Blackness, the dark night shrouded all that was not illuminated.
An echoing wind screamed across the boundless plains.
Thunder rolled overhead, as light from the fires burning in the village echoed across the landscape.
All this and more were in to his mind’s eye.
A gruff male voice shattered his conscious thoughts saying something, but he couldn't reply, for the image before him was being seared into his mind and his long-term memory.
That memory of his home planet was still vivid five years later.
Since that event he had spent the better part of two years flying as a security officer for Capsuleers, taking the most dangerous and life threatening jobs he could in an effort to eradicate the memory. One day he was approached, in some shady bar in region he didn’t remember.
She had a picture of that fateful night, the light and the fires, but not the wind and the resulting pain. She made him an offer, of vengeance, to strike back at the very ones who had seared his mind with pain and life shattering grief.
He had no choice.
But that was two years ago.
It was the present now, although it barely felt like it.
He was now the leader for a strike team, headed for a prominent target, ready to wreak untold rage on his foes.
He felt alone.
The booming voice of the ships Capsuleer pilot resounded through the halls of the carrier, he barely noticed it. In his mind, all he saw was a dark night. The wind seared his face, etching the tears into his cheeks.
It was his moment of revenge.
Time passed but he heard no sound. Seconds and minutes folded around him, but did not reach him.
The drop bay doors opened.
There was light, the fire of the sun bouncing off the golden hulls and amplified by the reverberations of the engines, twisted by the firing of the cynosural fields.
Thunder rolled overhead as the miasma of refracted light merged and pulsed to devastating effects.
The violent explosions of projectile munitions shearing and melting everything in their path.
The wind of the solar re-entry tearing at the pod, throwing it around in the pre-dawn glow.
Then blackness and the pod impacted with the ground.
Emerging from the broken and scarred pod, he worked the cramps free. The epitome of death, his amplified war suit making every movement lethal and precise. He looked up the hill that now held that which he had sought or what felt like a generation, marching up the hill with a seemingly unending source of energy, the years of sadness and anger coming to within an inch of taking control.
At the peak, a small scared child stood and waited for he knew not what. He cowered under the balcony of his large home.
This child knew nothing about the war, or the fact that many would kill him simply for being who he was
The man in the war suit kept walking, preparing to exact his vengeance on those whom had caused him so much pain. He began to jog over the final rise, slamming the first round home into his rifle.
The child wept. He didn’t know not how to do anything else, this man of menacing appearance was not familiar and he looked so angry. The child wondered for a moment where his papa and mama were? Shouldn’t they be here?
A flash and clap of thunder coursed overhead, illuminating the tears on the young face before all went white.
The man stood.
The child didn’t.
A voice as cold as ice - ice pushed to the very limits of its endurance, ready to splinter and fragment into the winds, the words where not important, but the tone was glacial and spoke volumes more than any mere words could.
The man stopped; his rifle still aimed at the corpse, but something about that voice changed him in that second.
He turned to look at the source of the voice and saw a man with a face that once mirrored his own pain, and untamed fury.
His face became a mask, yet inside him came the feeling of anger, at life and its unfairness.
In that instant the man made a choice.
He raised his rifle and saved this man that mirrored his hurt and pain from a life of what burned inside him. A life of fury and vengeance, of injustice and callous regret; he pulled the trigger.
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It is 85YC and a teacher sits in front of her class.
She is ethnic Minmatar and she is telling the story of a man.
It is a tale of a Minmatar and his drive for vengeance.
This is something all children of the clan learn at an early age.
This one time, in this one class though something was different, instead of barely listening, one child looked thoughtful.
He raised his hand to ask the teacher question.
“Miss, what was the man’s name?”
“His name?” replied the teacher.
“Yes Miss, who was he?”
With a sad smile, she looked down at the child, whose face of projected pure innocence, whose eyes were unblemished by the scars of an unending war, of seeing your brothers and sisters enslaved for untold generations.
“Child he had no name”
“But why Miss, surely he had a name, we all have names”
“Because child, he is all of us, he is every Minmatar that has ever lost a member of his family, he is every one of us that has known the pain and hurt of those we love torn asunder”
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It is 85YC and a teacher sits in front of her class.
She is ethnic Amarrian and she is telling the story of a man.
It is a tale of a Amarrian and his drive for retribution.
This is something all Amarrian children are taught at a young age.
This one time though, a child payed more attention than usual, he raised his hand and asked the teacher.
“What was his name Ma’am?”
“His name dear child?”
“Yes Ma’am, who was this man?”
With a grim smile she looked down at this child, innocent and pure.
“He was every Amarrian that has been attacked and defiled by the heathens, every one of us that has been hurt and maimed for nothing more than being who he is.”
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It is 110YC and I am the Captain of a Matari starship.
The stories of my heritage call to me, I am a man of my race, I have no name.
In the history books, I shall never have a name.
For the name is not important, it is the purpose and result of my life and all of our lives that makes us what we are.
I am a Minmatar, born and bred to be a warrior in a race of warriors.
I am a man, raised in a race of murderers.
History shall not rule me; the future will not control me.
I live for the now, I live for the moment when I can make the impact on history that I was taught we all make, once in a lifetime.
That moment is now.
The moment when the Elders chose to strike; the moment when my ship shall lead the charge and bring the force of my race vengeance and the decades of pain in such a way that it shall leave a scar not even a God can heal.
I never payed attention to the old stories.
I never considered that they hold more truth than a history book.
A book tells you what happened, the story tells you why.
I am now in a story.
And I am telling you why.
We are the Matari, the fiercest warriors alive and we have come for our people.
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It is 110YC and I am the Captain of an Amarrian starship.
My name is important, but not to history.
I follow the old stories, I am steeped in a culture with a rich and powerful history and it shall know my name.
I am an Amarrian, born and bred to fight for the Empire unto death
I am a man, raised in a race of murders.
I am guided by the past and by the possibility of the future.
But I know, when the time comes I will be the one who writes his name into history.
That moment is now.
The Empress Jamyl has returned and our glorious salvation has arrived, I shall lead the push into the heart of the enemy; I shall rip it out and claim it for our Empress all that is our righteous vengeance.
I shall make a rift that even the Seven Clans cannot mend.
I have always payed attention to the old stories.
I always knew they were worth more than simple books.
A book tells you what happened, the story tells you why.
I am now in a story.
And I am telling you why.
We are the Amarrians, the righteous few and we have come for our people.
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It is 110YC and two ships find each other through the intangible madness that is some of the greatest fleet fights of our age.
These two ships have two captains.
Both are trained to perfection and fight for their individual races.
Two Dreadnoughts circle each other, turrets and launchers primed yet unable to fire a shot.
The immediate area of conflict slows to a crawl, the captains lose focus as the two ships circle their way into history, neither willing to make the final commitment to their cause, yet both inwardly burning to do so.
Then it starts, the calls are made simultaneously at the same time, each one’s tactics theoretically perfect.
The siege cycles engaged, the fires of refracted light met with projectile munitions in the exact centre of the conflict.
Untamed destruction met with precise amputation, like wild fury with tempered madness.
The two men, so different and yet so alike in ways neither will ever fully understand.
Two men, fighting for the same reason, for vengeance and retribution, for freedom and glory.
The same, yet infinitely different.
Fire and Ice, Light and Dark.
Amarrian and Minmatar.
Rage and Sorrow.
Forever entwined in the cycle of war, each indoctrinated and taught to hate, each trained to fight.
Gods and Spirits colliding in the hearts of mere men.
The never ending war.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Life in the shadows - Short Story
((Copied from EVE-O forums, part one of a two, possibly three part series I will write))
Why did I agree to doing this again?
