The skies were clear and the wind gently pushed the tide along, creating swells on the surface of the perfect water. Beautiful water, so vast and seemingly empty with the promise of discovery. And on that water was a ship; small, but fast; and of greater importance than any could imagine at the time. The Carina was gliding along the waves as if it were born to do that and that only. Luck was on the sides of the sailors that day, fantastic luck, luck that generated a feeling of such joy it was intoxicating. It was the type of joy that only a sailor on the ship that was their own could feel.
This is the story of Captain James Buchanan Barnes, and this was his ship.
"Bucky what the hell are you doing up there?" His first mate called, a beautiful girl who had cut her long red hair short so it would not get caught in the rigging. Yes, it was unusual that she was a woman, but Bucky himself could promise you that Natasha was the best first mate there was. Pulling his eyes away from the sea, Bucky looked down from the crow's nest of his beautiful ship and onto Natasha.
"Is that any way to talk to your Captain?" He called back, the grin on his face broadening. Their ship had not yet left the harbor where they had stopped to restock, yet they were to be on their way soon. Sliding down the mast his wooden arm skidded across the pole, making an unpleasant sound. The first mate Natasha was down at the bottom to greet him.
"Oh forgive me, my Captain." She mock bowed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Standing again she affectionately punched him in his good shoulder. "We should be headed out soon."
Bucky had found the orphan Natasha off the coast of Russia, and decided to bring her along with him. Ever since the cold day that they met they had been inseparable. Over the years, with the help of Natasha, he built up a crew of men (and woman) to man the Carina with him.
Their occupation: Piracy.
And what a fantastic occupation it was. They were rather good at it in fact, managing to clear out every ship they saw and building a large sum of money. But when was it ever about the money? Well. Always, actually. It was quite a laugh, jumping from place to place with their ever-constant Carina keeping them grounded. The Captain enjoyed it immensely. The feeling of having the Carina and a group of motley assassins and idiots to his name was like no other. He couldn't be happier. But there was something missing… something he had lost long ago. So long ago he couldn't even remember what it was exactly. But it left him feeling empty none the less.
The ship soon set out on the waves, heading god knows where. It didn't matter really, the sea was theirs to explore.