Riley's Little Spot on the Web

Cerah he was dreaming of Tanitel again.  Tanitel, the loyal ‘Minnie footman’, she thought as she dreamed.

It was over twenty years ago when she met Tan.  Cerah was learning, at the protest of her parents, all she could about the Minmatar people.  Tan was her guide in this journey into the forbidden knowledge of the slaves.  Nonetheless, Cerah pursued all she could learn and in turn, pursued her guide.  He was a strong man, proud with tradition and yet he treated her as if she was as close as kin.  Over time, Tan and Cerah did fell in love.  Such things happen when people spend time with one another.  In Amarrian, society ‘love relations’ do occur between the Amarr and their slaves, but it is not usually a mutual love, more of lustful abuse of the slaves.

Cerah and Tanitel had a different love.  A true love, one that you read about in the books of old.  Such ‘equal love’ had to be kept secret.  It had to remain hidden from the Amarrian world.  To allow their love to become known would have meant death for the both of them.

Painful it was, honoring the wishes of her parents to marry Galen Grendalis the IV.  She had no choice.  An arranged marriage on their world was not something that one could simply walk away from or at least, walk away alive.  The Grendalis family was one of the most powerful on Oris.  Her parents would have thought it an honor to marry into that family.  It was her curse to be wed to such a man.  His cruelty towards the Minmatar was well known.  He was the slayer of slaves.

Through everything, Tan was still there and alive.  He had been picked as her loyal footman, to tend to her needs when she was venturing beyond the grounds of the manor.  Some thought it odd that an Amarrian woman would have such a trusted slave, but it was not unheard of in the Empire.  To allow such an Amarrian Lady to fall into harms way would result in the destruction of many Minmatar villages.  It was point of honor to protect those women, yet another stone of oppression to hold over the collective heads of the Minmatar people.

Slowly, she opened her eyes.  It was dark again; night had fallen as she slept through the day.  She felt weak, drained.  The news that her son Galen would face the whip in the morning brought tears to her eyes again.  Softly she sobbed as she lay in her bed.

A quiet whisper sneaked out from the darkness, “Do not be sad my love.  All is not lost.”  Tanitel’s words floated through the night and settled upon Cerah’s troubled mind like the warm rays of the springtime sun.

“Tan, oh my Tan.  You have snuck in here again.  I have missed you these past few months.”  Cerah’s voice was weak and filled with pain.

“My love, I have a wonderful gift for you, “Tanitel spoke softly as he placed the data pad into her cold hand, “Look at your son…and our daughter.”

Cerah’s eye opened widely.  She stared at Tanitel and with tears filling her blue eyes, “Daughter?  I can not know anything of her, if Galen was to learn what I knew, she would be in danger.”

Tanitel smiled and helped Cerah to sit upright.  As he put his arm around her, he took the data pad and held it so they could both see the picture.

“Cerah, the Five will leave the Eight, you remember those words, don’t you?”  Tanitel whispered gently, “Galen Grendalis the Fifth and his sister Leainati have left Oris.  So look at your family my love, they are free.”

Cerah looked at the picture, “Oh, she is so beautiful.  Galen and Leainati, they are gone?  They have left?”

“Yes my love,” continued Tanitel, “Leainati rescued Ga’len from the chapel and they took a shuttle off planet.  Soon they will be too far for danger to reach them.”

“Ga’len?” asked Cerah, “you called him Ga’len, why?”

“It is the name Seenan has given him.  His new life needed a new name and he seemed to like it,” Tanitel held Cerah closer.

Cerah smiled and closed her eyes, “They are free.  Free to live their lives.  At last…”

Her breathing grew shallow and her embrace grew weaker.  Slowly she drifted away into sleep in Tanitel’s arms.  Slower and slower, he weak breath escaped her lips until it was quiet.

The room seemed to grow darker as Tanitel realized that he was alone.  The Five had left the Eight and so had Cerah’s life too slipped away this night.

Tanitel lightly kissed her on the lips, “Sleep my love, and be free.  It has been too long.  Your wishes will be honored.”

***

Dawn came to Oris quietly.  The sun slowly crept up across the horizon, spreading its light over the mountains, down into the valley and across the fields.  The Minmatar slaves had already been working for hours in the dark and they were about to begin their morning meal break, but this morning would be different.

Galen Grendalis the Fourth had called an assembly at the chapel.  Here within the chapel and on view screens all over the installation, everyone would watch the wrath of Galen befall those who would attack and kill Amarrian guards.  They would all witness yet another beating but this time, it was another Amarr citizen, his son.  All was going according to plan, Galen Grendalis was much too happy with himself.  Soon he would show all those who had been disobedient that he was their ruler and his power was uncontestable.

The knock on the door shattered the serenity of his morning meal.  “WHY DO YOU DISTURB ME?!?!?  ENTER!”,  Galen shouted.

The door slowly opened and the standing in full armor was Nathorn, the head of the house guard.  He was a large man, broad shoulders.  His face was clean; his hair was always perfectly presentable.  He always stood tall and possessed an arrogant and commanding presence, but this morning, he stood in a half-bent over cower.  It was clear that he was very unsettled, something was very wrong on this morning.

“Milord, I am most sorry to bring you this sad news.”  Nathorn’s voice was trembling with fear.  The news must be severe for this man to be filled with fear.

“WELL, OUT WITH IT YOU FOOL!”  Galen grew impatient.  He hated to be disturbed in the morning.

Nathorn continued, “The doctor visited upon your wife, the Lady Cerah this morning and has discovered that she has passed.  I am so sorry milord; please accept the condolences of myself, my family, and the house guard.”

Galen Grendalis sat there in his chair.  He paused his chewing for a moment and looked up at Nathorn.  “This is why you have disturbed me?  To tell me that ungrateful bitch, that rotting corpse in my bed has finally succumbed to her laziness?  Tell me, “Galen’s voice was filled with contempt, “why I should not have you killed?  Sad news?  This is good news.  She is finally dead, good riddance!”

Nathorn remained motionless and stuck in is half-cowering stance.  “There is more milord,” his voice was very broken, and he was shaking in fear, “It would seem that your son has escaped from the chapel during the night.”

“WHAT!?!?!?!?!  WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE HAS ESCAPED!”, Galen flew up out of his chair and ran across the room.  He drew his knife that he always kept on his belt and slashed out at Nathorn’s throat.   The blade clanged against the neck armor and then fell to the floor.

“NATHORN, YOU WILL FIND MY SON AND BRING HIM TO THE CHAPEL NOW!  YOU HAVE TEN MINUTES AND IF YOU DO NOT BRING HIM, I WILL MAKE SURE I GET THROUGH YOUR ARMOR NEXT TIME!”, Galen’s voice was filled with rage enough to push Nathorn out of the room.

Nathorn called out, “GUARDS!  GUARDS!  FIND GALEN GRENDALIS THE FIFTH IMMEDIATLY!”

Galen stormed out of the room, stopping only to pick up his knife.  As he exited the doorway, the slashed out with his knife and killed the first man he saw.  The servant who was moving the body of Cerah Grendalis found his throat cut wide open, he fell to the ground with a gurgling choke, and blood sprayed everywhere.

The cleric escorting the body spoke, “Milord!  Please stop!  We understand you may be distraught with the passing of you wife, but…,” the servant’s voice was stopped short and the blade slashed out again, cutting his shoulder deeply.  He ran away down the hall, screaming in pain.

