Malleorum Novum Imperium / MNI

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MOBIGLASS ENTRY: 0056
GAL. DATE: [REDACTED]

Malleorum Novum Imperium was born of the demise of the Red Tide, a centuries old criminal collective that found its origins in the criminal underworld of the Soviet Union of the 20th century. The purpose of the Red Tide was to consolidate power and fortune gained through exploiting weaknesses of Western powers and their corresponding capitalist vision for the big business consumer state. The need to regulate everyone and everything led to a demand for the very black market goods that the Red Tide could offer. Consequently, this group found great success under a regime all too happy to profit from the shortcomings of Western citizens. Thus the criterion for a criminal organisation was fulfilled and the Red Tide came to be. Through evolution of society and government, the Red Tide came to be the Malleorum Novum Imperium. While no longer exploiting an antiquated political model on Earth, the MNI has shifted the focus of operations to inter-stellar black market operations, while maintaining the vision of the forefathers of the Red Tide.

The MNI builds on centuries of tradition within the Red Tide, from its origins as a simple organisation into a fully formed faith based syndicate. From origins in services for other organised crime syndicates, the Red Tide grew into a quasi-legal organisation, focussing much of its attention on VIP security and transport in much the same way as intelligence agencies ensure safety and security of government officials. However, MNI does not only deal in above board operations, as it remains loyal to whoever is willing to engage it in service. The objective of MNI is to serve its clients with the utmost zeal, honour and integrity through commitment to secrecy, brevity and silence.

Members of the organisation must always:

1. Help other criminals – both by moral and material support, utilising the commune of criminals.

2. Keep secret information about the whereabouts of accomplices (i.e. dens, districts, hideouts, etc.).

3. In unavoidable situations (if a comrade is under investigation) to take the blame for someone else’s crime; this buys the other person time of freedom.

4. Demand inquiry for the purpose of resolving disputes in the event of a conflict between oneself and other criminals, or between comrades.

5. If necessary, participate in such inquiries.

6. Carry out the punishment of the offending criminal/comrade as decided by the inquiry.

7. Not resist carrying out the decision of punishing the offending criminal who is found guilty, with punishment determined by the inquiry.

8. Not gamble without being able to cover losses.

9. Teach the trade to young beginners.

10. Not lose your reasoning ability when using alcohol.

11. Have nothing to do with the authorities, not participate in public activities, nor join any community organizations.

12. Not take weapons from the hands of authorities; not serve in the military.

13. Make good on promises given to other thieves.

14. Make good relations with all criminals wherever possible.

15. Conduct oneself in a kind, courteous and clean manner.

***END TRANSMISSION***

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***LOGIN ACCEPTED***

***WELCOME TO THE UEE CRIMINAL DATABASE***

***PLEASE ENTER A CONSOLE COMMAND ***

COMMAND INPUT: OPEN FILE ARAMANTHIUS

***FILE ‘ARAMANTHIUS’ OPENED***

COMMAND INPUT: OPEN VID LOG 201.0753

***COMMAND ACCEPTED***

***OPENING VID LOG 201.0753***

The Interview.

The red words COMMAND ACCEPTED on a black background fade out to a slightly hazy view of a grey room. The room is neither big, nor small and devoid of any interesting objects other than a door, a small trash can and a dark grey desk. At either end of the metallic looking table sit two people; one wearing a blue pressed uniform, insignia denoting “UEE” is woven into the sleeve, along with a series of medals and commendations on the chest. Her dark red hair is pulled back tight, jaw clenched and green eyes steeled to compliment a brown face full of sharp features with the ever so slight hint of makeup. She looks over her papers slowly, sliding them behind when she has finished her perusal.

The other end of the long metal table sits a large man in contrast with the slim figure of the female across the desk. His long sleeved, black hooded attire has been pulled back to reveal a completely bald head and thick beard. A scar runs across his face, from the back of the jaw through his beard to the right of the mouth. Under a bushy brow, in juxtaposition to his hard features is a set of soft, pale blue eyes that seem to flicker under the harsh lights of the interrogation room. He sits quietly with his arms resting on the table, fingers intertwined in front of a pair of steel cuffs attached to his wrists. His gaze firmly locked onto the women across the table, appearing to asses her every move.

An eternity seems to pass in almost total silence, save for the papers being shuffled. Finally the air is cut through by the sound of a hard female voice.

“This is Lieutenant Commander Isla Truscott conducting an interview with Citizen ‘Aramanthius’ on ‘Idris’ class frigate “Crucible II”. The time is 0230. Date is the…” An audible beep is heard, masking the date as she meets his stare “…We’ll start with your name and given title.”

The man finally blinks, and clears his throat before starting.

“I am Aramanthius; Grand Master of ‘est Malleum Novum Imperium’.”

Her pen flicks about the page ticking boxes and writing notes. Even though his deep voice fills the room, the officer fires a question back almost immediately, as if she had asked this a million times before.

“Can you tell me what language that is and what stands for in Universal?”

The Grand Master nods slightly and answer, fingers still locked together.

“It is the ancient language ‘Latin’. Translated to Universal it becomes The Hammer of the New Empire.”

