Chapter 173
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Cole heard from his sources that Bianca and Chrissy were both likely dwelling in a particular kingdom, a place known as the Republic of Pirates. It was not neccessarily suprising that a fairly large number of pirates were in Hell. As they made their way to this "republic" Cole told his friends what he knew of this place.
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Cole: It's modeled after a similar Republic of Pirates in Nassau.
Buffy: How exactly do pirates form their own government?
Cole: In the early 18th century England and Spain were at war, both sides employed privateers.
Buffy: Weren't those basically pirates who worked for the government?
Cole: Essentially, yes. England hired pirates to only attack spanish ships, Spain did the same tactic. When the war ended these privateers, who knew only fighting, stealing, and killing, found themselves with no money, and few skills to earn a legitimate living. So it was not difficult for them to return to normal piracy. These pirates decided to band together and form a suprisingly egalitarian society. Irishmen, freed slaves, women, were all treated equally. They ran things democratically and gave one vote per head. They attacked slave ships and offered these enslaved peoples freedom, money, revenge against their captors.
Faith: I think I would have liked being one of these pirates.
Buffy: I can definitely imagine you as a pirate. But I guess this didn't last long.
Cole: It couldn't. The wealthy slave traders banded together and vowed to destroy them. They were able to convince, maybe bribe, the king to pardon these pirates.
Buffy: I thought they wanted them dead.
Cole: They did, but the more rational amongst them, realized that this would, at the very least, reduce the numbers of their enemies. The pardon even allowed them to keep the loot they'd already stolen. That was pretty good for those who had made themselves rich. But those who had wasted their money on drink and sex workers, who had nothing to go back to, many pirates rejected the pardon. The british were very clear that they would unleash their full fury on those who rejected the pardon. They kept this promise. Now, many of the pirates in this kingdom are the same who rejected the pardon centuries ago. Charles Vane, he was the leader of the anti-pardon faction, he now holds a position of power here. You can't talk about him for long without the word "psychopath" coming up. But Henry Jennings also has power here. He was one of the main leaders, he took the pardon and returned to his "legitimate" business, mainly slave trading and running his plantation. And ofcourse Blackbeard. In life Blackbeard was a sociopath, he treated freed slaves as equals when he needed them. But when he bargained for his own pardon he sold his own crew to the governor. Maybe he was a little crazy from Syphillis.
Piper: What exactly are Bianca and Chrissy doing here?
Cole: In Hell you go where you can to survive. Besides, they're both good fighters, they'd do better than a lot of women here. Hopefully we can get them out of here.