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Former Slaves Enter Matriculation Program

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Caviar Liberta
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#601 - 2012-10-20 19:17:43 UTC
Ston Momaki wrote:
The Disciples of Ston are often criticized for our small deeds of rescue. "You make no difference," so the charge is read. Self-proclaimed "large minded" capsuleers scoff at the small deeds impacting small numbers. 76 people saved. Not a universal impact by any stretch at least at first glance. Surely to the 76 who go on living it is a univere sized act.


I'd like share a couple quotes from mentionable people of Federation history for you to keep in mind.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

and

"save a life, save a whole world"

And good day to you sir.
Ston Momaki
Disciples of Ston
#602 - 2012-10-22 12:29:50 UTC
Is there a difference between religious conviction, dedication, devotion and religious fanaticism? I think there is. Both show up frequently on these channels and out in our cluster. Fanaticism is characterized by an insecurity, fear, and lack of assurance so acute that the fanatic must kill, destroy, and insult in order to soothe his or her doubt. The extremism we have recently seen and the quest for recognition through atrocity is the weakest form of religion.

We rescue many devoted religious/spiritual people. Some are theists, some deists, some spritists, some spiritualists, etc. What characterizes those who have conviction as opposed to fanaticism is a quiet confidence. If I believe in God, I believe He is capable of proving himself without needing nor commanding me to destroy, enslave, or bully others to think as I do. If I do share my "faith" as it were, I do so with gentleness and respect. There is no credibility in fanaticism or megalomania.

I am happy to report that 68 people were recently rescued and are in good health, ready to go on with life.

Wall of Shame:

114/10/22 12:09 hatima 68 people

The Disciples of Ston bid you peace
Ston Momaki
Disciples of Ston
#603 - 2012-10-23 13:16:57 UTC
Again we see the dumping of legal passengers. For what reason, we cannot tell. In the past, pilots have expressed the need to dump people to make room for lucrative items found in wrecks and other cans. Perhaps this is the case. Regardless, we will rescue all that we find in such dire situations. We have seen the power of mercy to change the hearts of even the hardest of people. Some of those we rescue are not the kindest, gentlest people. Some become so after receiving kindness for the first time in their lives.

Sometimes, other station personnel will share treats with the children we rescue. There are certain trusted individuals we have come to know and we are happy to see this introduction into a new community happen this way. A piece of candy, a cookie, a quafe or phanta given to a child brings smile and curiosity. This time it also brought tears. One of the children who was a part of the 35 in the first rescue received a lemon phanta. She took her first sip and the funniest look came across her face; she had never had anything carbonated before. We had just arrived with the second rescue. In the business of the unload, the little girl slipped away from where she was supposed to be and ran up to one of the haggard looking prisoners. Staff tends to panic a bit when this kind of thing happens. The little girl ran up to the Amarrian prisoner holding up her can of phanta to the dirty rough looking man saying with a smile, "You have to try this sir, it tickles your nose."

This big, rough looking man (turns out to be a political prisoner) bends down, takes a sip of the phanta; "Why it sure does tickle my nose." Many eyes became a bit misty at this point.

One of the reasons we tell these stories is a hope that capsuleers will begin to recover the ability to see the living souls, personalities, spirits of the people they impact. Only then will our actions be thoughtful not thoughtless.


Wall of Shame

114/10/22 13:33 Aranel DaMorre 35 people
114/10/22 22:35 Haemoglobinz 1 freedom fighter, 10 militants, 10 prisoners, 10 former slaves.

The Disciples of Ston bid you peace
Ston Momaki
Disciples of Ston
#604 - 2012-10-24 12:39:09 UTC
Our Temp Center is almost ready to arrange transport of current residents and detainees to more permanent facilities. The center in Yulai will have its work cut out for it with the addition of good number. We hope that many if not most of these could be relocated elsewhere. Many of those recently rescued are taking on employment with us. Since we are a non-profit, endowment supported entity, we can offer very competivie wages and salaries and also offer non-violent meaningful work for many who are war weary and ready to engage in non-destructive work. A specialist has been brought in to our Ation facility to help evaluate and treat Oura. We hope that her true identity can be determined through the course of treatment.

