Tigerfish Torpedo : Personal Log

The Indefatigable was home; back where she belonged. The final flight of the Inde would live forever within the hearts of the men and women that served on such a mighty vessel. She was built in Thakala as a custom order for Tigerfish Torpedo, and throughout her working life, she’d caused fear and death to many a space-faring adventurer. It therefore seemed fitting that the location of her demise would be that very same system; the system where she was lovingly put together and nurtured for over seven years.

During that time the Inde had played host to many an occasion – be it social, political or military. It was on the same ship that Tiger introduced himself to, and entertained the mother of his first-born child; Lami. It was also the same ship that Tiger proposed to his beautiful wife – the adorable Evangeline – who had left him to seek happiness in the arms of another. Had Tiger really been so intolerable that his desire for bloodshed and political advancement within the Sani Sabik should have cost him his marriage?

Then there was Shalee. How he loved Shalee, despite the way their relationship began. In the beginning he was a Sani Sabik officer and elder – a man to be truly feared. He’d caused so much destruction to the Amarrians that during peace talks between a young UPAY officer and the leadership of CVA, his proposal had been laughed at – a typical example of CVA hospitality and respect. The offer for peace was made without Tiger’s consent, but naturally, he had an interest to find out how a former mortal enemy would be treated over a genuine request for peace. It all seemed so much simpler when the Shiras was ruling the Sabik. Tiger knew where he stood with her, and despite her dark and mysterious ways, he knew she cared for him.

It was during a meeting of UPAY’s directorship, the night after the meeting with CVA, that a comment was made – completely in mirth – about installing a spy within the leadership of the Amarrian militia. This idea held little interest for Tiger, for he was all about the big, bold statements of political conflict. No cloak and dagger infiltration would be sufficient. If he truly wanted to get at the militia, he’d do so directly. He could almost imagine how sweet the smell of victory would be if the once powerful Sabik Elder infiltrated the Amarrians personally. It beggared belief. No one would ever allow him to get close enough to an enemy that had lost millions of men and women to him and his kin. Or would they?

She had invited him to a party to help him get over the loneliness of having his wife leave him and the torment of suffering an excommunication from the Sani Sabik. She was a target, albeit a pretty one. He met her at the Mercy’s Keep and she looked so sweet and innocent in her costume. It was a masquerade ball, and she had these silly little wings on her back that made her look like an angel. It actually reminded him of the winged tattoos on Evangeline’s back. He knew from that moment that he couldn’t hurt her. She wasn’t the tough, evil militia pilot he’d been brainwashed into expecting. She was a young lady, living life to the full amidst a loving group of friends. Tiger never really had any friends. Not real ones. But there she was; Shalee Lianne – a genuine friend, turned lover.

Their relationship had flourished over the course of two years, but recent antics had pulled them apart. There were other lovers involved, a great deal of jealousy, some stupid misunderstandings and now it was at breaking point. She’d already moved on, or so he thought. She never returned his mails and whenever he could speak with her, he seemed to infuriate her further. She wanted space. She wanted time alone – time away from him. He knew he wasn’t able to simply grant a request like that, so in a foolish moment of jealous rage, he instructed a loyal soldier within UPAY to abduct a dozen or so Amarrian nobles. It was a foolish move and one that he put right within thirty minutes of having them taken, but that didn’t matter. The fact that it happened was enough to rip him and Shalee further apart.

So there it was. If he returned to the Manor, Shalee’s friends and peers would undoubtedly rip him to pieces. If he stayed away, she’d never return his mails and eventually they’d drift apart – just as Aldrith had tried to explain. Once upon a time they’d been the talk of New Eden. The hottest, most desirable woman alive, together with the ageing Sabik Elder and former Fleet commander of so many anti Amarrian campaigns. What their union couldn’t achieve, wouldn’t be worth having.

Tonight he would know. Tonight it would happen, one way or another. He’d updated his clone to cover everything he was, everything he knew, and had saved the information to a data chip that he now held within his hand. This chip was the only thing that could bring him back should anything happen. Placing the chip within a small box, he handed it to the waiting courier and gave instruction that it should be delivered to Shalee Lianne at Cerra Manor. The instruction was simple; make sure it was handed directly to her and no other soul. His future depended on that.

He would go to Cerra Manor, and he would face Shalee. He’d sent her a message saying that he’d be there, but naturally she’d not responded. If she cared for him at all, she’d be there to meet him despite her continued silence. If not, her peers would kill him and then she’d be free of him. The data chip would probably arrive a day or so later and then she could decide whether or not to bring him back. Her desire for space and time alone would be easily guaranteed.

Fastening up his jacket, he threw his trustee Sani blade and blaster on the bed behind him and left his suite, bound for Huola.

The smoky haze from a swinging scented lantern flooded the large main chamber. It was dark, lit only by a handful of braziers on the wall. As the flames licked higher against the ancient stone brickwork, tiny shadows and flickers of light made the room appear alive. There was no noise either. It was almost completely silent, apart for the cracking and popping noise of the naked flames.

In the middle of the chamber stood a figure wearing a full robe, his head covered by the hood. In front of him, another robed figure stood beside a large golden altar, a carved metal blade held within a groove along the top – the handle facing up, the intricate carving facing the figure within the middle of the room. Standing in a ring around the outside of the chamber, another eight figures, all in hooded robes, stood in silence.

“Brothers… Sisters…” the figure by the alter began. Her voice sounded soft but authoritative and carried a slight accent. “This is a glorious day for us all.”

Reaching up with both hands, she grasped the front of her hood and pulled it back over her head, revealing her face. She was beautiful. No longer restrained, her long red hair cascaded down over her shoulder in a loose ponytail.

“Our brother Leo has returned to us. He has agreed to swear our oath and do everything we ask and expect of him. Step forward Brother, reveal yourself to us and kneel before me” she said, gesturing the lone figure forward.

He nodded his head and stood up straight, stepping towards the beautiful woman and pulling the hood back from his face.

“Lord Torpedo” she said with a smile. “I never thought I’d see you in these halls.”

Tiger knelt before her, bowed his head graciously and then looked up at her. He knew her well. She was his sister, not just by faith, but parentally. She was Spearfish Torpedo; the lesser known successor of his legacy within the Sabik.

“I’ve been living a lie!” he exclaimed. “I’ve lived with the Amarrians for nearly two years and tried to become all that she desired of me. To become the lover she wanted me to be, and the lover that she deserved me to be. I loved her with everything I was, and she broke my heart.”

Spear sighed and stepped off her platform, moving away from the altar and towards Tiger. Raising her hand to his face, she began to softly caress his cheek with her thumb.

“Leo, you know as well as I do that our faith is not a place for you to escape your relationship problems. However, if your desire to return is genuine, I will not turn you away.”

Tiger smiled and bowed his head respectfully.

“There is one thing I demand of you, Leo, to prove yourself worthy of this second chance. You will show her how much pain she has caused you, by causing her comparable pain. People like this do not mess with the Sani Sabik without repercussion!”

