Intergalactic Summit

Well, looks like Mr. Nauplius have honor.

In the past he did a lot of things that have disgusted me rather deeply, but thanks to you, Ms. Jenneth, now I respect him greatly. Almost as Caldari... well, maybe slightly less.

There is also a thing that in the Empire they treat duels very seriously. They even allow to solve criminal cases with duel, where to prove innocence the accused have to fight against the prosecutor or executor. This is rather interesting situation, since if you'd accuse him in something, Ms. Jenneth, that fight could prove his innocence in the eyes of God. (Or would that mean that God forgave him and shown it to us with letting him survive?.. I think it's better to consult one of Imperial (not Sani) theologians about that).

I see you had come to conclude exactly what I had suspected for some time. Whatever the intended purpose of those elements is, being turned into boosters isn't it.

I mean come on! Making boosters that improve missile performance despite Drifters not using missiles?

I have a short footnote, Captain Jenneth, to an experience of yours recounted earlier, that may be of interest.

A short while back, I was holding a networking soirée on a station skydeck. Procurement officers do enjoy being wined and dined, and with many of the forces prosecuting the war of freedom staging from the system, it’s a rather good place to encourage them to reflect less soberly upon where to place their next bulk orders for military supplies.

Somewhat of a tangent, for context only. Fairly deep into the already enjoyable evening, word came of a significant victory over Imperium forces in Fade. I ordered the good stuff to be opened, and much celebration (and profitable business) was had.

Much later, I was on the skydeck balcony smoking a contemplative panatela while watching the conquering heroes return. There was, as might be expected, much adrenaline dispersing ribaldry, backslapping camaraderie, exhausted, nervous laughter, and not a few wide-eyed and silent staggers of utter shock from those who had never been in such a battle before. Then the medical ships arrived, bringing with them the thin animal screams of the wounded or dying, but mainly the solemn and efficient staccato of humans repairing humans. Walking survivors trudged from other ships.

In amongst all this humanity, the very tableau of liberty’s honour, my attention was immediately drawn to a remarkable man among the crew emerging from the rescue shuttles. It was not just his size, his rather imposing bearing (for a Vherokior) nor even his ravaged body, covered in lurid scars made demonic by the sooty and burnt fuel of a ship destroyed around him. It was the reverence of his colleagues, who held an unheeding, protective guard around him as he strode across the docking deck. He stopped near a bench and pulled out a small, traditional paper book from his shattered flight suit. Before he could sit and start to read - imagine, in such a place! - his fellow crew approached him, offering words that were, even at my distance, clearly grateful in nature. Some touched his arm, as if to gain some blessing before walking away. He remained unmoved, offering no apparent judgement. Here was a man, I thought, for whom Death has tried before and in failing, has inspired awe in others, more apparently mortal.

To cut a long story short, I sent my steward to find out more. The man himself stayed silent, and then vanished. The crew - not just of that ship, but several others, appear to consider this fellow a bit of a talisman. He is so fearless, it’s said, and with a sixth sense about impending doom. His crew-mates are made safe in escape pods whilst he recklessly maintains the ship functions until the last moment. They say that flying with him makes them feel they are as invulnerable to death as their capsuleer pilot. Practically, of course, this means the smallest of frigates, but they willingly go to fly even the flimsiest or most dangerous ships believing he will help them cheat Death. (And not coincidentally of course, get paid those fabulous bonuses for baseline crews that live).

They say he’s an ex-slave, who escaped several times from some of the most brutal holders in the Empire. This was enough to conduct an ident search which gave little data, beyond an internal imperial search warrant revealing his name and the charges of murder, absconding, and terrorism. He had made it from Aridia to Federal space, where the constitution guarantees his freedom from pursuit or extradition, given that any crimes committed to free oneself from slavery are considered self-defence. His name may be familiar - Chaduk Arahi Dauhagin, the man nobly snatched from the Butcher’s grasp, and then somewhat less nobly, returned to slavery.

One can only surmise from the sketchy stories and record that Matari freedom fighters managed to find him and help him murder and escape from the holder to whom SFRIM had given him over. (Perhaps Captain Del’thul did indeed carry through her promise). He is now in a different corner of the universe, proving in one proud, ravaged body that the spirit of Liberty and man’s desire to live free can not be extinguished.