Math'ra strode through the grand halls of the Carthum station, ignoring the thousands of people hurrying about their business
I must be insane or something
He rounded a corner and entered a lift, punching a few buttons he made his way through the center of the station and towards the section he rented out
Women... they have such a powerful effect and they don't know it, or if they do they abuse the **** out of it.
He left the lift in the wake of a multitude of gaping face, they knew as well as he did only Capsuleers lived on this level.
Striding down an enourmous golden hall and eventually through a few smaller passages untill he reached his own place.
Smiling at the two large Khanid Cyberknights that guarded his apartment he let himself in, casting his eye around the main room to make sure it hadn't been touched.
Just as I left you, not that I expected any different
Slowly wandering across the large space he stepped into his personal chambers, taking no time to enjoy the golden and red walls or the numerous holo pictures displayed there, instead making for a hidden place, pressing the command pad in a specific sequence the hidden room opened from the right rear corner, a large portion of the wall sliding down to reveal a brilliant black suit on a manikin with a hybrid rifle leaning against it.
Hello old friend, I have need of you once again
Slowly and carefully removing all but his underclothes before slipping into the undersuit, carefully making sure it didn't obscure any of his implant sockets. After making sure the suit was on properly he began attaching the composite fibre/nanite armour plates to specific parts of the suit, taking exception care with the final piece of armour, this piece was the key as it jacked into most of the capsuleer implants and activated his control of the suit.
He shivered as his sense came alive with awareness of the suit and all of the trillions of nanites that helped cause it to work so effectively.
I never get used to that feeling, not matter how many times I do this, it never gets any easier.
Taking the helmet off the top of the stand and strapping the Custom made Kaalakiota Hybrid assault rifle to his back before grabbing the double hip holsters for his other two Kaalakiota pistols and strapping the belt to his waist and placing the guns there he donned a traditional Amarrian black cloak, easily covering his entire body and the rather special armour and armoury.
Retrieving a travel bag he left his chambers and headed down to his personal arms range, carefully collecting a few special items along with a large supply of hybrid ammunition he placed them in the bag with the suits helmet.
Now, to get out of here without causing a stir...
Smiling to himself as an idea came to him he called his two guards at the front
"Hector, Vurdan I need you both to do me a favour..."
Math'ra quickly outlayed the plan and recieved two affirmative responses, smiling some more he pulled the hood of the cloak over his face and headed out the front of the apartment.
Upon leaving Hector took the bag and Vurdan took Math'ra's rifle in his own arms, the appearance of a high ranking Admiral completed by the rank badge Math'ra now displayed on his chest he made his way through the station and towards his ship, the Amarr Navy Slicer christened the "Storm of Vengance"
Time to put this show on the road.
The Slicer slid out of station after the garbled and hasty replies of the docking manager confirming that an Admiral of the Imperial Navy was allowed to go as they pleased.
Laughing to himself he made a mental note to thank the actual owner of that radge badge one day, it had proved to be most usefull so far.
After making his way out of the station Math'ra set his course for a certain system in the Kingdom.
Time to go pay some poor bastards a visit they won't want to remember, and will be unable to forget
As always, the Slicer slid into warp and started eating the distance towards its destination.
the nineteen jumps that it took to reach the final destination passed without incident, the locals in the low-security area he now flew through showed no interest in a small Slicer that could easily evade all but the most hardened blockades with ease.
Almost makes you wonder if the Pirates have gotten soft.
He laughed to himself as he pushed the ship into one final warp that lead to a Royal Khanid Navy base in the middle of the lew-security system, upon reaching the docking point he was hailed by the station commander.
"Pilot Hiede, what is your intention here and what does the Ordo Magna want with us?"
"Nothing untoward Commander, its a pleasure to see you again as well"
"Nice, you have permission to land Hiede, but as always, I am watching you"
"I wouldn't have it any other way"
That merely caused the Commander to grunt as he guided the Slicer into his usual docking bay, leaving the fine position to the station tractorbeams this time as he left his capsule and re-equiped everything.
"the officer's ballroom... located upstairs elevator level 3...."
Thats where she said it was going to be, and at 20:00.
It's 18:50 now, so that gives me plenty of time...
Smirking to himself he pulled the helmet on firmly and sealed it off, integrating it with the rest of the suit as he loaded himself up with ammunition and a few special devices, once again donning the large black cloak, this time the Hybrid rifle would sit outside it and in clear view.
Exiting the ship he strode towards the nearest console and entered a command, pulling a small chip from a pocket he inserted it into the availiable slot.
Suddenly the entire docking bay went black and cries of alarm came up from surprised dock workers, chuckling to himself the helmets visor flared to life and a light amplified view of the docking bay around him was suddenly much more visible, silently walking out of the hangar and into the now darkened corridors of the station he sought out the room he was looking for.
This is almost too easy, either these people are just lax or I am in deep ****
After stopping breifly at another terminal to locate the exact position of the officers ballroom he made his way through the station, unseen and almost unheard by the scarce-few inhabitants of the lonely station.
Having no trouble in passing by the receptionist to the large formal room he made his way down through the room, noting the special seating arangements
Now comes the "fun" part.
Waiting for the lovely gentlemen and women whos evening I shall be intruding upon tonight.
Dropping the black cloak in the dark corner he chose he placed the Hybrid rifle under that and sat down.
After a minute or two he simply began to fade, the nanites in the suit reacting to his carefully measured commands and the active camouflage came into effect and his form became undistinquishable from the walls behind him.
Now I live my life in the shadows, or at least.
For a time.
Why did I agree to doing this again?
Math'ra strode through the grand halls of the Carthum station, ignoring the thousands of people hurrying about their business
I must be insane or something
He rounded a corner and entered a lift, punching a few buttons he made his way through the center of the station and towards the section he rented out
Women... they have such a powerful effect and they don't know it, or if they do they abuse the **** out of it.
He left the lift in the wake of a multitude of gaping face, they knew as well as he did only Capsuleers lived on this level.
Striding down an enourmous golden hall and eventually through a few smaller passages untill he reached his own place.
Smiling at the two large Khanid Cyberknights that guarded his apartment he let himself in, casting his eye around the main room to make sure it hadn't been touched.
Just as I left you, not that I expected any different
Slowly wandering across the large space he stepped into his personal chambers, taking no time to enjoy the golden and red walls or the numerous holo pictures displayed there, instead making for a hidden place, pressing the command pad in a specific sequence the hidden room opened from the right rear corner, a large portion of the wall sliding down to reveal a brilliant black suit on a manikin with a hybrid rifle leaning against it.
Hello old friend, I have need of you once again
Slowly and carefully removing all but his underclothes before slipping into the undersuit, carefully making sure it didn't obscure any of his implant sockets. After making sure the suit was on properly he began attaching the composite fibre/nanite armour plates to specific parts of the suit, taking exception care with the final piece of armour, this piece was the key as it jacked into most of the capsuleer implants and activated his control of the suit.
He shivered as his sense came alive with awareness of the suit and all of the trillions of nanites that helped cause it to work so effectively.
I never get used to that feeling, not matter how many times I do this, it never gets any easier.
Taking the helmet off the top of the stand and strapping the Custom made Kaalakiota Hybrid assault rifle to his back before grabbing the double hip holsters for his other two Kaalakiota pistols and strapping the belt to his waist and placing the guns there he donned a traditional Amarrian black cloak, easily covering his entire body and the rather special armour and armoury.
Retrieving a travel bag he left his chambers and headed down to his personal arms range, carefully collecting a few special items along with a large supply of hybrid ammunition he placed them in the bag with the suits helmet.
