It's About Time(IC)

"Sir! Armor is down to 50%! If you don't warp off soon we're all gonna die!" So screamed the crew chief of my two week old Raven class battleship.


I cringed as the grating sound of his voice echoed around my pod. Before it had even begun to die down I hollered back through his headset, "I know! I am connected to the ship with my brain after all! Now shut-up  and get back to work! All I need to do is kill just one more of these megathrons and.....there! He's down, see now the booster will be able to keep up with the incoming blasts."


That was the conversation I was forced to have during a stressful moment of an unusually difficult mission. The rest of the job went off without a hitch, but in those moments I had made up my mind that some changes were in order.


As soon as I received my payment from the agent, I had my pod moved to the debarkation zone. Within minutes I was walking up the gangway of my ship, I was so furious I didn't even bother to rinse off. I walked straight to the crew chief's quarters and slammed open his door. I walked in on him during a conversation with one of the other officers.


"...it's like he doesn't even know what he's doing...Sir!" the crew chief finished with a salute.


The other officer turned pale when he saw me standing there. "OUT!" I roared while glaring at him. He shuffled out very quickly.


When the door had closed, "What is the meaning of this?! Having disrespectful discussions about me while aboard my own ship?" He opened his mouth to speak, "No! Don't answer, I'm not finished!" He closed his mouth again and continued to stand at attention, "This is the ninth time we are having this conversation. How many times do I have to tell you, I am the pilot for a reason, it's my job to fly the ship and to get her crew home safely. You, on the other hand are the crew chief, your job is to make sure the crew is working to their full potential, no matter what you think is happening on the outside of the ship. For your information, I didn't have a choice but to finish it the way I did, I had 2 frigates scrambling me, but between all the other alarms that were going off and your incessant whining I guess you didn't hear that one. And who knows, if you had been doing your job, we might never have taken armor damage to begin with. So shut it and let me fly my ship. Or you know what? I have a better idea, since you can't seem to remember having this conversation less than 2 hours after the last time we had it, you're fired." I pulled out a data pad and begun transferring funds, "Here is your pay for this month and here is enough 'severance' to charter a coach flight, on the cheapest Interbus I can find, back to The Forge. Now get off my ship!"


To his credit he didn't say a word of protest, he just walked out, trying to look as dignified as he could.


I walked over to the nearest wall mounted comm unit and made a ship-wide announcement, "Attention crew, this is the captain speaking, I have just fired the crew chief for incompetence, and I want everyone on the dock in front of the ship in 30 minutes."


I walked briskly back to the debarkation zone to rinse off the pod goo that was beginning to dry my hair into spikes.


"Was that your crew chief I just saw walking out of here looking like a whipped pup?" asked the debarkation assistant when I arrived back at the showers.


"Yes, it was."


"If you don't mind me asking, what did he do?"


"Worried too much about his wallet, and not enough about what he was supposed to be doing. Typical Caldari."


"Ah, I see."

**

Thirty minutes later...

**

I paced in front of my crew, which was standing at attention in a sharp line. In a stern, but much calmer voice than before I said, "We've only been working together for a short time, but in that time I have come to realize that many of you don't belong on a Minmatar ship."

I paused for a moment and lifted a datapad and started entering commands. When I did, one of the enlisted men spoke up.

"But sir, a Raven is a Caldari battleship, the reason you hired us is because we're Caldari and have more experience with this class of..." He trailed off as he caught my withering glare.

I looked down at the data pad, "Well, Mr. Loyalar, I am Minmatar and it's my ship, that makes it a Minmatar ship, because it's run like one. Now the next person to open their mouth unless asked to speak will be escorted to the stations brig. Now, I've been looking over your files this past week and I've decided that most you need to be let go."

For the next 45 minutes I called off the names of the crew members I had selected to let go. I gave each of them the same severance package I gave the chief, only with a enough for a middle class shuttle instead of the cheapest one around. When I finished there was only about one fourth of the crew left. I addressed them in a lighter tone.

"At ease!" They all shifted into the more comfortable position in unison, "Those of you that remain, I have chosen for your hard work and acceptable attitude. I am not a man to bear grudges based on someone's race, but I do know that stereotypes exist for a reason. That being said, I selected you not because you don't fit the stereotype assigned to your race, I chose you because you fit the qualities I  am looking for in crewmen. I will be hiring more people to fill out the roster, but all of you will be the officers and I'm trusting you to train the new recruits in the function of this vessel as soon as possible. Chorly, you stay here, the rest of you, dismissed."

After everyone had filed out of the hanger only a man in his mid-thirties remained.

"I saw in your record that you used to be the crew chief aboard a Caracal. How would you like the job aboard this ship."

"I don't know sir, this is a much bigger ship."

"I think you can handle it, it's not really that much different, it still shoots exclusively missiles and uses shields for defense, only bigger." I replied with a smile.

