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(Fictional Short Story) Through the Eyes of the Holder
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Enya Sparhawk
Black Tea and Talons
#1 - 2014-08-03 06:32:09 UTC  |  Edited by: Enya Sparhawk
"Enya Sparhawk" wrote:
Heyya Kiddies!!! Sorry this one took awhile, but such is life... One can have all the time in the world, just never enough to spend on what they truely want...

Alright, I guess there should be some sort parental warning for content...

Done.

Without further ado: the continuing saga of "La Comedie Immortel!"


-Ens


Through the Eyes of the Holder


---

"It is said that what we behold with our eyes is merely the surface of reality. But if we could see beneath that façade, what would lie within?"

- Sam Egan: {{Data file corrupted...data incomplete: Ancient Terran poet?/philosopher?; Span of Life: unknown - unknown; Origin: unknown}} (journalist, writer/producer)

---


"The Wrath of God is Immense. His Justice is Swift and Decisive. His Tolerance is Limited.
Be Careful. Pure Thought is the Instigator of Sin.
Be Watchful. Free Thought is the Begetter of Disorder.
Be Respectful. Uniform Thought is the Way of Life.
The Mercy of our Emperor is Limitless. His Rule is Benign and Righteous. His Love is Perpetual."
- The Scriptures, Book I, The Code of Demeanor


---


  • It starts with an admiring eye. The cold and stark simplicity of the 'quasi' governmental structure where the two Amarr now stood, casts a fair representation onto each beholder of what the Caldari consider true inner beauty; the Way as it was represented by everyday life. Its arches were measured high, gracefully embracing the vaulted ceilings of the lobby. A quiet entrance way into where the Chief Executive Panel Bureau's Main Corporate offices were located on New Caldari Prime. It was always open; an everyday shrine to the Winds. Subtly defining the strength of it softened lines; there were no ornate carvings or engravings upon these homogenously hanging kresh tree gardens bringing the illusion of greatness bearing down upon the individual. All at once claiming each new victim, and then gently catching them in the branches of its natural magic; cradling them as protectively as would a parent. This was the beginning of where people of different races met to discuss Caldari foreign policy and sometimes, even business. In this atmosphere one could breathe freely amidst the calm and the serenity of pure thought and instinct. The silent visiting pair were diplomats of the Amarr Mandate, standing at the base of an architecture mountain, one a true Amarr, the other his Ni-Kunni 'servant'; at least while they were stationed here within the confines of Caldari State space.
  • "Do you know something?" The servant offers up to his master, "These people never cease to amaze me."
  • "Yes, and that is why you are a slave." was his only blunt response back. Boredom and cruelty; a different eye now gazing out from beneath a hooded and shadowed pillar, quickly dispelling the illusion now cast out in front of them. Leaning against an inconspicuously arched column, he shifts his weight to his other foot in order to keep the blood flowing into his one sleepy dominate foot, but to no avail. Standing upright, the robed figure arches his back slightly, releasing a bit of the tension in his lower lumbar. His life had become grounded in the shadows by necessity; roots now shaded by the hanging vegetation overhead. The wide reaching boughs continuously bend in the grips of the wind, but never once break. Instead, they silently sway in a spot planted far from the intrusion of individual personal space, but still with a careful watchful eye over everything in this lobby. Down here, the pair were left to wait out a matter of foreign affairs between the two empires; purposely left out of any discussion by their superior, which suited Shalihiz Yassavi just fine. His real work was for one of the most notorious branches of the Ministry of Internal Order, it’s Inquisition. He was an 'Ordinator' for the faith; for him politics were always simple, and very often beneath his attention. His present duties in this current role were merely a facade for the other, a way to stand concealed while out in the open. Even in the territories of other Empires.
  • "Still... I'm inspired by this race's humility." the Ni-Kunni slave continues, quickly interpreting the Caldari 'Way' from his attentive and patient spot. Standing as he usually does, with his own body facing his master's back and just slightly to the right of him; his head though has redirected his attention upwards with eyes spread out among the boughs in contemplation. "It’s as if this veneration of theirs offers them a sort of intuitive survival to the environments surrounding them. A recognition of something greater than themselves... yet without the fear."
  • "If that were truth, then surely our time and presence would not be wasted just standing here..." Shalihiz mutters at first more to himself out loud, but then quickly turns and angrily reigns in his slave. Facing him straight on, he addresses his possession with suppressed, seething tones, chastising as one would a child in a very public area. "Noruaiha Oumis." He continues his diatribe after once again finding his calming center with, "Please be silent. You would also be wise to not forget your place. We are not here to discuss your benign trivialities or the spiritual machinations of heretics."
  • His master's message rang out quite clearly. His eyes become downcast, once again finding their place. Bowing to his master, Noruaiha in obedience responds, "I understand my place full well Sir... it is in the service of God's Will and I accept it fully."

