Recollections 002: The Path

You've seen part of the truth, this... is an attempt to get everything out in the open, here and now, before everything falls apart.  Please forgive the prose, it's the best way for me to remember.


***


Because I need to tell someone.  The only way I can, is this way.  I hope you understand.  I am sorry.


I tried, Rallence, I really did.  I simply wanted you to be at peace.


-Nikiruu


Amarr VIII (Oris) - Emperor Family Academy
111.01.05


Lord Amann Karris leaned against the railing. Below he could see the various denizens of the station going about their business. He felt closer to what he used to be when he stood there, staring down at the masses. Often he had gone to that spot, contemplating his past, his future, and his purpose.

Today was the first time he had gone there and known who he truly was. He smiled to himself, as the path before him had finally become clear.

"Amann," said the woman to his side, "I know you have made up your mind. That is not what I am arguing with you about."

"Niki, I know my path. I know where I belong. To be honest, I can continue without you, and perhaps I will achieve just as much." Amann turned to the woman, still smiling. "Your skills are replaceable, but you are not."

"You're the second person to tell me that in the past week." Niki sighed and turned, looking out over the promenade. "Alright... I will do this. For you, and only you, Amann."

He smiled to himself, even wider now. "Thank you." Amann placed his hand on Nikilaiki's, and squeezed it gently. "You know the path, it is time we walked it together."

Niki turned and smiled weakly at Amann. "It's too quiet."

"I know. We will find it again, don't worry." Amann pulled Niki closer to him, and held her. "We will find it again."

Surveillance Log 002: Citizen Astur

http://www.ihavereturned.com/08.html

Captured from datafile:

ZERO CALL SYSTEM LOCKOUT: DISABLED

MANUAL LOCKOUT: DISABLED

PLANET: ORUSE II

STATUS: CRITICAL / CODE 14 / SANSHA ATTACK

POPULATION: 1,483,891

LOCAL ASSETS: FEDNAV SQ. 9080D - DEPLOYED

GROUND DEFENCES: PHOENEM ARRAY CLASS 2

-- EXO SAM

-- S-R FLAK

-- GRAV DE-T

EVAC STATUS: A1,A2,B1,B2,C1,D1 EVACUATE CAPACITY

CAPSULEER PRESENCE:: NEGLIGIBLE / HOSTILE

LOCAL NETWORKS: COMPROMISED // ERROR c-3426#DF.A

LOG:

NOTIFY: ERROR c-3426#DF.A

LOCAL NOTIFY: OVERRIDE

LOCAL COMMS: OVERRIDE

LOCAL MEDIANET: OVERRIDE

LOCAL CNETWORK: OVERRIDE

LOCAL MCOMMS: OVERRIDE

LOCAL SEC-COM: OVERRIDE

LOCAL NEOCOM: OVERRIDE DENIED

LOCAL F-SYS: OVERRIDE DENIED

LOCAL CYNOSURAL: OVERRIDE DENIED

LOCAL DED-CAPTECH BARRIER: OVERRIDE DENIED

Important intel highlighted. Request further analysis.

Forwarded to Capsuleers via non-encrypted fluid routers as per protocol.

Sleeper Research Log 002: Deltole and Tangential Lines

The Deltole Cipher

I know; your first response will be "Deltole? There's nothing there related to the Sleepers."

You would, however, be very wrong.

Deltole is the ancient home of a race known as the Yan Jung. The Yan Jung, as many scholars know, used a "perpetual power source". Though this power source is as yet unknown (at least to most), there may be some hints, in the most unlikely of places.

Threaded Waypoint Map

Ancient Coordinates Database

Sleeper Data Library

Yes, there it is. A piece of the puzzle perhaps? The only real question is, how is this linked to the Sleepers?

Rogue Drones, Pirates and Sleepers: Oh my!

Now, this next part may be hard to swallow.

What do these pieces tell you? Study those terms and phrases carefully. There is something there that might explain the Serpentis and their knowledge of Gas Harvester technology.

What about these pieces? We know that the Jove seem to have the same technology as the Sleepers in many respects. Many suspect that the Angel Cartel stumbled onto some Second Empire Jove ruins...

Finally, these pieces? An old acquaintance has had some interesting theories, possibly pointing to similarities between the Talocan and the Thukker. This is, admittedly, the weakest link; but it does have some potential to explain further revelations.

To me, they speak to a very specific set of attributes, and technological capability.

Now, there is a final piece, and that is where Sansha's Nation comes in.

Read this very, very carefully. Do you see something that might be useful for Nation? Perhaps a vital piece of what they are?

Taken individually, these pieces are rather vague and no real connections can be drawn. Taken as a whole, and put in context of the applications said pieces can be used for, a pattern begins to appear.

