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Hoovand_Lindus · March 14, 2019, 9:40pm

Interview: Makoto Priano

Eram - Bureau Memorial Laboratory

March 14th YC 121

Semiki escalates as Drifters appear in system and besiege Capsuleer citadels.

ZANIE has been monitoring the events unfolding in Semiki since news about a sabotage aboard the Zainou biohazard containment facility and the appearance of a strange virus was dropped by The Scope news agency. Since then, Capsuleers have flocked to the system to render humanitarian aid to those affected and assist official Caldari forces in ensuring another security breach doesn’t occur.

Links to rogue drones and Triglavians was announced by Ishukone Watch officials investigating the virus running loose which prompted several groups to stockpile trinary datastreams and rogue drone components to contribute to the Ishukone Watch to aid their investigation. However, this stockpile drew the attention of CONCORD officials and Capsuleer representative Oveg Drust appeared on the Intergalactic Summit to demand that the materials of all stockpiles be handed over due to a policy violation CONCORD legislation however would be pushed back as Ishukone Corporation’s CEO Mens Reppola with Chief Executive Panel take this matters to the courts and take the case with a favorable resolution

Next to fall in line in this series of events is the appearance of Drifters, who show up such force that besiege and assault several citadels in the system anchored to provide aid. Adding a whole new layer of mystery to what exactly is going on in the system. Looking to get some answers - Kalto Moxin of ZANIE’s external news team sits down with Itsukame-Zainou Hyperspatial Inquiries CEO and one of the many iconic figures in Drifter research, Makoto Priano.

We go now to the transcript:

[Kalto]
“Today, I’m in the Eram system aboard the Bureau Memorial Laboratory owned by the Itsukame-Zinou Hyperspatial Inquires Ltd, or IKAME for short. My guest is none other than the CEO of IKAME and one of the most prominent names in Drifter and Triglavian research - Makoto Priano. Makoto, I thank you for giving me this honor with speaking with you, and do apologize if it appears if I’m not giving due to credit to the other fine minds under IKAME and ARC’s banner who’ve contributed their fair share to the pool of knowledge New Eden has on these external threats. That said, with what’s been going on in Semiki i can’t think of a better person to sit down with. There’s a lot i want to unpack, but first might i ask how you’re doing?”

[Makoto]
“Thank you for speaking with me, Mr. Moxin! And I’m doing well, thank you. Always busy, of course, hence why I’m in Eram at this particular moment. But we’re all always busy, which is a credit to the pilots and researchers who dedicate their time to the emergent threats confronting New Eden. And may I add? Thank you for acknowledging the fine minds! We’ve benefited from having many involved, and look to collaborating with many more pilots in the future.”

[Kalto]
“Good to hear, now introductions aside let’s get into this. First - a brief run down of the events that have transpired in Semiki. Day 1, The Scope reports on the Biohazard Containment Facility in the system owned by Zainou being compromised by some saboteur, followed by some malicious malware appearing and infected the implants of Aliastra employees going in between the Zainou station and a Aliastra owned warehouse in Semiki. IKAME and other notable organizations loyal to the Caldari State such as I-RED and HECON respond to the crisis. Officials release details linking the malware attacking Aliastra Employeee to subroutine software utilized by Rogue Drones, as well as providing more info on this saboteur. IKAME and other Capsuleers begin collecting Rogue Drone components and Triglavian trinary datastreams to donate to offical to aid in the investigation until CONCORD steps in and starts flexing a policy about there being to many components stockpiled in this one location. The Ishukone Corporation steps in with support from the Chief Executive Panel to push CONCORD back so they can get those materials. Is this order of events correct?”

[Makoto]
“In broad strokes, correct! Though I’ll add that we still don’t know much about Vailakkel, neither how the interrogation has been proceeding, nor his whereabouts between his dismissal from Lai Dai and his reappearance aboard the Zainou station in Semiki.”

[Kalto]
“Vailakke - The saboteur in question. I want to discuss him but not before pointing out the next series of events that follow in this chain. Because what’s next to start appearing in Semiki are wrecks of Drifter battleships, Drifters themselves and then and most recently, entire fleets of them coming down on several key citadels anchored by Capsuleers in the system…Now i understand the question I’m about to ask is unprofessional, but frankly i got no clue how to approach this subject without just point blank asking you out right what you think this all is. Like, if you had to lock in a answer right now to what is going on in this system, what would it be? Because we got links to the Rogue Drones, Triglavians and now the Drifters. What can any of this possibly mean?”

[Makoto]
“It’s well known by now that the Collective has either suborned or is in cooperation with some sets of rogue drones, to the point that CONCORD recognizes ‘Navka overminds’ as being an entity unto itself. Whether the Drifters were seeking to verify the presence of uncontained rogue drone elements, of Collective agents, or merely trying to opportunistically seize Collective data stockpiles is unknown. Either way, the Drifters were certainly in Semiki due to the rogue drone connection.”

[Kalto]
“So where would you say Vailakke fits in to all of this? Out of the possibilities you’ve listed - presence of Collective Agents was one of them and only person in Semiki that can even be remotely considered an agent of the Triglavians is Vailakke. Vailakke is the one at ground zero for this whole disaster…Now if I’m interpreting what you meant incorrect, do call me out and clarify on what you really meant by Collective Agents. Otherwise if we’re on the same page…Give me your thoughts.”

[Makoto]
“We can’t rule out the possibility that Vailakkel is operating for a non-State actor. Given CONCORD’s on-going concern about neuromemetic warfare, novel infowarfare constructs, and the Astromancer affair…Of course, the simple truth is we don’t know. It remains a possibility. We’re attempting to pursue any lead we can, and of course the Watch has far more resources for this work than we do.”

[Kalto]
“I would press further on this theory but i fear i’d be delving into realms of conspiracy theories…So instead let’s move toon to the next item on that list of possibilities, that being the Drifters showing up merely to grab hold of the stockpiles of Triglavian datastreams Capsuleers have collected. You’re the expert, so i wanna ask what exactly is so useful about this data in bulk, what can we gain from it, and more importantly, what can the Drifters gain from it?”

[Makoto]
“The trick is that the text we’re familiar with is only a partial translation. Sure, we have experience with trinary data structures. Sure, we’ve encountered the Triglavian alphabet. But there is a lot your average researcher still hasn’t exposed in terms of metadata and similar things.Imagine, for instance, that this is sort of a collective way to share ‘memories,’ in the form of infomorph-compatible or neuromemetic structures, and there’s routing history, access protocols, and header information that means little to us, but can be parsed by others who have operated trinary-based systems for possibly centuries.So, conceivably, there’s a lot more here than one would think at first.Honestly, I’m sure that’s part of way SARO’s Case Red Gamma group wants the stockpile.”

[Kalto]
“So basically if we’re gonna have any chance of learning more about the Triglavians, it’s gonna be though these datastreams. These are gateway into a whole new world of knowledge , problem currently however is cracking the code and unlocking that gate. Now your people literally wrote the history book on Drifter activity, so i think you and i can both agree that the Drifters have a history of being bombastic whenever they want to. They lurk in the shadows a vast majority of the time, and when they step out? They deliver a haymaker - and that’s what happened in Semiki when IKAME’s citadel was reinforced by an armada of Drifters. Not only that, but reinforce two other citadels in system…Thing is, they never came back for round two, correct? See, what if that was a just a display of force? If this was a smash and grab run for the Drifters then they could’ve easily came back for the next timer. If the information I’m working is accurate, the Drifters were reinforcing their attacking fleet effortlessly on the fly.”

[Makoto]
“That’s the trick, though. They did come back for round two. There were over a hundred Drifter and Drifter-allied ships amassed in system. They just didn’t attack. We still don’t know why, necessarily. It may be that CONCORD’s new systems worked. More likely, though, is that the Drifters simply didn’t have a suitable target. If they were intending to strike Collective targets…”

[Kalto]
“Sorry, I must not be up to date. I’m not familiar with any kind of "new system" CONCORD has, can you elaborate?”

[Makoto]
“SARO has stated that it’s rolled out countermeasures that have reduced Drifter activity. TheyS didn’t exactly elaborate.”

[Kalto]
“New countermeasures? I-I mean i heard you, you said they didn’t elaborate but…What what could they be possibly talking about? I ask for your theory because I’m running all this in my head and i can’t see where this new countermeasure could be in all this. Drifters still reinforced your citadel and while they didn’t attack the second time - they still formed up in Semiki in full force… So whatever SARO got isn’t stopping them from getting in the system, but stopping them from attacking? How would something like that work? I do recall hearing reports however of a one "Ovreg Drust" appearing in system and scanning all the reinforced citadels. So did he sprinkle digital dust on your citadel or something?”

[Makoto]
“Honestly, I can’t even imagine what they did. SARO has avoided even suggesting what their capabilities are. Mind, I will say that wormhole formation rates from the Drifter-held systems dropped precipitously at around that time, from anywhere around 350 active wormholes at a time to approximately a hundred. If that’s SARO’s doing, then that indicates that they’ve reduced, but not eliminated, the ability of the Vigilant Tyrannos to salvage material. Of course, Lancers are always active in JO systems, so how much that actually did…&”

[Kalto]
“Would you say you trust SARO? Or CONCORD as a whole for that matter when it comes to the subject of these emergent threats? Undoubtedly CONCORD has knowledge about these forces and they ain’t sharing…Knowledge I’m sure that your people would find extremely useful…Even more so now with the Drifters becoming more bold as time moves on. I mean correct me if I’m wrong, but the attack on IKAME’s citadel was the first ever time a non-capsuleer entity has reinforced a citadel. Pirates like the Guristas and Blood Raiders have only sent small frigate wings to tap the shields, never tear them down out right…”

[Makoto]
“I respect SARO. I respect CONCORD. I understand and appreciate the difficult tasks they undertake, and that they have to deal with capsuleers who are indeed nearly rabid.At the same time, I dislike being lumped in with those capsuleers. I dislike that all of us are being dismissed and insulted by the powers that be even when we serve an essential role. Ultimately, I wonder if the failure of Operation Spectre all those years ago taught CONCORD the wrong lesson. I wonder if they thought it taught them that independent capsuleers have little utility, when the truth of it is that we have greatest utility when given an objective and free rein to accomplish that objective how we see fit.”

