I was browsing the market when the call came in, although I couldn’t really be bothered to speak to anyone at the moment. Whoever they were though, they were persistent and didn’t give up easily. Eventually the blinking “incoming message” light and annoying alert got the better of me and I accepted.

Not recognising the person on screen, I abruptly answered with just a “Yes?”. The originator wasn’t put off and seemed in a chirpy, happy mood. I scowled slightly. “Good morning Ma’am” she greeted “I came across your details in my file and….”. I cut her off mid sentence and interjected “Whatever it is you’re selling, I’m not buying” and went to hit the disconnect button. “Oh no! Wait!” she exclaimed “I’m calling from Fl…”. I interjected again “Listen, I don’t know who gave you my details or what you want but I’m really not in the mood and frankly I don’t have the time.”

Reaching across for the disconnect again she bellowed “Flash sent me!”. My hand stopped in mid air and I slowly looked her over with a smile spreading across my face “Well, why didn’t you say so” I said in a much better mood.

“I did try Ma’am, but you were rather….” again before she could finish her sentence I completed it for her “Grumpy!? Yes, I always am in the mornings, sorry”. She continued her conversation, which was actually rather one sided since I couldn’t get a word in sideways after that. She was Flash’s “secretary” and I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself knowing what that mischievous pilot was like. The long and short of it was that he wanted to see me, and figured the best place might be in the Independence bar – which suited me just fine.

At the designated time I walked through the double sliding doors. The air hung thick with cigar smoke, people huddled around tables playing cards, drinking and muttering to each other in the dimly lit atmosphere. It made a perfect place for discussions and planning. “Oh hi there Alia” said the bartender who knew me pretty well after all this time. I just smiled and winked at him “He’s out back, is he?” I asked. “Yeah”. I made for the back of the bar behind a semi partitioned area. This was the private area where none of the riff-raff were allowed, a personal space. It still had the same dim lighting and was filled with smoke.

I was about to step through when two burly Brutors blocked my path. “Can I help you two esteemed gentlemen?” I said in a sarcastic tone. “You’re not going in there” one of them grunted. “He is expecting me you know” I protested. They looked at each other and snickered slightly, which only served to infuriate me. I didn’t want to cause any trouble in Flash’s haven, and it was strictly forbidden by the bar rules and etiquette “Don’t you know who I am?” I raged. “We don’t care if you’re Tiberius Heth, you’re still not going in there with that”.

“With what?” I exclaimed! One of them extended his arm and pointed to my pistol, which was strapped to my thigh in a holster and grunted “That!”. I looked down at it, and then back at them “You don’t seriously think I’m going to…” but before I could finish he said “It’s the rules, no exceptions”.

“Very well” I sighed. I reached down towards the pistol and unclipped the holding strap keeping it in place securely, the popper opened with a slight “pop”. They were alert and ready for any trouble, you could see the change in their stance but I wasn’t here for trouble. After un-clipping the popper I raised my right hand into the air, making it very difficult for me to get hold of it again and stood still. One of them stepped forward and reached to the holster and removed the pistol.

“Careful with that!” I snapped. “It’s an antique”. After taking it from me they looked at it and snickered again. “You two boneheads don’t even know why I carry it, do you?”. Suddenly the smiles were wiped from their faces and they shook their heads. “Well, did you hear any alarms, sensors or alerts go off? No, no you didn’t”. The reason I carried this antiquated weapon was simple – because it was very hard to detect unless you were visually looking for it. It didn’t have an energy pack, a hybrid charge or any advanced form of projectiles. It was plain, simple and still did the job using old fashioned gun power and cordite – which no one bothered to scan for these days since it was so outdated. I shoved through the pair of them exclaiming “I’ll be back for that later”.

He was sat in the back corner, laid back against a chair with his feet on another. Occasionally putting down one data pad and picking up another, taking a puff on his cigar or a swig from his drink. Waiting I wondered if he’d notice me since he seemed pretty engrossed after a while he did “Hey there, thanks for coming” he said as he rose to his feet and pulled out a chair for me. “Thanks for inviting me” I replied as I looked up at the tall well build Brutor who towered above me. Shaking my hand enthusiastically he beckoned for me to sit down on the chair he provided, which I did and he also took a seat.

“Drink?” he asked. “Usually excessively, but I’ll just have a coffee today thanks”. He pressed a button on the table and spoke “Coffee please”.

“Well then” he said looking me over “You wanted in?”

I nodded but didn’t speak, just an “mmmm hmmm” escaped my mouth.

We’d known each other for a couple of years maybe, along with a few other people here and there. I’d flown with him countless times, and many of his crew. Even so, no favours or special treatment would be granted – and none were expected either. There was a rigorous trial period where you were evaluated, and after which were either accepted, declined or extended.

“Well” continued the Brutor with his shades still rested atop of his head “I’ve discussed it with others, the directors and so on” I nodded, listening intently and focused on each word. “I’m sorry to say….”

