The Blood Stained Stars: Quality of Mercy (Part 1)

The handwritten letter felt like lead in my pocket as I returned to my Captain's quarters. The unrelenting door slid easily aside as I neared and closed effortlessly as well behind me. A quick message to the Nao Sisters updating them on the situation led to an onslaught of incoming messages from them, some messages congratulating me on the clone upgrade, others warnings of pending traps or scams, all of which I were expecting.

I called for my Drake to be prepared for launch and realized I had not re-fit the thing since moving here. Eglerin warned me to take a powerful ship; the Drake was probably the best I had at the moment. Putting my Pistol and the letter in the dry compartment of my pod, along with my clothes, I entered my Pod and boarded the Drake, then began a meticulous process of flying around to get the thing fitted and up to combat state. Once finished, I set my course for Arnon IX - Moon 3, where there was a Sisters of Eve station, and the recipient of the 'Important' letter.

The system seemed busy as I jumped in and warped to the station. Looking around, I noticed that my ship was probably the biggest, as most were flying frigates and destroyers. This system was close to what was referred to a 'Starting System' or a system which has the facilities to create Capsuleers and where most of them in the area originate from. Their current skills probably only allow them to fly what I see anyway.

I docked and exited my pod, dressing quickly and remembered to take the letter and my Parapistol, then headed to the door that still seemed to taunt me. It didn't open right away and I nearly slammed my face into it, then the lock disengaged and opened to a blindly lit hallway. This time, there was no escort and I was forced to look up the interior map of the station on my Neocom.

I spent most of my time on a moving sidewalk, staring down at a massive city like structure below me, mostly consisting of tall buildings and offices. This seemed to be a large Corporate office station for the SOE, and everything was very sharp, clean, and professional. I took a public transport to the main Security office and entered a tall building covered in reflective glass. The receptionist directed me to an elevator and advised to go to the top floor.

Once at the summit, The elevator door opened to a small lobby area and another receptionist dressed in a uniform, staring lazily at her terminal screen.

"Can I help you?" she mumbled.

"I'm here to see Sister Alitura." I said.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"I'm not sure." I said. Whether or not Eglerin had called to say I was coming was not confirmed.

"Name?"

"Sain Darkwing." I said. She typed on her keyboard and my file appeared on the screen. It took a few moments of her reading to notice that it said I was a Capsuleer.

"An Empryean? Here in station?!" she exclaimed, straightening up in her chair. Again, she seemed nervous just as Eglerin had been before. I know that being a Capsuleer held a sort of prestige among other people, a sort of celebrity status, if you will, but this was the first time I saw the effects of it first hand. It was a little embarrassing.

"Yes. I have a message I need to deliver."

"Why not just contact her from your ship as the other Capsuleer's do?" She asked. I produced the envelope and she eyed it curiously, "Ah, one moment." She pressed a button and spoke again, "Miss Alitura, I have Sain Darkwing to see you."

"Please patch him through." she flatly replied.

"No, I mean, He's here to see you. Personally." she added. There was a silence on the other end.

"He's here?"

"Right in front of me." The receptionist replied.

"Please send him in right away!" Alitura nearly shouted. The door beside the front desk slid open revealing a large office similar to Eglerin's, with the large window overlooking the front docking bay. I entered and she, at least got up to greet me at the door.

"Welcome. I am honored you would go out of your way to see me personally." she said, "But now is not a good time."

"I have a letter for you." I said, producing the envelope. She hesitated and snatched it from my hands then took a seat at her desk to read it over. Once finished, she sighed heavily.