[Kalto]
“Operation Spectre?”

[Makoto]
“In late YC115, the empires detected an energy surge that evidently looked like the collapse of a high-energy artificial wormhole. It turned out to be the product of research conducted by the Angels and Serpentis. In response, the empires rallied capsuleers to attempt to strike the research facilities-- and walked right into null sec blockades. Needless to say, it didn’t go well. And ever since, CONCORD’s been reticent about seeking capsuleer assistance with its operations.”

[Kalto]
“So if i understand your feelings, what you’re saying is that you respect CONCORD’s authority and understand they’re handling a sensitive matter and preventing the wrong kind of Capsuleers from interfering…At the same time however, you’re agitated that all Capsuleers are lumped into this same pile as crazed psychos that will only cause problems, thus vast swathes of information is held from everyone. …No matter how devoted you are or how respectful you are to the laws - You’re still seen as some looney empyrean that has no fashion sense and some outlandish callsign with no moral compass. Would i be correct?”

[Makoto]
“Essentially. And I understand. We do use some of those loose cannons, from time to time. But I’d rather we try to use them to some productive end than to not even try.”

[Kalto]
“Forgive me if I’m jumping to assumptions here, but honestly I’m just reaching for something to transition into this next question, but when say you use loose cannons you’re referring to specific "independent" pilots that operate with the Arataka Research Consortium, correct? ARC being an open doors organization attracts pilots of all walks of like. Not here to name and shame, just pointing out there’s ARC and then there’s IKAME. Two different - but related - entities that have their own roster and ways of operating. You’ve made it clear that when entering Semiki, that this wasn’t an ARC matter but an IKAME matter. You guys were here because of a problem affecting the State , that at first had no intial connections to the Triglavians or Drifters. Now? with recent events and all these connections - is this an IKAME matter still or an ARC matter now?”

[Makoto]
“I’ll admit. It’s a bit complicated. To keep it brief, though, the consortium started as an enterprise with support from PNS, SFRIM, Signal Cartel, and IKAME. The exact nature of the group has been, I’ll admit, a bit amorphous and prone to drift. Basically said, though, the Semiki situation remains primarily an IKAME matter, though the Drifter intervention certainly rose to a proper Consortium matter. And I’ll be honest: I need to be better about consulting the coordination group before raising the ARC flag for some matters.”

[Kalto]
“A sound enough plan…Now you’re quite busy and I think we’ve exchanged enough words as it is. So I’m gonna present one final question before we move onto final remarks. What is IKAME’s current plan moving forward? Assuming you’re willing to disclose that information that is.”

[Makoto]
“Absolutely. While obviously there are always operational concerns, we aim for whatever amount of transparency is practical. Very simply, at this point all we can do is advise the Watch and Zainou, given their proprietary handling of the quarantine and emergency response. Documents are being finalized as we speak. If need be, we’re absolutely ready to step up material support, though for that we’d need some amount of guidance on how to best assist in the emergency response without risking a breach of quarantine.”

{Kalto]
“Well we can only hope that more amplified support isn’t required…Makoto Priano, it was an honor to speak with you and I thank you for all your responses. Now before we part ways i wanna ask if you got any final remarks. The floor is yours to say whatever, a message to the public, something you want to mention but didn’t cover…Say whatever. Of course this is purely optional if you have nothing more to say.”

[Makoto]
“A pleasure to chat with you, Mr. Moxin. As for final comments, all I can really say this: that I hope the quarantine holds, and that some sort of novel solution proves effective. That a hardware-focused solution has proven ineffective continues to baffle us.However, we’ll press on. Tens if not hundreds of thousands of lives may depend on it.”

[Kalto]
“Encouraging words…Once again Makoto Priano, I thank you for your time and wish you and IKAME luck out there.”

system · June 12, 2019, 9:40pm

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Hoovand_Lindus · August 2, 2019, 4:58pm

ZANIE Holoreel issue #1

[Khuska Regulations] - [UNF Arcology] - [“Tebu Amkhiman” trade hub] - [Fighter Pilot Tournament]

August 2nd YC 121

The Raata Zaibatsu’s news Institute is proud to release its first ever holoreel issue. In this video you’ll be guided through several stories of interest occurring in New Eden by ZANIE’s External Harbinger Kalto Moxin.

Stories covered goes as flowering…

[Khuska Regulations]

[Harroule IV]

Within the Placid region we cover the controversy surrounding a renowned doctor in the colony of Duureanta by the name of Mossaf Rumaita. Mossaf is currently pushing for softer regulations on the refinement process of the planet’s indigenous “Khuska” vegetable. A vegetable that has proven it’s uses both in the pharmaceutical industry, and the underground narcotic network.

[UNF Arcology]

[Eugales VI]

The United Neopian Federation [UNF] has been hard at work for the past year in their first ever colony outside of their native wormhole system. In its year it has become a thriving slice of civilization attracting immigrants from all over New Eden. Recently the Arcology had become the target of a vicious attack by Warclone Empyreans with links to the Angel Cartel.

[“Tebu Amkhiman” trade hub]

[Tanoo]

In the Capital system of the Ammatar Mandate, the Capsuleer alliance “Khimi Harar” had established a Fortizar-class citadel above Tanno II with the sole purpose of bringing new prosperity to the system and surrounding areas. This prosperity comes in the form of trade which has the potential to attract new Capsuleers to the area to stimulate the industry and economy of the region, as well as bring in bounty hunters or mercenaries looking to hunt down patrols and bases belonging to local Sansha forces.

[Fighter Pilot Tournament]

[New Eden]

Closing the issue, we end with a curious story about a tournament of rogue fighter pilots operating under the banner of a mysterious pirate faction known as the “Valkyrie”. An organization that has access to unregulated cloning technology that enables them to put together this blood sport of a tournament. Using live ammunition and touring several battlefields the Valkyrie have a history with, teams of three duke it out for the right to declare themselves the best of the best.

Hoovand_Lindus · August 21, 2019, 11:24pm

Suha Raibuya announces departure to N5Y-4N and opening of new Windchime shrine aboard Guristas station

August 21st YC 121

N5Y-4N VII - Moon 20 - Guristas Logistic Support

N5Y-4N VII - Moon 20 - Guristas Logistic Support

Alarming news underway as Suha Raibuya announces the opening of a new Windchime shrine aboard a full-fledged Guristas station in Venal.

Windchime guru Suha Raibuya announced yesterday evening during a sermon that she would be departing from Hoiyori to return to her home world of N5Y-4N III, and she’s taking 1,500,000,000 in Zaibatsu funds with her to erect a shrine aboard the system’s logistical station in orbit of N5Y-4N VII - Moon 20.

The reasoning behind this pilgrimage is due to her feeling “Ready to return and face her people” and “Help restore the spiritual connection to those that fled the State.” A sentiment Suha explained having due to Wayism being taught in the State having a hard supportive slant to the Caldari, making it a awkward spirituality for some Guristas to hold investment in. The reasoning behind the exorbitant amount of funds being taken with her however is to pay for office space aboard the station to convert into a shrine location. Monthly rent for an “Office” aboard the logistical station is rounded off to four hundred million ISK a month, one point five billion In ISK is to pay for three months rent and then some to afford furniture and decorations for the actual shrine.

The transfer of funds was directly authorized by the Patriarch himself and came from the holdings of the Stelmari Exchange, a primary handler of Zaibatsu finances. Stelmari Oksasio being the one to receive this order, would express to ZANIE his absolute shock of being given this order

“So I’m…sitting across from the Patriarch and he says to me point-■■■■■■■-blank that he needed me to transfer one point five billion in ISK into the accounts of the Windchimes. Now I keep a straight face and ask why, because I always ask, it’s my job to know what we’re spending money on. And he tells me, a shrine…So I ask how the hell a shrine costs that much, in ISK. A shrine? To us? Not even a single kredit…We got all those resources on hand, we can build a damn shrine for nothing. And then he explains to me that its to be aboard a Guristas station - and he says it so casually too, like it’s no big deal…I had to ask if he was fuckinh high, I just had to. The second he said Guristas - red flags started going off in my head…So we go back and forth for a bit until he flex his rank as Patriarch - so I gotta do it. I sit down, and i put the ■■■■■■■ transfer in. And i just watch one point five billion…vanish from my account into the wallet of the Windchimes - who are gonna go off and hand it to the GURISTAS! Hoova- Bruh, do you understand - how much ■■■■■■■ money that is? I’ve been shot at for junk worth fifty Interstellar kredits, I’ve gotten suicidally depressed over losing a single grand in ISK. You can buy fully armed battleships with the kinda money I just transferred. Capsuleers can probably piss away that kinda dough, but I thought i was king of New Eden after making my first flat million in ISK.”

Stelmari Oksasio

Stelmari is not the only one to express rage at this announcement. Seven hundred colonists in Hoiyori have expressed there displeasure and concern by canceling their citizenship with the Zaibatsu and begun preparations to return to their homelands. However, Suha has established many supporters in Hoiyori that the outrage is disturbingly coming from the minority in Hoiyori who had distrust of Suha. This distrust being amplifies over the months after she began ramping up her Pro-Guristas stance alongside her teachings. To her credit, she has never slanted Windchime teachings in favor of the Guristas, and thus has walked a fine line between her personal sympathies and her spiritual guidance.

