.jpg)
Recorder on.
The view is of an old, converted cargo bay that has been turned into a torture chamber, or at least a mockup of one. It is slightly too melodramatic to be real, with an emphasis more on sharp blades and chains than more advanced and effective implements of interrogation. Repentence is sitting against a wall, toying with a chain idly with one hand.
Finally found another camera drone. Got this one off Inara instead of stealing one of my brother's, this time... don't want him eavesdropping on me.
God, it's ages since I recorded anything... so much has happened! Dying, being reunited with Inara, making friends with an AI...
She shrugs vaguely, looking thoughtful and continuing to fiddle with the links.
Probably safe to say that we're being a bad influence on each other, Age and I. But I like her... She feels more approachable than Inara sometimes... we've talked about all kinds of things. And she's made me think about things... like death.
She stands, ambling over to one of the walls and feeling the blade of a knife thoughtfully.
She says that... I don't know. It's hard to put into words. We're all going to die anyway, so why bother being scared about it. Something like that.
She draws a finger slowly along the edge, back and forth.
Between that, and the blood therapy I've been taking... I've been hardening, I guess. I remember being horrified by Inara's record, and for a while it still made me shiver inside. But now I can think about what she's done, about what all the Ghosts have done, and not even flinch. People die all the time...
I don't know if I'd want to kill and threaten for a living, like they do. Probably not, but it doesn't frighten me any more.
The knife breaks the skin, and she draws her finger back quickly, looking at the blood welling up.
Oops.
She sucks on the cut quickly, before looking at it for a while. Then she carefully picks up the knife, and slices along another finger. She brings it to her nose, sniffing gently, and smiles.
Then she realises what she is doing, and drops the knife hurriedly.
Maybe that therapy's gone too far.
I should do something for these...
She reaches out to turn off the camera.
Recorder off.
Friday 24 July 2009
Monday 20 July 2009
Interlude: ...Unknown Gallente Woman
Nadire Police Department, Sinq Laison
Report No. 18599-33A
Author:
Type: Missing Persons Report
Name of Person: Julia Petrali
Nationality: Gallente
Last Seen: University of Caille station, Inghenges
Profession: Waitress
Circumstances of Disappearance: Miss Petrali left her place of work, the Sparrowhawk's Rest, at 0002 YST. She was seen entering an elevator to return to her home on the station. No confirmed sightings after this, but one unconfirmed report suggests that she was in contact with an unknown Gallente woman. Technical difficulties in identifying the woman.
--------------------------
Nadire Police Department, Sinq Laison
Report No. 18603-38C
Author:
Type: Missing Persons Report
Name of Person: Avoran Grae
Nationality: Ni-Kunni
Last Seen: Impro Factory station, Goinard
Profession: Priest
Circumstances of Disappearance: Mr Grae was seen leaving the Last Gate nightclub after conducting business there at 0229 YST. He was seen in the company of an unknown Gallente woman shortly afterwards. Technical difficulties in identifying the woman.
--------------------------
Nadire Police Department, Sinq Laison
Report No. 18605-01B
Author:
Type: Missing Persons Report
Name of Person: Kara Verastia
Nationality: Sebiestor
Last Seen: Concord Logistic Support station, Raeghoscon
Profession: Part-time dock worker
Circumstances of Disappearance: Miss Verastia walked out in the middle of her shift at 0438 YST, complaining about abuse by her superiors. When her path was obstructed, she attacked her supervisor, inflicting minor injuries. Enforcers sent to retrieve her spotted her with an unknown Gallente woman before losing track of her. Technical difficulties in identifying the woman.
--------------------------
Nadire Police Department, Sinq Laison
Report No. 18605-01C
Author:
Type: Missing Persons Report
Name of Person: Rana Viciris
Nationality: Deteis
Last Seen: Concord Logistic Support station, Raeghoscon
Profession: Dock Security Officer
Circumstances of Disappearance: Mr Viciris was in pursuit of a rebellious dock worker who attacker her supervisor (see Report 18605-01B). His team went out of contact while pursuing a Gallente woman possibly connected. The other three officers were found dead from close-range projectile fire. Technical difficulties in identifying the woman.
