Diary of a Pod Pilot

19.04.112 YC :: Goinard IV – Moon 5 – Impro Factory

Myrhial is seated at a table in living quarters that lack the Cartel and Achur influences of her usual abode. Instead the room is distinctively Caldari, with various details of the design colored bright red. The camera drone changes focus and zooms in on an object laying on the table, which when close enough reveals to be a chain to which two pairs of dogtags are attached. Zooming in further the inscriptions become readable. “Myrhial Arkenath, CEO, Ghost Festival, Naraka.” is embossed into the first pair, the corporation and alliance logo displayed on the flip side. The second pair gleams brightly, betraying it to be brand new. It too displays the logos for its respective corporation and alliance, and reads “Myrhial Arkenath – 009 – Veto. – Veto Corp”. Lingering a few seconds — it is unclear if this is to either add a dramatic pause or leave the slower readers enough time — the drone pans up and focuses on Myrhial again, who begins to speak.

“Don’t be alarmed. I’ve neither been bought out, abducted or was under the influence. I simply made a decision in the best interests of all involved.”

Myrhial picks up the chain and puts it on, sliding the tags under the collar of her blouse.

“Let me begin at the beginning, which places us before the start of Operation Longshot, which by the way was a big fluke. It was planned to be our first attempt at applying our style of combat to nulsec, and to increase both activity and morale which began to be on the decline. But it turned out to be neither. While we did try and make something out of it we lost the numbers we needed right at the start due to sheer bad luck with circumstances mostly outside of our control, ranging from issues with license extension to disagreements over the direction we were taking. Had there been fewer issues, and spread over a longer period of time, they could have been tackled, but alas it was not so. And then there is Jude vanishing again when I needed his assistance the most. And much as that puts me into a bad mood, I do wonder if he’s alright… Ah well, at least now I don’t have to worry anymore about a possible demotion.”

Myrhial shakes her head briefly in disappointment.

“I wish it could have been otherwise, but even capsuleers have limits. I’ve given it my everything, made the decisions I felt were right, and it wasn’t enough. I will not say I have been defeated, the support messages I have so far received and will likely keep receiving in the following period tell me otherwise. And I need only to read back into my writings to be reminded of all we have accomplished so far. Not bad for a corporation at one point split into two. Staying and making it work against the odds turned out to be well worth it.”

Myrhial smiles, aware of the irony.

“So why not stay now, then? Because this time, it is different. This time changing corporations it is not taking the easy way out, but accepting an opportunity that not many will ever receive: To be a regular member of a successful corporation and yet receiving directorate level access to data and communications. Ethan and I agreed on these terms to have the highest level of transparency as possible, with the added benefits for me that I could learn from their own successes and mistakes…or alternatively at least rule out one way of how I will not run things in the future. It is quite likely I am shooting myself in the foot here and that I will be the only one returning. I won’t hold it against anyone. I simply want to prevent a good group of pilots scattering, or ending up somewhere less desirable.

As for my loyalty to the Cartel, that remains unchanged. While I will abide by the rules of Veto Corp and will not engage Guristas forces, neither will I open fire on Cartel forces. And if I want to clone-jump down to Curse and do agent work there I am free to do so as I please. Can’t recall I’ve actually ever had any missions against Guristas forces, so it shouldn’t form a problem.”

Myrhial pauses a moment to adjust herself to a more upright position, and folds her hands in front of her.

“I know some of you out there see what I do as ‘weakness’ or even ‘treason’. I’ll give you my simple answer to that: If you feel you can do it better, do it yourself. You’d even do me a huge favor by promoting the Cartel amongst capsuleers, and provide a place for them now I can’t. But if you’re going to sit there and judge, believing that you could have done a better job under the same circumstances and with the same level of experience, or even feel for some reason you have the right to judge without knowing all the details, then I hope you realize such words have a way of backfiring in most ironic ways. We are far from Gods. And I have a pretty good memory.”

Myrhial’s expession turns milder again, having gone cold over the course of the last few sentences.

“To conclude, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to those who have stood with us. While I am aware this has come as bad news, I will not apologize or say that I am sorry. A good leader knows when to make the call and acts in the best interests of the corporation until the very last moment. And that is exactly what I have done, and will continue to do, always. Interesting times are ahead and I look forward to new experiences and expanding my knowledge. I am far from retiring, but I will take this as a well deserved vacation. Soak it all in, regain my energy, and arise better than before when the time is right.”