This tale has inspired me upon a small caprice. Should he return unscathed from the war, or sooner perhaps, given it may be a long conflict, he will be offered a bursary I have set up in his name at the Republic Military School. I have no doubt that if someone such as I can become a capsuleer, a man of his fortitude will easily be able to do so. One wonders what such a man will do with such opportunity, so long denied him by brutality, enslavement and poverty.

And it will be rather amusing to consider Death’s reaction (to say naught of his miserable acolyte, the Butcher) to the prey he has hunted for so very long, with such signal lack of success, being put firmly beyond his bony grasp by Science.

Hmm, I knew I forgot something.

You'll have to forgive me, I get countless reports on a daily basis from dirtside operations throughout New Eden and only a very few gets my personal attention depending on what flags they raise while going through the filters. I'm mostly just a source of money and occasionally someone who can have someone else show up with a DST or other transport when necessary.

Since I have no interest in making life harder for the brave men and women working against the slavers in their own space, I'm obviously not going to reveal any details, but yes. He was found and he was extracted. I was never personally involved in any way other than getting his name and circumstance to the Network, and hinting that it was a priority. This is usually sufficient, as it turned out to be in this case. Casualties among the slavers are pretty much the norm during forceful extraction, although the severity depends on the situation on the ground and what resources either side has available. In some cases it's minimal and suiting a silent extraction that is barely noticed until the next morning or the changing of the guard as it were, in others it's a full scale assault with air support, supporting full uprisings of slave populations incited and planned over years. The Empire is rather big and the Network is hardly uniform in size, assets and methods.

Of course, I can take no credit at all. Freedom fighters and resistance has existed in the Empire since very long before I myself was extracted, and I am rather external to it as a capsuleer.

Now, as to the casualties, I can't say I have even the tiniest sympathy. Whoever they were, they died either as slavers or willingly working for slavers and thus as enemies. That price is worth paying for even one man or woman freed from the Empire.

The 'strict' Holders aren't going to be any less strict or zealous short of complete surrender of New Eden and as that isn't an option they are not exactly a priority for coddling, and no matter how 'nice' a Holder may be they're still holding slaves and thus enemies and threats to my people. Hardly a loss.

And when a freedom fighter dies? "You and I know and do not believe that life is so dear and peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery." are words we live by and I think Chaduk feels the same. Better to die on one's feet than live on one's knees.

Do forgive me for forgetting to speak of him, though. Too much to do, too little time to do it, occasionally such things slip my mind.

Didn't quite notice this bit until now. Murder, is it? Self-defense according to any reasonable standard. Someone tries to subjugate and enslave you, you are fully and entirely entitled to defend yourself against this, with violence if necessary. Violence and killing was used when your organization obtained him in the first place, but I didn't hear anyone call it murder then.

On the one hand, no one should have to experience it, but on the other I almost wish you were capable of experiencing being at the receiving end of enslavement even if just briefly. Almost.

Perhaps you'd understand then why it matters so much more than you think.

Shut up.

Nope, I don't really want the world to burn... I want those who deserve it to burn. What they create? Just another weapon in our arsenal. Like with your own state, not everyone has the same conditions for success or similar ideas on achieving it. Not every "chaos fighter" as you so elequently put it wants what your idea of them wanting wants. From what I perceive of your logic, I could easily call Mizhara a traitor, I won't because while we see things differently were still on the same side and in the end wish the best for our own. Our only defining difference is the path we take to achieve it. In the end I'll support it though I don't follow that fork.

Sorry for this interruption Aria...

Well, let me put your nose to what you have said just earlier.

You have behaved offensively and insulting in a discussion without trying to explain yourself. But when I called you for this (by telling you to shut up), but when I explained myself and my reasoning for telling you to shut up you replied with the words I am mimicking and added a few words to. Whatever, Ms kim I think I should start parading around reminding people of your lack of honor in refusing to back your word by dueling me, even if it has nothing to do with anything relating to the threads subject matter (don't worry, there's no honor in point out others lack of it, so I wont stoop to that level).

And no Ms Kim, they don't call themselves that, you and others who aren't associated with them and/or fight them do.

Your balance sheet may suffer if it does not.

I did say almost, because even though the experience might be... illuminating for you, it's a step too far. Even for those who defend the practice.