“You have our sincere apprecation for delivering Dagan to us, Colonel Wieler.” Sister Alitura began in that subtly condescending silky voice I had become too familiar with. My clenched fists trembled in fury as I stood before her, outraged at her casual callousness regarding this scenario.

Dagan had turned out to be a member of a group called the Society of Conscious Thought. Dagan had been using this society as a front for selling military secrets. Duels of honour, hidden truths, misinformation at every corner, I had seen it all.

The Sister of Eve had known about Dagan all along. He had been of minimal concern to them. They had used Dagan, and in turn used me, to track down some of his less documented corporation members. 

I had already inserted the Sister’s operative using fake identification into their operation.

“We have need of you one last time, Colonel, the final act required to solidify the goodwill you have been building with the Sisterhood on behalf of the Minmatar Republic.” Sister Alitura cooed.

“It would seem the Society of Conscious Thought has setup a listening station nearby that we have discovered too late. We are worried that our operative may be exposed. We need you to quickly eliminate this threat.” she said.

My body trembled. I knew there was nothing more I was willing to do for them, now or ever again.

Sister Alitura looked at me quizzically. “Do you understand your orders, Colonel?” she asked.

All of it, the rogue drones, all the killing, all the ship losses I endured, the trips through enemy high sec, all to appease their own vanity regarding a situation they should’ve resolved ages ago on their own. It was a sickening game to me; a game I could no longer play in good conscience. Those who say they stand for peace yet employ murderers are just as guilty of the act themselves.

Sister Alitura rose from her desk and purposefully walked towards me. I stood rigidly still, fighting with myself to contain the verbal outburst barely held at bay within my clenched jaw.

“Or perhaps you wish to speak on behalf of the Republic, Colonel? If so, I would bid you choose your words wisely.” It was an open challenge to debate, and one I was tempted to accept, even though I knew regardless of what I could say, she would use it as her ‘out’ to reneg on her end of the negotiations with the Republic.

“He may have many things to say to you I am sure you would not wish to hear but are most assuredly deserved, Alitura.” a strong male voice said from the entrance way to the office.

Sister Alitura turned viciously towards the unwelcome intrusion. Sanmatar Shakor himself stood before her. Her demeanor noticeably changed, and she folded in on herself slightly, her arrogance restrained.

She quickly flashed a wicked look to me as Shakor approached us both. I simply smiled down at the woman, savouring this particular moment. I had reported to Shakor every step of the way during this assignment, raising red flags of concern where needed, offering my own insights when I thought them helpful. I had been impressed to see his building ire as it became more and more clear to him that this was all a game. That is when we had arranged for him to meet me here today.

“Colonel, you’re dismissed. Please wait for me outside.” Shakor said. I saluted and with long, proud strides, left the two of them alone.

For forty minutes I could hear the volume of their discussion, though the words were muffled by the thick walls separating the office from the hallway.

Finally, the door opened, and Maleatu walked out. He nodded to me and I fell into a steady stride beside him. 

A few moments later, he summed up my entire experience with the Sisters of Eve in one succinct phrase,

“What a bitch.”