lunes, 25 de marzo de 2013

Personal Diary: March 26th, year 115

Grounded. I've been grounded for two weeks. It's strange to be frustrated by being forced to remain away from something I once ran away from, but I am. I definitely am!

It all started a few weeks ago, when I noticed my implants were not conveying my orders well to the ship, which caused minor glitches and problems. So I went to a cyberdoctor for him to take a look into them and diagnose what happened, and he did.

Kasioper's Syndrome. Fucking Kasioper's Syndrome.

Among pod pilots that become so late, it's a legend. If you face the wetgrave when you are of a certain age on, your mind is not as flexible as it used to be, can't adapt as much or as quickly. For some few, this means it never fully adapt because the neurons don't make all the necessary bridges between them, and the new functions they have to develop. And, in time, when the Syndrome kicks in, these neurons start cutting those connections back into those of a "normal mind".

That's me now. My mind seems to have decided it no longer wants to be a pod pilot, or something, and is starting to modify itself back. And, being a brain pattern, it moves with you when you clone as it modifies your brain structure.

Now, all hope is not lost. According to the doctor, there are some treatments for it, experimental techniques and therapies. It's a new disease, so not much is known, but there's a big investment in many medical corporations to work on it thanks to the massive funds capsuleers with the Syndrome funnel into them. That's good.

So, where do I stand now? I should get my treatment tomorrow, maybe the day after, depending on some sort of cycles of neural pruning. The surgery and pattern modification won't cure the Syndrome, but it will revert temporarily. I'll have to keep coming for more treatments as soon as the symptoms reappear, and each time the technique works a little worse. In the end, I'll be unable to fully access my implants and, thus, use them to fly.

But, hopefully, before that time comes new medical treatments are found, more effective and definitive. Hopefully.

lunes, 11 de marzo de 2013

Ship Log: Memories from the Origins

Amarr Legio Basilica, recording started
Date: march 12th, year 115
Pilots present: Esna Pitoojee, Rin Kaelestria, Sepherim Catillah

Sepherim is slightly grinning from his place
Esna Pitoojee pushes himself up, wandering over to Sepherim
> Afternoon, Mr. Catillah. Enjoying whatever you are doing, may I assume?
Sepherim > I am, more or less, Wolf Pitoojee
Sepherim > but was thinking mostly on memories
Sepherim > the reference to the waiting game brought those back
Sepherim > and you?
Esna Pitoojee > Ah... *He chuckles gently.* ...quite well myself. Might I ask about those particular memories?
Sepherim > sure, if you have time for a story...
Esna Pitoojee > ...I am not planning on going anywhere real soon.
Rin Kaelestria puts the datapad away now, and looks towards Seph. "Forgive me for not answering sooner. But by all means, if you wish to tell the story, we have ears to listen to it."
Sepherim > as you prefer, you both seemed to have important matters to discuss, and I wouldn't want to interrupt those with a distant memory
Rin Kaelestria shakes her head. "Not at all. If I were truely busy, I would not be here in the first place." Smiles a little.
Sepherim nods, and takes the theatrical voice one of an old story-teller

Lehtryska briskly striides into the Cathedral, scanning the crowd.
Esna Pitoojee chuckles softly
> Indeed, please continue - unless we are pestering you? Please, don't allow us to bother you.
Sepherim > then it happened somewhere along, September of year 103
Sepherim > I was in the Bleak Lands, a freshman under the orders of Templar Liuteneant Anna Mirth, may she eternally rest well
Lehtryska notices Sepherim and moves straight for him.
Sepherim > we were scanning Myyhera that...
Sepherim looks at Lehtryska, unsure
Lehtryska lowers her head slighty in greeting.
Esna Pitoojee glances to the new arrival, blinking slightly.
Rin Kaelestria politely nods her head to the new woman here.
Sepherim waits to see if she has anything to say, or he should continue the tale

