Intergalactic Summit

I would say there is violent intent of some kind behind this move. None of the three pilots of DSTON have discovered any such weapons in our hangars. They must be aware that we would never use them.

There's an old saying that has a number of variations, all involving the base form of "Don't look a gift X in the Y". I think my favorite combination over the years was "Dominix" and "drone bay".

I think you are overthinking the issue. Given the Guristas' known distaste for capsuleers, I find it rather unlikely they would go through the trouble of giving every capsuleer with an active license a gift of such value. Even more unlikely that they'd have access to a full list of said capsuleers. It seems more likely that a large cache of the drones was recovered by CONCORD or one of the Four, and then subsequently distributed among the capsuleer population.

In any case, I look forward to getting some time to tinker with the things. If they're anything like the modified Dragonfly fighters that a quick glance suggests they are, they might be good for a joyride or two. Or more.

It is a Gurista bribe. The tech looks good but I recommend examining the things end to end for malicious intent. Trust it as much as you would a Gurista soldier on board your ship.

So... significantly more than I'd trust anyone expressing sympathy for Sansha's Nation?

If a Guristas soldier is on my ship, it's for one of two reasons - he's either there to do me and mine harm, or he's there because I trust him enough to invite him onboard. There's no middle ground and no deception in that.

If you'd told me this would be a day I'd agree with Ixiris, I would've laughed at you. But I agree with Ixiris, so I suppose I'm laughing at myself.

That said, testing has begun. I'm having a ground crew dismantle one of them, and then hopefully reassemble it. Another of my pilots has done some simulations on the damage potential when used with a Stratios, as Victorian had indicated, and the numbers were thoroughly impressive.

Hmm.

Time for an extensive physical and psychological battery for the Guristas ground crew and pilot, while we're at it. Scherezad-haani, if you're following this, you have mail.

I got a set handed to me from CONCORD. Make of that what you will; I'm presuming they're handing us off something they've recovered but don't know what to do with. Then they sit back and wait for one of us to put together a decent strategy for use of the things before they go ahead with mass deployment.

Priano-haani, I suggest you check your privileges.

Just in case.

My my, always trying to drag Nation into the conversation when it isn't even necessary. Long ago I realized that vehemence is usually a cloak for some deep seated insecurity, so what is it? Did you catch yourself enjoying the latest fanzine from the Unofficial Master Kuvakei Fan Club? I know I sure did, but I don't have to feel guilty about it and act like I don't.

Minor oversight....dammit....

-Eran

After a few hours of discussion over a tub of petroleum jelly and a few bottles of carbonated water with what I believe to be is one of the pilots of a Gecko I finally managed to extract the information that they came from the, "Highway to the Dangerzone."

I can only assume it's a code-phrase of some sort, but as to who, what, or where this Highway to the Dangerzone actually is, is probably anyone's guess at this point.