“What do you ask of me, Lady Torpedo?”

“You will bring me either her heart, or one belonging to someone she cares about. You will need this to undertake the ritual that you once performed for the Sovereign. Only then can you be free of this emotional turmoil and return to us with the power that once you commanded.”

“So mote it be” Tiger uttered quietly.

“I will return your former aide to you, Tiger. He will perform your bidding and handle your affairs. Take whatever resources you need, but do not fail in your task. Panthera is a man without conscience or remorse.”

Tiger marched through the door to the bridge of his carrier. His former military jacket cast aside in favour of his old Sani Sabik dress uniform and carved metal blade. Standing at the back of his bridge, he addressed his crew, his voice booming with an arrogant confidence.

“Have the prisoners from our last engagement taken to deck thirty four, and have our ‘political correction team’ re-established to maintain control over these people and their families.”

With a low chirp, his Neocom signalled a new message awaiting his attention.

I’ve located her. She’s hiding in the University station orbiting Egghelende V, moon thirteen. Have fun!

Tiger smiled an evil smile. It was time for him to act. He couldn’t use Panthera to abduct her because Ryven knew what he looked like. Instead, he would use someone smaller, weaker, less threatening. He would use his former PA. It all seemed too easy.

Tiger stared into the mirror above his bathroom sink. He hardly recognised the face looking back at him. He’d lost weight and his face looked gaunt. Tiger had been on light duties since his escape from Thakala and he was desperate to get back into combat. Shalee and Steele had risked everything to bring him safely home and he owed them his life.

Although his memories were still sketchy, he could recall everything important that had happened. He knew that his house had been taken by the former First Minister and that his jailer had broken him free from his cell and taken him to safety. He knew that Crevat was dead, but that didn’t help ease his mood. He wanted someone to pay for everything he’d endured on Thakala III.

Tiger felt a little drained as he crossed the spacious concourse of the administration deck and entered the large lobby of the conference room assigned to his trial. He wasn’t facing a criminal conviction, but a tribunal linked to the investigation surrounding Crevat’s death.

Pushing the large imitation Oak doors open, he walked down the central aisle towards a long table positioned at the front of the room. The inquiry board had been assembled and were sitting behind the table awaiting his arrival. Tiger had lived on Thakala for so long that he recognised most of the men on the board. The others were easily identifiable by their uniforms. There was a highly decorated Concord Commissioner, a few suited gentlemen that Tiger assumed represented the new regime on Thakala III, and an craggy-faced Amarrian Admiral.

“Captain Torpedo,” the Commissioner began. “Welcome to these proceedings. We’re here today to discuss the demise of First Minister Crevat and to ascertain which parties were responsible for his death and whether that death was justified, as laid out within the laws governing this system and the Amarrian Empire.”

Tiger gave a half smile and sat down heavily on the ornate wooden chair facing the board.

“What makes you think I know anything at all?”

The Commissioner picked up a file from his desk and positioned a pair of gold-tinted reading glasses on the end of his nose.

“It says here that you were recently a guest of Minister Crevat, and that you spent some considerable time at his house.”

“That was my house!”

“So it’s true?” the Commissioner asked.

“I was held in captivity by your former First Minister, and personally, I hope he’s rotting in hell as I speak.”

The Commissioner turned his head to look at the Amarrian Admiral, then back to Tiger. “But we only have your word on that, Torpedo. The only thing we know for certain is that you visited Crevat, and that soon afterwards he was found dead.”

Reaching into his pocket, Tiger pulled out a cigar and placed it between his lips – lighting it moments later with his old Verisum Family gas lighter. “I see how this is. You’re looking for a scapegoat. How very kind that you should consider me, after everything that’s happened to me.”

“It’s not about finding a scapegoat; it’s about discovering the truth. I’m sure we all want to learn what actually happened during your visit.”

Tiger exhaled a small jet of smoke from his nostrils and sat back in his chair, rubbing his chin thoughtfully – an eerie smile spreading across his lips.

“Is this some sort of joke to you, Torpedo?” the Commissioner snapped.

Again, Tiger didn’t respond. His attention was drawn to the large oval windows behind the inquiry board, and the many large ships outside awaiting permission to dock with the station.

The door to the conference room burst open and in hurried a young officer clutching a PDA in his hand.

“Sirs… We have a major problem!” he shouted over Tiger’s head as he ran down the aisle. “There’s a Dreadnought in orbit over Thakala III. It’s….” he stopped in front of the table and grabbed his chest, coughing heavily. “It’s just entered siege mode!”

The board members jumped up from their seats and pulled their Neocoms from their pockets. Each uniformed official tapped away furiously, trying to get confirmation. The Commissioner reached forward and grabbed the PDA from the young man’s hand, his eyes focusing on the video feed supplied by a small frigate near the Revelation. The young officer wasn’t lying – the guns were fully extended and aimed directly at the planet.

“No!” cried the Commissioner. “They’re firing on Thakala!”

The rest of the panel all lowered their devices and stared over at the Commissioner, all silent and awaiting news. Then the mighty guns lit up again and the video feed from the tiny frigate fell into static.

The room once again erupted into a roar of commotion.

Still sitting perfectly still within his chair, Tiger took another long draw from his cigar and flicked the butt to the floor near the panel’s table. He was still smiling, apparently completely unphased by this seemingly unprovoked attack on Thakala. A small rumble in his pocket signalled the arrival of a new message. As he pulled the Neocom from his pocket and glanced at the tiny screen. The message read:

“You’re welcome – TP”

Every private news network in the Devoid and Domain regions were covering the story, minute by minute – yet the main news channels weren’t covering it at all. Some favour granted by the media giants, trying to avoid the adverse publicity affecting the mood of the already underwhelmed and outnumbered Amarrian people.

“You’re watching channel X-S news – news coverage for the X-Sense Corporation. Earlier today an unprovoked attack by an unknown party left thousands dead in the Capital city of Thakala III. Eye witness reports claim that an Amarrian Revelation, free of any distinguishable markings, entered orbit and bombarded the planet surface with extra-large energy weapons usually reserved for Capital ship warfare. Concord agents are currently trying to ascertain the identities of those responsible, but say they have little to go on. Anyone with any information regarding this matter should speak to Concord immediately. There is a cash reward of one billion credits for anyone that can help bring the guilty party to justice.”

Peter Steele pulled his long leather jacket tightly around his muscular frame and fastened up the buttons beneath the strap of his rifle. Slung carelessly over his back, the rifle looked clean and well maintained, but obviously well used.

He didn’t see Shalee approaching at first. He’d been examining the transport that would return them both to the surface of Thakala III, and it was dark inside the hangar.

“Hey!” she called out as she drew a little closer.

Steele smiled and looked her up and down. She was wearing a black t-shirt, black pants and black combat boots. Her hair was tied in a low ponytail and she looked ready for anything despite having no visible weapons. Unlike Steele, Shalee always preferred the subtle approach to combat, not allowing the enemy to know how well armed she was until she needed to act. Subtlety was lost on Steele. He wanted heavy weapons and he didn’t care who saw them.

