The sentence had been mortality, not non-existence, but it was no secret that the Sarum family were displeased with the outcome. I was a military pilot, I followed orders, I had done nothing wrong. But that didn’t matter, not in politics. All that mattered is that I’d angered someone more powerful than myself, and that I didn’t have enough friends in high places.
I boarded my executioner, checked that the systems were running smoothly. Double checked. It had to be perfect. In the eyes of the empire the cancellation of my clone contracts, and execution of my clones had been enough, but I was well aware that there were enough pilots in the imperial navy loyal to Sarum, or to isk, that this flight may well be my last.
“Aura, chart me the fastest course out of empire space.”
They had drained my accounts, dissolved my corporation, but I had a reputation. I was banking on that. If I could make it to Caldari space I might be able to get a clone contract with the State navy. I had been on loan to them fresh out of the academy, and served them well in the past.
“Course planning complete Madame.” I undocked. Moments later my warp drive engaged. “Give me a scan of the approaching gate Aura,” one ship, an imperial maller. I was in the Capitol of the empire, you don’t get gates guarded by one ship.
My warp bubble collapsed and my neocom lit up with warnings. The Maller was targeting me. I mentally comanded my ship to speed to the gate, but it was too late. My propulsion systems were already jammed. I hung in space, creeping toward the gate with what speed I could muster out of my crippled engines.