SISIEDE SYSTEM

“Alright ladies, split and scan the planets. I’ll take P1.” I said, quickly aligning my Rifter class frigate, the Ripsack, towards Sisiede I.

As the stars elongated around me, Seraphine, a pilot in my small squad chirped in. “Um, sir, with all due respect, wouldn’t it make more sense to just drop a probe in system and do it that way?”

I could hear the snickering from the others, though they were smart enough not to thumb their comms. Probes? I didn’t even know you could use probes for this, let alone knew how to use them myself.

“Of course that would make more sense, Seraphine. I was just testing you all. Well done.” I said, the lie sounding as obvious to them as it did to me.

“Thank you, sir.” Seraphine replied instantly, full professionalism in her voice. “Do I get a gold star?” she added after a moment’s hesitation.

“That will be quite enough, pilot.” I stammered, my ship slowing from warp at Sisiede I.

“Seraphine, since you’re the mouth of this operation, you’re in charge while I head back to Dal and fit a Core Probe Launcher.” I said, feeling incredibly noobish at the entire situation.

I had started the morning feeling exhilirated to be back on the frontlines, now that I was free from my corporate responsibilities. It was liberating really, though I hoped Cytral and the others found new homes for themselves. For me, it gave the opportunity to solely focus on the war effort, to take the fight to the Amarr, to be counted amongst those making a difference for the liberation of our people.

Now, I felt like an old dog trying to learn a new trick. Still, if you couldn’t adapt, you’d die, and I wasn’t ready for that either.

—

DAL SYSTEM

“I don’t know, isn’t that your job?” I yelled at my crew chief, whom was complaining about fitting the probe launcher onto the frigate. 

Getting a core probe launcher had been easy; figuring out how to use it was proving a little more problematic.

“Just give me the blasted manual then!” I screamed, my voice feeling hoarse. I had been under the weather the last few days, a rarity really, with the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and the wonders of modern medicine.

Twenty minutes later, I had learned the basics of astrometics, and how to fit the damn module to my ship, and working with my mechanics, quickly had it in place.

We loaded up five probes into the launcher, and I was on my way back to Sisiede.

—

SISIEDE SYSTEM

“What do you mean you’re finished here and have moved on to Auga?” I asked somewhat impatiently. “Did you not feel the need to tell me the fleet had changed position?” I asked.

—

AUGA SYSTEM

“Probe showing one minor installation, sending coordinates to fleet overview…now.” I said, warping my Rifter towards the complex.

Our engineers quickly made short work of the facility, and ten minutes later, we had secured the system. A cheer went up in the militia channel upon that report, and I had noticed things had even changed there as well since last I had flown regularly.

I was positive spies and the like still existed within our network, but I noticed a much higher level of activity and morale amongst our pilots; more coordinated efforts against both the Amarr and the opportunistic pirates that had been plaguing our systems for many months now. 

The Heretics in particular were becoming a nuisance, but recently one of the TLF fleet commanders had been launching larger ship initiatives against their stations. 

I could feel the momentum of the war shifting in my bones. 

Several defensive systems later, our borders were secure. I thanked my pilots and dismissed them.

—

ASGHER SYSTEM

“Yeah, I got a probe hit, Q.” I said to Qanatas, an old wingmate I hadn’t flown with in over a year, but happened to run into earlier that day. “You should really try probe launchers; can read an entire system in ten seconds instead of manually scanning down each planet.”

“Yeah, I’ll try me that for sure, Colonel. Thanks for the tip.” he replied.

We entered the acceleration gate together, noticing the squad of Amarr frigates protecting the installation. 

“I’ll engage the hostiles, you get your engineers onboard that complex.” I said, already surging forward towards the enemy.

“Roger.” Q replied, holding back until I was aggressed, which didn’t take long.

The Amarr quickly called for reinforcements, and I soon found myself intertwined within a swarm of twenty four frigates. I gave a silent thanks to Wensley; this latest Rifter armour tank configuration I was flying was holding up very well against the damage I was taking. 

