Decollaring the Hard Way

Carmilla Deritan ran for her life. The breath was harsh in her lungs, pain stabbed from the running, the burn of the blast wound in her side. Tears of pain streaked her face as she turned a corner and slammed her back to the wall. With the few seconds she had she ripped the high heeled boots from her feet and peered around the corner.

The darkness of the station corridors was lit only by flickering lights which were off more often than on. This far down in the station the doors to the rooms were sealed by locks, others by welding. Elevators to other levels were damaged by the gutter gangs, the stair cases a greater risk than those following her.

Something moved in the darkness, she couldn't see what it was, but didn't stay to watch. She ran. The rubbish on the floor slashing her feet and legs, but desperation makes for determination. There would be a sanctuary here, there had to be.

As she sped past a stairwell she tripped, a narrow rope across the corridor tripping her and the whooping sound as a gutter gang leapt down the stairwell. In agony she tried to get up and looked into the barrel of a slug thrower, the blade from a makeshift spear was near, pointed at her throat.
"'Ere Bonza, we gots a good one this time. Looks like upper level come down to mix it up with the gangs."
"We'll mix it up allright, look at those legs. Long time since something like this came down here."
There was a chorus of laughter as more shapes appeared from the stairwell.
"With good reason," one of them kicked her foot making her wince, "The last one we found died in bed. But we got our use from her. Didn't we lads?"
The last brought on a cheer as two pulled her to her feet and tied her hands behind her back. Hands groped her and she cried out.
"Please don't, I can pay for my release. I must escape I'm being..."
A filthy rag was thrust in her mouth and a fist slammed into her gut.
"We're not interested in pay, your cred sticks will be pay enough. We want your flesh, high born sluts love a bit of gutter gang...."

They dragged her up the stairwell, hands touching her, ripping her clothing, groping. Probing. Others punched or kicked her as they threw her through a door into a derelict room covered in filthy matresses and rotting boxes. Tears streamed down her face as the first one kicked her into submission before taking her. He ripped the scarf from her throat to wipe himself and noticed the collar.
"Oh, runaway slave huh? Nice collar, will help us keep you tied to the bed."
He dropped the scarf on her face, so she didn't see his head explode, just felt the spatter and his body fall on her legs. Screams and gunshots rang out, the whine of laser rifles and the sound of blades cutting bodies. Shortly, it was over and the sound of heavy boots came towards her.

The scarf was removed from her face and a heavy set caldari looked down at her, using it to wipe the gore from her naked body. He pulled out a holo-device and projected a face, Carmilla's.
"This is the one. Bring the gear."
"It's scary Rox, how she knows this stuff. Remind me never to betray her."
"Those who do, don't last long. Nor do those who insult her, like you my dear."
Carmilla tried to get up but hands held her arms and legs down. She screamed but it did no good.
"No one here to rescue you. But we're only here for one thing, then you can go free. You have my word."
One of the bodies walked over with a portable cutting torch and knelt by the side of her head and forced it sideways. She tried to fight as she could feel the heat of the torch coming closer to her neck.
"Of course, that's assuming you survive your decollaring."
The pain flared in her neck, a nova of brilliance that flared into the black oblivion of unconsciousness.

Several hours later a station patrol, despatched by an unknown call walked into the room, high powered torches lighting the room, showing the scene of devestation. The stench of the bodies was nothing however to the smell of burnt flesh. Walking around the bodies the lieutenant stopped by the body in the centre of the room, a naked sebiestor with a brutal burn scar on her neck. He checked and found she was alive and reached for his communicator.

She woke into stabbing pain and terrified eyes looked around the medical bay she was in. The nurse came over to her whispering soothing words. Carms hands flew up to her neck, her collar was gone. A heavy bandage was wrapped around her neck and she could feel the warm fuzzyness of the painkillers. She fell off the bed while the nurse called for assistance, an alarm ringing as she staggered up and walked to the mirror on the wall. With heavy clawing fingers she ripped the bandage away, blood started leaking from the wound and the pain lanced into her neck. But she looked at her neck, saw the smooth curve of her neck unbroken, unmarred except for a hideous burn from the cutting torch. Her collar, had gone! Her pulse raced, her nails scratched at her neck as the nurses pulled her back to her bed. She opened her mouth and screamed a soul rending howl that sent shivers down the backs of those present.

Transference of Powers

The party at the Autumn Breeze geisha house had been going for over a day and showed no signs of ending. A private party composed of a wide variety of people, all drinking, eating and relaxing with the prospect of making merry and sampling the delights on the house. Brutors rubbed shoulders with Khanid, Sebiestors with Civire, pirates drank with law enforcement, priests talked in quiet corners with heretics.

Carmilla Deritan walked softly around the facility, flanked by two Geisha carrying trays of drinks and food. All around the sounds of loud music and raucous laughter were loud, songs being sung and the sounds of more passionate endevours.
"....And then we pulled a high G turn and fired as they overshot...."
"....We dumped the whole lot onto the Rens market and cleaned up in the course of three hours....."
"....Serpentis assault force was staring right at me... well what could I do...."
"... more wine! Hurry woman, ere I thirst...."
Carmilla smiled as she checked each room, spending a few moments with each group to make sure they were well taken care of, dispatching more girls where needed.

Eventually she stopped in one of the chill out rooms and poured herself a large goblet of wine. Rubbing her eyes and yawning she sipped her wine and looked out over the pool a level below, watching several couple.
"What's up, little snake?"
She flinched before she could stop herself and turned around and looked into a devilishly attractice face, a strange face she hadn't seen before.
"I'm sorry, can I help you?"
"Aaah, so soon do you forget your old Master. It must be the face. I keep forgetting it's new."
"Gallicia," she hissed.
"The very same. I take it you were not expecting me?"
He held his arms open, palm up and looked at her, the body he was in was of someone younger and definately not the Khanid monster she remembered. She watched as he sat down on one of the long comfortable chairs and gestured to his empty glass.
"Not doing a very good job are you?"
Pride took over and she selected a bottle, from memory she cursed, one he liked and poured him a glass, then pouring herself one.

"What are you doing here?"
"I was invited to the party."
"I didn't notice."
He smiled and savoured his wine, making himself more relaxed and pointed to a nearby chair. She sat.
"Would you have changed anything if you had seen?"
"No. I no longer fear you."
"I know, you have your own Mistress. You are quite the good little slave girl now aren't you?"
Draining her glass she refilled it then placed it on the table.
"Did you come here to laugh at me? At least as her slave I'm not brutalised. The way you treated yours was nothing more than barbaric."
"And yet.... you survived. All those years as my slave. The horror.... the brutality.... the humiliation...."
"I beat you Gallicia. I escaped you, I made myself free."
He laughed freely and took the bottle, refilling his glass then hers.
"You always did know how to make me laugh, little snake."
"You laughed when you had your butchers take me. Or when they beat me. A thousand punishments and a thousand laughs from you."
She turned her face away and looked at the doorway, willing Ithiria to arrive, or Victor... or anyone.
"And what did you do with your freedom? You gave yourself to a slaver, a holder.... let her collar you."
"You wouldn't understand."

"Oh I understand. You were born a slave, and you will die a slave. You don't know how to be anything else. Look at you, you were freed, given wealth, opportunity and you wasted it all. You could have become so much more, a real power dedicated to doing.... whatever you wanted."
"I am dedicated, I am free."
"Yes I saw how free when you were slaving away in the fields. Lashed for not working hard enough pretty much every day. I remember when you could go days without being punished when you worked hard."
Turning with a poison glare she looked at him and slammed her goblet down on the table.

"That's because you punished my friends, the other slaves when you couldn't break me."
Again, he laughed.
"Carmilla... Carmilla.... I broke you so hard you never recovered from it. That is why you kneel to her.... you'd kneel to any Khanid. You know your place, slave. On your knees serving us."
She paled and stood up and walked to the window looking out.
"Shut up, just shut up. Shut up. I do what I do for love and loyalty."
"Just like when you were my slave?"
"NO! I did that to stay alive, to survive."
He walked up behind her, humming a song, a song she remembered. Tears flowed from her eyes as she let out a sob, the song digging into her, it's notes dragging over her memory.
"You remember our song, no one else has perfected it since you. Sing for me, my little snake. Sing for me....."
"Gallicia, leave now. Just because I don't fear you anymore doesn't mean I won't try....."
Grabbing her waist in one hand and her throat with another he pulled her close to him. She felt his body pressing into hers, smelt his scent and felt the man in him. It was.... intoxicating to her.
His face moved close to her neck and he breathed in her scent, the delicate scents and perfumes. Beneath his touch she shook softly. He whispered in her ear, his breath hot.
"Is that fear... or is it desire... I should enslave you again. Then no one would laugh behind your back. Call you whore or doubt your loyalty. You put up with more being her slave than you did being mine. Why don't you just crawl into your pod and fly away. You could find some hidden place where no one knows you...."
"My Mistress needs me. She has never faltered once in looking after my needs, and I have always been loyal to her, even when....."
He blow air over her neck and felt her body reacting, heard the wine as it poured onto the floor and marvelled at what she had become. Her body was lithe and powerful, more so than before when she was his. His mind whirled at the possibilities of what he could do to her.
"I think....."
"Yes... " she whispered, visibly shaking now.
"I think that you torture yourself more than I ever could. Leaving you where you are is probably the most evil thing I could do to you."