“The winds, care not for our petty squabbles. They care not for our allegiances, our ethnicities, or our politics. They only have concern for maintaining order of our universe. None of us are shown any favoritism by the divine, none of us have any personal relationship with the Winds. Even I, I’m not someone that claims to speak for the elements, I’m not someone that carries around a book of holy folklore, nor am I someone that can wash away your dishonor in exchange for material possessions. Mountain Wind does not whisper messages into my ear and I’m most certainly not some individual chosen by the divines. Who I am is you, one of many sentient humans blessed with an opportunity to explore the world the Maker left for us. To experience…life. It’s up to us to find our own path, the Winds will not bestow upon us any quest or destiny. We must explore not only our reality, but ourselves. Find our own purpose and meaning! Discover our dreams and passions and hold onto them until our eventual deaths. Because with all things that begin, they must end. Such is the way.”

Suha Raibuya, dinner party at the Itsu restaurant in the commence district of Hoiyori.

Nsyan III

The system goes by an unoffical name of “Nsyan” to local residents, Nsyan III is a temperate world that’s home to a small agricultural colony owned and garrisoned by the Guristas. The residents here are exclusively relatives of those severing the Guristas “military”, Suha explains this is to “Separate families from the rift-raft that drifts into Venal.”. When asked about why she didn’t consider opening a shrine planetside (Where it would probably be remarkably cheaper) she commented that she wanted to present herself not only to her former colony, but all those that travel through that station so that she could reach more people.

ZANIE can confirm that ISK has already transferred into the accounts of the Guristas after Suha provided transaction history as a show of transparency of where the money is going. Already the first two months of rent have been paid for, with a third still in reserves. Ontop of this, ZANIE can also confirm that Suha has already left Hoiyori and has arrived in station in N5Y-4N under the escort of the Myrskytuuli Regiment - who will be providing security for Suha during her pilgrimage to these less than safe parts of New Eden. It’s suggested that the shrine will take a solid week of renovation and furnishing before it will be ready to receive visitors. Afterwards, Suha will hold scheduled talks every Monday and Friday.

In defence of the extreme controversy this move has created, Suha had this to say.

“What is the problem here? What is there to gasp and be shocked at? I’m going to Venal because that is my home, I will not not flee to the State or Federation because those are the “safe” nations that get CONCORD’s meaningless seal of approval. The Guristas put clothing on my back as a child, I see them for the human beings “civilized” societies refuse to see them as…My presence may be unnecessary, not a single soul could show up to our doorstep in these next few months. But I intend to present myself and hold out an offer to any and all that roam that station.”

Suha Raibuya

Internally, Ohrion Matron Tuilina Malioka, Regiment commander Tokitu Yaken and oddly enough Lucrative Excavations temporary CEO Akels Seabier all support Suha’s pilgrimage while Stelmari Oksasio and Viokoro Velan have announces nothing but concern at this turn of events.

Zaibatsu Patriarch Huan Yaken, is unavailable for comment.

Hoovand_Lindus · September 10, 2019, 10:13am

On the surface look at a Guristas colony on Nsyan III (N5Y-4N III)

September 10th YC 121

N5Y-4N III

1600×900 402 KB

Nysan III (N5Y-4N III)

Kalto Moxin travels down to the surface of N5Y-4N III (Nsyan III to the locals) to get an in depth look of an actual Guristas colony in the Venal region.

Previously reported on by ZANIE, Windchime Guru Suha Raibuya announced that she would temporarily be leaving Nannaras X to return her homelands - the Gurista occupied system of N5Y-4N in Venal. With her she takes a billion and a half ISK to go towards the renting of office space aboard the Guristas Logistical station in system, to convert into a shrine that aims to promote teachings and practices of Windchime Wayism.

Having situated herself aboard the station by now, Suha began preparations to venture planetside to reunite with old friends and colleagues from her home colonly. However she first reached out to ZANIE to request that Kalto Moxin accompany her planetside to see “What a Guristas occupied colony could look like.” Despite the danger the idea presented, Kalto eagerly took up the opportunity and made his way out to Venal.

Forbidden from bringing an escort from the Myrskytuuli Regiment or carrying weapons for their own protection, Kalto and his team of two boarded a shuttle alongside Suha and two Guristas personnel who were assigned as watchdogs. Kalto would later admit in his report that he was fearful he walked right into the hands of the Guristas, and him and his team would he taken hostage and ransomed back to the Zaibatsu. Thankfully the anxiety would be nothing more than ignorant paranoia.

Due to security concerns, Guristas administration forbade Kalto’s team from recording any footage or taking any pictures of the colony. Notes taken however paint the colony they arrived at as a sleepy, yet wholesome looking agricultural world. It wasn’t poor and downtrodden, nor was it a vastly rich utopia. It was a humble little colony surrounded by wide open space, with crops far out in the distance. It was also populated with humans from all walks of life. This was made clear immediately upon landing, as a small modest welcoming party was waiting at the landing pad for Suha’s return home. Caldari, Gallente, and Matari. Men and women, some even accompanied by children that were either at the side or in the arms of their parents. Nobody looked underfed or unhealthy, but there was one glaring thing Kalto and his team noticed - every adult there was visibly armed with a holster strapped to their legs, holding sidearms of various designs.

Before any questions could be asked, Suha took the team deeper into the colony for a tour. The buildings inside the colony were all constructed with smartfab units, a simple and useful construction material that’s easy to mass-produce to create housing like this. While void of any real cultural design, each building managed to have some humble charm and style to it. The buildings ranged from houses, stores stocked with stolen consumer goods from across New Eden, clinics, a school and a station that houses the colony’s militia unit. Much like with the welcoming party, more and more residents were spotted with sidearms strapped to their legs as they carried on with their labour. The more obvious militia forces carried far heftier equipment and actively patrolled the colony for any trouble. This militia would serve as the defacto police force; supplied and armed by the Guristas but directly recruited from the colony’s population.

The tour would bring the team to one of the few structures in the colony actually made from wood, a small shrine that was eerily similar to those found back in Hoiyori. The gigantic difference with this shrine however was the placement of Kresh trees outside of the shrine. Hanging from the branches were windchimes with dog tags woven between the metal tubes. Tags of bronze, silver, copper, and brass all hung from this tree, all dog tags belonging to former Gurista pirates. Suha then took one of the Windchimes off the branch of one of the trees and showed Kalto one of the copper tags attached to it. Holto Raibuya, the father of Suha Raibuya.

Then, Suha told Kalto and his team the following

"Many are still missing you know. What you see here are just the ones we’ve been fortunate to recover, many more reside in the hangers of Capsuleers or the trophy cabinets of Navy captains who swell with pride and accomplishment over the death of our loved ones. To them, we’re nothing more than filth of New Eden…Rats that don’t deserve to live or be given any sympathy or mercy. You’ll have a hard time finding someone here who hasn’t lost someone close to them, whatever it be a family member or a close friend. The Empires and their Capsuleers have done nothing but take, take, and TAKE from us! And I’m not referring to the ship blueprints, or the modules or the ■■■■■■■ implants! All of that can be easily replaced Kalto. I’m talking about those that hang from these tree trunks! Our family, our heroes that fought and served to secure us a home far from the reach of the Empires. None of them can be replaced! No factory in Venal will bring them back!

…Do you want to hear the name of a true hero that was taken from us Kalto? A real living hero that existed outside the fairy tales and propaganda of the State? A hero that was taken from us so quickly by Capsuleers…

Jirai Laitanen

That is the name of a hero that “civilized” societies branded as a monster! A monster because he defied the corrupt authority of the Caldari State and refused to let them halt his potential, to shun his true strength! The State saw him as a threat because he wouldn’t be passive and let the State control him any longer, They saw him as a threat - because he could expose them for being the malicious corporate abomination that the State it is! A threat - because he had the means to carve out a haven to be a beacon of hope and freedom to refuge the poor souls that were being crushed underneath the bootheel of the Mega corporations. The Empires and their unquestioning puppet Capsuleers will scream like rabid dogs that he was an evil and twisted man, but I will happily and proudly say he was the hero New Eden desperately needed…And yet he was taken from us, taken from us by Capsuleers rushing to protect their precious empires. As they triumphantly celebrated his death like a bunch of savages, we mourned. Mourned, because such a great man’s life was cut short, and as a result? We lost our voice, we lost someone who spoke and stood up for the oppressed and neglected. Who was a fearless leader who led our soldiers into battle and gave us hope of a world free from the oppression the State…

…Yet, we still stand. Look around Kalto, no one here is lost in sorrow. There’s too much work to be done, We’ve mourned our dead and done what we could to honor their sacrifice, but we press on - such is the way. The Rabbit has filled his place and undoubtedly has done admirable work to keep the Guristas alive and well, yet I cannot help but think-"

Suha Raibuya

Suha was interrupted by the echo of gunshots far out, a sound that startled Kalto and his team, ducking as a reflex. Suha quickly assured them however that everything was fine, and that those were gunshots from a nearby firing range on the outskirts of the colony. This was taken as her que to continue the tour and take them to said firing range.

The path there took them past croplands that grew different variations of vegetation, corn, carrots, wheat to name a few. Suha went on to explain how the colony had made itself useful to the Guristas by growing all this food to be shipped out to nearby stations or other colonies in Venal, most notably a supposed city that’s on the surface of 6NJ8-V IV, a planet that was terraformed by Fatal and The Rabbit. ZANIE however cannot confirm whether or not this city actually exists. All throughout the fields, equipment of various designs and origins could be found, some tools and farming vehicles manufactured by different corporations across New Eden.

