Kendara Rziem
Deep Core Mining Inc.
Caldari State
0
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Posted - 2011.09.20 16:58:00 -
[1] - Quote
The Gallentean Hustle
So much for a peaceful living with the belts of Gallentean space. It had all been a ruse anyways to disguise the true purpose of my presence in this region, but none of that matters now. The Serpentis have been gunning for me more & more frequently. Too often in fact.
My cover's obviously been blown. I should have seen it sooner. They were on to me and this was my que. We've been manufacturing and selling military drones to the Gallenteans using blueprints I'd stolen following a successful hack of the Caldari military network. I knew the risks but didn't care, and apparently neither did the Gallenteans judging by how much they've been paying.
Something was bothering me though. Hiring pirate mercenaries wasn't like the Caldari. Either someone in the chain of command has gone rogue or I'm being mislead. I could understand if the blueprints had been some top-secret prototype tech, but all this over repair drones didn't add up.
I signaled Arkile to secure the last shipment and hole up at the rendezvous in Caldari space. I had known him all my life. He'd taught me everything I knew about smuggling and hacking. Though a man of many unsavory talents he was always true to his word, and I trusted him.
Ditching the Hulk in favor of a Griffin for the exodus, I sent out a message with bogus intel about how I intended to go planet side to catch some R&R. By the time any agents realize they were being duped, I hopefully will have already reached the nearest boarder gate to Caldari. We had chosen our enemy's back yard hoping it'd be the last place they'd expect to find us.
Once in Caldari space I set course directly for the rendezvous - an abandoned mining base in a barren asteroid belt deep in deadspace. Upon arrival I transmitted my ID to alert Arkile of my arrival, but instead of receiving an acknowledgement I received an alert on my console warning me that warp capabilities were being scrambled.
Sensors were not turning up anything, so I attempted to triangulate the source. My nerves had got the better of me. I hadn't noticed the Mauler decloaking out the view port directly in front of me. "Arkile?"
"Just wanted to say, Thanks. I doubt the plan could've succeeded without your help." Arkile spoke with a cold sincerity devoid of compassion or remorse.
"why?" I grated between clenched teeth.
"Will knowing really make a difference, we all have our agenda's and the why's tend to get so complicated, don't you think? All you need to know is that I can't leave your implants in tact; can't afford the Caldari recovering any data that might lead them back to me. For what it's worth I do wish there had been another way."
The Mauler opened fire. Evasive maneuvering was futile as it already had me in a stasis web. It's lasers took mere seconds to negate my Griffin's shields. I could feel the temperature rising drastically as I began to inhale the stench of melting armor and fried circuitry.
The incorporation of immortality into the human equation had very little impact on the value of loyalty. When you're light years from the people you love they might as well be dead. The vastness of the universe had a way of invading your senses when it comes to things you leave behind. There's always one more mission or anomaly or malfunction till you eventually realize you never found your way back.
Cloning is not eternal life; at least not relative to the individual that dies. Despite the multi-lifetimes of cloned memories flashing before my eyes eerily in sync with the blasts of the Mauler, it was clear that this moment was my last. I closed my eyes and envisioned all the people I've ever cared about.
Who knows, maybe THIS is the way home... *boom* |