Report No. 18599-33A
Author:
Type: Missing Persons Report
Name of Person: Julia Petrali
Nationality: Gallente
Last Seen: University of Caille station, Inghenges
Profession: Waitress
Circumstances of Disappearance: Miss Petrali left her place of work, the Sparrowhawk's Rest, at 0002 YST. She was seen entering an elevator to return to her home on the station. No confirmed sightings after this, but one unconfirmed report suggests that she was in contact with an unknown Gallente woman. Technical difficulties in identifying the woman.
--------------------------
Nadire Police Department, Sinq Laison
Report No. 18603-38C
Author:
Type: Missing Persons Report
Name of Person: Avoran Grae
Nationality: Ni-Kunni
Last Seen: Impro Factory station, Goinard
Profession: Priest
Circumstances of Disappearance: Mr Grae was seen leaving the Last Gate nightclub after conducting business there at 0229 YST. He was seen in the company of an unknown Gallente woman shortly afterwards. Technical difficulties in identifying the woman.
--------------------------
Nadire Police Department, Sinq Laison
Report No. 18605-01B
Author:
Type: Missing Persons Report
Name of Person: Kara Verastia
Nationality: Sebiestor
Last Seen: Concord Logistic Support station, Raeghoscon
Profession: Part-time dock worker
Circumstances of Disappearance: Miss Verastia walked out in the middle of her shift at 0438 YST, complaining about abuse by her superiors. When her path was obstructed, she attacked her supervisor, inflicting minor injuries. Enforcers sent to retrieve her spotted her with an unknown Gallente woman before losing track of her. Technical difficulties in identifying the woman.
--------------------------
Nadire Police Department, Sinq Laison
Report No. 18605-01C
Author:
Type: Missing Persons Report
Name of Person: Rana Viciris
Nationality: Deteis
Last Seen: Concord Logistic Support station, Raeghoscon
Profession: Dock Security Officer
Circumstances of Disappearance: Mr Viciris was in pursuit of a rebellious dock worker who attacker her supervisor (see Report 18605-01B). His team went out of contact while pursuing a Gallente woman possibly connected. The other three officers were found dead from close-range projectile fire. Technical difficulties in identifying the woman.
Sunday 19 July 2009
Mortis: The Conference
Recorder on.
The view is of a fluid, organic room in Gallente design, in the typical design of Mortis' screen rooms. Mortis watches the ordered blur of information quietly, apparently just enjoying the ambiance.
The Synenose Conference was a disaster.
Ever since I heard about it, I was quietly anxious about the whole matter... and seeing the speakers didn't improve my feelings. A lot of obvious stuff, and a few things that no one has apparently thought about yet. Except me.
He laughs darkly.
And then the Masque was quietly fuming. She'd put a lot of hopes on it as well, and she came away disappointed. Haven't seen her since, went off to do ship checks. Taking about twice the usual time to go through the routine...
He glances at a screen.
She doesn't usually take the ships out of the hangar. Or do a rapid refit with a spare cloak...
Gives me a chance for a little peace, at least.
A screen flashes a quiet alert that the Impious Judgement has entered the station.
Why do I feel that this is going to go badly?
Recorder off.
The view is of a fluid, organic room in Gallente design, in the typical design of Mortis' screen rooms. Mortis watches the ordered blur of information quietly, apparently just enjoying the ambiance.
The Synenose Conference was a disaster.
Ever since I heard about it, I was quietly anxious about the whole matter... and seeing the speakers didn't improve my feelings. A lot of obvious stuff, and a few things that no one has apparently thought about yet. Except me.
He laughs darkly.