Now, to get out of here without causing a stir...
Smiling to himself as an idea came to him he called his two guards at the front
"Hector, Vurdan I need you both to do me a favour..."
Math'ra quickly outlayed the plan and recieved two affirmative responses, smiling some more he pulled the hood of the cloak over his face and headed out the front of the apartment.
Upon leaving Hector took the bag and Vurdan took Math'ra's rifle in his own arms, the appearance of a high ranking Admiral completed by the rank badge Math'ra now displayed on his chest he made his way through the station and towards his ship, the Amarr Navy Slicer christened the "Storm of Vengance"
Time to put this show on the road.
The Slicer slid out of station after the garbled and hasty replies of the docking manager confirming that an Admiral of the Imperial Navy was allowed to go as they pleased.
Laughing to himself he made a mental note to thank the actual owner of that radge badge one day, it had proved to be most usefull so far.
After making his way out of the station Math'ra set his course for a certain system in the Kingdom.
Time to go pay some poor bastards a visit they won't want to remember, and will be unable to forget
As always, the Slicer slid into warp and started eating the distance towards its destination.
the nineteen jumps that it took to reach the final destination passed without incident, the locals in the low-security area he now flew through showed no interest in a small Slicer that could easily evade all but the most hardened blockades with ease.
Almost makes you wonder if the Pirates have gotten soft.
He laughed to himself as he pushed the ship into one final warp that lead to a Royal Khanid Navy base in the middle of the lew-security system, upon reaching the docking point he was hailed by the station commander.
"Pilot Hiede, what is your intention here and what does the Ordo Magna want with us?"
"Nothing untoward Commander, its a pleasure to see you again as well"
"Nice, you have permission to land Hiede, but as always, I am watching you"
"I wouldn't have it any other way"
That merely caused the Commander to grunt as he guided the Slicer into his usual docking bay, leaving the fine position to the station tractorbeams this time as he left his capsule and re-equiped everything.
"the officer's ballroom... located upstairs elevator level 3...."
Thats where she said it was going to be, and at 20:00.
It's 18:50 now, so that gives me plenty of time...
Smirking to himself he pulled the helmet on firmly and sealed it off, integrating it with the rest of the suit as he loaded himself up with ammunition and a few special devices, once again donning the large black cloak, this time the Hybrid rifle would sit outside it and in clear view.
Exiting the ship he strode towards the nearest console and entered a command, pulling a small chip from a pocket he inserted it into the availiable slot.
Suddenly the entire docking bay went black and cries of alarm came up from surprised dock workers, chuckling to himself the helmets visor flared to life and a light amplified view of the docking bay around him was suddenly much more visible, silently walking out of the hangar and into the now darkened corridors of the station he sought out the room he was looking for.
This is almost too easy, either these people are just lax or I am in deep ****
After stopping breifly at another terminal to locate the exact position of the officers ballroom he made his way through the station, unseen and almost unheard by the scarce-few inhabitants of the lonely station.
Having no trouble in passing by the receptionist to the large formal room he made his way down through the room, noting the special seating arangements
Now comes the "fun" part.
Waiting for the lovely gentlemen and women whos evening I shall be intruding upon tonight.
Dropping the black cloak in the dark corner he chose he placed the Hybrid rifle under that and sat down.
After a minute or two he simply began to fade, the nanites in the suit reacting to his carefully measured commands and the active camouflage came into effect and his form became undistinquishable from the walls behind him.
Now I live my life in the shadows, or at least.
For a time.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Consequences of Life - Short Story
((Copied from EVE-Online Forums again!))
Of all the jobs I have done, the millions I have killed.... I never expected to have to do this ....
It had been about a week since the incident with the Scope Reporter, and following the leads he had been chasing it had led him here.
From the Federation, to the State and even through the Republic and back onto the Empire and the Mandate.
What cruel jest is this, me.... an Agent of ever-living death is sent on a mission of mercy
Taking with him the item the agent had given him, instead of placing it in the cargo hold like he would do with other objects for an agent mission, simply choosing to dump them in a container and leave the owners to retrieve it themselves.
No, this time he placed it securely in the captains chair of the bridge before suiting up and stepping into his Capsule.
I am used to taking lives... but going to the families of one I killed to give them their daughters last physical connection in the universe?
What sort of sick joke is this God?
Is this your way of keeping me human?
If it is, I have to say its working...
He slowly and carefully entered the capsule, immersing himself in the capsules nutrient fluid and making sure all the connections where in place and the mask securely attached.
Mentally sighing to himself the ran a gentle mental caress over the Amarr Navy Slicers systems, bringing them to life in the usual sequence and as always the ship responded with a warm buzz, telling him that everything was in perfect working in order and ready to be used for its deadly purpose
Not this time my friend, this time we are simply couriers for a greater being
Ejecting a camera drone so as to view his ship from the insides of the Matari designed station station, speaking briefly with the docking manager he gained permission to undock and guided his ship through the bowels of the station and out into space, greeted by a flash of the Red-Gold sun of the Ammatar system.
It's like the entire system is in mourning, glowing the colours of the Mandate....
Bringing up the co-ordinates to the mining station the woman's family lived in, an encoded message from the Agent sprung onto his display in front of him.
"Math'ra Hiede, as a capsuleer you are an agent of death.
It is time to show you people what you cause to billions of people out there, every time you murder someone a family mourns their loss.
It's time to show you the consequences of life."
Damn that man, he has the information I need and yet he insists on doing this to me
God you really are one cruel bastard
Sending the co-ordinates of the deadspace outpost to the warpdrive he threw the Slicer into warp with an unusual vengeance, simply venting a bit of his anger on the ship.
It groaned as he pushed the ship almost too hard and instantly regret ed doing the childish thing.
That's a rookies mistake, let their emotions get a hold of them when on a mission.
Come on Math, your better than that.
Calm and collected, like the Admiral always said
The flight was short, the system itself wasn't very large and it didn't take long for his ship to make the distance.
Coming out of the warp tunnel and into view of the Asteroid station a lump caught in his throat.
Is this how the Admiral felt when he came home to tell my family of fathers death?
Shaking the morose thought out of his mind the flew the twenty kilometres to the hangar bay at a sedate pace, at ten kilometres he was hailed by the station commander and asked to explain his presence.
Carefully explaining that he was on a mission for the Mandate and that he would not destroy anything he was granted permission to land, blessedly it was only a short distance from the habitat that the family resided in.
Here comes the hard part...
After docking the Slicer safely and shutting down all the systems he ejected himself from the Capsule and headed to the on board showers.
No matter how good the station side ones might have been it was still a risk he wasn't taking today.
I don't want to walk away with some rare disease that I might catch from these people
Dressing himself in his dark black outfit he decided to leave his two guns inboard, he wouldn't need them today.
Instead strapping the twelve inch blade that Hitome had given him for his birthday.
Checking himself in a mirror he pulled his long black hair into a ponytail behind his head, nodding to himself he walked to the bridge and retrieved the item.
A small doll that the woman he had murdered had with he since the day she entered into service with the Ammatar.
Making his way off the ship and through the bowels of the station, the men and women he passed stared in awe as his unhidden capsule implants shone in the dim light, a few bowed before him as they recognised the small rank badge on his shoulder as that of an Archon of the Ordo Magna.
Reaching the habitat that the family owned he pressed a button and checked to see if they where home.
They where and an elderly couple answered it, both with apprehensive faces.
The elder man spoke first.
"Who are you and what do you want?"
Oh lovely, he has an attitude as well.
