A lot of changes follow changing your leader.
Leadership style being one of them.
For years, The Shiloh pirates had been under the reign of Magnus Blade, a ruthless pirate, with little to no care for his enemies once he had gotten what he wanted.
For years, this style had worked well for the pirates, they had used the expertise they had gained before becoming fugitives, to benefit their organization, making them infamous for their hacking skills and information collection.
The pirates traded in this, and in rare metal that could be reused.
They were also trained fighters, knowing how to use several different forms of weapons to defend themselves.
And if a prisoner held captive was ever released, he or she would have their memories erased, to make sure no one could trace them back to the secret base, the only place a pirate felt relatively safe.
Magnus had made sure they had a hotel, for players visiting to play their team in Galactic football.
The pirates were underdogs, not having flux, like many other teams did.
It was heavily debated whether they did, and simply didn't use it, because it would allow for them to be traced, but no one, other than the pirates themselves, knew for sure.
That still was not the biggest issue with Magnus reign.
Magnus had partnered up each pirate with someone, so they always had someone have their back.
And not all of hese pairings were the best.
Corso was one of the pirates that had been forced to work with partners he could not stand.
And despite him seemingly accepting Magnus reign, Corso was not happy, and had been subject to changing partners several times over.
He had grown jaded as a came from fleeing a senseless war, being left for dead, as the only survivor of his unit.
And life as a wanted pirate was not much different.
Wanted, but not with a bounty on his head.
Not a whole lot of pirates had achieved that dubious honor as of far.
He knew only of two, Magnus Blade, for being their leader and stealing from their number one enemy,Technoid, and one of the other captains, one that had shown leadership skills beyond normal, Magnus protégé, Sonny Blackbones, a former scientist with Technoid, now turned pirate.
And now, after the voting, their new leader.
And Sonny would put his mark on things for sure.
And as of now, Sonnys first order of business, was breaking up the pairings that didn't provide the pirates with comfort and trust, to form new ones.
Only, Sonny didn't just order the pairs together.
He ordered them to give it a think, see what qualities they sought in a partner they could trust, and to deliver three choices to him by the end of the day they were ordered before him.
Then, Sonny would speak with the chosen three, and decide on whom to suggest paired up, as that would feel better for all of them.
This decision was welcomed by everyone.
Magnus had been a tyrant at times with his reign, Sonny was taking a softer approach, one based on respect and trust.
Those things bode well for the pirates, as this new reign would create new possibilities for them all.
Corso silently hoped Sonny would skip him.
He had been without a partner for a few years now, and honestly, he liked that way.
No one that bossed him around, he had a cabin to himself, and only himself to worry about.
Why would he consider changing all that?
Sonny had taken the seat of power just weeks earlier, and Corso had honestly thought it would take him longer to address this issue.
But he had heard, several of the higher standing ones had already been called in, Sonny seemed to have a list of names, and they all would be called in on last given name.
It would not take long then, as Corso was his last name, and Flint his given name.
Till now, he had kept himself busy, doing work wherever it was needed, hoping to duck the radar.
He should have known it would not last.
They were staking The Black Manta for her next trip, when Bennett came for him.
" Your turn now Corso. Sonny asked me to find you, he wants the talk to take place now " Bennett said.
Corso bit the inside of his chin.
Yeah, this would be loads of fun.
Corso made his way to the captain'scabin and knocked on the door.
"Come on in " he heard Sonny's voice say.
As he entered, he found Sonny looking over some paperwork, while relaxing on a sofa.
Sonny seemed tired, like he had been at it nonstop for weeks, which was probably the truth.
"You wanted to see me? " Corso asked, remaining standing up as he looked at his leader.
Sonny looked up from whatever it was he was reading.
"Have a seat Corso. I think you know why I sent for you " Sonny said.
Corso nodded.
"With all due respect Sonny, I am better off alone, I've been doing fine for years, I can work with anyone depending on the need. I don't feel the need for a partner " Corso said, not hiding his dismay with the idea of having to choose a partner.
In all honesty, there wasn't anyone that stood out, as a possible match to , Sonny would learn the hard way that he was asking for something he shouldn't now.
Sonny seemed undeterred by his demeanor.
"For now, head back to your cabin and give things a think Corso. By the end of the working hours, I expect you back here, with a list of three names that you see suitable as a partner. I will then speak with each of the three and see if anyone wants to partner with you. If not, it will be my call who is suitable. I won't force you, but I will not let you remain without a partner and go on dangerous missions " Sonny said, making it clear the conversation was over... for now.
Corso left the captain's cabin.
As soon as he returned to his own bachelor's cabin, Corso took a note pad and sat down, trying to think if there was anyone in the crew he would like or even accept as partner.
The faces of several of his pirate friends flashed before his eyes.