Fíorghrá: Grá na fírinne

Maireann croí éadrom i bhfad.

Bíonn súil le muir ach ní bhíonn súil le tír.

Is maith an scéalaí an aimsir.

When the lost ships of Greece finally return home...
Enya Sparhawk
Black Tea and Talons
#2 - 2014-08-03 06:34:55 UTC

  • "More importantly, your place is in the service of me, the Holder who now stands before you. Now stand there and be quiet, lest I am driven to also give you a curt lesson of remembrance pertaining to that fact." the 'Ordinator' Yassavi threateningly offers up. Though to this last part, his hands where actually tied in the matter. The Caldari were quite tolerant of the Amarr peoples' use of slaves, but never within the boundaries of their own realm. Here, at least for all intent and purposes, Noruaiha Oumis' sole function was to act merely as a valet or as a personal assistant to the diplomats and nothing more. A long known fact stinging in the side of any visiting Holder, making this last threat very idle.
  • What was more was the fact that his slave also knew this. His eyes slowly level, meeting those of his master. It was not an act of defiance, just one of searching. With simple eyes, Oumis was looking for a glimmer of that same humility through the eyes of his master. An understanding to something greater than oneself, yet something not to be feared. He had often wondered how he could learn humility if even his master never knew the meaning of the word. The complete Oumis family knew this one Holder's entire life story; Noruaiha's own family was among the last to hold out against the original invasion of their home planet. This latter fact being the first reason why any of the Ni-Kunni race was still enslaved to any Holder family. The slave family had all belonged to him at one time but more correctly, now he owned only Noruaiha. This one slave was all that Master Yassavi could hold on to from his broken inheritance. He had chosen to walk God's darkened path through the Order to keep what little he had managed to inherit from his long dead, drunken father; it was of small conciliation that his family name was spared complete and utter desolation by being stricken from the Book of Records. This one choice was always made clear to him by his superiors and now be even the looks of his only Ni-Kunni slave.
  • Pangs of hurt slowly well within Shalihiz, his anger crests just beneath the surface by this unspoken challenge to his birthright. He becomes dazed by an insightful and painful understanding. Left with only the Scriptures to properly guide his offensive, he speaks plainly albeit very aggressively trying to quickly disintegrate the object of his slave's apparent rebelliousness: "Our Lord visited his flock and saw that all was not good. Blasphemy and heresy ruled the land. The Lord punished the sinners and drowned them in their own blood. But the people of Amarr lived righteously and in fear of God. Thus they were saved and became God's chosen.--- The Scriptures, Book II chapter 2: verse 1..."
  • The courtyard inhabiting the very center of the lobby was built not merely for the comfort and meditation of its citizens, but to also serve as a very functional part of Caldari business life. Being surrounded by nature presented an unusual yet seamless mix between the modern and the past; a tidbit best representing the system of Caldari beliefs. In the dead center of the courtyard, were housed the multiple banks of mag-lifts which were needed in order to obtain the upper reaches of the building. To better facilitate the order and calm, at every entrance way was a security checkpoint, fully automated but also manned by non-descript guards who also seemed to act as the stewards to the shrine gardens. There was very little else on this level except a few holo information terminals built into the background; modern necessities needed to access the building directories, and to make inquiries from the lobby to those on the upper levels. Tucked away to one side of the building is a heavily guarded door barring passage to a private hallway, presumably leading to the lower security offices, interrogation rooms and detention areas, each with their own mag-lifts and special secure access to the landing pads on the second and third levels of the building; used mainly for deliveries and the drop off/pick up of special dignitaries. The conversation between the two had drawn the attention of a few of the Wayist monks; one begins to walk towards the disruptive pair.
  • ALERT. In that same instant, one of the security checkpoints sounds out an alarm towards a male Caldari citizen passing through the epicenter of its portal. A shimmering energy shield instantaneously comes to life, quickly encompassing not only the checkpoint but the entirety of the surprised person as well; the body falls helplessly and lifelessly to the ground. ALERT. A second alarm is again sounded followed by another incapacitated citizen, this time from a Caldari business woman entering the shrine from a different checkpoint. All eyes turn towards the new disruptions as the alerted Wayists scramble to maintain control of the shrine. Conversation aside, the diplomatic pair now focus in on this new surrounding mystery striving for the light of day before them in the facets of this stone building on foreign soil; a roughly hewn hidden gem by all appearances.
  • "Hmm, is this some sort of paralysis or containment field?" the slave Oumis asks, also adding in, "These two must have been serious criminals for them to need to employ such a device. To not only knock them out but then to keep these two contained within."