69 more were rescued yesterday before patrols were concluded.

Wall of Shame:

114/10/23 17:43 egons fox 69 people

The Disciples of Ston bid you peace
Ston Momaki
Disciples of Ston
#605 - 2012-10-25 23:32:19 UTC
Once the conscience is set aside for the sake of expedience, profit, or convenience the path can become increasingly dark until there is little left but a mere semblance of one's former humanity. The offender on the wall of shame below is a repeat offender. The first time it was 15 blown out into space. This time it was 20. Was there any thought at all for the lives she discarded? Was there the first time? None this time? Who can tell but the pilot herself.

Today was a good day for DSTON and for several hundred people rescued recently. We are happy to enroll a variety of people from former soldiers and exotic dancers to former slaves and ordinary professionals, janitors and people from many walks of life
all beginning job training today at new locations to work for our organization. Many will become part of the staff of our Matriculation Centers, others at our homeless shelter and still others at our detention center. Secretarial, administration, medical, janitorial, food service, educational, research, technical assistance, etc. We are very pleased to have the additional staff to help us out as our centers grow.

Wall of Shame:

114/10/25 21:04 moonlight sculpter 20 people

The Disciples of Ston bid you peace
Ston Momaki
Disciples of Ston
#606 - 2012-10-27 00:15:43 UTC
Earlier today we reached 19 people before their time ran out. Speaking of that, we who are capsuleers tend to have a misguided notion that our time will not run out. It will. Being a capsuleer creates a sort of fantasy that we have more time than others. This tends, I think, to make us live a bit above others when we should remember that we are mortal, fragile, and will die. Capsule technology is a very young technology. It is not time proven. None of us can reasonably expect that this artificial existence we have created is in any way permanent.

So...use your time wisely. Imagine what is good and translate that imagination into becoming better and helping others to do the same. For the 19 we rescued each moment will be lived with a bit more appreciation no doubt.

Wall of Shame:

114/10/26 21:50 Xyponeus Ghekon 19 people

The Disciples of Ston bid you peace
Ston Momaki
Disciples of Ston
#607 - 2012-10-27 18:18:56 UTC
In the last 24 hours we have been able to rescue these 34 lives. They are a testimony to the value of life. I believe that the continuation of life for these 34 people will result in a better universe as they work out good in the days they have left.

Speaking of good: In the last 24 hours, I have been able to confiscate over 8.5 million ISK in high power weapons and ammunition. These items will remain in storage, unused until the dissolution of time. They will not be recycled, sold, or given away. They are a symbol of my hope that one day all instruments of violence will forever be silenced and unused.

Wall of Shame:

114/10/27 17:53 Kris Dethahal 34 people

The Disciples of Ston bid you peace
Ston Momaki
Disciples of Ston
#608 - 2012-10-28 21:21:08 UTC
Once upon a time, along time ago in fact, titles that are now arbitrary and often self-assigned, came about when individuals distinguished themselves through deeds and manner of lifestyle. As history "progressed" these titles began to be assigned by virtue of family connection, education, and social station. Lost was the connection to actual earning through exceptional deeds of merit and character. Even further down the darkening tunnel of history, these titles become the function of wealth and power and many such titles were claimed by people who have not even the remotest connection to the deeds and character that onece defined the title. Originally, most of these titles were given not because the the titled wanted to be so, but because of love and admiration by those who benefited from the deeds that spawned the title.