Finally the tour reaches the outskirts where they’re greeted with what could best be described as a training field - as they soon learned however - for milita personnel and not actual Guristas troops. Young adults were at the range practicing shooting with handguns under supervision of a Gallentean instructor by the name of Forin Gokia, who was one of many other colonists pleased to see Suha’s return home and warmly introduced himself to the team. After introductions, Forin eagerly showed them around the grounds. Firstly the range itself where various armaments were scattered around, all with the serial numbers blacked out. Assault rifles, scrambler rifles, submachine guns, and even extremely illegal explosives like thermite fragmentation grenades. Forin would then offer the team a chance to fire off weapons of their choice; this was an offer the team wholeheartedly accepted and would spend the next two hours learning how to operate weapons, learning trigger discipline and of course, firing off a few rounds on the range. Targets included various things like bottles, straw-men dummies and most notably, propaganda posters featuring former Caldari State Executor, Tibus Heth.

[Forin]
“Aim down the range - and ONLY when you’re ready to fire, slip your finger into the trigger.”

[Kalto]
“Otherwise keep it on the side of the gun’s frame?”

[Forin]
“Yep, first shot is gonna need a hard squeeze, after that trigger will be very sensitive, so-”

[Weapon discharge]

[Kalto]
“Whoa-ho! ■■■■, that has some kick to it!”

[Forin]
“Remember where your finger is! Relax your shoulders also.”

[Weapon discharge]

[Kalto]
“Oh-ho! I would’ve blown Heth’s ■■■■■■■ brains out with that shot! Man…Veedayu! Veedayu here, give it a try! Hey Forin, mind if I toss one of these uh…'nades?”

[Forin]
“No, because you’re holding it incredibly wrong already, give me that.”

Suha also joined in the fun with a precision rifle, but independently from Forin’s supervision, clearly having already been tutored by the instructor. After fun was had, Kalto began asking Forin questions.

[Kalto]
“So could you tell me what these grounds are for? I see you got a uh…obstacle course or something over there. Are Guristas troops being trained here?”

[Forin]
“Yes and no…See these grounds serve the purpose to train milita personal and occasionally I’ll get some kids interested in enlisting in the Guristas proper and I’ll take them out here and put them through the wringer so they don’t embarrass themselves too badly at boot camp. Otherwise I just train colonists in personal defence.”

[Kalto]
“-That’s another thing on curious about, on my way here I saw pretty much everyone had a holster on them. Is there any…reason for that?”

[Forin]
“Personal defence - as I said. Everyone here needs to be ready and prepared in the event of an attack.”

[Kalto]
“An attack from who?”

[Forin]
“Fuckin’ Caldari mongrels for one…And we typically get some Amarrian snooping around looking for targets to raid for new slaves. People need to be ready to defend their families from that fate.”

[Kalto]
“So do colonists fight alongside the militia in the event of an attack…?”

[Forin]
“No, in fact the milita is under strict orders to not even engage whatever threat we encounter aggressively, and focus on establishing a defensive perimeter to hold out until actual Guritas troopers arrive from a nearby military base - which, you WILL NOT ask for the location of.”

[Kalto]
“Noted…Well thank you Forin, i appreciate you your time and teachings.”

[Forin]
“No problem, Come back any time.”

After everything was wrapped up, the team headed back into the main colony as the sun began to set. When they arrive in the colony’s center they find other colonists busily preparing for some sort of festivity, tables, chairs, firepits and decorations. Suha explains that this was all done in preparations for a weekly community dinner party the colony threw together each week to strengthen their bonds with one another and forget about all the loss and turmoil; to enjoy an evening together with home cooked food, a tradition entirely developed by the residents here. It’s here the team were able to meet many unique individuals who all had their own stories of how they ended up there. Most notably however would be the colony’s resident “O.G” (Original Gurista) who more or less served as the revered elder figure of the community. A retired pilot who flew for the Guristas in the early days of the cartel and apparently even knew and flew alongside Fatal and The Rabbit themselves. Kalto found this O.G sitting around one of the firepits with a group of children, telling them stories of his adventures as a pirate. His name was Notai Hiermi, a former frigate pilot of Caldari Navy who was more than happy to speak to Kalto and answer a few questions

[Kalto]
So…What exactly does someone like you you see in someone like Fatal?"

[Notai]
“I tell you what I saw, I saw god damn inspiration, alright? I saw someone who didn’t have any fear, he and the Rabbit weren’t afraid of the State - and as time went on, the State would be afraid of them. They didn’t have to cling on to the Navy to have any sort of relevancy, they broke off and forged something bigger than the Navy.”

[Kalto]
“And you’re a former Navy pilot yourself, right? You defec-”

[Notai]
“Yes! I defected! And it’s a choice I will never regret, because taking that step gave me actual freedom and control of my life. See, meritocracy in the State? It’s all ■■■■■■■■, it’s all a facade that gives the State power to tell you where you belong, to control whatever or not you go up or down the ladder - and you only go up if the suits upstairs know they can control you, right? They’ll only move you up if they know you got enough room in your ass for their fist so you can be a puppet to them…It’s people like Fatal and The Rabbit that showed us that we could fight back, and survive while doing so.”

[Kalto]
“So why does someone like you end up retiring?”

[Notai]
“Son, I got kids now, I got a grandchild even. At the same time New Eden is evolving past a point where I can’t even keep up with the new trends of technology…Stuff was simpler back in the day, less Capsuleers and a Navy who hadn’t caught onto our tactics yet. Now? It’s all convoluted ■■■■■■■■ like Titans, Warclones, Drifters and some ■■■■ called Abyssal space…I had a good run, but I’m too old for that life, I just wanna settle down, you know?”

[Kalto]
“Yeah I see what you mean…Well, Notai I’d like to thank you for your time.”

[Notai]
“Thank you! About the only people that wanna talk and listen to a geezer like me are these little rascals, hehe.”

The night was filled with laughter and joy, but inevitably came the time for everyone to pack it up and head to bed to get up early in the morning to work the fields and pens. Kalto and his team were allowed to spend the night in the colony’s commons house, a building where new colonists are housed until proper accommodations can be built. In the morning, however, they would be told to leave surface and return to the Zaibatsu. Suha on the other hand, would stay in the colony awhile longer, joining her people early in the morning to work the fields.

Kalto Moxin ended his report with the following.

“I came here admittedly a little fearful of what I was gonna see. However I can see my fears were rather irrational, the people here are human like any other human in New Eden and in a way, I can sorta see where they’re all coming from, I can sympathize with them…It’s been an eye opening trip, yet I still maintain my own criticisms about the Guristas as a whole. These people aren’t criminals, they haven’t committed any crimes yet are worried about the Empires unleashing their wrath upon them regardless. Would I ever come back to Venal? Probably not, but this has been a worthwhile trip.”

Kalto Moxin

ZANIE will keep it’s ear to the ground for any updates on this story.

Hoovand_Lindus · September 14, 2019, 4:21pm

Interviews with residents of Guristas colonly on N5Y-4N III

September 14th YC 121

N5Y-4N III

During Kalto Moxin’s visit to the Guristas colony on N5Y-4N III, he spoke to various residents of different ages and backgrounds and got some insight in how they ended up here. Unfortunately to ensure the article wasn’t several pages too long, the comments from the residents were excluded.

To rectify this, ZANIE will release an article exclusive featuring some of the quotes and questions asked to get a deeper understanding of the people that make up the colony’s population. These all come from an evening gathering the residents hold weekly and some of the interviewees may very well be intoxicated from the ample amounts of drinks being served that night. Ontop of that, these are but a handful of stories from several individuals associated with an organization made of millions if not billions. Therefore, these quotes could very well not be reflective of the entire rank and file of the Guristas

[ Kaku]
“How did I end up here? Because me and the man I loved wasn’t accepted in the State. We were born Caldari just like everyone else, from the factory workers to the CEOs, but that wasn’t good enough for them. They wanted us to deny our love for one another because it wasn’t part of the damn uniform the State had for it’s closed minded culture.”

[Kalto]
“So…You were in love with someone of the same sex?”

[Kaku]
“Is that a problem?!”

[Kalto]
“No-No-No! You misunderstand me I’m just asking for clarification, it’s not a problem for me personally.”

[Kaku]
"Well it was a problem for them! Alright? They shunned us, they made us feel like we weren’t even human. They just wanted us to hide away our true feelings for one another in the closest and be good little drones. But even then the cat was already out of the bag, even if we tried to fake it, our colleagues and supervisors alrrady knew and harassed us, made our jobs a living hell and we couldn’t do ■■■■ about it! All we could’ve done is run! And we did, we ran here - all the way from the State were we could’ve been somewhere where we can love each other without shame or guilt. Somewhere we could just hide our feelings away anymore.

[Kalto]
“Where is your partner now if I may ask?”

[Kaku]
“He…He’s dead! He was selfless, you know? H-he enlisted with the Guristas and secured my spot here so I can be safe. The cost however is that he and the people he served with were just giant targets for bloodthirsty Capsuleers who don’t even consider who it is they’re shooting at. All they saw was a bounty and a red icon…Wiped him out along with thirty others like it was no big deal, like he didn’t even exist to them, and…I-I-Im sorry, I don’t wanna talk about this anymore, please. Just leave me be.”

[Kalto]
“Um, sorry. Thank you for your time.”

Interview with Kaku Pekkani

[Kalto]
“How old are you?”

[Varoji]
“Fifteen. What’s it to you?”

[Kalto]
“Fifteen, alright um…I hear you’re trying to join the Guristas proper when you get older, is that true?”

[Varoji]
“Hell yeah, I’m gonna pod Eggers.”

[Kalto]
“Might be a little risky, don’t you think?”

