Her Favourite Capsuleer

The Forge Region – Ruomo Constellation
Itamo System – Planet VI, Moon 6
Science and Trade Institute School Station

10 January YC 121

“Annukka, what’s going on?” asked I walking in her office. “First, Sisters tease the Seekers without letting anyone know, then their ships get attacked and killed, and then, after I’ve safeguarded their station, they refuse to talk to me. We are on the same side! Why do they withhold information?”

Annuka shrugged, “I’ve told you, it was a renegade faction of SOE that was attacked. The Sisters leadership is not keen to air their dirty laundry in public, and the rogue members are not inclined to talk to anyone, now that their plot has been exposed. I don’t know if they are going to share their knowledge about Seekers with us or CONCORD. We need to continue the investigation.”

I sighed, “That’s frustrating. But you are right, we have to carry on. How can I help?”

“You can’t.”

“You’ve got no more missions today? It’s a shame. I feel pumped up and ready to kick more metal asses. But I can wait until tomorrow. There is always another day and another mission.”

Annukka smiled sadly, “You don’t understand. I won’t have any more missions for you.”

“What? Why? Do we stop the investigation?” I was bewildered.

“No, investigation will continue but without you.”

My face muscles stiffened “Am I suspended from duty? You aren’t happy with my performance?”

“Oh, no!” exclaimed Annukka. “Quite on the contrary. You have outgrown this investigation. You are ready for more difficult tasks.”

I relaxed a bit, “So, what’s the problem then? Just give me missions appropriate to my skills.”

“I don’t have such missions. I oversee the Seeker Investigation programme and all missions I get are pretty basic. They are all doable in a corvette, and now that you’ve got a frigate, it’s a total overkill.”

“Yeah,” admitted I, “the assignments have become a bit of a bore. But who will work on them?”

“Don’t worry,” smiled Annukka, “there are always new capsuleers who need to cut their teeth. But I’ll always remember you; you were the best new pilot I’ve ever worked with,” she brushed my cheek with her hand and then quickly kissed it. “You’ll have a great career.” Then she stepped back and returned to her desk, “And now, go. I still need to take care of a few things before the end of the day.”

Despite all my Social skill training I was lost for words – everything happened so quickly. The best I managed to say was a rather formal “Good-bye, Annukka. It was a pleasure to work with you.”

Then I turned back and left her office. In the doorway I bumped into a lanky guy in a pilot jacket. He promptly jumped aside and apologised. I muttered “No worries, mate,” and headed down the corridor, but then stopped in my tracks as I heard Annukka’s voice through the closing door, “Ah, Pertti, my favourite capsuleer! Come in, I have a mission for you.”

I stood for a few seconds, then smiled and thought, “What a legend!”

This chapter of my capsuleer life was closed. It was time to visit career agents and decide what I wanted to do next.

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