My face must have fallen and he obviously saw that and a loud bellowing laugh echoed around “… that we’ve decided to accept you!”. I shrieked with delight “Really?”. “Really” he said firmly.

Standing up, he extended his hand to me. I took it and he gave me a vigorous handshake, which was actually rather tight but I didn’t flinch or look uncomfortable. “Congratulations” he said, also giving me a hearty slap on the back nearly knocking me over. Jesus, did these Brutors not realise how strong they actually were? Probably not.

“There’s one last” he cleared his throat “thing we need to attend to”. Handing me one of the data pads that had been on the table and said “You’ll need to review these company terms and conditions, and sign it”.

I nodded once again and started reading. Slowly taking a seat and taking a sip of my coffee which had just arrived I continued reading the terms and loyalty pledge. Once finished I looked back up at him, he was sat there waiting with a large grin “Think you can work with that?” he said. I nodded in affirmation “Sure, not a problem at all” I replied signing my name at the same time and handing the pad back.

“Great, well welcome aboard once again. I’ve got a few things I need to attend to now, but finish your coffee by all means” and with that he headed out. Stopped on the way by his two bouncers who had obviously started to question him about my pistol, seems they were actually confused about how to unload it. I watched with interest as he took the pistol, flicked the safety on, ejected the magazine, and pulled back the barrel unloading the round in the chamber. I smiled, and the bouncers nodded in understanding – obviously this wasn’t exactly modern technology.

He called back “Oh yeah, I’ll see you at the next op” and strolled out of the bar. I finished my coffee and walked out, standing by the bouncers I just held my hand out for them to return the pistol which was delicately returned a few seconds later. “Thank you boys” I said as I strolled out of the bar.

With that, I was a fully fledged member of The Bastards and loving every minute of it.

The Bastards

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/

((Longest post ever, sorry lol. Well, it fits into the experience so I hope it’s not too much of a trauma to read))

“The firewall has been penetrated Ma’am” said my bridge engineer.  “What!?” I exclaimed somewhat confused as the light changed from a pale green to a pale red to indicate the status of our situation.

“Weapons systems are offline, Ma’am” he continued.  Via the neural interface between pod and ship I attempted to lock our assailants.  “Inject some scripts into the locking subroutines” I barked.  “Aye Ma’am” he replied.

Their jamming had shut down our offensive capabilities meaning we weren’t even able to resolve a weapons lock on their ship, let alone fire.  “Scripts are active” he bellowed a few seconds later.  I attempted to lock again but the jamming was far too much for a small Minmatar frigate to overcome, a Caldari one… maybe…

Aiming in the general direction of our nearest attacker, I fired blind without a lock.  Projectiles streaked across the dark sky, hurtling in all directions, expect where I wished them.  “Fuck!” I cursed, attempting to compensate.  The crew exchanged worried looks, either from my temper or our situation.

Plotting a course to the nearest gate took just nanoseconds via the pod/ship interface.  We accelerated and started to align.  “Lets get out of here, we’re out-gunned and outmatched” I said.  The ship buffeted under weapons fire – not enough to take out the shields totally, but enough to punch a temporary hole.

“The port warp engine is off-line Ma’am” shouted the bridge engineer again across the vastness, well it seemed like vastness anyway.  I didn’t fancy their positions, being actual crew members, without pods.  Hell, some of them didn’t even have clones.  Still, everyone would get out – or we’d die trying.  The impact had delayed our warp by a few seconds, as we’d need to re-align and prepare again.

Contact sensors lit up throughout my view as two more ships de-cloaked.  An almost instant lock was resolved.  Damn they were good.  Moments later our newly arrived friends had shut down our engines – both warp and standard.  We couldn’t run, and we couldn’t move.

I scanned the various interfaces. Comms – down. Engines – down. Weapons – down. Shields – Penetrated. Armour – intact.  We weren’t getting out of this with armour and no weapons.

A flickering comms channel got my attention.  It was one of the ships requesting to talk with me, with me?  The ex-”me”.  How the hell did they know who I was. Nobody knew.

Before I had chance to accept or decline, the conversations opened on all screens and channels.  Including my pod, the bridge, and various others around the small rickety ship.  “Miss Xi” the voice exclaimed across the open comms relay – everyone could hear.  A few nervous glances were exchanged about the bridge, and I dare say about the rest of the ship.

Stalling for a moment, all I could manage as a reroute was “Who?”.

“Alia Xi. You will disengage and cease all hostile actions. Lower your shields, and prepare to be towed aboard.”

Cursing I tried to compensate for the fluctuations in our warp core and get us moving again.  “I said stop girl!” the voice came through again.  Rolling my eyes, I gave up but also with a sudden awareness of his tone, his speech pattern.

“Very well” I replied.  “You appear to have the advantage on me”.

My mind racing, console screens scrolling as I processed the data directly from the ships interface and my vision.  Maybe there was an option.

