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The Merchant from Ayvi
*** CREEAAK *** ... my centaur whines from the stresses of a wormhole jump.
I don't have many fancy ships ... just a Warthog Mk4 and a Centurion IBG to go along with my Rag and Centaur. The hog and IBG fill my botting and dueling needs, the Rag fills my mining needs (although I rarely mine), and the Centuar is my vehicle for profits ... my home away from home.
I prefer the ships with more of a belly to them. I've always been a trader. That's the reason I first stepped into that Itani issued shoebox (I refuse to call it a "bus") when I decided to venture into space. My job back on Ayvi (in the Metana system) just didn't pay me what I thought I should be earning. In fact, most Itani jobs don't pay very much. Money isn't a very important aspect of Itani life. I guess I don't meditate as much as other Itani, and I seek a more plush life. On top of that, when I was on Ayvi, I was yearning for the freedom that goes along with self-employment.
There are times that I regret making the decision to go to the stars. Most people are at peace in the vast emptiness of space, able to gaze for hours at the great nothingness that is just beyond the haul of their ship. Don't get me wrong, I have seen things out here that I couldn't fathom existing when I was back home, and the beauty of space is quite breathtaking. I just have a different relationship with space - it's one of mutual respect. I have a great respect for it, because of all the perils that make their home in space, and I think space respects me for venturing into it to make a living.
While I respect it, and it respects me, I just don't feel at home out here. My eyes ache for the wondrous vistas that surround my mountaintop home in the mighty Rivellas Mountain Chain of Ayvi. My skin burns for the cool breeze that wisps through those majestic peaks. It's the one place that I've felt at peace with the universe. Most folks find peace when they're amongst the stars; I find it perched upon a mountaintop, watching the Queens of Metana set on the horizon. (No, I'm not referring to hive queens, I'm referring to the two stars of the Metana system.)
Yet, for all of the love I have for what I consider home, here I am, in the depths of gray space, earning the credits that will allow me to retire and stay home for good. My business ventures have taken me through every known system of the universe, except for those systems that belong to the Serco. (But I've been to those, too. After I bought my first fast-charge battery I took a trip through Serco space in my IBG.)
I've met some some good people during my travels, including the group of pilots that I consider my business partners. After establishing myself as a respected trader, I became a member of The Guild of Free Traders. Most of them consider the UIT space home, but I find I have more in common with them than I do with my own people. My profits have never been higher since joining their ranks. I've collaborated with them a number of times during the past few months, but I still often find myself out on my own.
It's interesting, I find my status as an Itani merchant as unique. I don't see many fellow Itani in UIT or gray space. The ones I do see are often working hard for the CtC effort. I suppose my desire for money (which I believe will make my life more comfortable) sets me apart from most Itani. Another thing that sets me apart is that I don't hate the Serco - not even deep down. I may disagree with their politics and their methods, but I respect their way of life. In fact, I wish I wasn't KOS in Serco space, because I'd love to be able to trade there. Maybe I'll try to sneak into Serco space and destroy some of those pesky hive bots, to show them I'm not as bad as they think I am.
Oh well, that's the fact of life these days. Most people only see you for what space you are from, not who you are. My beloved Rivellas Mountains don't care that I am from blue space, and hopefully I'll be able to return there soon.
*** BLEEP *** ... an incoming hail on my comm system.
Hrm, Martin.mac.au wants a 25k non-negotiable "donation" because he's a depressed android. Silly pirate, I'm already at 170m/s and 1500km away from my in-system jump point. I'll be on my way without a confrontation.
I don't have many fancy ships ... just a Warthog Mk4 and a Centurion IBG to go along with my Rag and Centaur. The hog and IBG fill my botting and dueling needs, the Rag fills my mining needs (although I rarely mine), and the Centuar is my vehicle for profits ... my home away from home.
I prefer the ships with more of a belly to them. I've always been a trader. That's the reason I first stepped into that Itani issued shoebox (I refuse to call it a "bus") when I decided to venture into space. My job back on Ayvi (in the Metana system) just didn't pay me what I thought I should be earning. In fact, most Itani jobs don't pay very much. Money isn't a very important aspect of Itani life. I guess I don't meditate as much as other Itani, and I seek a more plush life. On top of that, when I was on Ayvi, I was yearning for the freedom that goes along with self-employment.
There are times that I regret making the decision to go to the stars. Most people are at peace in the vast emptiness of space, able to gaze for hours at the great nothingness that is just beyond the haul of their ship. Don't get me wrong, I have seen things out here that I couldn't fathom existing when I was back home, and the beauty of space is quite breathtaking. I just have a different relationship with space - it's one of mutual respect. I have a great respect for it, because of all the perils that make their home in space, and I think space respects me for venturing into it to make a living.
While I respect it, and it respects me, I just don't feel at home out here. My eyes ache for the wondrous vistas that surround my mountaintop home in the mighty Rivellas Mountain Chain of Ayvi. My skin burns for the cool breeze that wisps through those majestic peaks. It's the one place that I've felt at peace with the universe. Most folks find peace when they're amongst the stars; I find it perched upon a mountaintop, watching the Queens of Metana set on the horizon. (No, I'm not referring to hive queens, I'm referring to the two stars of the Metana system.)
Yet, for all of the love I have for what I consider home, here I am, in the depths of gray space, earning the credits that will allow me to retire and stay home for good. My business ventures have taken me through every known system of the universe, except for those systems that belong to the Serco. (But I've been to those, too. After I bought my first fast-charge battery I took a trip through Serco space in my IBG.)
I've met some some good people during my travels, including the group of pilots that I consider my business partners. After establishing myself as a respected trader, I became a member of The Guild of Free Traders. Most of them consider the UIT space home, but I find I have more in common with them than I do with my own people. My profits have never been higher since joining their ranks. I've collaborated with them a number of times during the past few months, but I still often find myself out on my own.
It's interesting, I find my status as an Itani merchant as unique. I don't see many fellow Itani in UIT or gray space. The ones I do see are often working hard for the CtC effort. I suppose my desire for money (which I believe will make my life more comfortable) sets me apart from most Itani. Another thing that sets me apart is that I don't hate the Serco - not even deep down. I may disagree with their politics and their methods, but I respect their way of life. In fact, I wish I wasn't KOS in Serco space, because I'd love to be able to trade there. Maybe I'll try to sneak into Serco space and destroy some of those pesky hive bots, to show them I'm not as bad as they think I am.
Oh well, that's the fact of life these days. Most people only see you for what space you are from, not who you are. My beloved Rivellas Mountains don't care that I am from blue space, and hopefully I'll be able to return there soon.
*** BLEEP *** ... an incoming hail on my comm system.
Hrm, Martin.mac.au wants a 25k non-negotiable "donation" because he's a depressed android. Silly pirate, I'm already at 170m/s and 1500km away from my in-system jump point. I'll be on my way without a confrontation.
A nice story and well written. I'm shocked that you don't support the Black Lance "Fund for Androids who suffer from Clinical Depression" though.
:D
:D
Thanks. =)
Maybe Black Lance should hold a telethon. :-P
Maybe Black Lance should hold a telethon. :-P
I gave money for those poor Androids. I know martin will use my money to help them. ;)