– by Ore Mut

Growing up my father told me of the legends of men and women who
traversed the wide openings of space. The Capsuleers, as he called
them, were wanderers, opportunist, thieves, privateers, and pirates.
We both feared and respected them. I have never met one myself, but
our livelihood depends on their services. What we produce would be
sent into space across New Eden to far off places that could only been
thought of in a dream.
However, our dream is soon to collapse into the void of nightmares.
For generation we have enjoyed the distant relationship we have had
with the Capsuleers, but soon the prohibition that has protected us
from their greed will soon be dispelled, and with it, our hopes of
continuing our peaceful lives.
First it will be explorers, then merchants, but after that there will
be blood. War will soon break out across the stars and there will be
no pity for those of us bound to a terrestrial existence. These cruel
gods will rain fury upon us that will have no end until we are
completely consumed and are worlds are depleted of resources. There is
no justice for those not numbered among the Capsuleers.
I spend my days now contemplating my end as I watch over my cattle.
The grassy hills sing an eternal peace to my heart that only come
short of giving me comfort because I know that they soon will be gone.
Their eternal song will give way to eternal silence.
There is one hope I suppose, if a Capsuleer exists unlike the ones of
my father’s stories. One that is not only kind, but strong enough to
stay the greedy hands of others. When the explorers and industrialist
give way to the warmonger, I can only hope there are Capsuleers strong
enough to stay their own greed and fight for supreme dominance in the
name of the people.
This fantasy is the closest thing to comfort I have. But I wonder how
one man or woman has so great an ability as to maintain such a hold.
It is beyond me. I’ve watched over my cattle most of the days of my
life and I know them and their needs, but it is difficult to think
that a person can govern worlds and systems like I govern my herd.
I hope that such beings exist among the devilish gods of New Eden. To
think a person with such power could come here and destroy all that I
hold close to my heart is a thought that penetrates so deep that it
fills me with fear and a belief that it may be the truest outcome of
what is to come. My world is coming to an end very soon and there is
nothing that I can do to stop it. I can only stand and watch as the
Capsuleers of New Eden decide the fate of my world and countless
others like it.
I fear the future does not look good for my family and I. I doubt that
I will have sons that will survive the coming turmoil that will carry
on the stories I will tell them. For their sake I hope that there is
good in the hearts and minds of those that sail the stars.