"I am Archon Math'ra Hiede of the Ordo Magna, and I am here to deliver you some bad news... about your daughter."
He raised his hands and held the doll flat across his open palms so the elderly parents could see the item.
Almost as soon as it had come into view the woman burst into tears and the man's face went pale and shook, but didn't break.
"I think, Archon, you had best come inside."
Simply nodding Math'ra ducked his large frame through the doorway and followed the grieving couple through the simple habitats hallway and into their decent sized living room.
"How did you come by this Archon?"
"I was given it by your daughters master, he wanted to return to you the only physical remains of your daughter"
The man was obviously shaken, and hearing that his daughters body would never come home nearly broke him, although testament to the old mans strength he didn't cry and his voice barely tremored.
"What happened?"
"She was sent of a covert mission for the mandate, she was to infiltrate a smuggling ring and take over it so as to disrupt the Minmatar local system it operated in"
"And?"
"A Capsuleer, following a trail through Republic space bartered for some information and in return was told this Smuggling operation was the price if he wanted that information. In no uncertain terms he flew to the location provided and destroyed every single vessel in sight, along with most of the station housing the crews on board."
The mans face grew hard as he listened and the woman stopped crying, turning to look at Math'ra with a gaping mouth.
Math'ra ignored these changes and continued
"The only thing I ever knew about your daughter was how exceptionally well she flew her ship, It was one of the most difficult fights I had been in since beginning this chase and whatever I may have done, you should be proud of you daughter."
"I understand"
Math'ra nearly did a double take, he had been prepared for many things, but not for them to say they understood, and not only was it not the father, it was the mother who had spoken.
"Archon, I see that you may not understand my words, but hear me out.
Our daughter was born to a poor destitute family, we couldn't afford to raise her and maintain our place in this colony.
So we sent her to our master in the hope she would become something great. And she was, she was a captain of a starship and exceeded all our hopes and dreams, although she will never come home now we can take solace in the fact she was truly gifted and we can remember that of her"
Shocked Math'ra simply stood there, his face blank and still quite surprised'
"Please, would you like to say and have something?"
Regaining a measure of control he forced a smile
"I am sorry, but I cannot.
I am overdue all ready, but please take this as my own personal way of saying sorry"
He drew out his datapad and typed a few commands in, still smiling he placed it on the table infront of the couple.
"It isn't a gift of anything more than a new life, if you both choose I can raise you from this place you live in and give you a home on any planet inside the Mandate, Empire or even the Kingdom."
The couple simply looked at him and smiled, the elderly man turned to his wife and nodded, she nodded in return and turned to Math'ra
"Your offer is kind, and it shows you are a rare find in a capsuleer, you still have your heart.
But we cannot take this offer, we cannot take anything from you without being constantly reminded of our loss"
"As you wish, although if you have ever any need of anything.."
Math'ra tapped the datapad.
"Use that to contact me, and I will do whatever it is inside my power to help"
"Thank you"
With that Math'ra smiled at took his leave, wandering through the station untill he reached his Ship again, tipping the station about a thousand more ISK than they asked for he went aboard and found the captains chair on the bridge.
And there he sat crying for hours.
That was the consequence of life.
Of all the jobs I have done, the millions I have killed.... I never expected to have to do this ....
It had been about a week since the incident with the Scope Reporter, and following the leads he had been chasing it had led him here.
From the Federation, to the State and even through the Republic and back onto the Empire and the Mandate.
What cruel jest is this, me.... an Agent of ever-living death is sent on a mission of mercy
Taking with him the item the agent had given him, instead of placing it in the cargo hold like he would do with other objects for an agent mission, simply choosing to dump them in a container and leave the owners to retrieve it themselves.
No, this time he placed it securely in the captains chair of the bridge before suiting up and stepping into his Capsule.
I am used to taking lives... but going to the families of one I killed to give them their daughters last physical connection in the universe?
What sort of sick joke is this God?
Is this your way of keeping me human?
If it is, I have to say its working...
He slowly and carefully entered the capsule, immersing himself in the capsules nutrient fluid and making sure all the connections where in place and the mask securely attached.
Mentally sighing to himself the ran a gentle mental caress over the Amarr Navy Slicers systems, bringing them to life in the usual sequence and as always the ship responded with a warm buzz, telling him that everything was in perfect working in order and ready to be used for its deadly purpose
Not this time my friend, this time we are simply couriers for a greater being
Ejecting a camera drone so as to view his ship from the insides of the Matari designed station station, speaking briefly with the docking manager he gained permission to undock and guided his ship through the bowels of the station and out into space, greeted by a flash of the Red-Gold sun of the Ammatar system.
It's like the entire system is in mourning, glowing the colours of the Mandate....
Bringing up the co-ordinates to the mining station the woman's family lived in, an encoded message from the Agent sprung onto his display in front of him.
"Math'ra Hiede, as a capsuleer you are an agent of death.
It is time to show you people what you cause to billions of people out there, every time you murder someone a family mourns their loss.
It's time to show you the consequences of life."
Damn that man, he has the information I need and yet he insists on doing this to me
God you really are one cruel bastard
Sending the co-ordinates of the deadspace outpost to the warpdrive he threw the Slicer into warp with an unusual vengeance, simply venting a bit of his anger on the ship.
It groaned as he pushed the ship almost too hard and instantly regret ed doing the childish thing.
That's a rookies mistake, let their emotions get a hold of them when on a mission.
Come on Math, your better than that.
Calm and collected, like the Admiral always said
The flight was short, the system itself wasn't very large and it didn't take long for his ship to make the distance.
Coming out of the warp tunnel and into view of the Asteroid station a lump caught in his throat.
Is this how the Admiral felt when he came home to tell my family of fathers death?
Shaking the morose thought out of his mind the flew the twenty kilometres to the hangar bay at a sedate pace, at ten kilometres he was hailed by the station commander and asked to explain his presence.
Carefully explaining that he was on a mission for the Mandate and that he would not destroy anything he was granted permission to land, blessedly it was only a short distance from the habitat that the family resided in.
Here comes the hard part...
After docking the Slicer safely and shutting down all the systems he ejected himself from the Capsule and headed to the on board showers.
No matter how good the station side ones might have been it was still a risk he wasn't taking today.
I don't want to walk away with some rare disease that I might catch from these people
Dressing himself in his dark black outfit he decided to leave his two guns inboard, he wouldn't need them today.
Instead strapping the twelve inch blade that Hitome had given him for his birthday.
Checking himself in a mirror he pulled his long black hair into a ponytail behind his head, nodding to himself he walked to the bridge and retrieved the item.
A small doll that the woman he had murdered had with he since the day she entered into service with the Ammatar.
Making his way off the ship and through the bowels of the station, the men and women he passed stared in awe as his unhidden capsule implants shone in the dim light, a few bowed before him as they recognised the small rank badge on his shoulder as that of an Archon of the Ordo Magna.
Reaching the habitat that the family owned he pressed a button and checked to see if they where home.
They where and an elderly couple answered it, both with apprehensive faces.
The elder man spoke first.
"Who are you and what do you want?"
Oh lovely, he has an attitude as well.
"I am Archon Math'ra Hiede of the Ordo Magna, and I am here to deliver you some bad news... about your daughter."
He raised his hands and held the doll flat across his open palms so the elderly parents could see the item.
Almost as soon as it had come into view the woman burst into tears and the man's face went pale and shook, but didn't break.
"I think, Archon, you had best come inside."
Simply nodding Math'ra ducked his large frame through the doorway and followed the grieving couple through the simple habitats hallway and into their decent sized living room.
"How did you come by this Archon?"
