The Captain stood at the head of his ship, one arm resting against the foremast as he surveyed the wicked waves twisting and clashing together as the huge vessel cut through them with ease. He had always loved the sea; the sea was unpredictable, it's movement had no pattern or rules. A beautiful sight, one taken for granted and often ignored but Captain Arthur Kirkland loved it for the specific reason that in it's beauty there was danger, much like his beloved ship which was currently riding the wind and the waves as one of the crew kept them on course. The rest worked hard on deck, at the orders of their merciless Captain whose reputation was known across the seas among the sailors and lands folk alike. This life wasn't ideal, nor was it legal. But it was the only life most of them had ever known, and still they could never understand the appeal of being bound to land. The sea was their home.

Outcast or abandoned, left to die or on their way to the gallows, each of these men had been saved by a man in a long coat with a temper no one had been able to surpass yet. Captain Kirkland had was once abandoned, once kicked to the ground and stepped on by those who were more powerful than him. But those days were far in the past and now that he was a Pirate he held a completely new outlook on the importance of ranks and titles. To but it simply, they didn't mean shite.

"Work harder!" He snapped, turning on his heels to gaze across the busy deck as one hand rose to push aside the hair that had fallen over one of his eyes. "If this incompetence continues I'll be forced to bring out methods of persuasion." A smile rose to his lips, "And I'm sure none of you want persuading…" There was a chorus of voices, agreeing to orders as though they were slaves.

The power… Arthur absorbed every drop like an alcoholic craves a drink. It was sinful and vicious.

But they were a family, of different backgrounds and different races and age. Captain Kirkland had accepted them and given them a home when they had nothing but the skin on their bones and a rag to cover them. Most respected him simply for saving their sorry souls.

He crossed the ship, from bow to stern his coat fluttered behind him, the eyes of the crew watching as he ascended the wooden stairs to the quarter deck. He's a bit shorter than some of his crew but they still cower whenever his voice boom higher than the crowd. It's not about the size, no, strength comes in different form - for this Captain, it's his skill with the sword and skill in sailing through monstrous ocean storms.

"Dismissed." He muttered. The man at the wheel stepped back and Arthur took the wheel, gloved hands pulling it left. "We have unwanted guests at the docks ahead, we'll await their departure then pick one of the smaller ships off. Then… We blow them to hell."

This was the routine, those leaving land never expected an attack so soon. They were like predators, picking off the new-born while it and it's mother were weak.

"Men to stations."

The cannons were unbound and wheeled to their positions, two men on each. One to load and one to fire. Teamwork was what kept things moving, it gave them the advantage of speed, and also surprise. For when the trade ship rounded the corner it would come face to face with the one thing they feared most.

"What's our aim, Cap'n? Are we pillaging or just sending them to the depths?" A good question, sometimes attacks had purpose and other times they were simply carried out for the man's amusement. He smiled, turning to the crewman beside him, the one who took charge of steering when Arthur was busy elsewhere.

"I thought we'd mix it up and do both. We'll take what we can then send the rest to the bottom of the sea. There's no one worth sparing on that vessel anyway." The young man nodded and stayed put, just as ordered.

"They've left port! They'll be on us soon, Captain!" He peered up at the lad in the crows nest, to see the man hanging over the edge, pointing in the direction of the small ship. Excellent. They could be on their way after this, sticking around after an attack was never a wise decision and even a pirate knew when to retreat.

"Hold till the last moment!" He shouted, voice carrying across the main deck as they waited. Time ticked… The ship grew closer and the moment the bow came into view there was no turning back. Arthur frowned, impatiently waiting for enough of the vessel to come into view before-

"FIRE!"

Those were his orders, and they were obeyed in an instant. The deafening sound of cannons would be heard on land, they'd send help so they needed to be fast. Arthur left the wheel, the position quickly being filled by the man standing by as their Captain ran across to the other side.

"Kill them all! Take what you can and send them to the pit! Listen to no plea, allow no laughs and let no man look up with hope!" He was corrupt, and the crew knew it. "Let them know this ocean is mine."

