They say that to survive the sweltering heat of an August in Havana, you need two things: a desire to survive so strong that not even Satan himself could haul your ass down to the icy pits of Hell, and street smarts. Lance prided himself on having both qualities. Lance had long ago perfected the art of shirking his responsibilities in favor of swimming in the warm waters along Havana's shore. Growing up with eight other siblings taught him how to easily blame others for messy rooms, missed chores, and missing food. But while Lance would normally have been found floating and swimming on any other given summer day, today was different.

Today was the day Lance had to grow up.

The streets of Havana were currently bustling with activity as the local fishermen pulled into port to deposit their recent catches. Merchant trading vessels unloaded and loaded cargo while sailors shouted orders to one another. The streets were lined with vendors all calling out for potential buyers to be enticed by their products. Crowds gathered all along the docks waiting for their loved ones to come off the boats and greet them with open arms. Lance ignored the noise as he stealthily navigated his way through the hustle and bustle. He had a ship to catch.

Lance had dressed in loose-fitting black trousers and a thin white shirt that was laced up along the neckline. A pair of boots masked two hidden twin daggers strapped to his calves. He carried a light satchel over his shoulder full of a few spare clothes, some pictures of his family, and hygienic products. Lance would be damned if he didn't find the time to exfoliate his skin during the trip.

He paused in his quick stead when the beautiful sails of the Alfor came into view. A majestic naval vessel once used by the British Empire, the ship had forgone its British flag on the mainmast in favor of a solid black one with a silver lion on its haunches. It was widely known that no enemy ship could match the defensive measures of the Alfor and that it was one of few ships to never have been conquered by enemy pirates. It was also known for having a small crew of only seven or eight members. Lance had discovered through the grapevine that the Alfor was currently on a privately-led mission with no formal connection to the British Empire. Unlike other ships, the Alfor was currently being dual-captained for the purpose of this mission. While he didn't know the necessary specifics of the private mission, Lance knew that there was great wealth guaranteed for anyone who assisted in the success of the mission. And that was what interested him the most.

Taking in a deep breath, Lance traveled up the gangplank.

Aboard the mighty ship there was a hustle of activity. Hired hands navigated supplies to and from the Alfor's deck while one or two solid crew members rushed around checking on things. Lance had only been used to the small size of the local fishing boats, and therefore released a low whistle as he stood dumbly in place to take in the size of the immense deck.

He wasn't paying attention when he backed up into someone with an, "Oomph!"

"Sorry, my bad!" Lance quickly apologized as he turned and took in the teen before him.

"Hey, s'no problem. Are you looking for the captains? My name's Hunk. I'm the ship's main offensive weapons expert and occasional expert chef," the man who looked very close to Lance's age said with a wink and an extended hand. He wore a yellow shirt matching Lance's with a brown vest over it and loose, brown bell-bottoms. His bangs hung slightly over his eyes and his smile seemed to light up the atmosphere around him.

The two shook and Lance replied, "Nice to meet you. Yeah, do you know where they are? I'm Lance."

Hunk scratched the back of his head as he looked around the deck. "They're probably in their cabins towards the back but I haven't seen them since we pulled into port. It's kind of weird, not gonna lie. Usually they're – well, at least Allura's – super on top of bossing us around in a situation like this. Are you a new recruit?"

Lance nodded. "I'm here to join the new mission. I heard you guys only stopped here to load up on supplies and then you're off. So I guess it's true that there are really two captains leading this escapade then?"

Hunk let out a puff of air as he leaned on the ship's banister. "You got it. Since our mission is going against direct orders from HQ but has a lot of potential merit to it, they gave us two captains. Allura was the original captain of the Alfor. She took it over when her father died and renamed it after him. Shiro's the main proponent for this mission and refused to remain behind. Since both he and Allura were previously captains and of equal standing, they decided to command jointly. So far it's been working well I guess." Hunk seemed to realize he was rambling and gave an embarrassed chuckle as he rubbed the back of his head again. "Ah, sorry. I guess that was a longer answer than you wanted."

"Nah, it's cool. You seem like the helpful type to keep around," Lance grinned as he mirrored Hunk's stance against the banister. "So, weapons expert, huh? What exactly do you cover?"

"Oh, everything! Cannons, demolitions, swordplay – you name it, I know how to do it perfectly," Hunk beamed with a toss of his hair. "I've spent my entire life learning the ropes on the sea with a focus on artillery and weaponry so I feel pretty confident that nothing is going to be able to bring us down on this mission with me around. We're well-stocked and ready to take on any challengers!"