"I ask for help, and they send me a capsuleer. You are a capsuleer, aren't you? An immortal pilot who subverts the rules of life and death, who shapes the fate of empires? You'll have to excuse my skepticism. I work with a humanitarian organization, the Sisters of EVE. I've seen your kind hasten the deaths of millions every day. You expect me to believe that you're different? To prove yourself, your actions will have to do the talking. We've just received a distress call from a ship called the Damsel, and you're the closest aid available right now. Get out there and save some lives. Prove to me you're not just another murderous liar with a god complex. With all the power at your disposal, you certainly could be a force for good. And one thing is certain: Good is in dire need of allies these days." she said, almost forcefully. I recoiled at her sudden demands and realized this was the trick. It was no 'love letter' as I had thought, but a request to take a mission for the SOE. I suppose Eglerin was afraid I would decline which was cause for subversion. Still, I did not take kindly to being played like this.

"Yes. I am a Capsuleer, and I understand that most people would think of us in that way. But I am different. I do give a shit about everyone and I do not disregard life as you claim I do." I snapped at her, "I wasn't told this would be a mission for you. All I was asked to do was deliver that letter and I have done so. But if you and your organization need help to save lives, all you had to do was ask."

"You didn't know what this letter was?" she asked, a smile formed on her face, "Eglerin is a sneaky bastard."

"You knew it was from him?" I ask.

"It's his handwriting. And he's the only one who would send a letter like this." she replied, "Please do what you can. Prove to me and all of us that there is some good left in some Empyrean's hearts."

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I remember the nervous look the Receptionist gave me as I left and finally realized the reputation that Capsuleers had among the general populace. It's understandable though, when one loses the fear of death, then life becomes less valued. I vowed to prove them wrong. Sister Alitura was right. I would need to prove myself through my actions as words are rarely trusted these days.

I approached the coordinates that she gave me and warped into a ship graveyard. 'The Damsel' was a mere wreck, along with several other battleships scattered around in pieces and drifting quietly in space. As I approached, I was contacted again by Alitura.

"It seems CONCORD was faster to respond, but your backup was definitely appreciated. There were a handful of survivors picked up. They‘ve been taken to various facilities in the area wherever vacancies could be found."

"I'm glad some could be saved, at least." I reply. My heart went to my throat as I slowly cruised around the wrecks, noting the twisted metal and several scorched bodies floating around. I sent my scan information back to Alitura and she replied a few minutes later.

"We got some interesting information out of your trip. It seems no one fired on the Damsel. Something must have happened inside the ship. We'd like you to track those survivors down, see if you can get any information about the ship's path, pilot, or cargo. We need to know what caused this disaster. CONCORD is the first logical step. I’ve gotten in touch with CONCORD Agent Tevis Jak, who may have information for you. His location is being uploaded to your NeoCom: he's currently acting as an ORE agent. Go see if you can find a piece of this puzzle."

"Roger." I replied. Time to head to Tar and find this CONCORD Agent. Something about this situation intrigued me. Maybe it was the mystery and drama surrounding it, but it kept me pressing on to follow this lead as far as it will take me. Reward was the last thing on my mind at this point. There were lives at risk here. I was determined to change people's minds about Capsuleers the best I can.

A Simple Request...

You see, Agents are people who give out missions, ask for help, and pay you for the work you do for them. They normally only interact with Capsuleers if they request work, otherwise, you sometimes forget they are available to you.

This one, is a little different...

I woke to the sound of a heart monitor behind my head and I tried to jump up, but invisible energy restraints held me down to what I assumed was a medical table. I distinctly remember going to sleep in my Captain's quarters, yet I was in a medical bay now, something I remember seeing only when my last clone was activated. Which, admittedly, I can't put a date on. It's been a while.

"You're awake." Came a voice, "Let me remove the restraints. I figured you would resist once you woke up, but my scans would be interrupted. Please remain still." I felt the pressure release from my wrists, feet and chest, but I remained still as her face appeared above me and I squinted to focus on her. A doctor, wearing the SOE symbolic pendant around her neck which was now hanging in my face.

"Who are you?" I asked, "What are you doing?"

"I was asked by Eglerin Lina to contact you. I knocked on your door last night but there was no answer." She said, "I had my nurses try your known associates' Quarters as well, but with the same result."

"You know that door doesn't open, right?" I advise her, "You never said your name yet either."

