Everyone listened closely as Stevens explained what the older Pirates said and planned.
They had to do something.
Sonny turned his back to them as he walked a few steps away.
He didn't know what to do. Just that he had to do something.
He took a deep breath.
"We'll be attending the meeting tonight. I have to make clear I won't allow disobedience. I will try to be understanding and maybe make some changes, but if they still don't like it, I will have to exile some of them." Sonny said, looking at them.
The three other pirates nodded.
Now, they just had to wait for nightfall.
This meeting would be the first real test for Sonny as the Pirates' Leader.
Corso noticed Sonny was distracted, and he decided to keep a close eye on him.
Eventually, he spotted Sonny meditating.
That seemed to help, as he was a lot calmer afterward.
Corso approached him and placed a gentle hand on Sonny's shoulder.
"You won't be doing this alone Sonny. We got your back." He said.
He felt Sonny's hand on top of his own.
"I know Corso. We'll get through this."
The group chose a remote location for the meeting.
Stevens wasn't sure about the whole ordeal, but he figured Sonny knew what to do.
Corso just kept close to Sonny, ready to step in and defend him.
Someone had to, if he were to survive.
He looked at his weapons.
He gathered a lot over the years.
"I think it's time we're going in. Though let's wait until there's more people." He said.
Corso nodded, but kept a hand on his gun.
"You have your protective vest on? Don't put it past them to try and kill you." He softly said.
Sonny gave him a strange look.
"I don't think they'll go that far." Sonny argued.
Corso sighed.
"You don't understand Sonny. Magnus ruled for a long time and people liked it that way. Just doing it differently won't make you friends with everyone, you need to reach a compromise." Corso said, feeling if his weapons were in place.
Sonny just sighed, as they went for the meeting.
This was going to be difficult.
They were all there.
Even some faces Corso didn't expect.
Were they all not agreeing with Sonny's leadership?
Two veteran captains; Keiran O'Keefe, and Connor Sour, along with Football coach Bernie, stepped forward to address the crowd, as complaints started to roll in.
Corso could see Sonny wincing at every one of them.
"I've heard enough" Sonny hissed, as he stepped forward himself.
"You'd better have a good excuse for why you want to attack ships with innocent people onboard and steal their cargo. That's not who I want us to be." Sonny started but was cut off by Connor.
"Sonny, I like you, but not as a leader. We need someone who isn't this… naïve. Just because it doesn't say 'Technoid' on the hull, doesn't mean they're not innocent." He said.
Corso watched Sonny as he stared at the other Pirate.
"He's right, Blacbbones. You're in over your head." Someone in the crowd said.
Corso could feel the tension rise.
This could easily escalate.
On pure instinct, Corso had his hand ready to draw his weapon.
Sonny tried to stay calm.
"Most of you voted for me. Why do that only to say I'm not doing my job right? You all wanted things to change, but apparently not my changes. But alright, let's hear what you all want. I don't want to be a leader that just does what he wants. We're all Pirates and we should be able to talk to one another." Sonny said.
Corso had his finger on the trigger, ready to fire.
He could see people's anger.
This would result in violence, and could only be answered by violence in kind.
That was how it went.
That was how it always went.
After a long while, Captain Sour nodded.
"Being willing to talk already sets you above Magnus, I'll give you that." He admitted.
Sonny nodded.
"I'll slow down the changes. But they WILL happen eventually. Just with more communication." Sonny said.
That seemed to appease the crowd.
Sonny shook hands with the leaders of the older Pirates and the Captains, symbolizing their truce.
They had made their way back to the Black Manta and when they got on board, Sonny went to the cabin instantly.
Corso followed close behind.
Sonny started to take of his jacket and hit the showers as Corso busied himself with writing things down.
When Sonny returned freshened up, he managed to make a list.
"Here's to hoping their suggestions won't cause any more trouble." He said.
Corso didn't like the tone of that.
"Some people are still holding grudges, Corso or they want Magnus to come back." Sonny said, giving his words some thought.
Corso looked at him fiercely.
"That's not gonna happen. We don't even know where Magnus is." He said.
Sonny agreed.
"I just hope we can find out who still wants me gone and put a stop to them."