Null in Void .02

Gallente Prime - Villore

Emilien was waiting patiently outside the boardroom, he looked at the guard and noticed the sideways glance. “What are you looking at.” he hissed. “You a capsuleer?” “Maybe.” The guard did not follow up the question. The door slid open and a neatly groomed secretary beckoned at him. “Mr Justeu is ready for you.” “Thank you sweetheart.” He brushed past her sticking an evil grin right in her face, she gagged. “Welcome Mr Emilien I hope you had a good trip.” The banking CEO greeted with outstretched arms. “Nice suit, I always have good trips. Is it very expensive?” “More than you know.” The CEO smugly responded while opening a cabinet containing various flasks filled with different hues of alcohol. “I know quite a lot.” Emilien licked his lips and accepted the drink without hesitation. “I always thought that you capsuleers were very paranoid about accepting drinks.” The spacer swallowed the strong fluid and smiled. “I have a clone ready. And an implant that links me directly to my pod. Don't think that if I have to wake up in a fresh body that I would’nt remember this place, including your mug.” The banker nodded in amusement. “Excellent, excellent. The reason we contacted you Mr Emilien, is because we are in business...” The capsuleer promptly helped himself to a second glass of... whatever alcohol it was, anticipating a speech and a job description. “the business of war. Currently we are supplying arms to the Gallente fleet, who are at war with the Amarr Empire. The Amarr are for the most part, boycotting our factories... which is a shame really, but understandable. The Caldari are supporting our enemy logistically yet have not joined them in active combat. The capsuleer seemed marginally interested in the monologue, the banker continued with his rehearsed proposal. We are trying to coax Minmatar aggression, but they have occupied themselves in... other endeavours and don't seem as willing as usual to assault Amarr space.” The capsuleer frowned and feigned curiosity. “Why would that be?” He interjected. “We are not sure... don't interrupt me, you break my train of thought.” The banker lied and it did not escape the capsuleer's attention. “Continue by all means.” He waved a bottle at the director. “If we get the upper hand in this war we could control vital Amarr territories, the profits our company could absorb from the moons and planets would be virtually tax free and help to continue fund the war effort...” Emilien cut him off. “I watch your news propaganda...” Emilien slowly sat upright and uncannily acted like a popular Gallente news anchor. “Breaking news. The Amarr Empire are allegedly oppressing... slaves, it is reported that the war has driven them to desperation and are driving their labour forces harder than what is... morally justifiable. Any petitions made or pleas for leniency, no matter how trivial is met with... corporal punishment. We must be vocal about their plight and continue to call for their... freedom and liberty. You are with The Report. See you next time, Peace.” The capsuleer mockingly mimics the patriotic news anchor's monotone while folding up and shifting around imaginary papers. Justeu frowned. Emilien slouched back into his chair. “What would you have me do boss?” The banker remained silent for a moment then opened comms to an unknown man whose face was not visible but in similar costly apparel. “I am not sure about the character of Mr Emilien, should we not rather employ one of our own for this contract.” “There is no one else with the expertise and or reputation required for this mission and he has no prior connections with our corp. Justeu, just hire the man and stop whining like a little bitch! I don't need this type of crap. This was prearranged, irrespective of your opinions. We make the decisions and you explain to the people what we require of them. So explain to the space clone what we need him to do and how much we are going to pay him for it!” The silence was awkward. “Yes sir.” The banker was keeping good composure under the circumstances. The comms line closed and Emilien was grinning like an idiot. “How much are you going to pay me?” “Don't you want to know details of the job concerned?” “No. Just show me the figures in Isk.” The director handed him a pad. Emilien looked at the glowing screen and smiled again. “I accept this mission.” He glanced over his shoulder at the secretary who was quietly recording the conversation, and said. “Doing anything tonight sweetheart?” She grimaced. Emilien stood up, “Justeu, I have to go, need to prepare for whatever it is you corporation billionaires are going to make me do.” “Don't you want to know the details?” “Send the info to my pod.” “It is sensitive information.” Emilien pointed his index finger at Justeu who looked dismayed for the first time. “I have a secure line... Bitch.”
The capsuleer walked out of the room stopped, looked back grinning an impossibly large grin, winked at the lady and blew her a kiss. “See you later sweetheart.” The door slid closed.

Moro III

Cleolia was summoned to the study by her husband late at night. In a nightgown she entered the door to see him staring down at a large data pad. “When did we start using electronics?” She questioned with puzzled amusement. “Since we started using extractors.” Cleolia gasped. Domitius pointed towards the pad which displayed a geographical map of Moro III. He pulled the image to the latitude and longitude of the colony. “Do you remember when we came here the first time, just you and me alone?” Domitius seemed to reminisce romantically. “Of course, it is impossible to forget.” Cleolia smiled appreciatively. “Can you show me on the map where we landed and where we camped?” She put her hand on the data pad, swiped the image down and the reading north about three hundred kilometres from the colony to stop at the meandering river. With her thumb and index finger she zoomed to the precise location. “And do you remember where I scanned those geo samples?” She pulled the image east slowly until she thought that the contours looked familiar. “Here I think.” Was her uncertain reply. “That is correct. My love, listen to me, the composition of that rock cannot be penetrated by standard tier scanners. Some months after we left the planet I contracted a capsuleer to tunnel and excavate into that cliff.” “Why?” “Inside the cavern he assembled two shuttles. The twins are each fitted for speed... with shields, cloaks and warp stabilisers.” “Why are you telling me this?” Cleolia became worried. “I originally planned to be able to evacuate the whole colony, slaves included. We knew very little about the planet and I had to plan for a possible emergency. Natural disasters, plagues, novas, atmospheric anomalies, slave revolt, military invasion...” He trailed off. “Nevertheless, it is a very extensive list of possible risks we might have faced. But the colony has expanded far beyond the capacity of these ships. I share this information with you only as a precaution... We must protect our son.” Cleolia noticed his bloodshot eyes.
“Who else knows of this?” “Myself, Father Ecknard and now you.” “You are tired my love. Come to bed.” Domitius wearily obeyed.