"I'll do my best sir."

"That's all I ask. You are dismissed."

He walked out of the hanger and I climbed the gangway to take a much needed rest.

Die Ye Citizens Of Geminate(IC)

I woke up this morning expecting another long day of hauling ships and modules for people on the long trip between Berta and Ikami. To my utter surprise however, the senior crew of White Talon Enterprises had planned a roam around our new space. I was ecstatic. Our first roam in our new home...


Buck Flintrock > when is these roam tonight?  in an hour?
Sorin Markov > :30 i believe
Maxwell Muhilo > wait what roam?
Buck Flintrock > i better hump it then.  30 jumps out in a badger
Maxwell Muhilo > yea book it
Maxwell Muhilo > and what roam?
Sorin Markov > no sry
Sorin Markov > 2:00 Eve time
Buck Flintrock > ah good
Buck Flintrock > I have time
Maxwell Muhilo > so 1 hour
Maxwell Muhilo > but what roam!
Sorin Markov > security operation
Buck Flintrock > lol
Keharna > cruisers and BC's
Maxwell Muhilo > need a pvp ruppy fit
Maxwell Muhilo > does anyone have one
Maxwell Muhilo > rupture that is
Unreal > gank or tank?
Maxwell Muhilo> can i have both?

Unreal proceeded to send me an eveMail  with both of his fits for a rupture, I needed to make a shopping trip, and quick.

I used the inner-station communication system to send a double time order to both my rupture's crew and Scotty in docking control to move the ship into the hanger and get it prepped for flight.

By the time I arrived my wonderful crew had the ship all ready. I quickly climbed into my pod and interfaced it with the ship, thirty seconds later I had laid in a course and we were on our way.

In route I purchased most of the modules I would need to complete the fit, one of them I had in my hanger back at the station. I also bought some new skillbooks I would need in the coming months, and christened the ship, Death in a Rocketcan.

When we arrived at Jita 4-4 I was stunned at the sheer number of people. I had heard stories about the congestion found only here, but I never imagined there would be so many. There were so many, I was uncomfortable and fit my new modules and loaded the skillbooks as quickly as I could and left the system.

We arrived back in Ikami with just minutes to spare. I docked, fitted the last module from the Paul's cargo bay (I haven't had time since the move to unpack) and loaded the ammo I would need. Since I was in a hurry I used the station's automated loading device.

Things went great at first we caught and killed a drake http://wte.newbastion.com/?a=kill_detail&kll_id=43 early on. Thats when I found a problem, all my ammo was gone. All at once I realized what I had done, I had made a mistake, I had accidentally loaded the spare ammo into Paul's cargohold instead of the rupture's. To make matters worse I had forgotten to unload the skill books. I was out of ammo, I had to use only my flight of small drones, and my electronic warfare modules for the rest of the night and I was flying around with a couple million ISK worth of books.

We traveled all over the Geminate region, killing anything we could catch, including a Hurricane and a Rapier. Near the end of our roam we narrowly escaped a roaming battleship gang consisting of no less than 6 battleships. We decided that one would be a little too tough in a cruiser/battlecruiser fleet, and made the last few jumps home.

After seeing all the action in my new home, I don't have any regrets leaving OUCH, this was the right decision, Dad was right. Now if I could just remember to bring bullets, instead of books.

Getting It All Done(IC)

The first part of the trip was uneventful. I was informed over Alliance comms that a large number of OUCH students were making the same move I was. Thirty-five jumps through high sec space, most of it through Amarr territory. Apparently we were all feeling the same thing about OUCH. We agreed with, and respected what it stood for, but we felt that WTE was the place for us. Who knows, others may yet move on again.

After a long trip through gold plated skys, I finally made it to Ikami VIII-12, WTE's regrouping area for the OUCH fallout. After I docked the ship I bid the crew a temporary farewell over the ship's comms and had my pod transported to the cloning lab, I was about to make my fifth total clone jump back across the galaxy to my old home, back to Rens.

Once back in Rens I immediately had the station crew bring out my packaged Republic Fleet Firetail. While that was underway, I sent out a broadcast to the ships crew that had been enjoying the high life of a hub station. Once the Firetail's crew arrived I had them assemble the ship and get it space worthy while I did a little bit of last minute business, selling off the rest of my possessions in Rens, save for that one implant I've been saving for a special day.

In twenty minutes we were ready to fly, I had never seen a Firetail so close before. Apparently I had so proved my loyalty to the Brutor Tribe, that they were willing to give me one of the Fleet's most prized class of frigate. I was transfixed by the shiny wings that reminded me so much of a hummingbird. I ran my hand down the side of the ship, feeling the cool metal that was so full of power, trying to think of an appropriate name. I finally settled on Serenity, I don't know why, it just seemed...right.

