He got into Technoid territory, got a lot of classified data, and managed to survive.
Now the pirate techs were pouring over it to see if there was something they could use.
The next few weeks, the Pirates worked through the files and put it all down in their own documentation.
They now knew what would happen with Pirate captives.
Corso felt himself tense up when he opened Sonny's file.
It showed both an old picture of Sonny, and one more recent.
It was used for a Wanted Poster.
Of course they had one.
The plans for Sonny's captivity were… scarily detailed.
Corso expected it to be harsh, considering what Sonny meant to Technoid.
The high bounty was a big enough clue.
Tehnoid never gave out Two Million Standard Credits for a bounty before.
As Corso read through the file, he started to get what was so special about Sonny.
Sonny had degrees as a doctor and a biochemist.
His projects were wildly successful and netted Technoid a hefty profit.
The files also all but confirmed Sonny's wife was dead.
That was going to be difficult for Sonny to process, but it was better for him to know so he could move on.
Corso started to wonder if Sonny had anything to do with that planet-wide disaster.
Was that why Technoid wanted him so bad?
Or did they need a scapegoat?
They'd done that before.
Maybe that's what Sonny tried to find? Evidence to clear his name?
Might be. It was still a stupid, dangerous thing to do.
Even if Technoid didn't know he was their leader now, he was still an important name to them.
Once Sonny was officially their leader, Corso needed a plan to keep him safe.
He had a long road ahead of him.
Those Pirates were getting on his nerves.
Bleylock figured they wouldn't get past his barriers.
Not unless they knew his secrets.
And he knew who did.
Sonny Blackbones.
The logs showed what files he took.
That cursed Blackbones.
He couldn't just kill him, he needed him to make a new mix of Meta Flux.
But that was easier said than done.
Especially since Sonny talked to Duke Maddox.
At least Sonny couldn't provide any clear evidence, so they couldn't do anything, really.
For now, he was not a problem.
The Pirates were.
He needed to stop them, but he didn't know where they were. No one did.
Bleylock put people to work to retrieve the stolen files, or at least find out what was missing.
Once Bleylock had the list, he realized just how precise this breach was.
This wasn't just from orders.
This wasn't how Magnus Blade ran things.
This was Sonny's personal quest.
How would he get rid of him?
He had no way of finding the Pirates' location, and Sonny had his very own bodyguard, it seemed.
Something only high ranking pirates would have.
Bleylock needed to know more, get eyes on the inside.
Bleylock drummed his fingers on his desk until he decided to contact one of his most trusted allies.
A face, obscured by darkness, appeared on his computer screen.
"Long time no see. Is the Duke no longer your favorite?" The voice joked.
Bleylock wasn't in the mood.
"I have a job for you."
It was the day of the inauguration.
Corso had the entire day planned out.
They'd barely seen each other since returning from the base.
Sonny was busy with his projects and coaching the football team, and Bennett was now in charge of keeping an eye on him.
In a sense, this was a good thing, as Corso could collect his thoughts before talking to Sonny again.
Maybe he was a coward, but Corso wanted to make sure that he'd say the right thing.
Still, Sonny wanted to see him before the inauguration.
He knocked on Sonny's office door, almost hoping he wasn't there.
"Come in." Sonny called from the inside.
Just his luck.
Corso entered the spacious office, looking at Sonny going through the files they acquired.
He saw Sonny writing in a notepad.
It looked like coordinates.
As Sonny saw Corso enter, he paused his work and looked up.
"What do you have for me? " He asked.
Corso put some papers on his desk.
"Plans for upcoming raids. You're staying back." He said.
Sonny smiled as he read through the plan.
"That's a good plan. Is everything ready for today?" He asked.
Corso nodded.
"Everything's ready. You'll be safe. We can't lose you again." He said, before he shut up abruptly.
Sonny looked at him, and Corso felt like he read his mind.
"We didn't really talk about what happened at that Technoid base, did we?" Sonny started, but was cut off by Corso.
"What were you thinking? You're lucky to have come out alive. Next time they're not going to be that forgiving." Corso said intently.
Sonny put his hand on his chin, before looking out a window, not saying anything else.
Corso really wanted to leave, but Sonny didn't tell him to yet.
"Did you read the files they had about me?" He finally asked.
Corso nodded.
"They still don't know you'll become our leader. There were plans to talk us into giving you up, That's about it, don't worry about it" He said.
Sonny nodded as he heard Corso's words.
"It's not just me I'm worried about. It's everyone else, too. We can't let Bleylock continue his plans. I know him better than most people. He's the real threat we're facing." He said.
Corso felt like crumbling to the floor.
He hurried over to the sofa and sat down, gesturing to Sonny to join him.
"Let's talk all of this through."
Sonny would become their official Captain today.
Magnus was still nowhere to be found, so he wouldn't be an issue.
Magnus always chose to rather hide.
He wasn't the only potential threat though.
Sonny would have to go through quite some rituals.
Corso never liked the pomp and circumstance, but Sonny could appreciate it.
That was just how he was. Respectful to a fault.
Corso looked at the black cloak, embroidered with the Black Manta's emblem, ready to be placed on Sonny's shoulders, along with all the duties that meant.
As Sonny entered the room, he gave Corso a nod.
Corso gently placed the cloak over Sonny's shoulders.
As soon as Bennett knocked on the door, Corso nodded.
It was time.
The place was packed with Pirates wanting to see the ceremony.
Some would probably wonder how long this one was going to last.
Sonny walked between Corso and Bennett, his eyes straight ahead, while Bennett and Corso looked at the crowd for any threats.
There were many people watching this, not just Pirates. Looked like all of Shiloh came to watch.
Some of the faces they didn't recognize and that didn't sit well with Corso.
The three oldest surviving Pirates would be carrying out the rites.
After the walk, Sonny knelt before them, head bowed respectfully, as they used Pirate Relics to transfer the power to him.
The cloak was removed, as it was time for the most elaborate ritual.
The tattoo on the leader's back.
Sonny bared his back, as four artists approached him.
Sonny laid down on a bench and took a few deep breaths as the artists got to work.
Sonny didn't make a sound, but Corso could see the sweat on his forehead.
Sonny moved a bit slow as he got up, and Corso couldn't help but blush as the man immediately raised his hand at his people.
The crowd started to roar.
They had a new leader.
Within hours, the galaxy would know who he was.
Corso had his work cut out for him.
Bleylock listened attentively as his informant passed on what he learned.
It would make things a lot more difficult, seeing as a Pirate Leader had tons of protection.
Not to mention Sonny now had a lot more power.
Maybe even enough to stop him.
Bleylock wasn't worried yet, though.
Next time Sonny came for them, he'd be ready.
He was reading a Medical file.
Sonny's.
There had to be something here that he could exploit.
Of course, the Pirates knew these things too and prevented it.
It would only be a matter of time before he knew where to find him, though.
And once he did, he would deploy the best Bounty Hunters he knew.
He needed his expertise, so he could force Sonny to reveal the formula for the Meta Flux.
That would be his ace in the hole.
If he could get Sonny to make some more for him of course.
Duke Maddox could have him after that.
Bleylock smiled when he remembered their past together, the late nights, caressing his hair, that strong athletic body, those soft lips.
Maybe he'd offer to Sonny.
And if Sonny didn't want that… he'd just have to disappear.