Lehtryska > 'captain' Sepherim. My Brother Errubus Iakura send his greetings and his apologies for his abrupt departure earlier.
Lehtryska > I appear to have interupted a conversation. My apologies are now added. please continue sir.
Sepherim > oh, I see, then it's a pleasure to meet you, captain Lehtryska
Sepherim > send your brother my best regards, and tell him not to worry
Lehtryska laughs lightly
Lehtryska > that is like telling suns to stop giving light.
Esna Pitoojee grins slightly at that comment.
Sepherim nods, and returns to the tale

Sepherim > well, I was a freshman then, and the Liuteneant was a strict woman
Lehtryska nods ever so slightly in greeting to every one as she moves to a quiet corner.
Sepherim > recently, Omir Sarikusa had started the Blood Raider uprising, naming himself God under the suns, or something equially absurd
Sepherim > and the Imperial Navy still hadn't their orders clear
Sepherim > so we were sent there, to gather intelligence on the forces of the enemy, positions they defended, and such
Esna Pitoojee goes back to listening, keeping quiet.
Sepherim > and there is where the waiting game comes in
Sepherim > Intelligence services require a lot of waiting, just pushing the right strings in the proper times, as I'm sure captain Kaelestria knows
Rin Kaelestria > Mhm. *nods slowly*
Sepherim > so I had docked in one of the stations and was having a drink among potential hostiles, just overhearing their conversations
Sepherim > since I wasn't a pod pilot back then, I didn't call as much attention on myself as I would do now
Sepherim > so I was there, whiskey in hand and discrete attitude on my lips, just trying to play "being nobody"
Sepherim > which, everyone knows that, for a self-sure rookie, is nearly impossible
Sepherim > when one of the blooders decides I am not one of them, that I am a spy
Sepherim > sure, he was right, but I had to play my part as being offended
Sepherim > problem of being offended when you are surrounded by enemies is... well, it usually doesn't end well
Sepherim > and the waiting game requires a patience I had little of then
Sepherim > so things escalated quickly, and I was quickly cornered by four angry blooders claiming for my blood, while I tried to tell them how much of a dork they were for thinking I was an imperial spy
Sepherim > I should have died there, I know now, and I knew then
Sepherim > if it wasn't for providence, that laid an angel before me
Sepherim > or, to be precise, behind them
Sepherim > for Angela Muri-Agon was delicate, nice, intelligent... and dangerous
Sepherim > behind her girlish appearance and manners, Liuteneant Muri-Agon was one of the best Intelligence officers I've met in my years of service
Sepherim > and she was able not only to kick the asses of the four of them
Sepherim > but to do so without blowing her cover... and replacing mine back where it belong
Sepherim > and that's where the story ends, at least the part that is decent to tell
Sepherim > it's a pity both her and Liuteneant Mirth are no longer among us
Esna Pitoojee has let his grin spread as he tells the story > A true blessing, sounds like.
Sepherim > but I learned with them both more than years of service could teach
Sepherim grows silent, nodding to Esna's words
Rin Kaelestria > Sorry to hear they are no longer with us, but thanks to them, you still are.
Sepherim > indeed, service in the Navy takes a heavy toll
Sepherim > and not having clones to back you means that many don't make it
Sepherim > Blooders took Liuteneant Mirth and should have taken me as well
Sepherim > and I wasn't allowed to know where Liuteneant Muri-Agon went MIA
Sepherim shakes his head, sadly
Esna Pitoojee bows his own head slightly
> ...I see...
Rin Kaelestria also bows her head, frowning a touch now.
Sepherim > sorry, I wanted to remain focused on the happy part of the story... I guess those years of my life have too much good mixed with the bad to be easily sepparated
Esna Pitoojee > ...you do well to preserve their memories, the good parts as well as the less so.
Sepherim > I guess so, but doesn't make much of a good story to tell, the sad parts should be honored in their shrines
Sepherim > not... here
Esna Pitoojee > ...indeed... *He smiles a little again.* ...then, I suppose I should ask how have you been holding up more recently?