Galen Grendalis the ’slayer of slaves’ was on a rampage and anyone who fell into his path would die.  The manor was going to become a bloody place again.

***

Hidden in the shadows in the hallway, Tanitel observed the carnage.

“How fortunate, his rage has helped me for once,” Tanitel thought, “With that dammed cleric gone tending his wounded shoulder and unfortunately the servant dead, Cerah has been left alone.  My love, as I promised, your wishes will be honored.”

Tanitel moved quickly, picked up Cerah in his arms, and ran down the east hall, ducked around the corner and headed into the secret passage he had come to depend on.  In another moment, he was out of the manor and safely heading into the woods.

Deeper into the woods, Tanitel tried to make his way as quietly as he could.  He would soon be missed the morning meal.  He had managed to elude being seen and unbeknownst him, missed as the first shift began its work in the fields.

Deeper and deeper Tanitel traveled, towards the old ruins.

It would be here, as Cerah had told him long ago, that he would build the pyre.  It would be here that Cerah Grendalis would finally see her freedom from this life.

“Soon my love, soon you will be free among the starts,” Tanitel’s thoughts drifted from Cerah’s last wish and their daughter, “This is so cruel Leainati.  You barely knew your mother and now she is gone.”

Further and further into the forest Tanitel silently moved.  Soon, soon it will all be over.

***

Seenan was gathered with many workers from the first shift.  She was standing in front of on of the man view screens that normally showed the current production numbers, which teams were behind and news bursts that usually showed her fellow slaves being beaten for simply not working as hard as their masters demanded.

This morning, there was supposed to be a special viewing of a disciplinary action in the chapel.  She chuckled quietly to herself, as she knew well; the poor soul that was bound in the chapel was now light-years away from Oris.

A low murmur began to spread through the crowd.  The guards were all talking into their communications gear; there were panicked looks on their faces.

“Something is not right…or was it?” Seenan thought to herself, “Lord Grendalis must be in a rage over  Ga’len’s escape.  That must be it.”

The guards began moving people into formation for a count.  They all seemed very frantic, their eyes filled with fear.  This Seenan expected however, one of the guards looked as if he had been crying.  He was so distraught that he dropped his weapon.

Seenan immediately fell to her knees and cowered away from the guard.  No slave was to ever stand if a guard was not armed.  The guard quickly picked up his weapon and spoke with a shaky voice, “On your feet, form up.”

“Yes sir…if I may speak?”  Seenan spoke boldly, “normally we do not care much for you guards, but something is bothering, is it not?”

The guard’s eyes narrowed and he looked as if he was about to strike Seenan, but he stopped himself and spoke, “No, this I will not do, not today,” his voice was filled with grief, “Yes, something is wrong.  Your Lady Grendalis has passed into the next life.  She died in her sleep last night and you will…”

Before the guard could finish her sentence, he saw that Seenan’s eyes were filling with tears.  She fell to her knees and sobbed softly.  Her ankle still ached with pain.  She put a hand on her ankle to try to hold back the pain.

As she looked up at the guard, she spoke warmly, “Dear sir, I can see that you morn her.  Know that you are not alone in your grief.  The Lady Grendalis was always kind to me and mine.  Her light will be missed in all our lives, “Seenan continued, “You honor her on this day by not striking me, by not showing me the violence that she hated with her entire being.  I shall honor your kindness by my submission.  Do with me as you will.”

The guard was taken aback by this display.  How could a lowly slave touch his heart?  His eyes began to fill with tears.  He hid his face with his hand and shouted, “You two there, help this woman, her leg is injured.  Take her to the infirmary at once.  Lord Grendalis will want all his slaves to be able to work double hard after this delay today.”

The guard, after wiping his face clean, looks at Seenan through mournful eyes and mouthed two words, Thank you.

***

When Seenan arrived at the infirmary, her ankle had begun to stop its protest of pain.  Regardless, she administered a pain reliever and put on a brace.  She had to hurry; Tanitel would be making his way to the old ruins.  There was much work to do.

She returned to her barracks and gather what she would need, including the urn she had kept hidden for Tanitel.

“Seenan, is it true?  Has Lady Cerah died?” asked one of the infirmary’s attendants.

“Yes, her light has left us my friend.  Pass the word, at dusk we meet at the old ruins deep in the forest,” Seenan’s eyes began to fill with tears again, “Tonight we honor her memory.”

Continued

Welcome to the first ever edition of the EVE Blog Challenge! The monthly EVE blogging extravaganza inspired by the “Blog Banter” and created by AnMiTh.  The EVE Blog Challenge is about story telling, and relaying our experiences in EVE in new and exciting ways. The stories/posts that are created are both, long and short, detailed and not so detailed, but it is always fun to see everyone’s interpretation of the source materials.

Questions or comments should be directed here, and if you are interested in signing up to participate go here.  Anyone can submit source materials, to do so email them to us here.  And don’t forget to read the other EVE Blog Challenge posts that will be listed at the bottom of this post.

This months source materials were submitted up by AnMiTh from EVE Guru.

The sun glistens off the side of the Blade of Truth as she slowly glides through space towards the station orbiting Amarr. This has been the end of a long journey, Leaianti had to go through the fire and brimstone of hell, but you made it in one piece. Those Sansha pirates were right when they said it would be tough, they were also right when they said she would be rich.

The ship glides to a stop as the station’s docking computer takes over control of  Blade of Truth.  Before Leainati is even ready to exit her pod the request is sent to her computer… “They” are ready for you in the meeting hall, they are anxious to hear about the journey and the status of the mission that she was on.

Those Sansha pirates were supposed to meet with both her and Ga’len to finalize the payments for ’stolen loot’.

Ga’len, it had been so long since she had seen her half-brother Ga’len.  Years had gone by and their paths always seemed to not be able to cross.  There was the time in Hek when the Minmatar gate police were chasing around Ga’len or that time when she had recently castrated an Amarr bishop who was molesting those little boys.

There was always something getting in the way.

The shower was a blessing.  It had been four months in space without a break.  Leaianti did not mind spending time suspended in that Jovian goo, but it is always nice to get out and move about using your legs instead of a ship’s thrusters.  The warm water flowed over her body, caressing away the stress of the past four months.  If only all things in life we filled with the brief, bittersweet joys of cleaning one’s skin.  If only all the troubles in life could simply be washed away into the drain in the floor.

Trogon was standing in the meeting hall.  He was a short man, twisted back and grotesque features from years of abusing those narcotics that the Serpentis pirates sold him each week.  He thought himself a giant, a gift to the women of the universe.  Most people thought otherwise.  He saw her and yelled, “Leaianti!  It is good to see you again!  That uniform does you no justice, take it off and I will show you…” He stopped short.  A knife was at his throat and an evil smile was on Leaianti’s face.

“Don’t test me little man.  I am not interested in you showing me your delusions of adequacy.  I am not a plaything for you to fret about with your little tools.  I have dropped off the last of the cargo into your storage area.  I expect to be paid now.  Pay me and answer my question, where is everyone?”  Leaianti’s commanding voice made Trogon cower like the troll that he was.

“Don’t think that a free ‘Minnie-bitch’ can cut a man’s throat on an Amarr station,” he hissed.  His eyes glaring at her body as if she was a piece of meat, “Now, where shall I put….” his voice seized in his throat as the knife pressed harder into his skin.