Corso wrote the advantages, then disadvantages to each of them down.
After hours, and the time set by Sonny, he started to get a slight panic.
No one ever even came close to being a match to him.
Corso knew Sonny had said he wouldn't force him, but if he didn't cough up three names, Sonny would make the choice for him.
But this was hard.
As the hours ticked by, Corso saw the time tick close to deadline.
To hell with this, he thought, and wrote down three names.
He would let Sonny make the choice, as this was too hard.
An hour or so later, he again found himself at Sonnys cabin door, in his hand, a note with three names.
He was told to enter.
Sonny seemed to be fresh out of a shower, only dressed in his signature black pants, and bare feet, with his blonde hair still damp from the shower.
Corso held up the note.
Sonny nodded as he saw it.
He took it as Corso handed it to him.
Then he looked at Corso.
A little smirk was painted on his face.
"Not mission impossible, but close, from what I can read " he said, giving Corso a look.
Corso nodded,face still unreadable.
"You asked me to compile a list of candidates, there are my picks. Now, it's in your hands " he said.
Sonnys right brow shot up as if to say "we 'll see about that " before he sat down, not bothering to put on a t shirt, letting Corso see the toned muscular torso as he read over the names.
Corso waited for permission to leave.
As Sonny looked at each name, he shook his head, making it clear he did not agree.
Then he looked at Corso.
"I am tempted to have you do this all over again, but I don't think it's going to change anything. Either you did this on purpose, or you did it to make a point out of not wanting a partner. Wich one it is, is irrelevant. Like it or not, you will be partnered up, if not, you will be a risk, and I can't have that. So, one last chance. Give me one more name to consider, as none of these are candidates matching you. And no playing around Corso, I will know if you try to wiggle out of this and I won't let you " Sonny said, making it clear he was serious.
"Let's just forget it Sonny, there is no match to me in anyone, I am better off left alone " Corso said, hoping this would be the end of it.
Sonny shook his head.
"Not going to happen. The fourth name Corso, and I want it now " Sonny said.
Corso's heart was racing.
What name could he even offer up at this time?
All the ones he might like had been on the list and Sonny had rejected them all.
The only name left he could think of, was also the scariest option.
And he had no idea how Sonny would react to that name being put in the since he asked, he was left no other choice.
"Last available name, is Sonny Blackbones" Corso said out loud, then closed his eyes to avoid seeing Sonny's reaction.
The room was eerily silent, as if Sonny was either too shocked to answer, or if he was considering if he would handle Corso being so forthcoming.
Then, he felt a hand on his arm.
"Corso...open your eyes " he heard Sonny say silently.
Corso slowly opened his eyes, only to notice how close Sonny was standing.
And Sonny...didn't seem mad.
"I won't even bother talking to the first three Corso, as I know it won't work out. As for your last pick. I approve " he said.
Corso was not sure how long he had held his breath, but now, he could finally breathe.
Sonny nodded.
"You move in here immediately, best get used to being my partner and bodyguard from the very start " he said.
Corso nodded, then, as Sonny released him, he went to pack his belonging and move them into the captain's cabin.
Later that evening, when their shift was done, Corso laid on the extra bed put in the cabin, watching Sonny get ready for bed.
Sonny seemed near exhausted and stretched out as he laid down on the bed.
Corso noticed how he seemed a little uncomfortable laying down, clearly, his muscles was stiff.
Well, as his partner, that was something Corso could do something about.
Corso got up and sat down on the edge of Sonnys bed.
"You look like you need some tension relief, and I got just the thing " he said.
Sonny sent him a look that was one of amusement.
"Not denying the obvious fact that I am sore all over, you got a cure for that? " He asked.
"I believe it falls under my duties as your partner to take care of you, so I am going to massage the tension out of your muscles. If nothing else, you will get a good night's sleep " Corso said, as he took a small vail of oil from the nightstand, and squirted some of the oil onto Sonnys back, before his hands started to knead him.
Sonny sighed as the tension slowly gave way under Corso's hands.
"You know, I didn't really think of any of those three as a suitable partner, that was just getting back at you, for forcing me into a situation I didn't want to be in " Corso said.
Sonny remained laying down but listening attentively to what his new partner told him.
"I figured it was something like that. None of those names made any sense to me. But that leaves another question, why did you pick me? " Sonny asked.
Corso smiled.
"There was ever only one pick for me. I struggled to word it, but in the end, you provoked me enough to throw it out there. I am glad you did, that I don't have to hide whom my first pick really is " Corso said, while continuing his how slow pressure onto Sonnys muscles.
Sonny turned slightly hearing that.
"I am too tired to guess Corso, why don't you just tell me, who is your first pick? " he asked.
Corso smiled.
"You Sonny, you and only you "