Author's Note: This is an update to the story I wrote a while ago. I deleted the original due to the fact the edits I made are substantial enough to warrant it. There are a lot in this one, and I am super glad for it. When this story was originally put out, I wasn't all that pleased with it, and knew I would go back to make edits later. Now that I have, I can say that I gave this story the justice it deserves.
The storm caught Spain by surprise. Actually, it caught everyone by surprise; no one really saw it coming until it was upon them. Odd, but odd seemed to be the theme of Spain's voyage that go around. Ever since he disembarked from his country, he didn't run into any ships. Enemy or friend. It was just his ship and his men out in the mercy of the open sea.
"¡Señior!" Spain's first mate, Captain Diego Miguel Angel García, called out.
"¿Que pasa?" Spain asked, coming up to Captain García's side. His captain had a spy glass out, looking at the open sea.
"On the horizon, it's a British ship" Captain García explained, handing the spy glass over to his superior officer.
Spain took it and looked through the heavy rain. Sure enough, it was one of England's ships and it looked like it was in trouble. Everyone on the deck was hanging on for dear life, and the ship looked as though it would sink into the sea at any moment.
"¿Así?" Captain García asked.
"Bring the boat over there. We rescue what we can."
Captain García nodded and started shouting orders at the men.
As Spain stared at the British ship, he got a better look at the men on there. One man in particular… England, the nation himself, was at the wheel of the ship. 'This is not good at all,' Spain thought, as he closed up the spy glass and went down to the main part of the deck.
He would have just kidnapped everyone and made them prisoners, but England was on this ship. While yes, he had a grudge against him more than anyone, Spain also respected him. He remembered vaguely that England also had someone at home waiting for his return. They were in the same boat, so to speak, soon to be literally.
Spain's ship pulled up to England's, accidentally bumping into it due to the roughness of the storm. It was not as smooth of an entrance as he would have liked. Once his men were ready, Spain boarded England's ship. The British crew members all had some kind of weapon in hand. Some had rifles, some had pistols, most had swords. England himself was holding a sword, and looked very, very fierce.
"Well," Spain said as he walked over, "Look what the storm decided to wash in?"
England's already hardened look hardened. His thick eyebrows crossed. "I don't think I gave you permission to come aboard yet," he hissed.
Once Spain was right in front of England, he pulled out his gun and pointed it at England's stomach. Not in a completely obvious way, not yet at least. He needed to be the one in control of the situation for his plan to work.
"Just between you and me," Spain whispered in England's ear, "I have someone at home I'd very much like to get back to in one piece or else he'll kill me. No doubt you do as well. Surrender your ship and I'll see you home. ¿Comprende?"
England raised an eyebrow. "And how can I trust you?"
Spain looked directly into England's eyes. "You really don't have a choice, do you?" England looked confused for a moment, then noticed the gun pointed at him. "It's not loaded," Spain explained in a hushed tone, "This is just for show. My ship is fine. So tell your crew to obey my orders, or I will have you perish in this storm." Spain hoped that England would not be difficult and chose the right choice.
England dropped his sword in defeat, his men following suit.
"Good. Don't worry, I'll take good care of you and your men. Just this once."
Spain led England to his quarters, using the gun as a prop for his show. Not that any of the men knew. Just as he liked it. Once he had taken England to the safety of his quarters, Spain put the gun back in his belt. "Now," Spain said, adjusting his attire to look sharp and put together, "I have to get this ship out of this storm. Take a siesta; you look beat. I'll be back when we are safe and sound, and we can talk about things then, 'k?" Spain put his hand on the doorknob and paused for a moment before he added, "Oh, and welcome to the Asunción."
England nodded and Spain ventured out back into the storm. Once England's crew were taken off the smaller boat, Spain found Captain García and pulled him aside. "¿Encontraste el primer oficial?" Spain asked.
Captain García shook his head.
Spain groaned. He needed both leaders of the ship. He needed to make sure the first mate would quell any disturbance that could go on with this voyage. Spain walked back on the failing vessel, in hopes to find where the first mate could be hiding. The ship was on its last legs; that hit did a number on the poor vessel. Spain needed to be quick.
He went into the captain's cabin first. He has a strong feeling about looking there. Instinct? Possibly. It was something he suggested to Captain García once. The walls of the cabin were covered with maps and sea charts, all marked up with different routes all around the world. The floor was littered in assorted books and objects, mostly likely fallen from their original positions due to the roughness of the storm. It wouldn't be like England to have his space be like this; he wasn't the type.
Spain spotted a wardrobe in the corner. He grinned, and proceeded to open it. Inside was a very determined looking sea captain. He seemed small for a captain, but Spain figured it was because he was scrunched in a wardrobe. He had piercing green eyes and short brown hair that needed to be cleaned up. It was clear that he had been on the open sea for a while. The captain held a box in one hand and a sword up to Spain's neck.
"You may want to rethink that," Spain said, touching the tip of the blade, "I currently have the rest of the crew on my ship, unless there are others hiding."
"Like I would tell you." Loyal. No wonder England had this man as a captain. However, that made things just a bit more difficult for Spain.
"Believe it or not, I am your best bet of survival. This ship is about to go under. Do as you wish, but I think your admiral would rather see you alive."
The captain gave Spain a very hard look. "Where is Admiral Kirkland?"
"Would you believe me if I told you? He is safe on my ship. I have no intention of hurting him. However, I need to make sure the two of you will keep your men in line."
"Señior," Captain García said, running into the room, "Tenemos que salir. ¡Ahora!"
Spain turned to England's captain and said, "You heard him."
Begrudgingly, the captain stood up. He handed the box to Spain. "Give that to my admiral. It's his, and he needs it."
Spain took the box. It was a hand-held, wooden little thing, intricately carved with Celtic symbols and designs. He could feel the weight of its importance. "It will be delivered. Captain García," Spain faced his first mate, "Llevarlo contigo. El es un invitado." Spain looked back at the British captain. "Your name?"
"Captain Myles Henderson."
Captain García looked at Spain confused.
"Por favor, te explico mas tarde."
"Si, Almirante," Captain García motioned for Captain Henderson to follow and the two of them left the ship.
Spain felt the ship buckle beneath him. He wasted no time getting back onto his own ship. Even though Spain was a lot more experienced with the sea than his first mate, Captain García had an incredible sense when it came to the sea. It was something Spain had learned to trust and even depended on at times. Captain García hadn't let him down yet.
Spain watched England's ship sink into the sea. Most of Spain's crew were running about, making sure that they'd all survive the storm. The Spaniard looked down at the box that Captain Henderson had been clutching so tightly. The only value that thing could have was a sentimental one… and sentimentality never paid well.
Translation Note: ¿Encontraste el primer oficial? - Did you find the first mate?
Tenemos que salir. ¡Ahora! - We need to leave. Now!
Llevarlo contigo. El es un invitado. - Take him with you. He is a guest.
Te explico mas tarde. - I'll explain later.