“We will comply, lowering shields” I transmitted.  A split second after our shields were off-line several tractor beams lanced out from various ships.  Some pushing, some pulling.  We were slowly directed into the cargo bay of one of the Ravens.  Their weapons locks still resolved on us, while the Drakes just hovered menacingly in dark space.  Now and then, several Merlins would fly – obviously on patrol and intercept for any unwelcome guests – and to pinpoint the targets for these hard hitting monsters.

“You!” I snapped to one of the bridge crew.  “Eject the ammo from all magazines, collect the surplus in the stores and pile it all up in the main bay!”.  He shot me a quizzical and slightly confused look.  “NOW!” I yelled.  He ran with fear in his eyes.  “And get as much help as you need” I bellowed after him.

“Two minutes until we’re docked Ma’am” said the tactical officer.  “Very well” I sighed.  Knowing I wasn’t go anywhere, even in my pod I made my exit.  I sat, suspended, motionless as the neural interfaces were detached from my body.  Finally I was no longer one with the ship.

Opening the pod, I climbed out.  It wasn’t all the dignified, but I’m sure they’d seen it all before, or at least I’d hoped so.  Getting onto the deck I heard weapons fire in the distance, down the corridors.  The few crew of the frigate attempting to defend and repel the intruders.  I stood on the bridge naked, covered in oozing gel, dripping from all parts of me.  My hair, somewhat messy, but also somewhat “workable” in that state.

Grabbing the nearest comms unit, I said “Stand down, no further weapons fire.”  Moments later his voice boomed throughout the ship, and docking bay “A wise choice, listen to your captain – or die”.  Gradually the fighting died out.

“Get me my clothes” I said to someone, anyone.  They arrived from the storage locker, delivered by someone.  I wasn’t really paying attention.  I pulled on my pants, and quickly shouldered my jacket. I was covered, this would do for now.

There he was, large as life. Pompous and flanked by heavily armed Caldari Navy guards.  Thankfully I was dressed, there’d been enough freebies so far.

“Alia Xi” he said… I quickly replied “I don’t know who you’re talking about, we’re a small-” he stopped me off mid sentence.  “Cut the shit, little Miss”.  I tilted my head slightly with a pensive expression… again, he sounded somewhat familiar.

My stance, my expression, my mannerisms and my words were that of a Caldari – which I was. Nothing could hide that, no matter how hard I tried. I may have well as stuck “FAKE” on my forehead”, because it was obvious.  My shoulders slumped.

“Yes, I thought so” he said.  Finishing his words, one of his guards quickly interrupted “Permission to speak Sir”.  “Granted” he replied in a dismissive and couldn’t-care-less attitude.  “We have the crew rounded up Sir, shall we transfer them to prisoners quarters?”

“No” he replied coldly.  “Execute them, all of them”.

I took a step forward, rage coursing through my body and screamed unrepeatable obscenities at him.  He flinched, I smirked.  His guards aimed.  I stepped back, and calmed myself.

I looked at each of them, carefully, from head to toe.  Their uniforms were not quite up to scratch – but none of the Caldari were.  It was all on a budget, maximum efficiency, minimum cost.  These guys had been in the comfortable service of “him” for far too long.  Two of them, maybe, but I couldn’t take six of them.  They were itching for combat too, you could see it in their stance, their eyes, their fingers hovering over the triggers.

Him.. the arrogant bastard knew it too.  He knew any movement toward him meant I would be dead before I’d taken a single step.

Attempting to lighten the moment I said “So, how are you finding the ship, nice hmmm?”.  He snorted.  “About the crew…” I continued.  “What about them?” He replied.

“Let them go”
“No”
“Why?”
“Because, they are the only thing keeping you alive”
“You think?”
“I know”
“What do you know?”
“You”
“Do y-” he cut me off again.
“Yes, I know that if I didn’t have guns to your crews head you would already be dead.  You see, my guards would have shot you minutes ago.”
“Really, how so?”
“You’d have tried to kill me – again” he said.  Again, something hitting me like a physical strike, but it wasn’t. 

He could see the confusion of my face, I’m sure it was obvious.  Bursting into laughter he said “Come with me Alia, come with me little miss”.  Now I was confused.

“The crew will be safe?” I asked before continuing.  “Yes, yes, yes” he said.  “I really meant them no harm, but I had to be sure….”  he finished.  “They will be given standard prison cells, and standard prisoner food”.

“Poor bastards” I retorted.  Which was followed by bellowing laughter and some smirks and snickers from his personal guard.

“Come” he said, in an all together friendly… and familiar voice.

We wandered through what seemed to be endless corridors of the battleship, even I was lost by now – or maybe that was the intention.  “Do they go everywhere with you?” I asked, referring to his personal guard.

“Mostly, yes” he replied dismissively. 

“Do you get them to hold your dick for you in the toilet too?” I quickly finished my sentence with a mocking “Sir”.  “Watch yourself little Miss, you don’t know when to stop, do you?” he said without breaking pace as we continued down the corridors.

Finally, we were there.  His quarters.  Just as well, I’d had enough of walking down the dowdy grey corridors of the Caldari battleship.  At least the Gallente had some style, some taste, some thirst for comfort, unlike these mindless automatons that followed – no matter the cost.