Lance laughed at the heroic pose Hunk had pushed off the railing to perform. "Sounds rad! Maybe you can show me the goods later," Lance flirted with a wink and a coy smile.

Hunk blushed again and rubbed the back of his head with an awkward laugh. Lance ate it up. "You should go talk to the captains first and then, if you join us, I'll give you the personal tour before we shove off. Anyway, I had better get back to work before they label me a slacker. Nice meeting you again Lance!"

"You too," Lance grinned and with a final handshake with Hunk he turned and headed towards the captains rooms.

Now on your typical ship, the captain's cabin was somewhat spacious with a single door that led directly onto the deck and was situated somewhat underneath the upper deck where the wheel stood. On the Alfor, the captain's cabin had been walled off in half with what Lance could only assume was a door connecting both personal quarters. Not knowing which door to knock on, Lance decided on the left one. When he was permitted to enter, Lance opened the door and closed it behind him, taking a moment to survey the room.

The simplicity of the interior caught Lance off-guard. The back wall held a window that took up the entire wall with a mahogany desk in front of it. On the desk was an organized stack of papers and a globe. The left side of the room was lined with shelves holding what seemed like hundreds of maps rolled neatly and organized alphabetically with labels ingrained. The right side of the room had a simple bed with a wooden frame and black sheets. Behind the desk sat an impressively handsome man with a scar over his nose, a white patch of hair in a sea of black, muscles almost bursting out from under a neat black and purple uniform, and a metal arm. The uniform had been cut off at the shoulder of the man's cybernetic enhancement and made no effort to conceal the addition. Despite his broad build and strong presence, Lance guessed the man was no more than three or four years older than himself.

As Lance approached the desk, the man stood and held out his hand in greeting.

"Welcome to the Alfor. I'm Captain Shiro."

"Lance Sanchez. I'm here to join your crew."

Shiro gave Lance a once-over and frowned.

"Experience?"

"My father was one of the top fishermen for Havana and he used to take me along before he died three days ago. I learned the basic essentials and caught a few impressive catches myself. I'm incredibly determined, I'm a quick learner, and I'm extremely dedicated," Lance boasted as he stood straighter and held his hands behind his back. "I also earned top grades in school and know all about astronomy. I know that I would make an excellent addition to your crew as a navigator."

"A navigator, huh?" Shiro questioned with an amused smirk. "Kind of ambitious for someone who has never actually sailed on anything other than a local fishing boat before, hmm?"

Lance set his jaw. He needed this job and wasn't about to let 'official inexperience' get him down. "I would say it's a mix of ambition and confidence. I know I will be a great asset to you and the crew. Like I said, I'm a quick learner and –"

"Lance, you seem like a really good kid," Shiro interrupted by holding up his hand. "However, the Alfor already has an exceptional navigator. Pidge is the best of the best and is not to be topped by anyone. However, if you really want to join this crew that badly…"

"I do, sir. I really want this."

Shiro gave a hum and sat down, folding his hands on the desk and resting his chin on them. "Why?"

"I – I'm sorry?"

"Why do you want to join this crew?"

Lance didn't even hesitate. "Because if this mission is successful, it will be highly lucrative for its members. With my dad dead and my older brother in the Spanish Navy, it's up to me to make bank to pay the bills. Also I have a thirst for adventure and want to prove myself."

Shiro frowned and sighed to himself. "Doesn't everyone. And what will you do if this mission fails? You do know that this is not a short trip, don't you?"

"It won't fail." The absolute lack of any room for negotiation in the statement made Shiro raise an eyebrow and give Lance another look-over. Realizing that Shiro was waiting for something, Lance continued, "It won't. But if it does, then I imagine I will not be returning home alive. In which case it will be up to my younger siblings to find some way to support the family. But it won't come to that because I'm coming home with riches in hand."

"This mission is incredibly dangerous," Shiro said after a minute. "And because we are not acting under the British Empire's direct orders, we do not have anyone's backup support. If the Alfor goes missing, no one is coming to rescue us. Could you live with that? Your family would never have your body to bury if this mission fails."

Lance clenched his fist as he kept his gaze steady. He knew that this was his only option to help his family and bring back the wealth that would lift his family up to their deserved status in Havana.

"When do we set sail?"