Fíorghrá: Grá na fírinne

Maireann croí éadrom i bhfad.

Bíonn súil le muir ach ní bhíonn súil le tír.

Is maith an scéalaí an aimsir.

When the lost ships of Greece finally return home...
Enya Sparhawk
Black Tea and Talons
#3 - 2014-08-03 06:35:56 UTC  |  Edited by: Enya Sparhawk

  • An alerted eye quickly assesses the situation. "No." Was his only initial response, his eyes pausing to refocus in on the scenes being played out. Diagnosing the truth set out before them with the extensive knowledge of Amarr science. Such moments were his only true purpose for being on this planet, at least through the eyes of his superiors. "No..." he continues, "See there on the farthest curve of the shield? That slight glimmer? At the point where the sunlight hits it, do you see how the energy pattern appears denser on the inside of the shield?... Can you also see the colour of it? It has the appearance of some sort of Electromagnetic stasis field but really like nothing we've come across before. If I would have to chance a guess, I'd say it was being used to cut off some sort of signal both inside and out... Sort of like an ECM jammer, but used for what exactly?"
  • A hurried interruption comes from out of the now un-barred doorway, emerging towards the day's disruption as a familiar Caldari figure, followed by his retinue of Caldari Navy security detail; toting a small scale arsenal and a pair of hovering, heavily shielded stasis pods.
  • Shalihiz Yassavi recognizes this man from previous meetings through emissary functions of the diplomatic core but he could never once get any useful information as to what this man did for the State or what title he held; he knew he worked for the government in some capacity and that was all that any of his superiors could ever ascertain. Yet here he was, right in the middle of what was happening before them. Left asking the puzzling questions out loud more to himself in confusion, but quiet enough even to be heard by the ears of his own slave standing beside him, a name escapes his lips. "Rowan Deckerson?? What are you up to?"
  • The man stops, taking quick notice of the pair of Amarrian diplomats watching the scene from across the lobby and merely nods to them, or more importantly to the master of the two. His attention once again turning to the two caught by his simple ambush; his thoughts were trained to be always instinctively focused on the more immediate threat. That's just great... What are these two Inquisitors doing here? I wonder if they somehow got wind of something. They couldn't possibly know anything about these implants at my feet? Don't tell me the State has another security leak? Bah, I really don't have time for this... Deckerson subtly shaking his head to himself, starts coordinating orders for the fast removal of the inert bodies to their designated pods, and then without wasting any more time leads his team to the landing pads above. His captured prey obediently following in tow. The remaining monks redirect the bystanders to their business and once again strive at maintaining the calm serenity of the shrine.
  • "I suppose we're going to need to report this to the Ministry." Diplomat Oumis bluntly states to break upon the heavy silence now left behind. "Still, you have to admit it, these people never do cease to amaze."
  • The Scriptures have always been a source of wisdom; the ability to transmute flesh to stone when the situation needed it. A source Shalihiz turns to when seeking patience, facing his Oumis slave's redirected eye straight on, he recites: "When the ears hear only the mouth shouting. And the eyes see only the fingers broken. The world has turned and God has gone. Left us with fond memories of sweet life without pain. - The Scriptures ...Book II of the Apocalypse... chapter 8: verse 18. All You are to do is to sit there quietly and be able recall everything you've just seen. And nothing more." Adding in for a degree of measure, “Understand?!"
  • "Yes."
  • "Good--” Perception being his only and single-handedly best weapon, Ordinator Yassavi pauses long enough to mentally prepare his sermon. "We Holders have much to teach you, the rich history of our Faith presents countless perfect examples outlining our knowledge through God and his Will. To know the true path, but yet, to never follow it. That is possibly the gravest sin. Now listen carefully to the lives of our wisdom that we will impart unto you my naive, wayward slave. Noruaiha Oumis, listen well..."
    • Here imagination retells through the eyes of the story:
    "These words bring comforting ease to all those in need, warming the soul and imparting an easy sleep."