[Varoji]
“■■■■ that, I’m gonna be a Podhunter. I’m gonna be the best frigate pilot the Guristas ever seen and kill every fuckin’ Egger out there. Hang em’ from stargates if I gotta.”

[Kalto]
“O-Oh-kay! Um uh little intense there…Podhunter you say? What’s that?”

[Varoji]
“Podhunters are the best Capsuleer killers in the whole organization. Only the best of the best get the title, and they get it bys tracking down Eggers and popping their ship and capsule. Don’t matter if they come back, only means they get to see us desecrate their corpses later.”

[Kalto]
“Why such burning hatred for Capsuleers? I-I mean I understand WHY you would hate them just…Why do YOU specifically hate them.”

[Varoji]
“Bastards killed my Pa’ and sent Ma’ into a state of depression that she couldn’t get out of…She took her own life one night.”

[Kalto]
“I’m…Sorry for your lose.”

[Varoji]
“I’m gonna get back at those scumfuck Eggers. Gotta wait a few years, but the moment I can, I’m gonna enlist and do whatever I can to get in the pilot seat of my own frigate. I wanna fly a Condor! Just like Fatal and The Rabbit, but I’m gonna be better than them.”

[Kalto]
“Well I…Wish you luck, truly. You seem clearly passionate about this and, I believe you’re gonna shoot for the stars. So thank you for your time.”

[Varoji]
“Whatever…”

[Kalto]
“Yeah, yeah…Holy ■■■■ Veedayu, that kid is ice cold.”

Interveiw with Varoji Reri

[Sienji]
“We lost everything with my wife saying just one sentence in front of the wrong people…Our jobs, our homes, our savings - everything! What choice did we have but to come to the Guristas?”

[Kalto]
“Well if I may pry, what happened exactly?”

[Sienji]
“My wife was a promising Director with the Lai Dai Corporation. Nothing was stopping her from climbing up the ladder, she had ambitions and brilliance that I never saw in a person before. I must be blessed, because she saw enough in me to marry me, just some lowly warehouse worker…I got to live somewhere nice for once, eat good food and our eventual daughter would get to go to a school far nicer than the ones we went to…Everything changed though with a meeting with some Amarrian holders though, she apart of a meeting to negotiate the trade for some rare finite crystals this coalition of holders were mining on their world, they had a monopoly on it, not even Capsuleers could touch their reserves. Dangerous toxic materials that slaves were forced to dig up with minimal protection…My wife merely said during the meeting “Don’t think it’s a little unethical to forces slaves to mine this material?” And the whole negation fell though, the Lai Dai team lost tremendous face with the holders…Her superiors grilled her before firing her, our daughter was expelled and the rates on our home skyrocketed! They wanted us to suffer, because my wife spoke up against some ■■■■ that was clearly evil and sick.”

[Kalto]
“So then you ended up here…Is…Is your wife alive? Sorry for asking, but the past few people I spoke with all have a uh…Common trend.”

[Sienji]
“She’s alive, ancestors be praised…She works for the Guristas as a gray market agent. Now instead of making money for those damn mega-corporations, she makes money for their worst nightmare. Here, she can fight back against the people that destroyed her life for daring to speak up. Me? I’m here so I can raise our daughter and ensure she has a bright future. I dunno if a Pirate Cartel is really and ideal place for her, but what else do we got to choose? What future did she have in the State?”

[Kalto]
“Very troublesome situation…Thank you for your time sir.”

Interview with Sienji Kukkolker

[Kalto]
“So how did you end up here?”

[Djami]
“Gentrification, that’s how. I, and hundreds of others came from the Republic looking for some work because we ain’t had any god damn opportunity there and we were trying to get our families fed and keep a roof over their heads. So we take a job for the Wiyrkomi Corporation to go to some ■■■■ backwater planet to mine metal out of the ground for em at a wage that was barely worth it. However, we will find that job quickly taken away from us the moment some directors get a great idea to renovate the entire colony into a pleasure colony for high-ranking corporate officials. They saw more money in it afterall, that’s all they gave a ■■■■ about. They paid us dirt and kept us in shanties to keep the upkeep low to maximize profits, they didn’t give a ■■■■ about how we felt or how we were doing, because we weren’t Caldari.”

[Kalto]
“I mean from my understanding the State doesn’t necessarily care about what race or ethnici-”

[Djami]
"Hold-Hold-Hold the ■■■■ right there, do you hear what you’re saying? Saying about the CALDARI State? You don’t understand these ■■■■■■■■■■■■■ are about CALDARI first above all else? Can you point to me, one Matari CEO in the Caldari State? Or a Gallente one? Or Amarrian? And I ain’t talking about just the Megas, I’m talking about their subsidiaries as well, Capsuleer corps don’t count as those loons have a massive identity crisis going on… There’s a clear as day barrier preventing anyone that ain’t Caldari from advancing in their society, and they pushed me and my people deeper down the ladder when they moved to make the place a pleasure colony. Peace corps came in and rounded us up and took us to some hastily put together ghetto far from the colony, so we didn’t make their guests “uncomfortable” and ■■■■…Even then we still got harassed, we tried to start a party to make the best of our ■■■■ situation? You’d have Sergeant Kosmo come in with his goons shouting “Alright! Break this Tribal ■■■■ up!” and you had to break it up, because you couldn’t raise a hand to these people, you trying to get shot? Or imprisoned for eternity? Beat with and inch of your life in front of your friends or children? That’s how you’d do it.

[Kalto]
“So I’m assuming the Guristas provided a way out?”

[Djami]
“Yeah…Yeah, they came down to a ghetto full of desperate people and recruited us. It ■■■■■■■ happened, alright? Do I give a ■■■■? No, I’m happy they ■■■■■■■ came and gave us an escape from that hellhole. And here it actually doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, all that matters is what work your gonna put in. I don’t give a ■■■■ that the Rabbit is Caldari, because he doesn’t give a ■■■■ if I’m Matari. I might not be able to BE the Rabbit, but I can work my way up to be right under him if I pushed myself.”

[Kalto]
“Well where are you right now?”

[Djami]
“Me? I’m Dread Guristas man. Commanding officer of my own boarding party, we step foot on a Caldari ship or station and we raise hell. We get State proles to ■■■■ themselves from fear…Heh, we have before in fact.”

[Kalto]
“So…You’re the real deal?”

[Djami]
“I’m as real as it gets man…Im just here every other week to see my family and friends, maybe give the kids some knickknacks I find aboard ships.”

[Kalto]
“I see, well you are certainly pretty cool from what I can gather. I thank you for your time.”

[Djami]
“No problem.”

Interview with Djami Gaurri

[Reezu]
“My Brother was well on his way to being the administrator of a station, an actual station, not some dinky outpost in a deadspace pocket. Specifically the Poksu Mineral Group station in orbit of Raussinen IX. It was sorta his dream to be given that level of responsibility, but he was passed over for the role when he was right in line to take over, he was Instead replaced with the previous’ administrator’s son who was a complete moron…Under his care the station took a massive lose in profit for the next two quarters, and you wanna guess who took all the blame for this buffoon’s management?”

[Kalto]
“Your brother?”

[Reezu]
“Yep! ■■■■■■■ buried this man with the failure of an admin’s incompetence. Demoted him and moved him off station to an actual dinky mining outpost in a deadspace pocket.”

[Kalto]
“What happened then?”

[Reezu]
“He was pissed, understandably so since he’s a victim of nepotism. They gave him the keys to this floating rock and he decided to hand off access to the Guristas to use as a staging point to ■■■■ on the Poksu.”

[Kalto]
“I’m assuming this is where things went south.”

[Reezu]
“Yeah…One way of putting it. It took the Corporate Police Force only two weeks to figure out where the Guristas were coming from. They raided the site, went in guns blazing and smoked everyone inside, including my brother.”

[Kalto]
“Wait, everyone?”

[Reezu]
"Yeah, guess they figured everyone was compromised by the Guristas by then since nobody was snitching. Which, was in part due to the Guristas supplementing everyone’s pay to keep them from snitching…So they smoked the whole station, Guristas and workers, then my brother.

[Kalto]
“Gruesome…So how you find yourself here?”

[Reezu]
“Some Guristas operator contacted me and told me what happened, told me that Corporate was about to come crashing down on me next as I was extensively in contact with my brother during those two weeks. They offered me a ride to skip town and a place to lay low…Now I’m here.”

[Kalto]
“I see…What’s your plan now?”

[Reezu]
“That brat that took my brother’s position as admin? I don’t know what it’s gonna take, might need to just harden up and join the Guristas already. But I’m going to kill that ■■■■■■■■■■■■. I’m gonna kill that ■■■■■■■■■■■■, because he had the audacity to go the news after this raid and praise the soldiers that slaughtered everyone there without mercy, how the “Guristas scum had been eradicated” then bragged about how my brother, the “ringleader” was gunned down by multiple officers…What I’m saying is gonna be reported by your people, right?”

[Kalto]
“Right.”

[Reezu]
“Then mention this for me…Jolm Hamamark? I’m gonna find you, and I’m gonna gut you like the ■■■■■■■ corporate shill you are. You’re a dead, and worthless excuse for a man. You’re far easier pray than you think you are and I will track you down to the end of this universe to just end your weaselly existence myself.”

[Kalto]
“…I’ll see if we can publish that. Thank you for your time ma’am.”

Interview with Reezu Turungart

[Acin]
“Ayo-yo-yo, my man. You trying to cop some of this blue?”

[Kalto]
“Blue? Nah I’m good, I’m working right now.”

[Acin]
“Working? Who the hell here working at a time like this? This is the time of the week we kick it back and have fun and party! Cut loose player, I got some ■■■■ that will elevate you. Check it, I got some Skymother, Baby Blue, Moist Aqua, Cooled Jazz-”

[Kalto]
“I’m sorry, are you a drug dealer?”

