Who are these capsule-bound demigods that rule our skies?

Some say they are superstars to be applauded, others claim they are heroes to be adored, a few might claim they are indeed gods to be worshipped. Yet their detractors claim they are morally-devoid warmongering criminals hungry for power. This Capsuleer Focus series aims to lift the lid on the secrets of the “podders” lives and discover the truth.

Read on to learn about the private life, habits and hates of one of New Eden’s elite.

Name: Repentence Saera Tyrathlion
Age: 23
Race/Bloodline: Khanid
Home Planet: Khanid Prime
Describe yourself in three words: Not quite harmless.
Capsuleer Role: CEO of Tyrathlion Interstellar.
Signature Ship: Vigilant/Bhaalgorn
Claim to Fame: One of the most controversial Holders in Khanid space for a variety of reasons.
Typical Quote: Where’s the fun bit?
Trivia: Only surviving official member of a very old family of Khanid holders.
Strangest/most noteworthy thing in your hangar: A device
Describe your bank balance: Comfortable.
If you weren’t a capsuleer?: I dread to think, but I doubt it would be pleasant.

About Repentence Tyrathlion: Repentence has been a high ranking officer in the Angel Cartel-linked industrial group, Preta Light Industries. Since then, she has returned to Khanid space to found Tyrathlion Interstellar.

This time on Capsuleer Focus, we’ll be looking at an unusual case among the ranks of the so-called demigods of the stars; one that can be found planetside just as much as in a capsule. Freelance journalist, Harika Korr, managed to procure an invite to her estates for an interview…

Harika Korr: Ms Tyrathlion, although you’re a pretty well known figure around here, perhaps you could recount your history for our readers elsewhere?

Repentence Tyrathlion: Please, call me Reppy! ‘Ms Tyrathlion’ sounds so formal and… ugh. My story… honestly it’s a simple one. I was a complete tearaway as a child. The only times I wasn’t in trouble was when I was locked in my room – and I could often find a way to get in trouble even there. As the youngest child of the family, I was ‘expendable’ – and when I crossed the line on my eighteenth birthday, of all times, I was disowned and kicked out. Managed to pass the checks and begged enough money to be able to enter the Hedion Academy. Some time adventuring later, I heard that my entire family had died, and the estate was liable to be reclaimed. I returned, fought an extensive legal battle, and managed to regain control. This is where I’ve been ever since.

HK: ‘Some time adventuring’ is one way of putting it. You’re regularly accused of being in league with the Angel Cartel.

RT: Hah. No, I’m not an Angel. I was – that I admit. It gave me an interesting perspective on the cluster, put me through a few scrapes, but I’m shot of them. They screwed me over, I cut ties, we’re even. I was lucky. Capsuleers tend to come and go as they please. I doubt anyone normal who landed with the Cartel would be able to get out as easily.

HK: You were also the star of a Gallente fashion magazine, I believe…

RT: [Groan] How the hell… I suppose it was a fairly high-grade publication. Yes, I did do some modelling for a designer along with a friend; he’d made a few very nice pieces for me, so I thought I’d do him a good turn. I try to keep that quiet around here. While it was all entirely tasteful, it was a Gallente magazine; just risque enough to be interesting over there, which means I’d be burned at the stake by some of the more traditional folk in the Kingdom and Empire.

HK: That’s not all they might want to burn you for, or so the rumour has it. Could you tell us a bit about your attitudes to slavery?

RT: [Smile] For all those foreign readers with their preconceptions, you mean? Let me make it clear to begin with: I’m not an emancipationist. I’m no friend to the rabid packs howling for the blood of the Empire for its crimes. Slavery is a part of the system now, both in the Empire and Kingdom. Our society is built upon it. Short of tearing civilisation to the ground, it’s not going to leave. That said, there’s a lot of stupidity on our side as well. The idea that we have a destiny to go out and bring the rest of the cluster ‘into the light’ is archaic, dangerous and frankly pathetic. That time is long past. We need to adapt and evolve, while remembering that slaves are people, people we must be responsible for and take care of.

HK: So you are, to coin a phrase, a moderate liberal?

RT: Anyone who maltreats their slaves should be punished. This is the main problem across New Eden: slavery is associated with cruelty and horror, and thus the Empire is condemned, regardless of how true those tales are. Only a fool would claim that the Matari people did not suffer from our invasion and conquest, and I agree that it was wrong, but that’s in the past. This is the present, and radical change is not going to occur overnight.

HK: Then do you think that one day the Empire and Kingdom should be slave-free?

RT: I hope the day will come where the question doesn’t matter one way or the other. I like to think that some day everyone will be at least content, regardless of circumstance, position or society. Talk with any of the slaves here on the estate; I’ve done my utmost to ensure that all are happy with life. That’s my responsibility as their owner.

HK: You said you were no friend to the ‘rabid packs’ – you dislike the Republic then?

RT: No, I dislike the individuals across the cluster who prefer to cling to hatred and ignorance rather than bothering to learn a thing. Sure there are reprehensible individuals in the Empire, but you get them everywhere; don’t tar us all with the same brush. I’ve travelled in the Republic, I’ve worked for Core Complexion, I’ve even had a couple of capsuleers of the Tribal Liberation Force visit me here and count them good friends. Hatred breeds hatred, and this bloody Empyrean war does nothing but cost lives and enrich the arms dealers. The lines shift, the death toll rises, and the Concord Assembly pats itself on the back for keeping capsuleers busy in a futile errand.

HK: One final question: you said that a Vigilant was one of your signature ships, but your hangar manifest says you don’t own one. What’s that about?

RT: [Grin] In-joke. My old colleagues in the Preta Light Industries mining division will understand. Let’s just say that although I make most of my ISK destroying the Sansha threat these days, my mining days were the source of some good stories.