Encapsulated

The Forge Region – Anttanen Constellation
Uitra System – Planet VI, Moon 4
State War Academy Station

20 June YC 121

Aura made a serious face and started, “Firstly, the low slots. Republic Fleet Nanofiber Structures provide best velocity and agility improvement…”

“Best?” interrupted I. “Domination Nanofiber Structures have the same characteristics but cost 3.5 million less.”

“Oh, we can buy Angels’ modules of course,” backed down Aura. “I just thought that you wouldn’t like to deal with pirates.”

I snorted, “Ha, so you thought I would rather buy equipment from an ally of Caldari’s arch-rival. Anyway, the price is beside the point. Why would I want agility and velocity to do exploration?”

“Well, imagine you get assaulted by a hostile ship while hacking a container. Higher agility will allow you to warp out before you get warp-scrambled.”

“Aura, it’s hi-sec! No one is going to risk their combat ship just to pop a rookie explorer. Leave your agility pitch until I am ready to go to low-sec.”

“But what do you want to put in the low slots then?” asked Aura. Continue reading “Fitting Heron for Hi-Sec Exploration”

The Forge Region – Anttanen Constellation
Uitra System – Planet VI, Moon 4
State War Academy Station

20 June YC 121

After graduating from the Academy I took a couple of weeks of shore leave. Initially I thought I would spend a whole month relaxing on a beach but quite soon I felt that something was missing in my life. Azure of the sea, a light breeze, gorgeous girls frolicking in the surf – I thought I would never get tired of that. But here I am, reclining in a deckchair on a beautiful tropical beach and thinking about pitch-black deep space, a thrill of MWD acceleration and, most of all, Aura. I knew she was switched off so that time didn’t matter for her and she wasn’t missing me. To my surprise, I discovered that I was missing her. Her acerbic comments, her artless excitement, her petty grievances – my life didn’t feel complete without them. As soon as I realised it, I put aside the unfinished cocktail glass and took the fastest route back to Uitra.

When I boarded my capsule and heard a familiar voice say, “Hello, Cap! Or should I call you Doctor now?” I knew that finally I was home. And it felt good. Continue reading “Aura the Explorer”

The Forge Region – Anttanen Constellation
Uitra System – Planet VI, Moon 4
State War Academy Station

2 June YC 121

Having returned to Uitra, I warped to the mission location. About 75 km before the warp bubble collapse I received a message from Ijumachi.

Scanners are picking up 3 hostiles moving into their ships now, looks like they’ve noticed you. Good luck.

“Thank you, mate,” muttered I even though he couldn’t hear me. Then, turning to Aura, I said, “Let’s see how good your glamorous modules are.”

Aura leaned to me and whispered confidentially, “They are absolutely fabulous.” Continue reading “The Exam, Part 2”

The Forge Region – Anttanen Constellation
Uitra System – Planet VI, Moon 4
State War Academy Station

2 June YC 121

I am glad that I am finishing my military training, and it’s for more reasons than one. Sure, there is a sense of accomplishment, but I am also happy to leave behind that artificial environment where make-work activities are valued higher than real-life problem solving. Take my last mission, for example – it was an abject failure. I was expected to scare the shit out of a pirate and persuade him to move his gang elsewhere, but when I left the mission area the bastard was dead and his gang is still in Uitra “under new management”. Nevertheless, the mission was considered accomplished because for the whole three seconds I managed to brush the hostile ship with a civilian stasis webifier. What a great achievement!

Having completed nine missions I was ready for a final exam. As it turned out, the exam was not ready for me – Ijumachi told me that he needed some time to organise a proper engagement that would test my fighting skills. Besides, the delay gave me an opportunity to study Caldari Destroyer skill. Why? Because for my final mission I was granted a Cormorant-class destroyer! As you can imagine, I was excited beyond words and spent the last ten days researching Cormorant fittings and tactics. On the eleventh day, still engrossed in forums, battle reports and dashcam videos, I was jerked into reality by Ijumachi’s call.

“Mr Korff, I request your immediate presence in my office,” he said brusquely and hung up. Continue reading “The Exam, Part 1”

The Forge Region – Anttanen Constellation
Uitra System – Asteroid Colony

22 May YC 121

The pirate’s hideout was some kind of an industrial asteroid colony. I didn’t notice any perimeter defences and focused on the lonely ship which was patrolling the area.

“Hello, stranger,” said I starting the conversation with a kind word.

“Fuck off, egger,” was the reply.

I looked at Aura and said, “I don’t think he is taking us seriously.”

She looked at me and said conversationally, “I think a couple of iron charges should attract his attention.”

“I like the way you think but, unfortunately, we have to use a webifier first.”

I willed Ampuhaukka into a 7.5-km orbit around the pirate, targeted him and activated the web.

“Hey, what the fuck are you doing?” shouted the pirate indignantly and targeted my Merlin. “Let me help you renew your clone, motherfucker!”

I was about to say something witty in response when I heard another voice in the local channel. Continue reading “Glue, Part 2”