“You can put whatever trifles you are thinking about back into you dreams.  I am not your toy; do not even try to play with me.  Now give me my money and answer my question, where is everyone?” Leainati’s patience was wearing thin.  This Sansha pirate needed to die but it would have to wait.  She needed the money she was owed.

“Calm yourself, I meant no harm.  If you would be so kind to put your knife away, we can conclude our business,” Trogan’s eyes were wide with fear.  As Leainati sheathed her knife, he quickly typed away on his data pad.  A sharp trilling from her data pad confirmed that the money had been transferred, “Now that our business is concluded, what is your price?  You are simply too beautiful to not have me.  Many a woman has wanted to lay with me.  I can be your greatest adventure!  How much to ride you like the ‘Minnie-bitch’ that you are!”

Silence.

There was just silence in the air.  It hung thick as Trogon stopped talking.  The silence held him upright as he stood in complete shock.  It held him there as a spot of blood formed at the center of his neck and slowly spread in a thin horizontal line around his neck.  The silence continued to hold his body firm as his head slowly tilted to the left and fell from his neck.  His hands twitched slightly and then the whole of his frame slowly, silently, collapsed to the floor.  The silence was only broken as the sound of blood dripping from Leainati’s knife slowly, patted upon the floor.

“His blood was simply not worth spilling, but alas, the deed is done.  Good thing too, I wanted to shoot him.  He should be nicer to my sister,” Ga’len’s voice rang out from the shadows as he slowly stepped into the light of the meeting hall.

“BROTHER,” Leainati yelled as she ran towards him.  They embraced each other as she spoke, “I have missed you so much.  Did you loose another Capsule?  You have no hair!”

Ga’len smiled, “No.  Being the pirate that I am, I cannot simply fly into the Amarr system.  The gate police will shoot me on site.  Fortunately, I still had a jump clone here.  It was the easiest way to get into the station.  As long as I behave myself, the police on the station will take no notice of me being here.  Of course, still having my identification documents for Galen Grendalis the Fifth.  That helps to distract their attention from my ‘Yarr-ish’ lifestyle.”

“So, since you always behave like yourself, I would guess you can answer my question as to where are all the other Sansha pirates I was supposed to meet,” Leainati grinned as she spoke.  She knew her brother well.

Ga’len chuckled and smiled, “Over here, in the trash chute.  The Fedoes are enjoying themselves.  It’s a good thing they don’t care what they eat.”

Leainati and Ga’len worked quickly to clean up the mess that was left of Trogon and headed out of the meeting hall.  Across the promenade they walked, towards a quiet bar.  After ordering drinks and some food, they headed to a booth in the back where they could talk in private.

“So tell me ‘blue-eyes’, how the hell you managed to steal all that stuff and make it back from Venal,” Ga’len was looking at her with much interest.

Leainati smiled and spoke, “It took several trips as my Reaper’s cargo hold is not the largest in New Eden.  I learned a lot about Warp Disruption bubbles and how to avoid them.  I guess being blown up several times with an empty hold made the pirates think twice about shooting me.  No point in trying to loot an empty wreck.  After that, it was just a matter of making the trips to and from Empire Space,” she paused to take a drink of her ale, “So tell me, how is life in the Neo Spartans?  Otou is a nice system I hear.”

“Life is good and yes, I like living in Otou,.  It is a nice system with a lot to see.  As for the Neo Spartans, their style of honorable pirating suits me well, but I feel the urge to wander about the universe more and more.  I must say I was happy and shocked to receive your message.  I thought you had been killed without a clone in Venal,” a tear forms in his eye and his voice breaks, “I thought you were gone.”

Leainati holds his hand, “Dear brother, we are bound to each other by more than this life.  We will never loose each other.  We are free, alive, and immortal Capsuleers.  So, while we are here in Amarr, did you want to go down to Oris and see our old home?  Perhaps visit our mother?”

Ga’len eyes closed for a moment as he collected himself.  It had been years since they both had set foot on Oris and much had changed.  “The manor is gone.  My father’s rage and open rebellion against Empress Jamyl’s emancipation decree destroyed that great house.  He would not free his slaves so the Amarr authorities seized the property.  They killed him when the marines stormed the manor house.”

Leainati sat in shock, “Well, he was an evil man to the end.  What about mother?  I never learned what happened to her after we left.”

Ga’len continued sadly, “She passed away shortly after we left.  Tanitel sent us both a message; I guess yours got lost while you were in Venal.  She saw the pictures Seenan took of us on Tanitel’s data pad, smiled, fell into a deep sleep, and quietly passed away.  Our mother’s ashes were spread among the stars.  Tanitel and Seenan said it was her last wish, to travel among the stars with her children.  It was the last thing they did before they headed to Rens.”

They both sat in silence for a long time.  Leainati was the first to speak again, “So, that history is all that is left.  I guess there is nothing left for us there.”

“No, it’s the past,” Ga’len affirmed, “Now, enough of sadness.  We have our futures to see to.  Let us eat, I am hungry.  Tell me, what is this I hear about some ruffian in Tash-Murkon you have been flirting with.  I hear stories….”

“The Five will leave the Eight.  Heed these words well Cerah Grendalis, the future depends on it.  The Five will leave the eight, The Five will leave the eight, THE FIVE WILL LEAVE THE EIGHT!!!”

Cerah woke in a cold sweat.  The old Minmatar woman Seenan was still haunting her dreams.  It had been 20 years since that night.  Twenty years since the birth of a child out of love.  To this day those haunting words had some hidden meaning to her, but nothing had come of that ‘divine omen’.

As she laid there in her bed, she savored finally being able to feel warm again.  Feeling the setting sun warm her through the window was a blessing that had been absent for far too long.

She had been ill for years, her body wasting away from the sickness within her body.  Many doctors had visited her over the years, none able to cure her.  She was dying and no one could save her.

“Tanitel,” she whispered, “O my Tanitel, I do still love you.  Watch over her.”

Soon her pains would be over.  Soon she will linger in anguish no longer.  She will be free from all this torment.  Soon death will take her with but one question still unanswered.

“The Five will leave the Eight,” she repeated aloud.

Sleep again crept up and silently took her to a dreaming journey.  It was here that she could find some freedom from her sins and yet the torment of her life continued to haunt her.  As she fell deeper into sleep, her words heavy with sleep caught her husband’s ears.

“What happened,…..what happened to my daughter…..Tanitel, please tel me….”

A few hours later, deep within the forest…

The ancient trees towered high.  Their strong branches spread wide, weaving a lush green fabric of leaves leaving only small glimpses of the sky above.  Veiled in the amber light that reflected from the Emperor Family Academy station in high orbit, Leainati and Galen were making their way through the dark woods.  Silently they moved, flowing through the underbrush like a fast but calm stream.  They were heading further into the forest and after they had traveled a few kilometers, they stopped to rest.

“Where are you taking me?”, asked Galen.

“I am taking you to see Seenan first and then to flee this place.”, replied Leaianti.

“Leaianti, I was only going to be whipped.  I can survive that well enough,” Galen’s Amarr pride was gleaming through his eyes.

“Seenan told me that I had to free you, that you have a destiny to fulfill and she insisted that you had to leave this place,” she patted him on the shoulder.

Galen’s face becomes filled with worry, “Leave?  Where will I go?  How will I live?”

