IV. Evasion
Alysianna threw off her blood splattered jacket as she entered the home she had set up for her sister and niece.
“Akhiko! Miyuki!” She called, worry thick in her voice. Pulling her sidearm from behind her belt, she checked the magazine and ensured there was a round chambered and ready to fire. There would be more men coming soon, she was sure of it.
“Akhiko!” She shouted again, panic starting to claw at her. If the Black Eagles had already come here; if she was already too late….. No. Don’t think of that. Focus.
Alysianna moved from the foyer area and began checking rooms. Kitchen clear. Dining room clear. She entered the foyer area again on her way to check the living areas when motion at the top of the stairs drew her attention.
“Alysianna?” Akhiko asked as she stepped more fully into view. “What is it?” Her gaze fell to the pistol Alysianna held loosely in her hand. “What has happened?”
Swiftly climbing the stairs, Alysianna took Akhiko by the arm and led her back toward the bedrooms. “I need to move you. Pack quickly, leave anything that isn’t vital. I’ll explain more later, but we don’t have much time.”
The Moritsu siblings shared many traits, among them the tendency for decisive action. Akhiko didn’t ask further questions, but immediately went to wake her daughter and gather what they would need for a trip. Alysianna rushed back down the stairs and took up a position by the front door, keeping an eye out down the approach for any signs of the abduction team she was sure must be coming. Nothing yet, but it was only a matter of time. Zealots never give up, never stop.
The five minutes it took Akhiko to get Miyuki ready and gather the necessary items once again had Alysianna on the verge of panic. Her heart hammered away at her ribcage, and she was sure that if her body put any more adrenaline into her system, it would prove fatal. As her sister and niece came down the stairs, she took a last look around and led them outside.
Ten minutes was spent in a ground car getting to the orbital shuttle Alysianna had come down to the planet in; and by the time they reached it, her nerves were close to shot. Attempting to keep her eyes everywhere at once was beginning to give her a headache, and every moving shadow, every sound had become a man ready to attack. Motioning her sister and niece into the passenger compartment, Alysianna slid into the pilot’s seat and began the engine prestart sequence. As soon as the control board lit up, she keyed for a flight control systems check, and prepared to take off.
A glow on the horizon drew her attention out of the view port, and looking back toward the house they had just fled showed the tell tales of a massive building fire. She had been right. No one was safe from the new order. Once again paranoid politicians and their rabid dogs were forcing her away from what she had come to call home. No words, no questions. Run, or die. Alysianna shook herself slightly and turned to check on her sister and niece. Both were in their seats and strapped in. It was time to go.
Transit to orbit was uneventful, no fighters appeared in pursuit, no ships moved in an attempt to interdict the small shuttle as it emerged from the clouds and smoke and made its best speed toward the station in orbit.
"Alysianna, what in the world is going on?" Akhiko asked from behind her.
"Do you remember Mjalnar?" Alysianna asked without turning her head. Her eyes were locked on the sensor board, continually searching for any indication that the men on the planet had friends in space.
"He was the one with you when you rescued Miyuki and I from my ex-husband, yes?"
Alysianna nodded. "He was recently unmasked as a spy for the State, and had been passing them information about the Federations war preparations for a long time. Certainly well before the current war began." Memories crashed against the inside of her skull, and she fought them down and shoved them into the little locked room of her brain from where they had sprung. "The fascist bastards of the SDII decided that the Leadership of Strix as a whole was guilty, or at least suspect; and when they came, it wasn't with the intent to arrest me."
"You killed them?" Akhiko's tone made it less of a question than a statement, but Alysianna answered it anyway.
"They were all still alive when I managed to escape the situation, though a few would have died without prompt medical attention." She shook her head slightly as the memory of blood spraying across the walls, and the feeling of bullets digging into the desk she overturned to use as cover swept over her. "I triggered the com system to the emergency signal before I ran. Paramedics should have gotten to them fast enough."
Akhiko sat silently, waiting for her sister to continue.
"I still didn't know about Mjalnar at this point, and managed to get a message to him and set up a meeting with him and his wife, on a backwater planet in Essence. As I arrived I overheard him confessing everything to Sabette. I could hardly believe it, but I immediately confronted him. Sabette had a choice to make..... love, or loyalty. She chose love."
Silence hung heavy in the shuttles pilot compartment for nearly a full minute.
"I killed them both." Alysianna said.
The memory of the event ran through her head against all her efforts to hold it back. The rain slowly soaking through her clothing. Hearing the voices as she approached through the foliage. The cold anger in her gut at the betrayal. The suddenness in which the pistol appeared in her left hand, and her katana in her right. The tense words exchanged as Sabette held a pistol on her head, and she returned the favor with her own pistol aimed at Sabette and her blade extended out to rest against Mjalnar's neck. Sabette's head exploding as a momentary distraction let Alysianna take the initiative. The pain from the hand to hand fight with Mjalnar that led to him laying on the ground, holding his stomach in a vain attempt to hold his intestines inside the horrific wound she dealt with her katana.
But most of all, the blood. Hers. His. Sabette's. She could still taste it, smell it..... feel it.
"I knew the Black Eagles would come after you next, to try and force me to come to them." Alysianna continued once she felt able to speak again. "I didn't know if they would kill you, but torture is not beyond them. They wouldn't hesitate to hurt you, or even Miyuki if they thought they could use you to their advantage."
The sisters sat in silence, watching the station grow larger as they entered the docking pattern.
"What do we do now?" Akhiko finally asked.