Recording stopped

Personal Diary: March 12th, year 115

Today Commander Mirra opened a call for assistance in the processing of new recruits, so he doesn't have to handle the massive amount of applications on his own, as he is a busy man. I've applied, and the Commander has accepted my application to aid him in the interviews of applicants for PIE Inc.

I've done my first interview today, actually. Cerena Yassavi was the interviewed, and though I can't disclose the details here, I believe the interview went well. At least my part of it. I did make some mistakes, which Commander Mirra clearly pointed out, and I've learned from them. I hope next ones go even better.

miércoles, 6 de marzo de 2013

Personal Diary: March 7th, year 115

Today I led my first organized fleet. It was nothing big or fancy, just taking the new pilots of the Praetoria to the Bleak Lands, to teach them how to plex. I did two runs, with different groups, and it all went well. Only ship lost was mine, so no big loss at all, and it was good to be back into FCing and doing things with corp-mates. And now, there's more pilots ready to join the frontlines and serve the Empire.

I also got my first medal: the Order of the Golden Sword. For taking down my first enemies in the warfront. It's a honor to have it displayed in my quarters, and linked into my profile for all to see. And a proof that I'm walking in the right direction.

So, all and all, it's been a good day. One step closer to my goals of being a worthy and capable pilot in the frontlines.

viernes, 1 de marzo de 2013

Personal Diary: March 2nd, year 115

Today was one of those strange days in which nothing was planned, and yet a lot has happened. A meaningful lot.

It all started with routine patrolling and plexing in Haras. It was heavily contested, but out of the frontlines, so it was a good place to plex alone, get some LPs, and bring a system back into a secure status. I met Terminator9999 there, and we started plexing together. Thanks to my skills, we formed a small fleet of two and moved from there on when no plexes were left.

We decided to plex Sosan, as it was almost vulnerable. We met three more pilots there, and we fleeted with them. And started plexing with Terminator as FC. I lost a Punisher there, but refitted quickly from Amarr. We drew a couple more, and started spamming the militia channel to get people to join us and retake Sosan. And someone then said Saidusairos was already vulnerable. Commander Shutaq joined us briefly.

Since I was in my INS Nightwatch, I couldn't do much harm to an IHUB, so the fleet moved there and we kept in touch. I plexed on Sosan a bit more, and soon a few frigates joined me. And, after three years, I became FC. A plexing operation, yes, and a small one, but we did engage into a small battle and my orders worked perfectly.

I was nervous, I must admit it... even more than nervous, frightened. Lives again depending on me, directly. But things worked out, and we capped plex after plex while the rest of the fleet turned Saidusairos back into amarrian hands. So the fleet headed back to Sosan to meet with us and take the system. One plex at a time.

And then, captain Terminator had to retire, as he was too sleepy. I was so too, but adrenaline in my veins kept me going... and going I had to, as I just became the fleet commander of twenty to thirty pilots in all kinds of ships, from frigates like my Punisher to full battleships. The system became vulnerable under my guided efforts, and we moved to attack the IHUB.

The enemy engaged us then, and a massive battle followed. I have to admit I was one of our side's casualties, but we only lost small ships while the enemy was obliterated. And it was a collective effort, we all did our part.


So I went back to Amarr, and brought out the Wraith, aiming to make it back and attack the IHUB. And I did, but the Minmatarr militia capped a plex and drew the system out of vulnerable status. So we moved to a medium plex, and took positions inside. They came, and a second battle followed, and though we did have some minor losses, there too we were victorious.


But it was late for me, I capped a couple more plexes but it was time to retire. It had been a full day, and the fleet continued working after I had to retire, so I hope next time I get into the pod Sosan is back in Amarrian hands. But surprises weren't over yet.

Admiral Newelle told me I had been promoted, no longer an Initiate in the Praetoria, but an Ensign now. The perfect brooch for a perfect night. And now, I can retire to bed. Back in the frontlines, for real.