Myrhial is sitting up straight on the edge of a low sofa. Behind her a glimpse of the rest of her apartment can be seen. Typical modern take on Achur architecture, the same natural tones and sober yet practical designs, but classic materials such as wood have been replaced by synthetic counterparts. On the tea table lays a small book which stands out like a slaver hound in a songbird pen, the Pax Amarria.

I think we both knew it would lead up to this eventually. I was in fact certain the moment you advised me Jude would be an excellent second director for Ghost Festival. You sought to replace yourself so you could get out.

No, I don’t blame you. I understand. This is not your home. I think you wanted it to be though. We’re a great deal more honest than those who pay lip service to a God who forms a convenient excuse for the atrocities committed in His name or those clinging to the same principles in the fear of what speaking against them might bring on. Hmph, I wonder who really are the slaves sometimes… But I digress. Honest as we might be our path is not one of virtue. Extortion, ransom and profiteering are our trade; violence, torture and murder accepted means to reach our goals. We call it business.

You’ve played a major role in all of it too. Operation Bold Harvest was your idea. You’ve served as a director for the larger part of the year. Even our move to Goinard was one of your controversial ideas. And look at how well it worked. You’re even on The Last Gate’s VIP list. I hope you will not deny or forget who you were here, Yishal. Do not disappoint me by having to hear such news. After all I do have your old insignia right here.

As for the book, I have read it before. Curious about the words your race holds sacred, and adorn the hulls of several of my ships. I accept the gift however, and what I believe you are trying to tell me with it.

Uaaka, Yishal, you were a great teacher and a treasured friend. I shall hope to never meet you again.

The feed starts with a birds-eye view of a docking bay and the adjacent hangars, recorded from an overlooking balcony. Crew are loading and unloading various containers and crates, and repairs are in progress. The ship hull is easily recognized as a Drake class battlecruiser.

Such a magnificent piece of Caldari technology …

While Myrhial narrates the camera drone descends and focuses on various activities being performed on and around the ship, lingering as long as it stays interesting. Most personnel doesn’t notice but those who do greet the viewer with a grin or nod.

… and such amazing performance.

By this time the drone has ascended again and settled in the air in front of the balcony. Myrhial is leaning forward, arms folded on the railing, gaze resting dreamily on the vessel below. Her unusually happy mood softens her overall cold appearance. If it weren’t for her PRETA uniform, dark makeup and the crisp clear white hallway behind her brandishing a large golden corporate logo in the marble floor she could be mistaken for that same young woman working so diligently for the State now almost a year and a half ago. The spell is broken the moment she changes her focus to the viewer and chuckles.

The Drake was the first ship I really felt connected with beyond the wires. I still remember exactly how I lost it. Duty declared war on us, something about dealing with Guristas, it all went above my head back then. Being so freshly graduated I was occupied with settling in and build up some funds running errands for the Navy. I suppose not seeing them in the neighborhood lulled me into a false sense of security that I took an actual ship hull out while picking up the modules I had purchased for it. And then there was Vanden to intercept me on a stargate. No surprise I lost the “fight”. Not much of a fight missing modules, having no microwarp drive to escape and lacking the damage capacity to overpower the attacker. I ended up forgiving him though, a while ago when he spent a brief period in our ranks.

She pauses briefly and smirks.

And just a while ago I effortlessly destroyed eight ships in two different systems with the very same kind of ship. It was a thrill to see how much damage the missiles did, and in the second engagement the shields also got throughly tested. A shame Whittenoom’s craft was worse off, and Rathnon escaped just in time. I decided to retreat as well as the remaining enemy forces were taking their range tempting me to pursue them. I really didn’t feel like staying and dying to reinforcements.

It is remarkable to witness how much training pays off since I last flew a Drake was back in Derelik. While this current setup is far more tuned for raw damage rather than survival she did so well the militia forces left me alone and went for the Myrmidons instead.

Another pause, and she adjusts her posture to standing upright.

But I start to repeat myself in all this excitement. I am off to the Last Gate for some drinks. I know just the way to celebrate my new found love for Caldari technology. Karlos better have some fine Hak’len in stock. This time I will make an exception and drink it alone.

The feed fades to black and displays the corporate logo before cutting out.

The petite Achur is seated in a large and luxurious black leather chair at her desk, a massive crystal plate supported by glossy white side-panels. On the front panel of the desk a large back-lit version of the corporate logo and name are attached. The rest of the room echoes the same sleek black and white glossy design complemented with metallic chrome accents. The light in the room is dimmed giving the cold interior a warmer appearance. A reinforced glass window reaches from the floor up to the ceiling and spans the entire back wall offering a spectacular view of the station’s exterior and surrounding space. As the camera drone zooms in Myrhial sits up and leans on the desk, folding her hands.

