Metropolis region — Barvigrard constellation
Hek system — Planet IV
Krusual Tribe Bureau
30 August YC 127
In the end, I had to have a serious conversation with Aura. It was clear that Keita Eslin did not believe for a second that Aura’s software was unmodified. The agent let it slide because it was not in her best interest to kick up a stink, but next time we might not be that lucky. We agreed that in future any Aura’s actions which could be interpreted as a behaviour of a rogue AI should be explicitly approved by me with a certified command record on my commlink. Such an arrangement not only gave me better supervision over Aura’s riskier endeavours, but also protected her from persecution. It might look like I was taking a bullet for her, but in my experience, the powers that be had much more tolerance to capsuleers’ antics than to AI’s shenanigans, what with rogue drones being a constant reminder of the consequences of an uncontrolled AI evolution.
Marked for Death
31 August YC 127
I was apprehensive after the computer array incident, but no one knocked on my door and showed me an arrest warrant. Apparently, Keita and Harkul managed to hush up the real reasons behind the outage. Maybe it was that, or maybe it was the fact that my door was guarded by seven 150-mm Tech II railguns — I took no chances and spent that night on board of my destroyer. Whether anyone was lurking behind the dock entrance was for me to discover when I got summons from the agent this morning.
The agents have an unfortunate and unfailing knack for calling me at most inappropriate times. If I was not sleeping, then I was eating, or I was hungry and planning to have a meal. Sometimes I think that an ability to inconvenience a capsuleer is the main criterion by which corps select their agents. Today, for example, Keita Eslin called me when I was sitting on a toilet. One doesn’t decline agents’ calls if one wants to have business with them, so I had to respond. Naturally, I didn’t turn the video on.
“Captain Korff, you will be excited to learn that the files decrypted by your Aura was instrumental in the quick and, ahem, painless interrogation of Kirus,” Keita purred, obviously well-pleased with the outcome of the aforementioned interrogation.
I am shitting myself with excitement, I wanted to say.
The agent continued, “If you could come to my office at your earliest convenience, I would brief you on the results and discuss your next mission.”
“I’ll strain myself in an effort to be available for your service ASAP, Agent Eslin,” I replied, trying hard to keep sarcasm from my voice.
A shadow of uncertainty passed through Keita’s face which she dispelled with a professional smile, saying, “Then I’ll see you soon, Captain,” and ended the call.
Having quickly finished my private business, I told Aura not to do anything stupid if I got in trouble, then put on a brave face and left the ship. My fears proved to be unfounded — no one apprehended me and I arrived at the agent’s office unmolested. On reflection, I should have stopped worrying as soon as I got a call. Keita knew that if she had lured her contractor into a trap, she would have been done for as an agent — no one would ever take another mission from her.
Keita Eslin’s Office
“What we learned from the decrypted files,” Keita started her briefing, “was that mercs mostly provided escort services to various parties. The smuggler lieutenants were their regular customers, and we discovered a particular location which they frequented. Once I asked Kirus about that place, he knew that the game was up and started talking.”
“Smart guy,” I chuckled. “Will he get a milder sentence for cooperation?”
“Sentence?” Keita raised her eyebrows. “Why would we sentence him?”
“For smuggling, of course.”
“Smuggling is a valuable endeavour — it deprives a state of its customs duty. I plan to let Kirus continue that activity, and maybe shall even sponsor it.”
Seeing my incredulous look, Keita laughed and added, “With a strict condition that the said activity will be carried out only across Amarr-Caldari border.”
I smiled, showing my appreciation of the joke, and made a mental note to tell it to Ozanero Voiras, a Caldari Navy security agent, in case it turns out to be more than a joke.
“Anyway,” Keita smoothly returned the conversation to the task at hand, “Kirus is no longer a problem, but his boss still is.”
I was all ears.
“The location which Kirus frequently visited with the mercs,” the agent continued, “is a hideout of his employer who goes by the name of Izia Tabar. He is a battle-hardened smuggler baron wanted by CONCORD for a long time now.”
“Wait a moment,” I interjected. “I thought that the smuggling operations were headed by Dagan. He was the only reason why I got involved in this investigation.” I looked at Keita suspiciously and asked, “Did you know that Tabar was their boss?”
With a fixed smile, Keita replied in a steady, professional tone, “We knew of Izia Tabar before but we never associated him with this particular group of smugglers. Thanks to you and your navigational AI, we were able to ascertain his role in this crime syndicate. Now that we know his location, Izia Tabar must be eliminated. This is the mission I have for you.”
I scowled, “What’s in it for me? I am here for Dagan, not Tabar.”
The agent leaned on the desk, steepled her hands and looked at me thoughtfully.
“What’s in it for you?” she repeated. “Contractors like you are usually in it for money. Is it not enough?”
I scoffed, “You know that Level 1 missions are below my grade. The only reason I agreed to participate in your little war against smugglers is the hope that I will get to the bottom of The Damsel incident, and for that, I need Dagan.”
Keita sighed and drummed her fingers on the desk, “I only promised that I would share with you any intel about Dagan which we discovered during ‘my little war’. I did not say we would actively pursue him.”
I shrugged, “Killing Izia Tabar doesn’t look like an operation which would advance my interests. Feel free to engage another contractor.” I stood up and said, “Good day, Agent Eslin.”
“Wait!” Keita exclaimed. “The problem is I don’t have another contractor, and this mission is urgent. We cannot be sure how long Tabar will stay in his hideout. We have to act now. Look, I can’t raise your mission reward but I can give you a promise, and I hope it will be enough to interest you. Some time ago, one of my field agents infiltrated the smugglers’ recruitment and training facility. He has his brief but I can change it so that he prioritises finding intel on Dagan. That’s all I can offer. Are you game?”
To be honest, that smuggler syndicate was my only lead, so I was happy to clutch at any straw. But showing eagerness was not the right way to negotiate a contract with a wily agent. I gave Keita a heavy and calculating look, held it for a few seconds, and then slowly nodded. A relief flooded the agent’s face and she pushed her datapad with the mission brief towards me. I picked the device and read the screen. Minmatars did not mince words — all it said was ‘Assassinate Izia Tabar.’ I pressed my thumb to the sensor and accepted the mission.