Tag: hi-sec

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A Case of Kidnapping — Part I

Sisters of Eve Bureau in Sheroo
Genesis region — Ekrin Constellation
Sheroo system — Planet X — Moon 3
Sisters of EVE Bureau station — Alpedurch Soulobert’s office

15 September YC 127

Agent Alpedurch Soulobert
Agent Alpedurch Soulobert

Alpedurch Soulobert was a forty-something, red-haired Intaki with an earnest demeanour and a firm handshake.

After greetings and introductions, I said, “So what’s burning, Mr Soulobert?”

“Our investment, Captain Korff,” replied the agent. “A few months ago we hired a group of talented scientists to work on an important project. They were on a verge of a breakthrough when they were kidnapped. If we don’t rescue them, not only we’ll have to restart the project, but our adversaries will get a head start.”

“Interesting,” I said somewhat acerbically, “that a representative of a charitable organisation such as Sisters of EVE did not mention the scientists’ wellbeing as a cause for concern.” Continue reading “A Case of Kidnapping — Part I”

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The Blood-Stained Stars: Closing In — Part I

Bank of Luminaire Depository station in Aydoteaux system

A Stranger’s Face

Essense region – Peccanouette constellation
Arnon System – Planet IX – Moon 3
Sisters of EVE Bureau station — Sister Alitura’s Office

15 September YC 127

“Good morning, Sister. What have you got for me?” I said, entering Sister Alitura’s office.

“Good morning, Captain,” the agent said and pointed at a huge container in the corner of the room. “This.”

“What’s that?” I asked, eyeing the box suspiciously. Continue reading “The Blood-Stained Stars: Closing In — Part I”

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The Blood-Stained Stars: A Breach of Trust — Part VII

Ammatar Consulate Bureau

Brothers and Sisters

Derelik Region — San Matar constellation
Tanoo System — Planet V — Moon 1
Ammatar Consulate Bureau

14 September YC 127

“I am pleased to see that you came out of the trials victorious, Captain Korff,” Dovirch Anselm greeted me when I entered his office, “but I never had any doubt that the divine justice would prevail. We both know that Lord Taphos’s claim was spurious — he had never had a chance to win this hallowed contest.”

I wish I had your confidence, I thought. Aloud I said, “Thank you, Agent Anselm. I have received my first incentive; I have come to you for the second one.”

The agent steepled his hands and looked in the distance. The distance, obviously, was limited by the wall of his office but he seemed to look through it. Silence ensued. Continue reading “The Blood-Stained Stars: A Breach of Trust — Part VII”

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The Blood-Stained Stars: A Breach of Trust — Part VI

Lord Taphos's Crucifier

A Call to Trial

Derelik Region — San Matar constellation
Tanoo System — Planet V — Moon 1
Ammatar Consulate Bureau

13 September YC 127

Before coming to Dovirch Anselm’s office, I brainstormed the way I was going to break the news to him. The openings like “Hey, mate, your boss is in deep shit” and “It takes an Amarrian to fuck up that badly” were quickly dismissed, although Aura insisted that they would set up a dramatic backdrop for the message. Instead, I settled on a gradual reveal, taking a role of a courier and putting the spotlight on Doctor Canius who craved recognition. If all went well, I wouldn’t mind his getting back in Taphos’s good graces. On the other hand, any blame would also fall on Canius. Me, I just wanted to assist Taphos in finding the culprit who betrayed his trust.

“Good morning, Agent Anselm,” I said as I entered Dovirch’s office. “I have a message for Lord Taphos from Doctor Canius.” Continue reading “The Blood-Stained Stars: A Breach of Trust — Part VI”

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The Blood-Stained Stars: A Breach of Trust — Part V

Theology Council Tribunal Station

Revelations

Devoid region — Kisana constellation
Lisudeh system — Planet IV — Moon 4
Theology Council Tribunal station — Dr Canius’s office

12 September YC 127

I didn’t intend to have any more dealings with Doctor Canius, but there I was sitting in his office and patiently awaiting his advice. You see, the problem was that the only thing I could read on the document obtained from the scavengers was Dagan’s signature. Everything else was written in an alphabet I had never seen before. I had no choice but to turn to a specialist, and Canius was the only scholar I knew in Lisudeh.

