candothat | A Piratocracy

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A Piratocracy

After Blackbeard's miraculously successful fuckery and the mess that followed, Chekov kept more-or-less to himself.

Some of it is lingering embarrassment over his outburst on the bridge. The rest is a result of his talk with Frenchie; that made it very clear to Chekov that he is in a place that he doesn't truly understand with no escape plan. The Enterprise isn't coming to his rescue because it is no longer under Captain Kirk's control. He can't contact Starfleet because he fled the scene of a murder and is now a criminal. Talking to his friends, currently scattered across the quadrant, is unsafe until he can set up a means of communication that Starfleet won't be able to track back to the Revenge. And, on top of that, the longer he stays with a pirate crew (are they officially pirates now that the infamous Blackbeard is in residence?), the more difficult it will be to go back to his former life.

It's a lot to think about.

Chekov occupies himself with projects that don't really need to be done. He still sees his crewmates often enough -- with common sleeping quarters and the galley, isolation is virtually impossible -- but he isn't seeking out socialization. Some of the things he said to Frenchie were quite stupid and he's afraid of tripping up around someone less forgiving.

Perhaps if he had been talking to his peers more regularly, he would have known about the elections sooner. As it is, Chekov is unaware until he sees the hand-drawn posters on the walls of the Revenge:

CAPTAIN ELECTION
TODAY!
Do your duty!
VOTE!

The penmanship is immaculate with many lovely flourishes.

And is that... a ballot box?

Chekov puzzles over the poster and the box, wondering if this is a pirate thing or a uniquely Stede Bonnet thing.

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[Stede has seen next to nothing of Chekov since the Incident on the bridge. If he were one of the crew, he would have counseled himself to seek the young man out and have a real heart-to-heart...but he's the captain, so he doesn't have to listen to his own advice.

Stumbling across the young man at the ballot box seems like the perfect opportunity to get their relationship back on track.]

Ah, Mr. Chekov! I see you've noticed our election posters! I hope you'll consider running -- though don't think that means I'll give up easy.

[The apology for Captain Bonnet that Chekov has been thinking about way too hard about feels much less urgent when said captain starts talking. Stede really did tell him to consider running for a command position when that whole thing on the bridge featured Chekov's still-very-present guilt for killing a dozen people while in a command position, didn't he? In someone else, he might consider that a retaliatory jab to make up for insubordination.

But it's not someone else, so Chekov just shakes his head and falls back on his favorite mantra: this is fine.]

I don't think that I am qualified to be a pirate captain.

Why ever not? You're a tactical genius. You have leadership experience. The accent can be a little confusing sometimes, but we all have our cross to bear.

[Actually, Captain Bonnet will not be receiving an apology.]

Thank you, Captain, but my leadership experience went very poorly.

All right, suit yourself -- but you're doing yourself a disservice. There's a fantastic leader in there [poking Chekov's chest] if you'd give him a chance.

Maybe someday. [Stede is making himself very hard to remain annoyed with. Chekov's always been a sucker for praise.] For now, I don't think that the Revenge needs a captain who is twenty-two and only reluctantly a pirate.

Certainly improves my chances of winning. But make sure you vote! It's important that everybody participates in our democratic process!

Yes, of course. Who do you expect to run against you? Captain Blackbeard?

You know, I hadn't thought of that. I should make sure he knows. Thank you, Mr. Chekov! [Stede always appreciates an excuse to spend time with his bestie.]

Of course.

[Chekov does not want to take orders from Captain Blackbeard. He has some regrets.]

[Ed is just now coming across the first of the election signs, done up all nice in what's clearly Stede's lettering. He is perplexed, but not surprised.]

A captain election, Stede?

Oh good, you've seen it! Yes! [Stede doesn't-quite-but-almost-jogs to get to Ed's side quicker.]

We hold one every year. I believe it's very important for the crew to feel like they have a say in their leadership and really feel like they're part of a team. Given Mr. Chekov's recent concerns, I thought it might be a good idea to hold this year's election early.

[He eagerly awaits Edward's opinion. Will he think this is as ridiculous as everyone else in his Starfleet class did, or will he be impressed with Stede's values-led leadership skills?]

Huh. [He looks from the sign to Stede and back again, thoughtful.] That's how it's done on pirate ships, kinda... we all agree on the best bloke for the job and that's that, then if we get tired of him, we off him and pick a new captain.

...What concerns are those? I didn't figure Chekov for a mutineer.

Mutineer? Chekov? Nooooooo, no no no no no. He was just mildly distressed at how dangerous your amazing Fuckery was, and he wanted to know if the crew was supposed to be taking orders from you.

Guess I won't space the kid, then.

[Ed's a little disappointed. Having to chuck Chekov into space for mutiny would solve a lot of potential problems without forcing Ed to make hard decisions himself.]

So how're you envisioning this election thing working?

[Yes, good, let's not space Chekov. Stede approves of this plan.]

Quite simple, really. People write their vote on a slip of paper, put it in the ballot box near the bridge, and then we get together as a crew to look at the results.

That's... [not at all how pirates do it, but Stede seems pleased with himself] tidy. And who runs in this thing?

Anyone who wants to! Though no one else has shown a particular interest... I hope none of them think I'm rigging the process somehow. [What an alarming thought!]

Can't imagine most of this lot running a ship, man.

[At least the crew of the Revenge seems somewhat more self-aware than its captain if they can see that too.]

It's good that they're not lining up to take you down. Could mean you're doing okay.

You really think so?

Wouldn't have said it if I didn't think it. [He pats Stede's back.] You treat 'em well, they get paid for not doing much, you don't go in for beatings when they act up. Most pirates would jump ship to join up with a captain like you.

[Stede makes a pleased little noise.] I bet no one’s ever said anything like that to Nigel. [Who may be dead but is most definitely not forgotten. Smug asshole.]

[Ed has no idea who the fuck Nigel is, but that doesn't make him less confident.] If that guy's Starfleet, then no, bet not.

He used to be Starfleet. Now he’s dead. [said with remarkable cheer]

Anyhow, I’ve finished putting up the posters. Would you care to join me for lunch?

Oh, cheers.

Don't mind if I do. What's lunch?

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