  • "Why are you still awake, my son?"
  • "I can't sleep. What if I never wake up again?"
  • Grin. "Why would you never wake again?? Where would you get such a foolish notion from?"
  • "One of those slave boys was talking today and said that the Matar come and take Amarr children when they close their eyes. An' that they never wake again."
  • "I give to you the destiny of Faith, and you will bring its message to every planet of every star in the heavens: Go forth, conquer in my Name, and reclaim that which I have given. Do you know where these words are from my son? These words are from The Scriptures... a simple passage contained in the Book of Reclaiming, chapter 22: verse 13. These words are our future; they will be there when you awake in the morning. A tiny burden for us to carry, but one worthy of a good night's rest. Now close your eyes."

Fíorghrá: Grá na fírinne

Maireann croí éadrom i bhfad.

Bíonn súil le muir ach ní bhíonn súil le tír.

Is maith an scéalaí an aimsir.

When the lost ships of Greece finally return home...
Enya Sparhawk
Black Tea and Talons
#4 - 2014-08-03 06:39:02 UTC  |  Edited by: Enya Sparhawk

  • "No father! I wish to know-- Yawn. mo--" Zzzzz.
  • "Tomorrow." Peck.
    • "Confident words will always take actions, slowing the motion of objects or beings in its path."

  • "Target lock on turret three has now been confirmed. New firing sequence accepted. Awaiting your Eminence's further orders." (I'm sorry...)
  • "Then FIRE!!"
  • (RUN Pyri...)
  • "Casting his sight on his realm, the Lord witnessed the cascade of evil, the torrents of war. Burning with wrath, He stepped down from the Heavens to judge the unworthy, to redeem the pure. - The Scriptures... Book II of Revelations chapter 2: verse 12. Let that be a hard lesson to the three of you. No Kameira will ever be worthy of such freedom. Your lives will always belong to God. Your love will always be His alone. Know your place as you know your own still beating hearts..."
  • Three leaders in Unison: "Understood Master Holder!"
    • "Beguiling even the most wild of animals, such was our purpose."

  • "QUIET!! Quiet down! Our Reverend Holder wishes to speak."
  • "Speak! Speak! Give us your wisdom!
  • Ahem. "Gather round Serfs. Take a rest from your duties for a spell, and come listen to my sermon. These following words are taken from the Scriptures; the third chapter from the Book of Reclaiming... verses 19 to 21:

  • And the Lord spoke, and said, Lo, my people,
  • Witness, for I have made the worlds of Heaven;
  • And these worlds I give to you, My Chosen,
  • So Amarr shall rule the worlds of the Heavens.

  • None shall stand higher than you save the Sefrim,
  • Who serve Me as others shall serve you,
  • For all things under Me serve one higher;
  • So Amarr shall rule the worlds of the Heavens.

  • As Garrulor rules the skies; as Frisceas rules the sea;
  • As Emperor rules Holder; as Holder rules Serf;
  • Yet all under Heaven serve Me;
  • So shall Amarr rule the worlds of the Heavens."
    • "Chosen to be Champions of the faith, charming even the hearts and minds of humans."

