Quiet

The feed clicks on. Milo can be seen at his desk sorting through boxes of holo-reels. Noticing the Camera Drone is on, he smoothly sweeps a few from the desk before the drone can focus on them. Grinning, he adjusts the drone until it's focused on him.

I've been sorting through all my old documents from my FNA Days. Seems they've been boxed up with my assets and have been following me from station to station. Waiting in the station warehouse each time. I guess I must've just been unlucky with the pending item messages or something, because I don't specifically remember anyone telling me about them.

He Sighs

I suppose I should be grateful that I finally have some peace and quiet. The ASRS thing turned out to be nothing at all. Guess mother is just really paranoid. Although-

He pauses, and then Pulls up a News Holo onto the feed. The Article, which covers the podding of a particularly prominent Academy Leader, displays on screen for around half a second before blinking out. A second article displays, this time an angel cartel Intelligence Report, listing a number of Theft charges against the victim. Milo is looking smug in the background.

He tore my dreams apart, so I help coordinate the destruction of his. Having nothing else to do certainly has it's advantages. It even frees up time to respond to Interesting target calls on patrol we'd not normally aim for. If we're not after anything specific, we can pick and choose the most profitable targets as we see fit.

Milo shuffles through his Holo reels again, looking thoughtful. He reaches behind the Camera Drone, and ends the feed.

Surprises

The feed clicks on. Rather than his apartment, Milo can be seen in a hanger control room. The camera pans around, revealing him to be alone. Through the viewing screen can be seen a number of techs bustling around a Comet class frigate. Milo looks over at it, and smiles.

Surprises. They occur more often than you might think. I've had a lot since I hooked up with the Ghosts, but nothing like this.

He gestures at the Comet.

For example, actually being accepted into Ghost Festival, considering my background caught me by surprise. Losing my Ishkur for the first time caught me by surprise, as did my peers. I arrived expecting to be shunned and avoided but this is so- different.

He stops for a moment, turning back to the comet to give orders to one of the technicians, who seems to be explaining a lack of powergrid will cause issues with the weapons that need to be mounted. After about a minute of heated discussion, the technician hurries off and shouts some orders. Milo turns back to the camera.

Oh yes. The Comet. This arrived from Alillere, the nearest retail outlet that does courier contracts from Aurcel. This was sent by my parents, I'm sure of it. It- I think it means they want to speak with me. I've had no contact with them since I left Livetech. I'm pretty sure they got this to me via IHLS. If they know exactly where I'm based, I'll be worried.

He Pauses

I don't think they'll approve of my chosen career path, but they have a right to know. Even if this means rejection all over again.

The feed closes, the PRETA logo flashing on screen for a second before it goes totally blank.

Sodium Channels

There is a click, and static as the recording starts. A long sigh is heard.

Not only has it been a long day, but it got longer once I got off patrol. Patrol had been reasonably successful, with a fair number of targets presenting themselves, the most notable of which being a Cyclone, who melted with speed.
Once I arrived station-side, I made straight for my apartment. There were a few messages hanging around I'd been unable to check earlier. The first one blew my mind.

Dear Mr. Caman.
We are sorry to inform you that the individual known as Al Harken has passed away. We understand that he had ties with your previous organization, and it seems he has mentioned you in his will.
Mr. Harken was found in his apartment on Aurcel V at 14:00. Autopsy reveals that Mr. Harken died of a Brain Hemorrhage. No clones could be located, and no solid reason behind the Hemorrhage could be found.
Mr. Harken left you a small sum of ISK, and a Stabber-Class Cruiser (Registration 234-BB 'Delphi') The Cruiser can be found at Aurcel IV - Moon 17 - Aliastra Warehouse.
We are deeply sorry for your loss, and hope you can come to terms with Mr. Harken's Demise.
Regretfully.
Kai Syntaki
IHLS Rep.

I simply ceased to think consciously for a few hours. I had known Al from the start. I worked with him in LiveTech, I flew with him when ASRS was a dream, a concept, and even after he went planetside I stayed in touch, swapping intel and similar.
I used a suppression subroutine on my implant in an effort to put it out of my mind and headed down to The Skyhook, but despite the implant's programming, it kept surfacing.
I went back to my apartment early, and lay in bed, unable to sleep.

A typical suicide circuit operates in a similar way to some boosters. It overloads the synapses, and floods the brain with chemicals. Usually a neurotoxin, such as tetrodotoxin is used, as it acts to block sodium channels in neurons, preventing action potentials. This leads to paralysis and eventually death. There are few antidotes that can clear sodium channels, and, for that matter, death is almost always too swift for the correct antidote to be applied.
I cannot help but wonder whether the IHLS Autopsy found traces of tetrodotoxin.

There is a long pause, and heavy breathing is heard.

How many more will my Legacy claim before it finally collapses in upon itself for good?

There is static, and a click as the recording ends.