Stepping inside, it was totally different.  “No one gets in” he said to his personal guard.  Who effectively sealed the door with their bulk “Yes Sir”.

“So this is how the other half live, huh?” I questioned mockingly.  “Well, once you have done your duty to the state you can enjoy the…. finer things in life” he said softly, but also acknowledging the hypocrisy of it all, albeit subtlety and probably inadvertently.

“Drink?” he said rhetorically.
I just shot him a look as if to say “Don’t be so fucking stupid” – although I was hardly in a position to say it out loud.
He laughed, understanding fully “Why oh why did I even ask you that Alia” he said chuckling.

“Why do you keep calling me that?” I snapped.  Half in pretence, half in anger at what I’d lost.  He walked up to me slowly, unbuttoning his jacket and handing me a drink.  “Because it’s you Alia, little Miss”.

Again I looked slightly confused, but also comforted by his words, his tone.  The plush room, the comfortable sofas, the live plants and interior décor were more of a Gallente ship, but only one holding such high office as he could expect this from the Caldari state.

“You…. know who I am?  You…. know me?” I ventured.  “Yes, I know you – better than yourself it seems girl”.  I was astounded… I would have beaten any man that talked to me in such a way, but I found myself unable and unwilling to this gentle old soul.  “Gentle old soul” I muttered.  “What was that?” He said.

“Oh, nothing” I replied quickly, thinking I must be going soft, or stupid, or both.

“Yes girl, I know who you are – and did you really think you did a good job with that botched escape attempt, hmmm?” he quizzed.  “It, it, it… wasn’t my doing I stammered. My XO” I stopped, unable to finish my sentence.

He laughed again “You always did have a way of getting yourself in over your head, it’s just as well there are ‘interested parties’ overlooking you”.  “What!?!” I exclaimed.  In both shock and surprise of this past knowledge and the fact of these so-called “interested parties.”

“You didn’t think you did it all by yourself, did you?” he said softly.  Throwing back the rest of my drink, and shuddering as the fine liquid burned slightly in the back of my throat in the plush room I replied in a somewhat husky voice “Well, actually, yes. I did”.

“Your arrogance knows no bounds” he said patting the side of my face gently.  With that he turned 180 degrees, and walked to the other side of the room.  The Caldari military discipline still engrained in him as he smartly turned and marched.

“I have something for you” he said.  “Another drink, I hope”.  “No” he replied, there are things to attend to now girl.  The pleasantries are over, and we have work to do, and little time.  “Hold out your hand” he said firmly.  I found myself already holding it out before I’d realised what I’d done.

“What is it?” I said looking at the thin piece of brown fibre strand in my hand.  “Hair” he said.
“Oh goody, maybe I can have a few thousand more of these and then I might just have enough for some extensions” I said mockingly.

“But not just anyone’s hair, Alia. Your hair” he said.  “Your hair” he replied, slowly, re-iterating.

“Uh-huh, and what exactly am I supposed to do with this?” I asked.  “It’s not for you, it’s for us” he continued.  “Whilst your XO botched the escape, he did do one thing right – which is persevered your mind, yourself, your essence.  That’s better than nothing, thankfully we still have ‘you’.”

I listened carefully, for what seemed an eternity as he schpeeled off technical jargon, operations, covert ops and so forth – taking a drink in the process, he didn’t seem to notice as he was too wrapped up in his ramblings.

“So you’re ready and agreed then?”
“To what?”
He laughed again.  “See, I wanted to know if you were paying attention – you always had a habit of ‘tuning out’ after a while – and it seems you did.”

“The short of it is this;  We have some modified jump clone technology.  This will allow us to take your present body, your present consciousness and transfer it back into your original”.  “But my clones, they were all destroyed” I said somewhat dismayed.

“Yes, yes, that they were.  However our liberal Gallente friends didn’t take substantial precautions to oversee all matters”.

Do you remember?
What?
Your “execution”?
“Somewhat” I replied.
“What were your last memories in your old body” he asked softly.

“I, I remember that bastard admiral, striking my face.  I remember the soldiers attaching me to the shelves, against the wall”.  He nodded.  “After that, I just remember… I remember my XO, a pain in my neck and then waking up in a rifter, here, in this body”.

“Do you know what happened?”
I shook my head, bewildered.

The laboratory in which this took place, was purged.  All contents inside were destroyed – living, or manufactured.  A precaution, to prevent viruses, biological warfare agents and other such man-made nasties from escaping.”

“Yes, I remember burning now” I said somewhat distressed.  He nodded somewhat sympathetically.  No doubt he’d been killed a few times in his service – it never got any easier.  Maybe less so, and your hatred to those only grew.

“The technician, who sealed the room, who purged it was…..”
“Was who? Was what?” I asked.
“… was cautious, was smart, was one of ours” he seemed to be hiding something, but I didn’t know what.

“He preserved that.  You see, they used external employment – like they did for their shipyards in Luminare.  Where did that get them? Hundreds of stolen battleships.  Again, where did this get them?”