A bold statement but the English Pirate might just eat his words, those on land had already caught wind of the attack on the merchants. The alarm had been sounded and they were ready to dispatch a team to attempt a rescue mission. While they awaited confirmation, a certain man was awaiting orders.

Alfred Frizgerald Jones.

Captain of the thirty-fifth unit of the Aquila Division, he'd graduated from the military with 'awesome and sexy' flying colours as he put it. And everyone had watched him prance about with all of his prideful glory, wearing his new badge and bomber jacket.

Yes, today was his very first day of the job as Captain to his very own group- much to their dismay.

"You're late again.. Alfred." He winced at the voice, well… so much for the cool intro he'd been looking forward to. Matthieu just ruined his moment.

"Come on, can't a Captain savour his sweet, SWEET moment? It's my first day on the job, Matt! You could have congratulated me or something."

"Congratulations, there. Now can we start working, eh? Kiku and Francis are waiting for you…"

As their names were said, they approached them, wearing their very own bomber jackets with the number 35 right on the back; its their unit number so they could be recognized. Matthieu, Kiku and Francis were Alfred's close friends, they studied Aviation together, passed the Aviation exam and now they were working in one group. Talk about luck! There's no need to have first introductions or make adjustments to fit in. Although, there's a slight problem when it comes to Francis…

"I still don't approve of the promotion, Alfred needs more training when it comes to leadership."

"Hey, that hurts ya know."

"I'm just telling the truth, mon ami. I cannot follow a leader who can't even make a decision on his own."

Its always like this. Fighting and bickering, and Matthieu is always the one who stands between them- Poor guy. "Enough! No more fighting, both of you…" A sigh slipped out from Matthieu's lips. "Okay.. how about we start working, eh? I'm sure we will be—-"

'Attention. Thirty-fifth unit of the Aquila Division. This is an emergency call, board your aircraft for—-'

"LET'S GO!"

They waste no time. Alfred, Kiku and Francis sprinted towards their craft, hopped into the cockpit, and slid their goggles in places. "Matthieu! Send the information after the take off!"

"Got it!"

They were naturals in the sky, as if it were as easy as walking. And their ascent took no time at all, their crafts climbing high past the clouds and out of view. They had to be ready for anything, so far they had no information on what they were required to do for this rescue mission.

"Captain Jones in, what's the status?" He asked after picking up the radio and placing it close to his lips.

"Lieutenant Kiku in, no problems here."

"No problems here as well, oh by the way mon ami. Do you remember Rachel? Oui, she's that female trooper who confessed to you the other day. But, since you rejected her, her heart was broken." Alfred rolled his eyes while holding the aircraft steering wheel in place. "So I gave her some loving—"

"Can we talk about this crap later? I don't care how many women you woo, Francis, and I don't mind hearing about all your adventures but you should watch your humour! We're in a mission so let's focus on the task." There was silence. "Do you copy?"

"Oui."

"Good.. Matthieu, are you in?"

"Here!"

"What's the mission?"

"A merchant ship in town zone 2937 is under attack by some Pirates, attack the assailant and commence rescue to remaining survivors. Sea support will arrive within 3 minutes. Alfred, hurry."

"Roger."

This is their job. The Aquila Division is specifically organized to capture the most ruthless Pirates in the sea, outlaws and rebels. Alfred had done his share of putting down those evil scoundrels and because of his constant achievements he was able to reach his dream, being one of the top Captains this year. His mother is probably proud of him and hopefully his father— "Alfred, be careful! Another pirate ship—"

BOOM!

Cannons set off, aimed at the three aircraft as they approached their destination.. Alfred could see the merchant ship sinking right next to the Pirate vessel, and there's another one approaching it! Back up? Doesn't seem like it… They're waving different flags.

And they weren't the only ones to notice, the sound of cannons firing was enough to turn the heads of the English Pirate's.

"Captain, Spaniards!"

