《The Last Thieve》 Introduction "Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made." Immanuel Kant 1 Humans spread across the cosmos like vermin in a dark kitchen, obliterating everything in their path toward cosmic dominance. Once curious explorers, they transformed into merciless barbarians, traversing the farthest galaxies with their Invaders, seeking new planets for colonization or, at the very least, brutal exploitation of available resources. Methodically and with cold-blooded precision, they eradicated encountered life forms on their way, turning conquests and plunder into their religion, with fanatical devotion to their ruthless expansion. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. 2 Jo worked as a mechanic in the repair hangar of Mj?lner Base, a structure rooted ages ago on one of the asteroids in the Kuiper Belt. From here, the marauding Invaders set forth on their predatory expeditions to the farthest reaches of the universe. Yet, Jo had never ventured beyond the base''s confines. In his three-decade life, his world comprised only the hangar, the employee canteen, the residential quarters for technical staff, and occasionally, a glimpse of the starry sky above the retractable roof of the landing pad. This mesmerizing view of the starlit expanse offered a momentary escape from the grim reality. Stolen novel; please report. 3 Wearing a grease-stained jumpsuit and with his ever-present lunchbox, crafted from pieces of riveted sheet metal, mechanic Jo looked like a convict confined to a high-security facility. It seemed he had already come to terms with a life sentence for some heinous crimes committed by all of humanity. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. 4 Here, no one entered into closer, non-official relationships. People were devoid of any emotions and positive feelings, as the regulations of the expeditionary base governed all aspects of life and work. There was no room for sentiments or spontaneity, as everything had been subordinated to one overarching goal¡ªruthless cosmic exploration. Jo was an exceptionally peculiar individual who scowled at everyone, as if he had something to hide. Distrustful, taciturn, alienated, reacting extremely nervously to any attempts at non-official contacts. He evoked antipathy and contempt from others. The checkpoint guards often indulged in mockery and derision directed at him. And as if that were not enough, the eccentric mechanic did not eat in the worker''s canteen like everyone else; he prepared his meals by himself from some algae growing on the damp walls of the hangar. What came out of it was a stinking, dirty-green sludge that everyone, except Jo, found utterly repulsive. Initially, attempts were made to prohibit his practices. Several times, he was summoned before the disciplinary committee, but in the end, it was recognized that if it did not affect his efficiency and effectiveness, he could eat even his own shit. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. 5 It is highly likely that the committee''s approval of this culinary extravagance in the form of the disgusting-smelling and undefined-tasting dirty-green concoction became a turning point in the life of the eccentric mechanic from the Mj?lner expeditionary base. The old saying goes, "Give someone an inch, and they''ll take a mile." That''s exactly what happened in Jo''s case. Encouraged by this small concession from the base leadership, he believed that if he could outsmart the system once, he could probably do it again the next time. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. 6 In expeditionary bases, a strict hierarchy prevailed. At the very top were the planners who organized subsequent conquests and raids. They formed a prominent group of decision-makers and visionaries¡ªan aristocracy among all professional groups. Right after them were the explorers, known as Berserkers. Fearless warriors forming the crews of Invaders, they alternately inspired both fear and admiration in others. Everyone took them seriously, and no one dared to cross their path. Immediately following them were the guardians, responsible for maintaining order and security in the base. Frustrated and zealous servants, often ruthless executioners. The next in the hierarchy were the technical support staff, people like Jo¡ªexperts in dirty work and at everyone''s beck and call. Responsible for the proper functioning of the entire system. Perhaps only the settlers, at the very bottom of the social ladder, had it worse. Their role boiled down to populating and exploiting distant, often nightmarishly inhospitable planets. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. 7 The mechanics of the Invaders resided at the rear of the repair hangar of the Mj?lner base. They were relocated there from the residential area for technical personnel because it was deemed necessary for them to be on constant standby to ensure the smooth functioning of the entire expansionist system. The former warehouse of exploitative materials was adapted into living quarters so that technicians could respond more quickly to any malfunctions in interstellar units. The service personnel had their own canteen (with more than terrible food), a dingy social room (which practically no one used, as there was no perceived need for affiliation), a row of foul-smelling toilets, one functional shower, and a bit more freedom, which was more precious to them than any possible comforts. Thanks to this change in accommodation, the mechanics were closer to the repair hangar, with only one checkpoint along the way, and daily checks were usually swift and cursory to avoid delaying repairs. Unfortunately, the mandatory breaks were damn inconvenient for them, especially during wartime campaigns when the number of malfunctions became much greater than usual. The mechanics, gathered in in a tight isolation chamber had to wait idly until the incoming Invader was checked and cleansed. During this time, the enforcer guards (commonly referred to as "cleaners") ensured that no alien life forms attempted to infiltrate the base, hidden somewhere in the hull of each incoming Invader. It was jokingly called "dealienization." Only after completing all necessary procedures, carried out by enforcers clad in protective suits, could the service personnel return to their work. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. 8 Right after moving to the back of the repair hangar, mechanic Jo discovered that his new living quarters were adjacent to a disused and seemingly forgotten room, quite spacious, where a warehouse of hyperdrive controllers for the Intruders was once housed. Intruders, the predecessors of the deadly Invaders, had long been decommissioned due to numerous flaws that hindered their ability to enter hyperspace. Jo clandestinely claimed the space for himself and set it up as a kind of workshop where he could indulge in his culinary experiments and other equally peculiar hobbies. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. 9 Since the discovery and appropriation of the additional space, mechanic Jo became even more secretive and distrustful. He scrutinized everyone with his bulging eyes, probably fearing that this time things could truly go south for him. If accused of actions detrimental to the base, nothing could save him from severe consequences. Even his exemplary efficiency and effectiveness in service work offered no guarantee that this time the matter would be brushed aside. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. 10 All residents of the expeditionary base were obliged to strictly adhere to its regulations. For serious offenses, the penalty was degradation to a lower tier in the social hierarchy. In the case of someone like mechanic Jo, this would likely result in exile to one of the rare metal mines. This repressive measure might have seemed relatively humane compared to what awaited those guilty of the gravest offenses. The harshest punishment applied to personnel of expeditionary bases accused of serious crimes, including sabotage, was expulsion. The expelled individual was placed in a special banishment capsule and launched towards the nearest supernova, meteor swarm, or one of the black holes. Unfortunately, it was an irreversible journey in any case. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. 11 Everyone remembered the case of Markus, accused of sabotage for writing on the planner''s canteen wall: "I DON''T LIKE PEOPLE AS A SPECIES." It caused a significant stir not only in the Mj?lner base but also throughout the Confederation. Markus served as the adjutant to the chief strategist for military campaigns, enjoying numerous privileges. No one expected that someone so close to the decision-makers would hold such radical views. During a series of brutal interrogations, Markus admitted to being a misanthrope. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. The Markus case was unprecedented and forced the Confederation to develop a strategy to prevent radicalization and extremism. Everyone was subjected to strict control, and personal freedoms were restricted to the bare minimum to prevent such incidents in the future. Markus was placed in a banishment capsule and launched toward the very epicenter of a supernova explosion. Jo witnessed the transmission of this event and knew about Markus''s case. 12 Loneliness among people is probably the worst thing that can happen to a person. You have no one to share your life with. Your own body is a prison from which there is no escape. You begin to blame yourself for everything. After all, there must be something wrong with you, while the surrounding world is perfect. Even if it''s a cold, extremely inhospitable place, devoid of warm colors and natural elements. It''s as if you were a misfit in some puzzle you don''t understand. As if it''s not your world but theirs, and you are an intruder. Alien. They¡ªwith their intrigues, pettiness, and lack of empathy¡ªseem to thrive in this reality. Only you feel bad, cramped, and wish to escape to the farthest edge of the universe. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. 13 It''s unclear what impact the Markus case had on Jo. A new Stellaris cycle was just beginning, and a military campaign against the Zyra''kth civilization on the icy moons of Ythorii was in progress. Their resistance surprised the planners. It proved to be very strong because Zyra''kth was in a guild with another civilization - Xiloria, which provided military support to Zyra''kth. The Confederation had to deploy significant forces against them. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. A battle frenzy engulfed everyone, and there was no time to dwell on Markus and his misanthropy. Each subsequent Dagr was filled with countless service interventions for damaged Invaders. Action had to be taken quickly and effectively. Perhaps for the first time in history, someone offered such strong resistance to humanity. Mechanics had their hands full, working to keep the combat Invaders in the best possible technical condition. 14 Legend has it that in ancient times, when the universe was younger, humans and Zyra''kth shared living space in the Homeworld. The tale recounts an era when humans, already conquerors and cunning, began to compete with a less advanced species. The battle for resources and territory ignited, and the shocks of war reverberated through the landscapes of primordial forests. This rivalry could have led to the almost complete extinction of this ancient civilization. However, the fate of Zyra''kth was not sealed. At one point, a group of their community members was abducted by the Xilorians and transported to the far reaches of the universe. There, on the icy moons of Ythorii, in distant isolation from the human world, Zyra''kth began a new life, developing their civilization. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Ironically, fate arranged for the paths of humans and Zyra''kth to cross again at the edges of the universe. The reunion of old acquaintances sparked a cosmic confrontation. Interstellar barbarians once again clash with Zyra''kth, who remember the ancient legend of how those same humans once devoured their ancestors. 