The shuttle came around a final corner, and Alysianna's Tengu-class strategic cruiser came into view, sitting in the hanger deck's magnetic docking field.
"I know some friends that can help us. We leave the Federation, and don't look back." Alysianna's eyes hardened. "They can burn in hell with the rest of the liars who support empires built on bloodshed. I'll die before a give up my honor, my morality." Her tone changed slightly, threads of uncertainty and lost hope creeping in. "Even if that means I never have a home again."
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Of Families III
III. Incursion
The manor house stood in a wide clearing, surrounded by trees save for the lone road that led away from its front doors. Two stories tall and comprised of more rooms than she cared to think about, the building presented a significant challenge for Alysianna; but within its walls was her sister, and she was getting Akhiko out no matter the cost.
“Nice place,” commented Zagamesh from her side. “This guy must have kissed some serious ass to merit a place like this.”
They crouched just inside the wood line, observing the building, and more importantly the guards, through binoculars. Both wore fatigues of dark greens and black, well suited to the vegetation they now hid themselves in. Zagamesh carried an assault rifle, and had numerous devices strapped to his equipment harness. Alysianna assumed most would probably end up exploding at some point, but she had asked him to provide a distraction, and how he wanted to do it was up to him. In contrast, Alysianna had only a sub-machine gun, and her katana at her waist.
Alysianna stood, taking care to keep a tree between her and the building. “Alright, give me ten minutes, then go ahead and create whatever diversion you find most appealing.” She was about head off into the woods, but turned to look down at Zagamesh once again. “Don't have too much fun.”
Zagamesh gave her one of his famous 'injured pride/innocent man' looks as she moved off among the trees.
Alysianna circled the manor, moving with a careful balance of speed and stealth; completing a 90 degree circuit just prior to the ten minute mark. Crouching in the foliage as close to the clearing as she dared, she waited.
An explosion shook the ground right at the ten minute mark, and a fountain of fire reached into the sky from the guard station near the road. Her partner had opted for the flashy sort of distraction; which seemed to be getting the desired response, she noted as she observed several men rushing toward the remains of the station. Moments later another explosion in the middle of the men's formation sent bodies flying, and a rapid series of gunshots accompanied more men falling. The remaining guards quickly deducted where the threat was at that point, and scrambled for cover. It shouldn't take them long to regroup and attempt to move into the woods after Zagamesh, but Alysianna had the feeling that doing so would be a very big mistake on the guards' part. As the echoes of the gunshots faded, she swore she could hear a man laughing.
Deciding that the guards were sufficiently distracted, Aysianna moved into the clearing at a run, heading straight toward the second floor balcony, which was situated near a tree. She reached the tree without being shot, which she took as a good sign. The branches were spaced widely, perfect for climbing, and it took Alysianna only thirty seconds to reach the same level as the balcony. Leaping from as far out on the branches as she felt comfortable, Alysianna hit the balcony at waist height, bracing her hands on the edge of the railing and letting her upper body bend forward to counter the weight of her legs dangling below. It was a simple matter to then roll herself over the railing and to her feet.
She moved to the door, and was pleasantly surprised to find it unlocked. Quietly opening it just enough to slide through, she found herself in a hallway lit only by emergency lighting. Had Zagamesh managed to destroy the generator with one of his 'distractions'? Alysianna found herself mildly impressed. Another explosion sent a tremor through the manor, and set the lights to flickering for a moment. Moving down the hallway, Alysianna cautiously opened each door as she came to it, and finding them empty, closed it again before moving on. She had covered about half the hallway when two men in guardsman uniforms rounded the corner and stopped dead, staring at her with a look of disbelief. The moment lasted maybe three seconds, then the guards drew stun batons from their belts and charged.
Alysianna smiled to herself as she set herself into the tachi-ai fighting posture, and grasped her katana. The guards were not allowed to carry small arms in the household proper. How very fortunate for her. Giri, she thought as the leading guard drew closer, stun baton leveled at her heart. As the man drew close, Alysianna lunged forward, letting the baton pass over her shoulder. With another step she stood up, and drew her katana from its scabbard and through the man's side, cutting cleanly through clothing and flesh, and sending the man spinning to the floor with a cry. The other man attempted to stop short, thrusting out with his baton in an effort to ward her off. Alysianna simply took another step forward letting the momentum of her upward cut transition downwards and took the man's hand off at the wrist. Sweeping the blade around in an arc behind her, she rotated it in her hands and lunged forward again, driving the blade through the surprised man, just below the sternum. With a grunt, he folded over the blade, and slowly slid off as Alysianna let the weight pull the sword point toward the ground. With a flick of her wrist, she shook most of the blood from her blade and continued down the hallway.
She finished searching the hallway, and rounded the corner to start the next, only to nearly run into another pair of guards who had apparently come in response to her first opponent's scream. She reacted instantly, grabbing the closer man's wrist and pulling him off balance. Using the momentum, she turned back to back with the man using him as a shield from his compatriot. Continuing the turn, she brought her hands up to shoulder height, and her blade caught the off balance guard in the neck. He shuddered and froze in place, until Alysianna took a step away from him, drawing three feet of steel through the already horrible wound. Blood sprayed, and she turned toward her final opponent with blood running down her cheek and dripping from her chin, as the corpse behind her dropped to the floor with a thud.
“Who are you?” he asked with a trembling voice.
“Kamikazi,” she answered, cutting downward.