Ten minutes later, we had achieved victory. Qanatas quickly collected his engineers, and after watching him safely warp away, did the same, leaving the remaining enemy frigates behind, denying them the chance of defeating me.

—

TARARAN SYSTEM

“Ok, got another hit. Let’s move in.” I said to Q and Rushur, another able pilot that had proven his worth to me over the last few days.

“I’ll keep my Rupture watching the gate, but I’m too big to squeeze through there and assist, Colonel.” Rushur said.

“No problem at all.” I replied. “Keep a safe distance please.”

“Roger that.” Rushur replied, his Rupture already angling away from the gate.

“You ready Q?” I asked.

“Ready as ever.” he replied.

We warped through the gate, and once again I took towards the enemy, Q’s engineers on standby for the complex.

Six minutes in, we received a warning from Rushur. “Two Battlecruisers and a Battleship out here. They’re not going to be able to get in to you, but if you need to warp out, you won’t be going back through this gate.”

“Understood.” I replied.

My shields had failed long ago, and my armour repair systems were slowly losing the battle this time around. Seemed we were only going to get this one shot, so I would hold out as long as I possibly could.

“Get your engineers moving double time, Q.” I said, subtly letting him know the status of my ship.

“Wouldn’t ya know it would be the Minmatar hiding their frigs in a minor installation?” one of the pirates at the acceleration gate spoke into the local system channel. “Had six of your pilots run away from me earlier today when I was poking around. Seems you’re all the skittish type.”

There was ignorant laughter in the channel from his wingmates, typical of pirates flying big ships to overcompensate for other smaller attributes. I’m speaking about intelligence of course. And penis size.

“Yeah, he’s right Q. We should take our two Rifters against his two BCs and BS, plus whatever additional support he’d need to beat us.” I said with arrogance into the local channel.

“Well, at least let them get their allies forewarned; got to make it a fair fight and all.” Qanatas chimed in. “Besides, you don’t look like you’re quite into hull yet, Colonel. Might want to wait a little longer so they have a chance.”

“Hull, Q? Forget that. Podtank FTW!” I yelled in my greatest battlecry.

“Har, har.” the original mercenary replied. “You’re very funny in the safety of your little complex. Why don’t you come out here and boast?”

“Or” I began, “Why don’t you get some ships that take some skill to fly and come in here and teach us some manners?”

“Two minutes remaining, Colonel.” Q noted to me in fleet comms.

“They’re moving off the gate.” Rushur mentioned. “Probably going to buy and fit some frigs.”

That made us all chuckle.

We finished the complex, comprimising another Amarr system, and made haste for Dal, laughing all the way.

—

AMAMAKE SYSTEM

“Hostiles inbound!” Stoogie shouted over the military channel. “Multiple WTs on Oso gate in Ama. Tics everywhere!”

The Heretics weren’t happy with our recent counter-aggression towards them. Meanwhile, another, larger TLF fleet was in motion.

“Got room for four more, BS and higher, then we’re a full POS killing fleet. X up now.”

Numerous Xs appeared in the militia channel.

I overheated my weapons, my autocannons tearing the final pieces of hull off a Punisher, and watched as the enemy’s pod slipped through my grasp.

“Watch yourself, Roc, you’ve got a Falcon closing range fast!” Mutnir shouted in fleet. 

“Affirmative, moving in for the tackle. Gonna need some help here.” I replied calmly, angling towards the oncoming Falcon.

Mutnir laughed. “You’re insane, Colonel, but I got your back.”

I smiled as I snagged the Falcon, scramming its warp drive, my statis webbifier slowing it to a manageable transverse velocity.

Old dog or not, it was good to be back on the frontlines, doing what I do best.

“Hey Mutnir,” I said, mirth in my voice. “Did you know you can use probe launchers for scanning plexes?”