“Did you get the message from Tiger?” she asked excitedly.
“Yeah, I got it. You reckon it was really from him?” Steele answered.
“I don’t know, but what else do we have to go on?”

The message from Tiger had arrived late at night after darkness had fallen over the capital city of Thakala III. There wasn’t any greeting, nor did the message say anything about Tiger’s current state of health. The message simply read:

50° 24′ 27.27″ N, 4° 12′ 12.2″ W
50.407575, -4.203389

“I took the liberty of researching those coordinates” Steele began. “There’s nothing there, not even vegetation. It’s a desert”
Shalee wrinkled her nose. “There must be something there. Why else would he send us those coordinates?”
“I don’t know, but I have a bad feeling about this” he responded glumly.
“I do too” she whispered, “but I don’t care. I want to find him!”

The tiny transport bucked and rolled as it forced its way through the atmosphere, dropping down rapidly towards the Passif Desert. The red glow of the nose cone gave off a beautiful trail across the tranquil sky as they neared the landing site two miles from the coordinates in Tiger’s message. As the smouldering transport touched down into the endless expanse of the desert, smoke billowed up from the cool sand beneath the tiny craft.

“So, what now?” Shalee asked as she emerged from the airlock and jumped down onto the hot sand.
“Well, I was planning to go and take a look from the top of that hill” he answered, pointing towards a large dune in the distance. “We’re only two miles away, so if there’s anything there, I should be able to see it clearly enough.”
“What do you want me to do?” she asked, squinting up at him through the darkness.
“You proceed ahead. I’ll join you as soon as I’ve scouted the area ahead.”

Shalee pulled her Neocom from her pocket and studied the map that Steele had previously sent her. He’d already charged off towards the dune, leaving her on her own and walking towards the remote location within Tiger’s message. Despite the clear night above and the vast array of twinkling stars, she felt cold. The sun had been warming the desert all day and now it was only a few degrees above zero. She quickened her pace, trying to keep warm.

“Kind of eerie out here!” she whispered into her Neocom.
“I know what you mean. This is all far too quiet” Steele responded a moment later as he crawled over the top of the largest dune.

Steele peered through the small binoculars perched on the end of his nose. In the distance he could make out a small canvass tent with two people at the entrance – one sitting by the opening, the other standing a few feet away and staring out across the desert. Steele couldn’t make out any weapons on the character sitting by the mouth of the tent, but the other one was armed with a rifle. There was a small camp fire separating the two, providing enough heat and light for them to withstand the elements.

“Well, this isn’t what I was expecting.” Steele whispered into his neocom. “There seems to be some sort of tent down there. Two people, one armed.”

Shalee moved across the landscape, her lithe form barely visible within the dark. Circling around the tent, she started creeping towards it from behind. She was moving slowly, her posture low. She was waiting for Steele.

“It’s likely we’re walking into a trap here” she said softly as he crawled up alongside her.
“I know, but I really have no other ideas.”

Trying not to make a sound, Shalee pulled the concealed gun from her belt and gripped the handle with both hands – her finger poised on the trigger. Slowly, she came up beside the sentry and placed the metallic barrel of the gun to the side of his head.

“Don’t move!” she demanded in a low voice.

The man dropped his gun and turned slowly towards her, his hands instinctively raising at his sides.

“Sam? Who are these people?” the sentry’s companion shrieked from the mouth of the tent.
Steele raised his gun and trained the sights at the young woman’s neck.
Sam rolled his eyes towards his accomplice, his voice soft and calm. “It’s all right, I summoned them here.”
“Now that you have us here, speak” Shalee demanded, her eyes glued to the man called Sam.
“We had nothing to do with this. Your friend, I mean.” Sam responded nervously. “I was working for R’yn Crevat. He tricked us into holding your friend at our facility.”
“Where is this facility? Do you still have access?” Shalee asked.
“No! At this moment they’re looking for me, and if they find me they’ll kill me and my girlfriend. I throw myself on your mercy, please spare our lives.”
“Where is Captain Torpedo?” Steele snarled at Sam.
“He’s in the tent, but he requires medical assistance” Sam responded.

Steele moved towards the mouth of the tent, motioning the young woman away from the unzipped main compartment.

Shalee felt her pulse begin to race as Steele started rifling through the mess of blankets within the tent. “Is he in there?” she called out.
“There’s someone here” Steele responded from inside the tent.

The figure within the tent was barely recognisable. He was wrapped up in blankets and breathing very lightly. His skin was dirty and his lips cracked from days of dehydration. Steele brushed his fringe to the side and took a deep breath. “He’s a mess. You’d better get in here!”

Finally lowering the gun from Sam’s face and tucking it in to her belt, Shalee rushed into the tent. Dropping to her knees beside Tiger, she placed her fingers on his wrist, searching for a pulse. He was alive, but only just.

“We need medics, Peter. We need to get him to the X-Sense station now.”

Steele nodded and leapt up from inside the tent. “Sam, I need you to help Ms Lianne get Captain Torpedo to our transport. We have to get out of here before your friends turn up wanting him back.”
“I understand” Sam responded, helping Shalee pick Tiger up and supporting his weight between their shoulders.

The operation had taken several hours, but finally Tiger was secure within the passenger hold of the transport. Although it seemed fitting to leave Sam and his girlfriend to their fates, they had risked everything to rescue Tiger from the First Minister’s regime. Ushering them both inside the transport, Steele closed the airlock and moved to the cockpit.

Shalee was sitting beside Tiger, her fingers wrapped around his, her eyes watching the steady rise and fall of his chest with each shallow breath. Bowing her head, she uttered a quiet prayer to her Amarrian Gods, begging that her lover was strong enough to survive until they reached the medical facility within the X-Sense station. Her prayers would soon be answered.

Terrack Zale ran down the long corridor that connected the underground bunker facility of Thakala III with the outside world. He was in a rush and knew that any delay on his part could cost even more lives from within his outfit. He’d not been in charge long, and every day over the last week had ended in chaos. Why did he ever take the promotion to head up Crevat’s personal security detachment?

“Out of my way, fool!” he shouted as he barged between the two guards standing sentry outside Tiger’s cell. Grabbing the handle, he opened the door and rushed inside.
“Sergeant!” he barked. “We have a big fucking problem!”
Tiger’s captor turned from Tiger to face his Commanding Officer. “What’s the problem?”
“Crevat is dead!” he responded, coughing his lungs up from his recent exertion.
“Dead? Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’ve seen the body.”
“But how?”
“Shot! Two of his friends…” Terrack said, pointing at Tiger, still trying to regain his breath. “They came to Thakala to rescue him and killed Crevat in cold blood.”

Tiger was barely conscious but he could hear everything the two men said. A dry smile spread across his cracked lips.

“You can stop smiling too.” Terrack hissed at Tiger, pulling his pistol from its holster and hitting Tiger across the face with the butt.