The man reacted as he had been trained, raising the baton to attempt to deflect the attack. Alysianna's katana cut through his defense with a crack of destroyed composite material, and a flash of light from the energy cell. Her attack took him from shoulder to waist, and the man crashed to the floor with the look of terrified surprise still on his face. Flicking the blood from the blade once again, she continued to the next door.
The next three rooms were empty, and she was about to close the door to the fourth room when a small motion toward the back caught her attention. Entering the room, she closed the door behind her. She slowly crossed the room, trying to see past the darkness to what had made the motion.
“Alysianna?” asked a quiet voice. A woman's voice.
“Akihko?”
“What are you doing here?” her sister asked as she stepped out of the shadows that had concealed her. “I didn't know if my message had reached you, but I never expected you to come here!”
Alysianna strode forward, turning slightly so she could keep an eye on the doorway. “I'm getting you out of here. All the noise you're hearing is courtesy of a friend of mine, who's keeping most of the guards here busy. What's left of them anyway.” She turned and started for the door.
“Wait! There's someone you should meet before we go.”
“Ani, we don't have time for this. We have to go!”
Akihko held out her hand to the shadowed corner. “Miyuki, come meet your aunt.”
A young girl, not more than six years old emerged from the shadows, cautiously making her way to her mother. Alysianna stood, dumbstruck, staring at the niece she had never known she had. Miyuki looked strikingly similar to her mother... and her aunt. She had the same long black hair the two woman shared, as well as the brilliant green eyes. Alysianna took a couple steps forward, holding out her free hand toward her niece as if she expected her to just vanish into smoke.
Alysianna had only taken two steps when Miyuki retreated behind her mother with a soft moan, obviously terrified. Alysianna's heart seemed to freeze in her chest, replaced by some empty void. Looking down at herself she finally saw what her niece must be seeing. Blood was splashed across her clothing, drying on her face, and dripping from her sword. She looked like something from a nightmare. Shoving the feeling of loss that tried to claw its way into her mind behind a rigid wall of duty, Alysianna looked up into her sister's eyes.
“Pack anything you need for a couple days travel,” she said. “But pack light. I'll be back for you in five minutes.” She turned and walked to the door. Maybe she looked like a nightmare, but if she had to sacrifice her niece's love to save her from having to grow up in constant fear..... well, she never turned from duty, no matter the cost. She walked down the hallway, focused on the large double doors at the end. He was in that room. Where else would he be, but overseeing his little domain during the crisis? She reached to doors and quietly opened them, and slipped inside.
The man was standing near his desk, looking down at what looked like a large map display. His back was to her, and as she approached within five feet of him, he finally seemed to realize she was there. He stood up straight, and turned to face her.
“Have you caught the one responsible for all......” His voice trailed off as he realized she was not whom he had been expecting.
His confusion turned to terror as Alysianna grabbed the collar of his suit coat, brought up her katana, and drove the blade into his belly. All he could manage was a choking gasp of pain when she twisted the sword ninety degrees and pulled the blade free. He sank to his knees, pressing his hands against his ruined stomach to keep his innards from spilling out onto the floor. As blood ran down the katana's razor edge, Alysianna took a diagonal step forward to put her at her enemies side, and raised the blade vertically over her head.
The man managed to turn his head slightly and look up at her, his eyes full of confusion, pain, and terror. “Who.....” he managed to gasp out.
“Setsujoku,” she said in a whisper. Vengeance rang through her mind as she brought her katana down with all the force she had left in her, striking off the man's head.
The body remained upright for a couple of moments before collapsing sideways to the ground. Alysianna knelt, and used a portion of the man's coat to clean the blood from her blade. When she finished, she stood, replaced the katana in its scabbard, and bowed deeply to the headless body. Whatever I thought of him, he died in the ancient manner of atonement, in a way. He never cried out with the pain, and for that died in honor. Tsugunai. Atonement.
Straightening, Alysianna turned and walked swiftly to the door. It was time to get her family out of this place.
The manor house stood in a wide clearing, surrounded by trees save for the lone road that led away from its front doors. Two stories tall and comprised of more rooms than she cared to think about, the building presented a significant challenge for Alysianna; but within its walls was her sister, and she was getting Akhiko out no matter the cost.
“Nice place,” commented Zagamesh from her side. “This guy must have kissed some serious ass to merit a place like this.”
They crouched just inside the wood line, observing the building, and more importantly the guards, through binoculars. Both wore fatigues of dark greens and black, well suited to the vegetation they now hid themselves in. Zagamesh carried an assault rifle, and had numerous devices strapped to his equipment harness. Alysianna assumed most would probably end up exploding at some point, but she had asked him to provide a distraction, and how he wanted to do it was up to him. In contrast, Alysianna had only a sub-machine gun, and her katana at her waist.
Alysianna stood, taking care to keep a tree between her and the building. “Alright, give me ten minutes, then go ahead and create whatever diversion you find most appealing.” She was about head off into the woods, but turned to look down at Zagamesh once again. “Don't have too much fun.”
Zagamesh gave her one of his famous 'injured pride/innocent man' looks as she moved off among the trees.
Alysianna circled the manor, moving with a careful balance of speed and stealth; completing a 90 degree circuit just prior to the ten minute mark. Crouching in the foliage as close to the clearing as she dared, she waited.
