The Uses of Force
Metropolis region — Barvigrard constellation
Hek system — Planet IV
Krusual Tribe Bureau
26 August YC 127
I was sitting in the office of Keita Eslin who summoned me to discuss the results of my reconnaissance mission the day before.
“Thanks to you, Captain, we have detailed information about the composition of smuggler forces. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to use it. Krusual Tribe’s resources are currently allocated elsewhere, so I would have to contact the Republic Fleet. They, however, will not take kindly to my methods of information gathering,” here the agent gave me a pointed look and continued, “but I don’t want this info to go to waste. My only remaining option is to pass it to a friend of mine and let him deal with the smugglers. I need you, Captain Korff, to deliver the surveillance captures to Tarak Erand who is stationed at Brutor Tribe Academy in Lustrevik.”
“Why can’t you simply send the data over the net?” I asked.
Keita gave me a surprised look, “Because he works for Brutor Tribe.”
“And?”
“And I work for Krusual Tribe.”
“And?”
The agent looked at me as at a slightly retarded child, and said slowly, “And this is not a kind of information that tribes exchange. At least, voluntarily. If I send it through the regular monitored channels, there will be a hell of a row.”
“But aren’t you all Minmatar?”
Keita grimaced and said, “You haven’t worked with Minmatar before, have you?”
I shook my head.
The agent sighed, “I see. How to explain this? Look, you, Caldari, have mega-corps, each with its own security, right?”
I nodded.
She continued, “Do their security departments exchange information?”
“I don’t believe so. Look, I know where you are going with this analogy but I don’t think it’s fitting. Corps are commercial enterprises, they exist for profit. They won’t share valuable information with their competitors. Tribes, on the other hand, they are more like, I don’t know, constituents of the Republic with common interests.”
Keita snorted, “Common interests, indeed! Trust me, there are more differences between members of two Minmatar Tribes than between two Caldari citizens working for different mega-corps. Our only common interest is our common enemy, Amarrians. In all other respects, the Tribes are as competitive as your corporations. So, will you deliver the data to Tarak?”
I shrugged, “If he is my only hope to track Dagan, I’ll have to work with him anyway. Let him know I am coming.”
“Will do,” replied the agent.
We shook hands and I went to the docks.
Heimatar region — Sveipar constellation
Lustrevik Planet VII — Moon 9
Brutor Tribe Academy
“Hey, Cap, where are we going?” Aura greeted me when I undocked.
“To Brutor Academy,” I replied.
Aura raised here eyebrows, “Brutor. Academy. These are not the words I expected to see in one sentence.”
“Why?”
Aura giggled, “You probably don’t know much about Brutors.”
I rolled my eyes, “You are not the first person who points this out today. What am I missing?”
Aura produced a thick volume titled Encyclopædia, put reading glasses on her nose and read the following passage.
A martial, strong-willed people, the Brutor hold their tribal heritage close to their hearts, and are renowned for living regimented, disciplined lives. Despite presenting a tough, no-nonsense exterior, they are deeply introspective, aware of even the smallest detail at all times. Immersed in ancient martial traditions that begin at childhood, they are physically robust individuals and intimidating to face in the flesh.
“You see what I mean? Brutor don’t look like people inclined to academic pursuits.”
I scoffed, “It’s probably a military academy, which is fine by me. As long as they can provide necessary support in tracking down Dagan, I don’t care what they study there.”
The Academy station had the same design as Krusual Tribe Bureau, and the same unfinished appearance. When I checked the station map, I found that even the locations of the security departments were the same inside the stations.
They probably have more in common than they are ready to admit, I thought and proceeded to Erand’s office.
My first impression of Security Agent Tarak Erand was exactly as Aura described — intimidating. Tall, muscular, with a permanently knitted brow, the agent had a forbidding appearance until he looked at me… and smiled. The smile was warm and genuine, and it was amazing to watch how it transformed his features. Suddenly, I had a feeling that we would get along pretty well.
“Captain Korff,” the agent greeted me in a low voice, rolling r in my surname, which pleased me. “Welcome, and please take a seat. Keita told me you had some interesting information for me.”
I shook Erand’s hand and sat in the guest chair.
“I do. And I hope that this info will be beneficial for your cause, as well as mine.”
Then I told Erand about The Damsel investigation, and concluded my story by saying, “You see, Mr Erand, how important it is for me to find that Dagan. Can I rely on your support?”
Throughout my account, the agent listened attentively, making notes from time to time.
When I finished, he nodded and said, “I see how our interests overlap, Captain Korff. I studied your file and saw that you acquitted yourself well in combat, especially against pirates. I respect that. But I also have to respect the fact that all your exploits were in service of Caldari State. Before we proceed I need to be sure that your stated intent is your only motivation, and that you are not going to use this engagement against the Republic. So, my question for you is are you a man of honour, Captain Vladimir Korff.”
I sighed. Did I really have to pledge my loyalty to every Minmatar agent?
I looked Tarak Erand in the eye and said, “I am, Agent Erand. But even if I wasn’t, I would give you the same answer, wouldn’t I?”
While I was talking, the agent watched me intently, never taking his eyes off my face. Having heard my reply, he came to some sort of a conclusion and visibly relaxed.
“Well, at least you are a man of reason,” he chuckled. “I can work with that.”