  • "I have set them free."
  • "Empress Please reconsider!!?"
  • "This Emancipation Decree WILL free 9th-generation and higher Minmatar slaves. As an Empire we must evolve.--

  • So instructed the Queen to her champion,
  • ‘Beware the righteous who seek truth in spirit alone;
  • The weak of mind are quick to judge with slightest tempt;
  • Thus fools go forth to spread false word,
  • Great misery follows those who heed what only the weak have heard.
  • Heed me champion, for only you shall know;
  • Within the blue ring of fire lies the final key of revelation.
  • Find this ring, my champion, and both mind and spirit shall be strong once more."
    • From our own Scriptures, we take these words as guidance through an uncertain but promising future. This Law will be our very own Trial!" (Book of Trials 2:13 - 2:21)
  • (Audience Chorus)"Long LIVE Empress Jamyl!!!"
    • "At other times, a Holder is tasked with the dire duties of causing much death."

  • "What is going on? What is all this commotion?"
  • "Mistress-- I’m sorry-- I'm sorry to have to tell you this but both of your parents are dead. Oh dear me! You are so young child. They've been murdered. The slaves are in revolt and are quickly growing in numbers outside the outer walls. Most of our guards have been killed trying to suppress the rising tide of dissent. Incapacitating the ringleaders only further enraged the crowd. The gates to the house will not hold them out for long. The remaining guard are now awaiting your commands. The title of Holder falls upon you now. I know it is a lot of responsibility for a young girl of eleven but you must think of your younger siblings now. Of your own life. We must take them and flee. These slaves mean us great harm. What are your orders??"
  • (Mother? Father? What am I to do?)
  • "Mistress?!? Mistress?? Are you listening?"
  • ("My brave little girl, a spiritual lesson for you. Come over to me. Sit up on my lap. That's my girl. You may be getting older, but you will always be my little girl...
  • So the Lord sent forth the Chosen,
  • to bring forth the light of faith
  • And those who embrace his love
  • Shall be saved by his grace
  • For we are his shepherds in the darkness
  • His Angels of Mercy.
  • But those who turn away from his light,
  • And reject his true word
  • Shall be struck down by his wrath
  • For we are his retribution incarnate
  • His Angels of Vengeance
    • Do you know where this is from? It is from the Scriptures... Book of Reclaiming, chapter four: verse forty-five. Our strength comes from His mercy. This alone is what makes us Amarr strong. This is what makes you strong. Now give your father a kiss and run along.")
  • "Mistress, they're coming! Please think of the young ones--"
  • "You two, retrieve provisions from the kitchens. Prepare for a siege. Captain!"
  • "Mistress!"
  • "Set a security perimeter around the inner wall and barricade the upper levels of the house from everything else. This is where we'll make our stand. First, execute these two house slaves."
  • "No--noooooooo--" PEW.
  • "Please have mer--" PEW.
  • "Once we're secured, order in the Riot Interdiction Teams from the orbiting station..."
  • "Their orders Mistress?"
  • "To quell this uprising at all costs. Execute them ALL."

Fíorghrá: Grá na fírinne

Maireann croí éadrom i bhfad.

Bíonn súil le muir ach ní bhíonn súil le tír.

Is maith an scéalaí an aimsir.

When the lost ships of Greece finally return home...
Enya Sparhawk
Black Tea and Talons
#5 - 2014-08-03 06:52:10 UTC  |  Edited by: Enya Sparhawk

    "The strength of our slightest words befalls the biggest of giants, inducing fear into the loyal audience of unbelievers and heretics."