“Relax, Seenan will explain everything.  Now, we must hurry.”

Making  their way past the old ruins where Galen would spend his time writing.  Further on they came to a clearing where a single campfire is burning.  Nearby is a tent with it’s flaps open.  Seenan is near the fire, sitting on a stool, stirring her drink with a spoon absently.  She looks up and the worry on her face is replaced with her familiar smile.

“Ah, my children, you have made it here safely.  Thank goodness.  Come, sit by the fire and eat something.  I have much to tell you.”

As they sat down by the fire, Galen spoke.

“Seenan, I am grateful that you sent help to save me from yet another beating by my father, but please do explain, what do you expect me to do now?” worry covers Galen’s face,  “I have fled my home and my father will now hunt me down and I expect, kill me.”

Calmingly Seenan speaks to Galen, “Child, I must tell you.  You have been wanting to leave this place, I suspect, for some time now.  Tell me, why do you wander about this forest?  Why you spend so much time among the ‘Old Stones’?”

Galen looks at Seenan.  How did she know about my travels in the old forrest? “So, tell me, how long have you been my shadow?  How long have you been watching my every move?”

Seenan smiled, “Well, to be complexly honest with you, ever since your half-sister Leaianti was born.”

Her smile widened as her two guests stared at her.  Their eyes wide, their jaws open in total shock.

“Nanna, what are you saying?  Do you mean to say that this Amarr is my kin?  I share blood with an Amarr?,” Leaianti looked horrified, “The tribe will kill me!!!”

Galen was still in total shock.  He knew of his father’s sins, how he had taken ‘Minnie lovers’ but there had never been any children or at least he had never heard of any.

“Seenan, Leaianti is my half sister?  Who did my father make her mother?”

“Galen my child.  Cerah is Leainati’s mother.  Your father could not bring a child of love into this world, save possibly for you.  My children, I think it’s time you met someone,” Seenan motions to the shadows beyond the light of the fire, “Tanitel, come here.  Come see your daughter, your family.”

From behind the trees, just past the light of the fire, a tall Minmatar man stepped forward.  Galen immediately recognized him.  He was one of the slaves that had served his mother for years.  He was the one who went to the market for her or saw to her errands.  He was a trusted salve of the manor.

“Greeting my children.  It is good to see you both safe.”

He sat down near the fire.  Everyone was very quiet for a long time, just staring into the fire, glancing up and looking at each other every now and again.  After what seemed like hours, Galen spoke.

“As an Amarr, I should have you killed for raping an Amarr woman, but I know my mother well.  She would have killed anyone who attacked her.  My mother was always sympathetic to the Minmatar people.  I can only guess what happened between you two.  After all, you have served her for years.”

“Galen, if I may call you friend?  I do have something for you, the both of you.  Your mother wrote you both letters a few years ago, in the hopes that you two would find each other.  She does not know who you are Leaianti.  She has never known your name nor your face.  It was for your safety.  Please, read these letters, they will explain everything.”

Both Galen and Leainati’s hands were shaking as they took their letters.  Galen recognized the writing as his mothers.  As they both read their letters, Tanitel told them some of what had happened.

“Cerah was…is a very beautiful woman.  She was always very curious about our people.  Her parents were kind masters, they never abused the Minmatar people, but they knew the dangers to their own if they were too kind.  Your mother spent a great deal of time sneaking out of the house, much like you do now Galen.

She wanted to learn as much about our people as she could.  Many times, I would catch her following me around, watching what I was doing.  One day she worked up the courage to speak to me.  She ordered me to carry some parcels from the market for her and I had been at her side ever since.”

Galen stopped reading his letter and look at Tanitel.  “She loved you very much.  She says here that she wished that you were my father, that I would have someone noble to learn from.”

Leaianti was sobbing softly.  “Is not Cerah very ill now?  I finally learn who my mother and father are, that I am not an orphan and now I am going to loose her.”

“Leaianti my child, “Tanitel spoke softly, “She is ill because her heart aches.  She can not know who you are as it would put you in danger.  She will be free soon, death is just another doorway of existence.  Know that you will always be in her heart.”

Seenan opened her satchel and produced a data pad.

“I believe Galen that this is yours.  I ‘borrowed’ it from you when you helped me earlier today.  I had hoped to capture a picture of Leaianti and place it back in your satchel with a message to show the picture to your mother.  Perhaps this still can be done?”

Galen looked at his sister and smiled.

“I think I can do better.  Do any of you know how I have snuck out of the manor?  There is a drainage outlet on the south slope.  The guards stay away from there, the stench of the Fedos in the holding pit is rather strong on that side of the manor.  We can sneak in from there and visit our mother, then sneak down to the pads, take a shuttle and leave this place.”

“It is too dangerous.  You can not risk being caught again.  By now, they will know you have escape the chapel.  Besides, we already have a ship for you.”

Tanitel removed a data pad from his pocket, pressed a few buttons and a shuttle hidden in the trees began to power up.

Seenan held Galen’s data pad in front of her, motioning for all of them to stand together.  She took a captured a few photos, wrote a message into the data pad and handed it to Tanitel.

“My children, you must go.  In the shuttle is everything you will need to make it to Emrayur.  Galen, your father has no authority there, you will be safe.  Go and find your destinies.”

Galen and Leaianti picked themselves up and began to follow Tanitel toward the shuttle.

“Seenan, one thing before we go.  Leainati told me I should ask you, what does the name Ga’len mean?”

She smiled and hugged him gently, whispering into his ear, “You offered me kindness when I hurt my ankle.  I offered you a kindness in turn.  Ga’len has many meanings in the history of mankind, but names have a freedom about them.  It will mean what you want it to mean.  It’s your name, it’s your life.  That’s what it means to be free.”

They sat down in the shuttle.  Leaianti went through their provisions, Galen looked over the controls and set a course for Emrayur.  Tanitel hugged them both and closed the door to the shuttle behind him.  A few moments later the shuttle, Blade of Truth, was climbing fast into the night sky.

“Nanna, I will deliver this to Cerah at once.  I should think I will not return once they learn of what is stored on this data pad.”

Seenan looked up into his eyes, “Do not worry, whatever happens you will be free, Cerah will be free and now, Galen and Leaianti will be free.”

Continued….

Seenan’s eyes were wide but her voice was steady and strong.  “My dear, what are you doing?  This man tended to my ankle and has helped me get this far.  Put your knife down!”

Seenan’s daughter could not believe what she was hearing, “Nanna, he’s Amarr, he could not have helped you! This is a trick!!!”

“Oh my dear, he is not the only kind one among those dreadful Amarr heathens.  Put your knife away and help me home.  I will tell you everything.”

This Minmatar youth’s face becomes a classic expression of surprise.  She sheaths her knife and backs away from this curious Amarrian youth.  This simply could not be.  An Amarrian who is kind and caring?  She had not heard of such a thing.  He’s staring at me.  Why is he staring at me?  Too bad he is Amarr, his face is not unpleasant.

Galen could not help himself.  This woman, although apparently deadly, was beautiful.  Her blue eyes just seemed to glow like the morning sky, her face was filled with the beauty of youth.  There was something very familiar about her eyes, but he dismissed it as a fleeting attraction for a beautiful face.

“Nanna, he is Amarr.  They can not be trusted.  They will lie at the drop of a stone.  Look how he stares at me now.  He’s thinking how he can take me to his bed chamber!”  Her hand was now again, holding her knife.

