Latest revision as of 14:46, 15 September 2009

Preface

The right choice of words is a piece of Player Created Fiction written by Herko Kerghans as one tale out of his series on Ships, Pods and Clones. Originally published in the EVE-online forums [1].

The right choice of words

That was an easy one. A few frigs and two cruisers protecting a cargo transport. No match for our Caracal… cleaned’em up, collected the loot, back home with plenty of time for the bonus. Etseas' gonna be one happy agent again… as usual…

Got out of the pod, got cleand up and headed straight to deck. New recruit on board, we have. There are traditions, as usual. Better get on with this fast, no need to delay what has to be done.

The boys await for me in a loose line. Only one of them salutes: the new guy. I glance at Eskeras… no, they haven’t told anything to the poor kid. Better that way.

I advance to meet my new crew member.

Tradition.

He advances.

Tradition.

He salutes.

Tradition.

He says:

-New crewmember Jukkizaras Asosainen reporting, sir! Honored to serve under such a brave commander, sir! Your courage is an example to all of us, crraacck goes his teeth when my fist jams agains his mouth uugghh he barely breathes when I connect my knee to his stomach.

He bends over and drop to his knees.

Why do kids get so soft nowadays? He doesn't even have the Words tatooed on his neck...

Grab him by the hair and smash my fist against his jaw. He spills to the floor spitting blood and teeth.

I glance at Eskeras… his mouth clenched… still not enough.

New crewmember Jukkizaras Asosainen rises to his feets. The fury in his eyes overcome confusion and respect for rank. He lunges forward… slow motion to my wired up perception.

I block his fist as if playing with a kid. I plant my both hands against his chest and send him flying against the wall, thuud he goes as he slams breathless. I smash his face. His head bounces to the wall. I smash his face. He falls to the ground. I grab him by the hair again and smash his face again and again and again until i can feel my knucles crunching under the beating and his cheekbone just giving in.

I glance at Eskeras… his face a pale mask. Enough. I nod to him. He calls for the doctors waiting on the other side of the door.

Tradition.

---

That was a close one. Damned rogue drones almost got us to hull, made us warp out and back again. It happens when you get careless… when routine dulls your senses…

The boys wait for me on deck, a loose line. Only one of them salutes: the new guy. The doctors did quite a job... So did I. He still needs a few months to have his face whole again.

I advance.

Tradition.

He doesn't move.

He stares.

He says:

-That was a close one, you damned idiot. Keep your eyes open next time!

I can see fear mixed with rage in his eyes.

I pat his shoulder.

It’s ok kid… At least you learned who is the brave and who is the coward on this ship… who is mortal, and who has a thousand lives.