"I'm just one of the Doctor's here. That door is locked because of the clone you are using. It's old, for a clone."

"I haven't died in a while if that's what you mean." I said, confused.

"Yes. Newer clones can handle more hazardous environments. Slowly evolving from spending all your time in a pod, I suppose." she said, typing on a console. I only now noticed the tube in my arm, "I'm doing an 'upgrade' so to speak. As a favor."

"Favors rarely come free." I reply.

"It's an enticement to accept Mr. Lina's request." she said, "He wants to meet you about a mission."

"I thought Agents message Capsuleers directly?"

"If Capsuleers request a mission first. Plus, he wants someone he can trust."

"And how does he know I'm trustworthy?" I ask, feeling a slight tingle in my fingers. Her brow furrows and she adjusts something on her screen. The feeling subsided.

"He has ears. Heard you and your friends talking in a bar somewhere." She said, highly distracted by her screen, "Oh and he apologizes in regards to the way you were recruited. I'm sorry as well. It must be unnerving to wake up in a sickbay.

"I figured there must be a reason for it." I said relaxing a bit, "Still, it's mostly unnerving that you're messing with my body while I'm still in it."

"Don't worry, you're plugged in if something happens. We can just pull you out and into another clone if worst comes to worst." she said, "I figure you wouldn't want to just go pod yourself so this is more humane at least for the upgrade."

"This is true." I state. I finally notice the cable attached to the back of my head. I laid in awkward silence until she finished and I left the medical bay, meeting an escort who led me to a nearby door, then out to where a van was waiting. Moments later, I was driving down the streets in the interior of the station, heading towards the shipping docks, below the main hangar for Capsuleers. The van stopped and I got out, taking a breath of what may be the first unfiltered air this body has breathed in. I coughed sharply once, the escort seemed almost concerned, but I composed myself quickly and walked inside.

The Agent's office was rather large with a view of space outside, watching the ships come and go. His chair's back was to me as I entered, the escort leaving me and closing the door behind him.

"Sain Darkwing." he said. Eglerin Lina turned in his chair, a small bead of sweat glistened on his brow. He seemed nervous. Too nervous for this request to be legit.

"Yes." I said, "What did you want?"

"How are you enjoying your new found freedom? The station is bigger than you thought, right?" he asked. It wasn't warm at all in the room and now the bead of sweat was slowly rolling down his face. He ignored it.

"Yes, but please get to the point. What was your request?" I demand. Lina got very fidgety.

"Oh, um. I need a favor. Off the books." He stammered, "I want you to take a letter to a colleague of mine, Sister Alitura. Simple enough." My eyes narrowed significantly. I'm being tricked.

"A letter? As in a piece of paper with writing on it?" I ask suspiciously, "Can't you just message her?"

"Oh, no. A message would leave a log and can be traced back to me. This is low tech. untraceable." he said. I picked up the envelope he had slid across the table. and eyed it curiously, "Can you deliver it?"

"Is this illegal?" I ask the burning question. He quickly shakes his head, becoming very defensive.

"Oh, no, no,no, no, nothing of the sort!" he insisted, "I just don't want her to know it was me." I become suspicious again, a sneer on my face.

"It's not a love letter is it?" I ask, half joking. The man's face lit up.

"YES! Why yes it is!" he exclaimed, "I am absolutely smitten by her. She is all I think of! I can't get her out of my mind!" He laughed a little oddly, like a nervous laugh one would do when highly relieved. Still, I remained skeptical, "Oh, but don't open it. I'm very shy you see, and if someone else should read my innermost feelings toward my love, I would be embarrassed beyond belief! Can you do this poor, lovesick fool a simple favor?"

"Um, alright. Seems harmless enough." I agreed, putting the letter in my jacket pocket. The man seemed overjoyed as he ushered me out the door to the waiting escort.

"Thank you! Thank you! Oh, by the way, be sure to bring a powerful ship, alright? Something with lots of guns!"

"What? Why?" I stammer as the door closed behind me. The escort turned a slight shade of red as he was the only one left to explain his boss' last addition.