No sooner has Aria left us or more changes take place. Yishal stepped down as director of Tactical Command as of this week. A shame, her dedication to her job has brought a lot of good to Ghost Festival. But she is now given the time to focus on her academical pursuits and I have full confidence in Vaden being a worthy follow-up. Being assisted in this task by Mortis I really have a dream team to work with.

It will be nice to have more frequent and planned operations again, both those we are familiar with as well as new strategies. It would be a waste not to use the access we have to the low security systems of many adjacent regions to its full potential. I know I’m feeling eager to roam again. And it will be good for the other Ghosts as well.

Myrhial pauses, sits back and looks thoughtful before continuing on.

I’ve concluded that extended station-side life has a negative effect on Capsuleers. I do wonder as to why. Are we losing our humanity, or clinging to it too much in fear of becoming emotionless weapons? Is it the wealth and the isolated lifestyle creating a culture of its own? Are we trying to escape our duties and responsibilities, or do we deal with so much we’re slowly going insane? And most importantly is this a question that will be answered in time? Who knows … One thing is certain though, whatever it is, it stands in the way of fully spreading our wings. I may sound like a broken record but moderation, in everything, is the key to success.

The lights in the room slowly begin to fade out and Myrhial nods politely to the camera, before turning her chair to admire the magnificence of the Goinard starscape while lost in thought. The camera drone pans up and zooms in on the stars while the visual fades to black. The PRETA logo and corporation name briefly appear in view before the video feed ends.

The video feed flickers on showing the majestic image of a Pilgrim and Machariel lined up next to each other. The feed’s quality is high enough to ensure that the crews who are standing at attention behind the windows of both vessels are visible. Pausing a moment to let the viewer admire both ships the camera drone then zooms out revealing the scene to take place behind one of the station’s exterior window and focuses on Myrhial, who is standing in the foreground with her back to the window. She is dressed in a sharp looking grey two piece uniform, consisting of a long-sleeved jacket with high collar and a mid-length skirt completed by opaque panty stockings in a lighter hue and fine black leather boots reaching up all the way to her knees. The jacket is adorned with the PRETA colors, the CEO insignia and several medals. Myrhial appears to be in a very good mood and begins to speak in an animated fashion.

“Today, in this very room, Ghost Festival held it’s first award ceremony. While we have since many months had a solid ranking system into place which has passed through several revisions to ensure it to be simple yet effective, it is for the first time we handed out medals and promotions in this fashion. Several of my pilots went up in rank meeting the requirements set by the board of directors, and several more received awards for loyalty, destruction of hostile capsuleer vessels and the attainment of high standings with factions which we support.”

Myrhial motions to the ships outside of the window, still hanging motionless.

“What you see over there are the latest additions to my hangar and were given to me on this day of celebration for one year service within Ghost Festival and the daunting task of heading the corporation as it’s CEO. It is with much joy I accept the Pilgrim from the hands of my pilots and the Machariel from those of the Dominations themselves.”

“I am proud of our accomplishments in operation Bold Harvest which form the pinacle of our success thus far. I need not remind those that have been following my writings that we rebuilt PRETA from nearly the ground up after the roster split into two. It’s been a road uphill, and each time we slipped and fell we picked ourselves up and continued on, eyes and mind clearly fixed on our goals. And while the summit is not yet reached and the path remains steep it is on days like this we halt and look around us, admiring the view and looking back at the part of the path now lying behind us to reflect upon what we have learned.”

“It has been a pleasure to work and fly with these exceptional individuals, all selected through a strict reviewing process, another thing that has seen much fine-tuning to ensure only pilots worthy make it onto the roster. Some of them are old veterans having been in the pod far longer than I have. Others are new but their enthusiasm and will to learn makes up for the lack of experience and training. I look forward to another year and what it will bring us. One thing is for sure however. The capsuleers present in the regions in which we now operate are becoming aware of our name and are learning to fear it. And soon enough we will fully embody what it means to be a Ghost, striking from the shadows with ruthlessness. So remember…feed us, and we will go away. Continue to feed us and we will leave you in peace. But disturb us or refuse to co-operate and you will learn what the vengeful spirits of old tales are truly like.”

The camera drone shows Myrhial for a good two seconds more as a serene smile ends her speech, before the screen goes black. The corporate logo and name of Ghost Festival shimmer into view together with the details of the GalNet information portal. Showing this long enough so viewers can save it to memory the feed ends.