"I was given it by your daughters master, he wanted to return to you the only physical remains of your daughter"
The man was obviously shaken, and hearing that his daughters body would never come home nearly broke him, although testament to the old mans strength he didn't cry and his voice barely tremored.
"What happened?"
"She was sent of a covert mission for the mandate, she was to infiltrate a smuggling ring and take over it so as to disrupt the Minmatar local system it operated in"
"And?"
"A Capsuleer, following a trail through Republic space bartered for some information and in return was told this Smuggling operation was the price if he wanted that information. In no uncertain terms he flew to the location provided and destroyed every single vessel in sight, along with most of the station housing the crews on board."
The mans face grew hard as he listened and the woman stopped crying, turning to look at Math'ra with a gaping mouth.
Math'ra ignored these changes and continued
"The only thing I ever knew about your daughter was how exceptionally well she flew her ship, It was one of the most difficult fights I had been in since beginning this chase and whatever I may have done, you should be proud of you daughter."
"I understand"
Math'ra nearly did a double take, he had been prepared for many things, but not for them to say they understood, and not only was it not the father, it was the mother who had spoken.
"Archon, I see that you may not understand my words, but hear me out.
Our daughter was born to a poor destitute family, we couldn't afford to raise her and maintain our place in this colony.
So we sent her to our master in the hope she would become something great. And she was, she was a captain of a starship and exceeded all our hopes and dreams, although she will never come home now we can take solace in the fact she was truly gifted and we can remember that of her"
Shocked Math'ra simply stood there, his face blank and still quite surprised'
"Please, would you like to say and have something?"
Regaining a measure of control he forced a smile
"I am sorry, but I cannot.
I am overdue all ready, but please take this as my own personal way of saying sorry"
He drew out his datapad and typed a few commands in, still smiling he placed it on the table infront of the couple.
"It isn't a gift of anything more than a new life, if you both choose I can raise you from this place you live in and give you a home on any planet inside the Mandate, Empire or even the Kingdom."
The couple simply looked at him and smiled, the elderly man turned to his wife and nodded, she nodded in return and turned to Math'ra
"Your offer is kind, and it shows you are a rare find in a capsuleer, you still have your heart.
But we cannot take this offer, we cannot take anything from you without being constantly reminded of our loss"
"As you wish, although if you have ever any need of anything.."
Math'ra tapped the datapad.
"Use that to contact me, and I will do whatever it is inside my power to help"
"Thank you"
With that Math'ra smiled at took his leave, wandering through the station untill he reached his Ship again, tipping the station about a thousand more ISK than they asked for he went aboard and found the captains chair on the bridge.
And there he sat crying for hours.
That was the consequence of life.
A Dance with Death - Short Story
((Copied from the EVE-Online Forums where they where originally posted))
A Scope Reporter in trouble with a fringe organisation... why does that not surprise me in the slightest.
These where Math'ra Hiede's thoughts as his Amarr Navy Slicer slide out of dock with a practiced ease of doing it a million times.
I just hope she doesn't end up like the last few people this agent sent me to pick up.
He mentally sent the co-ordinates through to the warpdrive and alligned the powerful frigate towards the designated direction, feeling a small rush as it accelerated brutally into warp.
What is it with overly nosey females and getting into trouble...
He mentally scrolled through the control menus for the Slicer, the new navy mods had optimised the perfomance of every single system on the ship, he had even splashed out and bought some rigging kits and rare pirate modifications for the armor systems and the afterburner.
Time to see if that hard earned ISK was worth spending or not I guess
He watched as the projected distance remaining swiftly went down as he neared the exit of the warp tunnel
Why the Mordus Legion anyway, whats so interesting about them that makes you want to risk your neck to go delve where you shouldn't be?
He calmly maintained control of the Slicer as it smoothly came out of the warp tunnel, launching his camera drone to view the scene.
Zooming out he observed the deadspace pocket the reporter was hiding at, expecting to find an awaiting frigate safely obscured by some asteroid belt.
finding neither a frigate or an asteroid belt upon a quick visual scan he zoomed in on a large gas cloud.
Oh lovely, she has to go and get a freighter shot up as well.
I wonder how many people she got killed for that little escapade, or even if she is still alive.
Mentally sighing he pulled the camera drone back into a close trail behind his Slicer as he activated the pirate afterburner and deftly accelerated the ship into a cruise that would cover the 50 kilometres in a mater of seconds.
I really have to thank that dealer for this bit of kit, I clock just over a kilometre a second with this baby, thats entering into Microwarp teritory...
He allowed himself a moment to savour the thought before the large broken hull entered his vision.
The interstellar freighter was in large chunks, most of the aft section was perforated with holes that could have only been delivered by high calibre Battleship rounds
I hope that those battleships have left, this Slicer is tough... but not THAT tough
Cutting out the Afterburner he slowly flew closer at a couple of meters per second, carefully observing the extensive damage with his camera drone as his deadspace local comm-channel blinked.
"Hey Capsuleer, over the port side I am waiting on the airlock Theta-VII!"
Chuckling to himself he didn't bother to respond to the reporter, her face displaying as a little holo square on his com channel.
He simply directing the ship through a twisted maze of metal that was once the interior of the ship.
Pulling along side the airlock that the Reporter said to meet her at he sent the commands through the ship and carefully moved his own starboard side docking port inline with the ships port.
Focusing the camera drone on this area so as to get a better view he slid into place, extending the boarding tunnel for the reporter to board the ship on.
"Finally! What took you so long!
Look, I have Mordus Legion pirates following me, get me to a safe station and we will talk about getting you this information"
Mordus Legion? Information?
Something inside him squirmed as he got the mental feeling he was being played like a harp.
Then, as he was barely finished thinking a small squad of Mordus Frigates dropped out of warp right ontop of the derelict freighter.
The local comms blinked again, this time with a dark civire face of a Mordus Legion Captain standing on the bridge of a Kestrel-Class Caldari Frigate.
Thank God they arn't capsuleers.
The course voice of the Mordus Legion captain came across the comms
"Caris Risia, you are still alive?"
"I am, no thanks to you or your crews!"
"Well we you are listed as a criminal in our database, your drivel about a drone wasn't believable when you came through first, and it certainly isn't now.
Prepare to die Caris"
Cursing to himself mentally he turned his attention to the Reporter, who was still standing in the wrecked ship yelling into the Comms, getting fed up with the useless Reporter he projected his voice into the boarding tunnel and into the room where she was standing.
"Get your arse into my ship now if you value your life! AND I MEAN NOW!"
Galvanised into action by his powerful voice the reporter turned, and seemed to finall notice the boarind ramp, dashing onto is as Math'ra observed his overview.
It displayed a small formation of Caldari designed frigates, four Merlin-Class Frigates and four more Kestrel-Classes which where holding at range, simply prepared to hurl missiles from a distance as the Merlins did the dirty work for them.
Well. I wonder if they are prepared for the full force of a trained capsuleer and a veteran of the Imperial Navy
Quickly checking that the Reporter was safely in the cargo bay he withdrew the connection lines with the destroyed Freighter as a private channel blinked open.
"We have no quarell with you pilot, however we will not hesitate to destroy you if you do not hand over your cargo."
"Captain, I respect your opinions, but I must respectully decline, this cargo is worth more to me than your lives, and those of your crew."
"So be it."
And with that the comm channel closed and he was suddenly aware of the notification of eight locking tones.
May your souls be carried to heaven and God grant them mercy
As the first Hybrid rounds slammed into the Slicers shields he pushed the ship into a hard acceleration, activating the Afterburner and bringing himself around on a tight orbit of the first Merlin.
