Continuum

Region: Genesis

Location: Pakhshi IX – Moon 20 – CONCORD Bureau

Date: 18.05.117

Time: 01:14

The last few days of the Pakhshi Peace Conference had been rough. Following the tragic death of Dr. Arkon Sarain, everyone had been on edge and it had taken little to spark a flurry of emotionally charged debates. Today’s argument had centered on delegate Natheniel’s proposal on slavery – a topic any peace conference has the inevitable joy of addressing. 

“The issue with slavery in the Amarr Empire needs to be addressed. I propose, in the interest of creating a chance at peace, that slavery be made voluntary. Those of the Minmatar, who wish to leave, should be permitted to do so. This will give a compromise to the Minmatar, to allow a chance for that war to be resolved.”

Of course the Minmatar delegates were offended by the proposal, more so out of pride than logic. Who did this Caldari think he was anyway, suggesting what was best for their people?

Sahriah sighed, sipping her water and zoning out of the argument that had migrated itself to the coffee house. She was distinctly unhappy with delegate’s decision to combine the commission on ‘Emergent threats’ with her one on ‘CONCORD’s Suitability to Maintain Peace’. While the Drifters were high on her agenda for this conference, Emmaline’s commission had now been merged to incorporate all emergent threats, including Sansha, rouge drones and any other ‘obstacles opposed to peace’. Not only did this water down the commissions focus on the Drifters, but having it now merged again with the commission on CONCORD meant that both important issues would now need to contend with irrelevant ones for attention. 

Her neocom beeped and she stood, making her way towards the exit before bothering to check the notification. It would undoubtedly be another target ‘casually’ inquiring as to why CONCORD had approved a war on them. It was something that had grown to become one of Sahriah’s favourite aspects of mercenary work: watching their act of confidence while they tried to glean information on who her client was. Often there was no client at all, but it always made it easier to negotiate when the target thought she was just doing her job, instead of indulging in.. piratical tendencies.

As she slid through the small crowd, nearing the door, she overheard something that caught her attention.

“I'm not your typical Matari however”

"No, you're Sabik. I'm not sure if that makes you better or worse than most Minmatar."

Sahriah paused and looked over to the source of the conversation. Simeon and Samira were sitting together nearby, having a quiet but seemly intense discussion. Both were Minmatar by blood, but Samira lived in the Empire and had been working with the Amarrian delegates during the conference, while Simeon, despite only being a public observer, had been quite active in contributing to the Minmatar coalitions resolve on many matters thus far.

“I don't deny what I am, it is what it is. However it is every Matari's right to follow their heart, mine led to this. As yours has kept you in the Empire” Simeon replied.

"Well. We'll discuss it. That's what we can do."

“That's all we can ask for really. Talk can lead to action”

Samira looked tired "The call to action is on the Republic, though."

The neocom beeped once again, demanding her attention. She lingered for a moment, hoping the conversation would steer itself back to Simeon’s apparent affiliations, but it did not, so she continued out the door, making a mental note to glean information on the subject later. 

Sitting down on one of the couches in the security hall she tapped the screen, before giving pause to the flashing communication request it presented her. Azaziel Rei  

Azaziel was an astute Khanid woman whom Sahriah had first met in YC111, shortly after she had joined the Amarr Militia. A former member of the Khanid special forces and a cyberknight, Ms. Rei's commanding presence and intriguing philosophical stance led to the two conducting several joint operations together and resulted in a partnership centered around research into Takmahl and Sleeper technology.

She tapped the accept button and opened voice communication, routing it directly through her implants as to not be overheard.

Azaziel’s voice flooded into her mind “Ms Bloodstone. I hope your "peace" conference is proceeding well.” 

She smiled. Of course she knew exactly where Sahriah was, Azaziel was never one to be uninformed. She thought back her response, curious as to why every old acquaintance was now springing forth at once.

 “Ms. Rei. It has been some time. I see you are as...informed as ever. What can I do for you?”

“I am contacting you from [REDACTED] in Anoikis. I've set up a link through some unstable connections to Federation controlled Space. I understand that you are ... probing CONCORD for information concerning the entities now appearing in known space. As I am sure you are aware, these Drifters, as they are being called, are similar but not quite the same as the Jove. What you may not be aware of is that following the detonation in Jove space, that there have been some ... developments in the project.”

Sahriah leaned back in her chair “Developments?”

“Are you familiar with the connection of previously documented systems in Anoikis with new as of yet un-mapped systems?”

“You speak of the shattered systems?” 

“Yes”

“I have traveled to a few, including Thera, but I have not spent much time in them. They’ve been crawling with other capsuleers since we gained access”

“Are you also aware that these systems contain a location known as "The Epicenter? I use that terminology since it seems to be how the neocom chooses to interpret the sensor data. I have been observing a few of these sites and they are very interesting.”

Sahriah listened intently, cueing Azaziel to continue 

“Do you remember my Theory that I told you once. That capsule technology was given to humanity by the Jove for an ulterior motive? That there was something more at stake than the worlds we know?”

“Of course.”

“I believe the shattered systems that have been documented may "be" Jovian.”

Sahriah frowned. “Jovian? How?”