An explosion shook the ground right at the ten minute mark, and a fountain of fire reached into the sky from the guard station near the road. Her partner had opted for the flashy sort of distraction; which seemed to be getting the desired response, she noted as she observed several men rushing toward the remains of the station. Moments later another explosion in the middle of the men's formation sent bodies flying, and a rapid series of gunshots accompanied more men falling. The remaining guards quickly deducted where the threat was at that point, and scrambled for cover. It shouldn't take them long to regroup and attempt to move into the woods after Zagamesh, but Alysianna had the feeling that doing so would be a very big mistake on the guards' part. As the echoes of the gunshots faded, she swore she could hear a man laughing.
Deciding that the guards were sufficiently distracted, Aysianna moved into the clearing at a run, heading straight toward the second floor balcony, which was situated near a tree. She reached the tree without being shot, which she took as a good sign. The branches were spaced widely, perfect for climbing, and it took Alysianna only thirty seconds to reach the same level as the balcony. Leaping from as far out on the branches as she felt comfortable, Alysianna hit the balcony at waist height, bracing her hands on the edge of the railing and letting her upper body bend forward to counter the weight of her legs dangling below. It was a simple matter to then roll herself over the railing and to her feet.
She moved to the door, and was pleasantly surprised to find it unlocked. Quietly opening it just enough to slide through, she found herself in a hallway lit only by emergency lighting. Had Zagamesh managed to destroy the generator with one of his 'distractions'? Alysianna found herself mildly impressed. Another explosion sent a tremor through the manor, and set the lights to flickering for a moment. Moving down the hallway, Alysianna cautiously opened each door as she came to it, and finding them empty, closed it again before moving on. She had covered about half the hallway when two men in guardsman uniforms rounded the corner and stopped dead, staring at her with a look of disbelief. The moment lasted maybe three seconds, then the guards drew stun batons from their belts and charged.
Alysianna smiled to herself as she set herself into the tachi-ai fighting posture, and grasped her katana. The guards were not allowed to carry small arms in the household proper. How very fortunate for her. Giri, she thought as the leading guard drew closer, stun baton leveled at her heart. As the man drew close, Alysianna lunged forward, letting the baton pass over her shoulder. With another step she stood up, and drew her katana from its scabbard and through the man's side, cutting cleanly through clothing and flesh, and sending the man spinning to the floor with a cry. The other man attempted to stop short, thrusting out with his baton in an effort to ward her off. Alysianna simply took another step forward letting the momentum of her upward cut transition downwards and took the man's hand off at the wrist. Sweeping the blade around in an arc behind her, she rotated it in her hands and lunged forward again, driving the blade through the surprised man, just below the sternum. With a grunt, he folded over the blade, and slowly slid off as Alysianna let the weight pull the sword point toward the ground. With a flick of her wrist, she shook most of the blood from her blade and continued down the hallway.
She finished searching the hallway, and rounded the corner to start the next, only to nearly run into another pair of guards who had apparently come in response to her first opponent's scream. She reacted instantly, grabbing the closer man's wrist and pulling him off balance. Using the momentum, she turned back to back with the man using him as a shield from his compatriot. Continuing the turn, she brought her hands up to shoulder height, and her blade caught the off balance guard in the neck. He shuddered and froze in place, until Alysianna took a step away from him, drawing three feet of steel through the already horrible wound. Blood sprayed, and she turned toward her final opponent with blood running down her cheek and dripping from her chin, as the corpse behind her dropped to the floor with a thud.
“Who are you?” he asked with a trembling voice.
“Kamikazi,” she answered, cutting downward.
The man reacted as he had been trained, raising the baton to attempt to deflect the attack. Alysianna's katana cut through his defense with a crack of destroyed composite material, and a flash of light from the energy cell. Her attack took him from shoulder to waist, and the man crashed to the floor with the look of terrified surprise still on his face. Flicking the blood from the blade once again, she continued to the next door.
The next three rooms were empty, and she was about to close the door to the fourth room when a small motion toward the back caught her attention. Entering the room, she closed the door behind her. She slowly crossed the room, trying to see past the darkness to what had made the motion.
“Alysianna?” asked a quiet voice. A woman's voice.
“Akihko?”
“What are you doing here?” her sister asked as she stepped out of the shadows that had concealed her. “I didn't know if my message had reached you, but I never expected you to come here!”
Alysianna strode forward, turning slightly so she could keep an eye on the doorway. “I'm getting you out of here. All the noise you're hearing is courtesy of a friend of mine, who's keeping most of the guards here busy. What's left of them anyway.” She turned and started for the door.
“Wait! There's someone you should meet before we go.”
“Ani, we don't have time for this. We have to go!”
Akihko held out her hand to the shadowed corner. “Miyuki, come meet your aunt.”
A young girl, not more than six years old emerged from the shadows, cautiously making her way to her mother. Alysianna stood, dumbstruck, staring at the niece she had never known she had. Miyuki looked strikingly similar to her mother... and her aunt. She had the same long black hair the two woman shared, as well as the brilliant green eyes. Alysianna took a couple steps forward, holding out her free hand toward her niece as if she expected her to just vanish into smoke.
Alysianna had only taken two steps when Miyuki retreated behind her mother with a soft moan, obviously terrified. Alysianna's heart seemed to freeze in her chest, replaced by some empty void. Looking down at herself she finally saw what her niece must be seeing. Blood was splashed across her clothing, drying on her face, and dripping from her sword. She looked like something from a nightmare. Shoving the feeling of loss that tried to claw its way into her mind behind a rigid wall of duty, Alysianna looked up into her sister's eyes.