He kissed her neck and let her go, watching her slump to the floor and turned and walked to table, drinking the rest of the wine and turning to the door. He stopped. Ithiria stood there, watching him, her sword in one hand, the sheath in the other.
"I didn't expect you here. Though I did see your name on the guest list."
He held his arms open, palms up.
"I am not here for you Ithiria, not even for your slave anymore."
"Really? What if I said she was up for sale? Property is after all... just property. Can lease her to you."
A glint appeared in Gallicia's eye.
"You want her back in my possession? You know what would happen. I'd show her the true meaning of fear again. When you got her back she'd be more docile, more obedient"
"I don't think Carm can be any more obedient to me."
"You don't know my ways. I heard she went through the rededication ceremony. She must love you a lot."
"More than you realise."
"And yet you've done to her, what you've done. Does she know?"
"She's been told. Hence the offer."
The two Khanid spoke to themselves quietly for a few minutes while Carmilla lay on the floor, curled up into a ball sobbing, wondering what it was she had done this time to anger her Mistress so.

Crucifiction

She sat in the dark, in the corner of the cell just listening. The steady flutter of the light that came in through the window was soothing and the shadows it cast danced along the wall. Outside she could hear them talking and to pass the time, she listened. She couldn't help but giggle.

"Who was she?"
"The wife of the chief overseer."
"He had a wife? I didn't know...."
"He doesn't anymore. It's complicated..."
Pause.
"Where was she?"
"In her cell, her movements for the week are fully recorded, from the fields to the cell block. It couldn't have been her."
"She is a cat burgler in her spare time, when I give her spare time. Check the recordings, and the backups, and then check the machines. I want to find out who did this."
"Do you? What if she did it?"
Pause.
"We'll come to that if it was her. Dismissed."

The cell door opened and Ithiria Deritan entered, closing it behind her. Her two guards stood outside. She pressed a button on her wrist-com and the lights came up slowly and sat down on the bed looking into the corner.
"I take it you've heard?"
"Prison gossip only, you can't trust it."
She patted the bed beside her and watched as Carmilla pulled herself up and sat beside her. After a few moments her head rested on her shoulder.
"The wife of the chief overseer was...."
"Crucified to the wall of the hanger bay. Yes, I know."
"Did you do it?"
"No.... I would have crucified him."
"Carmilla!"
She chuckled.
"In truth Mistress, I didn't. Though it would be easy enough for me to get out of here if I had my gear. But I don't."
"Do you know who did it? Truthfully?"
"Making me a snitch now? No, Mistress... the security system should be able to tell you who did it. To be able to hack the system you'd have to know a hell of a lot about surveillance systems, the patterns of the guards, and you'd have to be able to nail her up without her screaming. Plus even nailing her up would cause the sonic sensors to trip. Whoever did it was a pro. And no, I don't think Ang did it."
Carmilla lifted her head and pulled a pack of tablets out from under her threadbare pillow and dry swallowed one.
"What's that?"
"Pain killer."
"The dispensary would never have let you take those away. How did you get them?"
"Kim gave me them. Yesterday."
Ithiria stood up and paced looking at the wall muttering to herself.
"How many times has Kim been here? Other than when I told her to come to you last week when you were beaten?"
"Every evening. Except last night."
Carmilla looked down at her feet and sighed then curled up on the bed.
"When can I come home?"
"You are home. Slave quarters are a slaves home."
"You know what I mean."
For a moment neither said anything. Ithiria stood up and walked over to the door and snapped her fingers, taking something from one of the guards and threw it onto the bed.
"Don't leave until after we catch who nailed her up. It'll only make you look guilty."
"Guilty?"
"Okay. More guilty. Take care of yourself Carm, and see the doctor tomorrow about your back."
The cell door slammed shut and she listened as they walked away, reaching behind her she pulled her bag to her and hugged it, smilling as she did.

The doctor was hunched over a desk when Ithiria walked into the medical bay. She didn't look up when she approached, just kept on working.
"Why did you do it Kim?"
"Why did you not do it, Ithiria? She's your wife."
Ithi pulled up a chair and sat down, tapping her nails on the desktop.
"My wife, my slave...."
"My daughter!"
Kim slammed her fist down onto the table and looked up, her eyes red with crying. Brushing her hair out of her face she sat up and looked at her daughters keeper and pressed a button on the console, a nearby screen flashed up.
"If I could have gotten him alone, I would have nailed him up. As it is his wife performed just as well."
The screen showed the actual security camera footage of the events of the night before. She watched as Kim brought the unconscious wife into the hanger bay and nailed her to the wall, then injected her with something and walked away. Ithiria looked at her.
"Delete it Kim. I'm not surprised you knew how to disable everything. I'm just surprised you let her live."
"My anger wasn't for her, it was for him. I hurt him a lot more than he hurt my Carm. Are you letting her go?"
"Once I've found the slave who nailed her up, Carm will let herself out. She's coming to see you tomorrow. Take care of yourself Kim. And her."
"Don't you worry Ithi, I look after all of you in my own way."
She laughed a low chuckle and watched as Ithiria walked out. Then reset the screen and watched again what she did.

Further trouble

Ithiria Deritan walked into the slave block flanked by two guardians, the click of their heels shockingly loud in the silence. Slaves looked out from the bars of their cells, a few bowed, more stood defiant, though it was a hollow gesture. Slowly, as she they walked by a low murmer of voices sprang up. The overseers let them talk, for them were much for them to talk about.

As she approached turned the corner into the wing reserved for the hard cases she heard the sounds of punishment and her heart pounded. Keeping her expression calm and unmovable she passed the security point and walked towards the cell where two guards were watching. They stood to attention as they saw her, but the sounds from the cell continued. Even before she stood in the doorway she knew what was happening. A slave was being beaten, quite badly by the sound of it, with the short slave whips her overseers used.

Inside the cell three guards were taking it in turns to punish a slave. She knew that something must have happened to push them to such extremes, either hospitalised or just an outright death. Clearing her throat she walked in as they stood to attention revealing the bloody form of her wife and slave, Carmilla.

Carmilla, bleeding from the lashes, covered in bruises was crying, prone on the floor.
"Explain quickly. What was the punishment for."
The head overseer, not phased by being in the presence of the Holder slipped his whip back into his belt and gestured to the figure on the floor.
"Holder Deritan. As per your instructions every slave on the estate was sent to the fields or the quarries today to work their quota. Every one was accounted for except this one. When it was told to report it refused. When my guards attempted to restrain it... it attacked them and attempted to flee. I subdued it and brought it here where it attacked me. I called for assistance, it attacked them too and escaped. Once we recaptured it, we subdued it. Properly."

Ithiria looked down on the beaten slave, screaming inside her head, wanting to pull her into her arms and comfort her. But the Overseer was only following his orders. She mused as she thought of how he had described her. It. Carmilla, an It. But then she was, officially she was a slave, bound and legal, before an assembly of Holders.
"See to it that word of this reaches the other slaves. I will not tolerate insubordination amongst them. There are no favorites amongst my slaves. Not even this one. If she gives you further trouble, I leave it in your capable hands."
She turned on her heel and walked out, feeling the gaze on her not only of the guards, but also the slaves. They knew who was in the cell, who she was, what position she held. She smiled openly as she walked out, seeing all of the prisoners bowing respectfully.

As they returned to the apc and headed back towards the mansion one of her guards turned to her.
"Mistress, I would never question you infront of your slaves or guards. But that was Carmilla, your wife. How could you treat her so?"
She sighed and patted her on the leg.
"Never forget my dear, that while I hold all of you dear, Carmilla has made the highest sacrifice for me. One that few have attempted, with good reason. Yes, she is my wife, and has a position of authority, but she is a slave first and bound to me of her own free will. She may regret it from time to time, such as today, but even if I gave her the access code to her collar she would not take it off."
"But that makes no sense."
"Talk to her. And maybe then you will understand. Infact, I'm ordering you to, in about an hour. Take Kim with you."
Ithiria closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Oh Carmilla, when will you learn that your actions will always have consequences. I love you for what you are to me, but make no mistakes my love, you are my slave and I am a Holder of the Khanid.

Raise shields, Captain?

The battered prorator decelerated into the orbit of the fourth planet, flashing out a brief burst of static then cloaked. From her place on the bridge Angelina looked out at the twin moons and waited. For the hundredth time she pulled out her orders and read them and scowled at them, as if the expression would change the words there.

You will make your way to the system indicated in your briefing, 3#33a. At the appointed time you will light a cynofield and inform the pilot indicated in your briefing it has been lit. You will remain on standby for 24 hours incase further cyno's are required. Pay grade for this is gamma, insurance rating is also gamma. Regards - TNT High Command

Waiting in the middle of nowhere to flash up a cyno for some mystery guest. Couldn't be a corp member, or an alliance member, she mused, there wouldn't be all the secrecy. Can you spell expendable, she thought as she looked out of the bridge window at the moons. Her chrono chimmed gently and she looked down. It was time.

"Scan. Report?"
"All clear Captain, nothing in system that I can detect."
"Decloak us," She took a datacrystal out of her pocket and handed it to the communications officer.
"That's the frequency and the pilots name. Contact him. Cyno up, eyes alert on those scanners. We're now sitting ducks."

The ship thrumbed as the cyno field swirled infront of it, strange forces twisting the space, waiting, weaving, pulsing with power. All through the ship systems began failing, then coming back online, until the cyno was closed, the ship wasn't going anywhere.
"Captain, we're picking up battle language on the frequency you gave us."
"Translate it?"
"Translations not a problem. The problem.... it's in system already, doppler shift is far too short."
"Not our problem. Transmit and stand by."
She looked over the various boards. The system was clear, no one was there.

The space above them shimmered and suddenly the moons were obscured. The gargantuan bulk of an Erebus Titan sat just infront of them. A few moments later carriers, dreadnoughts and motherships began appearing. All of them bearing the same alliance logo, and it wasn't hers. The ship was scanned, targetted and scrambled.
"God damn, why did it have to be them? Bloody Goons."
She spat on the deck as one of the tactical officers turned around.
"Raise shields, Captain?"