The pen dances around once more, additional flicking and note taking.

“And what does that represent? Does it have a meaning?”

The Lieutenant Commander asks without looking up. The man smiles slightly at the question, but remains silent. The officer meets his stare and shakes her head, with a wave of her pen she continues.

“I don’t really care, it’s just for records.” She shrugs and changes course. “Do you know why you have been brought here for questioning today?”

Aramanthius shifts his eyes to the trashcan in the corner of the room near the floor, just under her left arm.

“Yes. I believe so.”

She lays the pen down on the table, leans forward and adopts the same woven fingers pose as the man her opposite.

“And why would that be ‘Grand Master’?”

His pale blue eyes lock with her hard green and his voice drops to an almost whisper.

“Oh, I think I have an idea.” He nods and smiles ever so slightly. “But you tell me. I know the UEE has been wanting to for a long time to.”

As the emphasis is placed on the ‘you’, her eyes narrow and her voice becomes razor sharp.

“Well, let me oblige you then. You have been brought here because of the lives you and your ‘cult’ of criminals have taken over the past two decades. The countless ships and vessels damaged or junked, the cargo destroyed, stolen and smuggled.”

The officer holds up a page from her papers and reads sternly.

“2945 – Crusader Sector – The MNI hunt down Freelancer Captain Thomas Brian Ross and disable his craft. They board the vessel and torture him. They removed his genitalia without surgical implements. Cause of death is due foreign bodies being inserted into his airway, causing suffocation. He is left to die in his ship alone.”

Aramanthius smirks and leans back on his chair, hands remaining on the table.

“Ah yes. All this brings back such fond memories… he took a while to die because after I shoved his genitals into his throat I realised they may be so small they wouldn’t do the job. I waited over an hour, if I recall correctly.”

Isla shakes her head in disbelief and continues.

“2943 – Sol Sector: Video was obtained from one of your crew members MobiGlass’ that shows you, personally, holding him outside an airlock until he suffocates. The entire ordeal lasts over a few minutes until succumbs to an agonising death. We picked him up after he floated into one of our mining platforms out near Saturn. Across his chest were etched the word ‘Proditor’. No name, nothing came up in our databases for him. Who was he and why did you do this?”

Aramanthius rubs a rough hand through his beard, under the chin.

“This, I do not remember. To be honest it has happened more than a few times, you would have to be more specific.”

A look of disgust washes over the Lieutenant Commanders face as it turns considerably red.

“Perhaps you will remember this then?! 2941 – Pyro Sector – The UEE are transporting political refugees from Pyro to Terra Prime. There is a report that a ship signature of Constellation class; your ship “The Void”, is in the area and could possibly be a threat. Four UEE Hornets are dispatched to protect our Freelancer. Do you remember what happened?” She pauses for a moment. “You annihilated everything you saw. The Hornets, the Freelancer, even two Cutlasses passing by! Forty-two people killed or missing in the matter of minutes; how do you explain this? HOW?!”

The Aramanthius shows his open palms with indifference.

“God dammit,” She speaks through clenched teeth, hands balled into fists on the table. “What about the SLAVES GRANDMASTER! THE FUCKING SLAVES! What did you do with them?! How can you sit there and shrug off the deaths of innocent PEOPLE?! Tell me that!”

The Lieutenant Commander loses her cool for a moment, slamming her fist into the table. Her voice lowers but retains its’ stern qualities.

“You and your kind are the scum of the universe. You are the reason we cannot live our lives in peace and prosperity. You are the reason that we as Humans have such a terrible name in the Universe. You should be ashamed of yourself, piece of shit. You will burn in a thousand hells for what you’ve done over the course of the last twenty years. You are nothing but a common criminal and that will be what history remembers you for.”

Aramanthius chuckles quietly to himself before returning the icy glare. He leans forward, placing his hand face down on the table.

“It seems the UEE speaks with the naivety of an apprentice and shouts like a child that is denied the breast. Putting on a show for the people looking at us on vid screens and ‘holos is as effective as blaming the sky for rain. Hearing of my deeds, the UEE has placed the Malleorum in a box with the others, not wishing to know the what, the who or most importantly the why. We live on the fringe of your world, your rules of your Empire.”

His face seemingly twists with seething rage as Isla studies him from across the table.

“Ask a simple question and receive a simple answer. Is that not fair? How did you capture me?

The Lieutenant Commander shakes her head as she answers.

“I’m not here to answer your questions or to be roped into your mind-games, murderer.”

Aramanthius looks through his brow and points at her with one handcuffed hand as he booms.

“Entertain the thought that the only reason I am sitting here, is because I want to be here. These people you described all belong to a certain code… or rules if you will; to live by. Even you, even me and even them…”

The Grand Master points towards the mirror on the wall, containing those watching.

“Proditor means traitor in Latin, Commander. This man was the very definition of this title. He sold our coordinates to pirates and law enforcement alike. He was the cause of tens of my crew going to see their makers. Do not talk to me like this man was a saint that deserves life. The hammer falls for all of us.”

