[Such a thing is unfathomable in his time. He takes his time to mull her words over, trying to discern some sense in the saying of them. Piracy operates beyond political borders, to be sure, but they are not 'tasked' with the antagonistic relationship they have with the nations of Britain, Spain and the Orient.

He rubs his fingers idly against his beard. A reflexive gesture, thoughtful without being gauche about it.]

I think the hardest thing to swallow of all you've said of the future is that a woman would be permitted to do this uncontested. What you describe sounds like a military company.