Carefully monitering the other seven vessels, the three Merlins with blasters and rockets diving out of his intercept path, still spewing antimatter and explosive rockets while they attacked. The four kestrels launched their first volley of missiles, all tuned for Electro-Magnetic damage.
Wincing mentally he pushed the Slicer into a straight line and activated his guns in a vain attempt to do some damage to the Merlin he was chasing as he tried to evade the missile volley.
The manuevre failed him, not gaining enough speed or range the EM tuned Missiles evaporated what was left of the Slicers shields
Well time to surprise them, I doubt there where expecting this...
Math'ra pulled his ship into a reverse spin, letting it slide backwards through space as he re-loaded the guns for Scorch ammunition and acquired a lock on the nearest Merlin, now just over eleven Kilometres away.
Rest in pieces scum
The three brand new Tech Two Pulse lasers flared into life, the power of their laserbeam increased further by an amplification matrix taken directly from the Amarr Navy.
In two short burts the first Merlin exploded.
The port wing sliced clean off with one of the lasers, the other hitting the warp core and instantly vaporising the hull.
By now the three other Merlins had closed to within four kilometres and where peppering the armor plating with their salvos.
And trick number two... the pirate mod that cost more than a months wages...
With a sharp mental command, the armour repair systems sprang to life and the incomprehendable nanite swarm slithered in waves over the armour plating, and within seconds notified him that it was at full integrity again.
Grinning to himself inside the Capsule he pushed the Slicer into a complicated dance, twisting and pushing his ship through harder, faster and infinitely more complex turns that the Merlins could manage with a convential crew.
Coming out of a corkscrew that brought him ontop of one Merlin he again fired the pulse lasers and their amplified beams of pure energy sliced through the shields and hull in the time it took the ship to react to his surprising appearance, burning holes down through the decks in a small trifecta, the beams breached the reactor core and again the ship exploded in a magestic fireball for the mere second it took the oxygen to be burnt.
Casting a thought for the crew he threw his ship in a loop through the wreckage of the Merlin, bits of metal pinging against his hull like tiny needles against a wall and another volley of EM missiles streaked through the space and impacted on the armour plates, the nanites easily repairing the damage almost as soon as it was inflicted.
Spotting a golden oportunity as the two remaining Merlins pulled away in a counter loop that would bring both of them ontop of him he reversed thrust and stopped his ship dead in space, the ships crews not able to compensate for the swift changes he was able to pull off pulled out of the loop and around in a formation turn, Math'ra appplied a vectored thrust and alligned himself with the two frigates.
Sending purple beams of death through the space the explosion from the first Merlin pushed the second off course, adjusting only slightly Math'ra quickly despatched the final Merlin.
Offering a small prayer for the captains and crew of the vessels, he pushed his ship into a lazy loop to bring him back in line with the four remaining frigates.
Upon completing the turn he almost physically blinked inside his capsule, they where running away?
Since when did the Legion recruit such poor material...
Accelerating his Slicer to roughly four times the velocity of the retreating frigates he easily caught and destroyed the one on the far right side of the line they had formed, causing the remaining three to peel off in different directions as he swooped and dived, taking almost no time to destroy two more of the slower and less refined Kestrels as the missiles they fired where left to slam against the hull of the dead freightor as the twisted around the now very close wreck.
The local comms blinked again, the same captain was apparently trying to beg for mercy.
You don't get mercy when you try and kill me, you only get death.
He didn't even say this to the captain, he simply pulled his Slicer into one final turn and rounded on the bridge of the Kestrel.
Math'ra could have sworn he saw the face of the captain go pale as the guns flashed and ended the lives aboard the final frigate.
"Hey... can you get me to a sta- (A stomach wrenching sound is heard) Station now..."
The weak voice of the reporter came over the internal comms, apparently quite unwell from the incredible moves a proper capsuleer can perform.
"As you wish Ms. Risia, and I do hope your stomach can take more than a gentle cruise."
All he heard in reply was a whimper as the pushed the Slicer into warp and back through space towards the safety of a station.
A Scope Reporter in trouble with a fringe organisation... why does that not surprise me in the slightest.
These where Math'ra Hiede's thoughts as his Amarr Navy Slicer slide out of dock with a practiced ease of doing it a million times.
I just hope she doesn't end up like the last few people this agent sent me to pick up.
He mentally sent the co-ordinates through to the warpdrive and alligned the powerful frigate towards the designated direction, feeling a small rush as it accelerated brutally into warp.
What is it with overly nosey females and getting into trouble...
He mentally scrolled through the control menus for the Slicer, the new navy mods had optimised the perfomance of every single system on the ship, he had even splashed out and bought some rigging kits and rare pirate modifications for the armor systems and the afterburner.
Time to see if that hard earned ISK was worth spending or not I guess
He watched as the projected distance remaining swiftly went down as he neared the exit of the warp tunnel
Why the Mordus Legion anyway, whats so interesting about them that makes you want to risk your neck to go delve where you shouldn't be?
He calmly maintained control of the Slicer as it smoothly came out of the warp tunnel, launching his camera drone to view the scene.
Zooming out he observed the deadspace pocket the reporter was hiding at, expecting to find an awaiting frigate safely obscured by some asteroid belt.
finding neither a frigate or an asteroid belt upon a quick visual scan he zoomed in on a large gas cloud.
Oh lovely, she has to go and get a freighter shot up as well.
I wonder how many people she got killed for that little escapade, or even if she is still alive.
Mentally sighing he pulled the camera drone back into a close trail behind his Slicer as he activated the pirate afterburner and deftly accelerated the ship into a cruise that would cover the 50 kilometres in a mater of seconds.
I really have to thank that dealer for this bit of kit, I clock just over a kilometre a second with this baby, thats entering into Microwarp teritory...
He allowed himself a moment to savour the thought before the large broken hull entered his vision.
The interstellar freighter was in large chunks, most of the aft section was perforated with holes that could have only been delivered by high calibre Battleship rounds
I hope that those battleships have left, this Slicer is tough... but not THAT tough
Cutting out the Afterburner he slowly flew closer at a couple of meters per second, carefully observing the extensive damage with his camera drone as his deadspace local comm-channel blinked.
"Hey Capsuleer, over the port side I am waiting on the airlock Theta-VII!"
Chuckling to himself he didn't bother to respond to the reporter, her face displaying as a little holo square on his com channel.
He simply directing the ship through a twisted maze of metal that was once the interior of the ship.
Pulling along side the airlock that the Reporter said to meet her at he sent the commands through the ship and carefully moved his own starboard side docking port inline with the ships port.
Focusing the camera drone on this area so as to get a better view he slid into place, extending the boarding tunnel for the reporter to board the ship on.
"Finally! What took you so long!
Look, I have Mordus Legion pirates following me, get me to a safe station and we will talk about getting you this information"
Mordus Legion? Information?
Something inside him squirmed as he got the mental feeling he was being played like a harp.
Then, as he was barely finished thinking a small squad of Mordus Frigates dropped out of warp right ontop of the derelict freighter.
The local comms blinked again, this time with a dark civire face of a Mordus Legion Captain standing on the bridge of a Kestrel-Class Caldari Frigate.
Thank God they arn't capsuleers.
The course voice of the Mordus Legion captain came across the comms
"Caris Risia, you are still alive?"
"I am, no thanks to you or your crews!"
"Well we you are listed as a criminal in our database, your drivel about a drone wasn't believable when you came through first, and it certainly isn't now.
Prepare to die Caris"
Cursing to himself mentally he turned his attention to the Reporter, who was still standing in the wrecked ship yelling into the Comms, getting fed up with the useless Reporter he projected his voice into the boarding tunnel and into the room where she was standing.