  • "If you want my support in the Council, you will listen to my words."
  • "Very well then. Speak your mind. We'll listen."
  • "Fine... make it quick. I've got other duties to attend to today."
  • "I may be the Holder of a mere single planet, but that one planet is driven by its vast resource base, as well as its faith. Both have made my family wealthy beyond any wildest dream. We each in our hearts, held onto Anoyia's Exhortation to the Faithful from the Scriptures to guide us:
  • Chosen, you are first before God.
  • You are the True and the Faithful.
  • But in such a state must you hold yourselves high above all.
  • And constantly prove yourself worthy of God’s Love.
  • How can such a gift be repaid,
  • Other than to toil all our days,
  • In his glorious service,
  • According to his will,
  • Serving him always,
  • Bearing him first in our thoughts,
  • Always must we strive to show him our worth,
  • For we are the Chosen, Blessed above all.
    • No matter how many systems you few govern as Holders, it is MY planet that fuels your industries and who builds your navies. My demands are simple; I wish to have more of an equal voice in this 'Partnership'. Do not forget I also have the ear of Merimeth Sarum."
  • Pfft. "You're friends with Merimeth?? I highly doubt it."
  • "I never said that we were friends, but that I merely have his ear. You there. You know this to be true."
  • "Yes. It’s true, I've seen it."
  • "I'm sure the royal family would be interested in knowing what you three have been up to out here in the furthest reaches from the Empire. Clear?"
  • "OKAY, Okay... we have to run, let’s not do anything rash. Give us a day?"
  • "Now."
  • "He's bluffing. C'mon we need to run."
  • "Just give him what he wants. I don't want any trouble."
  • "I agree. Alright, you're in."
  • "Fine, he's in. -- You play a dangerous game sir, but you do play it well. I think you are worthy as a man which should be feared."
    • "Only through the grace of the Holder can one hope to levitate as the objects of God's desire closer to him. Just like the openness of the sky, it is an unending and unbounded Mission of a Holder's life."

  • "Shalihiz... my only son..."
  • "You are drunk again father. Please. Leave me be."
  • "Only through many hardships is a man stripped to his very foundations. And in such a state, devoid of distractions is his soul free to soar. And in this, he is closest to God. That is our mission my son. Passed down to us through the ages by the Scriptures. I don't remember where it’s from--"
  • "Is that why you drink? In order to bring hardship down upon your family."
  • "No... Your mother use to ask me the same thi--"
  • "Well now, she is not asking that anymore is she?"
  • "No... She had real faith that one..." Swig. "I believe she is with Him. I'm sure of it... after what I put her through in life."
  • "Here. Put the bottle down father. Get a bit sleep, your head will be clearer in the morning.--
    • It was from the Book of Missions, chapter 42: verse 5."
    "Through Faith, our greatest gift becomes also our deadliest, an uncanny ability in inflicting serious wounds on the weak, as well as the strong alike."

  • "There will be neither compassion nor mercy;--"
  • "Please... no more..."
  • "Nor peace, nor solace--"
  • Whirr. Snap.
  • "For those who bear witness to these Signs--"
  • Whirr. Snap. "Pleeease, have mercy!!??"
  • "And still do not believe.--"
  • Whirr. Snapp.
  • "Forgive me... please; I now see the error of my ways..."
  • Whirrrr. Snap.
  • "Our Scriptures... the Book of Reclaiming shall bring you back into the fold. Chapter 25"
  • Whirr. Snap.
  • "Verse ten."
  • "There should remain nothing else in your mind, body and universe, save by His Will." Simple, lasting words spoken by Diplomat Yassavi finishing his lesson. From a quick glance, their Superior that they were waiting on has finally finished his business from the upper levels and could be seen exiting one of the mag-lifts. Through the hood of his robe, he quickly spots his lax subordinates in measured discussion and starts making his way over to the pair.
  • "You can save your sermon. I am the last of my family to still be enslaved. As for the rest, others have either bought them out of slavery or they were freed from good favour. I am the last and there is now hope, however small that I too could be a freed man before I die someday. I only need to outlive YOU. You, who has fool-hardily enlisted us into the most dangerous of professions in the whole of the Empire, all because you lack humility." Still maintaining their careful eye contact, Noruaiha reflects with confidence to his master his thoughts, bringing them out into the open air. "Believe it or not, your father was a kind man. My family still think of him to this day, offering his name in their prayers."
  • "I'm glad to see that the two of you were not too much of a nuisance while I was busy working out a proposal on the upper levels above." Sneers the senior Amarr Diplomat, approaching the now quieted pair. He hurriedly continues, "Diplomat Yassavi, your superiors in the Order wishes you to contact them right away. I don't know the details but I believe that it is a matter of urgency. And please remind them that I am not an answering service for them. Now if you two will excuse me... I'm heading back to the warmth and comforts of our Embassy."

Fíorghrá: Grá na fírinne

Maireann croí éadrom i bhfad.

