Preparations

"Enough." Xing said. "No more questions.  You know enough to go out and do well and I have a meeting with Jin halfway across the galaxy. If you really need to know 'why', then go out and find the answer yourself."

Kamla was usually Xing's favorite sibling but they'd been spending almost every waking moment together for well over a month. Xing had intended for Kamla's training as a new Capsuleer to mirror his own two weeks of training at the hands of their brother, Jin. But, he had not anticipated his sister's insatiable desire to learn everything.

"I was wondering how long you'd let me push you around." Kamla said with a smile. "Consider it payback for that 'lesson' you gave me on immortality."

Just as Jin had forced Xing to experience the destruction of his ship and pod, Xing had forced Kamla to experience the same. Her reaction, though, had been a bit different than Xing's. For Kamla, the first time waking up in a fresh clone had been more of an eye-opening realization of possibilities and less of a lesson in immortality. She'd immediately made the connection that waking up in a clone isn't just for emergencies. She realized it can be used for instant travel as well through assigning her clone to a different medical facility then self-destructing in her pod.

Xing sighed. "I should have known. Kam, I'm starting to wonder why Jin didn't refer you to be a Capsuleer before the rest of the family."

"That's easy," she said. "He wanted a head start."

Xing laughed but there was some truth to that. The alPatars were a competitive brood and Kamla was indisputably the smartest of the bunch.

"I was going to have you stay here and work on your dogfighting skills but now I think you should come with me when I meet with Jin. We'll be making plans for the family and I think your insights could be useful." Xing said.

"Interesting. I wonder what Jin has in mind." Kamla mused.

"I think he wants the family to start working toward a common goal now that most of us have some experience under our belts and some ISK in our wallets." Xing explained.

"It's about time the alPatars are known outside a few Gallentean systems," Kamla replied. "Where are we meeting?"

"We'll be flying to Badivefi—no 'pod-jumping' this time. We need to assemble our resources."

"Badivefi!? Jin sure didn't try to find a place that was central, did he? Let's say we make these 30 jumps more interesting and place a wager on who gets there first?"

"Ha! Not a chance, Kam. I'll be bringing my retriever so you'd be hard pressed to find a slower ship."

"Fine, I'll make sure we don't start without you." Kamla said as she started toward her hangar.

"What ship will you be bringing?"

"And ruin the surprise? I don't think so!" Kamla said with a grin.

As Kamla left Xing started to draw up the cargo list for the trip ahead. Flexibility was the key as he wasn't really sure what Jin had in mind.

"Takara, can you come here please?" Xing said into the coms unit.

There'd been different ideas thrown around but they had never really settled on what sort of venture the alPatars should pursue.

I might as well bring asteroid and ice mining equipment. I'll pack a couple flights of drones as well but I expect I can get replacements wherever we end up…

"'Hi, Xing. You called?" Takara asked as she entered Xing's Captain's quarters.

"Yes. I'll be leaving for Badivefi shortly. Now that Kamla is up to speed I'll be leaving Clellinon entirely and moving my personal headquarters out to Amarr. I'd like you to head up operations there."

Takara had started as Xing's Chief Engineer during his first days as a Capsuleer. Since then, she'd shown an aptitude for management that far exceeded her formidable engineering abilities. Takara had even suggested some plays in the local markets that turned out to be quite successful.

Takara smiled. "That would be wonderful, sir. Do you have any specific requests once I'm in Amarr?"

"Use your best judgment. I've already set up a contract with Red Frog Freight to move all of our assets. As you've told me multiple times, the markets in Amarr offer quite a bit more opportunity than these here in Clellinon. I'd like you to start investing the ISK we have. Try to keep half our ISK liquid so we can react to emergencies but otherwise use your best judgment."

Takara's face lit up and Xing could tell she was already losing herself in the possibilities.

"One last thing; Amita will also be in Badivefi for our meeting but I expect she'll immediately head back to Jita whatever we decide. Work with her whenever you can. I expect that having an ally in another major trade system will be advantageous for the both of you."

"Of course. Anything else?"

"That's everything. It may be a while before I see you again but I trust you completely. If there's anything you need from me, just ask."

They embraced for a moment before Takara left for the Station Warehouses. The realization suddenly struck Xing that Takara was the first person outside of the family that had gained his trust. Well, most of his trust—he wasn't a fool.

Before his final departure he double checked the security for Entertainment 7wenty—a holding corporation he'd set up before Takara was given access to his personal financials. It was easy to give her free reign over his personal assets and ISK when the majority of both were inaccessible to her. He felt a bit guilty for the deception but all trust was earned and this test was an opportunity for Takara to prove herself.

Xing made a final sweep of his quarters before heading to his ship.  But instead of entering his pod, he pinged Kamla on coms, "Kamla; one million ISK if you're still up for a wager."

"Are you serious?" She asked.

"Yes, and no self-destructing your pod just to jump the distance." Xing said.

"What are you up to? Are you taking a different ship?" Kamla asked warily.

"I'm still bringing the retriever. Are you in?"

After a moment Kamla replied, "I'm in."

Xing was sure she suspected some sort of trick but she couldn't pass up the opportunity. He chuckled as he contacted Red Frog Freight to move his retriever as well. Once the contract was set up he contacted the stations Medical Officer.

"Sir? What can we do for you?"

"I'd like to jump to a clone I have installed in Badivefi." Xing said.

"Of course, sir. Let me just verify that everything is ready on their end."

Xing smiled as he imagined the look on his sister's face as she realized what he'd done.

"Everything looks to be in order, sir. We can execute the transfer to your Badivefi jump clone on your mark."

Xing glanced around the quarters he'd be leaving behind one last time.

"Mark."