She closed her eyes and rested her forehead on the crystal of the bridge window, waiting for them to fire on her. Goons. Of all the people she had to open a cyno for, why them. But then, she mused, they are supposed to be our allies.
"No, it wouldn't do any good if we did."

Eve - Taking a step back and looking

I came closer this week to leaving eve than ever before.

I even contemplated deleting my toons, giving them the old soylent green push.

Even chatting to friends didn't help because of the drama that had happened, and some drama I caused, and what had happened. This was tuesday.

I've lost about 500 million isk arranging a war dec on Esna, which I cancelled last night as we were talking. And I wondered why the hell it had gone so far that I was willing to hire mercs to kill a good friend of mine.

This game... can get to you. Hell, I've done everything in game I've set out to do, with the exception of getting Angelina back to high sec and not get shot.

I've made multiple billions of isk. I've built amazing ships, destroyed amazing ships, created, invented, mined, stole, scammed.....

I think we all forget at times that this is a game. Because it is so real on the level we play it, and it is beyond any other mmo out there. We forget that the toons we play are not ourselves, even though they are a part of us.

And then I watched the sandbox eve online video... and all the best bits of eve came flooding back. The fun I've had with Chewee, Ithiria and Raoul.... my first pirating kill, my first carrier kill... the fact that every alliance I've been in has died... can you say Jonah??

And then Ithiria said something to me that I will cherish. I'll not say it here, but as ever, it's the friends you make in Eve that remind you that without friends in eve... it's not worth playing.

The Most Dangerous Game

She moved through the forest like a ghost. Every movement careful, her eyes looking everywhere, senses alert. The estate border had been penetrated over four hours ago, and now the target was there, in the distance.

Slowly and methodically she opened the case and began assembling the rifle. The blue sheen to the weapon glistened under her gaze and the mastercrafted pieced fit together without a sound. Holding the completed weapon she looked through the telescopic sight and focussed on the windows, automatic systems judging the distance. She stopped and looked around, breath held and listened. Something was there, but she couldn't see it. Or hear it. A hand went to her belt and the shimmerfield activated and she faded into the background.

Time passed. Second to minutes. Minutes to hours. Hours to days. She waited, with fury in her heart, and vengence on her lips she waited.

....Ithiria Walked down the halls of her estates the day after she announced to those who would attend that she was back, already her estates were being prepped for slaves to come back, some loyal to her others not.....


Carmilla and Scyyn walked behind Ithiria as she walked, talking softly between them. Scyyn walking proud as her wife, Carmilla head bowed as her slave. She could tell now what her Mistress required usually quite well. At the moment she needed a slave, and so she submitted. Something caused her to stop and back track to the window and look out. Something....
"Slave.... I did not give you permission to stop. Inform the major domo of your indiscretion and attend me."
Ithiria didn't look back, she was deep in thought, but still aware enough to notice. Ahead of her slaves and servents were kneeling, behind them they were scurrying out of her sight.
"I'm sorry Mistress..... something...."
"Don't make me order you twice....."
Scynn grabbed Carmilla's arm and pulled her along, whispering in her ear.
"Whatever it is it can wait. You should know that."
"I do, Scynn, I also know when she is in danger.... but I don't know from what..."
As they passed windows Carmilla looked out, eyes looking around for something, anything that would give her a clue.

....She faltered in her walk thinking on that, thoughts of Angelina coming back to the front of her mind, but no. She was dead to Ithi, never again would her beauty her love her being be permitted in her house, in her halls, in her presence.....

Angelina looked deep into Carmilla's gazing expression, almost as if she could see her lying there. Her finger caressed the trigger. Oh Carmilla, you made this for me, should I use it to kill you too? Isn't your sin of ommission greater than mine? She looked at the other woman, the other wife she had heard of and moved on. Ithiria walked from window to window, oblivious to the threat to her life. That soon she would die with a bullet in her head. For her betrayal.

Why, she screamed in her head, why couldn't you save me from him? You should have taken me, made me yours. Was my cry for help not loud enough? Did you not hear me?

Her finger caressed the trigger and her thumb flicked the safety. The weapon purred softly. Do it now, she whispered to herself, be predictable.

"Mistress. Something is wrong."
Carmilla kept looking out of each window. Something was nagging her. A sense of forboding she had felt before. A feeling she had not felt since....

Scyyn noticed the agitation on Carmilla and pulled out a datatablet and tapped in a few commands. The security systems indicated everything within normal parameters for the day. On instinct she flicked back a day, then two, then three and stopped. Two guards had been found sleeping on duty, western perimeter. Perhaps it was nothing, but they claimed they were attacked.
"Ithiria....."

Through the scope she watched as Ithiria stopped and turned. Her finger tensed.... as she felt the barrel of a weapon against the base of her spine.

"One false move and you are paralysed," the voice heavy, Brutor, and so familiar. Kazeraith!
"Now carefully, flick the safety on and let go of the rifle. If I even suspect.... I will pull the trigger."
How had he found her, how had he penetrated her shimmer field. The click as she selected the safety was loud, and she slowly laid the rifle down. His hand grabbed her shoulder and spun her over and he sat on her groin, the pitted barrel of his pistol pointing between her eyes.
"Why Angelina? What did she do to deserve this?"
He looked up at the window and saw them resume their walking, then looked down into the barrel of Angelina's own pistol.
"She left me. Betrayed me. She could have saved me!"
His hand clenched tight. "You left her! You betrayed her! Don't play the innocent in this Ange, you fucked up, not her."
"She sent me away! Humiliated me infront of Carmilla and the assembled throng. I still hear their laughter in my dreams. And Carm could have done something. Ithi could have done something! I didn't free myself from Esna to be cast out by Ithiria!"

Kazeraith looked at her, the fury on her face... and pulled the trigger. Ang saw his movements and pulled her head aside, feeling the bullet graze her skull with a fiery streak. Her own pistol blazing, bullets flying wide. They fought in the undergrowth, fists and boots flying, pistols blazing when shots were apparent. With a lucky kick Kazeraith knocked her flying and she landed on her back, pistol flying, but rolled and picked up the rifle and pointed it at him.

They stood, Angelina pointing her rifle, Kazseraith pointing his pistol. The only sounds their breathing. She looked at him for a moment, really looked. And saw something she had forgotten, something she had lost.
"I can't do it."
He looked at her and lowered his weapon. Dropping it on the floor.
"Neither can I. I don't want to hurt you."
With tears in her eyes she placed the rifle on the floor and stood up.
"I don't want to be alone Kaze. You don't know what it's like to be alone, to have everyone hate you and fear you. You've never endured what I've had to."
He took a step foward, then another and pulled her into his arms.
"I do and I have done. We are both alike. More than you realise."
"I dont even know why. I had no hesitation, if you weren't here, she'd be dead and I'd probably have had to shoot Carmilla as well. What have I become? When did I turn on everyone who loved me Kaze?"

Kazeraith scooped Angelina up into his arms and started walking, away from the estate. He gave a discrete signal to two guards who were well hidden in shimmerfields and kept on walking, a smile on his face. Angelina slung her arms around his neck and held on, her hands moving briefly to signal her two escorts, also well hidden in shimmerfields. They were indeed, quite alike.

Later that day Ithiria read a report from security. It was very short and to the point.

Threat to Ithiria Deritan and Carmilla Deritan dealt with by K. All further information need to know.

She bristled at that, but then shrugged. Kazeraith would tell her if needed, she mused. Looking over in the corner her slave was in her place, less agitated, but still on edge. How did she know, she thought. And why didn't I listen. She shrugged and went back to her reports, then found a simple mail from Angelina. It said one word.

Goodbye

For a moment she sat back, an intense feeling of loss washing over her. Always she had assumed Ang was lost to her because she had said it was so. But to have this from her. There must be a reason.

There was always a reason, to everything.

So where haz Ang been?

For those wondering where Angelina has gone... this may.... help. :)

Ang, under an assumed name has gone back in time and taken over a big fat flying brick of a ship.... the USS Calm Horizons. I must say, I love this ship. It kicks ass, and it'll have to do til next promotion where I can get hold of either a Galaxy class or an Intrepid class... yeah I could go for Defiant... but meh... unless it cloaks...hmmm.

But worry not, one day I will return. Until then.... \o/

Rededication Ceremony

Nourbal System - Khanid Region - 0300 local time

The miners in the asteroid belts didn't realise they were being watched, even though their defensive ships were active. They knew someone was in the system with them, they didn't know where. But they were good enough to hold of any attackers until the barges retreated to their pos.

The anathema watched them and decided that they were no threat and powered away to one of the planets, waited a few more minutes for a final scan, then lowered it's cloak. Generators whined as they were charged, tanks began to empty as the fuel was devoured and the cynosaural field was activated.
"Sidewinder to Alpha and Bravo teams. All systems are green. Cyno deployed."

A Nidhoggur appeared in the space above the anathema, a worn corporation icon was partially obscured by battle damage. Fighters were launched instantly and it's own systems began scanning the system. Moments later two archons, both in the colours of the Khanid Navy jumped in flanking positions. For a moment there looked to be a standoff, then the fighters were recalled and a single shuttle departed the Nidhoggur, flanked by two combat shuttles that were dispatched from the Archons.

Lansez System - Khanid Region - 0330 local time

The three shuttles landed at an obscure holding on the outskirts of the port city of Riso'mar. The guards at the landing pad, watched impassively as the facility administrator himself walked out of the bunker to meet them. From the Khanid shuttles squads of paladins emerged and converged on the unmarked shuttle, from which walked three women. Two caldari and a minmatar.
"Carm, I'm having second thoughts. You do remember I'm still a wanted criminal?"
Angelina Ballentyne, wearing only a long shift dress which did nothing to hide her stature, and for once totally unarmed was more than a little nervous. But it was the only way the representatives would allow her into the region unmollested. As long as she had the escort of two squads, she would not be arrested. She was still unsure how this had been arranged. Or if two squads would be enough.

