Forgotten Opportunities

Vaden sits at his desk, his head propped on his arms as he stares at the holo of the Amarrian couple.

What did you think of me, at the end? Did you blame me? Did you blame the Empire? Does it matter? Are you even in a position to care right now?

The holo starts flickering, the telltale sign that his Archangel handler, a woman known only as 'Seraph,' was about to make an appearance.

Well, Mr. Khale, I trust your mission was successful?

The apparition apparently startled Vaden, as he jumps fearfully from his seat.

Stop the theatrics, Vaden. What did you learn?

Her question goes unanswered, as he simply says, "What?"

Losing patience, Seraph replaces her apparition with a star map similar to the one she showed Vaden previously.

Our on-board tracking computers pinpointed your location a few days ago. You didn't fail the Cartel, as I told them you wouldn't.
Now, tell me, what did you learn during your time in Jovian space?

Vaden stares, not comprehending, before finally letting out one soft spoken question.

Who are you?

Seraph

Vaden lounges comfortably on board his Revelation, lazily sipping from a glass of wine. The holo of the Amarrian couple on his desk falters momentarily. Vaden quickly taps a button under his desk as the holo is suddenly replaced by the form of a woman, her face obscured. If her posture didn't belie her irritability, her tone certainly did.

Mr. Khale, what exactly do you think you're doing?

Chuckling absently as he continues sipping his wine, Vaden doesn't heed her irate voice, taking his time before forming a response.

I'm enjoying the luxuries my status as a capsuleer have afforded me. It's really quite nice, to relax once in a while, and a well earned one, I might say, after major campaigns in Omam and Bosboger.

Despite her apparition being a projection from a holo interface, the tap of her foot was still obvious, her impatience wearing thin.

Mr. Khale, you were not assigned to the Laconian Syndicate to idle on your ass. You were sent for a very specific job.

Vaden finally turns to face the holo, smirking slightly to his Archangel handler.

But, dear Seraph...How am I to know the best manner to perform in service to the Cartel if the Cartel doesn't tell me what they want me to do?

Seraph, not amused by Vaden's flippant attitude, disappears from the holo momentarily. Her visage is replaced by a starmap, the VVA-F4 region highlighted.

Do you know what this is, Mr. Khale?

Well, Seraph, it looks like a map.

Her voice, talking over the image, responds in shrill anger.

I am not talking about the map! I am talking about the fact that members of your organization, the organization that we placed you in as a sleeper and as an eye on their operations, was sent to uncharted space, space likely controlled by the Jovians, and you did not go with them!

Vaden sighs, perhaps having expected this call.

I tried to go. Leadership was tight lipped on the entire thing, and I was told my services would not be required for that mission. I'm not incompetent, Seraph...

The map disappears, the woman's figure replacing it. Her voice is much calmer, although it still belies some stress.

I know you're not incompetent. But I have superiors I have to answer to as well.

Vaden's voice adopts an almost concerned tone.

Archangel superiors...or Dominations?

It's none of your concern. Just...do what you can. Don't disappoint me. And always remember whom your loyalty belongs.

The holo cuts out momentarily, quickly replaced by the Amarrian couple. Vaden returns to sipping his wine, smirking as he taps the button under his desk.

Omam

Vaden turns on the camera drone, and it immediately begins hovering around. On multiple holos are displayed news feeds and pictures of the Battle of Omam. Millions dead for the wealth of one moon. The Scope displayed it as the second largest destruction of capitals in the history of the cluster.

By God, the destruction...Beyond anything I have ever seen before. I do not relish doing that again.

New Orders

Vaden sits solemnly aboard the Immolation, reviewing yet more personnel files and other corporate plans for Ghost Festival. The holo of the Amarrian couple on his desk stare silently at his work, an empty glass of wine set to the side. The holo of the couple flickers momentarily. Vaden glances at it, paying it little heed, until the holo is replaced by the figure of a woman, her face shrouded.

Captain Khale, how nice to see you again.

Vaden smiles as he recognizes the woman's voice.

Hello, Seraph. And what name shall I call you by today?

The woman laughs lightly for a moment.

Let's go with Katarina. I like the sound of that name today.

Vaden shakes his head, still smiling.

And what news from Curse?

The woman fakes a pout, adopting an insincere hurt tone.

Oh Vaden, you never call, you never write. What's a girl to think?

He sighs, understanding it's all part of her game, her way of warming him up before giving him bad news.

What now?

The holo is replaced with the corp logos of multiple pirate organizations. Beyond Divinity, Invicta, Neo Spartans...accompanied by corporate statistics and public records. The woman's voice continues over the display.