"Get your arse into my ship now if you value your life! AND I MEAN NOW!"
Galvanised into action by his powerful voice the reporter turned, and seemed to finall notice the boarind ramp, dashing onto is as Math'ra observed his overview.
It displayed a small formation of Caldari designed frigates, four Merlin-Class Frigates and four more Kestrel-Classes which where holding at range, simply prepared to hurl missiles from a distance as the Merlins did the dirty work for them.
Well. I wonder if they are prepared for the full force of a trained capsuleer and a veteran of the Imperial Navy
Quickly checking that the Reporter was safely in the cargo bay he withdrew the connection lines with the destroyed Freighter as a private channel blinked open.
"We have no quarell with you pilot, however we will not hesitate to destroy you if you do not hand over your cargo."
"Captain, I respect your opinions, but I must respectully decline, this cargo is worth more to me than your lives, and those of your crew."
"So be it."
And with that the comm channel closed and he was suddenly aware of the notification of eight locking tones.
May your souls be carried to heaven and God grant them mercy
As the first Hybrid rounds slammed into the Slicers shields he pushed the ship into a hard acceleration, activating the Afterburner and bringing himself around on a tight orbit of the first Merlin.
Carefully monitering the other seven vessels, the three Merlins with blasters and rockets diving out of his intercept path, still spewing antimatter and explosive rockets while they attacked. The four kestrels launched their first volley of missiles, all tuned for Electro-Magnetic damage.
Wincing mentally he pushed the Slicer into a straight line and activated his guns in a vain attempt to do some damage to the Merlin he was chasing as he tried to evade the missile volley.
The manuevre failed him, not gaining enough speed or range the EM tuned Missiles evaporated what was left of the Slicers shields
Well time to surprise them, I doubt there where expecting this...
Math'ra pulled his ship into a reverse spin, letting it slide backwards through space as he re-loaded the guns for Scorch ammunition and acquired a lock on the nearest Merlin, now just over eleven Kilometres away.
Rest in pieces scum
The three brand new Tech Two Pulse lasers flared into life, the power of their laserbeam increased further by an amplification matrix taken directly from the Amarr Navy.
In two short burts the first Merlin exploded.
The port wing sliced clean off with one of the lasers, the other hitting the warp core and instantly vaporising the hull.
By now the three other Merlins had closed to within four kilometres and where peppering the armor plating with their salvos.
And trick number two... the pirate mod that cost more than a months wages...
With a sharp mental command, the armour repair systems sprang to life and the incomprehendable nanite swarm slithered in waves over the armour plating, and within seconds notified him that it was at full integrity again.
Grinning to himself inside the Capsule he pushed the Slicer into a complicated dance, twisting and pushing his ship through harder, faster and infinitely more complex turns that the Merlins could manage with a convential crew.
Coming out of a corkscrew that brought him ontop of one Merlin he again fired the pulse lasers and their amplified beams of pure energy sliced through the shields and hull in the time it took the ship to react to his surprising appearance, burning holes down through the decks in a small trifecta, the beams breached the reactor core and again the ship exploded in a magestic fireball for the mere second it took the oxygen to be burnt.
Casting a thought for the crew he threw his ship in a loop through the wreckage of the Merlin, bits of metal pinging against his hull like tiny needles against a wall and another volley of EM missiles streaked through the space and impacted on the armour plates, the nanites easily repairing the damage almost as soon as it was inflicted.
Spotting a golden oportunity as the two remaining Merlins pulled away in a counter loop that would bring both of them ontop of him he reversed thrust and stopped his ship dead in space, the ships crews not able to compensate for the swift changes he was able to pull off pulled out of the loop and around in a formation turn, Math'ra appplied a vectored thrust and alligned himself with the two frigates.
Sending purple beams of death through the space the explosion from the first Merlin pushed the second off course, adjusting only slightly Math'ra quickly despatched the final Merlin.
Offering a small prayer for the captains and crew of the vessels, he pushed his ship into a lazy loop to bring him back in line with the four remaining frigates.
Upon completing the turn he almost physically blinked inside his capsule, they where running away?
Since when did the Legion recruit such poor material...
Accelerating his Slicer to roughly four times the velocity of the retreating frigates he easily caught and destroyed the one on the far right side of the line they had formed, causing the remaining three to peel off in different directions as he swooped and dived, taking almost no time to destroy two more of the slower and less refined Kestrels as the missiles they fired where left to slam against the hull of the dead freightor as the twisted around the now very close wreck.
The local comms blinked again, the same captain was apparently trying to beg for mercy.
You don't get mercy when you try and kill me, you only get death.
He didn't even say this to the captain, he simply pulled his Slicer into one final turn and rounded on the bridge of the Kestrel.
Math'ra could have sworn he saw the face of the captain go pale as the guns flashed and ended the lives aboard the final frigate.
"Hey... can you get me to a sta- (A stomach wrenching sound is heard) Station now..."
The weak voice of the reporter came over the internal comms, apparently quite unwell from the incredible moves a proper capsuleer can perform.
"As you wish Ms. Risia, and I do hope your stomach can take more than a gentle cruise."
All he heard in reply was a whimper as the pushed the Slicer into warp and back through space towards the safety of a station.
Monday, July 20, 2009
20-07-111YC - Dark Horizons
Computer Systems Online
Enter Authorisation...
*************
Authorisation Accepted.
Please State Intent
...
Intent Stated.
Opening Manual Recording Software
I think I have to admit I am rubbish at writing a journal consistently.
It has been what, nearly 1 1/2 months since I last wrote here?
I guess that's pretty pathetic, but oh well.
A quick update is in order then..
Things with Reimei have slowed down it seems, the man must have given up on his crazy crusade to get himself killed.
Although I haven't actually spoken to him much recently.
I am sure there is alot of other important things that have happened recently, but I can't seem to remember them right now.
The Ordo has come under fire though.
The White Rose Society has declared war on us and we are nearly two weeks into active engagements, the stupid Sansha loyalists think they have a serious chance.
Although losses have been semi-prominent on both sides, although the Roses have lost much more than us.
I suffered my first loss of the war today.
A small Crusader-Class Interceptor was lost to a Taranis that was specifically designed to destroy me, and yet with the final readings I received before the ship disintegrated it showed that the Taranis was badly damaged, with large sections of the ship perforated by laser blasts.
I admit, I enjoyed the conflict - the adrenaline rush from the test of skill made me forget some of the more key aspects of interceptor piloting but alas, one learns from ones mistakes.
I am running desperately short of ISK though, which is curbing my enthusiasm to fight and risk the highly expensive ships and crew under my command.
Hopefully my latest sojourn into W-Space will pay solidly enough that I can afford to be a little more adventurous with how and with what I engage in.
In closely related news I am currently the effective head of the Geburah order.
Ironic that I am put in this position so soon after reaching my current rank.
It makes me wonder if Solen had this planned, and was one of the reasons for my rapid advancement.
I passed by my homeworld today actually, Kihtaled II.
I was passing by after finally scanning down the exit wormhole from where I was exploring.
Although due to the war I couldn't stop and visit everyone down there without risking a planetary incursion by Sansha forces.
I think I will have to make a point of visiting after this mess is cleaned up.
Yes, yes thats a good idea.
Initiative Authorised.
File Saved.
Shutdown Initiated
Security Locks Activated.
Defense Systems Online.
Power Down in 3.. 2.. 1..
Enter Authorisation...
*************
Authorisation Accepted.
Please State Intent
...
Intent Stated.