“I believe that they were possibly destroyed by either the Talocan, or through the use of Talocan technology. Every shattered System I have visited contains an Epicenter, every Epicenter contains a series of artificially created wormholes, and the gates holding these wormholes open read as Talocan in origin. Additionally, the locations appear to have constructs of sleeper origins. I suspect that the apparent destruction of Jove space, and I am now fairly confident it was destroyed, was a volley in a war which will soon be at our doorstep. I also believe CONCORD knows, or rather suspects this."

Sahriah remained quiet for a moment, considering her words and stood, heading towards the elevators “You are aware of the recent Scope video?” 

“Yes I am.”

She entered the elevator and hit the Docking Bay button. “CONCORD’s actions surrounding this whole event are suspicious. They said that recording was at least six months old. I had my doubts, but if what you are saying is true, that may mean that invasion force attacked Jove space first. Now they are here uncovering Jove structures in our space… Have we been able to penetrate these epicenters?”

“No they are too unstable. I have also heard that there are similar holes near Jovian structures in Empire Space. There are also rumors of caches of Sleeper technology located in Empire space as well. If that is true I believe the Empires are on the threshold of being attacked. It is imperative that we learn everything we can about the drifters.”

The doors opened and Sahriah stepped out into the hall, heading towards her ship. 

“I agree. We believe the Jove structures are observatories of some kind. They are very intent on accessing them currently. They also continue to scan our structures and ships while CONCORD does nothing. Most other capsuleers have buried their heads in the sand concerning it also. ”

There was a brief pause before Azaziel’s voice materialized in her head again. “They will. They have no understanding of what is coming and no understanding of their responsibility to humanity. I believe the Drifters may be looking for "evidence” of something. There is a "presence" in Anoikis. It guides the Sleeper Drones.” She paused briefly before continuing. “Are you still on board with me on our ... endeavour?”

Sahriah eyed the security guards as they increased in number, a signal that she was close to the bay. "I am. What is your next step? Do you know anything about this Talocan technology?"

“I've asked Ms. Rel to join me out in Anoikis. I will be consolidating the rest of my forces soon. For now I'd like you to continue to monitor the situation with CONCORD. Maintain your position within the mercenary alliance you are operating. Notify me immediately if you happen upon anything associated with the drifters.”

She nodded, then quickly remembered Azaziel could not see her. Before she could internalize her reply Azaziel continued. 

“And watch your back. The closer you get, the closer CONCORD is likely to monitor you. They are professional so they will not move in the open; they'll come at you sideways. I've established a base here in [REDACTED]. Come here if things get out of hand in K-Space. Let me know ahead of time though. The automated defences don't take kindly to strangers.”

She passed the last security guard and stepped onto the docking ramp of her beloved Stratios class cruiser, turning and glancing back at the big CONCORD sign engraved into the station panelling with a sly grin. “A little hard considering I work with them on a daily basis and the peace conference I am attending is in one of their stations. I’m sure they are monitoring me. Ms. Vesran from the DED has replied somewhat coldly to my attempts for information”

The amusement was reciprocated in Azaziel’s voice. “For now they are likely amused by your inquiries. Keep it that way. They will become less amused as you get closer. The delegates will likely know nothing individually. You need to piece together the picture from the threads they all have. Some of them likely have information they don't even know about. Be careful of false conclusions. Just gather the data, analysis will come later.”

Boarding her ship, she headed towards her quarters. “There are a few delegates who seem particularly insistent on confronting the drifter threat. A Miss Emmaline Fera and Mr Frenjo Borkstar. I intend on probing further. I have also managed to join a mailing list for the Arek'Jaalan, of which Mr. Borkstar is an associate of. Are you familiar with them?

“No?” She sounded puzzled. “What are they doing?”

Sahriah grinned as she sauntered down the corridor “That is unlike you Ms.Rei. The Arek'Jaalan is a group intent on researching and exploring Sleeper and Talocan technology, their founder was Hilen Tukoss. You can find their public data here." She accessed the related files and transferred them through the communication link. "They are currently engaged in a unified effort to track and study the drifters. They’re also conducting a search and rescue operation for Hilen."

“Interesting ...” her response was thoughtful “A rescue operation is pointless but it motivates them, and they are likely to discover a fair amount of information in the effort. Recovery of his sensor logs could be very informative. Keep tabs on them”

“I will forward you any relevant data they uncover. I am attempting to rectify a commission on the Drifters that was…altered by the congress today. I am hoping it will allow me to glean more useful information relating to this.”

There was another pause before Azaziel’s response. “If they are likely to provoke a response in their activities, I recommend caution. An informed and measured approach must be pursued. Do not lose sight of the fact that we are facing an unknown threat, in numbers, disposition, and capabilities. Provoking them at this point would be unwise. That said, this group would likely provide a good shield for our activities.”

 

“I think the capsuleers out here are already provoking that response. The number of drifters I see patrolling high-sec have been increasing slowly. They not only venture into Amarr now, they sit outside the Emperor Family station.” She tapped the pass code into the door and stepped into her quarters, sitting down on her bed.

Azaziel's response was succinct. “If you need to contact me before I contact you.  Contact a man called Shinzu Hatake.  He is ... A friend. Take care Ms. Bloodstone.” 

Sahriah laid her head back onto her pillow as she felt the communication link fade. “Fly safety Ms. Rei”