[Acin]
“Pharmacist, actually.”

[Kalto]
“…Like, an actual pha-”

[Acin]
“An actual - certified - pharmacist that graduated from the University of Caille, yes. I handle all prescriptions in this colony.”

[Kalto]
“…Why the hell is the colony pharmacist slinging dope? I’m sorry, this is incredibly sketchy and concerning.”

[Acin]
“Like I said, it’s the time of the week where we have some fun! It’s when I break out the party favors and offer them out to anyone looking to enhance their night. And no, I ain’t giving any of this to the kids just for the record…”

[Kalto]
“Well that’s good…But why is a pharmacist handing out narcotics? This sounds astonishingly irresponsible. Do you handle out other “prescriptions” in similar fashion?”

[Acin]
“What? Of course not…People here get diagnosed from our doctors, they get a prescription from them and then they bring it to me so I can get my Guristas suppliers on the horn to hook me up with whatever it is, antibiotics, albuterol, insulin, stuff that’s for legitimate health concerns.”

[Kalto]
“I wouldn’t think the Guristas kept paperwork like that.”

[Acin]
"With an organization this big? ■■■■, paperwork is a necessity. Sure, the rista’ might knock over a Potque Pharmaceutical cargo ship and sell the content for a fat stack of kredits, but we might actually need some of the goods for ourselves! These prescriptions forms help us figure out what we need to keep in stock and who needs it. It’s all apart of the logistics around here.

[Kalto]
“How often is the system abused for those wanting certain medication to get high?”

[Acin]
What’s the point? If you’re trying to get high then just get some blue I’m offering up, all these “narcotics” that are illegal in Empire space are just over the counter goods here.

[Kalto]
“I see, well thank you ehhh…”

[Acin]
“Aicin Myrai”

[Kalto]
“Right, thank you Aicin, this had been informative.”

[Acin]
“Sure you don’t want any of this skymother?”

[Kalto]
"I’m good man! Trust me…”

“Interview” with Acin Myrai

Hoovand_Lindus · September 22, 2019, 1:19am

Interview: Valerie Vynneve on the ongoing Intaki V crisis

Stacmon - Market Factory & Engineering Azbel

September 21st YC 121

Tensions are flaring on the surface of Intaki V as reports of a mercenary outfit backed by the Lai Dai Corporation plundering monasteries promoting Ida faith emerge from the system. In response to these events, a loose collectiveof Empyrean individuals and organizations have formed under the name the “Intaki Diaspora” to look out for the best interests of the Intaki populace.

ZANIE’s Kalto Moxin has reached out to one of the members of the collective named Valerie Vynneve who has been an active support of the group since its formation. The two met in her office aboard an Azbel in Stacmon simply called “Market Factory & Engineering” that’s owned by the Capsuleer corporation called Cristicorpus

The following is the transcript of their conversation

[Kalto]
“Today, I find myself in the Stacmon system, sitting across from Valerie Vynneve, an independent Capsuleer affiliated with the recently formed coalition of Intaki supporters called The Intaki Diaspora. Valerie, thank you for setting aside the time to speak with me. I know this first question is gonna be underwhelming, but how you doing?”

[Valerie]
“I am fine, thank you, and thank you Kalto for your interest in the Intaki Diaspora.”

[Kalto]
“Hard not to take some interest with the growing tensions on Intaki V these past few weeks…Before we unpack that however i wanna ask about you in one question. Who do you see yourself as? Tell me and the eventual readers of the transcript about yourself so we all get some context on how we’re talking too.”

[Valerie]
“I guess what’s of interest to your audience is who I see myself as in relation with the events on Intaki V. Let’s start by saying that I am of mixed Intaki and Gallente ethnic heritage. Though I had no prior connection to Intaki Prime, I was raised in Ida and so news of the desecration of monasteries touched a nerve and moved me to get involved.”

[Kalto]
“Well that both answers why you got involved with the Diaspora and serves as a good segway into the first real question to analyze of all this, which is the sacking of multiple monasteries across Intakii V…The start of this entire crisis as far as I know, where the mercenary organization called Onikanabo Brigade just…Waltz onto the surface of Intaki V and just start ripping apart Ida monasteries. Now that’s already bad as it is, but from my understanding this organization utilizes Warclones in its ranks…Litteral killing machines with more augmentations than you Capsuleers. Can you confirm whether or not the Brigade deployed Warclones to handle these sackings? And if so, just how much damage did these people cause?”

[Valerie]
“I think the question of whether Onikanabo uses warclones is best asked to them, or to the PMCs that have faced them. What seems clear is that Onikanabo had relatively little trouble securing the Kainta Yavaat transorbital launching facility”

[Kalto]
“Could you enlighten me and readers about what the significance of the Kainta Yavaat Transorbital launching facility is? I’m not a local, you see. So I’m unsure of how big of a feat that really is and how alarming it should be.”

[Valerie]
Well, alarming. It’s obviously a strategic infrastructure close to major population centres. The significance is that it is one of the few ways if not the only way to get equipment and personnel on and off the planet safely and efficiently. Once Onikanabo secured the facility it acted as a beachhead for Lai Dai’s Protection Service

[Kalto]
“I know it’s all most likely up to speculation currently, but what stakes does the Lai Dai Corporation have in all this? Why are they cooperating with a mercenary organization of questionable reputation to sack civilian targets? Even if it’s all just speculation, what can you tell me?”

[Valerie]
“It is not just speculation. Onikanabo initially asserted they were extracting reparations under Caldari corporate law for an unnamed client. But eventually Lai Dai came clean and admitted Onikanabo was their contractor. LDPS later carried out its own plunder under cover of reparations”

[Kalto]
“Reparations for what? And more importantly - why the hell is a Mega-corporation hiring a mercenary proxy to commit some pretty damnable crimes, owning up to it and proceeding with what the mercs were doing with their official forces? If I’m understanding this right.”

[Valerie]
“So, let´s take this one question at a time. Reparations for what? Onikanabo itself stated… let me see… here it is: ‘well-founded claims to recover reparations from properties and resources linked to certain radical sects of the Ida movement.’ As to the second question, well, you’re asking me to speculate on the goals, strategy and tactics of a megacorporation. But here goes. My best guess is that Onikanabo provided plausible deniability in case the operation went badly wrong. Suppose LDPS attempts to carry out this splendid little punitive expedition and is repelled. Lai Dai would not only fail to achieve its goal but it would also lose face. So they send Onikanabo in. Once Onikanabo lands at Kainta Yavaat, secures the facility, and successfully launches raids to plunder the Ida monasteries, it is safe for Lai Dai to come in and finish the job. Lai Dai patently does not care whether little people like you or me believe their actions are damnable crimes.”

[Kalto]
“Radical Ida sects? What does the Lai Dai corporation have to even do with such a thing? Either I’m a moron, or the Lai Dai corporation have just swerved way out of their lane and I’m curious if the Diaspora have any theories as to why this is.”

[Valerie]
“I am not going to legitimise these criminals’ claims by hazarding a guess. I think your best chance of finding out is to research the ongoing court case against Lai Dai and its associates brought before the Caldari Business Tribunal by Ishukone. You could try to see how much Ishukone’s counsel is prepared to disclose of the arguments made before the Tribunal. I, for one, would be very interested to know.”

[Kalto]
"In that case, let’s move on to what’s presently going on with the crisis. Recently Federal Marines have landed planetside to - I assume - help restore balance and stability…Now at a glance it looks like great news! But something tells me this is a lot more concerning than it let’s on to be… Would I be right in assuming that?”

[Valerie]
“I’m afraid balance and stability on Intaki Prime is not what we have a right to expect in the short term. Let’s look at the situation into which the Federal Marines landed. The Intaki Assembly negotiated a ceasefire with LDPS which allowed the Onikanabo Brigade to depart Intaki V unchallenged. Then the Federal Defence Union wrested control of the Intaki system from Caldari militias, and a day later Lai Dai negotiated a lease for the Kainta Yavaat transorbital launch facility. LDPS has also declared a suborbital no-flight zone around the launch facility. It is hard to tell whether the Federal Marines landed on Intaki in response to Lai Dai declaring the no-fly zone, or the other way around, or whether the two moves just happened to take place at the same time. But this looks to me like an escalation, not like stability. Moreover, one has to wonder who the Federal Marines would be helping to restore stability, since the Intaki Assembly not only has signed these deals with Lai Dai but also faces popular protests over them. If the Federal Marines attempt to evict Lai Dai, will they be condemned by the Assembly? Will the Federal marines help the Assembly quash the protests? Or will they agree with the protestors that the Assembly has some explaining to do on its deals with Lai Dai? Let’s also not forget the uneasy relation of the Assembly with the Federation over the issue of sovereignty, and Federal Marines landing planet-side does not seem like a contribution to stability.”

[Kalto]
"So this whole bureaucratic nightmare can swing absolutely anyway at anytime. And the situation is only getting heavier as capsuleer groups like Villore Accords are putting their hat in and criminal outfits like the Serpentis are finding ways to exploit the destabilization to for more narcotics. My question now is if you’re at liberty to speak about where the Diaspora fits into this situation? What is the Diaspora in support of right now?”

[Valerie]
“As they say, it’s complicated. So long as it was Lai Dai vs the rest of the world, Diaspora could agree to demand the departure of the interlopers. But the best we could agree regarding the Intaki Assembly was not to challenge its sovereignty. As it turns out, that was the right stance to take given the questionable actions taken by the Assembly since. In the more complicated current situation, the Diaspora supports the people of Intaki who are trying to hold their Assembly accountable though public protests. We certainly do not wish to take sides in what looks like a brewing battle over sovereignty”

[Kalto]
“Could you explain to me the relationship between the Intaki and the rest of the Federation? Because speaking as a clueless outsider of the Intaki AND Federation…I’d assume the Intaki were another Federal member like any other. Though I’m starting to see the relationship is a bit more complex than it appears.”