Opening Manual Recording Software
I think I have to admit I am rubbish at writing a journal consistently.
It has been what, nearly 1 1/2 months since I last wrote here?
I guess that's pretty pathetic, but oh well.
A quick update is in order then..
Things with Reimei have slowed down it seems, the man must have given up on his crazy crusade to get himself killed.
Although I haven't actually spoken to him much recently.
I am sure there is alot of other important things that have happened recently, but I can't seem to remember them right now.
The Ordo has come under fire though.
The White Rose Society has declared war on us and we are nearly two weeks into active engagements, the stupid Sansha loyalists think they have a serious chance.
Although losses have been semi-prominent on both sides, although the Roses have lost much more than us.
I suffered my first loss of the war today.
A small Crusader-Class Interceptor was lost to a Taranis that was specifically designed to destroy me, and yet with the final readings I received before the ship disintegrated it showed that the Taranis was badly damaged, with large sections of the ship perforated by laser blasts.
I admit, I enjoyed the conflict - the adrenaline rush from the test of skill made me forget some of the more key aspects of interceptor piloting but alas, one learns from ones mistakes.
I am running desperately short of ISK though, which is curbing my enthusiasm to fight and risk the highly expensive ships and crew under my command.
Hopefully my latest sojourn into W-Space will pay solidly enough that I can afford to be a little more adventurous with how and with what I engage in.
In closely related news I am currently the effective head of the Geburah order.
Ironic that I am put in this position so soon after reaching my current rank.
It makes me wonder if Solen had this planned, and was one of the reasons for my rapid advancement.
I passed by my homeworld today actually, Kihtaled II.
I was passing by after finally scanning down the exit wormhole from where I was exploring.
Although due to the war I couldn't stop and visit everyone down there without risking a planetary incursion by Sansha forces.
I think I will have to make a point of visiting after this mess is cleaned up.
Yes, yes thats a good idea.
Initiative Authorised.
File Saved.
Shutdown Initiated
Security Locks Activated.
Defense Systems Online.
Power Down in 3.. 2.. 1..
Monday, June 8, 2009
08-06-111YC - Bittersweet Poison
Computer Systems Online
Enter Authorisation...
*************
Authorisation Accepted.
Please State Intent
...
Intent Stated.
Opening Manual Recording Software
Hmm, it's been a long few days since I last entered a log.
I would have entered one earlier but I haven't been able to summon up either the courage or the time to sit down and write it out.
Well I suppose I should continue from where I left off.
Reimei, Hikari, Morwen, Amaterasu, Marius, Jianna and I met in the gate on the 4th.
We spoke simply and for a short time before we left.
This is what I had prepared the crew for, called in the extra Marines and found the Admiral banging down my door, demanding to lead them.
We set off to capture the head of the slavers who where hunting Reimei and Amaterasu.
We where expecting a small fleet, maybe 20 ships in total.
Easily within the bounds of what we could deal with.
It didn't go to plan.
Infact, the plan went to hell, was rejected for not being ****ed up enough.
And then threw it back out and decided to pit us against a REVELATION Class Dreadnought and something in the region of 80 ships.
Quite a number of them Capsuleer ships.
I still am amazed we came out of it alive.
Hmmm... Reimei called us to stick to the plan.
The plan that sent a handfull of men against the Entire Bridge crew of a Revelation.
A plan that required the internal detonation of the ships warp core and major systems.
A plan that killed the Admiral.
He died on that ship, he died so that we could live, us... Capsuleers.
He stayed on that ship to personally ensure that the override worked, and that the ship did blow up.
He ****ing died for us.
I can't quite come to grips with it still....
He is gone.
Like my father, and now my surrogate father as well.
The rest of that fight is a blur, I remember moments when I forced the ship further than I though possible, hit targets at ranges and speed I never could have even thought of.
And saw so many men die that it would make any man weep for shame at causing such destruction.
Even though one moment of sheer terror when the dreadnought died, if blew the siege core and destroyed more than three full quarters of the damned fleet.
And another.
Another when Amaterasu and Morwen flew into the bowels of the last battleship.
And my ship rocking as an overcharged blast from the guns burned a hole big enough to fit them in.
Then I don't remember anything, the next thing I remember is praying next to Jianna somewhere in a station.
Then blackness.
Initiative Authorised.
File Saved.
Shutdown Initiated
Security Locks Activated.
Defense Systems Online.
Power Down in 3.. 2.. 1..
Enter Authorisation...
*************
Authorisation Accepted.
Please State Intent
...
Intent Stated.
Opening Manual Recording Software
Hmm, it's been a long few days since I last entered a log.
I would have entered one earlier but I haven't been able to summon up either the courage or the time to sit down and write it out.
Well I suppose I should continue from where I left off.
Reimei, Hikari, Morwen, Amaterasu, Marius, Jianna and I met in the gate on the 4th.
We spoke simply and for a short time before we left.
This is what I had prepared the crew for, called in the extra Marines and found the Admiral banging down my door, demanding to lead them.
We set off to capture the head of the slavers who where hunting Reimei and Amaterasu.
We where expecting a small fleet, maybe 20 ships in total.
Easily within the bounds of what we could deal with.
It didn't go to plan.
Infact, the plan went to hell, was rejected for not being ****ed up enough.
And then threw it back out and decided to pit us against a REVELATION Class Dreadnought and something in the region of 80 ships.
Quite a number of them Capsuleer ships.
I still am amazed we came out of it alive.
Hmmm... Reimei called us to stick to the plan.
The plan that sent a handfull of men against the Entire Bridge crew of a Revelation.
A plan that required the internal detonation of the ships warp core and major systems.
A plan that killed the Admiral.
He died on that ship, he died so that we could live, us... Capsuleers.
He stayed on that ship to personally ensure that the override worked, and that the ship did blow up.
He ****ing died for us.
I can't quite come to grips with it still....
He is gone.
Like my father, and now my surrogate father as well.
The rest of that fight is a blur, I remember moments when I forced the ship further than I though possible, hit targets at ranges and speed I never could have even thought of.
And saw so many men die that it would make any man weep for shame at causing such destruction.
Even though one moment of sheer terror when the dreadnought died, if blew the siege core and destroyed more than three full quarters of the damned fleet.
And another.
Another when Amaterasu and Morwen flew into the bowels of the last battleship.
And my ship rocking as an overcharged blast from the guns burned a hole big enough to fit them in.
Then I don't remember anything, the next thing I remember is praying next to Jianna somewhere in a station.
Then blackness.
Initiative Authorised.
File Saved.
Shutdown Initiated
Security Locks Activated.
Defense Systems Online.
Power Down in 3.. 2.. 1..
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
[Outgoing Transmission] All Crew; Ghost Squad
Attention all.
Meet at stagin ground Theta-IV and be ready to deploy in full combat gear.
We will be hooking up with a privateer fleet to assist in the operation [Transmission Encrypted].
Headed by Reimei.
Ghost Squad members, bring defensive and offensive ship boarding equipment.
Refer to the Admiral for specific breifings.
Crew Members of the PMS Inquisition.
See your divisional officer for specific briefings.
We represent the Ordo.
Do them proud.
Pilot Hiede.
Meet at stagin ground Theta-IV and be ready to deploy in full combat gear.
We will be hooking up with a privateer fleet to assist in the operation [Transmission Encrypted].
Headed by Reimei.
Ghost Squad members, bring defensive and offensive ship boarding equipment.
Refer to the Admiral for specific breifings.
Crew Members of the PMS Inquisition.
See your divisional officer for specific briefings.
We represent the Ordo.
Do them proud.
Pilot Hiede.
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