Free EVE®: Templar One by Tony Gonzales

profited handsomely from it.
    Tibus Heth remembered exactly who had and who hadn’t offered their support, back when the outcome was less certain.
    Ishukone was now the unpatriotic, undeserving, uninspiring example of “restrained” Caldari politics that the State could do without—a 180-degree turnaround from years earlier, when it was Ishukone setting the example for everyone else. Otro Gariushi died trying to prevent a war he believed would be the State’s undoing. Instead, it had become a shining example of how unrealized the State’s potential really was.
    The mega-corporations smelled blood. Ishukone still owned considerable assets and territory that would hold its value no matter who took possession of them. Mens Reppola was out of Heth’s circle, and it was just a matter of time before the dogs attacked.
    “Mila,” he said. “We’re that close to losing everything. You’re better at this game than I am. The CEOs would listen to you—”
    “I can’t return,” she answered forcefully. “Until I learn how to destroy him, this is where I hold the line.”
    Mens deflated.
    “I’ve given Ishukone everything, ” he said. “They’re going after my family now, and I can’t do a goddamn thing about it without your help !”
    In a rapid unison of metallic clicks, the two spider drones advanced to within a meter of where he was sitting before the echo of his shout subsided. But he was unfazed: This was passion he could no longer repress.
    “I’m sorry for raising my voice,” he said. “I shouldn’t have come here.”
    “There is another way,” Mila said quietly. A moment of clarity struck, as her mind sought solutions to the impossible. “It’s so risky that I’d almost rather not share what it is.”
    “What risk is greater than doing nothing?” he asked.
    “Mens,” she said softly. “These are the highest stakes in the game. If you go down this path and fall, no one can help you.”
    “We’ve taken big risks before,” Mens replied. “And I’m almost out of things to lose.”
    Mila took a deep breath before saying a name:
    “Oiritsuu.”
    Mens frowned.
    “ Haatakan Oiritsuu?” he asked. “The ex-Kaalakiota CEO? She’s practically Heth’s pet—”
    “That’s only what the cluster thinks of her. I know this woman. Otro and I once considered her the most dangerous person in New Eden. Heth was right to go after her first, but he should’ve killed her instead. He thinks he can keep her on a leash while exploiting her intellect. Nothing that woman does is an accident. Trust me. If the media says she’s willingly orchestrating deals on Heth’s behalf, you can be certain they benefit her personal agenda in ways no else but her can know.”
    “What agenda is that?”
    “The same as mine: to remove Heth from power.”
    “So a mutual enemy makes us allies.”
    “A very deceitful ally. But she knows of something that can protect Ishukone from Heth. Who knows what she’ll ask for in return. That’s the risk.”
    “What is it?”
    Mila paused for a moment.
    “Heth’s spies learned that the Amarr have found a way to use empyrean technology for infantry applications. They think they’re close to testing the first human prototypes of immortal soldiers.”
    “That’s impossible.”
    “I thought so, too. But if you knew how many agents died to bring Heth that information, you might reconsider.”
    Mens felt his stomach turn over.
    “The Amarr have acquired a decisive edge in modern warfare, and Oiritsuu knows where to find it,” Mila continued. “The same technology that keeps you impervious to harm in space can now do the same on a surface battlefield.”
    Mens shook his head.
    “Heth would be developing it himself if he knew—”
    “He found out by accident, ” Mila interrupted. “He was more interested in the superweapon Empress Jamyl used to vaporize the Minmatars at Mekhios. Instead, his agents stumbled across this. But the fool still doesn’t think he needs it; he