The bald man shifts in his seat while staring at Isla, unflinching. She returns the gaze through clenched jaw. Aramanthius continues.
“Let me explain something to you. Mr Ross was a merchant, a father, a brother and a son. He traversed the vast corners of space with one idea in mind; better futures for his children… somewhere along the way that dream become perverted; the dark recesses of space crept into his skull and turned him from man to monster. Years went by and until he finally met with us, trying to sell this and that. The man raved like a degenerate about a little girl he had sold a few months back, ‘Olessa’. It so happened that we had run into this Olessa and bought her, freed her and now works with us. Her own father had sold her to fuel his drug addiction, but not before abusing her in the worst ways known to our kind. We gave her a family to rely on and we judged him guilty for his crimes. The hammer falls for all of us!”

Aramanthius’ voice rises at the last point, echoing throughout the small room.

“The slaves, Lieutenant Commander… THE FUCKING SLAVES?!”

Even with her eyes narrowed and teeth gritted she still makes the smallest movement as his fist slams into the table.

“Would they be the very same that the UEE had purchased from the gangs on Pyro IV, to be used as maids and butlers in their multi-story apartments; to wash their ships in their Revel & York hangers, to live a life of servitude to those with wealth?! Corporal Isla Truscott, call sign Foxtrot 1, Pyro Squadron 5A. Former Hornet F7A-M Pilot for the UEE Navy; explain to me what you were escorting the day you came across the MNI and the Void!”

For the first time since she had entered the room, Islas’ eyes could not meet his glare.

“I… I don’t know what you’re…”

Aramanthius rose to his feet with voice booming and finger pointing.

“LIES!”

Though severely muffled, the sound of an explosion resonated throughout the UEE ship, rocking the room slightly and causing the officer to turn her head towards the door in reflex. Aramanthius seized the opportunity by shoving the table into her stomach with a booted foot.

“Uh…!”

The sounds of ribs breaking were drowned out by her cry of pain as steel met chest, driving her back into the door behind. Alarms sounded as the ship shuddered with another explosion. The automated messages of panic sounding through the ships’ public address system.

“Do you hear that Isla? The Void is calling to you. It is informing you of your crimes.”

She visually strained not to, but gave into a hard cough; spraying blood over her pages of information.

“You…you’re a monster…”

The man walked slowly to her trapped body and leant in to take the keys to his restraints and deliver a whispered message, his eyes cold as he met hers.

“By the time they find you, it will have been too late and my judgement will have been rendered. You let those people die. They were good people, innocent people and you forced my hand. If you had stopped to ask some real questions, you may have found out who you bought and why I was there.”

She coughed again as Aramanthius unlocked the restraints. He pulled her arm forward so hard it looked as if he would rip it off. The restraint clasped over her wrist with a snap.

“I worked in the UEE for years as an Advocacy Agent in the fringe worlds for a long time. I saw a great many things, did a great many things. I even grew up in Pyro.”

His words filled the air as he walked over to the other side of the table and secured her other hand to the handcuffs.

“An encrypted message was sent out, right before you took them: a distress call… by the time I received it, I knew it was too late to interject. I broke off my course and headed back.”

The point defence guns outside the ship could be heard whirring and tracking, firing every now and again. The loud thuds echoed throughout the ship as it jolted slightly. Aramanthius reached into the waste paper basket in the corner of the hall, retrieving a military grade, ballistic pistol.
“I was too slow, too weak on people like you back then. I fired warning shots, I disabled ships. I had full intentions of leaving you all alone after I had come to get what I had to. You didn’t allow me to do that though, did you?”

The Grand Master kicked the table out from pinning the officer and she drew a sharp intake of breath.

“You and your squadron turned and fired on the Caterpillar; erasing the evidence of your misdeeds … and my wife and child.”

“The hammer falls for all of us, Slaver Truscott.”

[Work in progress]

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***LOGIN ACCEPTED***

***WELCOME TO THE RSI AURORA COMCEN***

***PLEASE ENTER A CONSOLE COMMAND ***

COMMAND INPUT: OPEN FILE AMÉLIE

***FILE ‘AMÉLIE’ OPENED***

COMMAND INPUT: OPEN MOBIGLASS REC 309.174

***COMMAND ACCEPTED***

***OPENING MOBIGLASS REC 309.174***

She was no stranger to disobedience. Her life had been defined by it. Not wanton disregard for authority; that would be futile. Rather a humble rebelliousness that only those who were born of the right stuff could understand. That sense of resistance for the sake of it, to push the boundaries, to go where no man had gone before, to sound cliché. It was all part and parcel. This time did not bode well for her. The top cover of her father had vanished; his death had not affected her greatly given the years of emotional abuse he had subjected her to. But now she could do with his presence. She had the ultimate protection, a high ranking father in the organisation. But his passing signalled a new era. Barely 1000 years after women truly gained any form of recognition in the known world and even now it was still a struggle. Having ‘daddy’ around certainly helped the situation, but alas his departure only brought more problems than had his actual existence.