Carmilla, a wide smile on her face and a skip in her step ignored her for the moment. This was her time and what she was going to do was going to be public. Her Mistress would approve, she hoped, as everything was going to be done in the proper way. The third woman simply followed on behind, clad in the official robes of the Khanid Diplomatic corp. Unlike the other two, she was fully armed and carried a gun in shaky hands. She pushed past them and bowed to the Administrator and revealed a datatablet with instructions and orders, then a stamped and sealed set of orders on paper. All appeared to be in order.

"Carmilla Deritan and Angelina Ballentyne. I cannot say I am glad to have you at my holdings, but I understand what you are doing and for whom, and that opens a lot of doors here. Your reputations have preceeded you. Carmilla, for who you are married to and what you are. Angelina, for your crimes against the Amarr. Even if you are now fighting for our Militia, you still taint the ground you walk upon."
He sighed and smiled and gestured towards the bunker.
"But that is irrelevant as long as you comply with our requests, which it looks like you have. We have set up for the ceremony as requested. Ithiria will be here within the hour and you have until she arrives to....."
He stopped and turned to them, a look on his face that was unreadable.
"I understand you.... chose to serve as you are?"
"I did. I have never regretted my decision. Though there have been some complications, my position has ever been the same."
"Then why the ceremony?"
"Because I'm not the one who has changed."

Ithiria sat in her stateroom onboard the Imperial Khanid Navy Armageddon that was now burning towards the orbital station. The Lansez system was familiar to her, she used to have holdings here, but were sold many years ago. Why she was being summoned now was a mystery. The timing was suspect, and she was told to come alone. She wondered if she knew why she was being summoned, but had lost the knowledge after the time in the forest. Either way, she would soon find out. Looking in the mirror she checked her kimono and makeup for the nth time. As ever, perfection beyond necessity.

Carmilla and Angelina changed together under the watchful gazes of the paladins. Carmilla in her white kimono, Angelina choosing a pale pink.
"You know Ang, what she'll ask for."
Ang finished applying the last coat to her lips and sighed.
"I know."
She straightened her belt again and slowly opened the fan, testing it's weight and it's ease of opening.
"Are you okay with it? I know you fought to get away from....."
"Carm, please. I'm doing this for you. We've been apart far too long, and that has to change."
Carmilla smiled and hugged her sister closely.
"He won't understand. You prepared for that?"
"He had his opportunity... he lost it."
They both looked at each other, then at the paladins. As one they both moved quickly into a combat stance, the fans snapping open.... before both standing up and laughing as the guards lowered their weapons.
"You remember all the moves?"
"Yes, I've been practicing a lot. A lot more than you."
"Remember, this is for Ithiria. If you put a foot wrong here.... well, I know you won't. Come on, we must be in position before she arrives."

By the time Ithiria had been brought to the outer doors of the chamber she knew something was up. Already she had seen a number of people she had known from before, servents with crests and insignia of corporations and holdings that rang warning bells. It was almost as if there was a gathering of which she knew nothing about. As two slaves opened the door to the chambers and she walked in she saw the throne at the end, which was for her. And before it two people who made her pause and gasp. Even from the back she knew them. Carmilla. Angelina. Here? Why... what was this for? When was this arranged, why was it. By the Maker why do I not know these things. Her face however, despite the turmoil inside was as carved from stone.

As she passed them they both bowed, in unison, in perfection. She took her seat and the Administrator appeared and slammed a staff into the ground three times.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Holders, honoured guests. You have been summoned here to witness the Dance and Ceremony of a Tranquil Winter. This is being performed by Carmilla Deritan, wife to Ithiria Deritan of the Noble House Deritan."
Ithiria sat and listened. Yes, this was who she was, who she should be now. So much had changed, but Carmilla knew who she was. Carmilla, clad in the perfection of white, head still bowed. Oh Carmilla, what have I done.
"Carmilla Deritan.... come forward. Present yourself."

"I am Carmilla, wife of Ithiria, servant to the Noble House Deritan. I come to perform the Ceremony of Winter. I come to rededicate myself to my Mistress....."
Don't say it, Ithiria said in her mind, don't say it.
"and to offer my obeisance to her, on my knees as her slave."
There was silence in the room and a heavy pounding, which she soon realised was her heart. She had done it, told everyone here. Which was as good as telling the whole universe. All eyes were now on her.
"Are you aware, Carmilla, servant of House Deritan what you have said? What must happen?"
"I am aware. And I accept that before all here."
He slammed the staff three times and she returned to where she was kneeling. Time passed, what seemed like an eternity before the words came, from Ithiria's lips, almost without her speaking them.
"Begin."

Carmilla D'Morenta slowly went though the moves of the Khanid Dance of a Tranquil Winter with a quiet perfection. Her face a mask of painted beauty she moved through the dance to the accompanyment of the music which was piped in via the speakers. The music pushed her towards each position, timed the pauses and the movement to the next, all had to be done with exquisite timing, with flawless perfection, and absolute dedication. The flicking open of the fans had to be done correctly, the distances exact, the angles just right. Any failure in any of the moves could be fatal.

As the last note sounded she paused in the final pose, the one known as winters end, both fans extended upwards, on arms already tired and exerted, balanced on legs that would have shaken with fatigue were they not hidden behind the silken skirts of the kimono. Her face looking directly forward at those she danced for. She held her pose.

Ithiria looked on, no emotion on her face. Inside, her heart was pounding with pride. Carmilla had danced for her before in private. But this, before all these people. She could see the look on the faces of some of them, the awe and understanding of what she had done. Carmilla knew what was coming next, she mused. She hoped she had the stamina for it.

"Both of you. Begin."
A gasp went up from the crowd as both sisters went through the dance. Mirror images in perfection. As they saw the dedication, the obedience, the perfection people started cheering and clapping. This was something not seen every day. Many of them knew the strains that both of them would be under, especially Carmilla. People looking on wondered how they could obtain such a prize, knowing it would be impossible, given what was coming. But still they watched and applauded.

When they finished, when Ithiria had nodded they returned to their position, on their knees. From both sides of the floor guards appeared. Two behind Carmilla, two behind Angelina. Ithiria looked at Angelina. Carm, she knew, understood what was coming. Angelina...... aaaah, sweet Angelina, do you understand what is going to happen? Yes, I think you do. Otherwise you wouldn't have come. Not here, to the depths of Khanid, surrounded by people who want you dead. And yet, you are in for a surprise. A slave appeared, holding a box and took it to the guards. Carmilla knelt up, head still looking down.

"Begin."
The guards pulled Carmilla to her feet and litterally ripped the kimono from her body and continued until she was naked. The Administrator walked up to her and opened the box.
"Carmilla, servant of House Deritan. Do you understand what is going to happen?"
She did not reply, this was rote, and no reply was needed. Saying anything at this point would be a waste of breath she would need. He pulled a chrome collar from the box and fastened it around her neck.
"In the name of House Deritan, Noble of the Khanid Empire, you Carmilla Deritan are claimed by Ithiria Deritan as her slave. All your rights and responsibilities are forfeit, your assets and your life now belong to your Mistress."
Ithiria looked on from her throne, her face impassive.
"Slave, though in the future you will be punished by your Mistress, here in Khanid, the first punishment is always delivered in public."
He attached cuffs to each of her wrists and the guards attached chains and spread her arms apart and forced her to her knees. He took an electo whip and stood behind her, looking up at Ithiria. She smiled and nodded.
"Begin."

Angelina watched through the corner of her eye as Carmilla was released and she fell to the floor, her back bleeding and her eyes wide. All through she had not uttered a word, not a cry, not a whimper. As was tradition. But is it what I want? Do I have a choice? Oh Carmilla, say something, let me know I'm not going crazy.....

"Angelina," Ithiria's voice rang out over the silence of the hall,"You will leave this hall. I do not belive that you want what your sister has given willingly. And until the day I believe, truly believe it.... I do not want you in my sight. I understand why you did what you did, even if you do not. Redeem yourself if you can, be penitant, or whatever you are really after. But never darken my house again until the time you are ready to take your place here. Guards, remove her."

From her throne she watched the look of disbelief on Angelinas face as she was dragged away. They both knew that two guards were not enough, but she was too shocked to resist. Carmilla however, sweet Carmilla. Punished in the traditional Khanid had kept silent and not uttered a moan, or cry. Angelina.... would be hers again, in time. Carmilla though, was hers now, officially. The final touch she would apply herself later when she had healed. For now she was centre of attention. Ithiria Deritan smiled for the first time since she arrived.

What is Reality?

All around sirens and klaxons were blaring. The sound of fighting were loud, the old station was being hammered by vessels of all kinds. From the few screens she had seen on her way down here a deadly fleet was waiting outside the station. Dreadnoughts, carriers, motherships, and untold battleships and smaller. The enemy had come to the system, and all was lost. Ships were fleeing, the command structure gone. Small pockets of resistance were fighting on outside, but against such odds, it was futile. Magificent, yet futile.

Almost all of the corporation was here now, boarding whatever ships they had left, all of them pale faced, resigned to their fate. They would escape or die trying. Death was waiting outside the docking bay entrance. The rorqual went first, flanked by the battleships, surrounded by cruisers. The frigates and industrials coming last. Carmilla, in her prowler, her holds filled with the treasure of the corp flew out with them.

The void was filled with fire. Fire and death.