Seenan raised a hand to her daughter and gave Galen a sideways look, winking a subtle wink with one eye before she spoke.  “Oh my, where are my manners.  Leainati, this is Ga’len.  He is a forester for the manor.  He was out to collect the produce from the mushroom growers.  We have crossed paths before and I must tell you, he is not like any Amarr you have met before.  Put away your knife, he is unarmed and he’s just a bit smitten with you.  You know how all the boys like to chase you around.”

Guh len, Ga’len?  That was not my name.  She know who I am but why hide my identity?  Perhaps Leainati would kill me if she knew who I was.  I should play along he thought.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Leainati.  I must admit, I need to head back to the harvesters as soon as possible.  They will be looking for their mushroom shipment at the manor.  Ladies, I believe this is where I take my leave.  I should be heading back.”

“Ga’len, I do not trust you.  You are Amarr, how do I know that you won’t call the guards to kill me?  I threatened your life.”

“Believe me, you can trust me.  If I wanted you dead, you would be lying on the ground by now.  Please understand….”

Suddenly, from down the path, two guards spotted the three of them.

“HALT!!!!  YOU THERE, ON THE GROUND NOW!!!”

Galen turned to his two new friends and yelled, “RUN, RUN!!  GET OUT OF HERE.”

The two guards began to raise their weapons.  Galen ran towards them as fast as he could.  He tackled one of the guards, knocking him to the ground, smashing his head with a deep, resonating thump.

The second guard however, was untouched and smacked Galen against his head with the butt of his rifle.  Everything went dark.

Galen awoke, his head was throbbing as the a nurse standing over him was changing the dressing for the wound on his head.

“M’Lord, it is good to see you awake.  You are in the medbay and you will be fine.  You took a nasty blow to your head.  It’s a good thing that guard recognized you or you would be dead now.  Of course, he would be still be dead for striking a member of the ruling family.  Your father commands your presence immediately.”

Slowly, Galen raised himself from the bed.  The whole room seemed to bounce in his eyes.  Each heartbeat made his head throb more and more.  Breathing only increased the throbbing and hence the wobble of the room.  Slowly, he walked out of the medbay and headed for the throne room.

When Galen arrived, his father was no where to be seen.  The local enforcement magistrate was standing just inside the hall.

“Ah, the rebel has arrived.  It is fortunate you are the son of Galen Grendalis the IV, otherwise you would be dead now.  Fucking ‘Minnie’ lover!!”

Galen stood there and glared at the magistrate.  “You have no right to speak to me with such tone.  Leave my sight now or I will have you removed.”

“Will all due respect M’Lord, you have no right to remove me.  You are under arrest for aiding in the escape of two Minmatar slaves and killing a guard who was in pursuit.  You may be spared severe punishment if you tell us who it was you helped to escape.”

Galen stood as silent as the stone pillars that surrounded the throne room.

“Very well, then you shall be subject to the most severe punishment under the law.  GUARDS, take this traitor to his quarters, he is under house arrest.”

Galen was hung on a toture rack that had been brought into the chapel.  He hung there, his face twisted from the pain of his head and the deep thought, I shall be beaten by my father, the coward.

“So, you did lie to me after all,” the words pierced the darkness of the room.

Galen raises his head slightly and tried to look around.  It was dark in the chapel, but he could make out a familiar face.  Those blue eyes that reflected the moonlight, glowed slightly in the darkness.

“Are you here to kill me with your knife now that you know I lied to you?” Galen asked.

Leainati smiled and looked him square in the eyes.  “Seenan told me everything.  It would seem that not all Amarr are bastards.  It would also seem that you do not want the mantle that was born upon your shoulders.  So tell me, who is this Ga’len person?”

“Seenan made that up, “ she chuckled quietly, “well….Ga’len, Galen.  Not very original, but if I am to free you and we manage to escape, you will need to change your name.  They will hunt you down.”

“Leainati, you are here to free me?  A Minmatar girl freeing an Amarr boy.”

“Yes, well, Seenan said this to me, ‘Together you will both be free and in time, so will we all’, or something like that.”

Leainati took her knife and soon he was free of the rack.

“What now blue eyes?”

Leainati held the knife to his throat.  “Let’s get this straight.  I am proud of my name, it’s Leainati.  Seenan gave me my name and I will always carry it.  Just because it means ‘blue eyed warrior’ in some ancient language does not mean you can jokingly toss it’s around, got it?”

“So, what does Ga’len mean then?”

“You will have to ask Seenan when you see her, come on, we must get out of here quickly.”

Continued…

Ga’len was sitting in his quarters going over messages in his datapad.  He saw a message that his mind at first could simply not accept.  Leainti was alive.  He could not believe his eyes.  A tear ran down his cheek as he read her message.  She was alive.  He sighed loudly and drank deep from his tankard.  The message was sent back in late December, just after the emancipation announcement (http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2643&tid=4) by Empress Jamyl Sarum the First, a day that filled Ga’len with much joy.  Leainati, Leainati, that was so long ago my friend….

It was a calm, warm, beautiful spring day.  The windows were open and the light breeze from the sea was gently blowing across the room.  Galen Grendalis the Fifth was sitting in his room, holding his head, wishing the room to be still.  The wound still ached, even with the large amount of painkillers that he had taken.  He just sat there, waiting for his father to award him his punishment.

“Damn him.  Why must my father insist that I act without honor.  Those ‘Minnies’ in the fields, they are humans too, why should I punish them?  What crime have they committed?  They work hard to feed us all.  They are the lifeblood of the Empire,” Galen exclaimed passionately,” Why does he insist that I still beat them?  She was hurt and needed help.  She welcomed my help.  Those guards were going to kill them, I had to do what I did.  Curse them.”

The door to his room opened and in barged his father, Lord Galen Grendalis the Fourth.  His robes furiously flowed into the room, his malice ever present in his glaring eyes and his hands were with anger and his usual self righteous fury.

“GALEN!!!  WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!?!?!,” Lord Grendalis bellowed, ”BY THE LORD ALMIGHTY I WILL BEAT YOU WITH HIS WRATH FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!!!!”

Galen stared with cold eyes at his father, he was not going to back down.

“Father, I shall reap what I have sown.  I will not dishonor myself with cowardice.  I acted with honor as our Lord Almighty demands and if you can not see this, then I have nothing but pity for father,” Galen stands tall and resolute against his father’s fury,” Do not live as a dishonorable coward that tradition demands of…”

“My son, I am trying to understand why you have done this, but I simply can not accept it.” Lord Grendalis signals to the guard outside, ”GUARDS!!!  TAKE HIM TO THE CHAPEL AND BIND HIM THERE.  20 LASHES AS THE LAW DEMANDS!!!”

The guards struck Galen in the gut, doubling him over as he fell to the floor.  They dragged him out of his room and to the chapel, binding him on the rack that was set before the altar.  There he would remain until the morning where he would feel the Enforcer’s wrath.  Twenty lashes his father ordered and no less than twenty lashes would he receive.

Galen drifted in and out of sleep while he was bound to this torture rack, waiting for the painful morning to arrive.  Soon he would be punished for his acts of honor.

What had led him to this?  Ah yes, it was becoming clear again as his head began to stop throbbing with pain.  The morning, yes, it was this past morning.