The girl, she was barely a woman, had to fend for herself now. To bite the proverbial bullet and get on with her career. After all, it was all she had. Though she had erred. Her hot-headed nature had got in the way of her better judgement and she had pursued Vanduul fighters beyond her mission parameters. Her superiors were not impressed. Her immediate commander was indifferent; through a cavorted lens of attraction and respect he simply ignored the transgression. This time was unique however. Fleet were aware of her actions. They knew her ways. Several had strong dislike for her father. It was a cocktail of despair that only Shakespeare himself could dream up in a flurry of Renaissance romance and tragedy. For her, it was far from romantic. Her flying career, at least as she knew it on the front line of known space, was over. Such are the ways of the military. Bucking the trend and upsetting the figurative apple cart were behaviours unbecoming of the service. The girl found herself questioning everything she knew.

Alas, she sought solace in drink and vice. She took leave. She travelled. She had been to a vast area of known space through her work, but was seldom ever afforded the opportunity to truly savour its delights and despairs. As was required, she wore UEE uniform at all times in the public sphere. This drew ire in outer systems, and was highly criticised by many in the UEE space. Politics aside, the girl had to comply lest she find herself decommissioned and in some hole of a prison on Chronos I. Her travels brought her to planet Stanton IV, the home of the shipyards of Crusader Industries. It was due to this that a large black market existed. Unbeknownst to the girl, this would change the course of her life.

The UEE Navy provides its staff with transport for leave purposes, often being lumped in with commercial space travellers between jump points. But for those who prefer to, own travel is available and credits are paid to members for incidental expenses along the route. The girl opted to take her Aurora spacecraft to Stanton IV, merely because she loved flying. Landing after jumping from Chronos, the girl found herself docked next to a rather impressive looking craft, a Constellation if her spacecraft recognition lessons didn’t fail her. The name on the side of the craft merely said ‘The Void.’ She thought it an odd name. Most Captains went with some form of proper noun for their craft, an animal, an estranged lover, but never a common noun. The look she received from the crew members of that craft as she disembarked her own was enough to discourage her from prying.

As with all good spaceports, the shortest walk to the closest tavern is a necessity. Barely making her way through UEE Galactic Control, the girl stumbled upon a rather flash establishment by the name of ‘The Generous Banu.’ The irony of the title made her laugh. Even more so that the proprietor was able to get away with such an obvious pun made it even more amusing. She walked inside. What a place. There were Banu exotic dancers on platforms, humans making fools of themselves as per usual and Xi’an hanging out in private booths sipping on Earth Scotch that they had paid through the roof for. Just a typical night out the girl thought. She pulled up a seat at the bar. Like it was cued, the male of all species in the bar started to hit on her. Highly annoying.

Across from the central bar island however, was a solitary figure, shadowed by the dim light of the booth he was sitting in. He sat there, staring at the girl, smirking at her attempts to shrug off sexually deprived spacemen of all species. The first thing noticed was his wry grin. She hated being mocked or laughed at. Her father had done it to her all of her life. She looked away, continuing her futile retorts to an endless stream of societies lowest bottom feeders attempting to woo her into coitus. She looked again at the lone figure. He never broke his gaze. Now she was getting shitty. Did she know this guy? What was his deal anyway? He was different, that’s for sure. Though she had dealt with guys trying the aloof routine before. She broke her eye contact with him, now a few frustrating drinks down, trying to relax in a sea of bottled testosterone.

The figure in the booth continued to look at her however. He would not relent. There was something about her, at least to him. He recognised her. The girl still felt like she was being watched. She looked at the figure for a third time. Her father had always taught her to give people three goes before acting. A bit like baseball. This was it; it was time to confront him. Maybe he was a spy sent by the UEE Navy to catch her out, maybe he was a kidnapper, whatever the case, she was going to find out. She flew out of stool, sculled the rest of her drink down and cracked her neck. Then she stormed over to the figure at the table. As she got closer, his gaze remained on her. He was hooded; his face was largely invisible except for the whites of his eyes and the sheen of his teeth. He was somewhat creepy.

“Hey you,” the girl yelled at the figure over the obnoxious music, “What’s your deal?”

The figure just stared at her. He did not flinch or waiver.

“Oi, I’m talking to you fella,” she exclaimed.

Again, no visible response was made. The girl grew frustrated quickly.

“Hey you fucking asshole, if you don’t answer me, shit is going to get real around here,” she yelled.

The figure moved, the first time he had done so. Obviously threats registered with him.

“And what do you propose to do little girl?” he muttered condescendingly.

The girl was beside herself for a moment. First he ignored her and now he insulted her. She responded in the only way she was accustomed, with violence. She lashed out at the figure, armed only with her two fists. In a fraction of a second she quickly found herself thrown through the air, her forearms pinned to the table and the figure now straddling her on top of the table.

“Didn’t your parents ever teach you that violence isn’t the answer little girl?” the figure whispered in her ear.

“Fuck you asshole. I never had parents. I fight for myself. It’s the only way,” she screamed at him.

“Well isn’t that tragic. To reject ones parents is the ultimate in human heartbreak. But I know you had parents. I knew who they were. I know who you are,” the man spoke to her.

The girl was confused. What the hell was happening?

