In the Tribal Liberation Force I had access to a steady stream of supplies. Understand we paid a premium for this luxury, but if you couldn’t spend your infinite wealth as a capsuleer, what was the point of having it?

Since joining Ushra’Khan and moving to nullsec, I had discovered quickly that every shot fired was a precious commodity. Combine that with all the territorial upset over the last few months, and essentially, I was on my own for keeping myself well stocked.

I had recently started discussions with Neridah Tanz, a fellow Masuat’aa Matari corp member and industrialist, about introducing her to my financial broker and perhaps split on profit sharing out of the Ortner constellation. A steady supply of ships, weapons, ammo and modules for me; a steady supply of profit for her. It was a win/win.

It might take us a month or two to get our pipeline optimized, finalize the profit share split, and get a good cash flow running. In the interim, I was always looking for whatever new technology, whatever new edge was available to give me that extra “whatever” over my opponent.

In this instance, I had been contacted by a drone researcher whom had miniaturized his latest line of cam drones. His product, the “Hawk Eye”, boasted the smallest recording device to date, as well as a “durable” outer shell, offering a lightweight, silent drone that could record up to five minutes of video at a time. Battery life? It’s nuclear core could run for 4 years straight.

4 year battery life = 5 minutes record time.

Worse still was that once I had all the interfaces hooked into my pod and gave it a test spin, it wouldn’t turn to the left. I tried manually adjusting the trim to its maximum, which only resulted in it being next to impossible to turn to the right as well.

I sighed, and the little comic dollar signs quickly disappeared from the drone engineer’s wide eyes.

“Look,” I began, “it’s not that I don’t respect what you do. It’s beyond me how drones work, and I’m sure it’s complex. But if you’re going to come in here, take up my time to show off your ‘latest & greatest’, you damn well better make sure it’s impressive.”

I held up the small drone, which fit in the palm of my hand, and snapped its fixed tail off in my fingers. “Your lightweight and durable outer shell is spray foam. C’mon, really? You didn’t think I’d notice? What you have here is a kid’s novelty toy at best, but let’s not fool ourselves into thinking this has any use for a pod pilot.”

I dropped the drone pieces into the man’s hand, turned from his fallen face, and walked away.

As a sidenote, less than four months later the “Hawk Eye” was one of the hottest children’s toy items to hit New Eden’s market.

I returned to my office and kicked my feet up on my desk. Only then did I notice my NeoCom beeping. I had a missed call.

Sliding my thumb along the screen and entering my unlock revealed an interesting comm title.

Minmatar rebel scum and the coming storm

I quickly looked at the sender: Kazryn Dahlinara. I had no idea who he/she was. Before reading on, I thumbed around for some more information, using my still valid military credentials. I had friends when needed.

Loyal servant of God, the Empire and the Empress!
“a manu Dei e tet rimon”

Written in flowing script upon the side of Kazryn’s ship is the phrase…
“ad maiorem Dei gloriam!”

There will be neither compassion nor mercy; Nor peace, nor solace
For those who bear witness to these Signs and still do not believe.
– Book of Reclaiming, 25:10

Oh goodie.

Curiosity got the better of me, as it often did, and I opened the comm as I let my breath out heavily.

Colonel Wieler,

Your reputation precedes you. I have heard of your deeds and know you are a formidable foe. You and I, under different circumstances, would be enemies. I fear a time will come all too soon in which we may have to set those differences aside. I have received word of the attack on Trytedald III. I give my prayers for those taken. Being taken as a slave by the Nation is truly a fate worse than death. As this threat is a real and present danger to all empires and their people, I ask if you would consider passing any information you have about attacks made or that might be made by Sansha’s Nation forces and I will do the same. If nothing more to combat a common foe.

We can resume hostilities after the Nation is crushed.

Sincerely,
Kazryn Dahlinara

Hmm, the picture was far too androgynous to reveal the gender of Kazryn Dahlinara, and the content of the email wasn’t revealing either. Ah well, if I called he a she that would just be all the funnier.

I re-read the email for content this time.

Geez, she talks like my ass plays harmonica.

I had to admit, though, that Sansha’s Nation was making bolder attacks each day and something had to be done. My own efforts had been consistently damaging, but evidently no where near crippling enough, as demonstrated by the major Nation assaults across the Empires lately.

I could always discuss the comparison between Sansha slavery being a fate worse than death but using Vitoc to control slaves being ok at another time. Hopefully this time, no self-righteous Caldari pilot would interrupt with the woes of self-inflicted slavery to the megacorps, and how that is even comparable to the plight of the Minmatar. Still, that was a fun night at the bar.

Back to the more pressing concern; how could I in good conscious work with the Amarr in any capacity?

I formed my response carefully:

I debated even replying to you, trying to understand what angle you are trying to play. Yet here I am, taking a calculated risk, which is all I can give any Amarr, untrustworthy by nature.

My fight is against all forms of tyranny and oppression. Most of my career has been spent against your ilk, with unwavering commitment to ending the flagrant evil that is the Amarr Empire.

As you mentioned, the Sansha Nation has been more aggressive into Empire space than ever before in our histories, and I find myself overwhelmed fighting two fronts, so there is a part of me that was tempted by your offer. A very small part.

I want to say no. I want to tell you that the Amarr people deserve this fate for all they have done to my kind, for enslaving not just our bodies but our minds, forcing us to be human drones for your lethargic and self-indulgent culture.

But I have seen first hand the end result of the Sansha’s advance, and no matter how much hatred I feel for your people, I cannot condone that suffering upon any innocent, and I do believe there are many Amarr not guilty of the atrocities committed by so many of your culture.

I will keep the universe informed of anything I learn of the Sansha threat. I will not back down in my fight against them. Will I contact you personally? Doubtful, so don’t hold your hand over your ass waiting for it to happen.

This is a difficult thing you ask of me, to overcome historic prejudice, but as you have made an attempt, I am willing to at least respond, though it is more than you deserve.

Fly safe in this,
Roc

It appeared I had matured a little. But seriously, spray foam? I shook my head.