"Ah, I hear Ms. Alitura is rather , um, ornery." he muttered.

Knock, Knock, Who's there?

I feel like I've hit another period of stagnation. I've been going at it alone for a while now, mostly doing manufacturing, but lately I feel like I pod up and suddenly lose my will to even undock. I mean, I think I'm making money, yet I seem to spend it all on materials I need to build again, whether it's making me a profit or not, I don't know.

Manufacturing goes hand in hand with Trade and Marketing. I've tried the latter, however, mostly just selling in trade hubs which guarantee volume due to their nature, however, selling in a remote area seems alot more tricky. Things aren't selling well here, albeit very slowly. I suppose those who read my logs noticed the infrequency, again due to the lethargy and lack of motivation I feel. I need to do something different, perhaps.

I did try a mining op here in system with my corp recently. Things have changed from what I'm used to, but maybe a step in the wrong direction. Because of the security status, pirates have chosen this system to kill miners in before CONCORD has a chance to show up, so our corp has a policy to use either Procurer's or Skiffs in ops because of their increased tank. This is mostly as a precaution, but it does mean decreased yield and slower mining. Still, it's worth lowering my yield if it means I get to keep my ship. Even during our mining op, comms reported such an attack from a pirate, but because we were properly fitted and flying Skiffs, CONCORD was able to intervene before any of our ships were destroyed. Mining is different out here.

On the plus side, I'm able to make T2 frigates and ammo now. I made a few Prospects, the new T2 Venture for cloaky mining. I can't fly one yet, but I sold a few in Dodixie, and a couple in our local system, but I'm not sure it's the direction I want to go in. I think for now I'll focus on T2 ammo and drones. Maybe throw in some rigs as well. I'm trying to build the few T2 BPC's I have, but honestly, I kind of want to get back to T1 production and build from a stockpile of minerals. Something else I should really get.

On another note, I may have pointed out that my new HQ here in system is a Sisters of Eve station. They seem to be more of a Humanitarian group, by records have been a neutral party in most conflicts. I believe they run many search and rescue operations throughout New Eden, rescuing life pods of crew ejected from exploding capsuleer ships and the like. They also do much scientific study, while being deeply religious as well, a concept I find a tad but contradictory. Docked in one of their stations, it's rather quiet, spare for the random returning vessel and extensive medical facilities. Again, the captain's quarters for Capsuleers are segregated from the rest of the station, by the mocking, immovable door that never opens.

I was intrigued before about this door. The only access I had to most stations were to my Quarters and the Bar or Mess hall. However, when I approach a certain door in my Quarters, I get a message from the Neocom saying the air is not yet suitable for capsuleer consumption. I know my access to stations are severely limited and I assume these doors lead to the rest of this massive structure. However, every station I'm in has one of these doors, and eventually, my curiosity waned and I lost interest.

Last night, I sat on my couch and watched the news. Reports of sleeper activity increasing and behavioral patterns changing from the SOE were released. I heard that Chadrick had moved into a wormhole to go after these sleepers and I wondered how he was doing. I was about to turn off the monitor when a sharp rap on the inaccessible door made me jump.

I hesitated, thinking I was hearing something or the sound was structural, like the heating and cooling of metal, expanding and contracting, so I ignored it.

Again three sharp raps on the door.

This time I got up and approached it. Who even knocks on a door these days anyway? All doors have chimes activated by a button. Why is someone knocking on a door they know can't be opened?

"Who is there?" I called through the door. No answer. The knocking stopped as well. I could hear nothing from the other side. My Neocom lit up with messages from both Maya and Amalea who were still in station. Someone was knocking on their special doors as well at the same time.

I stood there for another 10 minutes, even going as far as pressing my ear to the door. Again it refused to open as I tried to unlock it. The knocking stopped as well, as did it with the girls. I suggested to just go to sleep and forget about it. If it were important. they could get an agent to contact us with whatever they need. Feeling uneasy, I went to bed wondering who it was.