Intergalactic Summit

I'm grateful for the speculative response, Pieter, but it doesn't really reassure me that Okuuda was definitively cut out of the loop during these events. Even if he wasn't officially involved chances are that he knew someone who was - military contacts and the networks of loyalty, duty and respect developed by high-ranking officers over the course of their careers being what they are.

If we tie that in to the 37th's history and its links with the Guristas we've developed quite a number of possible theories to try and sift through for the truth.

Of course it may well be that the simplest explanation is the one that cuts closest to that truth. Perhaps it's nothing more than past actions - Okuuda coercing Provist-loyal capsuleers to a SuuVee aid convoy last year for instance - now being repaid in full. Nothing like a helping of vengeance served cold, as the saying goes.

If he was destined, it seems odd that he didn't do so.

Observing this from an outside perspective, I feel torn.

I'll make no attempt to disguise it - I never liked Wing Commander Okuuda in the least. He was of the kind of pigheaded stock that blamed the Federation for all the State's ills - even the ones that were clearly its own fault - and wouldn't hear a single word of criticism against Heth, even when it became increasingly clear that Heth's desires and the State's prosperity no longer lined up. Neither can he be described as being notably adept at the tasks his superiors called upon him to perform, as his decisions during Operation Spectre clearly demonstrate. On a personal level I can't say I'd shed tears for the man were he to end up in a Naval penitentiary.

Yet, at the same time, I can't help but feel on a more general level that this man is a victim of deeply unfortunate circumstances. Octopus squadron was called upon to achieve the impossible during Operation Highlander - fighting off a bloodthirsty legion of capsuleers and the might of the Federal Navy in one of their own core systems - with a handful of capital ships they could fit through in the tiny window the Federation's cynosural inhibitors were offline, a window it should be noted they didn't and couldn't know the timing or duration of in advance. Likewise, in Operation Spectre, he was called upon to organise a massive, disparate and incredibly disorganised force of Empire and State capsuleers (many of whom had little or no experience fighting other capsuleers whatsoever, let alone fighting capsuleers in nullsec) to engage in a nullsec operation that had been announced well in advance, thus giving the far more organised and homogenous nullsec powerblocs ample time to prepare for it.

The man was asked by his superiors to achieve unrealistic goals in catastrophically unfavourable situations, and he bravely attempted to perform his duties despite the odds clearly being stacked against him. I wouldn't expect Federal commanders to fare much better in the same circumstances.

Additionally, under all of this, I can't help but feel the suspicion that the man is being stigmatised not because of what he did but because of who he supported. It's now deeply unfashionable in the State to voice support for Heth and the Provists, and while I'm not by any stretch of the imagination going to say I disapprove of this attitude, it would trouble me if the man's beliefs were a factor in the Navy's decision-making. Yes, I certainly think his opinions are incorrect, but he was never a Provist and he never did anything illegal in their name.

While on a specific, personal level I don't like the man, as one human being to another, I wish him the best of luck in his court martial and sincerely believe that he will weather whatever storms may be thrown his way with honour and dignity befitting a Caldari Navyman.

fifty-seven dishonorable discharges, including Wing Commander Okuuda.

Regrettable that such action was necessary in the first place, I suppose, but it's good to see the military meritocracy in action. Let us see if the discharged 57 can find their competence, pick up the pieces, and contribute in some other field.

WIthout any knowledge of the specific charges, it's impossible to be able to comment intelligently on whether the end result is fair or not. I suspect this is the tail-end of the disbandment of the CPD and a thorough rooting-out of it's remaining influence within other State organs.

Whatever else we beleive about him, Commander Okuuda was definitely a Provist supporter, a supporter of the CPD and a supporter of Tibus Heth. Getting him out of high command was necessary.

It's indeed good to see the Navy acted swift. However, not much details concerning the trial & charges have been released, save that they 'worked against the State's best interests' This leaves the door wide open for rumors & speculations concerning the exact nature of their charges.

As the great black hearted spider goddess of Fate would spin it, the Federation has manifested increasing demand for private prison contractors in the wake of racial tensions unleashed by violent Matari terrorists; and Mummy Noh has always thought highly of Dragoons with their wyvern tails.

What's that sweeties? They're *not* tails?

Well look at that! They *are* on the wrong side, aren't they?

:stomp:stomp:salute:...:fast march:

Oh, I like fast march.

Only traitors and enemies of Caldari peoples would say so.
Are you one of them?
Did Sanshas finally get you and brainwashed?...
What happened to loyal Tuulinen-haan?

Forgive me, but can you please restate the question? I'm not entirely sure what you are asking and I feel like I should be absolutely clear on what the question is before I touch a topic as delicate as the Dragonaurs, especially with my background.

Please excuse me in my turn.
I mean, was the 37th squadron that squadron of the Navy, who attacked Dragonaurs and loyal Caldari citizens, led by Executor himself, after siege of Haatomo station?


I don't think that topics about Dragonaurs are very delicate. They are just guerilla patriots, wrongly called as 'terrorists' by gallenteans and by those, who lick gallentean buttocks.

**** Edited by Flidais Asagiri **** Keeping Eve clean and Friendly