“Look,” Terrack growled, “we have to get him out of here!”
“Where do you suggest we take him?”
“I don’t care. Take him somewhere quiet and dispose of him” Zale responded, looking down at Tiger in disgust.
“You mean kill him?”
“Do you want his friends to find him here when they return?”
“No, no. Of course not. But I don’t feel comfortable killing him. I’m a political security officer, not a murderer.”
“Look Sergeant, either you’ll take care of this matter yourself, or I’ll see to it that someone else takes care of you both. Understood?”

The captor nodded his head. He understood perfectly. Terrack didn’t want any loose ends. He wanted men that he could trust, men that would follow orders blindly, irrespective of how unpleasant they were.

“Fine, I’ll handle it” he said with a deep sigh.
“Oh, and one more thing…” Terrack said as he turned for the door. “Make sure you delete his clone. I’d hate him to come back and kill us all whilst we sleep!”

Terrack’s Sergeant, once again alone with his prisoner, looked down at Tiger’s unconscious form. How could he possibly kill a man that had done so much to protect Thakala in the past? He was a wealthy capsuleer and a former dignitary of the Sani Sabik.

“Tigerfish?” he whispered, shaking Tiger’s shoulder softly. “Can you hear me?”

Looking out through the dirty net curtains hanging over the kitchen sink, a young woman looked up and down the country road outside. She was agitated, perhaps even worried. He should have been home by now. It was unlike Sam to be late for anything. His shift finished three hours ago, and so far she’d heard nothing from his office.

She didn’t know what Sam did for living, despite the fact they’d been together for over four years. She accepted that his work was secretive and that she wasn’t to ask him any questions. Sam couldn’t have gotten himself into trouble. He was usually so careful. But even that was of little comfort. He’d been so different over the last few weeks too. He’d started snapping at her over stupid things, almost lost his appetite completely, and was struggling to get to sleep at night.

When the key finally turned in the lock and Sam appeared in the doorway, he seemed afraid – as though someone had been chasing him. Slamming the door shut, he slid the bolt across and pulled her away from the window. His brow was covered in sweat and he spoke quickly.

“Quick! Pack some things. We have to leave the house!”
“Why? What’s going on?” she asked, trying to pull away from him.
“Look, there’s some real shit going down and they’ll be coming for us soon!”
“Who will? Who’s coming for us, Sam?”
“Terrack! That’s who!” he yelled.
“Terreck? I thought he was your friend!”
“Not any more,” he said with a shake of his head. “I may have done something very stupid!”
“What did you do, Sam?” she asked.
“I’ve taken something that I shouldn’t have!” he whined. “Come on, sweetie, please. Just grab some things and come with me. I’ll explain on the way!”
“On the way where?”

Sam pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and threw it over to her. She unfolded it and stared blankly at the numbers scribbled down.

50° 24′ 27.27″ N, 4° 12′ 12.2″ W
50.407575, -4.203389

It was late at night when Shalee finally reached Thakala’s X-Sense Station. Peter Steele, Tiger’s trustee wingman within the Extraordinary Commission, had already arrived and was pacing back and forth in his guest suite, studying his Neocom. Having never met Steele before, Shalee was a little apprehensive when she finally knocked on the door.

“Come in, it’s open!” he called out from within.

Shalee pushed the door open and stepped inside, closing it softly behind her.

“Ms Lianne, I assume?” Steele said with a smile, walking towards her with his arm outstretched, offering her his hand. “I’m Peter Steele. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“Likewise” she responded, shaking his hand firmly. “Though I wish it wasn’t under such mysterious circumstances. Have you heard anything?”
Steele shrugged and gestured towards the large couch in the center of the room. “Sadly not. Captain Torpedo kept his destination a secret – even from his own crew.”
She stared up at him, nervously twirling her honey-blonde hair around her fingers. “Why was he coming here? I guess that’s the first thing we need to figure out. Maybe he was meeting someone?”
“John Birch mentioned something that may be worth checking out,” Steele said with another shrug. “Apparently, Tiger has a house on Thakala III!”
“He does? Do you know where it is?”
“Not exactly…” Steele answered, “But I bet Birch does. I’ll ask him to forward the coordinates to my Neocom.”

Walking over to the gunmetal dining table, Steele picked up his pistol and one of the spare magazines lying beside it. With the magazine firmly in his grip, he slammed the clip into the base of his weapon. Shalee looked up at Steele, a look of trepidation on her beautiful face.

“Do you think we’re going to need that?” she asked, searching his face with her pale blue eyes. “You think something really bad has happened, don’t you?”
Steele smiled reassuringly. “Captain Torpedo is a very capable man, but he has a temper the likes of which I’ve never seen before. If he is in trouble, then it’s serious.”
“Good point” she responded, rising to her feet and moving towards him. “Don’t suppose you have a spare?”
Steele spun the gun around in his hand, holding the barrel and offering the handle of the weapon to her. “Here, take this one. I have a spare onboard my ship.”
“Well, hopefully I won’t need it, but thanks.”

Steele’s small Hound class bomber began accelerating as it cleared the station and turned towards Thakala III. Despite Concord having strict rules regarding the use of cloaking devices within planetary boundaries, Steele wanted his arrival to be a surprise. If Tiger was in some kind of trouble, the less anyone knew, the better the chance of saving him.

Landing near the coordinates provided by John Birch, Shalee and Steele disembarked the tiny frigate and started walking towards Tiger’s old home. The building was larger than either had expected – a towering mansion, blotting the landscape of a remote mountainous clearing. As they trudged up to the front gate, Steele and Shalee stared up at the large ornate building.

“This house should be in ruins!” Steele whispered under his breath.
“Maybe that’s why he came here. Maybe he’s rebuilding it” she responded, sighing with relief.
“I wish I shared your optimism.” Steele responded, his eyes flicking from Shalee to a security camera drone perched on the rooftop. “Well, it seems they know we’re here.”

As Shalee pushed the rusty iron gates open, she couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. This was Tiger’s land, but everything felt so cold and alien to her.

“Excuse me!” Crevat called out from above them as he came jogging down the path towards them. “What are you doing here?”
Steele stopped dead in his tracks. “We’re looking for a friend. And who might you be?”
Crevat nervously looked between Steele and Shalee, his hand sliding down towards his sidearm. “I’m the owner of this estate, and you’re trespassing on my land.”
“You own this Estate?” Shalee asked, quirking her brow.
“You don’t own this Estate” Steele said, pulling his pistol from its holster. “And you might want to reconsider that itchy trigger finger of yours!”
R’yn slowly moved his hand away from his gun, raising it up to show them both his empty palm. “Very well, but I do own this house. I bought it several days ago.”
“Tiger sold you this house?” Shalee asked.
R’yn Crevat lowered his eyes, avoiding her gaze as he answered the question. “Erm, yes, that’s right. He said he didn’t want it anymore.”
“Where is Captain Tigerfish Torpedo?” Steele demanded, his fingers gripping the gun so tightly that the blood began to drain from his fingertips.
“Truth is; I don’t know where he is! Perhaps he vanished back into space in that fancy little ship of his.”
“I don’t believe you” Shalee remarked, raising her Neocom to check the flight plans recorded by the ‘Orbital Approach’ station. “He hasn’t left the planet yet!”
“You know where Tigerfish is, don’t you?” Steele barked, stepping closer to Crevat in an attempt to intimidate him. “I don’t like being deceived, and further, I suggest you change your mind and tell us what we want to know.”

