EVE Fiction

The morning sun slowly shines through the windows and Valak also slowly stirs.

"Valak, come get your morning meal. I won't work this hard over the food again you know!" Ahh, my adoring wife
thinks Valak whimsically. Retirement never could have been this promising 40 years ago. Valak sits down at the table
next to his beautifully aged wife. His thoughts wander off to his last cloning, he cheated the aging process by 10 years.
When his clone bay opened this magnificently beautiful medic slowly touched his brow. "You look a lot better than that
wad of meat you left behind Captain!" So this is how marriage begins. The universe truly has a sense of humor and
a fairness that can only be equated to sympathy for the courageous and the homely.

"Valak, you are off questioning the mysteries of life again?"
"Forgive me Sutha, I was pondering the mysteries of marriage. How on Matar did you ever decide I would be the
best choice in this universe as a husband?"
"Rumor mongering amidst the medic corp had a subastantial part in all of it my dear." She shoots him a wink. Sutha tilts
her head lovingly. "Because you are the kindest man I know,Valak. And you used to be ruggedly handsome!"
Their morning laugh and sparring is interupted by a sensor alarm coming from the outer edge of the property. So much for
the perks of retirement from the military and selling off one's private company for a world of money.
Sutha gets up to view the monitor. "He appears to be from the tribal council Valak."
"Apparently one can never get far enough away from the councils business" sighs Valak.

Sutha pulls the door open so hard that you can hear the rush of wind.."You are trespassing child! Explain yourself!"
"Apologies ma'am, I was given this location to be the home of colonel Valak Kaviord. Do you know where.."
"Forgive my wife young man. This home is known only to a few. And I am no longer colonel Kaviord, you may call me
sir."
The courier hands over a small satchel and quickly returns to his magsled and speeds off.
Valak opens the satchel and pulls out a single document with a council letterhead. Odd, he thinks to himself. This
couldn't be sent over a comms system?
"What's so damned important that a message couldn't simply be sent over comms?" says Sutha. Ok, not thinking to himself
he chuckles.
"Calm down my love, let me at least read it." [Come to the Council chamber immediately. Time is critical. Alviod]
Valak slowly looks at his beautiful wife. "I have to go my love." He lays the letter down and leaves out the back door
without looking. As Sutha reads the brief message she looks out to the small hangar. Valak is already aboard his shuttle.
She knows he has to go, but why now.


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As Valak approaches the landing pad to the Council headquarters of this province he wonders to himself, who designed these
buildings? A very young and imaginitive Gallente. That must be it he grumbles. The council is located outside the capital
city on a very high hilltop. Not as wonderous a view as cities in the Gallente federation he muses. Valak boards a magsled
to the main building. Odd, he thinks. A lot of republic guards on duty today.
Valak enters the council hall and is immediately set upon by a young Sibiestor, student perhaps? "This way sir. The elders are
expecting you" Lots of guards outside, business as usual inside. Hmm, ok then.
The council is seated at a modest table, Valak recognizes only one. His longtime friend Alviod.
"To what do I owe this honor, Elder Alviod?" Valaks grin is barely noticeable. "Fear not my old friend, we have no commendations
or medals to offer today" The musings are apparent only to Valak, Alviod and one other whom Valak has seen only once before.
"We need your help colonel." "I am elder Yosalindos. Would you hear our request?"
"I did not come to the capital for the food, madam." Alviod shifts somewhat nervously. He knows Valak would not have come were
he not a patriot, but he also knows word games are held only between him and a very select few."Clear the room!" Alviods words
carried a distinct meaning. All the aides left quickly and sealed the room. One of the elders stood up and activated a
security scrambler. "We are clear Alviod." "Thank you elder Luctavoss." Activating a security monitor, Alviod takes his seat as
Valak watches intently. After nearly 3 hours pass, Valak stands."This is disturbing. A bioweapon that targets Matari DNA.
I can only assume the Amarr have created this?" Long pause,,,no confirmation. "So why am I here?" "According to our intelligence,
there is only one recearch facility involved and it is in Ammatar controlled space." "Pardon me, I am elder Brakind. This
information came to us upon questioning some rather 'unsavory' traders coming from Hek."
"The mission window is set for one week from now, we need your answer by..." "Who are you exactly?" asks Valak "I am elder Krodlin,
of Thrakin province and son of.." "That's all I need to know from you." Valak is clearly angry. "Valak, please, speak with me."
Alviod leads Valak to his antechamber.

________________________________________________________

"Valak, please hear me out. This mission is as vital as only you and you alone can imagine it to be!"
"Why me Alviod? Surely there are hundreds of pilots just waiting for a mission like this?" Alviod lowers his head slightly, then
looks at his old friend with somber eyes. "This is a one way mission Valak." Those words crash down on Valaks very soul. He gave
up fighting to save a marriage and sold a business to finally be with the woman he loved. "Valak, this is the only way. If some
young pilot were to come back and brag that they saved the Republic, it could bring on terrible and devastating fighting."
"Sutha will be taken care of, your 2 sons and many grandchildren will never want of anything."