“Pack anything you need for a couple days travel,” she said. “But pack light. I'll be back for you in five minutes.” She turned and walked to the door. Maybe she looked like a nightmare, but if she had to sacrifice her niece's love to save her from having to grow up in constant fear..... well, she never turned from duty, no matter the cost. She walked down the hallway, focused on the large double doors at the end. He was in that room. Where else would he be, but overseeing his little domain during the crisis? She reached to doors and quietly opened them, and slipped inside.
The man was standing near his desk, looking down at what looked like a large map display. His back was to her, and as she approached within five feet of him, he finally seemed to realize she was there. He stood up straight, and turned to face her.
“Have you caught the one responsible for all......” His voice trailed off as he realized she was not whom he had been expecting.
His confusion turned to terror as Alysianna grabbed the collar of his suit coat, brought up her katana, and drove the blade into his belly. All he could manage was a choking gasp of pain when she twisted the sword ninety degrees and pulled the blade free. He sank to his knees, pressing his hands against his ruined stomach to keep his innards from spilling out onto the floor. As blood ran down the katana's razor edge, Alysianna took a diagonal step forward to put her at her enemies side, and raised the blade vertically over her head.
The man managed to turn his head slightly and look up at her, his eyes full of confusion, pain, and terror. “Who.....” he managed to gasp out.
“Setsujoku,” she said in a whisper. Vengeance rang through her mind as she brought her katana down with all the force she had left in her, striking off the man's head.
The body remained upright for a couple of moments before collapsing sideways to the ground. Alysianna knelt, and used a portion of the man's coat to clean the blood from her blade. When she finished, she stood, replaced the katana in its scabbard, and bowed deeply to the headless body. Whatever I thought of him, he died in the ancient manner of atonement, in a way. He never cried out with the pain, and for that died in honor. Tsugunai. Atonement.
Straightening, Alysianna turned and walked swiftly to the door. It was time to get her family out of this place.
Of Families II
II. Introspection
Alysianna sat in the boarding terminal, attempting to breathe deeply and calm herself. Soon she would be boarding the transport that would take her into Caldari State space. Space where she was wanted, preferably dead. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the identicard she had obtained for the trip. False identification was somewhat outside her area of expertise, but contacts inside the Federal Intelligence Office, and a liberal application of credits, seemed to produce good results.
A quick look at the chronometer showed that the transport should begin boarding in ten minutes.
Her mind began to wander while she waited for the transport boarding call. She had not been able to get much information on the estate she was going to be breaking into, aside from a basic floor plan. She also had to assume that there would be private security troops on site as well.
Seven minutes.
A pair of boots stopped in front of her, boots that should not have been there.
“I thought you were going to be on a beach, Aly my dear?” asked the man belonging to the boots. “Warm sun, white sands and blue waters... perhaps dare to show some of that skin you're always trying to hide? Running off to the State however is not what most people would call a vacation.”
Alysianna looked up into the face of her friend, Mjalnar Gessanier. “Of course, I've not always done things in a manner that others consider normal, now have I?” she countered.
“No, no you haven't.” He sat down next to her and pulled the identicard from her hand. “So...... Arakaki Misao. Going home?”
Alysianna shook her head. “Just visiting family.” Looking up, she narrowed her eyes slightly. “So what exactly are you doing here? I'm pretty sure my message clearly indicated that I would be taking vacation on the other side of the Federation.”
Mjalnar smiled in amusement as he lounged back in his seat. “Oh, I'm quite the jealous man Aly. I thought you were going to elope with some dashing rogue, besides myself. So, when you sent the notice that you'd be taking some time off to relax, I had some friends keep an eye on you.”
“Translation: Damith told you.” Alysianna accused.
“I neither confirm nor deny the allegation.” He looked up at the chronometer. “When do we leave?”
Four minutes.
Alysianna stared at her hands on her lap for a moment. “So, exactly why are you here again? Just tell me Zagamesh. I'm not up to games right now.”
“Hush now Aly,” he said, smiling as he held up a hand to keep her from interrupting. “I also need a vacation my dear, and all things considered the State seems to me like just the place to indulge in some of my favourite pastimes. Besides, you're my friend and I can't let you go off and have all the fun for yourself now can I?”
Two minutes.
They sat in silence, waiting for the transport to begin boarding. Alysianna withdrew into her mind again, trying to work out her feelings. Logically, having help made sense; and Zagamesh had experience that would surely increase the likelihood of her mission succeeding. Her duty to her sister demanded that she do everything in her power to rescue Akikho from the terror in which she lived; but she felt honor bound to do it herself. For years, all she had was her honor to sustain and guide her. Could she give it all up just to make this job easier? Duty and honor had defined her life for so long, what was she supposed to do when they were opposed like this?
Or was it honor that demanded she do this alone? Was it honor speaking to her, or pride? Was it pride that was preventing her from doing what her sister needed her to do? Preventing her from taking help that had been offered freely?
One minute.
A memory rose to the surface of Alysianna's mind, from when she was a child and learning at the monastery. Brother Hirotoro had been trying to show her a better way of accomplishing a task, but she had insisted that her way was better, as only an eight year old could. Brother Hirotoro has just smiled, shook his head, and said: 'Confidence is good, but never believe that pride will be better than good counsel.' Then he had left her to think, and learn on her own. And perhaps she had after all.
From the boarding ramp, the attendant announced the beginning of boarding for the transport.
Alysianna stood, and looked down at the man sitting next to her. A man who was her friend. “Time to go,” she said and offered her hand to him. “Come on.”