“I am going to release you if you promise not to lash out at me again young Miss,” the man offered to her.

She really had no choice, the man had all the leverage right now. She reluctantly accepted.

“I promise,” she muttered unhappily.

The man leapt off of the girl rather quickly, returning to the seat which he had occupied until the girl had attempted to attack her. Shaken up slightly, the girl took up a seat next to the figure. A million questions plagued her mind.

“Well, if you know so much about me, who are you?” she questioned.

The figure took a sip of his Johnnie Walker Black and Cola.

“My name is Aramanthius,” the figure claimed.

“What kind of weird name is that?” she uttered in disbelief, “I mean I’ve been around the ‘verse but I’ve never heard no name like that before.”

Aramanthius shot her a gaze of disapproval.

“Don’t you worry about it. It’s my name, the origin is irrelevant. What is relevant is you being here, on this world, at this time,” Aramanthius said.

The girl was puzzled. Why was she so important? She was just another pilot for the UEE Navy. Yeah sure, she might post a handsome reward for a kidnapping but something about this guy made her feel safe. She couldn’t put a finger on it, in much the same way she couldn’t lay a fist on him.

“Why is that relevant? What are you not telling me?” the girl exclaimed.

Aramanthius smiled at her. He removed the hood of his jacket from his head, revealing a shaved head, white, with many scars. He sported a goatee and a few tattoos. If he didn’t seem like a hard fella before, he certainly confirmed it now. The girl shot him an uneasy look.

“I’m glad you asked,” he responded, “Your reputation precedes you Amélie.”

Amélie was perplexed.

“What. The. Flying. Fuck. How do you know my name?” she said in disbelief.

“I told you girl, I know more about you than you know,” he said.

“Ok then wiseguy, Abacus or whatever your name is, tell me what you think you know,” she retorted.

Aramanthius just sat there and smiled briefly before responding.

“Your name is Amélie Madeleine Patton. You’re 25 years old, 5 feet 3 inches tall, 106 pounds. You have blue eyes and brown hair. You are a qualified sniper and marksman with the UEE Special Ops Group, regarded as some of the most badass soldiers within known space. You served for a number of years before being captured by the Vanduul and eventually released. You sustained extensive injuries which resulted in you being downgraded from active service.”

Amélie cringed as he said that last part. She was upset by it, but not because he said it.

“You were relatively protected until recently. Your father was a high ranking General in the UEE Army and interfered significantly in your career to prevent you from falling foul of your superiors. With his passing, you have found yourself wanting. You are no longer a protected species, and you have found yourself stuck in a desk job, away from your beloved flying.” Aramanthius concluded by shooting a wry smile at Amélie. She simply stared at him, no emotion.

“How…how do you know all that?” she said nervously, “are you stalking me?”

Aramanthius laughed.

“Not at all girl, I like to know who I am dealing with in advance, especially if I am interested in having them work for me.”

She looked at him puzzled.

“Work for you?” she questioned.

“A simpler statement could never have been made,” he joked.

“If you know so much about me then you would know I already have gainful employment,” she responded.

Aramanthius took a sip of his Scotch.

“Alas you are unhappy, are you not?” he said.

Amélie shrugged. It was true after all, the UEE had somewhat betrayed her.

“I suppose I am somewhat,” she responded.

“What you have are a very particular set of skills Amélie. Skills you were born with, others you have acquired through your service with the UEE. Skills that in the wrong hands make you a nightmare to people like me. But in the right hands, make you a formidable force in galactic space,” concluded Aramanthius.

“Oh yeah, like what?” tested Amélie.

“You are one of the best snipers to grace the UEE SOG. You are an accomplished pilot. You are a trained killer and crack shot. You know how to infiltrate, to concentrate and to conflagrate. You are a modern day warrior for all intents and purposes. I am not trying to flatter you. This is the truth,” justified Aramanthius.

Amélie just looked at him. Sure, it was nice to hear all that, but what was his motive?

“What do you want from me then Mister?” she questioned.

“I want you to work for me, to believe in my organisation, to rediscover what it means to be a warrior and explorer. I am offering you the opportunity to join a fraternity of like minded people uniting to challenge the status quo. You’re a bit of a rebel are you not Amélie?” he said.

“Look, I’m not sure what to think of this. You can’t just stare at someone, rough them up, tell them their life story and expect them to join some cult at the drop of a hat. I know nothing about you,” she exclaimed.

Aramanthius just stared at her, before smiling.

“I do not expect you to. But I would like you to think on it. I will send you our manifesto and charter. See if you like what you read. You will always be able to contact me, and I will always be able to find you,” Aramanthius stated. “Do you think you could do that?”

Amélie looked at him again; he seemed fairly legitimate in his attention. After all, to know all that he did about her would have required some digging into classified files. The man was committed. She could at least reward his perseverance with some hospitality.

“Ok Aramabacus, I forget your weird name,” she responded, “I’ll read your stuff. You’ll excuse me if I am a little taking back by your behaviour. I’ve had a few to drink and I’m going to head back to my ship now. See you round.”