I shook my head.  “Nowhere” he said.  “For their mistake shall be our victory, their loss shall be our gain.  Their carelessness shall be our luck.  Their pain, will be your doing”.

“I’m, just a.. trader” I stuttered.  That laugh, again, echoed around the plush room this time bellowing as he threw his head back.  “You’re a pirate little Miss, you always have been, and you always will be – you’ll never change!”.

I sighed, and grabbed the bottle of fine liquor on his pristine glass table and opened my mouth, pouring it in with wreckless abandon.  I shrugged, “Yes, I guess so… so what now?”

“Are you ready?” he replied
“For?” I said, cheekily taking another swing and slamming it down on the table, almost putting the bottle through the glass.
“Lets just call it one last journey, although they don’t recommend taking it after drinking as much as you – although I’m sure it won’t bother you in the slightest” he said, finishing with a wry smile.

Walking to his quarter doors and pressing the release button, they slid back slowly.  The dowdy outside corridor almost fighting to get inside, but repelled almost by the overpowering strength of his personal guard.  They carried a weight in themselves, as for his….

They snapped smartly to attention as the doors finished reclining.  He strolled out, almost as if a protective atmosphere, a shield guarded him  – which in effect it did.  His persona, his guards, totally loyal almost acted as a magnet repelling all in their path.

Corridors and corridors later we were there.  He walked, carrying the hair sample with almost majesty, like a sacred item. Both hands extended in front of him, laying across them, the container holding it.  Flanked by guards to the front, guards to the left and right, and guards behind he cut a path through the crew and people in the way – who quickly pressed themselves against walls to make way.

I followed a few steps behind his rear-guard, flanked myself, I glanced over my shoulder and saw another who just gave a cheeky smile and winked – most unlike a Caldari.

We arrived and I saw them, the lifeless shapeless clones.. half formed, half ready.  A mind could not live in them – not for long anyway.  The flesh had not taken a form, a shape.  Technicians hurried about as he entered.  “Are we ready?” he asked, his voice cutting through the room.  “Yes, yes, I think so Sir” one of them replied.

“Either we are, or we are not – which is it?” he demanded
“Ready Sir” the chief technician replied.
“Take this – and be very, very careful with it” he snapped, handing the sample to the tech.  Two of the guards retraining their weapons on the tech.  “You know what happens if you’re not?”.  The white coated man simply nodded slowly and uttered “Sir” softly.

The sample was loaded into a machine and analysed.  “Alia Xi… DNA sample confirmed… Loading helix… Processing…” scrolled across various screens.  “Downloading pattern sequences…. Strands loaded”.

“Where did you…” he cut me off.  “Ssshhh, doesn’t matter”.
“But I thought that clones needed a…” he shot me a look and I stopped dead and buttoned my mouth.  Jump clone technology worked provided you HAD a clone to jump into.  To create these clones required and existing body to make the clone from.  What was happening here was….

“Applying Deoxyribonucleic acid chains to recipients…. Chains accepted, recipient formation started and in progress….”

I paced, how long had it been?  I really wanted a shower, my hair was matted from the goo still after ejecting from my pod.  I felt dirty.

The soft computer voice suddenly announced “Recipients deoxyribonucleic acid chain formation – completed”.  The room shook and the contents, including people and items either fell to the floor or stumbled across it.  A second later the klaxon sounded and the lights dimmed.  I knew this all too well, we were under attack.

The loud-speaker activated to alert the crew “Incoming Federation Battleships, action stations! Report to combat stations”.  My stomach churned.  Caldari ships were certainly formidable – when their shields were up!  It took a lot of power to maintain an active barrier, so they were dropped during non-combat situations – a sneak attack was the worst kind.

He raced to the nearest console.  “Pilot reports shields are going up, but we’ve taken armour damage sir”.  “Divert all power to shie-”  The loud speaker  echoed across the room again “Federation ships launching drones – priority intercept for frigates.”

Another salvo of rail gun fire hit the half charged shields, which were enough to take the edge of it but not enough to stop it puntching into the paper-thin armour.  “You!” he barked to one of his guards, “Stay with her – make sure it’s done” pointing at me.  “I’ll be on the bridge”.

The wireless communication between the pod pilots of the battleships, crews and fighters was clear for all to hear.  “Target the Federation lead ship, salvo fire explosive missiles”.  They by-passed the drones, slamming into the Gallente battleship knocking it’s shields out immediately and biting into amour.  “Maintain maximum fire”.

“Miss, please come with me” said my guardian.  I looked at the tech, “Is this safe, under these circumstances?” I asked.  There was neither a confirmation or denial.  “Miss, quickly please.  I have my orders” said the man clad with weapons and ablative amour.

I walked towards one of the containers, ready to be filled with the sustaining fluid that kept clones – and copies alive.  “Um, you’ll need to take those off he said” awkwardly pointing to my clothes.  “Yeah yeah, I know the drill” I replied.

“Federation drones have disabled all fighters able to intercept”.