A loud burst of energy ripped through the air as a weapon discharged with several short blasts. Spinning round on the spot, Steele glanced back to Shalee with a look of surprise on his face. The smoking gun was still raised and pointed to where Crevat had been standing. He wasn’t dead, but he was in a great deal of pain. Shalee had grown impatient of Crevat’s attempts to stall them, and had shot him three times in the leg. Crevat rolled onto his back, cradling his leg with both arms.

“Wait, why are you doing this to me?” he screamed.

Shalee stepped closer to R’yn, her gun aiming directly for his head. “I don’t have time for this. Tell us what you know!”
“I don’t know what they’ve done with him.” R’yn pleaded.
“I suggest you loosen your tongue and quickly. I have no idea how patient she is…” Steele said, nodding towards Shalee with his head. “But I do know there’s no fury like a woman scorned, and I honestly believe that a quick death is the last thing on her mind.”

Another loud blast of energy and Crevat lay motionless on the ground. The charge had hit him between the eyes, killing him instantly.

“You’re wrong.” she said calmly, placing her gun back in its holster. Steele looked back to her, unable to find the words to express his surprise.

Kneeling down beside the deceased First Minister, Shalee picked up his firearm and his Neocom. Wiping the blood from her fingers, she thumbed across the plexi-glass surface reading his most recent and confidential messages.

“Seems Tiger’s been moved to somewhere called ‘The Hole’.”

Opening his eyes, he could tell he was in a small room. It was so dark he couldn’t make anything else out, nor did he know if he was alone. His eyes had to adjust – had to get used to the darkness and focus on his surroundings.

He was lying on a hard bed, or was it a table of some kind? It felt cold, maybe even metallic. Reaching forward to pull himself up, he felt the restraints dig into his wrists. Unable to sit up, he crashed back onto the smooth surface, too weak to try again.

“I wouldn’t try moving, Torpedo. You’re only going to hurt yourself!” a gentle male voice said from somewhere above his head.
“Where am I?” Tiger responded croakily.
“You’re on Thakala III. Don’t you remember arriving?”
“Of course I do. I’m not totally stupid!”
“Are you not? Considering you returned to the scene of the crime, I’d say you’re not that bright!” the voice chortled.

Tiger pulled forward again with all his weight behind him – a mixture of anger and adrenaline fuelling his futile efforts to break free.

“Hmmm, such a temper!” the voice continued. “Try that again and I’ll increase the tension on your arms!”
“LET ME GO!” Tiger roared furiously.
“Not until you admit to the murder of Illana Civria!” the voice snapped back.
“You know I didn’t do it!”
“How many people have you killed in your life, Torpedo?”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Innocent men don’t kill with your ferocity!”

Sitting within the study of Tiger’s old home, Minister Crevat leaned back in his old padded leather chair and threw his feet up on the mahogany desk in front of the large bay window. On the desk, a freestanding Neocom displayed an image of a beautiful, young woman.

“Look, hunny, I know you love the house” Crevat purred. “The owner has already agreed to let us have it. You can move in whenever you want!”
She smiled and clapped her hands gleefully. “I can’t wait. It’s so exciting!”
“I was hoping,” he continued, “that maybe this weekend we could have a romantic meal and watch a holoreel together? There’s a new one out featuring that Gallente action hero you like.”
“Oh, R’yn, that sounds wonderful! Are you sure the owner won’t mind?”
“Course not” Crevat said reassuringly. “Me and Tiger are old friends!”
Leaning forward to turn her Neocom off, she looked up at him thoughtfully. “R’yn, perhaps we should invite him round for a house warming?”
Crevat sat up, fidgeting nervously within his chair. “No! I don’t think he’d be interested in that! He’s a busy man.”
“Well you know best” she cooed adoringly before finally turning off the feed.

Tiger’s screams of pain and torment echoed throughout the halls of the large underground facility. Built long ago, before the City of Gods was overrun and the Emperor removed, the facility – more commonly known as ‘The Hole’ – provided a shelter for government officials during orbital raids and assaults. There hadn’t been one for years, decades even. No one had any interest in Thakala any more – well, not since the Amarrian seat of power was moved back to the Emperor Station in Amarr.

With his arms bent back – the restraints pulling them tightly down – he felt as though they were almost ready to snap away from his body. He couldn’t take any more, but his cries remained defiant.

“Come now, Tiger. We don’t like hurting you! Just admit to the murder and we’ll move you to a prison facility somewhere much nicer!”
“Never! I didn’t kill her!”
“Well, you’ll just have to remain here for a little while longer then” his captor said with a sigh. “I’ve set the tension to increase by five percent every hour. When you change your mind, you’ll be sure to let us know!”
“I’d rather die!” Tiger howled.
“Would you indeed? You are aware that we’ve had your clone moved here, and there’s no medical station within Thakala, aren’t you?”
“So?” Tiger hissed though gritted teeth, the veins throbbing at the sides of his forehead.
“So, if you think you can simply fall back on a new clone to get free, you’re sadly mistaken. You’ll end up right back in here” the man whispered, his face moving to within an inch of Tiger’s ear, “without the ability to set up a new clone! Then, you’ll be as mortal as the rest of us planet-dwellers!”
“You’re forgetting…” Tiger responded, “my crew will come looking for me if I’m not back soon!”
“Not quite, Mr Torpedo. We’ve seen to that too!”
“How?”
“You sent them all a message from your Neocom yesterday, telling them their services were no longer required. As I understand it, even your former First Officer is looking for transport back to Amarr.”
“You bastard!”
“I don’t think anyone cares enough to come looking for you down here!”
“When I get out of here, I’m going to break a promise I made to someone very special.”
The captor stood up straight and turned away from Tiger, only half interested in hearing what he had to say. “Really, Torpedo? And what would that be?”
“When I get free, I’m going to rip your throat out with my bare hands!”

“Captain, we’ve arrived in Thakala!” reported the young officer newly appointed to pilot Tiger’s Command Ship on the final leg of its journey home.

Tiger had lived in Thakala for most of his life, and nearly all of his possessions were still located within the X-Sense station orbiting the second moon of Thakala III. For years, he had no interest in leaving Thakala, but following the death of his first wife, he couldn’t bare to be reminded of her everywhere he looked. How could he ever return to the large mansion that she had built on the surface of Thakala III as a surprise to him? In its time, it was a beautiful and serene location, overlooking the sea, high in the mountains, far away from any prying eyes or nosey neighbours.