With that, Amélie stumbled to her feet and walked in a drunk zigzag pattern out of the bar. Aramanthius laughed at her and muttered under his breath.

“She’ll do.”

Amélie got back to her ship without incident and slumped on her bed. She picked up her Mobiglass and began to read the transmission Aramanthius had sent her.

“Oh shit, his name isn’t Abacus, hahahaha,” she laughed to herself.

The document reminded her of military and legal doctrine. It was written in an authoritarian manner, with strict tone and grammar. It was professional. It referred to an organisation known as Malleorum Novum Imperium. She ran a quick galactic search on them on UEENET. These guys were well known. They were actively hunted by the UEE for their actions, but never engaged in any behaviour that would bring disdain or discredit to their character. No war crimes, no atrocities, just a simple collective doing what was right by their fellow Citizens. Amélie was intrigued. The more she read, the more she liked it. This Aramanthius was onto something. He had also added a personal note.

“Amélie, I need a fighter. I need someone who is willing to rip the heart out of their enemies and eat it in front of their dying eyes. I need a pilot. The most badass pilot around. I need a deputy. I need aptitude, wit, intelligence, loyalty and pride. But what I really need is you. I need you in MNI. What do you say? Just remember, once you are in, you are never out.”

The cursor flashed in the reply box to the message she received from Aramanthius. She stared at it. It was a big commitment, but why not? The UEE Navy had reduced her to nothing; her father could not protect her anymore. She was on her own. Why not join with people who shared her beliefs? Especially with someone who went through such effort to study and analyse her. The answer was simple.

She typed on the screen.

“Aramanthius, I accept your offer. I will join you.”

***END RECORDING***

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***TRANSMISSION DETECTED***

TYPE : TYPE IV ENCRYPTED STATIC

SOURCE : UNKNOWN

COMMAND INPUT: RUN AUTODECRYPT

***TRANSMISSION DECRYPTING PLEASE WAIT***

***PLEASE WAIT***

***PLEASE WAIT***

***SUCCESS. TRANSMISSION DECRYPTED***

MOBIGLASS ENTRY: 0023
GAL. DATE: [REDACTED]
UEE CITIZEN STATUS: MERCENARY
NAME: [REDACTED]

[The recording starts with a click and a slight pause as what sounds like a cancer-stick being smoked before a gruff male voice sounds]

Well … a man can lose a hell of a lot in the deep darkness of the ‘verse. Cargo, friends, and in some cases; even his life, and I can tell you a thing or two about those and how to expedite that loss… but I ain’t got the time or the damn patience to tell you.

Why do you want to know anyway? I’m a nobody, my hooded friend. Jus’ a guy trying to make a living in this shithole we … well I … call home. I wouldn’t even the foggiest of what Banu-crapper you crawled out from… heh, but I guess you could say that all this talking has got me thirsty.

[Garbled noises are heard]

What do you think it means, you weirdo? Buy me a fuckin’ brew and I might answer your damned question, and why do you keep touching your mobi, you recording this or something?

[The sound jitters for a few moments before resuming]

Thanks for the drink, it’s a just a step up from Vanduul piss. Just. Now; where were we? Ah, yeah, the worst thing in the ‘verse I can think of? Some might say that’s a bit of a weird question, friend. Probably the time I blew an arc projector in the Caterpillar and wound up on Weeva with nothing but my wits and a can of Blue Vanduul, heh…

[Once again the noise is heard, harsh tones. They stop the man mid-sentence]

How in the … I knew there was something funny about you, girl. I never told nobody about that, not even [REDACTED] and he’s my kin. I don’t know where you come from, but you don’t just go around asking a man questions like that for no good reason…

[The man pauses, takes a draw if his smoke and sighs before continuing]

When the Void calls to you the first time, you ignore it; it sounds like a whisper in the back of your skull and nothing more. When the Void calls to you again, you try to play it off as a joke, but it stays there, down in the recesses of your mind… this was the third time I heard the call.

I was out near enough to Spider when I heard it again, about a sector or two, calling out like a child lost, wailing for it’s Mother.. My crew were all sleeping soundly in their beds, hell some of them were even snoring softly as we flew.

They didn’t even know.

It was then that I saw it. The black lines, the deep red star. I knew what it was without even ever being told. They were the Void, they were my reckoning.

[A long pause in the recording]

Still to this day, I don’t know why they left me. I believe they came to judge us, maybe. I’ve done some horrible shit in my life, but leaving my crew to the Hammer… That was the worst.

[The now familiar sound of electronic scrambling…]

An almighty crash came from down the back of the ship and my HUD lit up like Unification Day on Terra. Warning bells were goin’ off all over the place, but over the top of that I could still hear the CRACK – pssssst, CRACK – pssssst over and over again. It took me a second to realise that they had come aboard cold; they hadn’t bothered to seal the boarding arm. The whole ship depressurised and the sound that I can still hear in my skull today, were the doors slamming closed and sealing me in right where they wanted me.

