedly.

  “Yes, it’s time for us all to go home,” his dad replied.

  “But we’re about to chase Black-Hole Beard,” said Sam.

  “Go after that evil brute? Not on your life!” said Sam’s mum, looking shocked at the idea.

  “But—” Sam started to complain.

  “Sam, you’re a schoolboy, not a pirate. You should be catching up with your lessons and learning: not risking your life with a bunch of outlaws,” said his dad. “No offence, guys,” he added, waving at the pirates trooping up the plank to the Apollo.

  Lessons? Sam thought of sitting at home with his holo-teacher droning on. It felt weird, like it was an image from someone else’s life. It wasn’t who Sam felt he was any more.

  “Hurry along, me hearty. Look shipshape,” called Captain Comet, coming back down the Apollo’s gangplank. “What’s the hold-up?”

  “I’m not allowed to come,” said Sam. He felt so awful he thought he might cry.

  “What? But you’re my cabin boy. Is this a joke?” Comet smiled expectantly. “You tricksters!”