Intergalactic Summit

Center #3 welcomed four new arrivals with open arms early this morning (according to my circadian rhythm). The last thing these souls expected at the end of their ordeal was to find an opne community waiting for them. They thought they were going to die, but instead, a new start awaits. We have begun a genealogical project to try an connect the people we rescue by tribal branch and even family connections. As the communities grow, we believe these connection will emerge.

Wall of Shame

Mis Raganaite 4

We haven't picked up many slave traders lately, but that changed this afternoon with the rescue of 18 former slaves and 3 of their former masters. In typical slave holder style, they presumed that no pilot would dare renege on a signed delivery contract. I guess these particular slave traders need to get out more. Of course, they will not be going out a whole lot unless you count going on out to our detention Center in Korama or Egbinger. What do the majority of slave traders say when rescued by the Disciples of Ston? Well, at first it is, "where am I?" "Thanks for the rescue." "Where are you taking me?" Many make demands of all absurd sorts. But all end up at some time uttering those all too familiar words, "This must be a mistake."


Wall of Shame:

Wihajster 18 former slaves, 3 slavers

Two significant things happened today while I was on patrol. First, I received a communication from a powerful military organization and alliance that they were demanding to inspect our facilities and to investigate us for "illegal activities." Moments later I was able to rescue 45 lives from death. and bring them to a place of food, shelter, care, and comfort; to a place of new beginning among people who will treat them as citizens and not slaves. This rescue was different from any other I have done because of what preceded it. More than ever, I felt the urgency of our work. Back at the Center, I sent a communication to Gladius to convene the Council of Elders as soon as they heard from Manwe, our CEO. We do not know what this all will mean for our work or what we may have to suffer in days ahead. We will do all we can short of violence to secure and maintain the freedom of those we rescue. We ourselves will die before allowing any one of those we rescue to be forced back into slavery.

Today, I asked the Elders to delay disembarking the rescued passengers until I had exited my pod so I could stand on the exit ramp and personally welcome these 45 people to the Center. Graciously they granted my request.

Wall of Shame

Shannon Chieve 45 lives

The very best thing we can due in the present crisis is to continue our work. That is what we intend to do. That work is to rescue former slaves from death cans in space and to rescue others also who have been abandoned. That is what I have continued this evening with the rescue of 26 former slaves at a border crossing. Cold, hungry and afraid, this group was near the end, but I reached them in time and all survived. Some did not regain consciousness until waking in a warm bed in the care of our Medical staff at the M-Center. One thought she was in a dream. Never before had she slept n a clean bed or seen white sheets or smelled cleanliness. Elder Verin held her hand and sang a Matari folk melody. I could not recognize the words but it was haunting and beautiful. This is why we do what we do.

We do not take Ms. Goldcore's demands or her threats lightly. Her history is extensive and her achievements are significant. She has reached the highest rank in the 24th Imperial Crusade. I doubt this rank is granted lightly, and one does not arrive at such a rank through slack. Not withstanding her views, we do respect her discipline and are wary of her power. We also believe that her indoctrination in PIE has radicalized her interpretation of nationalized Amarrian religion. We will do our best to continue our work with diligence no matter what may come.

Wall of Shame:

Rho Heta 26 lives (very mal-treated)

In the midst of it, we are managing to continue our patrols and it so happens that I was on duty today. 17 people were rescued from a death can today. I do not say this often enough. Thank you, crew! Your skill and compassion is a testimonial indeed.

Wall of Shame

Dr Sathonys 17lives

Dear Ms. Goldcore,

If there is one thing that I have learned in my past dealings with you it is the futility of entering into a protracted argument, so I will try to avoid that as much as notwithstanding both of our argumentative natures. Yes, you provided a tour for me in response to Tobias’ request to be transferred to your family. I appreciate that.

You are a benevolent slave holder. Now pause for a moment and realize that for me and for all the Disciples of Ston, that will always have an oxymoronic ring to it. “Benevolent Slave Holder”

We are at ideological loggerheads, Ms. Goldcore. My tour of your facilities put my heart at rest for Tobias’ sake, but it made me more anxious for you, my daughter. Convinced of your benevolence and righteousness and further purloined by PIE, you cannot see yourself in any other way than how you do right now. So it remains.

Do the Disciples of Ston break the law? Yes. We break the law when we covertly smuggle former slaves into Federation, Republic, and State territories to live, work, and contribute to society. We break the law when we smuggle a Khumaak into Amarrian space. We break the law every time we rescue people from death cans that are still claimed as property of the pilots we list on the wall of Shame. Are we guilty of covert military action? If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to flatter me. No, there is no military stuff going on.

I do owe you a thank you, Ms. Goldcore. When I first became acquainted with you, I had the prideful notion that somehow I might be able to argue you out of your view on slavery and “win” you over to the abolitionist side. That was presumption and pride. I am not that skilled in debate or that compelling a personality to think I could do that. I will say, though, I still hope in my heart, that one day you will change your mind about slavery. That hope, I will never relinquish, “Filiola.” But that is out of my hands.