Titles that come to mind:

Lady: a woman of unsurpassed feminine virtues excelling in selfless acts of sacrificial love nurturing those in need at the expense of self and self aggrandizement. One assigned this title was recognized by those whom she served.
Gentleman: a man of self-restraint, manners and selfless masculinity, using his strength and skill to protect, serve, and care for the needs of the poor, needy, defenseless. Those given this title gave up that wich was theirs to help those who lacked.
Captain: A man or woman of such character as would place the well being of those of lower rank above him or herself in such a way that his or her life would be given to secure the safety of others. A captain goes down with his ship.

Use of these titles now has become flippant and presumptuous as many are those who claim them without any merit in deed or virtue. Most of us should just be content with Mr. or Ms. and leave the assignment of the grander titles in the hands of others if indeed we deserve to have them.

41 people we rescued from a death can today. We hope they will go on, live, and serve others well.


Wall of Shame:

114/10/28 20:53 AurielS 41 people

The Disciples of Ston bid you peace
Ston Momaki
Disciples of Ston
#609 - 2012-10-29 23:13:07 UTC
Wall of Shame:

114/10/29 22:57 Drakus Blade 46 people

Why do you kill? Why do you shed the blood of others? I have met capsuleers, even warriors who answer that question with all seriousness and with a sense of great restraint. I believe that the greatest and best warriors are lovers of peace. It is the pretenders who make sport of violence and who use death and murder as a narcotic for their empty souls.

I do not believe that the majority of capsuleers have the maturity and the moral presence to responsibly handle the violent power they are given. Most do not give the deaths of their crew members a second thought; perhaps not even a first thought.

The Disciples of Ston will continue to hold to the standard of pacifism in our work. This will have its own consequences in a universe that grows ever more accepting of violence, murder, and wholesale death.

The 46 we rescued today and at the evening meal back at the centers. Quarters have been prepared and all have been scheduled for thorough medical exams. May you all enjoy a peaceful evening and good sleep.

The Disciples of Ston bid you peace
Jev North
Doomheim
#610 - 2012-10-30 11:43:08 UTC
Ston Momaki wrote:
It is the pretenders who make sport of violence and who use death and murder as a narcotic for their empty souls.

I'm in the Serpentis camp these days, dear. We use narcotics as a narcotic for our empty souls; the violence is a bonus.

Even though our love is cruel; even though our stars are crossed.
Ston Momaki
Disciples of Ston
#611 - 2012-10-30 19:43:58 UTC
"Its a trap sir" said the Chief. "Of course it is, chief, but there are 46 people on board," I replied. "Contact the center and have them prepare Aimeds for a quick return. I am dropping the crew off and coming back." "You'll lose the ship," he said. "I know, but so what. I've lost many ships but these are 46 lives and these pilots care nothing for them." "The phony Plex is the bait, the other items are there for filler to make it look legit. I have a hunch, they will leave the people in the end. They just want the kill."

On went the conversation as we retuned to station. I dropped the crew off, loaded two Aimeds and returned to spring the trap. You've seen them before, generic cargo boxes labelled "30 day pliots license extension." Only in this can were also 46 people. Let them die, or try to get them out. If I could get them on board, the wreck will be registered to me and I can return for survivors. I wagered the "sport killers" wouldn't care about the slaves in the end.

And so it was. On return I found can and I brought all aboard. I was taken out quickly. Fifteen minutes later we returned and retrieved all 46 people and left a few non-military items behind in a blue can. Although a bit shaken from the experience, the 46 are alive and safely back at the temp center. Mr. Bombaldir and his cronies got the thrill of their kill and the facade of bravery perhaps. We have the pleasure of helping 46 people.

This is the second time only, I have seen this scenario. The first time, I was not able to retrieve passengers and they were taken by the pilot. I feel very fortunate this time to have been able to help those who were being used as pawns in capsuleer blood sport. Never again will these 46 be helplessly subjected to this kind of thing. They now have some new choices in life.

