Life of Lise - Fiction

So, more than a break has occurred since I last attended to Life of Lise. I hope to keep this as the main part of my blog. The last update had me slap bang on the frontline of the Caldari faction war. Our presence was becoming a problem for more than a few and the whole ordeal ended in us being pushed out of our home system. Being 7 or 8 jumps from the safety of highsec we decided to disband. however much fun we had there I think it burned quite a lot of us. from, there on I have kind of been solo. going from small corporation too small corporation. Let me Entertain you whilst trying to bring Lise's Story up to date, Enjoy...

Breakfast in Venal

The station seems strangely busy.
Lise thought to herself as she wandered down the long gunmetal alleys toward the serveries. It was uncommon to see more than two or three people on her morning walk for breakfast. She was still residing in her original stalking area in Venal, a place she had chosen for its lack of residents and the absence of the usual hustle and bustle of an average constellation.

It had become more of a home these days than a hideaway. Lise had retired from the militia—it felt like an eternity ago—and the quiet hum of the station had suited her just fine.

“Morning!”

The chirpy voice startled her. Lise dropped her datapad, the clatter echoing down the corridor.

“Let me get that,” the man said, stooping to retrieve it.

Lise stood frozen. She tried to say thank you, but it came out as little more than a breath.

“Didn’t mean to scare you,” he said with a grin. “Name’s Eveh. I’m here with my crew—assessing the system. Seems quiet.”

Eveh was tall, broad-shouldered, with a chiseled jaw and a casual posture that made him look entirely out of place among the drab station corridors. His uniform jacket was unzipped, and he looked more like an adventurer than a fleet commander. He crossed his arms and studied her, waiting for a response.

“Your crew?” Lise finally managed. “Er… ah… okay, yeah… um, normally I mean…” She gave up, blushing.

Eveh chuckled. “Heh. So it is quiet then. You don’t speak much?”

Lise cleared her throat and rubbed at her eyes. “Sorry, I just woke. I’m not used to conversation so early in the day. Yes, it’s normally quiet. These are all your people?”

She gestured toward the group of four capsuleers who had just passed them, talking idly among themselves.

Eveh nodded. “Scouts, engineers, a couple of logistics pilots. We’re mapping out the system—thinking of setting up a colony here. I do have history here you know, besides It’s remote, stable, and… well, beautiful in its own lonely way.”

Lise’s expression stiffened. “A colony?”

“Yeah,” Eveh said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “We’ll start small. An industrial wing, maybe a few research outposts. Nothing that should get in your way.”

Lise frowned. “You will get in my way. You bring a fleet into Venal, others will follow. You can’t just plant a flag and expect it to stay quiet.”

Eveh smiled faintly, a knowing glint in his eye. “You sound like someone who’s seen it before.”

“I’ve lived through it,” Lise said flatly. “I came here to be away from it.”

The silence between them hung heavy for a moment, filled only by the faint vibration of the station’s life-support systems.

“I understand,” Eveh said finally. “But sometimes quiet systems need a bit of life breathed into them. Maybe you’ll see it differently, in time.”

Lise crossed her arms, mirroring his stance. “Don’t count on it. I’ll be staying, no matter what you decide to do.”

Eveh grinned again—calm, confident, maybe even a little amused. “Good. It’ll be nice to have someone local to keep us honest.”

He gave a half-salute, then turned to leave. His crew followed, boots echoing on the metal floor.

Lise stood watching until they disappeared down the corridor. The air seemed heavier now. She picked up her datapad and continued toward the serveries, her appetite dulled.

She could already picture the flashing lights of new beacons in orbit, the quiet skyline fractured by industrial scaffolding.

“Colonize the system,” she murmured to herself. “Over my dead clone.”

But deep down, even she could feel it—the faint, unwelcome spark of curiosity.

to be continued...