Intergalactic Summit

Probably a fair assessment. Let's not argue particulars when chances are we agree.

Congratulations on your pilot's license, Ms. Chosokabe.

It's kind of neat seeing such a vocal and apparently well-informed new combat pilot just starting out. I don't remember, anymore, what it was like, at the beginning. I kind of envy your enthusiasm.

I'm curious, though-- when you go into a fight, what sorts of people do you imagine you're killing?

Some of us would argue that precious few people deserve being killed.

Not that it stops us.

Stardate: 4.6.2016.118
Region: Essence, Villore (0.5)
Entry: I Just Couldn't Wait

I'm happy (and a little embarrassed) to announce the launch of the HMCS Beacon Hill. This is my first ship and she's a beautiful Tristan-class Gallente frigate. I was busy fitting-up yesterday and thought "What the heck". The only reason I was waiting was that my Level V Drone skill needed a few more days and I thought I should wait for that 5th drone to be available. But then I noticed the bottle of Champagne sitting there just waiting for a reason for it to be smashed over the prow and well....the rest is history...

She flys and fights great! 0.5 rats are now a mere nuisance and LvL I security missions almost pointless. I'm going to have to inject the Social and Connections skills in order to access the level II agents. Time to make a more ISK.

Speaking of which....checked this morning and I've got a net worth of 13.2M ISK with 65% of that in cash too so yay...
Today there is a big festival on the station so I probably won't be doing too much today but If I do, I'll let you know tomorrow!

Or another way to look at that is if you are willing to pilot or work on an armed ship then you, by the vary nature of your choice, have put yourself in the path of violence. Every sailor on a navel vessel is there to support the ships roll which it to fight/kill and if they have a problem with that then they never should have joined-up in the first place. Same goes for crews on criminal or suspect ships; it's their choice to be there.

Yes the issue of slaves is a tough one but at the end of the day, the sun does not shine on everyone...

So before you apply my flippant "deserve it" to everyone equally know that I don't. If the ship is a valid target (to me) then so is everyone else on that ship. This are the rules of war, which humanity created, and I accept them, totally.

Anyone wringing their hands while at the same time earning their ISK from behind a couple thousand m³ of steel, weaponry and engines should really head back down to a planets surface and open a flower shop.

To do things without purpose or reason is the definition of madness...Having structure, rules, guides and boundary limits, regardless of whether you personally agree with them, gives one direction, purpose and a foundation to base all their actions on.

Humanity did not create the rules of war, they are the rules of nature.
Around before us, and after. Calling them rules is a fools errand for what they are is a lack of rules; The only rule is there are no rules.

It is comforting to think you have some measure of humanity because you grieve for those you kill or who die at your order. That comfort is a lie, no one was made to be less dead because the living responsible for it had lower levels of norepinephrine and serotonin after the fact. Discard the sentiment, and be less vulnerable to failure. This is the best way to save your ships crews and the best way to improve as a combat pilot. Let go of these attachments.

For thousands of years people have idolized the warrior who ignores pain or fear. But it is the warriors who ignore sentiment who become feared for what they can do. Idols can be false and fears can be shadows but only the latter is borne from the instinct to survive. That instinct is the strongest we have, overruled only in extreme circumstance or worn down over years like a stone.


Poor advice borne out of sentiment. As the class of your ship increases so to does its value. It is not a large ship that as a whole is worth more than any member of its crew. Being 'good' to your crew is not what you are there for. Be the best for your crew. Many ships with nice captains end up dead metal drifting in space. Fewer, with captains who do what is most fit and not what is the most comforting.

The individuals do not matter outside of their own competence, do not be afraid to impose your will. Your ship is your domain. Remember it is the ship as a whole that keeps all alive, including you. You have a job to do or a mission to accomplish and trying to keep your crew 'safe' is bowing to an illusion. Your crew will never be safe, ensure their lives are spent wisely and you serve them and yourself best.

Good luck new pilot.

Stardate: 5.7.2016.118
Region: Essence, Villore (0.5)
Entry: System Cleared

I had limited time yesterday so after mounting a Salvage unit to an empty top slot, I went out and cleared-out the whole Villore system of rats and boosted my net worth up to 20M ISK. HMCS Beacon Hill is performing admirably and I never even needed to turn on the hull repair module. She's quite the ship. Looking forward to getting hired on to do some Level II security missions for the Navy in the next day or two.

Going to be spending most of the day on the station today...

As you move on from frigates I hope you delegate things such as crew morale to an XO or ship psychologist/chaplain instead of foolishly trying to befriend or manage the crews of your ships yourself.

... so-- can we maybe let her get back to telling her story?

As much as I do understand I sort of started this, maybe it should stop.