Signing On

The docking clamps held the Cyclone-Class Battlecruiser in place, as maintenance teams moved to and from the rigging platforms like swarming ants...

"Next"

Kitty nearly jumped out of her seat. She tore her gaze away from the window, hastily brushed herself off, and headed into the office. The room was plain, unadorned, yet dominated by the same window looking out into AI's private hangers that Kitty had glued herself to in the waiting room earlier.

As Kitty approached the desk. A tired-looking Sebiestor woman sat behind it, she smiled briefly, and gestured for Kitty to take a seat.

"Ms Stalls wasn't it?"

"Yes Ma'am"

The Sebiestor glanced at her datapad.

"And you were applying for an engineering position on-board the Corelatis Amurru, correct?"

Kitty gave a nod

"Any specific reason for picking out the Amurru over the other ships in dock at present?"

"It pays well, and I've done a lot of theory work around ships like the Cyclone. Know all the stuff behind working shield arrays and- yeah, well I figured It seemed the most relevant to me" She swallowed nervously.

"I see- Well, I've reviewed your application, but there's a few things I'd like to clarify before we hire you. First off, you said you moved to the Amod SoE Station from Allilere when you were about 19, Where exactly in Alillere were you?"

Kitty could hear two men talking through the door at the back of the office. She couldn't make out words, but one of the voices seemed oddly familiar.

"Ms Stalls?"

"Oh- the Aliastra Depot. I've been in space all my life. Never really had the chance to go planetside"

"Right, and why exactly did you move to Amod?"

"Lack of employment"

"Alright, and would be your first time on-board a combat vessel, correct?"

"Yes, it is. Is there any specific training I have to go through?"

"A fair amount, but most of that will be covered whilst the ship is still in dock." The Sebiestor paused for a second, entering something into her datapad. "Alright, I think that was all we needed to cover. Report to Dock D4 with any personal effects you want to bring aboard. You'll be assigned a cabin somewhere by the ship's Admin division. I've forwarded regulations on what you can take aboard to the neocom address you provided with your initial application.
Any questions?"

"No Ma'am"

"Alright, I think we're done here. Dismissed"

Kitty pushed her chair back, stood up, and headed for the exit. Just as she was leaving, she heard a door opening behind her. She ignored it, and left the office, her heart pounding.

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.