[Valerie]
“The way I understand it, and I’m not an expert in any of this, Intaki retains additional autonomy harkening back to the founding of the Federation. After the first Gallente-Caldari war the Intaki Assembly lost its authority over other systems outside Intaki proper. On the other hand it was granted an opt-out from Federal Navy oversight in accordance with the foundational agreement. So, strictly speaking, the Federation Navy is overstepping its mandate by deploying on the surface of Intaki V if it is not being done with the consent of the Intaki Assembly”

[Kalto]
“Well how does the militia layer factor into all of this? The Intaki system is literally smack-dab inside a sanctioned warzone for the State and Federation to wage a proxy war with Capsuleers. And if I’m not mistaken, the system flipped in favor of the Federation just recently.”

[Valerie]
“Interestingly, the system flipped in favour of the Federation just a day before Lai Dai negotiated the agreement to lease the Kainta Yavaat transorbital launch facility from the Intaki Assembly. This may have been Lai Dai’s reaction to the impending Federation Navy presence, or else the timing was purely coincidental. As to the answer to your actual question, any military commander will tell you that control of space does not grant you political control unless you have boots on the ground. We saw that already when the Caldari conquest of Intaki under Tibus Heth led only to a shipping franchise for Ishukone while the political authority of the Intaki Assembly over Intaki V remained unchallenged. However, with the Gallente militias taking control of the system, Lai Dai can no longer assume it is free to get on and off the planet without interference. This only increases the strategic importance of Kainta Yavaat”

[Kalto]
“I see…Now i think I’m nearing the end of my questions, so before we move onto final statements I gotta ask about one thing. Something I should’ve brought up earlier but…Our conversation flowed another direction and I just went with it. And that’s your stunt with hauling units upon units worth of toxic waste to multiple Lai Dai stations across Caldari space…Just…Just what was the goal in mind with doing that exactly? I’m trying my best not to imply anything it’s just…What was your plan with that stunt?”

[Valerie]
“Oh Heavens, that. I’m never going to be able to live it down, am I? Okay. What was I thinking? Let’s start by saying that this little stunt pre-dates the forming of Diaspora. Now, the original idea was to try to pressure Lai Dai by causing them economic damage through a price war on some product or other. So I started looking for suitable targets which would have been items that Lai Dai sells which are relatively overpriced. But nothing jumped off the screen, so to speak. Until I found that LDPS advertised selling toxic waste. I did some market research and found that Lai Dai was not actually selling any, but on the other hand the Thukker Tribe was a major supplier of the stuff. And then I had an idea which is more in the nature of an adolescent prank than anything else, which is to buy up a lot of toxic waste from Thukker Tribe and move it to LDPS stations. As there are twelve of those it took a bit of a tour of Lonetrek and Black Rise to leave a little gift in each of them. The rest, as they say, is history. Now, I never abandoned the idea of a proper price war with Lai Dai and, after the Diaspora was formed, I did find some suitable items with excellent PR potential unlike toxic waste. Manufacturing these has been a major undertaking which my associates and I are very proud of. You should look out for a public announcement soon.”

[Kalto]
“Fair enough…Now I think that’s all I needed to hear, but before I go I’d like to open the floor up to you to say…Whatever it is, as per tradition with these interviews we just wanna give our guest a chance to say or express something they wanted to say during our talks but didn’t get the chance…So the floor is yours to say literally anything, even insult my hairstyle if you want. Or if you prefer not to say anything at all? That’s perfectly fine.”

[Valerie]
“Thank you Kalto. Your hairstyle is fine. For my final statement I would like to go back to the issue of reparations, speaking strictly in a personal capacity and not in the name of the Diaspora. I believe this incident illustrates the appallingly barbarous approach to justice practiced by the Caldari State. If this case is representative of that, it would appear that the accepted way to address a grievance among the Caldari is for the aggrieved party to decide for themselves who is guilty, and to exact punishment themselves including in the form of wanton violence and plunder. And then others may challenge that punishment before the Caldari Business Tribunal. Let’s assume that Ishukone prevails over Lai Dai there, let alone that Lai Dai’s claims that the Ida monasteries have anything to do with their grievance is found to be spurious. It is not a given that Lai Dai will be forced to repair the damage caused to the monasteries, or that repairing that damage is even possible. Like I said, this is a barbarous approach to justice. The Gallente way, based on due process, would be for the aggrieved party - Lai Dai in this case - to sue the so-called “radical Ida sects” for damages. And, assuming their claim is upheld and only in that case, the monasteries might have been compelled to compensate Lai Dai. But certainly the compensation would not have involved mercenary warclones raiding Intaki Prime. Now, we all know the Federation does not always live up to its own standards, but at least the standard it aspires to measure up to is civilised. Given the choice of being part of the Federation or the State, it should be evident which should be preferred by the Intaki.”

[Kalto]
Well put…Well Valerie Vynneve, I thank you for your time and wish you and the Diaspora luck."

Hoovand_Lindus · September 26, 2019, 4:29pm

Interview: Bataav `en Gravonere on the Intaki Diaspora and ongoing crisis on Intaki Prime.

September 26th YC 121

Intaki Prime - Intaki Cultural Centre

Continuing the coverage of the ongoing crisis on the Intaki homeworld of Intaki Prime, Kalto Moxin reaches in deeper and gets ahold of Diaspora spokesman Bataav en Gravonere for a one-on-one interview to get a better understanding of the situation unfolding, as well as the stance of the Intaki Diaspora.

Bataav en Gravonere is one of many well respected Capsuleers within Intaki society, as well as the current CEO of the Intaki Liberation Front, which is the executor corporation of the larger Intaki Prosperity Initiative alliance that has an extremely commendable track record of looking after Intaki Interests. ZANIE’s Kalto Moxin meets with Bataav on the surface of Intaki Prime inside The Intaki Cultural Centre.

The following is a transcript of their conversation.

[Kalto]
“Today! I have the honor of sitting across from Intaki Liberation Front’s CEO and the de facto spokesman for the Intaki Diaspora, Bataav! Well known and popular Capsuleer in Intaki society. Bataav, it’s a pleasure to speak with you, and a pleasure to be here… quite…colorful looking place.”

[Bataav]
“A pleasure to have you here. And yes, the Cultural Centre is quite something. I miss it when my work takes me away from it.”

[Kalto]
“Not surprising that this is your kinda place…I’ve only just met you in person like…Thirty minutes ago? Twenty? Something like that…Regardless, I get the impression you live in breathe this kind of atmosphere, that this unmistakably your culture, where you find your identity…In what I’ve managed to find about you, I’ve seen you starting off your Capsuleer career in the Federal Navy Academy and after a few months? Here you are with the Intaki Liberation Front, still to this day. You definitely strike me as a man that is dedicated to a cause, but the first question i wanna ask you is what do you see yourself as? I can sit here and continue to be your hypeman, but how about you tell me what you think of yourself.”

[Bataav]
“I became aware of Intaki politics during my time at the Academy, and have been an advocate for Intaki secession for years now. I don’t consider myself a politician though. I’m certainly unlike many I’ve met, who seem more interested in creating a name for themselves rather than working for the benefit of the cause or people they’re supposed to represent. Perhaps in years to come my name will be remembered. It seems more likely that it will not. Others might think of me as an agitator and a rabble rouser, which I suppose might be true to some extent, if highlighting injustices and campaigning for Intaki interests is to be seen as causing trouble. I’m not sure what label I’d apply to myself though. A mentor perhaps? I hope to inform and empower those around me. When I’ve spoken publicly on behalf of the ILF, or IPI, I’ve done so to encourage thought and debate. If those who hear me agree with me and choose to join our efforts, then they are welcome.”

[Kalto]
“You mentioned secession. That’s a uh…Pretty big word for only three syllables if you catch my drift. Now I briefly asked Diaspora affiliate Valerie Vynneve about this, but could you tell me about this relationship with the Federation and the Intaki? Because I’m starting to see that things aren’t as harmonious as it appears, and I think someone like you could really hammer it home on what exactly is behind all the tension.”

[Bataav]
“As with all relationships, things are rarely straightforward, and this is no different when it comes to the Intaki. While there are a range of opinions within the Diaspora, on a number of matters, not just with regards to the Federation, I wouldn’t consider it to be disharmonious or contentious. Instead, I believe we each understand that our respective paths have offered unique experiences and lessons to draw from, and so we bring a variety of perspectives to the table. So far I believe we have been successful in applying these to the common cause.”

[Kalto]
“With all due respect, you miss my question. You said yourself that you were an advocate for Intaki secession for years now. I’m asking why that is, why are you and advocate for something this politically extreme? Sure, the Diaspora is home to different opinions on the matter - but what’s your opinion exactly? Why call for secession? that implies there’s is and has been some discontent between the Intaki and the Federation, and I’m asking YOU about the matter, not what the Diaspora as a whole thinks about it - And while i came here to discuss the Diaspora, i think it’s best to understand the point of views of the members that fill the ranks, understand their motivations and passions on the subject.”

[Bataav]
“Ah, I understand. I believe that secession would restore the authority and responsibilities to the Intaki Assembly, that other states take for granted. The Assembly should be able to provide for, and protect its people, but the systems of governance in place within the Federation prevent them from doing so. I see no controversy in that position. But I acknowledge that we have not been successful in communicating that message, and very often I hear concerns from our opponents about a Federation-wide repatriation of Intaki citizens back to Placid, and that is not what we are about. I am sure there are people all across the Federation, proud of their Intaki heritage, who are extremely happy with their lives, and I wish them well. The Intaki Liberation Front advocates for a civic nationalism for the people of Intaki, not the Intaki people.”