“This is fascinating,” Doctor Canius mumbled. “See this character?” he pointed at a squiggle which looked like a drunken worm who couldn’t decide which way to crawl. “It’s Jovian! The words aren’t Jovian though. It looks like they used them as a kind of a cipher.”

“Can you decrypt it?” I asked. Continue reading “The Blood-Stained Stars: A Breach of Trust — Part V”

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The Blood-Stained Stars: A Breach of Trust — Part IV

Ammatar Holy Dome

Of Quiet Nights Long Past

Devoid region — Kisana constellation
Lisudeh system — Planet IV — Moon 4
Theology Council Tribunal station — Dr Canius’s office

5 September YC 127

“What?” I said, feeling the blood rushing to my face.

I was incredulous. I was frustrated. I was angry. That son of a bitch lied to me!

I moved menacingly towards the Doctor with my fists clenched. I was closer than ever to resorting to direct physical violence. Probably, the Doctor saw that in my face, as he tried to raise his hands in a placating gesture. Then he realised that he still held the statuette in one hand and that it looked like he was threatening to hit me with it. Canius hastily placed the statuette on the desk and babbled. Continue reading “The Blood-Stained Stars: A Breach of Trust — Part IV”

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The Blood-Stained Stars: A Breach of Trust — Part III

Ancient Tomb Dig Site

Recovery

Devoid region — Kisana constellation
Lisudeh system — Planet IV — Moon 4
Theology Council Tribunal station

5 September YC 127

Yesterday, I didn’t rush to complete Doctor Canius’s mission. Instead, I rented a room at a nearby hotel for the night and asked Aura to arrange installation of the relic analyser provided by the Doctor in place of the kinetic shield amplifier.

This morning, refreshed after a good night’s sleep in a luxurious bed, I entered my dock and froze. For a few moments, I glared at an ugly protrusion on Kaukokärki‘s side and then called Aura on the commlink. Continue reading “The Blood-Stained Stars: A Breach of Trust — Part III”

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The Blood-Stained Stars: A Breach of Trust — Part II

Theology Council Tribunal Station

New Friends

Derelik Region — San Matar constellation
Tanoo System — Planet V — Moon 1
Ammatar Consulate Bureau

4 September YC 127

“It’s done,” I said walking into Dovirch Anselm’s office. “Now, tell me where I can find Dagan.”

I was pretty annoyed by Anselm’s so-called mission — it made me feel guilty. I was sorry that I unknowingly killed an innocent person, but that was an honest mistake. The agent said as much but nevertheless he pressed me into delivering Mizara’s doll to her parents as if it was a penance. I deeply disliked the man and wanted to conclude my dealings with him as soon as possible. Unfortunately, Anselm deemed it necessary to regale me with Mizara’s life story, intermingled with many pauses and thoughtful stares. Continue reading “The Blood-Stained Stars: A Breach of Trust — Part II”

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The Blood-Stained Stars: A Breach of Trust — Part I

Mizaras Parents Home 2

A Matter of Decorum

Derelik Region — San Matar constellation
Tanoo System — Planet V — Moon 1
Ammatar Consulate Bureau

4 September YC 127

My last mission was not really urgent — as Keita Eslin said, by the time I reached the Ammatar agent, he would already know that I was the one who killed Mizara. Nevertheless, Keita made half the payment conditional on my delivering the message within six hours. I had a suspicion that she simply wanted to get me off her station as soon as possible, which was understandable after Aura’s glorious, and successful, attempt to crack mercenaries’ encrypted files that paralysed the whole station. Whatever Keita’s motives were, I didn’t have any reason to stay in Hek any longer, so soon enough I was on my way to Tanoo. En route, I followed the agent’s advice and made a fresh infomorph backup at one of Sisters of Eve stations. Continue reading “The Blood-Stained Stars: A Breach of Trust — Part I”

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The Blood-Stained Stars: Shifting Foundations — Part XI

Certificate of Death

Metropolis region — Barvigrard constellation
Hek system — Planet IV
Krusual Tribe Bureau

4 September YC 127

I may sound like a broken record but I am fresh out of polite words which can describe my circumstances. So please bear with me while I am repeating myself: I hoped to finally get information on the whereabouts of Dagan today; instead, I’ve got another mission. If you think that was a joke, wait until you hear what mission Keita Eslin prepared for me. Continue reading “The Blood-Stained Stars: Shifting Foundations — Part XI”

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