The hulks of destroyed ships from a hundred corporations danced around the station. It seemed as if the dreadnoughts were laughing, screams and laughter coming over the com-systems as volleys were fired. Ships exploded, pods vaporised, crews were ejected into the harsh reality of the vacuum. Rorqual spawning legions of drones, the mocking laughter over the com-system. A battleship enveloped by a siege laser, torn assunder, black blood splashing over the station.

Dozens of interceptors, with wings of dragonflies and talons of steel landed on the prowler and began to dig their way in. Laughter! Screams! The alarms sounding as the prowler was eviscerated by feral interceptors, blood on their fangs, splashing on their wings, the mocking rictus on their faces as they chew they way in.... their claws scratching at the pod until they all scream and lunge.......

Carmilla screamed herself awake, heart pounding, covered in sweat. Breathing harshly, tears in her eyes she flailed around her in the dark, babbling and screaming before falling off the bed and pushing herself into the corner, wrapping her arms around her legs, crying and looking into the darkness, trying to fill her lungs but unable to.....

Ithiria heard the scream over the communicator and ran into the room flanked by two guards. She knelt next to her wife, pulling her into her arms, seeing in her eyes the fear. Holding her close she stroked her hair and whispered soothing words into her ears, rocking her gently. Carmilla grasped her tightly, painfully, but she endured, letting her calm down. Picking her up she placed her back on the bed and laid down with her, dismissing the guards with a gesture.

After a while, she fell asleep, a trouble free sleep this time. It amazed her at times, that she still had the nightmares. Poor Carmilla, she mused, of all the people leaving our home must have hit you the hardest. Still after all these months to still be effected by the retreat and betrayal we suffered.

Dreams and nightmares, twisted visions or altered reality, half remembered and as substantial as the morning mist. Aaah, my dear Carmilla, what is reality for you? At least I have had you by my side. Ithiria looked down on her sleeping wife and brushed a strand of hair from her face, now tranquil and relaxed.
"Carm, my journey would have been so much longer without you. You are a rock in my tempestous soul, and one I have crashed against and still you stand resolute. Such devotion, in a wife... in a slave.... will be rewarded."

A Beginning....

They simply refered to it as biological sample. There had been others but there had been complications. Data was analysed, information processed, results obtained. The sample lived. The sample was studied, data obtained. Confirmation was given, the sample was disposed of. They had a biological baseline. They obtained more biological samples, more data was obtained. Analysed. Processed. It was a beginning... Time passed.


Shalira Matrise opened her eyes slowly to pure darkness. Dull pain filled her body, there was an acrid taste in her mouth. There were strange scents in the room, old death, decay, metal and oil. Strange, she thought. No lights.
Light. Describe. Necessity.

The words seemed to flow into her mind, washing over her like violet static. An image flashed into her memory of the sun, the warm glow of the Seshala morning. A smile crept onto her face.....

Time passed.
She opened her eyes, light filled the room. Like morning sunshine she thought. The lighting was bright but seemed to come from no one source in particular. She breathed deeply and coughed, pain lancing through her chest and she became aware, she was held down. Testing she found her head was immobile, her arms and legs strapped down somehow. Looking around from what limited vision she had a room came into view, but slowly as if her eyes were not working properly. The walls and ceiling were pure white, glossy, reflective. Machines against one wall, strange and alien, all angular and lights blinking. At the edge of her hearing, a strange clicking sound, constantly changing, several. Where am I, she thought.
Home. Rest.

Home, she thought. An image flashed into her mind, her home at the Geisha House. A flood of memories and sensations poured into her, the clicking became louder. Rest, she thought, even more memories, strong and powerful. A stretch of beach under the light from three moons, a name, a face... a smile... She slept.

They looked on the biological subject. Data was analysed and processed. Questions were raised, most answered. More questions, more answers demanded. A request for more biological subjects for comparrison. Subject approved for further study. Mark and move to permanant laboratory.
In her induced sleep Shalira dreamt. It raised more questions they could not answer.

Time passed.

Shalira awoke slowly to the morning glow of the Seshala sun, laying on the beach. She smiled as she heard the roar of the waves crashing and looked out over the calm ocean. Standing up, she brushed the sand from her kimono and looked at the pattern. The white imperial silk was covered with grey patterns, looking quite like....
Listen

A voice called out and she looked up. There, sitting on a stool in the middle of the beach was Carmilla. Her heart soared and walked over, standing before her. She was wearing a blood red kimono, patterend like hers. At the edge of her hearing, she heard the clicking again and looked around behind her. They were alone.
"Shalira. Nice to see you, well I hope, yes?"
"Yes, all is fine."
"Good, then let continue....."

Something wrong. End it now. No. We must understand. Vital. Danger. Subject unstable. We must understand. Vital!

Shalira thought for a moment then turned around, there a few feet away was a stool and she sat on it, looking at Carmilla. Her mind filled with ritual and duty, the Geisha House, the island. She talked with Carmilla, subjects varying from nutrition to weaponry, from clothing to starship design, from politics to emotions. All the time, the clicking in the distance, as if on the wind. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.

Readings indicate subject more unstable. We must terminate.
No. We must understand.
Danger. Outside interferance. Danger

"Come Carmilla, let us walk as we used to do along the beach towards the wreck."
"No. Stay, more comfortable."
"But you love the wreck."
She thought about Carmilla laughing and thought about the wreck, filled her mind with happiness and excitement. The clicking, louder.
"Then go let us to the wreck."
She walked down the beach and as they turned the corner, the wreck was there, mostly underwater but a good portion on the beach. It was a rokh, the signs of damage visible all over its structure. It looked like it had been there for a long time. Carmilla looked uneasy.
"I do not remember wreck."
Clicking, insistant. Shalira smiled and pointed at the rear as it entered the water and thought vividly. Of Carmilla diving into the water and laughing, swimming in her kimono.
"Yes, remember I do. Much... fun."
The ground seemed to shudder slightly below them. She paid it no mind and looked to the horizon, great dark clouds were forming, all around. dark and ominous.

Readings indicate subject unstable and erratic. Begin termination.
No. We must understand. We need to understand.

"Carmilla?"
"Yes, Shalira."
"There is no wreck. There never was. This is all a lie. You are a lie. Where am I?"
She looked down at the pattern on her Kimono, then looked up. Before her, where Carmilla was sitting was an angular drone, a rogue drone. The beach faded and was replaced by a laboratory, strange machines against the walls. Something clicked, the high pitched clicking she always seemed to hear. Looking around she noticed she was strapped into a chair, could feel the wires attached to her, the tubing that invaded her body. The room was constantly shuddering now, sound far away similar to explosions, but what of her senses could she believe.
It knows. Terminate biological subject. Yes. We have learnt all we can. We must relay our findings. Danger. Attack underway.

Shalira watched in horror as one of the arms on the drone opened revealing a high speed rotating saw. The high pitched whine of the saw was soon covered by the scream of Shalira.

Gone, but not Forgotten

Victor Ballentyne noticed something was wrong as soon as he touched down. The Geisha House was dark, only a few lights showed in the early morning, where before it was lit brightly to usher in the dawn. As he walked quickly towards the main entrance he saw the doors were closed, as were the windows. From the look of the place, no one had been here for a while, leaves had accumulated where the wind had blown them.

For a moment he paused and looked around and on a hunch, walked down towards the beach. The flower gardens, he noticed as he passed, were still being cared for and the scent of perfume was in the air. Quickening his pace he made his way down, as the sun slowly started to crawl over the horizon. In the morning light he saw a figure kneeling on the beach looking out to the sunrise. His heart fell, it wasn't Carmilla.

"Whisper?"
The kneeling woman smiled as she looked at the sun with eyes that could not see.
"Master Victor, such a pleasent surprise to see you again."
"What happened? The house is deserted, closed. Where is Carmilla? Where is Angelina? What's going on?"
She sighed and spoke softly, not moving from her position.
"They have both gone. Seperate ways. Carmilla with her Mistress into the night. Angelina I think has gone to find out where she belongs. I don't expect either of them to return soon."
Victor watched the sun rise, the warm rays revitalising his body and filling him anew. Perhaps this was what he was waiting for, a sign as the old tribal mother had told him would come.
"Whisper, summon the girls. I have to go somewhere, an errand for my Masters that must be performed. When I return, it's business as usual. We will wait for them to return."
"I know," she whispered, singing in the lingua franca of the geisha,"Like a sunrise past, they are gone, but not forgotten."

He pulled out his communicator and placed a call, waiting a few minutes as it was bounced on a secure network back to Serpentis Prime. He said a few words then looked down at the Geisha who was getting up beside him.
"It's a brand new day, Whisper. Lets go see what it brings us."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ship Names

The cargo loading arm on docking bay 31 had been damaged for over a hundred years. As most of the heavy cargo went through other larger docking bays, there was never much call for repairing it. Border stations in the back of beyond were never high on the list of priorities for corporations. Which proved to be adequate for what Angelina had in mind. It was also a bonus that with the stations rotation it was almost always bathed in one of the systems two suns.

Angelina laid back in the chair, a bucket of ice by her left hand filled with Quaffe Noir, a half eaten tray of chocolates and a portable terminal. Amarrian opera floated into the empty space of the docking bay. The sun bathed her body gently as she watched the ships moving back and forth, for the most part cruisers and frigates. Popping another can of quaffe she smiled as she watched them, reading their names, scanning the corp logo's.

Several hours later she noticed the terminal flashing a message and opened the message.

To: Angelina Ballentyne
From: (Unrecognised Delivery)

RE: Delivery

The consignment requested is in the process of being delivered. Be advised the delivery company is not know for it's promptness, though they do get the job done. Halifax and Rico Savage have been allocated.

God speed, AV

Closing the terminal she pulled off her shades and rubbed her eyes standing up, stretching. Soon they would be coming....