[Sound of the man drawing back on his cig and blowing out slowly]

Now, I don’t know why exactly they came after me. I had only heard about them in bars and the tall tales that crew tell. [Snorts] My damned crew, when those hooded bastards boarded no-one stood a chance; they were spaced within seconds, the air ripped right out of ‘em. My wife… my world, it all ended right there in those few precious seconds. God I miss her.

[Clicking sounds]

Well, I don’t know how to put this; but I did something that day that I never thought I would do. I flipped open the dampning hatch and I smuggled myself away. Still to this day I have no idea how I fit in there, I might not be the tallest guy around but I sure as shit ain’t as small as that hole.

[Harsher clicking sounds]

Yeah. I guess you could call it that sister… and truth be told I’ve been hiding the rest of my life. Not to blow my own horn or anything, I got pretty good at it.

[The man sighs and takes another drag on the cigarette]

I mean, until now. Ain’t that right, my hooded friend?

[Another voice is finally heard]

You have been judged for your crimes a long time ago, [REDACTED]. You may take solace in knowing your story was heard. The hammer falls for us all, brother…

[A gunshot is heard. Then panicked screams]

***END OF TRANSMISSION***

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***SUCCESS. TRANSMISSION DECRYPTED***

MOBIGLASS ENTRY: 0006
GAL. DATE: [REDACTED]

To succeed, the MNI will require the adherence to its code by all of its members at all times. A set of laws has been developed to aid you in dealing with your superiors, other organisations, business issues, finances, inventories and conflicts. The following laws will answer any questions and erase any doubts as to policy and procedure within the organisation. If you feel there have been errors or omissions, please contact your organisational heads.

CODE OF MALLEORUM NOVUM IMPERIUM

-

PART I – Preliminary

1. Long Title

A Code to govern the rules and regulation of the organisation of Malleorum Novum Imperium, to establish the hierarchy of the organisation and to deal with matters of Executive and judicial nature.

2. Application

(1) The provisions of this Code apply to every sworn member of Malleorum Novum Imperium, whether the member was sworn before the introduction of this Code or after it unless:

(a) Express provision is made to the contrary,

(b) Executive orders made in prescribed times of hostility that are inconsistent with this Code; or

© at any other time the Grand Master deems necessary.

3. Code binds the Executive

All Executive members of the organisation are bound by this Code.

PART II – Organisation

4. Membership

(1) To become a member of the organisation, a potential initiate must contact an existing member who in turn must recommend membership to the Executive.

(2) Once a sworn member of the organisation, a member is to abide by and is subject to the sections of this Code.

(3) Members may not leave the organisation except by express permission of the Executive. Leaving the organisation will result in:

(a) An internal kill order being promulgated on the member’s character; and

(b) A universe wide bounty being placed on that character.

(4) Membership of the organisation is capped at a maximum of two (2) characters per user account.

(5) Members are permitted to be affiliates of other organisations provided that their primary organisation is Malleorum Novum Imperium.

5. Executive

(1) The Executive is made up of the higher tier of members. It is responsible for:

(a) Administration of the organisation,

(b) Diplomatic relations,

© Trade agreements,

(d) Personnel Dispute Resolution,

(e) The Judiciary,

(f) Membership approvals,

(g) War orders; and

(h) Other duties as required.

(2) The Executive consists of the following members:

(a) Two permanent members consisting of:
(i) The Grand Master
(ii) The Imperator; and

(b) Two elected members.

(3) The members of the Executive have equal voting rights in collective decisions.

(4) The Grand Master has veto in case of deadlock or disagreement.

PART III – Behavioural Code

6. General Behaviour

(1) The following behaviours are binding on all members operating within the game environment:

(i) Members must be respectful towards other members at all times,

(ii) Members are not to engage in personal attacks on other members,

(iii) No explicit sexual content is to be contained in fan fiction or general chat,

(iv) No promotion of illegal activity in any real world jurisdiction,

(v) No use of illegal mods or add-ons to Star Citizen,

(vi) No harassment, bullying or sexism,

(vii) No cheating or hacking,

(viii) No spam of chat or voice chat; and

(ix) other offences as deemed appropriate in the circumstances.

(2) Offences against the provisions contained in section 6 subsection 1 are punishable by the following means:

(i) First Offence, A written and/or verbal warning to the member by the Executive,

(ii) Second Offence, A 1 week ban from chat and suspension from organisation operations,

(iii) Third Offence, Demotion in rank and possible confiscation of property; and

(iv) Fourth Offence, Termination of organisation membership.

(3) Offences under section 6 are not punishable by a kill order or bounty.

PART IV – Mission Conduct

7. Communications

(1) Members may communicate freely with other members of the Star Citizen universe.

(2) Members must not divulge internal plans and memos to non-members.

8. Combat

(1) Members are to train regularly to ensure a high level of combat readiness.

(2) Members are not to engage in combat with other organisations except:

(a) With permission of the Executive,

(b) in self defence,

© in defence of allies; and

(d) to protect organisation assets and property.

(3) The penalty for engaging in unsanctioned combat is potential expulsion from the organisation.

(4) The Executive shall reserve the right to determine what combat action is appropriate in the circumstances.

(5) The organisation does not permit random, unsanctioned killing of other Player Characters in the Star Citizen universe except for the reasons listed at section 8 subsection 2.