The dead and wounded had been evacuated to Isendeldik VIII. As tears welled up in Valaks eyes, the video jumps forward.
"These new images were taken 5 years ago, by one of our operatives stationed in Jangar. The man you see is Amarrian governor Utien.
He was overseeing the development of the weapon we want to destroy." Valaks eyes focus on the video, Utien is questioning a couple of
Matari, a young man and woman. A matari, apparently of Ammatar loyalty enters the picture. "That is director Plakayon." The director
pulls out a blaster and shoots the matari man in the head without saying a word. Valak seethes. "Now,listen to the audio Valak." As the

audio gets louder, the young woman is questioned. "We know your father ran the mining colony in Isendeldik. Did you know during the
war he killed without mercy?!" shouts the director. "He also stole one of our greatest battleships." the director slowly circles the
young matari woman. He points to a guard who grabs her left hand and pulls it down to the floor. The director pulls a long blade from
its scabbard and runs it up and down the womans arm. "Where is your father?" The young woman spits in the directors face. In a flash
the blade removes her left arm above the elbow. She screams and slowly falls to the floor, passing out from shock. "Director, have her
moved to the research facility. Only fitting her dna be used in the testing." Utien looks down at her, almost pitiying her defiance.

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Valak sits motionless, a tear seemingly frozen running down his cheek. Millions of questions run through his mind. Finally he looks at
Brakind. "Why show me this now?" "To what end did I have to watch that?" Anger clearly filling his words. Brakind sits down across from
Valak and stares at him, emotionless. "My operatives captured a spy from the Kaalakiota corporation who was trying to smuggle the
bioweapon back to his Caldari masters. The spy also gave us a location you might find of some interest." Valak became impatient, "Enough

with the games Brakind! What is this about?" Brakind slides a datapad across the table. Valak activates it and begins reading it. "That
is the location of a training base in the Hasateem system. It is being run by Plakayons son. They have been developing a battle strategy
on delivering the weapon into Matari space. They are expecting delivery of the weapon in 6 days." Valak shifts in his chair. "How do I
fit into this? I was under the impression we are destroying the facility creating the weapon." Brakind stands up and walks to his cabinet
and opens it. He retrieves a bottle of whiskey. "Drink?" Valak nods."The Amarrians are not aware that the weapon is finished, or that it
actually works. Intel proves otherwise. Plakayon has been testing it on Matari slaves at his training base. We know it works. Thanks to our
Caldari 'friend' we have the only weaponized version. This mission has 2 objectives. First will be to destroy the research facility."
Valak looks at Brakind puzzled.."That's where I come in?" "No, you have a different mission. One not sanctioned by the Tribal council."
"As our pilots spread out across the cluster creating confusion, you and a few others will be jumping into Hasateem to personally deliver
the bioweapon." Valak sinks back into his chair with a look of shock. He is going to betray the will of the council. Brakind

continues.."The only other pilots in Hasateem will be the one providing you a jump point directly on top of the training base, and the 2

others making sure no Ammatar or Amarr get out of the system. I do not know which pilots will be there. They have been selected based upon
their capabilities." Valaks mind is racing now, trying to sort out and configure strategies in his own mind. What about Jangar he wonders..
Valak shakes his head, clearing his thoughts. "I see you are wondering how you will be able to even get that close..Remember that ship you

stole all those years ago?" Valak looks at Brakind. "It's been in a hangar all these years, waiting to be refitted for a mission such as

this." Brakind swigs the last of his whiskey.."Would you like to see it?" Valak gulps his entire glass quickly. "Lets get on with it then."
The two leave the barracks and take a magsled to the shuttle hangar. As soon as Valak is strapped in they launch for orbit. Valak looks on

as the shuttle warps to an unknown orbital station even he didn't know existed. Unmarked and surrounded by dozens of station guns and

missile batteries. Valak begins to feel the tingling on his skin he used to get before going into battle. He is surprised at how good it

feels even now.

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Valak and Brakind disembark the shuttle. A slow and purposeful look around shows about one tenth of normal personnel for a station this

size. "Sooo..does this station have." "We call it the Black Orchid." A funny looking old woman in dark work coveralls and much too long

dark lab coat chimes in. "This is Dr Zaragavi. She outfits our more specialized ships." Before Brakind can finish the introduction the Dr

notes to Valak, "You can call be Grantok, sweetie". Brakind sighs and continues leading the group to the station office. As the three sit

down another, rugged and very large man enters."This is station chief Larakoo, he commands personnel." Larakoo simply nods to Valak.

Datapads with ships layouts are distributed. Brakind begins.."If you see anything you might change Valak, please feel free to note it on

your datapad. Otherwise, we will begin final fittings.." "Oh, I don't think the handsome young colonel will need to make any

changes."states the Dr... Valak wonders how long it has been since her occular implants have been calibrated. *sigh*

Just as Valak is about to set a new destination a jump warning goes off. The ship is taken off its current beacon and disappears

into a jump. "Estimate that ships destination and follow it now!" Barks Eniod. "Hasateem system First Colonel"replies the helmsman.