Alysianna sat in the boarding terminal, attempting to breathe deeply and calm herself. Soon she would be boarding the transport that would take her into Caldari State space. Space where she was wanted, preferably dead. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the identicard she had obtained for the trip. False identification was somewhat outside her area of expertise, but contacts inside the Federal Intelligence Office, and a liberal application of credits, seemed to produce good results.
A quick look at the chronometer showed that the transport should begin boarding in ten minutes.
Her mind began to wander while she waited for the transport boarding call. She had not been able to get much information on the estate she was going to be breaking into, aside from a basic floor plan. She also had to assume that there would be private security troops on site as well.
Seven minutes.
A pair of boots stopped in front of her, boots that should not have been there.
“I thought you were going to be on a beach, Aly my dear?” asked the man belonging to the boots. “Warm sun, white sands and blue waters... perhaps dare to show some of that skin you're always trying to hide? Running off to the State however is not what most people would call a vacation.”
Alysianna looked up into the face of her friend, Mjalnar Gessanier. “Of course, I've not always done things in a manner that others consider normal, now have I?” she countered.
“No, no you haven't.” He sat down next to her and pulled the identicard from her hand. “So...... Arakaki Misao. Going home?”
Alysianna shook her head. “Just visiting family.” Looking up, she narrowed her eyes slightly. “So what exactly are you doing here? I'm pretty sure my message clearly indicated that I would be taking vacation on the other side of the Federation.”
Mjalnar smiled in amusement as he lounged back in his seat. “Oh, I'm quite the jealous man Aly. I thought you were going to elope with some dashing rogue, besides myself. So, when you sent the notice that you'd be taking some time off to relax, I had some friends keep an eye on you.”
“Translation: Damith told you.” Alysianna accused.
“I neither confirm nor deny the allegation.” He looked up at the chronometer. “When do we leave?”
Four minutes.
Alysianna stared at her hands on her lap for a moment. “So, exactly why are you here again? Just tell me Zagamesh. I'm not up to games right now.”
“Hush now Aly,” he said, smiling as he held up a hand to keep her from interrupting. “I also need a vacation my dear, and all things considered the State seems to me like just the place to indulge in some of my favourite pastimes. Besides, you're my friend and I can't let you go off and have all the fun for yourself now can I?”
Two minutes.
They sat in silence, waiting for the transport to begin boarding. Alysianna withdrew into her mind again, trying to work out her feelings. Logically, having help made sense; and Zagamesh had experience that would surely increase the likelihood of her mission succeeding. Her duty to her sister demanded that she do everything in her power to rescue Akikho from the terror in which she lived; but she felt honor bound to do it herself. For years, all she had was her honor to sustain and guide her. Could she give it all up just to make this job easier? Duty and honor had defined her life for so long, what was she supposed to do when they were opposed like this?
Or was it honor that demanded she do this alone? Was it honor speaking to her, or pride? Was it pride that was preventing her from doing what her sister needed her to do? Preventing her from taking help that had been offered freely?
One minute.
A memory rose to the surface of Alysianna's mind, from when she was a child and learning at the monastery. Brother Hirotoro had been trying to show her a better way of accomplishing a task, but she had insisted that her way was better, as only an eight year old could. Brother Hirotoro has just smiled, shook his head, and said: 'Confidence is good, but never believe that pride will be better than good counsel.' Then he had left her to think, and learn on her own. And perhaps she had after all.
From the boarding ramp, the attendant announced the beginning of boarding for the transport.
Alysianna stood, and looked down at the man sitting next to her. A man who was her friend. “Time to go,” she said and offered her hand to him. “Come on.”
Of Families I
I. When blood calls
Rain poured down across the well-manicured field, drenching everything; which included Alysianna, as she stood outside the equipment room. She stood with her arms slightly raised, palms turned upward to catch the rain as it fell. Her head tilted upward and eyes closed. The rain soaked through her clothing, but she stood in place, letting the water run down her face.
“What in the world are you doing out here?” asked a familiar voice behind her.
“Remembering,” she replied without changing her posture.
Silence was the only response, which she let stretch for a long minute. “The rain has always calmed me. Even as a little girl I would go out to the gardens to stand in the grass, barefoot.”
“I was going to ask about your boots.”
“Sometimes, I think I remember my sisters and I all standing together in the rain. But then I always wonder if it might just be a memory built on wishes.” She let the rain flow across her face for another moment. “Do you still talk with your family?”
“I do.”
“It's been years since I have spoken to any member of my family.” Silence fell again. “I received a message yesterday...... from Akikho.”
“Your sister?”
“Yes.”
Silence fell once again.
“She's in Trouble.” Alysianna turned to face her visitor. “I've told you about Akikho. How a man charmed her, wooed her, and then locked her away.” Alysianna's eyes hardened as she spoke. “She was hurt Ani. Bruises on her face, not quite covered by makeup. But more than that I saw her eyes. She's living in fear.” Alysianna let the silence hang for a moment. “I'm going to her. I'm saving my sister.”
“Into State space?” Damith's face showed open concern.
Alysianna nodded.
“On the ground?”
Another nod.
Damith stood, just under the equipment rooms’ awning, a look of concern in her eyes. “The entire nation will want you dead, not to mention the detain or terminate order from your parents.”
Alysianna nodded again, the rain running down her face. “Let them try and stop me.”
Rain poured down across the well-manicured field, drenching everything; which included Alysianna, as she stood outside the equipment room. She stood with her arms slightly raised, palms turned upward to catch the rain as it fell. Her head tilted upward and eyes closed. The rain soaked through her clothing, but she stood in place, letting the water run down her face.
