Pirate Democracies
19 Mar 2024Ryuko Ntsikana
Pirate Democracies
Colonia Region
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Tara watched my first passenger run, asking the obvious questions about my policies, what was and was not allowed, and the latitude I was willing to work within, based on the clientele, insurance, logistics, android staffing, and of course payroll. She was not aware of how simple of a ‘turn-key’ operation it turned out to be. Aside from the normal outfitting and operational expenses, the remainder took care of itself.
I knew she would enjoy the occasional bounty-hunting side journey, to pad the payroll while providing a copy of the encounter to the clients, which gave our reputation with their factions a little bump. This translated into the first pick at better-paying opportunities. The best part of this type of business was that the reputation gained could not be diminished by anything other than ourselves. If nurtured with care, it was a steady and lucrative enterprise.
Tara was flying the ship but noticed the look on my face first. “What’s wrong?”
Aby checked the ship’s systems and sensors. “I detect no issues or abnormalities.”
Something talk about a job some old clan did, back when I was still a fledgling with the Blue Brotherhood.
“Aby. Were you able to determine what kind of chemicals those were, from the industrial site?”
Aby nodded. “Based on my initial assessment, the chemical's molecular structure appears to contain a highly complex polymer that can bond with specific genetic markers in its host organism. Its unique molecular chain allows it to evade the immune system's defenses and initiate a targeted, cascading mutation within the host's cellular makeup. By manipulating specific genetic sequences, the chemical can induce a range of debilitating or lethal effects, including tissue necrosis, immune system collapse, and systemic organ failure. Further analysis is required to isolate the precise protein sequences responsible for the chemical's devastating properties.”
“What is this you are saying?” Tara asked, as I nodded to Aby, who began to explain the raid I had done on the industrial site.
Tara listened as she piloted the ship, slowing its velocity so our clientele could enjoy the amenities and giving Aby time to explain everything that had happened along with his discovery.
“We are not allied to anyone or anything. Why does this have you worried?” Tara asked, looking over at me with a puzzled look.
The corner of my mouth lifted. “So long ago, in a past that almost seems like another life, there was an incident where another group, similar to the one so far away out here, was rumored to be making something artificial that had something to do with genetic markers, or this or that or something other. We never knew exactly what it was. Some well-connected organizations funded it through a minor faction. The two then went to war, much like these two out here. The war was a fraud, though there were large battles and plenty of casualties to make it real enough. In the end, though everything vanished.”
Tara let out a little giggle as Aby observed her with curiosity, tilting his head once again.
“I do not understand what is so amusing,” Aby asked.
“Why do you expect to not find the same thing out here?” Tara replied over her shoulder.
“That does not answer the question,” Aby stated with a flat tone, the android way of being annoyed, I suppose. If for nothing else, Tara was getting to him, and I was enjoying it.
“Of course it does. Tell us, where does mankind go that it does not take its wonderment and drama, in equal measure? This chemical is as absurd out here as it is back in the bubble. Using it would bring the whole sector down on the one who did, and someone in their ranks, to save their own hides, would tell all. It isn’t meant to be used outside of the knowledge that it exists. That’s what I find amusing.”
Before Aby could make a comment, Tara leaned over in my direction. “You bought the cheap model android, didn’t you?”
Aby, while having no real emotion, stood in place, silent, as he processed what he had been told, along with calculating that any response would not do him any favors with Tara. This moment, right here, was worth every credit I paid. I only wished that I could laugh out loud about it, but I didn’t want to give Aby a cause to calculate my response.
I savored each second of his silence as Tara landed the ship in the station and began the refueling process while Aby went aft to aid the service androids with the clientele’s departure.
“Is my role adequate?” Tara asked, watching Aby and the service androids on one of the monitors.
I couldn’t stop myself, losing it in a fit of pure deep laughter. A smile from Tara told me she acknowledged the answer as tears formed in my eyes.
***
What Tara said about the chemical's usefulness lying in the knowledge of its existence but not in its actual application lingered in my mind throughout the remainder of the day. It seemed to resonate with her as if she understood the underlying implications of what I had said about the wars being more of a facade, a means of purging undesirable elements. Strangely, both conflicts ended as abruptly and oddly as they had begun.