Illana had been desperately unhappy towards the end of her life, especially as Tiger was away so often with his service to the alliance. He was a valued and trusted Fleet Commander, a combat pilot of the highest order, and he thought Illana understood that – but obviously she hadn’t.

“Very well!” Tiger responded, getting up from his chair. “I’ll take it from here.”

The young officer stood up from his seat and sidestepped away from the console, making way for his Captain. As Tiger sat down at the controls and flexed his fingers across the helm controls, the young pilot pointed to the navigational map on the central panel.

“Here’s the current waypoint, Sir” he said nervously.
“Waypoint? I don’t need waypoints! I know this system like the back of my hand!”

The Sleipnir was in pristine condition, newly painted, without a single scratch anywhere on the heavily camouflaged plating. Despite its youthful and fresh appearance, the ‘HMS Tiger Shark’ had been in service for almost as long as Tiger could remember – it had served in countless Empire battles, journeyed deep into the most dangerous wormholes, and even carried an envoy to sign a peace treaty in New Caldari. Now, it was no longer required within fleet and was proving too expensive to maintain.

“Get in touch with the Station, Birch. Have them tow us in”

The authorisation to dock within the X-Sense station had taken much longer than Tiger was accustomed to. In his former days of servitude to the Sani Sabik, the station manager was so terrified of Tiger’s reputation and the gruesome acts he’d supposedly committed, that docking was always instant. This delay – this wavering voice of uncertainty across the communication array – simply proved that the management was no longer afraid of him. Had he really been away from home so long?

“Birch, if you could see to the decommissioning of the ship, I’ve a small personal errand to run!” Tiger said, as he stood up from the helm controls and walked towards the exit hatch.
“You goin’ down to Thakala III, Captain?” Birch called out after him.
Tiger paced onto the small circular platform of the elevator and turned to face his first officer. “Yes. File me a flight plan to the planet surface and instruct the Orbital Control Station that I’ll be landing near my estate!”
“As you wish, Sir. I’ll have the flight path uploaded to your navigational system.”
The doors to the elevator closed, separating the Captain from his Command deck. Soon, he would be leaving the ship and boarding his Stiletto – bound for his former home.

The tiny Interceptor was more cramped than he remembered. Despite the fact he flew Stilettos every day within the Extraordinary Commission, this older design was a little more compact than the more modern variations he was used to. He was already beginning to regret his decision to use this ship and not one of the many shuttles he had docked within the station. But what did it matter? It was only a small ten minute journey to the planet’s atmosphere, then another fifteen to the landing pad near the ruins of his mansion.

The front of the Interceptor was beginning to glow bright red as the nose dipped into the invisible film encompassing the planet. A few seconds more and the temperature outside would be more than enough to melt any lesser craft. Within the tiny cockpit, Tiger could hear the creaking sound of the metal lattice framework expanding and contracting with the violent heat changes caused by the heavy resistance of the atmosphere.

“Torpedo! Turn that ship around, now!” barked an unknown voice through his communication system.
“Who is this?” Tiger snapped back.
“I am minister Ry’n Crevat of Thakala III,” the voice continued. “You are not welcome here!”
Tiger laughed. Who did this petty little man think he was? This was Tiger’s home and whether Crevat liked it or not, he was going to return to the ruins of his mansion.

“Torpedo, this is your last warning! Turn back now, or we’ll be forced to open fire on you!”
“Do you think, even for a single minute, that I’m actually scared of you?” Tiger scoffed.
“That’s irrelevant! The point remains!”

Five minutes later, the Matari Interceptor touched down on the private landing pad that Tiger remembered all too well. It had only been five years since the day that he landed on this very pad, only to discover – moments later – the note from Illana in the kitchen, and her body lying still on the bed.

As he stepped from the tiny frigate, he could smell the overgrown gardens and the dusty surface of the concrete path leading towards his house. He always loved the smell of concrete, especially following a downpour of warm summer rain. Choosing not to dwell on the past, he started walking towards the house.

He hadn’t yet seen the building, but the path was in better condition than he expected. The edges of the path had been lost to the weeds, but the slabs were still smooth and clean. Passing the rocky North face of the foundations, Tiger stopped dead in his tracks – his mouth agape.

Someone had repaired his house!

During his last visit he remembered kneeling within the damp remains of his bedroom, the roof caved in above him, holding a tattered piece of Illana’s clothing to his cheek. He looked up at the roof – repaired and resplendent in a red terracotta finish. The cracks in the front wall had been filled in and painted with a bright, pearl white. How could anyone show him such disrespect? He felt angry, but he’d come a long way since meeting Shalee – she’d somehow managed to calm his inner demons and control the violent temper that so many knew him for.

Then he remembered…

Illana was buried in an area of outstanding natural beauty, overlooking the sea and cliffs of the South shore. Breaking out into a quick run, he hurried up the muddy trail towards her final resting place.

“You bastards!” he roared, the anger rapidly bubbling up within him.

Her burial spot – the place he lovingly selected and single-handedly carried her lifeless body to – was now covered by a large glass conservatory. He couldn’t even get close enough to lay the flowers he’d brought her.

He had to confront whoever had moved in to his house. He had to vent his frustration before the fury took over his body, undoing all of the good work that Shalee had done since they got together. He needed her now more than ever, but she was busy with her service to the Empire.

Turning back towards the house, he froze in horror. A group of six men, dressed in black and armed with high-tech blasters, stood with their guns drawn – all aimed straight for his chest. Behind them, a man dressed in a grey pinstriped suit pushed his way forward, speaking up as he approached Tiger. Tiger immediately recognized his voice.

“I told you not to come here, Torpedo!” Crevat said in a deep, gravely voice.
“This is my home!” Tiger said angrily.
“No, this was your home! It’s now mine.” Crevat responded.
“You can’t just claim my home!”
“I’m the First Minister of Thakala III. I can do whatever I want!” he said with a snide grin. “And you, Mr Torpedo, are in violation of a demand I issued you to return to your ship.”
“Violation?” Tiger growled furiously. “I own this land!”
“Not any more” Crevat whispered, turning back to his men. “You are under arrest, charged with one count of trespassing and one of murder.”
“Murder? Are you out of your mind?”
“There’s no point trying to deny it, Torpedo. We found the body you buried over there!” Crevat said, pointing towards the conservatory with his finger.
“What did you do with her?” Tiger growled through gritted teeth.
“Then you know who I’m talking about? That’s excellent!” Crevat chirped with a clap of his hands. “Seize him!”

Tiger lurched forward, drawing his blade and aiming squarely for Crevat’s back.

With a loud thud, one of the guards fired their blaster at Tiger. A bolt of light blue energy hit him in the chest and tossed his stunned body through the air to the muddy ground near the glass conservatory.

“Take him to a high security facility, but be careful, he’s a very dangerous man!”

