Mining Operations Commencing
As the “Miner’s Dream” slid into position over our first belt of the day, I could not help but think back over the things that had happened to me in the last 10 months to put me here. As the Dream’s strip miners came online, my mind drifted back to the last interaction I had had with my parents……
My father had never quite approved of my interests, studies, or the slate of principles I had developed from these. We were a typical Intaki family, very intellectually and artistically minded, but very adept at towing the party line when it came to Federation politics. There had been a number of “Black Sheep” down through family history. Members who would openly oppose Federation policy or propaganda. It seemed, very early on, that I would be another.
I had followed the path my father had set for me, getting superb grades through secondary school, and getting collegiate degrees in numerous areas of engineering. The whole time, I would grit my teeth and not outwardly show my disdain for the farce, in true Intaki fashion. At the same time, I was keeping my eye on the news and watching with growing alarm as hostilities between the Gallente Federation and the Caldari State grew.
As I completed the paperwork for my latest degree, I came across information on being a “capsuleer”. I had heard of them, but only peripherally, and did not even know there was a path to become one. Being the inquisitive type, I looked into it. Something inside me clicked. This was what I was meant to do. This would get me off this rock, away from the hypocrisy, and allow me to exercise my capabilities to their fullest.
My father responded in the expected fashion at first, but even for an Intaki, I could see that he was not terribly resistant to the idea. Here was his chance to get rid of me and reduce the possibility of my outlook on the current situation bringing down unwanted attention on the family. You see, I didn’t necessarily have any animosity towards the Caldari or anyone else. Sure, they had done some pretty reprehensible things during the previous Gallente-Caldari war, but so had the Gallente. The same was true of this current situation. No ones hands were clean, and with the history of Gallente treatment of the other Federation races, I didn’t see a point in putting my life on the line for that.
So, my father coughed up the isk to get me into the Academy……
The hard working miners of Versus Gloria Omnis
The VGO fleet grew as more and more of our capsuleers entered system and joined us in our initial belt. This belt had Veldspar asteroids over 70,000 units in size, so we were going to do well, even though the expected turn out was not going to match the 16 pilot turnouts we had had in the past. Of course, things had changed a good bit. I was now the Mining Director of VGO……
I had done well at the Academy, tending to be more drawn to the industrial type ships as opposed to the combat ships. I knew the combat ships were needed out there, as I had heard way to much about the Serpentis and other Pirate Factions, but my mind tended towards creating and building things, not blowing them up. I was very mentally young, and very young in experience.
I graduated from the Academy and was handed my first brand spanking new Velator. I look back on it now and am amazed by how small and limited they are, but at the time, it was the key to unlock a huge realm of experience and possibilities for me.
I read through the initial information the Academy had downloaded on to my NeoConn about initial agents I might try out. I worked with a number of them doing any kind of job. Hauling, Mining, Recon, Pirate Stomping, you name it. I took on each with gusto. There was something so different about even the most minor and inconsequential of jobs out here.
Finally, I had enough money to purchase my first real Frigate. Still being more industrial focused, I picked up a brand new Navitas and its fittings. The difference between that and my Velator were amazing. I could haul more, mine more, and shoot more than I had before. What a great feeling it was to know that I had earned the isk to buy and fit this. During this time, I ran across some VGO members, who provided me the location of one of their offices, and I submitted an application.
I was immediately accepted, and my new Corp mates offered me all kinds of help. Before I knew it, I had been invited to my first fleet mining operation. My contribution that day was negligible I am sure, but it sure was nice to feel part of a group that all had the same focus. I remember flying alongside the Orca of one of my Corp mates and being awed by its size and thinking that one day I was going to be piloting one of those……
Rayne's squad of Miners in action
The fleet had finally grown to a number that there were too many of us for the belt we were in. I split one of our Board Members off as a second squad leader and he took half of our pilots to another belt in the system. It looked like our revenue from this op might be better than I thought, but only time would tell.
I surveyed the belt, taking note of Dyolf off to my starboard side grinding away at the Scordite asteroids in his Osprey. Dyolf was my best friend, which I am sure surprised people since he was a Civire Caldari……
I first ran across Dyolf in the Eletta system, in Verge Vendor. He had just come off a job for the same agent I was working for. We both turned in our “paperwork” and then both headed out of the office, heading for the same bar just down the concourse. As we went to enter, it occurred to me that we might have something in common, and maybe two of us could be more profitable than one.
I asked Dyolf if I could buy him a drink. He didn’t seem real thrilled with the idea at first, but wasn’t going to turn down a free drink. Slowly we started exchanging information. After about 10 minutes of conversation, it became very apparent to me that Dyolf and I complemented each other. I was more industrially focused, and he was more combat focused, being a merc and all. He could protect me, while I made money for us. While I ground away at asteroids, he could haul much larger loads of it away for more profit.
I told Dyolf about VGO, and how they had helped me. He liked the idea of joining, so we fleeted up and headed to the nearest VGO office to get him signed up. From that point on, we were inseparable……
(More in the next installment….)
Rayne Stryker