Where there were five ready accepting “clones” now there were only two, but I didn’t have time to argue, it was chaos.  I quickly took off my pants, which were pretty much stuck to me, and my jacket from the goo and stepped into the clone vat.  The bio feeds and neuro feeds were attached and I was for all intents and purposes “plugged in”.

“Jump-clone sequence initiated” – this sounded normal… “Jump error, re-routing to nearest fall-back” – that didn’t sound normal.  “Fall-back not found”.

I hated this stage, I was neither here or here.  I was in a computer, a network.  My mind was merely a load of 0’s and 1’s floating about.  The sensation was weird, but normally only lasted for a millisecond, but this, this seemed like forever.

I didn’t hear it, I didn’t see it, I felt it.  “Fall-back clone not found, returning host to origin”.  Little did I know what was actually doing on in that stage… my origin, my body, the “Minmatar” one was replaced in the container for my re-created host, me.

“Transfer complete – jump aborted. Host returned to original body”.  There was a slight problem in that the body that went in was Minmatar, the one I was downloaded into was Caldari… “Origin specimen not matched – checking Concord fi-”.  A loud explosion stopped the sentence, and the execution of the check.  The console was destroyed.

“It’s done, now quickly unplug her” the guard said.  The techs complied quickly and immediately knowing the wrath of what they may have to face.  “We need to get to your ship Miss” said the guard.

“You can’t be serious… a frigate would never make it out of here… not even a speedy Minmatar one”. “No” he simply said, come, come quickly as I dashed after him, still half dressed.  More jolts rocked the ship.

“Launch drones, maintain fire on the lead Gallente ship. Missile batteries reloading” was announced to the ship, and fleet.

“You’re not going in the frigate Miss” he replied, “This way”.  We hurried to the aft docking bay, the most easy to exit, and easy to land.  We ran through corridors again, and again, lights flashing, people running, sirens blaring and all the while buffeted by impacts on the shields.

I was bundled into a shuttle on the bay, the screens barely having time to come down to seal it from space as it was sucked out.  “Alia is away” I heard over the comms.  “Ready tractors” that familiar voice now said, clearly in command and on the bridge.  They streaked across space, grabbing the small shuttle and pulling it in.  The docking bay of the Drake, so familiar, so welcoming. 

Assuming authority I snapped as I quickly got out of the shuttle “Report!”.  “Shields are up, we have incoming fire, but maintaining at 70% Ma’am”.  “Good” I replied.  “Get me to the bridge, or get me in the pod – either”.

“They’ve seen it! Federation ships are now primary-ing the Drake”.  I snorted as I ran to the bridge, like they were going to be able to destroy a Drake that easily.  Little did I know, they had re-called all drones and deployed them upon us along with the main batteries.  The ship lurched, “Shields at 57% – we’re unable to tank, and we’re not aligned!”.

I didn’t come through all of this for it to end this way!  Not at the hands of the Federation, not so easily.  Making my way onto the bridge, which was intact and a nice change the pod pilot was co-ordinating the defence, escape and attack.  They looked so lifeless, in the pod, plugged in, thinking, feeling – as the ship would – as one.

More shield impacts.  “Get us out!”  I yelled.  “Unable Ma’am, we’re being knocked out of alignment by the concentrated fire power upon us”. 

“Incoming reinforcements – blackbirds within staggered formation – ECM is hot”.  Suddenly it was quiet.  A large grin spread across my face.  The Gallente ships were effectively “turned off” the ECM cruisers had overpowered their tracking and firing computers – much the same as happened to me earlier.

We aligned and warped, leaving our aggressors behind. 

“Wha, what about him?” I asked. “What about them?”
“They will be fine Ma’am, we are Caldari, we will prevail”.

“Take us, take us to our old stomping grounds pilot”.  The ship altered course with an almost respectful change.  I didn’t want to command it after that, I needed a few days to compose myself.  After all, it was a lot to go through.

Then I saw him, the defected “new guy”.  “Why are you wearing that I asked?” in a somewhat taunting and complacent manner.

“This Ma’am?” he said referring to his jacket.  “Yes, this Ma’am” I replied.
“Well, it’s comfortable and sort of always fitted, Ma’am”.

I held out my hand, “I’ll be taking that, thank you” I smirked as he parted with his State War Academy jacket.  How lovely they were.

So after a brush with death, twice, I was back to my “old self”.  The long brown hair, the slightly shy appearance, the somewhat un-comfortableness and the soft Achurca face.  I sighed happily, it was good to be back… and I would never make the same mistake of housing my clones under one umbrella again – ever!

I looked around, at them, at anyone, at everyone “Alia is back” I grinned.

My name is Alia Xi, and this is the story of how I died.

The people had come from far and wide to attend this event, I was there too, which in itself was a great pity. I was escorted through the corridors of the station, my hands cuffed behind my back and my legs shackled as I walked. I was flanked by two guards on either side, and in front and behind too – they were taking no chances today.