15 Zyra''kth - humanoid, or perhaps hominid, thrived in the extremely cold environment of the icy moons of Ythorii, making them remarkably resilient to harsh conditions. The Xilorians differed significantly from the Zyra¡¯kth; they were not hominids. They communicated without utilizing standard senses. They crafted an ancient, highly advanced civilization that once attempted to influence less developed worlds. Roaming distant galaxies in search of inhabited planets, their curiosity and fascination with diverse forms of life in the universe led them to the Homeworld. They discreetly endeavored to impact the beings residing there, but it seems not everything went according to their plan. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. 16 The fortieth Dagr of the first cycle of Stellaris M¨¢lt¨ªer had begun. The military campaign against the guild of civilizations Xiloria and Zyra¡¯kth was gaining momentum when something occurred that would forever change the life of the mechanic Jo from the expeditionary base Mj?lner. Perhaps even the entire humanity. Maybe even the entire universe! Returning to the base, the seriously damaged Invader unexpectedly struck the dormitory of the chief strategist for military campaigns. It was unclear why the plasma shields had failed, but the consequences were catastrophic. Part of the planners'' quarters underwent depressurization. As a result of this tragic disaster, many prominent figures, including the chief strategist and the Invader''s crew, lost their lives. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Panic erupted in the base, and controlling the situation became extremely difficult, given that a very challenging military campaign was being conducted simultaneously. 17 An immediate investigative procedure was initiated. A special committee for flight safety oversight was tasked with determining the cause of the catastrophe. Various possibilities were considered: sabotage, alien interference, procedural violations, safety system failure, human error. Chaos gripped the Mj?lner expedition base, located on one of the largest transneptunian objects in the Kuiper Belt - 2007 OR10. The oldest crew members couldn''t recall a chaos of such magnitude. The death of key figures from the leadership, including the chief decision-maker, only intensified this chaos. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Mechanic Jo was delegated to deal with the aftermath of the disaster. Clad in a spacesuit and tethered to the base by an umbilical cable, he felt something he had never experienced in his life - freedom 18 Behold, a man with a touch of cosmos in his gaze. An alien form, much like a thought ripped from its context and carried by the wind. Until it lands here. He returned to a place that exists no more. They say he went mad. Fumbling, he searches for a path. "Madman, fool!" This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it The departed beckon him deeper, where once lilies and orchids grew. Then he realizes he still fears the faces of the soot-stained saints, their penetrating eyes, afraid they will unveil his entire future. "I wish to seize the moment before time licks every dream from my eyelids! I must look the world in the eyes and then discover I am not from here." People sometimes lose themselves in the crowd, and it becomes challenging to find the best among them. 19 The life of mechanic Jo from the expeditionary base Mj?lner, situated on one of the largest transneptunian objects in the Kuiper Belt - 2007 OR10, lacked lyricism and exaltation. It exuded despair and overwhelming loneliness, filled with the repetitiveness of the same tasks and service work without surprising twists and sudden turns - except for the relocation to the back of the repair hangar and the discovery of a long-forgotten warehouse of hyperdrive controllers, which injected quite a bit of excitement into the life''s monotony. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. If it weren''t for the Invader''s catastrophe, none of us would probably bother with the mechanic and his mundane life as a serviceman, because no one really cared about what was going on in his head or what inner dramas this pathetic eccentric was experiencing. But with mechanic Jo, it was such that he, too, couldn''t care less about what others thought of him. Trained in procedures, clad in a spacesuit, tethered to the rim, and released through the airlock, he savored the sight of the stars. 20 The exploration of the wreckage of the Invader was intended to provide answers to the most crucial question: what was the direct cause of the spaceship''s catastrophe? It was essential to determine whether it resulted from the synergistic interaction of several factors or if one factor was significant. The Flight Safety Oversight Committee needed to ascertain whether the deaths of the personnel and crew resulted from an unfortunate accident or rather deliberate action. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. To find answers to all these questions, a meticulous examination of the crash site was necessary, and for this task, mechanic Jo was delegated. The next step involved attempting to analyze the recorders'' data, checking the functionality of onboard equipment and all systems, with control and safety systems at the forefront. Any ambiguities led to the emergence of various, often highly improbable conspiracy theories and myths. 21 The external inspection of the tragic accident site and the Invader wreck itself yielded no answers to the cause of the catastrophe. Yet, mechanic Jo was in no hurry to conclude this stage of the inspection, relishing every moment of freedom. There''s no denying it - the work outside was incredibly demanding. Extremely low temperatures, micrometeoroids, cosmic radiation, and the risk of losing contact with the base due to equipment failure or unexpected weather conditions made it a challenge. However, for mechanic Jo, it was the best time. Unfortunately, time was relentlessly passing, and the flight safety oversight committee decided to conclude the external inspections and focus on searching for clues inside the wreck indicating the cause of the disaster. Nevertheless, Jo was in no rush at all. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.