New Beginnings

A fresh start, new horizons . . . are they what they appear to be? My hopes, dreams and entire future rest on this one decision, will it allow me to soar on fresh, uncluttered wings, ascending to heights unknown . . . or will it crash and burn, still born, like so many others.

Rath stopped her musing and turned towards the command console, responding to the electronic chatter that ruled her daily existence more and more of late. It was inevitable in a way, as E-Day got closer, the carefully laid plans that had been put in place were altering, mostly external factors, but some of it was changes brought about my brainwaves sparked from the conglomerate of pilots linked to Rath.

She turned again, and then, just span on her chair, purely for the novelty.

Some things you never grow out of she giggled to herself softly, then focused her attention on the shadow that had detached itself from the bulkhead.

It spoke softly, so much that it sounded like a hissing noise, but Rath caught every word. She frowned and swiftly got up, smoothing her black fatigues down over her spartan frame before stepping past the bulkhead and into the gloom beyond.

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Upon entering the recessed hold set into the framework of the Gallente Strategic Cruiser Кровь баня the quiet conversation dwindled into a respectful silence.

Sweeping her gaze across the room she met everyone's eyes, locking onto her lovers for a fraction of a second longer than anyone elses, but only his sister, as she was prone to do noticed.

"Friends, you know why I am here today, I'm not going to try and bore you to death with what you already know, we're all friends here, in some cases more than that" she said pointedly, looking at the hulking Brutor brute already entangled with the voluptous semi-naked Gallentean.

"Will you pair stop fucking around, and I mean that in the most literal sense of the word" she said loudly to catch their attention.

The pair unabashedly looked up and smiled as one, an almost creepy sight; the hulking giant of a man in the same pose as the petite woman at his side. He threw one of his bear-like hands around her shoulders and pulled her close again before assuming an air of utmost attention.

"I'm gunna come right out and ask each one of you, right here, so that no-one is left out and everyone knows what the rest is thinking. Rapumtra, you're first, though I feel I already know what the answer will be." She smiled softly at the Brutor.

"You know as well as I do Boss that my job is to protect you no matter what, I'm with you to the end" he spoke in a slow drawl that seemed typical of his stature.

The lithe Gallentean spoke up quickly, "Rap darling, that accent is so passe, don't be such a merde-tête, we know you're intelligent, you don't have to act around us."

He merely smiled and winked at her before reaching under the table. There was the sound of a smack and his grin broadened as he withdrew his hand.

Rath rolled her eyes to giggles from the youngest member of the group. "I take it you're following Rap then Silicon?"

She nodded affirmative, unusually serious, then broke into a smile and said "You know me Rath hunny, I'm always in one place, Jita's my home and I love it, it doesn't make a difference to me where you go, I'll be with you."

Rath nodded and turned her attention to the far corner of the table, "Ilion, you're up, what's it to be?"

Her lover turned gentle eyes on her, his visor up for once and spoke imperiously, as he had all of his adult life, "I'm with you no matter what Sir, you saved my life, and my sisters, I'm sure I speak for us both when I say yes Sir."

The pretty redhead seated next to Ilion chirped in nodding, "Double yeppers from me, where he goes, I go."

Rath smiled happily at the pair "I'm glad to hear it."

"It's hardly like we have anywhere else to go" Ilion spoke softly, the previously calm air took on an aspect like broken ice. Rath walked slowly up behind him and whispered in his ear, despite everyone else being clearly able to hear what was said

"If you still have a problem with it then come to my quarters later and we discuss it, until then, keep quiet."

Rath stood up frowning and was about to speak to the last member of the ensemble before the redhead said loudly "Dun dun duh!" which broke the tension and made everyone smile.

"Trust you Grainger," she said, using her last name as a sign of warning before shattering the illusion by winking broadly at her.

"I take it you want my choice then Captain," Isabelle's voice cut across "I still think it's highly dangerous and foolhardy but as your second-in-command, I suppose it is my prerogative to support your choices."

"Thankyou, as ever, for your unwavering support and confidence Bella." Rath said using the pet name she hated.

"Not at all Captain." she said snappily.

"I'm glad that we're all agreed on our course, if any of you has any doubts, then please come and talk to me. The road ahead isn't easy by any means, so make sure you are prepared. Make sure you're ships are ready and the correct cargos are assigned, this could be a bumpy ride."