Wall of Shame:





114/10/30 18:20 Tom Bombaldir 46 people

The Disciples of Ston bid you peace
Ston Momaki
Disciples of Ston
#612 - 2012-10-31 14:20:59 UTC
Now this is odd. According to Concord and its affiliates Oura Madusaari seems to be the most recent popular choice among the delusional. We now have two hysterical people both claiming to be Oura. Hopefully the counseling department on our Ation facility will be able to help these women in time.

This rescue occured shortly after yesterday's encounter described above. Unfortunately, we were too late to warn another pilot who came under attack by the same group. As we arrived, he was in the final throws.

There is a phenomenon I am observing among those capsuleers who find themselves on the wall of shame. Baseline humans as they are sometimes refered, are all faling under the category of "expendable commodity." The four civilian pilots were asking "why?" "Why were we just dumped in space to die?" The quick answer to this is that you are not valued by the person who did this. What is worse, to be killed in hatred or to be left to die disregarded?

Wall of Shame:

114/10/30 19:15 DarkWarrion
Oura Madusaari, 24 former slaves, 4 stranded pilots.

The Disciples of Ston bid you peace
Tahrmal Nalthkh
Disciples of Ston
#613 - 2012-11-01 17:19:17 UTC
This isn't where I usually post business information for DSTON, but I felt it appropriate to tell my experience today.

Some background: I came to DSTON through their rescue efforts. I myself was one of those former slaves left in a jetcan.

So, today when I came across a jetcan when on routine business for the Academic Center, I checked it. There were 55 people on board. My little frigate can hold only 24. I was a bit overwhelmed and wasn't sure what to do. I thought I might be attacked by the owner of the can so I looked at the list of pilots shown as being in that system. This Lady W0rk wasn't there, but I also noticed a pilot in the system with a blue marked showing good standing with me. I was confused at that since I have few contacts. I realized that she was from a another Corp in blue standing. I opened a channel with her and asked for her help. She had a ship large enough to rescue the remaining people. She asked that her name not be used here so I will just call her "my friend in blue." Thank you, "friend in blue." She told me that she would see that these made it to the Republic.

It was a very exciting and meaningful experience as a rescued person to be involved in rescuing others. I think I understand the mission and role of DSTON a little better now.

Wall of Shame:

Lady W0rk 55 people. 24 by me and 31 rescued by friend in blue ((Can't figure out how to make the link thing work for Lady W0rk, but you can look her up))

Dr. Tahrmal Nalthkh CEO, DSTON Rescue Pilot
Ston Momaki
Disciples of Ston
#614 - 2012-11-02 13:01:23 UTC
At the temp center station there are large view ports facing both entrance and exit areas where ships come and go on their business. The children we rescue come from a mixture of generational slave situations and from recent settlement slaver raids. The two groups are quite disimilar and the difference never more apparent than with children. What does this have to do with view ports?

One of the favorite activities among both adults and children once people are settled in here is to watch the coming and going of the great capsuleer and merchant vessels. There is an endless fascination especially among those who have little experience off of a planet surface. Most all our Matriculants enjoy their visits to the observation lounges throughout the station. However, one of our recent rescues included a little girl, eight years old, who was terrified to be anywhere near any observation port. She had a terrible fear of windows and would cry out "monster! monster!" anytime she was near one. Our staff was befuddled by this for some time and we felt the need to look in to the possible reasons. At first we thought that perhaps the young girl had experienced nightmares about some kind of fantasy terror in the form of space monsters and such. Then, we received some help.

We put the word out among our greater population and it was discovered that the girl was part of a settlement raided by slavers in a disputed area of space. Turns out the girl and her family were abducted and enslaved from their home. We spoke to the girl and had her describe the experience. She told us of the slavers looking into the windows of their home before abducting her and her family. She came to refer to the slavers as "monsters." The light went on.

She was terrified of being near any outside window for fear that she might be seen by slavers wanting to take her captive again. While others see ships coming and going, she saw people coming to take her. We unfortunately do not know where the rest of her family was taken in that raid. Last night, I and one of our female Elders took the little girl to a small view portal in a dark room. The Elder held the little girl very tight and securely and she took her first peek out at the stars and ships as they left the station. "No one can see you, my sweet." She began to relax a bit more, but the road for her ahead is a long one.

