Disclaimer: PotC and related characters don't belong to me but to Disney.
Freedom
Freedom was found in obedience, not escape.
The formula James had worked by since he had been sent into the Navy had never failed him.
Life was more bearable with orders to follow. He had grown more convinced of this as he rose in the ranks and the list of superiors shrunk gradually while his conscience grew beyond proportion.
His incapability had killed many. Good men whose names he could not all remember. He had left because those still alive deserved better.
James had never thought himself worthy of command. He was no born leader.
He was more aware of it than ever, facing Lord Beckett in a transformed office that had once been his.
It was impressive now. The heart in his possession, Beckett radiated unimaginable power.
The leadership James had longed for to ease his conscience was there, close at hand. Never to bear the guilt of men dying for his decisions again.
He could see Mercer from the corner of his eye, watching him. No question of running or hiding. No real choice.
Freedom, in slavery.
James belonged to Beckett now.
And for a fleeting moment he thought piracy might have been the better course, after all.