Again, I won’t enter into a protracted argument with you as that is fruitless. If you decide that we are a Sham, then to you we are that. It will not change our commitment to continue our work to the best of our ability even in the midst of your opposition.

We are most delighted to report that we have not interrupted the beginning of the new term at our Academic Center and Vocational Center in Korama. I have just transported 200 young men and women who just completed their voluval, said goodbye to parents, siblings and grandparents, and made the journey to attend school or training here in Korama. I am especially pleased that 125 have chosen to focus academically in the sciences, literature, education and medical fields at our Academic Center. 75 new students will be training in Vocational Center. Some of these will be handlers in the Cadaver and other service dog programs at the Voc Center. Others will be learning equipment and electronics repair and good number will be focusing on our agronomy concentration.

The Journey went well and there were no customs incidences. Cloak failed only once when passing close to an Industrial ship near a gate. We were coming out of gate cloak at the time and regular warp engaged soon enough to prevent our detection.

I have two stories to share today. One of them is very sad andthe other, disturbing. First, on patrol today, I came across two cans. Heading close to the nearest can, I scanned it and found 17 former slaves aboard. My crew prepared to receive them, and they were brought aboard. This was a group of girls and teen girls. I suspect they were being trafficked. While the medical crew began initial checks, we headed on to the second can. Meanwhile, a group of the young teen girls were brought up to the observation deack to watch the second operation. One young teen girl said to one of my crew, "I have never seen satrs before. I have heard about them, but never actually seen them." The ensign questioned further. Apparently, this girl was kept indoors and hidden her entire life from birth. She had literally never seen stars. This rescue has impacted the whole crew like non other before.

The second can was scanned and to our utter amazement, contained 18 freed slaves. These 18 people had the bio-transponder that identifies them as slaves altered or removed to indicate that they are freed. We have never encountered this before and it presented a puzzling mystery. We are trying to solve this puzzle and will report our findings as soon as we have more information. We'll visit with the passengers after they have had a meal and some rest.

The pilot has been contacted to see if she can give us an account of what happened.

Wall of Shame:

Basca 17 lives

We have investigated the finding of 18 freed slaves dumped at a border crossing by a pilot yesterday and findings raise serious alarms. The pilot was contacted to give an explanation. The Disciples of Ston also looked up the public information on the Pilot. Finally, we interview the freed slaves to gain their perspective on the event. All testimonies agree.

First, freed slaves are those former slaves who have had their bio-transponders modified so that they register on your cargo scanners as “freed slaves.” We rescue a group of 18 of these people yesterday at a border crossing. This has never been encountered by us before and is likely a rare occurrence since freed slaves are legal to transport anywhere. We thought perhaps the pilot had been attacked and then the wreck subsequently salvaged. That would be the logical explanation and the one we expected. But that is not what happened.

Our first indication of something wrong came with the interview of the freed slaves. After being legally freed by their holder, this group of three families and a few individuals purchased passage out of Amarr space to Jita to look for employment and begin their lives as free citizens. The Pilot they hired was a young pilot, recent graduate of Capsuleer School and member of the 24th Imperial Crusade with the rank of Paladin Crusader.

They knew something was wrong, when they were told to gather their things and the crew of the vessel corralled them into a cargo hold. The next thing they knew, they were in a death can waiting to die. One of the crew members was heard to say, “so much for your freedom.” That was where we found them.

We wanted to test their testimony by what the pilot had to say. Below is a transcript of her response with our original request beneath. The 24th Imperial Crusade has much to answer for in this incident.

Re: freed slaves
From: Katerina Marian
Sent: 2012.01.08 12:06
To: Manwe Todako,

Hi/
When I was 1-7 days nooby and collecting all I find. All crap. Esterday I was in horry to get my most staff in jita. so I just drop slaves out, cose my Bestower was full of rare and expensive things. You can keep them! ^)

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freed slaves
От: Manwe Todako
Отправлено: 2012.01.07 23:34
Кому: Katerina Marian,

Dear Ms. Marian,
My name is Manwe Todako from the Disciples of Ston. Today I rescued 18 freed slaves from a jet can listed as belonging to you. I would be grateful to know why they were jettisoned at the border crossing since they are not illegal in any jurisdiction. We would to know the story if you please of their diestination, etc.

With gratitude,
Manwe

Wall of Shame

Katerina Marian and the 24th Imperial Crusade 18 legally freed former slaves

Rescues are never routine, because being left to die in a death can in the cold of space is not routine. So much violence and disregard of life is considered routine in our sad universe. Every rescue is special and extraordinary because it represents lives of real people saved from death and given a new start. 37 such lives were rescued on my duty watch thus far today. These are lives I never knew before today, but lives of people that hopefully I will get to know over time. No, this is never routine.

Wall of Shame

Atlas Khardula 37 lives