And then the Masque was quietly fuming. She'd put a lot of hopes on it as well, and she came away disappointed. Haven't seen her since, went off to do ship checks. Taking about twice the usual time to go through the routine...
He glances at a screen.
She doesn't usually take the ships out of the hangar. Or do a rapid refit with a spare cloak...
Gives me a chance for a little peace, at least.
A screen flashes a quiet alert that the Impious Judgement has entered the station.
Why do I feel that this is going to go badly?
Recorder off.
Monday 6 July 2009
Mortis: Dreaming
Recorder on.
The view is of a contorted vessel, all sleek Gallente lines and menace with a curious 'hammerhead' hull. In curling letters along the flank is the word Astaroth. Maintenance craft buzz around it, affixing plates and systems.
The camera pulls back to show Mortis looking over the Proteus from the viewing platform with a faint smile on his face.
She's finally here.
I've already tested the base systems. Just getting the final weapons installed. Connecting with her is like a dream...
You sound positively besotted.
The figure of Ashley moves into view. Mortis does not turn.
Can you blame me? Anyway. Did the Ferret perform adequately?
Adequately enough. Questions will no doubt be asked as to why you were spotted back here while one of your ships helped to decimate a Drone outpost. Few will be happy to know that they had an AI flying alongside them.
They'll get over it. They'll have to, if they wish for my assets to be supporting the Cartel while I'm working with the Serpentis.
Tread carefully. Even the half-truths we've told are not particularly appealling. It'll take time for them to trust me. I doubt that Miss Subaka ever will.
You don't sound particularly disappointed.
She's weak. Bargaining for the kidnapper's life instead of leaving her to her fate...
She's a long way from weak. And she's useful. She's taken good care of Reppy.
Silence.
We're not discussing this again, Masque. You're considered a liability as it is.
I consider it a risk worth taking.
I don't, and you are still my subordinate. As per our deal. I give you shelter, you give me assistance. We all win.
The Masque does not reply for a while.
Very well. Now, excuse me. I feel the urge to merge with the Astaroth for a while.
To do what? Pray?
Don't be crass.
Ashley leaves the view.
Mortis looks off camera for a moment, mutters something inaudible, then reaches out to turn off the camera.
One more thing, Masque... did you autho-
Recorder off.
The view is of a contorted vessel, all sleek Gallente lines and menace with a curious 'hammerhead' hull. In curling letters along the flank is the word Astaroth. Maintenance craft buzz around it, affixing plates and systems.
The camera pulls back to show Mortis looking over the Proteus from the viewing platform with a faint smile on his face.
She's finally here.
I've already tested the base systems. Just getting the final weapons installed. Connecting with her is like a dream...
You sound positively besotted.
The figure of Ashley moves into view. Mortis does not turn.
Can you blame me? Anyway. Did the Ferret perform adequately?
Adequately enough. Questions will no doubt be asked as to why you were spotted back here while one of your ships helped to decimate a Drone outpost. Few will be happy to know that they had an AI flying alongside them.
They'll get over it. They'll have to, if they wish for my assets to be supporting the Cartel while I'm working with the Serpentis.
Tread carefully. Even the half-truths we've told are not particularly appealling. It'll take time for them to trust me. I doubt that Miss Subaka ever will.
You don't sound particularly disappointed.
She's weak. Bargaining for the kidnapper's life instead of leaving her to her fate...
She's a long way from weak. And she's useful. She's taken good care of Reppy.
Silence.
We're not discussing this again, Masque. You're considered a liability as it is.
I consider it a risk worth taking.
I don't, and you are still my subordinate. As per our deal. I give you shelter, you give me assistance. We all win.
The Masque does not reply for a while.
Very well. Now, excuse me. I feel the urge to merge with the Astaroth for a while.
To do what? Pray?
Don't be crass.
Ashley leaves the view.
Mortis looks off camera for a moment, mutters something inaudible, then reaches out to turn off the camera.
One more thing, Masque... did you autho-
Recorder off.
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