Most mornings, Galen would complete his lessons early and head out into the forest.  It was the one place he could go to find peace from the screams of the Minmatar slaves as they were ‘beaten into productivity’.  Being a member of the ruling family of this region, it was not permitted for him to travel without an escort, but this was not much of a problem for Galen.  Some well placed isk always had the guards eyes occupied as he slipped past them.

He had been hiking through the forest when he came upon an old Minmatar woman.  She was lying on the ground writhing in great pain.  She saw Galen approaching and tried to cower before him, but her broken ankle made movement almost impossible.  He never felt comfortable with such reverence bestowed upon him simply from his birth line.  Respect is earned by an individual, not given for simply being born to an Amarrian family.

Seenan was in shock when Galen knelt on the ground next to her.  “Ma’am, please do not cower before me, you are hurt.  I mean you no harm.  May I help you?”

Never before had she seen an Amarrian show care for one of the slaves, but this one seemed a bit familiar.  “No m’lord, I am fine, I can still work, “she waved him off, “I beg of you, do not beat me.”

“Ma’am, as I said, I mean you no harm,” Galen knelt down next to the old woman, “  You are hurt and if you are willing to accept my help, I promise you, no harm will come to you,” Galen pleaded, “Let me help you, please.”

His words seemed to flow like a stream in the mountains, pure and bold, yet soft and caring.  Seenan looked up and could not believe her eyes.  Standing above her was Galen Grendalis the V.  She had heard that this heir to the manor was a bit rebellious and wondered if the rumors of his ‘untraditional’ behavior were true.  She nodded in acknowledgment to accept his help.

Galen took his outer robe, tore off the sleeves and wrapped her ankle.  From his satchel, he pulled a pain reliever and gave some to himself to show Seenan that is was not poison.  She smiled and happily took the medicine.  Her pain in her ankle began subside.

Galen sat down on the ground and crossed his legs.  “Ma’am, if I may ask, what should I call you?”

“My name is Seenan, M’lord Grendalis,” she bowed her head humbly.

Galen froze.  She had recognized him.

“Ma’am, I am sorry, I believe you have me confused with…”  Seenan held up her hand.

“M’Lord, I am grateful for your kindness but to subject an old women to lies does not become a noble heir.“ Seenan winks, “An Heir who hides himself from the world to enjoy the beauty and solitude of the forest and offers aide to the slaves his people oppress.  I would be willing to bet my life that you long for something, to be free of tradition that does not allow your honor to see the sky.”

Galen was shocked.  First this woman begs to not be beaten and then dares to speak to him with such familiarity as if she was his mother.  A Minmatar who would dare speak with such audacity would be killed for simply meeting an Amarr noble’s eyes when they spoke.

“It would seem that you have won your bet as you are still alive and I for one have no desire to take your life.  Am I that transparent?” Galen smiled.

“Not at all M’Lord.  I have heard rumors of your ‘untraditional’ transgressions to Amarr society.  Some have seen you in these woods and about the barracks.  It would seem that you are curious about our culture.  I for one am glad to see that the rumors appear to be true.  An Amarr with honor.  I thought I had seen much of what the universe had to offer, obviously I was wrong,” she chuckles.

Galen finished tending to her ankle, helped her up and together they walked towards the barracks.

“Seenan, I must confess.  I am ashamed of what I am for my people mistreat you and yours.  We are oppressive, horrible masters.  We preach the teachings of our God and then smite the Minmatar people for simply not being born Amarr.”

Seenan begins,”If I may be so bold M’Lord, the Amarr people are a good, noble people who have been led astray,” her eyes were becoming sad, “Do not be ashamed of who and what you are, have pity for the path that your people have traveled.  One day we will be free of the is oppression.”

Galen looked at Seenan, with a tear in his eye.  “My mother used to speak as you do, before she fell very ill.  She used to hold me close and tell me that this horror would all come to an end one day, that both our peoples would be free from this oppression.”

A few moments later, they came closer to the guard posts and stopped for a moment.

“Dear sir, thank you for your help.  You should not let the guards see you helping me, they will punish you for helping me.”

“Seenan, I can not leave you here, how will you get inside?  You can barely walk.”

“M’lord, my daughter was to meet me here.  In fact, she is here now, behind us.  Do not be alarmed, she may be a bit ‘rough’ as her trust for your kind is as small as the pebbles beneath our feet.”

Galen did not hear her daughter creep up behind them.  He did not hear her unsheathe the blade nor notice the tip until it was stuck firmly beneath his chin.  He stood as still as a stone pillar as if pinned by the knife.

“Seenan, “ her daughter growled, “ what has this festering pile of shit done to you?”

Continued…

Finally. After much waiting, it was finally ready. Ga’len looked up and the huge, golden mass floating above him. The newest ship to take on the name of The Bleeding Rose. An Absolution class command ship.

“Ahh, she is a thing of beauty.” Ga’len almost swoons in delight as he continues to gaze upon his new toy. Soon, soon she will see action.

“Sir, may I speak with you a moment?”, asks the dock master.

Ga’len, still dreamy eyed from looking at his new ship, replies “Yes, what can I do for you dock master?”

“I just wanted you to know”, continues the dock master, “That we have installed all the modules you asked for and we are both under budget and ahead of schedule. She should be ready for her first voyage by the end of the week.”

“WONDERFUL!!! Thank you so much!!”, Ga’len happily responds. This was wonderful news. After much work in moving to his new base of operations, of countless days of logistical nightmares, things were looking up. Soon, soon he would be flying into combat with a very powerful ship. In the mean time, it was back to the bar. It was time to relax, great days of wandering were soon to be at hand…

Welcome to the sixth installment of the EVE Blog Banter, the monthly EVE Online blogging extravaganza created by CrazyKinux. The EVE Blog Banter involves an enthusiastic group of gaming bloggers, a common topic within the realm of EVE Online, and a week to post articles pertaining to the said topic. The resulting articles can either be short or quite extensive, either funny or dead serious, but are always a great fun to read! Any questions about the EVE Blog Banter should be directed here . Check out other EVE Blog Banter

This month’s topic comes to us from Quintrala of Speed Fairy . She suggests to ”write a short fiction story about the dissolution of the BoB alliance. It could be from BoB’s point of view, the Goons’, by neutrals in 0.0, civilians in Empire, NPCs or even rats. Write about before, during or after the coup; give us stories of market, war, people or love. In-character or roleplay. We want to know what happened, from those fictional characters that, in your mind, were part of it.“

“So, who the heck is this guy?”,  Ga’len hears this question repeated several times over the comms.  Suddenly, for no apparent reason, the  poor soul that Ga’len and his corp mates had been shooting seemed to change his identification on his transponder. It’s happened before, when a pilot decides to leave a corporation.  His transponder suddenly changes in the middle of a fight, but never before has Ga’len seen that happen to several pilots who are in the same alliance.

“Are they still enemies?”, asks Daff over the comms.

“Well, they are still shooting, so, I would say yes.  Keep firing, kill them, we will sort it out later.  Weapons free mates!!”, Ga’len encourages his squad mates. Several minutes later, the area around the stargate is littered with the debris of several wrecks, the drifting remains of a few cruisers.

“I sure as hell hope these guys were not new friends”, UnBaLaNcE says over the comms, “Did anyone hear about a standings reset?  I didn’t.  Wait, my datapad interface is buzzing, news alerts from Scope are coming in.”