Tiger hadn’t checked his Neocom for days. Being on deployment with the Extraordinary Commission, his time was far too valuable to be wasted on petty matters of State, or responding to important Fleet commands issued by alliance leadership. In Tiger’s mind, attending an alliance fleet was out of the question, unless absolutely vital. His route to Fade would be fraught with danger – a gut wrenching thirty jumps one way, then thirty back afterwards. It wasn’t like he was sitting idling in YAO or VFK either. He was deep in Cobalt Edge, harassing Intrepid Crossing in their own space. In the past twenty four hours, he’d helped kill over three billion ISKs worth of shipping, including two hostile carriers.

Sitting alone in his office, he was catching up on the orders and tasks issued by Alliance High Command. As his eyes darted from one row to the next, he started counting how many times the leadership used the terminology ‘Call to Arms’ to ensure maximum participation from all fleet pilots. Tapping the screen gently, he selected every order – not having read a single one – and deleted them en-mass.

Tiger leaned back in his chair and threw his feet up onto the open drawer hanging from his desk. With their unwavering assault of Cobalt Edge, the Extraordinary Commission had essentially cleansed the entire area of all logistical and industrial operations – and with that lack of activity, came a lull in traffic. There hadn’t been an enemy sighted in several hours and this provided a perfect opportunity for the fleet to get some rest and relaxation. John Birch was a competent Commander and Tiger trusted his judgement implicitly. He knew that he could sleep peacefully for several hours until the fleet would be ready to relocate, so closed his eyes and began to let his mind wander.

The white mist swept throughout the decks of his tiny interceptor. He was moving quickly, almost floating above the heads of his crew. They were going about their business as though they couldn’t see him. As he floated through the corridor of the habitation decks, he spotted an orange light coming from the large door at the end of the corridor. It was wide open and the light was flooding out, drawing him towards it. As he drifted in through the open door, he realized that it was his own quarters – although it wasn’t decorated correctly. The items he held dear were all there, but the layout was wrong. A small spotlight over his head highlighted a bird sitting upon his bed. It was large and majestic, perhaps an Eagle of some sort. There was a thick metal chain around its leg, holding it down, restraining it. Looking up into the darkness above, he could see a large black bird circling the room. It looked like a crow, but it was so much larger than any crow he’d seen before. Tiger could make out every flap of its wings as though time had slowed down to a fraction of its usual pace. With a powerful dive and a loud shriek, the crow was upon the Eagle, rapidly pecking at its eyes with its powerful beak.

Tiger opened his eyes and sat forward with a start, sweat dripping from his brow. Swinging his feet back down to the metal flooring of his office, he stood up and ran his fingers through his slick hair.

“John?” Tiger called into his Neocom. “Anything happening?”
“Hey, Captain.” his first officer responded. “I was just about to wake you!”
“Why? What’s up?”
“We have a visitor for you! A young lady!”
“What? Someone has come all the way to Cobalt Edge to see me?”
“Yes Sir. Want me to have her shown to your office?”
“Sure, John, that’ll be fine.”

Cutting the transmission, Tiger walked over to the small washbasin against the back wall of his office. Studying himself in the mirror, he turned his face one way, then the other. He felt old; far too old for these null-sec adventures. Whatever happened to his plans for an early retirement from active duty? Running his hands in the ice-cold flow of water, he splashed some water onto his face, then dabbed it off with a soft hand-towel hanging beside the sink.

Lowering the towel from his face, his eyes caught the reflection of his ‘guest’ in the mirror. He froze, unsure of whether or not he was still dreaming.

“You’ve got some guts coming here!” he finally said, folding his towel over the edge of the sink.
“That the best you can manage after all I’ve done for you?” she responded, her lips twisting up into an evil smile.
“What have you done for me lately? The last time we met, you tried to kill me!” he growled.
“I had your best interests at heart, Tiger. You know I did!”
“Bah!” he exclaimed, spinning round to face her. “You wanted my power – nothing more!”
“It was never about the power, you fool. I was trying to preserve your good name!”
“My name be damned! What the hell do you want, anyway?”

She approached him slowly, her dark red hair cascading down into a fringe that swept across her face. She smiled again, her eyes sparkling with the tiny spotlights built into the ceiling of Tiger’s office.

“I come bearing gifts, Tiger. Something I thought you might like!”
Tiger shook his head and began backing away from her. “You have nothing I could possibly want!”
“Are you sure?” she whispered playfully, before turning and whistling back towards the door.

Tiger glanced towards the doorway as the slender figure of his former personal aide entered his office, her head bowed in submission.

“Hello, Lord Torpedo” she said in a very soft and gentle voice.
“Iris? Is that really you?” he asked, passing his unwelcome guest and greeting the newcomer with a tight squeeze.
“Yes, Lord Torpedo. It is.”
Tiger pulled away after the longest of hugs, and patted her on the arm. “It’s so nice to see you again!” he whispered to her. “But how? I mean, you were dead!”
Iris nodded her head slowly. “I was, Lord Torpedo, but I’m back and here to serve you! I was cloned – cloned from strands of DNA found in my old quarters!”
“Strands of DNA? You can’t clone someone without having a clone contract stored in the DED database! Who has access to that kind of research and technology?”

The red haired woman walked up from behind Tiger and stood at his side, her arms folded across her chest.

“Consider Iris a gift from some of your old friends in the Sani Sabik, Tiger. We know you’re trying to start a new life with that pretty loyalist, so thought an old face may help that transition!”
Tiger tilted his head to look at the woman. “Wait! Did you have a hand in helping Keon or Jacobi?”
She shook her head. “The petty issues within the Lianne family are none of my concern!”
“Then how do you know who they are?” Tiger asked with a satisfied grin. “Do you honestly think that because Shalee believes herself to be Sani Sabik, I’ll come running back with open arms following a gesture of kindness on your part?”
She sighed and started walking back towards the door. “Tigerfish…” she began. “We need you back, and you’ll never be a loyalist, no matter how hard you try! You’re a Sani Sabik through and through and so is your girlfriend! Come back, as an Elder, and we’ll even allow you to undertake an oath of union with the Lianne girl!”
Tiger clenched his fists, his teeth digging into his bottom lip and drawing blood. “You’ve outstayed your welcome, Spear! Now get off my ship!
“Very well, dear brother. Enjoy your gift!”

The initial attack by the enemy fleet had come at the worst possible time. The Deklein Coalition was on its knees and the battered remnants of the defence fleet were scattered throughout the cluster.

With over three hundred ships, Raiden, PL and Evoke had arrived to carry out one specific task, regardless of the cost. Their target was the cyno jammer – the small structure anchored in space that prevented them from using their overwhelming force of Titans and Super Carriers. Despite a valiant attempt by the minimal Deklein defence fleet, the cyno jammer was destroyed and the VFK station reinforced.

Word had come down from Goon High Command that VFK had been lost and all surviving ships were to pull back to Fountain to gather up what little strength remained. Even the toughest of the Goonswarm Fleet Commanders had loaded their carriers and were ready to evacuate.