Bíonn súil le muir ach ní bhíonn súil le tír.

Is maith an scéalaí an aimsir.

When the lost ships of Greece finally return home...
Enya Sparhawk
Black Tea and Talons
#6 - 2014-08-03 06:57:12 UTC  |  Edited by: Enya Sparhawk

  • "Thank you your Grace. I will relay your message to them." Shalihiz responds to the uninterested and now vacant diplomat. Turning once again to his 'servant' he nods in the direction he wishes them to go. "Come along Oumis, we can use one of the holo-terminals to open contact. I'll need you to keep a watch."
  • "Of course Sir."
  • "Keep your eyes focused on the task only, got it? I wouldn't want to get a knife in the back because you weren't paying attention. I do not expect this to take long."
  • Not far from where the pair was standing, nestled indiscreetly among the background topiary gardens and the multiple comfortable seating areas, sat the few holo-terminal panels that the pair was now making their way to. Fortunately, most of the urgent business for the day has long filtered away, leaving just a few stragglers here and there among the lobby, but nothing more. Ordinator Shalihiz Yassavi, upon reaching the silicate panel pauses to recollect his thoughts, mentally organizing the report he intended to make. He heaves a sigh, dreading having to make contact with his superiors from The Ministry of Internal Order; his 'calling' to the Order, even under the guise of a diplomatic envoy will never give him that feeling of security that he so needed in his life. Even with his slave Noruaiha tethered to his back, he felt exposed by all of his recent choices. This to him seemed like his greatest source of humility. His call is answered.
  • --"Please hold."--
  • --"Ahem. 'Diplomat' Yassavi. You couldn't have called from a more secured location?"--
  • "I can assure your Grace, our conversation will be private here. I have employed scripted counter measures. We have encountered some rather peculiar behaviour from our Caldari allies on this planet that I think the Ministry may find interesting--"
  • --"Yes, yes... I'm sure it would be. For now, you and your 'assistant' are being reassigned to Caldari Prime in the Crux constellation. You will be part of the diplomatic envoy we have dispatched offering the Empire's prayers and financial assistance to the orphans of their untimely little conflict. Here you are to spare no expense convincing the authorities of the Gallente Federation that you are nothing more. The Empire's coffers are at your disposal. We have just now completed arranging your diplomatic travel documents through Federation space. You can pick them up from the Embassy."--
  • "Into Gallente Federation space?? I don't understand."
  • --"It’s not your place to understand. Just to follow through with the orders you are given. This will be more of a 'hands-on' mission for the two of you. After you are inserted onto the planet, you will be on your own. Trust no one."--
  • "Our mission your Grace?"
  • --"Ah well... I'd rather not speak of it here. All the pertinent details will be explained to you when you pick up your travel papers. I need not remind you of what our present situation with the Federation is. Should you get caught in any sort of compromising position, well, knowing your family's past, let us just say that it would be better if you should not survive. Clear?--"
  • "Understood your Grace."
  • --"You have been instructed to leave on the next available transport heading from the planet and then connect up with our Ark medical/Aid ship heading for the Federation's space carrying humanitarian supplies. You are a representative of the Amarr Faith, please conduct yourself as such. From what little I could gather, it appears that the Gallente Federation's SDII has kidnapped a man by the name of Dr. Kyle Emmerson; he was one of Caldari's elite scientists. We need to know more. The Council has a keen interest in learning what sort of scientific research he may of been working on before he was taken. It also appears that other empires may be as well, so the two of you will have your work cut out for you. May God be with you in the darkness."--
  • "Wait!! Your Grace... as for my earlier report on the peculiar behaviour of our allies?--"
  • --"Ordinator Yassavi, you would be wise to not forget your place. I told you that there would be another time for this. I find your lack of humility very displeasing. I've given you your orders. Now GO!!"-- {end transmission}
  • From his careful watch, Noruaiha Oumis grins to himself.

Fíorghrá: Grá na fírinne

Maireann croí éadrom i bhfad.

Bíonn súil le muir ach ní bhíonn súil le tír.

Is maith an scéalaí an aimsir.

When the lost ships of Greece finally return home...