(6) The penalty for breaching section 8 subsection 5 is potential expulsion from the organisation and seizure of assets.

8A. Kill Orders

(1) Kill orders will be issued by the Executive.

(2) The format of a kill order is to be set by the Executive.

(3) A kill order can be used for all Part 5 Offences where Death is a prescribed punishment.

(4) A kill order binds all members unaffected by that order to search for and execute the affected party.

9. Business Affairs

(1) Trade by members in the Star Citizen universe is unregulated.

(2) Members may freely engage in business relations with any other Player Character, Non-Player Character or organisation without hindrance or permission from the Executive.

(3) The Executive retains the right of veto over all business affairs and can order a member to cease operations that conflict with the organisational focus.

10. Alliances

(1) All inter-organisational alliances will be regulated and managed by the Executive.

PART V – Offences

11. Abandoning or surrendering a post etc

(1) A member is guilty of an offence if:

(a) the person has a duty to defend or destroy a place, post, service ship, service aircraft or service armoured vehicle; and

(b) the person knows of that duty; and

© the person abandons or surrenders to the enemy the place or thing mentioned in paragraph (a).

Maximum punishment: Death.

(2) It is a defence if the person proves that he or she had a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.

11A. Causing the capture or destruction of a service ship, aircraft or vehicle

(1) A member is guilty of an offence if:

(a) the person engages in conduct; and

(b) the conduct causes the capture or destruction by the enemy of a service ship, service aircraft or service armoured vehicle; and

© by engaging in the conduct, the person intends to bring about that result.

Maximum punishment: Death.

(2) It is a defence if the person proves that he or she had a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.

11B. Aiding the Enemy

(1) A member is guilty of an offence if the person serves with the enemy, aids the enemy in prosecuting hostilities or measures likely to influence morale or aids the enemy in any other manner that is not authorised by the Executive

Maximum punishment: Death.

(2) It is a defence if the person proves that he or she had a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.

11C. Providing the enemy with material assistance

(1) A member is guilty of an offence if the person provides the enemy with, or permits or enables the enemy to have access to, arms, ammunition, vehicles, supplies of any description or any other thing likely to assist the enemy.

Maximum punishment: Expulsion.

(2) It is a defence if the person proves that he or she had a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.

11D. Harbouring Enemies

(1) A member is guilty of an offence if:

(a) the person harbours or protects another person; and

(b) that other person is an enemy person; and

© that other person is not a prisoner of war; and

(d) the first-mentioned person knows that the other person is an enemy person.

Maximum punishment: Expulsion.

(2) It is a defence if the person proves that he or she had a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.

11E. Failing to carry out orders

(1) A member is guilty of an offence if:

(a) the person:

(i) is ordered by his or her superior officer to prepare for, or to carry out, operations against the enemy; or

(ii) is otherwise under orders to prepare for, or to carry out, operations against the enemy; and

(b) the person does not use his or her utmost exertions to carry those orders into effect.

Maximum punishment: Expulsion.

(2) It is a defence if the person proves that he or she had a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.

12. Mutiny

(1) A member who takes part in a mutiny is guilty of an offence.

Maximum punishment: Death.

13. Failing to suppress mutiny

(1) A member is guilty of an offence if:

(a) a mutiny is taking place or is intended; and

(b) the member knows that fact; and

© the member does not take reasonable steps:

(i) to suppress or prevent the mutiny; or

(ii) to report to proper authority without delay that the mutiny is taking place or is intended.

Maximum punishment: Expulsion.

14. Desertion

(1) A member is guilty of an offence if the member:

(a) is on active service; and

(b) without leave, and with the intention of avoiding that service, departs from, or does not attend at, his or her place of duty.

Maximum punishment: Death.

15. Insubordinate conduct

(1) A member is guilty of an offence if:

(a) the member engages in conduct that is threatening, insubordinate or insulting to a person; and

(b) the person is a superior officer.

Maximum punishment: Expulsion.

16. Disobeying a lawful command

(1) A member is guilty of an offence if:

(a) a person gives the member a lawful command; and

(b) the person giving the command is a superior officer; and

© the member disobeys the command.

Maximum punishment: Expulsion.

17. Negligence in performance of duty

(1) A person who is a defence member is guilty of an offence if:

(a) the person is required, because of his or her office or appointment, to perform a duty; and

(b) the person engages in conduct; and

© that conduct results in a failure to perform the duty to the required standard.

Maximum punishment: Expulsion.

18. Prejudicial conduct

(1) A member is guilty of an offence if the member does an act that is likely to prejudice the discipline of, or bring discredit on, the organisation.

Maximum punishment: Expulsion.

PART VI – Ranks

19. Rank Structure

(1) Ranks are promulgated by the official RSI organisation page.

(2) Ranks are reflective of the organisational structure.

(3) Members are required to obey commands of superior ranked members.

(4) Ranks do not prevent free communication between members.

(5) Members are not to request promotion. Promotion will be granted on merit.

PART VII – Finances

20. Proceeds of organisational action

(1) This section left intentionally blank.