Wall of Shame:

114/11/01 19:43 Jlonama 40 people

Dr. Nalthkh,
So gratified that you were able to rescue those dear people. It is also good to know that there yet more who will help in the work.
Here is the link: Lady W0rk ((You have to deleat the percent sign and the number 20))

The Disciples of Ston bid you peace
Ston Momaki
Disciples of Ston
#615 - 2012-11-03 13:24:06 UTC
Tax time for DSTON. No I am not referring to the taxes we gather as a corporation for neither Dr. Nalthkh nor myself run missions. I do refer to the taxes we pay importing and exporting food, water and material from our planetary operations to supply the Matriculation Centers. I bring it up because I was caught in the act of complaining the other day and was called to account by one of our Elders. "Are you losing your ideological edge, Ston?" This was the question and a good one at that. Taxes are a small thing that can make one momentarily lose sight of why one is willing to pay a price to help others. How does one get the ideological edge back. Each time I see a Matriculant take a drink of fresh water produced at one of our planetary plants, the edge comes back.

I have three rescues to report. We are glad to welcome all of these people to our temp center. There is a repeated conversation that occurs with those "legal" passengers that we rescue such as slavers and those former slaves who have had their transponder implants altered to register them as freed. On my end the answers go something like this. "No, you shouldn't pay a capsuleer pilot upfront." "You need to know of the pilot is hauling contraband if you want to make it to your destination." "No, you can't trust the word of most capsuleer transport pilots." "Yes, they will dump you into space to make room for more valuable cargo." On it goes. As we try to sort out the needs of these "guests" and sometimes "detainees" they come to see the reality of how dangerous space travel really is.

One last note: We have found in Freed former slaves a most delightful eagerness to find ways to serve and help their brothers and sisters still in captivity. We offer to train and hire those we rescue and most cannot believe the enormous amount we offer to pay them. Much is tiny in the perspective of the capsuleer but a tiny bit is enormous in the perspective of these recently freed and now rescued people. They are some of the hardest working people you will ever meet.

Wall of Shame:

114/11/02 14:07 Miha P 10 Freed Slaves, 3 Slavers, 28 Former Slaves
114/11/02 22:13 XMapu Hax 10 people
114/11/03 12:55 DanilaMaster34 8 people

The Disciples of Ston bid you peace
Lady Katherine Devonshire
Royal Ammatar Engineering Corps
#616 - 2012-11-04 05:04:26 UTC
Shameful that people would so casually discard the Universe's most valuable resource: Life.

I believe that God gave us souls so as to enact His will, and then gave the souls bodies to act as tools for those souls. To so casually throw away God's tools without a damn good reason seems like sacrilege to me. Do these capsuleers truly believe that their so-called "immortality" makes their souls exempt from God's judgement?

The sound of the Amarrian heart
Ston Momaki
Disciples of Ston
#617 - 2012-11-04 13:35:43 UTC
Repatriation is a slow process and the Disciples of Ston conduct that process in such a way that focusses on the safety, well-being and actual arrival of Matriculants back to primarily the Republic. It is illegal to transport anyone with an active slave implant transponder across Amarr, Khanid, or Ammatar borders into the Republic, Federation, or State Territories. Because of this, transportation must be accomplished carefully and covertly. That is the way it is. As you know, all slaves register on customs manifest computors and scanners as "slaves." At present, there is no way to change this. This is another matter, of course.

We continue to repatriate those we rescue and those committed to our care. Does this happen as quickly as would we would like? No. It is a very slow process. It is necessarily slow to insure the safety of those involved. Regardless of the judgments of some in the capsuleer community, we will continue this work.

Three rescues are reported below. Each of these lives is significant and valuable. Each rescue is a celebration of the human lives saved from an ignominious death in space. These are lives important for the whole of humanity and we are glad to serve them in this way.

