Veto.

A camera drone turns on. The view is one of the main cargo bay of Plumb’s carrier, the Silent Angel. Plumb is stood on a gantry high on the side of the bay, and he is looking down into the veritable hive of activity inside it. Large volumes of equipment are being unloaded into the station dockyard, cargo MTAC’s laden with cargo containers lumber alongside lines of crewmen and fitters inspecting tugs and cargo tractors. The monolithic hull of a Hurricane class battlecruiser is visible through the yawning orifice of the carrier’s cargo doors. Maintenance drones are clustered along the warship’s port bow, applying paint to a section of her hull, whatever design being worked on hidden by the mass of the drones. Plumb is silent for a moment, seemingly watching the activity, before he starts to speak.

‘Personal log, 22nd March 112YC... So, it has come to this. Ghost Festival has been officially put into stasis, and Naraka alliance disbanded. The reasons for this closure are many, and I would be lying if I said that I didn’t contribute to the corporation’s downfall. The result is... well, what we see before us. A new home, new allies, perhaps new friends, although I won’t hold my breath.’

He stops speaking for a moment, his attention focused towards the far end of the hangar. The whine of an engine is audible, increasing in volume. A Fomori class planetary assault dropship moves into view, its four powerful magthrust engines rotating in their mounts as they bring the sleek craft to a slow stop in the middle of the hangar. The dropship begins a lazy 90 degree turn, before lowering itself to the floor of the hangar and powering down. It’s tailgate drops to the deck with a resounding clang, and several heavily armed troops walk out onto the deck, assault rifles slung across their backs.

‘Veto corp. Had I been asked where I imagined myself upon graduating the FNA, this would be one of the last places I would reply with. Fuck, the name Ethan Verone was infamous when I was still in the cockpit and proudly wearing the Navy uniform. My Angel Cartel associates will no doubt be unhappy about this move, but with the war with the Sansha still ongoing, I doubt they will turn down any assistance I render them in Curse. Mr Verone also maintains a stance of anti-slavery, so my more clandestine operations shouldn’t lead to any trouble.’

He is silent for a moment, watching the continuing disembarkation of personnel and material before continuing.

‘Whit, Ms Arkenath and Ms Rendar had already moved over to the Veto roster when I put in my application. Several other ex Preta members have also applied with me, seeing as Preta maintained a very close working relationship with Veto. We all have our reasons, I personally have nowhere else to go, and I enjoy flying with the ex Preta guys. Hell, even Mortis has applied, although as always his reasons and intentions remain cloaked in a shroud of secrecy. His giggling, chittering brat of a sister will undoubtedly follow Ms Lagann across, joy of joys. River is away in high security space on business with the Brutor Tribe, as apparently we may have an opportunity to move on a small fry Amarrian holder. We should have the logistics in place for the operation shortly, my chief of security has been leading training exercises on the surface of Goinard V. Admiral Noir once told me that our actions entirely shape our futures, and it is up to us to mold it as we wish. I hope for both the sake of my crew and myself, I have made the right decision.’

He sighs slowly, looking out beyond the carrier’s cargo doors at the hull of the Hurricane beyond.

‘End Log’

Before the feed closes off, the drones covering the Hurricane’s bow move away, revealing the design they had been working on. ‘VCS Kuun-Lan’, emblazoned in the pointed black and red lettering of veto corp, with the corporate crest painted above her name. The image of a stylized, snarling rabbit.