So I boarded with my crew of three, and we set off for Berta, again.

When we arrived I had the crew disassemble the Serenity again for transport and ordered them catch an Interbus shuttle to Ikami. While they worked at their task, I had my Wreathe class hauler brought into the next hanger. When the Serenity was loaded, I gave Paul a video call to make sure everything was in order for my next flight through the very shiny Amarr territory.

About half way back, we were having some technical difficulties, so I steered the ship to a planet and cloaked. Ten minutes later, we were up and running again, the crew reported some minor computer trouble. The rest of the trip was completed without incident.

When we arrived back at Ikami, I washed off and went to my chambers for some much needed rest. A few hours later I got a buzz from Jaz about what was going on. We talked while I organized some moving plans with some other OUCH members that were moving. It looked like I was going to be making another trip today.

I got in touch with Gah'Matar about moving a rupture class cruiser and Dorno about moving......something, he never did say exactly... No matter, as long as it fit in my cargohold and they made me pay as much collateral as they were comfortable with, I was fine (except for the fourth trip through Amarr). A hardy applause for all the ship crews that are somehow able to keep up with my manic movements across New Eden.

A new beginning is on the horizon, what it holds in store for me, I have no idea. One thing I do know is that, whatever it is, it's gonna be fun!

Moving Day(IC)

I woke up this morning with my mind made up, I was moving up to The Forge today, if it killed me...on second thought maybe not, I've only had that experience once and it is very disorienting to wake up 15 jumps away in another region. Especially since it was my first time being podded. Still trying to figure out what all that light was about.

I shivered as that memory crossed my mind while I was walking to the mess hall on the Minmatar station in Berta. I immediately forced it out of my thoughts. I wasn't going to let that sort of thinking ruin what could be my last real Matari meal. There aren't very many Minmatar stations up in The Forge. I don't mind Caldari food, mind you, but there's just nothing like a hearty Minmatar breakfast.

After a delicious breakfast, and a final "So long" to the pleasantly plump Matari hostess, I headed to the hanger that berthed my mammoth hauler (Sujanra, brother, if you're reading this, I did mean that as a pun) Paul III. When I arrived, I stepped into the control tower to talk to Scotty.

"Well, Scotty, are we clear to undock?"
"Yes, you are, Sir."
"Thank you. We will be pulling out in five."

I walked down to the deck where I met with Paul III's crew chief, who interestingly enough, is named Paul. Truth be told, he runs all my haulers, I let him hire who he wants to work aboard the others, but the ships are all his responsibility. That's partly why I name them all Paul. He's so proud of those ships.

"Are we all set for the move? All the ships, and less expensive modules?"
"Sir, yes, sir!" He almost shouted with a sharp salute.
"Paul, we aren't working for the Brutor anymore, it's not necessary that you stay so formal." I replied, exasperated.
"Sorry," he said sheepishly, "habit." He's been working hard.
"It's ok. Is the cloak in full working order? I know we are going through high sec, but just in case, it is Amarr space, you know?"
"Yes sir. We checked it this morning. Scotty over there almost let a Tengu dock in on top of us." And then under his breath, he added, "crazy old man...seems like he's everywhere, can't get away."

I could barely contain a guffaw as I ordered everyone on board and undocked this lumbering beast for the first time this day...

Changing Corps(IC)

For the last week I have been a member of OUCH, a 0.0 space training corporation, while here I have found many good people. Including Jaz'minh, Gah'matar, Planetary Genocide. People I hope to spend time with in the future. As it turns out my new university is going through some rough times.  Our alliance mates over in White Talon Enterprises are moving north to The Forge (oh geeze, Jita) and invited OUCH to follow, with moving assistance offered. I was all for the move (Jita, bedarned), so when Black Claw decided it wasn't a good idea, I was presented with a decision. I didn't know what to do. WTE sounded like the place for me, they were Caldari, sure, but this group were sympathetic to the Minmatar, my people! They even had a Matari man leading the industrial division.

On the other hand, OUCH offered plenty of learning opportunities that may or may not be found elsewhere.

As I pondered this question, I thought "Why not get some work done?" So I undocked my second rifter out to kill some Angel scum. As it turns out this was a bad idea. After I knocked out one warp disruption bubble, I found me some targets. Unfortunately, since I was shooting them with other things on my mind, I forgot to keep an eye out for hostiles in 0.0. A costly mistake. A tengu and a falcon caught me and tore the Cargo Container to pieces. Managed to save my pod and get back to home base in Berta without being subjugated to the cold, hard vacuum  of space.

By the time I had washed all the pod gunk off of my body, I had made up my mind. Dad had always told me that I should do two things: "Go with your gut." and "Make your own decisions." I was going to join forces with Calculon and the others in White Talon Enterprises.

My name is Maxwell Muhilo.
I am a Brutor.
I make my own decisions!