I stirred somewhere unfamiliar but yet familiar, somewhere comfortable but not comfortable. I was warm but also cold at the same time, and I suddenly remembered I always hated this…. whatever it was.

Voices echoed in my head as everything span around and around and around;
“Dude she’s hot”
Some snickering ensued followed by a slightly embarresed “Yeah”
“And she’s… uh… got no clothes on”
Footsteps approached in the distance, somewhere, to the left maybe, or was it the right
A slightly formal yet conducted voice interrupted the two “I think you two jerks better get and do what you’re paid for, souldn’t you?”
Various snorting and grunting sounds ensued, as my eyes began to flick open and saw them standing over me. My initial reaction was to reach for my sidearm, which I realised was a wasted gesture as soon as my hand met my slimy wet thigh. I sighed. He would have looked much better with a hole between his eyes, at least if I could shoot straight anyway.
“You two fecks don’t have the slightest idea, do you?” said the disembodied voice.
Again sniggering and somewhat immature giggling ensured “Uh, no, not really…”
“Then I suggest you get the fuck out of here and leave this to me, really, one day you’ll thank me for it – although I’m not sure civilisation will” as they plodded off into the distance.
“Please, allow me Ma’am” came that disembodied voice again as I was helped/hauled to my feet.
“Wh.. wha.. what happened?” I managed to splurt out, as I looked around the room bath in the Gallente greeny blue glow and reacted with somewhat horror.
Sensing my discomfort and handing me a pristine white dressing gown, which I quickly got into and pushed my hair back over my head attempting to look as presentable as possible. “There was a, shall we say, technical error, with your pod Ma’am?”
I finished tying the cords and looked him straight in the eye, tilting my head slightly “Technical error?” I said sternly, and then repeated again “Technical error?”
“Yes Ma’am” he replied clearing his throat. “You’re aboard the CeoDron station, near the boarder, in metropolis. During your last combat, your ship was critically damamge and well, uh, you died…. but… em, you shouldn’t have, a slight technical error Ma’am” he said looking uncomfortable.
My senses started to come to once again and I shook the cobwebs from my head. “I know this is a stupid question, but tell me… how long was I out” I said in an expectent yet hopeful voice. There was a slight cough and he cleared his throat and shuffled somewhat uncomfortably “About 3 months Ma’am”.
“Three months!” I replied in disbelief. “Three damn months!” I said again almost open mouthed. “What the hell do I pay you people for?”
“Well technically Ma’am… you don’t” he replied trying to be as polite as possible. I scoffed and said “Well, you and yours got… yours… didn’t they?”. “We’re very well provided for, thank you Ma’am”

I smiled at him. He was a middle aged gentleman, and that was rare these days – to find a gentleman. He filled his uniform slightly too well, but it worked on him. “In that case, the first round at the bar is on you” I quipped. “I’ll just get my jac..ke..et” as I stumbled to a halt. Turning towards him and smiling I said “I don’t suppose you know any fresh faced academics from Kosigo.. do you?”. He cleared his throat again and looked around shiftly “As a matter of fact Ma’am… I do”.
I smiled again and extented my hand to him “Call me Alia, but the first drink is still on you” I finished.

Yes, I have my pc back and the eve client is downloading as I type over my shoddy copper wire internet connection. So, with any luck, I should be back sometime between now and 2014 when the download finishes. Although whenever I make a concerted effort to get back into the swing of things my real life seems to slap me across the face and say “No”. I’m still rather busy with work, expecting another addition to the familiy but I hope to see you real soon.

Alia. o/