Her musing were interrupted by the high pitched whine of over stressed repulsorlifts. To her left a rifter had deviated from the prescribed lanes and was approaching the tower. Warning sirens began to sound it hovered fifty feet away from her... forty... thirty. From here she could see the weapons, the great shells being loaded into the autocannons, smell the burning fuel. The corp sigil was obscured, but the name of the ship was proud across the top of the cockpit. Halifax! As the barrels started rotating she moved, running forward, grabbing a length of synthi-rope and leaping off the end of the crane as the surface was sprayed by the autocannons.

She fell towards the ground, fastening the rope to her belt and praying. The jerk was harsh as the rope caught, forcing the breath from her and she swung back into the column of the base of the loading arm, hitting it heavily with a sickening crunch. Looking up she saw the arm of the crane as it started to tip and fall, as the rifter altered it's pattern of fire, starting downwards, shredding the column sending gobbets of molten metal and shrapnel in all directions. With a scream of tortured metal the strut that was holding the rope parted and Angelina and the rope fell, only to be caught again as it snagged on an outcropping. The rifter swung around, it's guns silent and she looked down. There! Off to the right, it was reachable but she had to be quick.

She started to swing on the rope, getting further and further, watching the Rifter all the time. The great barrels started to spin again and she waited, then pulled her blade out and slashed the rope, a moment too late as she felt the passage of the shells above her, the searing heat from teh fusion shells burning her back and getting peppered with shrapnel. She fell screaming and landed heavily on a walkway, almost slipping off she slammed her blade into the grate and held on for dear life.

The rifter changed it's angle and pointed it's guns straight at her.
"Come on then!" She shouted, looking up at it, "Finish it you motherless spawn of a poxed tribal whore!"
She felt the blackness overcoming her as an explosions knocked her....

She woke up in the medical bay. Armed guards around her, strapped to the bed, tubes going into both of her arms. The nurse mopped her brow and smiled.
"How are you feeling?"
"I've felt better. Are these necessary?" She pointed to the straps.
"Doctor's orders. At least until you are recovered. And the guards are for your protection."
"From the rifter pilot?"
The nurse giggled,"No from the dockers union. They are most upset that the docking arm was destroyed. They blame you."
"I was being attacked at the time, it was hardly my fault.... and how am I alive anyway, that Rifter had me dead in it's sights."
"Station security shot it down, you were lucky. Very lucky."
The nurse released the straps and sat on the end of the bed.
"Give it a few days and you'll be fine."

Angelina watched as the nurse walked out of the room and scanned the guards. Six of them, all armed and armoured heavily. In truth, there was nothing coming into this room that was not allowed. But then again, she mused, rifters were not supposed to do what that one had done. The stakes it seemed, were on the rise. Perhaps it was time for a new home, somewhere safer. Somewhere.... unexpected.

Sharp Focus

Angelina stood on the beach, the wind picking up and causing the long grasses to sway, the waves were beginning to get larger. The sky was dark, the colour of lead. A storm was coming, and from the looks of it a harsh one.

She walked over the dunes to the funeral pyre that she had built. Twenty Geisha surrounded it, all wearing their finest, looking their most beautiful. All however streaked with tears. For on the pyre lay Ithiria Deritan. She looked at the pyre and waited.

Hours before the Geisha had seen her walk into the forests, and a gunshot had been heard. Immediately summons had gone out. Carmilla, Victor, Angelina. Angelina had arrived first. Together with the geisha she had scoured the forest, her cries loud in the early morning and they had found her. The primal scream that erupted from her lips as she cradled Ithiria's body shook even those who knew her. There was something in that scream that made the blood run cold.

Carmilla and Victor arrived soon after, within minutes of each other and made their way to the beach. Both were surprised at the change that had come over Angelina. Gone were the slave garments she used to wear for her old Master, and the old Guristas flight suits she favoured. Instead she wore a long tight fitting, flowing dress of old gallente origin. They both walked to her and tried to comfort her, but she brushed them away.

"This must be attended to first."
"But what happened? Why did she do this?"
Angelina turned and looked at them both, a wad of paper in her hand which she was lighting.
"She had no reason to do this, so I can't believe she did it. I believe she was executed."
Victor paled and Carmilla shook her head.
"No it can't be, no one would do that. No one has reason to anymore."
"She's right Angelina," Victor placed his hand on her shoulder,"There were those who did once, but they have gone ever since....."
He left the sentence open, but they all knew what he meant. Angelina walked towards the pyre and lit it, watching the flames dance as it consumed the wooden frame and the the flames licked around the body. Carmilla looked on, heart beating fast in her chest, screaming inside with rage. Victor, as ever, looked impassive, no one really knew what he was feeling inside. But it would be similar to what they felt.
"Esna."

They both looked at her, expecting her to say something, but not that.
"What... do you mean?"
"Esna threatened to kill everything I held dear if I ever left him. I never thought he'd go through with it."
"Now wait a minute... we don't know....."
She turned around with hate in her eyes.
"Ithiria had no reason to kill herself! She was executed as a message to me. It has to be Esna!"
"Esna wouldn't do something like this, Ang......"
Carmilla stopped as she saw the look on Ang's face. A look she'd seen before, a look many had seen before, briefly. Someone, was going to die. For whatever reason the dull outlook on life that had been Angelina's had been brought into sharp focus. Once more she had a purpose, and pity those who got in her way.

Vengence!

Enough rope....

Angelina sat on the edge of Esna's desk while holding the collar in her hands. Just moments ago the collar had been around her neck, now she held it and then dropped it onto the table.

She sat down behind his desk and took out a pen and paper and wrote briefly, signing it and drawing a stylized Guristas Rabbit on the paper. Carefully she looked over what she had written.

My darling Esna, by the time you get this note I'll have gone. I am going where you cannot find me, or the Empire, or anyone. I am leaving everything I know behind me, my friends, my family, my corp and you, my Master. My ex-Master. I no longer consider myself your slave, to hell with the law and the courts. I am free to pirate and pillage as I did before. Take this for what it is Esna. You gave me enough rope, and I used it to escape.

With Love,
Angelina, Butcher of Sibot


She dropped the pen on the table, shouldered her bag and walked to the landing bay of the safehouse. By the time he returned, it would be too late. She'd be on the other side of the galaxy and still accelerating. Null-sec was beckoning to her again, Ithiria had gone missing again. In two hours she'd meet up with Carmilla, in another two hours she'd be at Kim's new surgery to remove any implants that were left. Then.... she'd be gone.

Ambush at Complex 47

The captain of the proteus watched in disbelief as the pulse wave of a massive EMP explosion erupted from the complex he was tasked to watch. Lights went out, several rooms outgassed their atmospheres and more than a few frigates caught in the blast began to coast. He turned to the comms officer as two more carriers were decloaked by the blast, making six that were present. As well as the Titan.
"Do we have any communications from Lord Esna?"
"Yes sir, but it doesn't make any sense, and it was so badly distorted I'm not sure..."
"Play it... "
".....Ram me....."
He listened to the distorted transmission, but he recognised the voice. Taking his place in the command chair he switched all controls to him command.
"Chances of any escape pods making it back to our space?"
"Non-existant."
"Then we die together. For the Glory of the Empire!"

The cloaking device flickered and shut down as the micro-warp drive kicked in, propelling the T3 cruiser to high speeds. Sensor tracks from the functional 'ceptors and several of the carriers swept the hull and one managed to target him before the cloak was able to activate. He flew the cruiser towards the picket line of carriers, a swarm of fighters and drones vectoring in on him. Dropping his own drones as a decoy he flew in close, skimming the surface of the first carrier, the fire from the attackers impacting his shields and the shields of the carrier. Dodging the projecting arrays and towers on the carrier he pulled up, feeling the sluggish handling now and noticing the speed slowly dropping. Webbed. Not that it would help. Flying free from the carrier he aimed at the docking bay he had seen Lord Esna dock at, powered up the blasters and began unleashing round after round of anti-matter. He pushed the engines beyond their specifications, their howling scream loud in the ship, silent in the depths of space. As the collision sirens sounded, he uttered a prayer for his immortal soul and impacted doing over 600 m/s.

The blast tore through the docking bay despite the heavy shielding and armour plating. As it exploded in the remains of the bay, the protective shielding failed, the mag-shield keeping the atmosphere in overloaded and debris, people and everything loose was blasted into space. The crumpled remains of the cruiser lodged to deeply to be knocked free wedged the main pressure door open, everyone who could not make it to a secure room began to die.

Gallicia Tavrook picked up the unconscious Kim and threw her bodily into the room while the Admiral raged and clawed his way back from almost being sucked out. Angelina looked at the gun he had thrown at her and dragging Esna in one hand pulled him into the room. She thought of the words Gallicia had whispered in her ear before all hell had broken loose, and her cuffs had come undone.
"Now we are even and the debt has been paid. She will come. Fight and live little slave."
She wondered what he was talking about, but didn't care, and even though the impulse to shoot him was high, saving Esna was higher still. The wind howling down the corridor made ever movement a struggle, but when in the room she saw Gallicia standing in a doorway she hadn't seen before and he waved as a door closed, the light glinting on his chrome face mask.

A hidden blast rocked the station more and the pressure door on the room began to drop. The air in the room howled as it dissapeared under the closing emergency door, yet with a primal scream the Admiral hauled himself in, and glared at those in the room, a weapon snapping up to his shoulder. Two of them were unconscious, Esna Pitojee who had come to rescue, and Dr Kim Leannder, kidnapped for leverage. He looked on as Angelina snapped her own weapon up. Blood streamed down both their faces and they breathed hard in the thinning atmosphere.

