YC126.01.15 // ATHOUNON VI
Khimi Harar-flagged Crane-class Blockade Runner in orbit around Athounon VI awaiting permission to commence cargo off-load operations.
A Light in the Darkness?
With the insurgency-induced wildifires under control in the Athounon VI city-state of Cieléclat, questions have lingered among the populace of who would pay for the extensive reforestation and ecological restoration. Estimates to replace the nearly 300 square kilometers of destroyed forests, wetlands, and rivers have been challenging for local government officials to develop since Taayusaka Eskeitan-occupied territories adopted Sukuuvestaa Corporate scrip as the local currency. Tensions have been high as residents shift their attention from who to blame to who would be responsible for rebuilding their livelihoods.
Many of those questions seemed to be put to rest through a broadcast on local news networks and social media applications. Identified as Draconari Legionnaire Michiko Soikutsu, the spokesperson for the Cieléclat Ecological Restoration Campaign outlined an initiative of aid born out of a partnership between Taayusaka Eskeitan and Khimi Harar.
Khimi Harar from the Amarrad for “Light in the Darkness” is an Amarr Empire-aligned capsuleer corporation with a history of providing humanitarian aid support to beleaguered locations throughout the cluster. Local Athounon experts note that the alliance has a significant Caldari presence and that this latest initiative was likely developed from within that cohort.
Capsuleer Michiko Soikutsu presents the Cieléclat Ecological Restoration Campaign appearing to wear camouflaged outdoor gear.
The Face of the Campaign
Public scrubbing of Draconari Legionnaire Michiko Soikutsu’s profile indicates her capsuleer career began with the State War Academy and had previously led operations to recover species from Caldari State systems that were lost to Pochven. Little else is known about the capsuleer except that she is apparently of Achuran descent.
Her broadcast covered everything from the “Why,” the “Who,” the “When,” the “What” and the “How,” laying out what will apparently be a months-long operation to restore the forests and other impacted biomes of Cieléclat . The Campaign will rely heavily on local volunteers from university academics to construction workers to farmers to support restoration and re-planting efforts. She emphasized that the people who knew their forest the best were the people of Cieléclat and that Khimi Harar was only present to provide a neutral security presence and logistics support so they could begin rebuilding their lives.
Her message has been received with mixed feelings from the local population. Praising her upbeat, “can do” attitude, many younger Cieléclat denizens have embraced her message. Hundreds if not thousands are expected to register as volunteers once the Campaign’s administrative offices are established in Cieléclat’s primary habitation zone.
“The fighting in Athounon has disrupted my studies and many of my friends have had to make the choice between staying at home or joining the insurgents because of lack of jobs. I want to make contributions to Cieléclat my own way with what I know how to do,” said Forest Management student “Marcus.”
Older residents of Cieléclat were generally more wary of what they see as additional capsuleer-led intrusion into their lives. With Taayusaka Eskeitan’s security presence heavy in the territory, there are many who believe the Campaign is simply additional cover for more boots to surge into their beloved Cieléclat.
Francine, a long-time resident, shared, “What is Khimi Harar getting out of this partnership? Before you know it, there will be priests proselytizing on every corner of this city!”
Albert, who was recently displaced due to the wildfires responded by saying, “You city dwellers have no idea what it means to have your livelihood go up in smoke! At least someone is doing something. Or are your beloved ‘Torchbearers of Liberty’ going to burn down the restoration efforts as well?!”
Leaked manifest image from Athounon VI Customs Office.
Social Media Response Mixed
The response on Athounon social media was heated and mixed, amplifying the split reception of the people of Cieléclat. The spokesperson account for the insurgent organization the “Torchbearers of Liberty,” itself an offshoot of the Free Cieléclat Garrison (FCG), vowed that the project would be attacked until Cieléclat was free of foreign influence and that every native Cieléclat citizen was a traitor for collaborating with the “enemy.” The FCG for its part acknowledged that the people of Cieléclat had a right to rebuild their lives but that it should have been through “proper channels.” While both organizations have significant presence on social media, recent setbacks and evidence suggesting that the wildfires were set by insurgents affiliated with these groups have resulted in a plunge of popularity.
Nonetheless, both organizations recirculated leaked images of an alleged manifest pertaining to the restoration campaign. Although both pointed to the heavy equipment and military personnel, security and forestry experts in Athounon say they are surprised at how light Khimi Harar’s presence appears to be for an area 300 square kilometers in size.
When reached for comment, Michiko Soikutsu responded by saying, “We are here to help the people of Cieléclat and to keep them safe as they work to rebuild lives torn asunder by war and conflict. We will do all that we can to help and I look forward to working with those who will abide by the law and plant trees for peace.”
News in Brief
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Thousands of volunteers flood sign-up for the Cieléclat Ecological Restoration Campaign as soon as sites go live.
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Initial “flock” of survey drones spotted over areas hardest hit by wildfires.
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Athounon influencers speculate on whether “Bouquet of Flowers” was a gift or is a gift.
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Broadcast of Cieléclat Ecological Restoration Campaign reaches over one million views within twenty-four hours.