“This is Goon High Command to all ships in the Deklein Defence Fleet. Please be aware that all station services in VFK have been disabled and the undock has been bubbled by an enemy sub-cap fleet. We therefore advise all ships to stable on the friendly tower at planet six, moon nineteen, which has enough Strontium for a further twelve hours. There will be a carrier on hand to help you switch out modules if you need it. Further, the stations in YAO and DKUK have also been reinforced and are vulnerable to attack.”

Tiger’s Maelstrom sat within the shield bubble of the tiny outpost along with over a thousand other friendly ships, including six members of the Underworld Protection Agency.

“Sir?” Birch asked softly as he walked up behind Tiger. “It’s time.”
“Very well, John. Let’s get this over with”

John Birch turned away and walked towards the door, followed closely by Tiger. As the two men stepped out from the Command Deck and walked down the main habitation corridor towards the cargo bays, neither uttered a single word. The mood was sullen, but with good reason. Reaching the door to the cargo bay, John turned back to Tiger, his hand on the circular, ring-shaped handle.

“Ready, Captain?” John whispered.

Tiger nodded his head slowly, waiting for Birch to open the door. As the large metal door swung open, the pungent, musty smell of his former crewmen flooded out into the corridor, enveloping both men. The smell was truly unbearable and Tiger was fighting every urge in his body to turn away and retch. Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside and approached the large gathering of crewmen assembled for the service. Some were long standing friends of the fallen crew; others were there to express their gratitude for some selfless act of sacrifice.

The bodies were piled up behind him within the open airlock, their bodies neatly stitched into beige coloured sacks adorned with the UPAY crest.

“Gentlemen, it’s always been the saddest duty for a commanding officer to lay loyal, dedicated crewmen to rest. These officers and men gave their lives in battle, ensuring that not only we few gathered here, but everyone within the Deklein Coalition can live on in the manner to which we’ve become accustomed. These men died heroes, as will many, many more in the coming days of this struggle. Please, gentlemen, bow your heads for our fallen comrades.”

Turning back towards the neatly stacked pile of bodies, Tiger bowed his head in silence and reached up for the airlock control panel. With a gentle tap of the pad, the inner door closed, separating the bodies from the modest gathering of crewmen.

“I commit these bodies to the depths of space, may they rest in peace.”

As Tiger tapped the final red button on the control panel, the outer door began to slide open – the vacuum sucking everything within the airlock into space. It only took a few seconds to depressurise the airlock – a few seconds and everything onboard the Alpha was back to normal.

Tiger leaned back in his chair, resting his head on the thick leather headrest. The ceremony had taken place several hours ago, but he couldn’t stop thinking about the fallen members of his crew, nor about the families left behind in their wake. Tiger, like all captains, had lost men in the past; maybe even millions of men. It wasn’t even six months ago, afterall, that he’d killed over half of his crew whilst trying to save the soul of his beloved wife. He never felt remorse for those crewmen he killed, nor did he ever care about the men lost in battle. They were an expendable resource, designed to make his ship more efficient. Why should he care for their miserable little lives?

But this time, it was different! This time, he couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt. Every time he closed his eyes he could see those bodies lined up in the airlock. Why did he feel such remorse over these crewmen, and not of others? Was he really changing so much that he was developing some sort of conscience? Evangeline was right. She’d always said that the longer he spent in the company of loyalists, the more he’d change from the man she fell in love with. Did Shalee really mean so much to him, that he was beginning to embrace her ideals?

A loud alert siren sounded throughout the ship, rousing Tiger from his thoughts. Pulling himself to his feet, he walked out of his office and stepped onto the Command Deck.

“Report please, Birch!” he called out over the siren.
“The enemy fleet has formed up on their Titan, Sir. Numbers are reported in the region of roughly three hundred and fifty!”
“Very well, John.” Tiger responded as he grabbed the ship-wide communication system. “ALL HANDS, BATTLESTATIONS!”

As his voice echoed around the corridors and various stations aboard the Alpha, the ship became a hive of activity. Department heads from all over the ship began flooding onto the Command Deck and fastening themselves into their seats. Above the tactical station, small white lights were slowly illuminating, signalling that the key stations throughout the Alpha were fully staffed, sealed up and ready for combat.

Outside the Alpha, every ship was simultaneously powering up – navigational beacons starting to glow on either side of every ship, tiny blue running lights blinking into life along the lengths of each hull, gun turrets rotating from side to side, checking their mobility and tracking.

Tiger was beginning to settle down in his chair, his thoughts now back on the task at hand. Leaning on the arm of his chair, he stared across to Birch.

“Status, Mr Birch, if you please!”
“Captain, the enemy Titan has just started bridging the hostile fleet”
“Where are they being bridged to?” Tiger asked impatiently.
John shrugged. “No one knows, Captain. We can’t find them!”
“Can’t find them?” Tiger repeated. “A fleet that size doesn’t just vanish!”
The speaker above Tiger’s head started to crackle. It seems someone important wanted the attention of every ship in fleet.

“This is Goon High Command. As I’m sure you’re all aware, the enemy has just Titan bridged from the staging tower in X-7. Our spies within their fleet report that they are currently moving away from us!” The voice on the intercom paused for dramatic effect. “The enemy announced earlier today that their fleet is currently ill-equipped to deal with our forces, and furthermore, that they have suffered far heavier losses than they anticipated during this campaign. In an announcement made by the enemy Commander-in-Chief, their forces have been assigned orders to head south, in an effort to take on a much ‘softer’ target. Those orders have now been verified as accurate, with the enemy Titan moving their fleet south – far away from our area of influence. Gentlemen, we’ve won the war! May I congratulate each and every one of you on behalf of the Deklein Coalition High Command.”

Throughout each ship in the fleet, the sound of cheering echoed through every hallway, corridor and access hatch. The war was officially over – the systems of VFK, YAO and DKUK were safe. It had been a long, drawn out war that had cost each side millions of lives and billions of ISK.

Tiger grinned from ear to ear. He was happy that Deklein was safe and their assets were secure. This was indeed a day to celebrate – the end of a long, bloody war. As Tiger began to relax, feeling the fatigue of over seventy-two hours of combat slip away from him, he felt a rumble from his Neocom. Pulling it from his pocket and staring down at the tiny screen, his grin slowly began to fade. The uproar of cheering seemed somewhat distant now. The message read:

>> From: Commander-in-Chief, Extraordinary Commission.
>> To: All Black-Ops Commanders, Deklein Region.
>> Subject: Victory?

To all Black Ops Operatives, Extraordinary Commission,

Congratulations on a well deserved victory. As the Alpha fleet stands down and returns to some semblance of normality, our operations are just getting interesting. Despite this enemy running south, we have a new and potentially more dangerous threat coming in from Venal.

You are hereby requested to report for duty in three hours for reassignment to the Geminate region.

Please note: In an attempt to keep moral high within Alpha Fleet, you are forbidden to discuss this impending threat with anyone other than Commanders within the Extraordinary Commission.

Ensure you carry enough ammo for an extended deployment.

Black-Ops Command.

>> Message End.