Angelina Ballentyne, blood pouring into her eye from a gash kept her good eye on the rifles sight. Her naked body showed signs of punishment, her breasts moving rapidly as she tried to breath more. She stood firm, not letting the other out of her sight. The Admiral. Her nemesis. Of all the people to survive, why couldn't he have been sucked out to die in the vacuum with his men.
"So, my slave. What now? We are still in my station, and my men are outside in ships just waiting to come in. Shall we die together?"
"No one else is dying today, unless it's you and your kind, filth!"
"Such spirit, a wonder you were so hard to break."
"I'm not broken, this gun pointed at your black heart says that."

"What if you do shoot me? You have nowhere to go."
The door slammed shut and an emergency system began to pump oxygen back into the room. Outside there was a low throb that reached a crescendo that could be felt even through the decking. The Admiral smiled.
"Once my men dock and open this door you will be captured, again. And we'll begin all over again. That sound was my titan, destroying whatever pitiful remnants of a fleet that your pathetic Master sent as support."
They both stood, weapons aimed at each other. Neither daring to move, to give an inch incase it could be used against them. In the corridor outside they could hear the sound of weapons fire, screams and machinery. Then there was another low throb, and a more powerful cresendo, obviously nearer.
"Your fleet is lost, your friends are dead or dying, or will be my slaves. Give up now and I'll make sure his death is quick, and you can choose how she dies. You my slave will live, though you will wish to die a thousand times every day."
"I think, Admiral, that you are forgetting one thing."
The door to the room screamed as it was opened against it's will and slowly raised.
"What is that, slave?"
"I have people who will fight and die for me. People who will kill anyone and everyone to see I am free. You'd better pray Admiral that I kill you before she does."
"Pah, as if you could. You are nothing more than a pirate and a pitiful excuse for a slave. "
There was a faint sound of something metallic bouncing into the room. Neither looked at the stun grenade as it came in, or as it exploded, slamming them both back into the walls and the darkness of unconsciousness......

Lord Esna awoke as he was being dragged through the corridors of a ship. Groggily he shook his head, or tried to. He tried to activate his systems, his internal comms, his locator, and finally his suicide implant. All failed. He even ran his tongue over his suicide tooth, it was missing. Manacles were around his wrists and a chain linked them. As his vision cleared he saw the corridor was golden. Mostly. An Amarr ship, he thought, then realised, it was burnished copper. His blood froze. Blood Raiders!

They dragged him for a way and entered a large spacious room, the walls covered in tapestries displaying hundreds of Blood Raider Covenants sigils, and at the end of the room a raised dias and a throne, hidden in darkness.
Already before it there were three people he recognised. Angelina, bound as he was and fighting with the chains, screaming and cursing. Kim Leannder, kneeling and head lowered, the fight gone from her. And the Admiral, his uniform heavily stained and his chains were many. They dropped him next to Angelina and stood guard, slamming their rifle buts into Angelina to get her to stop.
Something moved on the throne, from where they knelt they could all see it was a hand raised, the guards all bowed and left.

"Where are we? What is this place? I demand to be...."
The voice whispered loudly, loud enough for all to hear, yet they could not discern any details.
"You are in no position to demand anything. Know this, you are onboard my personal flagship, the Blood Raider Avatar Chalice of Blood. You are mine, all of you."
Esna jumped to his feet, rage in his heart and fury pumping in his veins.
"I will never submit to the Blood Raiders! You are all abominations in my eyes!"
The sound of heels clicking on the metal floor appeared from behind them and a figure clad in voluminous robes of a red silk kimono, an immaculate geisha stopped infront of them and turned around. All of them gasped and uttered oaths, saying the same name.
"Carmilla!"
She smiled at them all, bowed and turned, walking towards the throne and kneeling before it in a submissive pose, nodded as unheard words were whispered and got up, turning with a flourish towards them.
"Now, what shall we do with you all I wonder?"

Long Lost Revelations

As soon as the landing craft had touch down Carmilla left the ship. A rifle and a backpack slung over her shoulder. She was still wearing the stained and worn clothes she had worn when she had been present at the awakening at the cloning station of her Mistress.

She had made her presence known and was glad that she hadn't had to board the station under arms as she had thought, but it was obvious, Mizhara didn't want her there. It had taken a while to see that Ithiria was infact back to her normal self, and again she had managed to irritate Miz. But the main fact, Ithiria was herself, and had a few changes to make, was all she needed to know. As soon as they had conducted their business, and then spent precious little time together she left for the digsite.

Several weeks before they had started putting down the foundations for the colony, with plans to exploit the planet and begin exporting it's resources. What they had not expected were the ruins. All the building was stopped and a team was brought into explore and map, lead by Carmilla who after all, had the training. What she found blew her mind.

The ruins were of a temple. A temple of extreme age. And unlike anything she had ever seen before. Temples of the Amarr she had seen, great and ornate. But this one, though large seemed to be simple. None of the walls were engraved or etched or imprinted, and no trace of colour could be found. Only the most simple carvings on the exterior of what they assumed was the entrance.

It was more by luck than design that they found the rest of the temple, out beyond what they had created as their landing platform. A mile away from the pad several geologists had noticed something strange about the way one of the hills looked and began to investigate. To their excitement they realised the whole side of the hill was actually created by a landslide from the mountain beyond, hundreds, perhaps thousands of years ago. They began to excavate, and it was to this site that Carmilla was shown when she docked.

Although it has recieved some damage from the rockfall, the great statue carved into the wall radiated a serenity that was almost palpable. The statue was of a large man sitting in a lotus position, an outstretched hand and a smile that transcended the ages. For what seemed like an eternity Carmilla stood and stared.

"There are structures beneath the statue, we're only just getting to them, but they seem to be in remarkable condition as they were covered by the rockfall."
"Have you dated it yet?"
"We have..... but we're unsure. It's about four thousand years old."
"That's old.... take me to the dig site. What of the primary site?"
"We've found some scrolls which we've managed to preserve, but we cant' translate them. We've found numerous small tokens which look like the statue, but nothing of any technological nature."


They walked to the statue and Carmilla looked up at it. It was huge and old, carved straight into the side of the hill. Traces of carvings on the walls looked faded and damaged. At the very base they had opened up an undamaged area of one building and found several large cylinders which were on primitive rollers. The walls were bare again, but this time found several paintings on the walls, faded with time but still visible.
"I've seen these things before, these wheels. In one of the Sani Sabik books on older religions. These are prayer wheels I think."
"Why do they need wheels?"
She ran her hand over the exterior.
"Here, feel, there are carvings underneath, faint, worn down."
"They are... and these are moving. After all this time."
"Take images of them, I want the carvings catalogued and collated. All the writings, images, pictures, anything. I want them as soon as you can. And call Ithiria..... I think she needs to see this...."

It was a week before Ithiria Deritan managed to make it to the site though. Pressing matters and a hectic personal life had consipired to keep her away not only from her wife, but also several of those close to her. But they had found her and impressed upon her the need to come. And, for Carmilla, she had come.

When she had landed the area around the statue had been covered with a powerful chamelon field and deflector shield, obscuring it from casual viewers. There were armed troops all around, all from Carmilla's estate from the look of the sigils. She was ushered into the main chamber where she found her wife and slave.
"Carmilla, what is this place you have found?"
"Aaah, Ithi, I'm so glad you could come. I think I've found the questions I was looking for."
She smiled and took her wife into her arms and kissed her, then wiped the dust from her brow, sweeping her hair back.
"I didn't know you were looking for any questions."
"This is a temple to an old god, a very ancient god. We've managed to decipher some of the scrolls and prayers we've found. It all makes sense... the four noble truths and the eightfold path. This is everything I've been looking for. I just have to understand it.. and follow them. There is a lot of talk of suffering. It's nature, how to stop it, how to pass it.... the paths needed to reach past it. Then there is more, paths to wisdom, concentration, and ethical conduct. It is the key needed to the greatest mystery of all, which we've lost."
She turned and looked at Ithiria and stopped.
"I'm sorry... maybe if you look at the statue..."

They both stood and looked at the statue. As were a good number of those who were nearby. They had restored it, cleaned it and tidied away the rubble. It sat there, quite content radiating serenity.
"This is what I'm after. This is the key to perfect peace. To a state of mind that is free from craving, anger and hate."
She turned to Ithiria and looked at her, seeing in her eyes the same look that was on hers when she first saw the statue.
"Since I've been here I've not sacrificed once, or offered up any prayers to the Red God, or even thought much about it. It pales into insignificance next to this."
Ithiria looked at Carmilla and wondered what had happened to her, what had changed her so much. It was almost as if this wasn't Carm at all.
"Carmilla, leave your people to look after it, come with me."
"No, I must finish my work....."
"Get on board the shuttle now, and pray I do not loose my temper."
Something in her voice got through to Carm and she turned around and looked at her.
"Right now?"
She nodded, and pointed."Don't ask. Just obey. Now!"
Carmilla nodded and obeyed, she had heard the tone before, knew what would happen if she disobeyed her. That wouldn't happen, not again. She sat next to her wife, holding her hand and rested her head on her shoulder and was asleep before the shuttle entered orbit.

Old acquaintences, Old friends

Angelina looked up at the statue that now graced the back of the Autumn Breeze geisha house. The original statue to Carmilla's Mistress, Ithiria Deritan had been destroyed when the estate it was on was obliterated by orbital bombardment. This one, was an almost perfect copy. With the moon behind the statues head it gave her a saintly appearance. Leaning on the banister of the second floor, the night sky held back by the few lights that were on and the brightness of the full moon she sighed and smiled. Things were changing for the better.