[Kalto]
“Well with that in mind, let’s segway into the topic of Intaki Prime itself. Now like you said, the Diaspora is made up of members of different opinions, but if there’s a unifying concern that brings you all together, it’s the health and stability of Intaki Prime, which currently is seeing slight occupation by the Lai Dai Corporation and Federal Marines supplemented by forces from the Capsuleer alliance Villore Accords…Now, its plain obvious how the Diaspora views the Lai Dai corporation right about now after having mercenaries on their payroll sack monasteries across the planet…But what I’m curious about is if the Diaspora is looking to the federales with trust or concern now that they’re tossing their weight on the scales.”

[Bataav]
“My personal view is that Federal groups are now seeking to influence the situation, and potentially benefit from any acclaim they may receive as a result, but if there are any longer term objectives beyond that, they are not yet clear. Recently, one of the organisations participating in the Diaspora established a structure in the Intaki system at short notice, and I wasn’t surprised to see elements within the Federal Militia quickly seek to capitalise on its facilities and services. This is a benefit of the Diaspora’s loose structure however, as it allows some to engage with external interested parties, while others can focus their attention elsewhere. We shall have to reserve judgement and see how the Federal Marines, and their militia allies act, before we consider how to proceed ourselves.”

[Kalto]
“Very well, then let’s address another problem, one that I’m admittedly a little uninformed about so forgive me for coming to you to learn more about it. But there’s protests breaking out among the populace, towards the assembly no less? I mean I saw a crowd coming in from the starport with signs in language I can’t read so…Could you tell me more about these protests going on?”

[Bataav]
“Of course. Large sections of the community are dismayed by the news that the Assembly has chosen to sign business contracts with an entity that up until very recently was engaged in hostile action against the people of Intaki, and I share their concerns. Protests on Intaki Prime very rarely break out into violence however, and protests that have occurred in the past and have been on a scale large enough to make headlines across New Eden have ended peacefully, and largely without incident. The people of Intaki have asked the Assembly to explain Lai Dai’s lease negotiations for a major distribution hub within the Intaki Prime transit network, and I echo their calls. I’ve spoken publicly on behalf of the Diaspora on this matter, and I repeat our hope that an official statement from the Assembly will help bring clarity and calm to the situation.”

[Kalto]
“Interesting, now I gotta ask about the Lai Dai hostility itself. From what I gathered from your affiliate Valerie Vynneve, the Lai Dai were out for “reparations” or something along those lines? Surely the Diaspora has done it’s own independent research into why these attacks happened, could you tell me anything? Any theories?”

[Bataav]
“I’ve heard some conspiracy theories, but it’s rarely helpful to give those more oxygen until there’s a reasonable amount of evidence. I had been content to wait for news from the Ishukone legal case at the CBT, which they had originally brought against the Onikanabo Brigade, but I’m unaware of the timescales involved before any judgement is made. I cannot begin to guess what justification Lai Dai and their hired goons at Onikanabo would have in targeting Ida monasteries and nearby communities, and corporate reparations sound like excuses to me.”

[Kalto]
“Well tell me this, because as I talk about it, I’m starting to recall more of my talks with Valerie. And I believe her exact words were “-to recover reparations from properties and resources linked to certain radical sects of the Ida movement.”…Now you don’t want to talk conspiracies? Sure, but how about you tell me about these “Radical sects” of the Ida faith? Do they exist?”

[Bataav]
“There will always be some who twist ideologies to suit their own goals. But, there is no holy book of Ida. There are no scriptures to abide by. The Idic monasteries are not a place of religious instruction. They are a place of meditation and discussion, and a building of timber and stone cannot subscribe to conceptual thought, radical or not. Of course groups may gather around common ideas, but Ida is deeply personal to its practitioners, and allows for a great deal of individual interpretation. A wise Idama once said, ‘Ida is a path, but Intaki are expected to walk it themselves.’ That Lai Dai claim otherwise betrays a lack of understanding on their part and critically undermines their entire premise.”

[Kalto]
“Well let’s ask this question - firstly, let’s drop the word sect and focus on the two remaining words. “Radical Ida” - Now we already know what the word Ida means, but what do you think radical is in reference to? What does “Radical” typically mean when coupled together in a sentence with a spiritual or religious faith? Typically I’d say it’s in reference to terrorism, or violent actions motivated by said religion or spirtuality…Now don’t mistake what I’m trying to get at, I’m not saying the Ida faith is turning people into terrorists, what I’m saying is what you said - There are those that will twist the ideology to suit their own goals, afterall the faith is open to personal interpretation…And it just so happens the Ida faith made circulation in the news when one or two Ida motivated groups committed some pretty violent actions in Khanid space. You aware of what I’m referencing?”

[Bataav]
“I’m aware of the events in Khanid space that you’re referencing. However, consider that Ida encourages a life of moderation, eschewing the extremes of excess and denial. It would seem to me that acts of indiscriminate violence and terrorism would be incompatible with any reasonable person’s interpretation of Ida. By the same measure, a life of strict abstinence and absolute pacifism would be considered equally as extreme. I find myself questioning whether the terrorist attacks by the group calling itself Tears of Reschard were carried out due to a twisted ideology in and of itself, or whether it was more about targetting the Khanid holder who held Idama en Waro. I acknowledge that these attacks could have been used as justification for a reponse against Intaki, but I would have thought a petition to the Intaki Assembly by Khanid representatives would have been more appropriate. Certainly not an assault against innocent civilian targets by a mercenary group contracted by a State megacorporation. If that is the reason for the current crisis, then some could suggest the Khanid have surrendered any moral high ground they may have claimed on the issue.”

[Kalto]
“I’ll leave it at that…Now, i think i’ve asked enough questions as it is, but i do wanna ask one last thing before we move on to our closing statements. And this last question is in regards to the Diaspora’s current objective as it stands right now? Recently on the Intergalactic summit, another affiliate by the name of Auriga Menkalinan has announced the sale of pre-assembled medical centers at a undercut price to that of Lai Dai’s centers. So are we expecting the Diaspora to wage a trade war against the Lai Dai corporation?”

[Bataav]
“There are a number of projects and areas of focus within the Diaspora at the moment, and yes that includes the manufacture and sale of Upwell-compatible prefab medical facilities. The potential to compete with Lai Dai with these items wasn’t missed, and if the competition impacts Lai Dai revenues in some way, well then the Diaspora isn’t uncomfortable with that. That the medical centres also have the potential to assist in the rebuilding process on Intaki Prime is extremely welcome, and those that make it to affected areas will immediately benefit the surrounding communities.”

[Kalto]
“Suppose time will tell in that regard…Now Bataav, it’s been a pleasure, buy I think it’s about time we wrap this up so you can get back to work. Before we go however, we like to open the floor to our guests to say whatever it is they want to put out there. If there’s something you wished I asked about so you can express or want to announce something, now’s your chance to do so. So if there’s something you’d like to say, the floor is yours.”

[Bataav]
“Thank you for visiting Intaki to talk to me. I’m pleased that the Diaspora has caught people’s attention. It’s my hope it will help shine a light on some of the other work that goes on in Intaki. The current crisis may have encouraged us to come together, but I’m confident we’ll continue to work in Intaki’s interests long after things return to normal.”

[Kalto]
“It’s been an honor Bataav, good luck to you and the rest of the Diaspora”

Saint_Michaels_Soul · September 26, 2019, 6:11pm

As an Intaki of many regenerations I am proud of our heritage and culture and am lucky enough to have spent time with Bataav on a personal level.

Many of his points hold weight and are valid within the context of the past century.

However my experiences in this cycle make me feel some of these views are tinted too much with the sepia lens of the past.

At this point it is only fair to disclose that I have also been a member of the Gallente Military operation for a number of years and I hope to explain why Bataav’s wishes are an idealist’s dream within the modern universe and why I personally believe our best interests lie within the Federation.

Independence from the Federation will always leave Intaki exposed to external forces, most insidiously the pure capitalist greed of the Caldari. I have already seen huge shopping stations built over arable land, blocking out sunlight and rendering swathes of our planet un-farmable and desolate. Corporate advertising creeps across surfaces where once familial art was shown, the people seduced by the promise of cold digital isk. Even addictions confined in the past to the darkest dens of Intaki Prime are now seen on the streets as people beg for money to fulfill the desires they have been taught by the Caldari marketing machines. I weep for the old culture in the same way as Bataav and we have bonded over this but indeed argued about it’s root cause.

The Federation has admitted making significant mistakes of the governing of Intaki Prime in the past but has acknowledged and allowed, in modern times, Intaki culture to thrive and have it’s own local governance. This is not the dictaorship that Bataav insinuates. Most importantly it is not the silver/grey cultural vacuum that the Caldari corporations inflict, like a creeping cancer on unprotected nations. Independence from the Federation, whilst a noble ambition, would leave us defenceless as a planet to this stealthy and isk driven disease.

Is the Federation perfect? Far from it. Is it Intaki culture’s best chance of survival in a dark and unforgiving universe? I believe so. Does it give the citizens of Intaki a say in the larger governance of Gallente space in general? Most definitely. Would any of these be true of an ‘independent’ Intaki subject to the market forces and wills of the Corporations? No undefended (albeit isk rich) culture has thus far proved this possible.

As a result I will continue to fight until my last clone to ensure that a niaive dream of independence does not lose my family and home planet to the Caldari Corporate Menace and I look forward to inevitably discussing this once again with Bataav when we next meet.

o7

Saint Michaels Soul
Federal Veteran
Gallente Militia

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