I kept my eyes forward, staring into the back of one of the Gallente meat-heads who were escorting me. They may have been Gallante, but they had nice uniforms nonetheless. That thought, caused me to look down onto my own jacket. A slightly scruffy, slightly worn leather and suede one. The light and brown patches still very much intact. It was my original jacket from the State War Academy – I’d always worn it because it was practical, and also because I found it amusing that a pirate should wear the symbol of what she opposes.

My mind slipped and I found myself thinking “Oh if only I’d taken the other path, I wouldn’t be here now”. Quickly shaking the thoughts from my head, and my head as I did so I resumed my gaze upon my captors and a wry smirk crept across my face. I would have flicked my hair, but that wasn’t to be.

Along the brightly lit aquamarine colour of the Gallente corridor people had gathered to see me, some jostling, some jeering, some cheering and some just giving a respectful nod. One of the people, a Gallente woman with brightly coloured hair must have caught my smirk and lunged forwards screaming “Caldari bitch!”. She was quickly shoved aside by one of the guards but not before managing to spit in my face.

I was tempted to reply “If that’s the worst that’s going to happen today, then I thank you” but I didn’t, I just kept walking and held my gaze, again fixed on the uniformed Gallente man in front of me. I didn’t give her the satisfaction of even attempting to wipe her slobber from my face, I just let it roll off and onto the collar of my beloved jacket.

We proceeded down the corridor, the footsteps of the guards in time with a rhythmical clunk, clunk, clunk upon the metal floor as my shackles occasionally also made a metal upon metal “clink” as they struck the floor. We turned a corner, people still lining the way and stopped at a door.

After some security measures were taken, the door was opened. Before passing through, puzzled, I read the sign “Medical Centre”. Wondering if my Gallente captors had some other torment waiting for me, we continued into the room.

Upon entering there were technicians in white coats, higher ranking Gallente officers and some other busy-body officials hanging around. Our procession came to an abrupt halt, the guards all stopping perfectly in time. One of the officers, an Admiral, stepped forwards. With a slight head gesture he signalled the guards to retire. They did so, taking various positions around the room but keeping their weapons still firmly trained upon me.

“Ahhh Miss Xi, I presume?” said the stuck up old, dusty Admiral. Another grin crept across my pretty Caldari face, tilting my head slightly I replied “Of course, the one and only”.

“Not quite!” he snapped back barely giving me a chance to finish speaking. Looking around at his cohorts for an approving laugh – which came. “There’s someone, well actually, a group of people I’d like you to meet….” his voice suddenly turning sharp as he finished the sentence with “… pirate!”.

Clapping his hands the technicians hurried to work, quickly removing the screens dividing the room which was still bathed in the aqua-marine Gallente lighting. How I hated it! “Young lady, please let me introduce you to…”.

A turned my head 90 degrees and looked beyond the screen, coming face to face with none other than myself! In fact, 3 of me. The admiral looked at my face, now quickly drained of colour with a wry and self satisfied smirk.

“Yes pirate, meet none other than yourself!” he said in an authoritative tone. I stood, speechless looking at my lifeless clones in their bio containers, fluid surrounding them, attachments keeping them ready for use.

“I didn’t think you’d have much to say” he continued, as my still drained face stared blankly onwards at the copies of myself. How had they managed to get hold of my clones, my lifeline, my escape…. my only escape…..

I felt myself tugging at my restraints, slightly but nonetheless attempting to get out… There had to be some way out of there. He must have noticed “No, there’s only one way this ends Caldari, there’s no getting out of it this time” he finished snapping his fingers at the end of the sentence. A guard of yet more marines, heavily armed marched in. The drum, drum, drum of their boots on the floor followed by a sudden silence as they came to a halt and turned 90 degrees to face the bio containers.

“In your own time” said the admiral to the Sargent It seemed he had no time for himself, or he was late for an appointment. “VOLLEY FIRE, PRESENT!” he yelled, as he stood stiffly to attention in his pristine Gallente uniform. The marine squad un-slung their hybrid-blaster rifles from their shoulders in unison and took aim at the bio containers, at my clones, at what may as well have been me.

His head didn’t move, but his eyes did. He looked me up and down as the admiral stood calmly waiting for the next moves to be played out. His eyes didn’t move from me as he yelled the order. “FIRE!”.

You could hear them, the Gallente blasters. They took a moment to “warm up” as the anti matter rounds were processed and loaded into the chamber – a high pitched whining noise, almost like an ancient camera flash charging up. It seemed to take an eternity. The then almost silence was abruptly broken by the discharge of the high energy rounds leaving the rifles.

A bright flash filled the room as the rifles discharged within nanoseconds of each other. There followed the sound of breaking glass, evaporating liquid, liquid splashing onto the floor and finally the “thuds” of what remained of my clones hitting the floor.

The bio containers liquid spilled across the floor, lapping at my feet. I looked down at my shoes, now soaking wet. There was now no hope, no escape. “We’re not going to make you a martyr” said the admiral. “You will just quietly disappear”.