Looking down at her still manacled wrists she wondered when she'd take them off. Already her collar had gone, taken when her Master had finally consented and taken her just as a submissive. But these she had kept, though she'd taken the chain off. Turning around she walked back into the room, Carmilla's own personal room, a richly furnished opulant room. Carmila herself was down in the Geisha house, entertaining with the other girls and wouldn't be free for hours. But she didn't care, she had a more important task. She looked down on the bed to the form of Kelandrisa Deritan, wrapped in a robe of sheer gallente silk. After the last day she had been in a bad condition, and it was only her actions last night which had broken her out of the spell she was under. Actions which.... she smiled at the thought. What mattered was she was here, and safe.

For a moment she looked at Kelandrisa, massaged her own neck and laughed. Free.... she was free. Ithiria and Carmilla had already given their consent to allow her to return to work with the Disciples. She was no longer a slave, oh yes a submissive, but submitting to Esna made her happy. With a giggle she began to dance around the room, falling into the rote of the steps and laughing louder as she did, the skirts and sleeves of her kimono flaring out. Free.... Free!

The first shot took her in the back.....

Pain lanced through her as the stun bolt slammed into her back. The body armour she wore under her Kimono took the impact and only a dull throb and a numbing of the area around the impact got through to her, but it was enough to knock her off her feet, crashing into a rack of swords by the door. She rolled to her feet, grabbing a sword in one hand, ripping the scabbard off and looking at the open windows. There... three shadows, four... five. Already they were moving, their initial gambit failed. Three coming to her, two to Kelandrisa's sleeping form. She cursed her lack of corp implant and screamed loudly as she charged the three, dodging their incoming stun bolts. Slash, sidestep, stab, a quick feint with the scabbard followed by a slash. Snarling she turned to the two by Kelandrisa. Blood had spattered her, the scent in her nostrils, heady... no wonder they turned Blood Raider she thought, the blood lust in her yearned for it.
"Drop the blade slave or your whore gets it in the neck."
One of the assassins had Kelandrisa up, arm twisted behind her back, her eyes looking glazed and a knife at her throat. The other she couldn't see. She threw the sword, it slammed into his neck followed up by a flying kick she delivered to the handle severing his head. Kelandrisa fell to the bed. In a flash, sword in hand she was with her, shakign her, looking around trying to spot the last man.
"Kel, we have to leave....."

She never felt the second shot....

The man in black kept his weapon out and walked out of the shadows. The stun blast had hit them both, knocking them out. Using his foot he rolled over the unconscious form of Angelina.
"Panther team leader to Nest. Four cubs down, hunter has been neutralised. Request permission to clease facility."
"Negative. We are only here for the hunter. Evac shuttle is enroute."
He rolled her back over and cuffed her hands then tore the silked robe and tied her feet and knees and gagged her. Slinging her over his shoulder he walked to the banister and waited as the shuttle approached. He had just thrown her into the shuttles open door when the rooms main doors burst open and three figures ran in, all geisha.
"Farewell ladies.... perhaps next tim....."
The lead geisha threw something from both hands before leaping at the edge of the shuttle, the other two following. He fell back, his chest feeling tight and noticed the two metal half stars that had grown from his chest. As he touched them the first geisha was in, a short stabbing knife in her hands a look of absolute fury on her face. Two of his men were down before they realised and they opened fire, the stun bolts seemingly inneffective as the howling banshees before him tore into the heavily armed and armoured men he'd left on board like they were babes in arms. He clipped one end of his harness to the back wall and the other end to Angelina's bonds.

Implant Override Shuttle Control - Authorisation Panther1
Course correction - Port ten degrees
Disengage internal inertial dampners
Engine - Accelaration 100%

The shuttle under his control accelerated, slamming into the side of the Geisha House as it moved off, tilting the ship with the effect he hoped for. The three Geisha and the rest of his men were taken by surprise and thrown to the floor, then they fell out of the shuttle as it tilted. Screams, then a loud splash. The splash he heard... most likely the pool he thought as he turned control back over to the pilots who hadn't stopped cursing him. He sat down, still looking at the stars in his chest, cursed Angelina one more time he died.

In the pool Carmilla cut the throat of the last surviving kidnapper and screamed defiance at the retreating shuttle. Her cry loud and full of anger... and despair.
"Angelina!!!!"
The other Geisha helped her out of the pool and also looked into the distance before carrying her back into the house to tend to her wounds, one leg badly broken, her shoulder dislocated.

As the shuttle landed on the deck of the Archon a robed figure walked aboard and saw the scene. He was expecting some losses, but a near empty shuttle with only his prize and his the dead commando leader was not what he expected.
"Take the slave to the cells. Careful, she is very dangerous. I will begin the interrogation once we are back in the safety of the prison. Bury the commando with full honours."
His laugh was dark and evil.
"Welcome back Angelina....."

Angelina awoke to pain. Her arms were stretched above her, her feet dangled over open air. There were no sounds in the room save her breathing. As her eyes focused she realised it there was no light, here in darkness, hanging from somewhere.

Heart rate increasing, signs of anxiety

There was no sound, no insects, she wasn't in the hole, she wasn't back on the plantation, wasn't a slave. She kept hold of that thought, she wasn't a slave, was free. Esna had freed her, her Master had freed her. Nothing to fear, nothing to worry about. Nothing.... She look all around that she could, there was just nothing ness. She screamed.... it didn't echo. Leaning forward she spat, there was no sound of it hitting.

Heart rate off the chart
Release the insects

A sound came the edge of her hearing, her heart was beating so fast she almost missed it, the blood rushing aroudn her body sounded like waterfalls in her ears. It was a skittering. The skittering became a buzzing. Multiples... she whimpered. The insects were back to crawl and bite and fly and..... Something heavy, with wings landed on her shoulder, the sound of it's wings thrumbing in her ears like repulsor engines. Her scream caused the bug to fly away, but there were more there now, she could feel them crawling all over her, flying past her. She screamed, twisted her body as much as she could, which was not a lot. Some bit her, feeling more like dagger stabs. Hysteria set in, wild sobbing and screaming, loosing control of her mind, her faculties and her body as she soiled herself. And still the insects poured into the room.

She woke to a high powered water spray washing the bugs and the filth off of her. She hung still by her wrists, her body aching, muscles screaming, her mind racing. As the water covered her entire body several times, she felt her body straining under the pressure... then it was gone. All that remained, the darkness and the dripping of water. Eventually, exhaustion over took her and she slipped back into unconsciousness.

The whip hit her and she woke with a scream. She looked all around still darkness. It hit again. And again. Letting the fury build within her she kept herself from screaming out, for a while. The whip hit her again and again and again. The blood ran down her back, the pain intense. Then it stopped. The dripping now, her blood. For a moment something within her tried to bring a piece of information to her, but the whipping started again, from the front this time and this time she screamed and didn't stop.

She is almost ready. Prepare the interrogation room.
Life signs are failing. If she is whipped anymore...

A hand slapped her face, hard. She woke up, still in darkness, but her hands were not above her, they were by her side, by the feel of it, clamped to a chair. Her ankles were the same, though her back was another matter. The cold metal of the chair pressed up against her back wounds. It would hurt if she wasmoved without care.
"Welcome back, Angelina. I trust you are well?"
That voice. So familiar. By why the.... Light flooded in as a hand ripped off the skin bandage that had been placed over her eyes. The bright light painful. But that voice....
"It has been so long since we were together. And you have has such an interesting time. Murder, mass murder, herasy, arson, damaging religious property, offences agaisnt the empire, piracy.. the usual stuff. But grand theft starship and running away from your Master.... tut tut tut. That just won't do."
He laughed and sat down, in her eyes he was just a blur. Unfamilar smells filled the chamber, as well as familiar ones.

"You see my little slave, your Master has gone against the terms of your sale. You are to be a slave for the rest of your unnatural life. Not that you are much of an immortal now, I saw your implant slots are missing. You must have been a bad slave. But what is important... is that you are here now, and when you die.... you die. There is no cloning out here that is not ours. And we have your clone, several of them right down stairs. I had some good sport with one earlier."
The shape walked over to a wall and pressed a button, blast shields retracted and a view screen looked out over a vast complex, at the centre, a binary star.
"So... since your Master decided to betray us, we took it upon ourselves to look after the rest of your sentence. You will serve it here, with me, in this prison. Deep in a wormhole.... Amarr's most secure, stable and high security prison."
He walked over and slapped her face several times then turned the interrogation chair so she could look out.
"See that? This is your home now. You are stuck here, a prisoner in my prison. And don't think you can escape. We know you... I know you. I know you of old. And my dear sweet Angelina, heaven forbid that you should forget. We are old acquaintences, old friends...."
Angelina shook her head, clearing the last of the fugue that was on her. The voice, too familiar, her mind remembered it because her body was shrieking, but her memory didn't.
"I see you have yet to remember. Lets see if this helps."

He spun the chair and knelt before her, his pure white Admirals uniform covered in medals, a heavy dagger at his belt. She looked into his eyes... and remembered.

....the first shot took off his jaw and the second exploded his head. Brain matter and gore spattered Angelina, who was still laughing. Behind the body of the now dead Admiral Eliza stood, smoking gun in hand......

The Admiral! Her Admiral, her Master. Alive!
"No... it can't be... you are dead... You're Dead!"
He backhanded her again with a laugh.
"You of all people should know... you can't kill an immortal. And an immortal of the Amarr Empire, an Admiral and a tool of justice is a God. And you will learn to worship me! Welcome to the Portal of Damnation, you will stay here the rest of your life as my slave. Now, Angelina...."
The restraints fell away from the chair and he grabbed her hair and dragged her out of the chair. She screamed as the bloody mess that was her back started to bleed again and he threw her to the floor. Standing behind her he kicked her legs apart hard.
"I'm sure you remember this part slave. I don't care if you don't enjoy this, this is for my pleasure."

Her scream was loud, long and reminded all those who heard it of a soul damned for eternity. Which was partially true, as the laugh that echoed along with it was pure damnation.