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.