Shiro's eyes sparkled as he stood with a beaming smile and held his hand back out to Lance.

"Well then, welcome aboard Lance. We're set to head out in about a half hour. I suggest that if you have not already said goodbye to loved ones that you do so now."

"Thank you sir, but I'm ready to sail now."

Shiro nodded. "Alright then. The Alfor could use a cabin boy. In addition to swabbing the deck and keeping things in order, you'll work under the authority and guidance of Pidge. As navigator, Pidge is our temporary fill-in for first mate. By hierarchy standards, Coran should be first mate but he refused. They can introduce you to the rest of the crew and get you fitted in here. There aren't many souls on this ship as this is a private mission with few daring to brave it. Do you know the purpose of this mission?"

Not letting his disappointment at only being a cabin boy and not a higher-ranking crew mate show in front of the captain, Lance quickly explained, "Not the specifics, but I'm sure I'll find them out soon enough."

"Good luck, Lance. And again, welcome aboard."

XXXXXXXXX

As soon as Lance left Shiro's cabin, he made his way to the stairwell that led below deck to take a look around. Luckily there wasn't as much activity below as there was above. Lance quickly made himself familiar with below deck as he wandered. The sleeping quarters of the crew were actually a tad more spacious than Lance would have guessed with four beds bunked to save on space. A bit further down was the kitchen area with beans and other canned goods stocked and ready for the adventure. Hunk was probably still above deck, Lance mused. Six impressive cannons lined the walls between bunked beds.

"This is so cool," Lance muttered as he ran his hand gently over the nearest cannon.

"Oh bloody quiznak, please don't touch those! Do you have any idea how fragile they are?"

Lance jumped at the British voice and spun around to see a man around Shiro's height with bright orange hair and a majestic orange mustache frowning at Lance.

"Hey, relax man. I can't set them off by just copping a feel!"

The main's face turned an almost purple color as he spluttered, "That – that is a highly inappropriate comparison! These cannons are incredibly delicate and only Midshipman Hunk is allowed to touch them during passive periods of peace!"

"Whoah, he's a midshipman? That's pretty boss. I guess I didn't really consider he would have a higher rank when I met him," Lance wondered aloud as he stroked his chin. "Does everyone on this ship have a rank? Do you?"

The man bristled at Lance's nonchalance. "Of course I do! I will have you know that you are speaking to Lieutenant-Commander Coran Valsence of Her Majesty's Royal Navy! I am Captain Allura's personal bodyguard and advisor, as well as her secure contact to Britain."

"Captain Shiro mentioned you. Shouldn't you be the first mate or something?"

Coran crossed his arms and glared at Lance. "Since we are not operating under the direct orders of Her Majesty, I decided to step back and allow young Pidge to take the helm."

"Soooo you like…send morse code to Britain or something instead?"

Coran opened his mouth to berate Lance on his supposed ignorance when a voice cut in, "Coran, Captain Shiro needs you up top. You can lecture the newbie later."

Coran sighed and did the two-fingered gesture where he pointed at his own eyes and then pointed at Lance with the gesture in an 'I'm watching you' sort of way before huffing and heading above deck. Once he was gone the newcomer jumped up to perch on one of the cannons that Lance had just been accosted for merely patting and scanned Lance with their eyes.

"So, you're Lance, huh? Shiro says you're my new apprentice or whatever. Said you allegedly already have a knack for the basics of navigation so hopefully you won't be too much of a waste of time aboard this ship. Although I guess if you are and you don't pull your weight, we can always just toss ya overboard or leave you at the next port."

Lance gawked as he let his jaw hang open. "You're Pidge? You look twelve!"

"I'm nineteen, same as you," Pidge replied gruffly as they pushed their glasses up further onto their nose. Pidge wore the same type of uniform as Shiro and Coran, only theirs was green instead of black and purple. "And make no mistake that I've been training for this since I was born whereas you probably just learned about the stars and how to find your way home on some fishing boat. Am I wrong?"

"That is…completely not true," Lance shot back bitterly as he crossed his arms and looked away with a pout.

"Uh-huh, suuure. I'll tell ya what – if you don't cause problems for me and work hard and don't try to distract me with stupid questions, I'll teach you what I know and help strengthen any skills you got. Deal?"

Lance considered the hand held out to him before taking it and shaking it around. "Deal."

"Cool. Welcome aboard, Lance. Your bed's over there. You got bottom bunk under Hunk. C'mon, I'll introduce you to the crew."