“What in the world are you doing out here?” asked a familiar voice behind her.
“Remembering,” she replied without changing her posture.
Silence was the only response, which she let stretch for a long minute. “The rain has always calmed me. Even as a little girl I would go out to the gardens to stand in the grass, barefoot.”
“I was going to ask about your boots.”
“Sometimes, I think I remember my sisters and I all standing together in the rain. But then I always wonder if it might just be a memory built on wishes.” She let the rain flow across her face for another moment. “Do you still talk with your family?”
“I do.”
“It's been years since I have spoken to any member of my family.” Silence fell again. “I received a message yesterday...... from Akikho.”
“Your sister?”
“Yes.”
Silence fell once again.
“She's in Trouble.” Alysianna turned to face her visitor. “I've told you about Akikho. How a man charmed her, wooed her, and then locked her away.” Alysianna's eyes hardened as she spoke. “She was hurt Ani. Bruises on her face, not quite covered by makeup. But more than that I saw her eyes. She's living in fear.” Alysianna let the silence hang for a moment. “I'm going to her. I'm saving my sister.”
“Into State space?” Damith's face showed open concern.
Alysianna nodded.
“On the ground?”
Another nod.
Damith stood, just under the equipment rooms’ awning, a look of concern in her eyes. “The entire nation will want you dead, not to mention the detain or terminate order from your parents.”
Alysianna nodded again, the rain running down her face. “Let them try and stop me.”
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Personal Log, 22.4.112
Well, vacations apparently can be a good thing. Having spent the better part of the last couple months visiting my sister and niece, I can say it has done wonders for my disposition. Don't get me wrong. If you ask anyone, they'll probably tell you I am still the same cast iron bitch I've always been. But at least I'm a less unbalanced cast iron bitch.
Well, at least I know there is someone in the cluster that will be happy to see me for no other reason than because I am me.
My sister is doing well for herself. She isn't having to work, the fifty million isk I set her up with pretty much ensures that her descendants will live without worry until the sun goes nova. What surprised me a bit was the fact that, considering how much money she has available, she and my niece are living a more or less normal, modest life.
I was also surprised at Miyuki's reaction to my arrival. In the actions taken to get the two of them out of the State, I thought she was scared enough of me that she'd never willingly stay in the same room with me, let alone talk. When I arrived, I was astounded when she ran out the front doors and jumped into my arms. I can only assume Akihko has been putting in a lot of time to bring her around, and for that I am profoundly grateful.
Well, I suppose I had best begin preparing to get back to the business at hand. There is still a whole mess of Provists out there, and they aren't going to kill themselves. Well, actually if what I hear has any truth to it, that is exactly what they are doing.... well, if nothing else I should probably help them along.
Well, at least I know there is someone in the cluster that will be happy to see me for no other reason than because I am me.
My sister is doing well for herself. She isn't having to work, the fifty million isk I set her up with pretty much ensures that her descendants will live without worry until the sun goes nova. What surprised me a bit was the fact that, considering how much money she has available, she and my niece are living a more or less normal, modest life.
I was also surprised at Miyuki's reaction to my arrival. In the actions taken to get the two of them out of the State, I thought she was scared enough of me that she'd never willingly stay in the same room with me, let alone talk. When I arrived, I was astounded when she ran out the front doors and jumped into my arms. I can only assume Akihko has been putting in a lot of time to bring her around, and for that I am profoundly grateful.
Well, I suppose I had best begin preparing to get back to the business at hand. There is still a whole mess of Provists out there, and they aren't going to kill themselves. Well, actually if what I hear has any truth to it, that is exactly what they are doing.... well, if nothing else I should probably help them along.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Personal Log, 18.12.111
The war proceeds apace.
Things are going well. The Federation has reclaimed twelve systems... thirteen?, from the occupation of the Provists. It is such an abrupt turn of events, I can hardly keep track.
The enthusiasm within the Federal Defense Union is at an all time high, and we have the momentum needed to continue reclaiming our space; if we can keep people doing what's needed. And that, quite frankly, threatens to throw me into a state of despair. If it's one thing I've come to realize, is that keeping podders focused on a goal and willing to put in the effort takes one of two things: A sense of dedication and purpose, or knowledge that there is something in it for them. The first of the two is in desperate short supply, and as for the second..... well, the Federation doesn't seem all that interested in putting up the resources required to meet the expectations of the gods in pods.
[heavy sigh]
Strix continues to show it's resolve and dedication everyday. The men and women of Talon Wing go out and fulfill their duty to the Federation with a fervor that makes me prouder than I can articulate.
Then I look at our fellows in the FDU. Don't get me wrong, I'm appreciative of the effort they put in.... when they decide to put in said effort. So many of them are perfectly content to run around after enemy ships, chasing CONCORD registered kill notifications like rutting dogs. They don't give two shits about the men, women, and children living on the planets under Caldari occupation. They're so involved in the issues of their own apparent immortality, they have completely forgotten the reason they joined the Defense Union in the first place. Or maybe they never had reasons beyond their hormonal bloodlust to begin with.
Regardless, everyday I'm waking up feeling more and more exhausted. I think I need a vacation.
Things are going well. The Federation has reclaimed twelve systems... thirteen?, from the occupation of the Provists. It is such an abrupt turn of events, I can hardly keep track.
