Free of the militia, that is what I am now. I can practically go anywhere without getting shot at in space, is what I keep telling myself as I travel through the old route up there, to the station in Grinacanne. My only concern was, if they saw me dock, what would be waiting for me? Thankfully, my friend had one of his private fluid router coms in his workshop at home, and it did not take me long at all to figure out how to use it, how to use it to hack into some one's office and provide a secure coms line. Simple enough, that as I approached closer, I gave what little crew I had on board the order to ...
My sudden holo appearance must have startled the Gallentean woman, as her jaw had dropped so low, I could nearly say it hit the floor. Before she could even flinch to do anything, I spoke up.
"Hello Ms. Setiges Hustiquier. It has been a while, and I would appreciate it if you kept quiet about this."
The woman glowered at Rin, but kept a calm looking composure. "Yes, Captain Kaelestria, it has been a while. You do realise I should be calling in the authorities now for just th--"
"I need a favor."
"I can't do that for you. The last bit of intel I had on you, was that you were working for the 24th Imperial Crusade."
"I am no longer with the militia. Check your records if you will, and you will see this is true."
Setiges gave Rin's holo a scrutinizing look, but with a few button presses and a check of her holo desk computer, she finally gave me a nod. "Alright, so you speak the truth. Doesn't mean I shouldn't be calling them in on you for this."
"I worked for you for quite a long while, Ms. Hustiquier. Do you really think I am that bad of a person, or am here to cause terrorist harm to your people? I may have had a few qualms with the Federation prior to my leaving to null, but you know me better then that. To take my anger out like that in such a manner over something petty."
The woman sighs. "Fine, what is it you want of me."
"Temporary pass into Federation space undetected, docking permission at your station, and a temporary pass key into my prior rented room there." Rin paused very briefly. "Before you ask, I may have left something of personal value there, and I would like to get it back, provided it is still there."
Setiges pursed her lips for a moment. "What's in it for me if I do this for you? After all, I wold be risking my job just for doing this."
"I am a capsuleer, Ms. Hustiquier. Thus I have a fair amount of isk at my disposal, as well as ways of slipping it to you privately."
"I shouldn't be taking brides from an enemy, but you were always a hard worker back then, Ms. Kaelestria. Alright, I'll do as you ask as well as taking the isk. Just make your stay here quick."
"That is fine. I was not planning on remaining in Federation space for long. Thank you."
I saw the disgruntled look on the woman's face as my holo image flickered off.
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That woman kept her end of the bargain well, as upon decanting from my pod, I found the temporary pass key I had requested, sitting in my temporary captain's quarters at the Grinacanne Fed Intel station. I quick freshening up job, re clothed, I nabbed the key and slipped out of the room.
So far, so good. No surprise guards waiting anywhere for me. I wasted no time navigating the halls of this place, remembering my way through even though it has been more then a year since my stay here. I passed by very few people, thankfully, as the hour was late and most were either in bed or at the station bar. When I finally arrived at the door, I only then paused, breathing in deeply as I inserted the datakey into it's proper place. I only hope the room's current resident was not inside.
The door hissed open, sliding open and allowing me inside. I took no time slipping into the place, eyes adjusting to the dimly lit room, stilling my breath as much as possible. I heard nor saw any signs of life in here, silently thanking God in my mind for this thus far. As soon as the door behind me closed, I quickened a walking pace over to a wall close to the bed, fiddling with the panels there. "Come on, I know you are here somewhere," I whispered to myself, finally finding one that came loose. I held my breath, wondering if what lay beneath it was still there ...
A grin washed over my expressions at the small metal locked box was there, wasting no time to pull it out and replace the wall panel. A thumb on the lock pad opened the lid with a small click, the rest of my finger gently prying it open to have a peek inside.There they were, the whole reason I was even bothering the risk at all. A small complicated looking datachip in a small clear case, and what appeared to be a string of dark green beads ...my old prayer beads, the one thing from the Kingdom my grandmother never objected to me having around. Pocketing both, setting the box down, it was only then did I take a glance around the room, and breathed out a small mournful yet quiet sigh.
The memories I had here, though of a time long gone, flooded my mind. The quiet times I spent sitting on the couch reading before he annoyingly stopped by my door to see if I wanted to hang out. The pointless silly bickering we had walking down the halls of this station. Watching him get his ass drunk as I rolled my eyes while laughing. The kiss I had placed on his cheek, the rose he had left in front of my room door. The time in here, where he pressed me up against the wall, the passion that followed ...
*I know I cannot go back to that life anymore. I have sensed the changes within myself, seen them, and I know I am no longer that woman from that life. Still does not mean I will not grieve for what I once had, for a life that could have been.....*
Nearly lost in my thoughts, I barely had a chance to notice the door opening again, this time not from my own doing. "Shit," I uttered quietly, instantly racing towards the unidentified man at the door. He barely saw me, beginning to shout, "What the--!" was all he had time to say before I was on him. My quick reflexes and strength threw him way off guard as I nabbed him by the wrist with my left hand, pulling him fully into the room, allowing the door to close behind him now. I twisted the arm, pushing it's straight self back towards his shoulder. There was small crack as I did this, and cry of the man's pain as the move forced him to submit to his knees on the floor. Without saying a word to the man, the straight side of my right hand struck a part on his neck, knocking him out and collapsing to the floor in a heap.
Checking his pulse, making sure the man was alive, I finally left the room, my prizes in tow. I met no other resistance on my way out of this accursed station, and out of Federation territory. Thank the Lord he had allowed this quick visit to remain as uneventful as it did, that He granted me this chance to regain something I thought lost. I really did not want to kill anyone, or end up in another prison cell.
Though I have my doubts Esna would be happy to learn what I did to that man, even though it was needed.
At least the rest of what I aim to do is far less riskier, and hopefully put a smile as well as a glimmer of hope to a newer found friend.