Wall of Shame:

114/11/03 13:51 Tyn na'Zuul 36 people
114/11/03 18:21 43 people (name withheld, blue can)
114/11/03 23:02 Lady Blaine 40 people

The Disciples of Ston bid you peace
Ston Momaki
Disciples of Ston
#618 - 2012-11-05 15:32:22 UTC
Do good and eventualy you may see good. What does this mean? In our work, the good we do means that we see evil every day. The Wall of Shame reflects evil deeds that those without conscience commit every day. We stare in that face of evil in our efforts to do good. However, there exists out there hearts of good and they can be found in capsuleer pilots. Note this log entry: 114/11/04 rescued 59 people rescued by Pilot and transfered to temp center. The pilot has asked to remain anonymous. We do and are seeing good. We are seeing kind and generous hearts at work evn in the darkness all around. I think it is pretty important to acknowledge this otherwise we ourselves will begin to feel isolated and jaded. We don't have to look for the evil, that is in our faces all the time. Sometimes, though, we have to look for the good. When we find it, let us dwell on it long enough for a little encouragment to settle in and help keep us going.

Speaking of Good: It is nice to hear from Manwe. I hope wherever you end up, we can work together. I know the the principle of Sankofa is strong in your heart and it will drive you passionately to help your people. Where we can join together in that spirt, let us do so.

Wall of Shame:

114/11/04 22:26 Skaoi 25 people
114.11.05 13:17 De ZuuuberrMan 3 people
114.11.05 15:10 92 people (name withheld, blue can)

The Disciples of Ston bid you peace
Ston Momaki
Disciples of Ston
#619 - 2012-11-06 14:29:51 UTC
I look at yesterday's post about doing good and seeing good and I just don't feel it today. On patrol, I continue to see pilots just casting aside human life and it causes my heart to sink. Yes I still know that there are good hearted, brave, kind capsuleer pilots out there and many I have been blessed to meet. But...When you see the faces of terror and the eyes of pain in those we rescue and you realize that the reason they need to be rescued is because of the cruelty of a single pilot, it is hard to escape the feeling of despair.

Well, I have heard the saying, "Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good." That has to be what we will continue to be about.

Wall of Shame:

114/11/06 12:21 DDizel 2 Slavers, 33 Former Slaves
114/11/06 13:52 AgenMm 45 people
(name withheld) 32 people (blue can)

The Disciples of Ston bid you peace
Ston Momaki
Disciples of Ston
#620 - 2012-11-07 00:08:51 UTC
It has been a busier than normal day of patrolling. My crew and I are very glad to have been where we were throughout the day. At one point we happened upon five jet cans, three of which had surviving people on board. We have repatrolled certain areas with greater frequency and found still more.

There is an issue that needs addressing. Former slaves that are legally released by their holders often find themselves purchasing transport fares through travel brokers who hire capsuleers. Often, these capsuleers are rather unscrupulous and will dump these freed slaves along with illegal slave passengers. We see this scenario in our rescue work. Those Holders who pride themselves in the humane treatment of their slaves are encouraged to bring this to the attention of the Amarrian transport authorities and those in charge of regulating the buying and selling of transport fares. Many passengers are being taken advantage of and put in dangerous situations. Those who are legally allowed to transport passengers should be bonded and insured. It should be much more difficult for tranport agents to hire just any pilot. But, I am probably wasting my breath.

The groups rescued today are safe, warm, medically tended, fed, clothed, and sheltered. The future for them is bright with possibilities.

Wall of Shame:

114/11/06 20:31 Xapp Branigan 50 people
Praethis Starloe 31 people
20:44
Yakof Frost 45 former slaves, 4 slavers
asykes 10 freed slaves, 4 slavers, 10 slaver hounds, 17 former slaves,
114/11/06 22:32 zander killer 4 people

The Disciples of Ston bid you peace