The enthusiasm within the Federal Defense Union is at an all time high, and we have the momentum needed to continue reclaiming our space; if we can keep people doing what's needed. And that, quite frankly, threatens to throw me into a state of despair. If it's one thing I've come to realize, is that keeping podders focused on a goal and willing to put in the effort takes one of two things: A sense of dedication and purpose, or knowledge that there is something in it for them. The first of the two is in desperate short supply, and as for the second..... well, the Federation doesn't seem all that interested in putting up the resources required to meet the expectations of the gods in pods.
[heavy sigh]
Strix continues to show it's resolve and dedication everyday. The men and women of Talon Wing go out and fulfill their duty to the Federation with a fervor that makes me prouder than I can articulate.
Then I look at our fellows in the FDU. Don't get me wrong, I'm appreciative of the effort they put in.... when they decide to put in said effort. So many of them are perfectly content to run around after enemy ships, chasing CONCORD registered kill notifications like rutting dogs. They don't give two shits about the men, women, and children living on the planets under Caldari occupation. They're so involved in the issues of their own apparent immortality, they have completely forgotten the reason they joined the Defense Union in the first place. Or maybe they never had reasons beyond their hormonal bloodlust to begin with.
Regardless, everyday I'm waking up feeling more and more exhausted. I think I need a vacation.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Personal Log, 22.11.111
I saved a Federal politician today.
I didn't mean to. We had just secured the field after destroying an enemy ship. I had pulled alongside the enemy wreck, searching for any usable equipment amongst the wreckage, and before I knew it I was getting communications from my crew that Senator Bigshot was on board and wondering who to thank for his salvation.
I told him to answer in whatever way would shut the man up, as I really had no interest in talking to some self-promoting asshole.
An hour later the worthless bastard had managed to get a comm line with which to annoy me. It took me a couple moments to formulate a response. I don't think he appreciated me cutting him off, or disconnecting his communication systems seconds after telling him to shut the hell up. Of course I really don't care about his feelings.
Five minutes later the son of a bitch was back on the comm system, from the bridge. Apparently he had bullied his way up there, using his position as a senator to force my crewers to let him have access to places I sure as hell never authorized him to enter. I think he was trying to thank me, yell at me for cutting him off earlier, and convince me of how important he was all at the same time. I wasn't really listening so I can't be sure. I did come to a decision though. I concluded that he needed to learn a lesson.
I had him thrown in an airlock. That really irritated him. Threats, begging, bargaining; he ran the gambit of persuasion in less that five minutes. The inner lock was sealed, and I initiated a very slow leak of the air inside. I hoped he would begin to understand what the people in his jurisdiction were living with everyday. Alive, but wondering every moment if some faceless person would decide that instant was to be your last. I wanted him to learn the terror of having absolutely no control over his continued life, just like the people he was supposed to be serving felt.
He had gone very quiet by the time we pulled into dock in Villore. I knew he had not asphyxiated, because the oxygen levels were still well within safety limits; but I did wonder if he had maybe succumbed to cardiac arrest. The fat bastard did weigh 147kg after all. I can't say the issue worried me. It was rather, more of a curiosity.
I popped the outer lock as the ship was secured in the docking bay, and my crew rolled him out onto the deck to wait for the emergency crews that were on their way.... to what I had told them was a low priority call. We left before they had arrived.
Apparently one of my crewers had checked on his condition before we jumped out of the system. He informed me that the Honorable Shithead had simply fainted, and wet himself. And that brought a smile to my face.
I didn't mean to. We had just secured the field after destroying an enemy ship. I had pulled alongside the enemy wreck, searching for any usable equipment amongst the wreckage, and before I knew it I was getting communications from my crew that Senator Bigshot was on board and wondering who to thank for his salvation.
I told him to answer in whatever way would shut the man up, as I really had no interest in talking to some self-promoting asshole.
An hour later the worthless bastard had managed to get a comm line with which to annoy me. It took me a couple moments to formulate a response. I don't think he appreciated me cutting him off, or disconnecting his communication systems seconds after telling him to shut the hell up. Of course I really don't care about his feelings.
Five minutes later the son of a bitch was back on the comm system, from the bridge. Apparently he had bullied his way up there, using his position as a senator to force my crewers to let him have access to places I sure as hell never authorized him to enter. I think he was trying to thank me, yell at me for cutting him off earlier, and convince me of how important he was all at the same time. I wasn't really listening so I can't be sure. I did come to a decision though. I concluded that he needed to learn a lesson.
I had him thrown in an airlock. That really irritated him. Threats, begging, bargaining; he ran the gambit of persuasion in less that five minutes. The inner lock was sealed, and I initiated a very slow leak of the air inside. I hoped he would begin to understand what the people in his jurisdiction were living with everyday. Alive, but wondering every moment if some faceless person would decide that instant was to be your last. I wanted him to learn the terror of having absolutely no control over his continued life, just like the people he was supposed to be serving felt.
He had gone very quiet by the time we pulled into dock in Villore. I knew he had not asphyxiated, because the oxygen levels were still well within safety limits; but I did wonder if he had maybe succumbed to cardiac arrest. The fat bastard did weigh 147kg after all. I can't say the issue worried me. It was rather, more of a curiosity.
I popped the outer lock as the ship was secured in the docking bay, and my crew rolled him out onto the deck to wait for the emergency crews that were on their way.... to what I had told them was a low priority call. We left before they had arrived.
Apparently one of my crewers had checked on his condition before we jumped out of the system. He informed me that the Honorable Shithead had simply fainted, and wet himself. And that brought a smile to my face.
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