This leads to the Rogue Drones, and specifically, their link to the Sleepers.

Code Aria

I leave it to the reader to dig through this, with an eye to what I have mentioned above. There are hints. I will continue to collect my data, and soon, very soon, I may reveal what I know. I don't know if you're ready for what I have to show you.

Protocol Dark Public Log 002: Cycles

http://eve.battleclinic.com/killboard/combat_record.php?type=player&name=Rallence+Ameteves

Beloved, Immortal

It has been months since I spoke with him. He still haunts my dreams. I discovered he had been "returned to Master" very shortly after I found myself caring for this... thing. The poor man was a member of True Power. I had spoken with him whenever I had the chance, slowly opening up holes and planting questions, waiting for the seeds of doubt to grow.

They took him from the field, though. They do that. Doubt. It has no place in Nation. When you doubt, you become a liability, because it's only a matter of time before you start questioning what you are doing, and eventually fail. A few seconds here, a few seconds there, and eventually someone catches on. Maybe you find a way to circumvent your objective, to give an advantage to your enemy, on the off chance that perhaps you'll be lucky and never wake up again.

Of course, there is no death in Nation. Eternal, undying life. Maybe you had some freedom, but every mistake on their part reduces the chances of the opportunity for you to make them on yours.

Citizen Astur said it herself; we are all great, we are all small. They are replaceable. Interchangeable parts, making up a united whole that is simply unimaginably complex. They are humans, of course. Twisted, wretched, miserable. What's more terrifying; A mind lost to a machine, or a mind inexorably tied to a machine? A mind consumed and reborn, only to see the process repeated, time after time, in an unending cycle?

Ouroboros.

We are something more though. We are consumed by fire, to be reborn anew. It is not an unending cycle; we can die. We can step away from the machine, and return when we wish. We have the opportunity to choose, to create without (unreasonable) restriction.

Phoenix.

Protocol Dark Public Log 001: Returning

It has been a long time. I have finally returned, but not in the way I had hoped. A shadow, a dream, a lost and forgotten child.

"Deceiver's Voice" is the name I have chosen. I've "gone dark". Off the grid, at least in regards to Capsuleer channels. There is much I have learned, and much that I must share.

CONCORD is merely a control for our kind. They are an error correction device. Capsuleers? They are simply an iteration. As is Nation. Our ultimate destiny? Something far greater. We enjoy power now simply because Capsuleers are the only ones who can act without retribution from the Empires, who can cross borders to provide assistance against an existential threat. So many focus on their loyalties to the lumbering monstrosities that are the Empires and Factions of New Eden, and fail to realize the true strength that we have.

Nation is simply one face of an ever present enemy. We must show you the truth, dear ones: In the end, it is we who are the true protectors of New Eden.

This information has been made public, this entire public directory that I have shared with you, for the purpose of showing you the path I have taken to get here. There is a tapestry to unveil, a twisted, tangled tale. Do you want to know the truth? Do you want to understand the true implications of what is occurring?

I invite you to follow my path, and when you are ready, embrace that destiny that we are so ready to find.

-Nikiruu, A.K.A. Deceiver's Voice

Personal Log Entry 007: Emergant

My new look.

I haven't updated my pilot's license yet, but I don't think it really matters. The... well, i don't know what to call it really, problem I guess you would call it, continues. The other Sisters have had similar issues. The "Voice" is gone, no longer calling to us. Is it an issue with the implants, or is it something else? We could not have all surpassed the limits of the implants at the same time. It's not possible.

We are not what we were, that much is certain. I am still a pilot, a member of Stillwater Corporation... but I don't know how I came to be here, why I am here, what I am doing here. It is as if I awoke from a dream, to find myself lost in my own life. As if while I slept, another had stepped in and taken control.

I am not complaining. My life is not at all something I hate, and I enjoy it. I remember the facts of what happened and where, but it seems like someone else was there, guiding everything.

That's the reason for my new look, really. Taking control of what I am, who I am. It has been only a day since the incident that precipitated all of this but I feel that it is needed. Two days ago, something else changed... I purchased a new ship, began taking contracts from a new agent. I also know I was planning an extended expedition, but I cannot for the life of me think of why I wanted to.

My New Ship.

The Lucifer. Isn't it beautiful? I looked up contracts for one on a whim, and this ship just... called to me. I want the larger versions, the Phantasm and the Nightmare. I must have them. I don't know why, but it just feels right.

The power of this vessel... it's exhilarating. The Nation truly outdid itself when designing these vessels. Their power is a testament to the single-minded devotion they have...

...and also a testament to how great a failure their leader was. It is only fitting that I use this tool, this gift from the "Master" to suit my own, individual, needs and desires.