@intolerablexsacrifice​ continued from [x]

It was a dangerous gamble – one that would put him on the harshest side of the admiralty if word of it was ever to come about. He was at liberty to enact any means necessary to put an abrupt end to the bleeding asset that was Nassau and once again retain English command over the region, ensuring that her profits were no longer squandered by those who would pad their own pockets at the expense of their country, like Guthrie had done. 

What was more, he was to ensure that trading passages were – at least to some degree – made secure against the threat of piratic violence. This latter was perhaps the more difficult of the two endeavours, but he knew that if he could pull from the waters captains like Flint, it would fast become too dangerous for the less ambitious to carry on as they were. The war in this theater was already paying a heavy toll – for those who could manage it, turning privateer was far more profitable than carrying on as pirates, provided there were not flags of stronger visionaries to band behind. 

Alone, pirate ships were not much of a threat to the interests of England – but when they banded together under one banner, it was a growing concern that Graham could not abide by. Short of killing Flint and granting some sort of martyr to rally behind, his best bet was to force the man into legitimacy – and if a man as notorious and vocal as he turned privateer, it would be a very loud proclamation to those rebels and idealistic thieves that their way of life was simply not sustainable. To make a hypocrite of one of their leaders would force them to question themselves – and if nothing else, it would weaken their resolve tremendously. 

The trick, of course, was in convincing this man to not only do as he was bid – but to ensure that he continued to do so after he received what he wanted. Graham believed wholeheartedly that he held the very cards necessary to ensure that outcome – a risky gamble, but one he believed he could take if he played matters just right. And now here they were, on the very cusp of what he needed to achieve, and not even the threat and violence etched upon such familiar, yet changed features could deter him now. He’d laid his card – now was time to play the rest.

“Your death would be more troublesome to my work here than your turn toward legitimacy,” The answer was spoken quietly, for he had the man’s attention now and the need for ferocity had passed them. “In exchange for Thomas – “ He lowered his hands, straightening and meeting the man’s frightful glare squarely and without fear or contempt, but rather the calm certainty of a man who knew he had played a winning hand, “I would have you and he assist me personally in returning Nassau to British rule.” 

Complete and utter betrayal of the black flag was the price for Thomas Hamilton – anything less and the admiralty would be infuriated, though only Hennessey would know the full depths of Hume’s betrayal to achieve even half that. 

“Your pardons,” He continued, steady and undeterred, “Would be conditional upon your service toward that end. Once trade routes here have been properly reestablished, and Nassau has functioned for a year – you are free to do as you please.” By which point, the damage would be too great for a return to piracy. It would be legitimacy or disappearance in full, but it would be the end of the notorious Captain Flint and perhaps, a start for the new and restored Nassau.