"Fastest speed possible helmsman." This isn't good, thinks Valak. Reviewing the ships sensor logs, it appears he has one of the Dr's

fanatical lunatics chasing him in a Heretic class destroyer. What irony.. All he can do now is wait for the jump to finish and see who

dragged him to where he is going. As the jump window closes the navcom indicates Hasateem. But why is he not on top of the training base?

Damn it, he got pulled out of warp. As system alerts begin blaring a lockon klaxon begins to sound. "Crusader the 2nd, surrender at once!"

Valaks ship shakes as missiles impact the aft section. As he plots in a trajectory to warp on top of the 5th moon of Hasateem VI another

volley impacts. All of the sudden a dizzying bright light sears across the port side of the ship. The ship is holding up, little damage.

'Come on damn it' Valak thinks as the warp engine slowly begins to cycle. More dizzying light and noticeable heat as a second volley of

laser fire impacts the starboard side. *poof* The ship enters warp. As Valak comes out of warp he is met with a hail of laser fire. "This

is Plakayon the 2nd, halt your ship and stand down." Valak begins to sweat, stinging his eyes. He targets the moon base and engages maximum

thrust. With the Heretic less than 100km behind him and the bases batteries eating up his shields, he runs back to the cargo hold to enter

in the pass code. He arms the container in case he wont be around when it 'touches down' on the base. As he sits himself back in the

capsule command chair, he sees the flash of a jump point landing less than 30km from the Heretic. Great, he thinks. "Unidentified vessel,

you are in violation of Amarr space! Heave to or prepare to be....*zzzzzzttt* The blinding flash is pierced by the beautiful sight of a

Minmatar Panther. "Crusader the 2nd, this is the Lazy Tiger, are you in need of assistance?" No, please not Minasa. She shouldn't be here.

Valak sends a coded message. 'Comms down, please take care of Amarr sentry guns. Will eject after cargo is dropped. "Roger that Crusader,

who am I talking to?" Valaks ship is coming apart, less than 5km from atmosphere. Klaxons begin to sound, multiple hull breaches. Valak

runs back to the cargo hold. *Warning* weapons systems offline...*Warning* navigation offline..*Warning* life support offline. Well ****,

thinks Valak. He peers out a cargo hold viewport, through the glowing of the ship burning through the atmosphere he sees what must be the

base. No, that can't be a base. It's too spread out. It almost looks like...Valak almost falls to the floor. A colony, tens of thousands of

Ammatar. He quickly grabs a cargo scanner, maybe this is some fantastic ruse. As the scanner completes the horror of it all becomes

apparent. *Impact in 20 seconds* Valak moves back towards the airlock as a shield raises before him. The bay opens and the container falls

towards the surface. Boosters that were hidden from scans ignite and the container bursts towards the colony. Valak looks at the scan

results again..*10..dozens of small containers..9*..a biomass container..*8..a humanoid form...7*..a woman...6*..locked in stasis..*5..she

had one arm..4*..she was missing the left one..*3..thoughts of his entire life flash in his mind..*2..the little girl he lost, his beloved

wife and sons, quiet country home..*1

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"Jump points forming 12 au's from starboard commander!"
"Get us out of here! Set course for Pator." As the Lazy Tiger reaches Pator, comms traffic is high. Reports from all over the cluster of

multiple skirmishes. A hit and run in Jangar by the Gallente, and..a colony destroyed in Hasateem..Minasas mind reels. One ship couldn't

possibly destroy a colony. Minasas ship docks and she quickly disembarks to catch a shuttle to Pator IV. Upon reaching the surface, Minasa

runs to the nearest magsled terminal and rents one to head out to the countryside. 'Screw the debriefing'she thinks to herself. After a 2

hour journey, she finally reaches Valak's home, but no sign of his shuttle. Maybe he hasn't made it back yet. Sutha opens the front door as

Minasa is about to buzz it. "Come in child!" They embrace like only family can embrace. Sutha holds Minasas hand and guides her to the

sitting room. She has tea prepared, knowing she would see her young friend again. They sit in front of the vidterminal that is on the

table. Sutha pulls out the commchip that Valak had recorded the morning he left. "Valak wanted me to watch this, he said I would know when

the time is right." Tears form in both their eyes as Valak appears on the screen..
"My darling wife, Our people have called on me for one last mission. I won't be coming home this time. As a matter of state security, my

cloning rights are forfeit. But you and the boys will be looked after. If you can, please find Minasa. She has a stubborn streak in her

that rivals my own. Don't be fooled by her pride. I know we both see her as the daughter we lost so long ago. Do not mourn my passing, but

cherish the life you have left. Know I do this for all of you. I love you. I will see you all on the other side."
Sutha holds Minasa close to her as they cry quietly together.

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