Ga’len engages his datapad interface from within his pod.  The Scope, the new agency for all of New Eden has new reports coming in every few seconds.  Something major must be going on.

Ga’len orders his squad, “All squad members, loot what wrecks you can and dock up.  We need to see what is going on.”

A few minutes later, Ga’len is in the shower, washing off the remaining bits of Jovian goo.  Being a capsuleer has it’s advantages, but having to rinse off ‘goo’ everyday does get a bit trying at times.  “Good thing I keep my hair short, it’s so much easier to clean this stuff out,” Ga’len mutters to himself.

The squad agreed to meet up at the bar in station.  As Ga’len strolled to the bar, public information kiosks all over the station were filled with frantic reports of battles in the Delve region.  Reports upon reports of ships being destroyed.  Freighters filled with Band of Brothers assets being destroyed.  Massive plundering and pillaging continues to ensue.

“Yarr mateys!!!  What do ye be see’in tis’ about them southern seas, eh?” Ga’len says.  His corp mates at the bar just look at him and grin.

Daff is intently looking at his datapad.  He sips his drink and begins to speak aloud.  “Well, seems that there was some internal ’strife’ among the alliance leadership.  Band of Brothers has disbanded.  One of the directors in the executor corporation apparently stole all the assets that were in station and formally disbanded the alliance under the terms of the Yulai Convention.  All sovereignty controls on their space have fallen.  Alliance leadership is attemping to rally all pilots together.  They are trying to ‘reform’ the alliance, but it will take some time.”

Everyone just stops drinking and stares at Daff as he asks,” So, Band of Brothers is no more?  How?  How can such a large power block in New Eden simlpy no longer exist?”

UnBaLaNcE speaks with his infamous sage wisdom in his voice.  “Gentleman, such a large alliance may have been dealt this blow from a traitor to their cause, but they are far too powerful to simlpy be unmade in one night.  The pilots and the corporations still exist.”

“Methinks this smells of a Goonswarm influence here.  It would not surprise me at all if they had a hand in these events.  After all, they have had spies in BoB for years.” Ga’len remarks.

“You should camp the gates on the trade routes in and out of Delve.  They may try to move assets out of that region as they may be in danger,” says the bartender.

Ga’len looks at the robot with a quizzical look.  “So, tell me.  When the hell did you grow a pair, eh?  Pair of cognitive lobes that is.  When did you turn pirate?”

Before ‘Robbie’ can answer, there is the sound of weapons fire outside on the promenade.  Everyone grabs their weapons and runs to the bar door.  Ga’len peeks outside and sees three bald pilots arguing with CONCORD officers.

“Dammit, it’s our bar, let us in NOW!!!  We just lost our fucking ships to some pirates that you won’t do a fucking athing about and now you won’t let us drown our sorrows!?!  MOVE THE FUCK OUT OF THE WAY!!!,” yells one of the bald pilots.

“I’m sorry sir, but as I have told you, this bar was an establishment of the Band of Brothers alliance and until proper ownership can be established, this bar will remain closed.  Perhaps if they had paid the alliance bill before it was due this would not have happened.  Again, I am sorry, but if you continue to fire your weapons into the air, we will be forced to take you into custody.”

Ga’len holsters his gun and walks out onto the promenade towards the crowd that is now forming around the entrance to the closed bar.  The sight of three former BoB pilots so frustrated was more than he could bear.  Every ‘egger’ needs to have a drink after loosing your pod.  It’s tradition and one that must be respscted.

Ga’len says to the three bald, former BoB pilots, “Gentleman, I see that you are in need of your post cloning drink.  Do come this way.”   He looks at the CONCORD officer with an unusually respective face, “Officer, please excuse my friends here.  It appears that they have already had more than their share.  They can wait out their inebriation at our bar.  We’ll take it from here.”

Ga’len pushes the ‘baldies’ through the door to the Hot Gates bar, home of the Neo Spartans.

“Gentleman, before you begin to protest, let me buy you a drink.”  Ga’len motions to the bar and before ‘Robbie’ can protest and remind Ga’len of corporaton rules about BoB pilots in the bar, Ga’len whispers, “Before you say anything, use that pair you just grew and realize that hitting freighters in Delve will go better with inside information.  Besides BoB no longer exists per se.  Give them whatever they want, put it on my tab.”

‘Robbie’ stares at Ga’len with his blue glowing eyes, tilts his head to the left as in thought and then pulls out three tankards for the ‘guests’.

“Gentleman”, Ga’len says to everyone at the bar, “It would seem that Band of Brothers has abandoned it’s ‘family’.  It’s tough suddenly learning that everything you have is lost.  Loosing your pods at the same time, whew, what a blow.  Let’s drink to those who have fallen from grace.  TO BoB, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE!!”

“HOW DARE YOU INSULT US!!!  DON’T EVEN TRY TO PICK A FIGHT WITH ME!!  MY ALLIANCE WILL COME AND KICK YOUR ASS!!!” yells one of the ‘baldies’.

Ga’len’s eyes narrow and he glares at him.  “Sir, with all due respect, you should be more civil when you are in the bar owned by the same corp that put you into that fresh clone.  Don’t test my patience nor impugn my honor.  I offered you a drink and safe harbor out the kindness of my heart, but I won’t suffer to pass such insults.  Your alliance is gone, your support is gone and soon everything you own will be plundered and pillaged by those who call themselves pirates.  Don’t make me put you into another clone.”

The ‘baldie’ storms out of the bar and heads off in the direction of the old BoB bar.  Weapons fire is heard being exchanged and shortly after, three CONCORD officers walk past the entrance of  the Hot Gates bar, with a hover stretcher carrying the ‘baldie’ behind them.

Ga’len looks at the other two ‘baldies’ sitting at the bar.  Their eyes are wide open with fear.  “Gentleman, as long as you behave yourselves, you have nothing to fear from us right now.  You are welcome to stay and drink with us.  So, tell me, was your brash friend the one who decided to attack us?”

“My name is Derom”, says one of the ‘baldies’, “and to answer your question, yes, it was him.  You must understand, you are our enemies, we don’t really trust you regardless if our alliance is still alive.”

Derom pulls out his weapon and before he can point it at Ga’len, ‘Robbie’ blasts him away.  The third ‘baldie’ pulls out his weapon and shoots himself in his own head.

“Well, that was pointless.  Apparently it’s true what they say, the only good BoBbit is a dead BoBbit.” Ga’len remarks.  Laughter is heard from all over the bar.

“So, Ga’len”, asks UnBaLaNcE, “Shall we make a run for it in Delve?  Personally, I don’t it think it would be wise.  Every pirate in New Eden will be heading that way.  We may be tough, but we are small compared to some of those who would want to take that space.”

Thoughtfully, Ga’len looks up at the ceiling.  “Yeah, I think it would be a bad idea.  They acted like cornered animals when offered safe haven.  I hate to think what would happen if they were actually threatened. to say nothing about all their enemies.  Let them fight it out, we will simply pick up what comes our way. ”

“Sir”, ‘Robbie’ says to Ga’len, “As the BoBbits are now dead and the cleaning units are dispatching the corpses, shall I pour you another drink?”

Ga’len looks at the bartender and proclaims, “Drink me’earties, YO HO!!”

Please do read these other fine posts on this month’s Blog Banter!!!