There are numerous reports of increased activity from some of the largest outlaw capsuleer corporations in the cluster. The machinations of capsuleers in null sec regions are easily understood and manipulated, but the psychology of outlaws such as these is much more difficult to manipulate. We could throw ISK at the problem, but the Dominations don't wish to spend that much when we have the much cheaper options of available sleeper agents. That's where you come in...

Vaden's smile disappears as he starts to understand what she's asking, replaced soon by anger and rage.

What are you telling me?!

The woman's shrouded figure reappears, her voice much sterner and not leaving any room for negotiation.

You are to join the Neo Spartans organization, ingratiate yourself there. If we ever see that your activation is required, you will be notified. Otherwise, consider yourself a fullfledged member of the Neo Spartans. Ghost Festival is behind you.

Vaden slams his fists on the desk, spilling the wine glass to the floor.

What of Inara?! What of Myrhial?! Or Vince, or Milo, or Mortis, or-

Captain Khale! This is not up for negotiation. You are the one that decided to serve us. Your personal feelings are not part of the equation. You can either do as you are told, and leave the Ghosts, or you can disobey our direct orders, and force us to have them expel you, or they can choose to keep you and lose our protection and blessing. The choice is yours.

The holo fades, replaced once again by the Amarrian couple. Vaden slams his fist once again into the desk. He holds his head in his hands, breathing heavily. He finally opens comms.

Myrhial, I need to speak to you. I'll meet you in the Skyhook.

Vaden sighs once as he opens up comms and submits his resignation from Ghost Festival to the Concord dock authorities.

Bones and Blood

Vaden activates the camera drone, rubbing his jaw gingerly.

Recorder on. That little Brutor child can throw a punch. Rattled my implants. But no matter, at least she finally grew a spine and stopped cowering around me. Percruor, going so far as to punch the man interviewing you...that takes guts.

Vince already seems to be influencing her to be a female, Brutor version of himself. She even cracked my jaw, just like Vince did to Ilias months back. Granted, Vince did it with a walking cane and shattered his jaw, where as mine was a slight fracture the AIMEDs were able to quickly fix. I don't know what he's planning, but he has something in mind for the girl. Whether it's good or bad remains to be seen.

Myself, I am curious as to how her hulking friend will respond to her joining our little family. She said she would refuse to follow my orders and open fire on him if ordered to do so. All I know is the addition of that young Brutor is going to make things very interesting here.

The Coward's Way

Vaden sneers as he plays with the singed green metal scrap belonging to a once intact Gallente freighter. He twiddles it in his fingers, whistling an old Amarrian song. The Amarrian couple in the holo on his desk stare on in blissful ignorance.

Recorder on. What fools. To attempt such a task with an unwieldy ship in low security space. And your escorts? Those fools were barely able to out task the Perseverance. They should be thankful I wasn't in the mood to take out the Black Heart, else they would have lost even more. As it was, Miss Elysa Darkheart, you may have escaped destruction at our hands, at least in the public records. But I know it was truly I that brought your doom. Most would be upset that all that remained were mere scraps, such as what I hold in my hand. But your control tower fetched a tidy sum. Not to mention the satisfaction of seeing your corpse. All in all, you should have done business. You shouldn't have taken the coward's way.

Plans of vengeance

A camera drone floats near Vaden. He is recording plans for...something. A holo display on his desk displays an Amarrian couple. Vaden makes small notes concerning tactical reconfiguration of his dreadnought. Shortly, the door to his chamber opens silently, and Ilias Obelar, his squadron commander for his Templar wing enters. Vaden quickly deactivates the holo of the Amarrian couple, turning his attention to Ilias.

"Commander Khale, I understand you wanted to see me?"

Yes, Ilias, I have a very important job for you. One that I presently can not undertake, but can only trust to a few people. You're one of them. I have recently come into an...acquisition that I need you to take to Heaven for me.

"Heaven, sir?"

The constellation in Curse. The system of Hemin, to be precise. You will take the Interbus there, along with five of the best of your men. You will also have a package, two cubic meters in volume, approximately 500 kilograms mass. When you reach Hemin, you will be contacted by an agent of the Archangels, one that owes me a favor. Don't bother asking her name, I don't know it and she won't give it. She will take the package from you. You will need to wait approximately one week there. I have made arrangements for the Archangels to arrange room and board. Feel free to visit the Serpentis stations and take part in whatever recreation they have available. After one week's time, you will take the Interbus back here. You will have in your possession one prisoner. He is to remain in stasis for the duration of the trip. He must not be awakened. Return him to me, Ilias, and I'll pay you and your men triple your salary for a year. Not to mention that you will have a... seminal role in Sabikannen.

Ilias thinks for a moment, then slowly smiles and nods his head in agreement.

"Of course, sir. We'll make preparations at once. ...If you don't mind my asking sir, who is the prisoner?"

Vaden doesn't answer, he simply sips slowly from his wine glass, a glass made from the skull of Math'ra Hiede.