“Take her” he barked. The marine squad snapped into action, manhandling me across the room and past the remains of my clones. The Gallente squad attached me to some sturdy metal shelves at the side of the room. My shackles quickly connected to the shelf. That horrible sound of metal on metal sealing my fate.

I looked across the room, to a wall I’d not previously taken much notice of. It had a vast re-enforced observation and viewing window. Beyond the window, I could see more of the crowd that had managed to fight their way down. Their arms moved, their mouths opened but I couldn’t hear any sound for it was totally insulated. Jeering, booing and jostling around they worked themselves up, and up, and up. They looked like ants in an ant farm that had just been shaken violently.

The lab technicians continued their work, cleaning up, checking equipment, figuring out what was still usable after the rifle fire had ravaged side of the lab.

The admiral walked slowly, but confidently up to me. Standing in front of me, towering above me he raised his hand as if to strike. I flinched. I’d never flinched before. My Caldari Achura face downcast, as lashes of brown hair tumbled over to obscure it.

He lifted my chin, to look him eye to eye. There was no sorrow, there was no pity. “Now it’s you turn Caldari bitch” he spat. They were quite insane at times, quite devoted, quite unmoving from their virtues. The Gallente I mean. Some of them may have even lost themselves in pursuit of protecting their beloved Federation – like this one. His other hand then swung through the air, striking my uplifted face with such force it turned my head sideways, leaving a burning stinging hand print across it.

He retreated back, and the Gallente goon squad once again marched into position. Standing to attention, awaiting their orders. Still dazed from the violent slap, I thought I heard that familiar sound again… the ancient camera flash. But it wasn’t them, they’d been given no such order to fire.

The flash, the noise as the sub-atomic particles streaked across the room. Then another, but this was all together different. A loud bang, followed by splinters of metal striking areas of the room. I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen and a warm unpleasant sensation. I knew this, I’d felt it before.

My eyes clearing from the flash and my ears ringing, the admiral lay dead on the floor. Partly torn apart, partly vaporised by the high energy round that had been fired… but by whom? Blood, debris and smoke everywhere and an awful burning smell. I knew that one too.

Then I saw him, running through the room. The technician, only he seemed so familiar. “We have about 15 seconds” he said. His voice, so familiar. 15 seconds for what I wondered, before I bled to death from the shrapnel wound that had sliced upon part of my stomach?

Looking around trying to take it all in, the dead and maimed firing squad, the admiral, the people outside, the other technicians, and this one in front of me. My eyes finally fully readjusted and I could now see his face clearly in front of me. My XO.

My lips moved to ask “How?” but he quickly replied “No time, 10 seconds”. My eyes must have said it all, the begging of the question “Why?”. He placed a quick kiss on my lips as his hand took the top of my head and suddenly yanked it down, exposing the back of my next.

Sirens were already sounding, and strobe like lights filled the room. “Goodbye Alia” he said as I felt a sharp pain in the back of my neck, at the bottom of my skull. The lab doors sealed, the observation windows were locked down by heavy blast screens, and then I felt the heat, the pain, the burning.

The other technicians had sealed the lab, and purged it. Meaning all contents were to be destroyed by a high energy bio extermination blast.

“Auto pilot engaged, warping to stargate” the ships computer confirmed in familiar tones. Wha.. what! What!?!?! I don’t understand that day, and I never will. I don’t understand how, or why. Maybe a little of the why. The small frigate slipped down the warp tunnel towards the stargate as I took a few moments to compose myself, centre myself and figure out what the hell was going on.

“Approaching stargate” the soothing tones reassured.

I was not myself. I mean, I was myself. I don’t know any more. The ships engines smoothly kicked into action as we proceeded to slow-boat the remaining 15km of the journey to the gate. Checking the systems I noticed the Gallente stargate was requesting identity information from the ship before clearing it to jump, panic once again set in as I worried about being identified. Checking the readout from the ident computer confused me for a moment, and then my whole body gave a sigh of relief and relaxed:

DESTINATION: Rens

SHIP TYPE: Rifter

PASSENGERS: 1

SPECIES: Minmatar

NAME: Alexia Xias

CLEARANCE: GRANTED – Jump in sequence.

“Auto pilot jumping”

I must have blacked out during the jump sequence, because when I became aware of my surroundings once more I noted we were 5 jumps down the line. I was free, a new name, a new start. But at what cost… My ship? My crew? My XO? My old life?

Reaching around to the back of my neck, the base of my skull again there was something there.  The same place. It itched, I scratched and it became loose. Carefully removing the device and studying it I came to the conclusion it was what had brought me here, what had saved me – well, my essence at least. I’d never seen anything like it. It looked cobbled together, maybe bastardised from Jovian technology or secret Empire research. I would keep this, forever, as a reminder of my escape and the selflessness of my XO.

I punched in a course correction, entering the nearest low sec system – better safe than sorry and old habits die hard. The small frigate… if you could call it that, more like a tin can and some shelves bolted together by Caldari standards veered wildly and the warp engines kicked in. “Damn, these things are fast!” I said to myself.

I could get used to this…….