As we walked the corridors of the orbital starport I thought about what Aby had said about not knowing how much, if any, had been produced and shipped out. The old pirate side of me wanted to know but also knew that it was none of my affair. The bounty hunting side was curious how much the physical evidence or the data would be worth. Not that either side had any say in the matter as Aby was quick to report everything to my benefactor’s agents in the sector, along with me hiring a new crew member.
Aby was fulfilling his role, with no emotional bias, though to the casual observer, it could misinterpreted as being done out of spite, hoping to create an issue. I knew better. Tara, being semi-sentient, had what could be determined as basic emotions, but anything strong would be more a form of mimicry or as part of a preset design, such as her fulfilling her role as a protector. At least that was my best assumption but as I reminded myself, any time I thought I knew is when I knew I didn’t.
Neither Tara nor Aby had been exposed to a proper pirate station and of the two I felt the worst for Tara. Aby, though devoid of true emotion, expressed a heightened sense of curiosity, whereas Tara, who had a base emotional algorithm, had to mimic familiarity. I made sure to walk the concourse, letting Aby’s eyes explore, and answered each of his questions, knowing that Tara was recording much of the same. It was when Tara went to a kiosk that had caught her interest, to get us a snack and a couple of drinks that Aby drew in nearer.
I thought it would be another question of why a pirate-owned facility was as immaculate as any other, and why all appeared to be a simple yet quaint agricultural starport, with no hint of piracy, but this time it was different. He drew nearer to me, looking in Tara’s direction.
“As you two are cohabitating you are most likely aware yet it is my duty to report the findings regardless. I detected low-level power emissions from Ms. Sha that correspond to cybernetic augmentations.”
I paused for a moment, looking at Aby. There was no sense that he knew more than that, and cybernetics was as common as space lag.
“Yes, I am aware. Thank you.” That last part coming out of my mouth was as odd as a Thargoid playing volleyball, and thankfully Aby was none the wiser for it. I had to say something positive though, hoping that it would be the end of the issue.
“So, now that you learned that most pirates are simple folk like everyone else, are there any other parts of this that have you curious?”
Aby nodded, “I noticed the lack of designated security staff. Is this common?”
“Everyone here is the security staff. Unlike the more primp, preen, and pompous stations you have been exposed to, everyone here is armed.” I pointed across the concourse to a fruit kiosk, where a woman of elder years leaned on the counter. “She is better armed than we are right now, and likely more experienced than all of us, combined.”
“So the pristine calm exterior is a facade?”
“No, it is all real, and these are honest people, doing whatever their business is, but with far broader freedoms and more sensible and relaxed laws.”
Aby tilted his head towards me. “Ah, yes, I have reverenced and studied that aspect. There seems to be some differences though ranging from system to system.”
I hummed slightly. “True enough. This is the usual anarchy-style system, where a lot of things are free game, but there is also the ruling clan and their code. While it is similar between the different pirate factions, as is the cant you have heard me speak, there are minor nuances, based on their council and what the population deems appropriate for them.”
Aby tilted his head once more. “The population decides what’s appropriate?”
I chuckled as Tara approached handing me a hot beverage. “Aby is learning about pirate democracy.”
Tara smiled, mimicking knowing as I used my free hand to gesture around the concourse. “Yes, the population has a say in the matter. They can even put it to a vote and if so desired have the counseling body replaced by those who are more to their liking.”
“I would have thought it to be more lawless,” Aby replied, looking at where I was gesturing as I took a sip of what was a wonderful coffee blend.
“Make no mistake. For the most part, this place is a direct democracy, with all the good and bad that comes with it. It is not a Utopia by any means. The dissenting opinion has no voice in this system, once the majority has ruled. This leaves a lot left out when it comes to equality and fairness. On the plus side, the lawless traits you mentioned are always present. This Starport can erupt into brutal violence, the moment an outsider attacks just one.”
Aby looked at both Tara and me as we sipped our drinks. “I understand. It is a trade-off between the individual’s voice and security, rule of law and autonomy.”
“You have part of it,” I replied as I began walking around the concourse again. “There is a rule of law. What you are trading to have autonomy is to abide by the governance of the majority.”
Aby studied the people as we made another lap. “What if someone is against that?”
“Listen, Aby, these are all simple people. No one is forcing someone who doesn’t like that to stay unless they are a captive prize from one raid, purchase, or the other. If someone comes here on their own and doesn’t like it, they should probably leave.”
“If they contest?”
“A long walk out of a short airlock,” Tara replied while I buried my muzzle in my coffee cup, trying to hide the grin on my face.