• Speed Fairy, The Hand of BoB
• CrazyKinux’s Musing, No where to go…
• A Mule in EVE, Rolling to the Warzone
• The Ralpha Dogs, Two Tales of Glory and Honor
• One Man and his Spaceship, Times they are changing
• OZ’s House of the Evil Dead, Every betrayal contains a perfect moment, a coin stamped heads or tails with salvation on the other side
• I am Keith Nielson, He Gave Up the Stars
• Life in Low Sec, Six Degrees of Seperation
• A Merry life and a Short One, Die Bard
• Roc’s Ramblings, Mythology
• Dense Veldspar, EVE Blog Banter #6
• Letrange’s EVE Blog, A toast to the disolution of BoB
• Fumbling in Space, Scarnan Vs The Fleeing Bankrupt Hordes
• DeafPlasma’s EVE Musings, Blog Banter #6 – One small chip Changed the World
• Kyle Langdon’s Journeys in EVE, EVE Blog Banter #6
  
• More as they are posted!!!

“Lights….lights…LIGHTS!?!…..Damn…lights not working again…”

Ga’len stumbled through the door to his in station quarters.  It was dark, the lights did not respond to the voice command and the wall switch seemed to be just as unhelpful.

“SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!”

The lights spring to life and surrounding Ga’len is a room packed with people!!!!

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAPTAIN GA’LEN!!!!”

Stunned, Ga’len looks around and realizes his worst fear.  He’s walked into one of the worst traps of his life, a surprise birthday party. Or was it?  Today was not his real birthday, that day actually falls later this month.  No, today was the day he made that step to becoming an ‘Egger’, an imortal.  Today was the third anniversary of his start as a capsuleer.

Ga’len never really liked birthday parties as they seemed a lot of fuss over the day you came into existence.  One moment you are not there, then suddenly you are.  Naked, crying and cold without a thing to your name and for most in want of a name as well.

It was always a time for Ga’len to reflect.  He liked to spend his birthday in isolation, looking at the past year of his life, evaluating what he had done.  In his mind, he would relive the moments of success and failure that fate had allowed him to see.

This year however, Ga’len came to the realization that a birthday party was not some overly gaudy celebration of your birth, it was a celebration of happiness that y0u had been among other people’s lives for another year.  It was a celebration for all of those who you know and spend time with.  It was not really about you but what you brought into their lives.

“Friends”, he began, “Wow, I am really touched.  It is so wonderful to see you all.   I am very happy that you are all here.  So, tell me, WHERE IS MY DRINK!?!?!?”

Cheers fill the room, Ceres hands Ga’len his tankard and they all toast to each other.  Food, drink and dancing ensue as they do at any good party.

Ah yes, Ceres.  It would seem that Minmatar fashion suits her well.  With eyes wandering up her uniform Ga’len inquires, “So tell me Ceres, how goes the war?  You’re not going to get into trouble being seen drinking with your former Amarr Captain, are you?”

Ceres, looks at Ga’len with a puzzled look.  “No my dear, they won’t see it as drinking with you.  They will see it as milking you for information.  I’m a spy you know, you will tell me everything.”  She winks at Ga’len and smiles as her tankard is emptied.

“Well, well.  I must say, drinking and looking the way you do in that uniform….hmmm.  What was the line from that ancient movie, the one that we all used to love to watch every now and again?  Ah, yes, ‘…You know, these clothes do not flatter you at all. It should be a dress or nothing. I happen to have no dress in my cabin…’, Ga’len smiles a little evil smile.

“I’m flattered dear, but my first love is the sea”, she responds, “and on that note, I must be off now.  It was good to see you again, but duty calls.  Be safe, steady and true Ga’len.  Do watch out, my aim has gotten better.”  She smiles, bows slightly and leaves the room.

“AAAHHH CAPTAIN!!!!!”, Jemelson yells from a few feet away, “HOW ARE YA DOIN’ THESE DAYS!!!!”, FOOOMP!!!

“I see, you still can’t hold your drink, eh?”  Ga’len says as he looks down on the floor, Jemelson lay there, clutching his tankard, with a smile on his face as he begins to snore.

Many hours pass  and much drink is taken by all.  One by one everyone greets each other, talks of the days of old, become very drunk and then happily departs.  One by one, until soon again, Ga’len is alone in his quarters.

Another year has passed, another day is done.  Adventure, victory and defeat all has visited upon Ga’len.  He sits in his chair, looking out the portal, watching the sunrise over the moon nearby and drink deeply from his tankard.

“It is time to set out again…”

The sound of an ole pirate song, sung thousands of years ago by the scurvy dogs that sailed ancient, mythical wooden ships on some sea on a forgotten world plays softly in the cabin.  Captain Ga’len relaxes in his chair, gazing out the view port into the vast expanse of space before him. Being stuck on a station for a long time has been rough.  The yearning for adventure and combat has been gnawing at him brings swells of desire weighs heavy on his heart.

It’s been nearly a year since the crew of The Bleeding Rose went their separate ways.  It was hard to split up the crew, but they had all wanted to expand their lives and as much as they loved their captain, it was time to grow their fortunes on their own.

Mr. Jemelson decided that hauling freight was his true calling.  He always seemed to know what was waiting on the other side of a gate.  He’s the only freighter pilot who has not lost a ship in this region.  Perhaps one day their paths will cross again.

Ceres had not lost her lust for combat.  She signed up with the Minmatar Republic Navy as soon as she hit the station docking port.  ‘Fight for the underdogs!!!” she yelled over the comms as her new home undocked.  A Tempest class battleship.  Yes, Tempest, temptress, that would suit her well.

Other members of the crew went their ways as well, some continued on other pirate ships in other regions of the universe, others struck out on their own to fates unknown.

Captain Ga’len, the name just sounded strange.  Captain of an empty ship?  All ships in New Eden have crews, but usually the bridge is a lonely place.  Many in New Eden spend their time aboard ship in what many see as a small coffin.  Would he still be a Captain?  Why not?

Long ago, an ancient and powerful race brought peace to the regions of New Eden.  The Jove, the oldest of the races of what was mankind helped to create the ever present CONCORD organization to enforce the peace.  They also left us with technology that in time, evolved into what is know as the Capsule (http://wiki.eveonline.com/wiki/Capsule).

These pods, filled with fluid and advanced technology, allow it’s occupant to instantly come alive in a clone should the pod be destroyed.  Neural interfaces within the pods allow for instant and complete control of a ship by it’s pilot.

Captain Ga’len had in the past not availed himself of this wondrous advantage.  He preferred to live life on the edge and hope that if his ship was destroyed, he would make it into the pod in time.  Walking free on a bridge had suited him well, but times had changed, things were more dangerous and the ways of old were just not the wisest way to live.

Captain Ga’len took the step that many in New Eden had taken at birth for the past 8 years.   He became one of the elite in New Eden, he became one of the immortal.  He was now one of the demi-gods known formally as a Capsuleer or ‘Egger’ as many casually call them.

For now, Captain Ga’len rests in the station, waiting for all his ships to have their respective bridges refit to with the ‘Egger Standard’.  He sits and waits patiently, staring out the view port, watching the ships of his corp mates dock and undock, speeding away to adventure.  Sipping his cup of rum, he sings softly….

“…Drink up, me ‘earties, yo ho.
We’re devils and black sheep, really bad eggs,
Drink up, me ‘earties, yo ho.”