It seemed the Spanish territory Pirates are planning to steal their weight in loot. And steal their victory. Things were getting a little too heated and luck was turning it's back on them, aside from the fact his crew had boarded the battered merchant ship and were now transferring goods.

"What's that bastard doing here?! Men! Speed it up, take what you can! We aren't prepared for a full battle!" But they would be soon, that swine had been sailing his sea for far too long already. One day he'd have to put an end to it.

Of course it raised a second question, what had they been firing at-?

"Aircrafts overhead, Captain!"

Green eyes scanned the skies and sure enough he was right. Three of them were approaching fast. They were just under the cloud canopy now, in clear sight for those below. "It's the blasted Military! Shoot them down! Treat them like flies and swat them into the ocean!"

Two cannons were adjusted, pointing up before firing their load. Missed… "Keep at it! Don't disappoint me or I'll hang you upside down from the mast!" The blood would rush to their head and cause some painful headaches, if left long enough they would die.

These weren't the first aircrafts he'd come into contact with either, seemed someone was out for his blood. Probably some pompous lunatic who'd had enough of Captain Kirkland's stealing. No matter! They wouldn't succeed, Arthur would never allow himself to be captured. The gallows would never take the Captain from his sea.

"Careful, two pirates are aiming to put us down." Alfred said to his crew then he placed the radio back down in its holder. It's time to put them down, end their reign and make the sea safe once again! Merchants are honest people, making a living by sending goods to isolated areas and helping their land grow, but these Pirates, cold-hearted bastards! They steal from them, kill the innocent merchants and make their families lose their loved ones.

You will all pay… Justice will bring you all down!

Alfred disliked battles like this, disliked war and bloodshed but a Hero has to step forward when he's needed.. To answer the calls of those who couldn't fight and save them from death.

"Alfred, don't do anything stupid, eh!" Matthieu said, crack radio catching some static. As expected, he ignored Matthieu's warning and then nose dived his aircraft towards the two pirate ship.

But the two ships would soon become one, Captain Kirkland had made a decision and planned to stick to it.

"We're pulling out, the Military can deal with them… Battling now would be foolish!" It would be like walking into a slaughter house. The ship had already taken damage from the poor Merchants ship in an attempt to break free of their attack.

"One day, Antonio… You'll lie dead at my feet." His eyes narrowed at the other ship as if he were searching for the other Captain, eagerly awaiting the day he'd have his victory. "I want four more cannons on the sky! There's too little bloodshed for my liking."

This thievery was like shopping to the pirates. Without the use of money, of course. While they possessed great riches they'd prefer to spend that on rum and women, meaningless things to please them during their voyages. It was understandable that others accused them of being heartless, maybe they were… No one ever bothered to talk to them upon capture. They were put to death or locked away for the rest of their life. That was that. Not even treated like humans simply because of the profession they'd decided to follow.

From the skies, Francis dropped a bomb over the Spanish ship but missed, water splashed up hard as it exploded under the depths. Right behind him was Kiku, raining bullets to put down the Pirate crew but he withdrew quickly, the pirates were loading up the cannons again, it would be suicide to go closer—

BOOM!

"Alfred!"

That's what you get for being overly confident and reckless in battle. His hatred clouded him to the extent he lost focus and now his precious aircraft was falling at high speed.

"Come on! COME ON!"

No, he won't pull the eject button. This aircraft is everything to him! His father gave this before he— Before he.

"ALFRED EJECT!" Kiku cried out through the crack radio.

The American squeezed his eyes close, gritting his teeth as the wind blew strong. The force caused the cockpit lid to crack and the right wing of his aircraft to burn.

"NO!"

"ALFRED!"

"Fall back! Kiku." Francis ordered as they watched the aircraft crash into the water in horror.

"Fall back….."

Its cold… I can't hear anything and it's hard to breathe. Am I drowning? Is this death? Dammit…. All my hard work gone.. because of my recklessness…. Matthieu….. I'm sorry…