Hoisting the small crate of my possessions onto my shoulder, I was walking towards the shuttle when the fast footfalls from the other side of the hanger alerted me to his presence. The young officer snapped off a nervous salute as he came to attention several meters from me, wisely avoiding walking into my path.
"Sir, I uhh.." he stammered, looking uneasy and not meeting my eye.
"What is it?" I shot back sharply, amusing myself at his discomfort, commoners often viewed pod pilots with both fear and awe.
This boy had become a member of my crew over a month ago, when I had taken command of my first Vexor class cruiser. Shortly after arriving in Stain, the group referring to itself as Hub Zero had broken out in civil war. Disagreements were had, sides were chosen, and before long, people who were once cooperating peacefully in the name of profit, had taken to shooting at each other with both ammunition and the written word.
I decided from the start that I wouldn't take sides, my small crew and I had stayed out of the way of the locals as best we could. Watching their petty arguments and the pretty light shows as they destroyed each others ships and the very cause that had brought them together.
Staying several solar systems away if possible, and remaining cloaked when detecting other pilots nearby. I slowly increased my wealth and skills, before too long I had upgraded to a Myrmidon battle cruiser, allowing me to withstand more concentrated fire from the Sanshas lurking within Stain's asteroid belts.
I watched and waited, hoping the situation in Hub zero would stabilize. Not caring if that meant one side wiping out the other and sending them back to empire, or coming to some kind of negotiated cease fire. It never happened, finally I accepted that it never would. The people of Hub zero weren't united with a common goal, the founding idea itself was unaffiliated individuals co-existing and working together. Most of them, myself included, had their own agenda and selfish motives for being here.
"I just wanted to confirm your last order in person sir" the young man interrupted my thoughts "Y-you want me to self destruct your remaining vessels?".
Nodding as I stepped onto the ramp leading into the shuttle, "Thats correct, strip the fittings, dismiss the crews, then self destruct them. Unless you have a problem defrauding the insurance company?" I asked, throwing the makings of a grin in his direction.
"No sir!" he laughed, visibly relaxing "Those guys are the biggest pirates in New Eden".
I could have taken everything with me, I thought as the shuttle sailed through warp. It wasn't far, it would have only taken several trips back and forth. No, best to make a clean break. Start fresh in my new home. The only thing I would carry with me from Stain would be the lesson I learnt there, how important it is to have a unifying goal, something that gives everyone direction, keeps them focused as one. I believe I have found that now.
We are Ushra'Khan,
We come for our people.
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