Intergalactic Summit

Ultimately, it's up to individual capsuleers to decide whether or not to follow such orders. In Electus Matari's case it's a little unclear, as multiple spokespeople for EM have stated that they participated in the attack because they both chose to support the Republic Fleet and because they swore oaths to do so, yet several EM spokespeople also hinted that this support may not be blindly given in the future. I think it's safe to assume that the choice they made at the time the Republic opened fire is the choice they will continue to make.

An alliance is essentially an oath of support between governments. No matter what, anyone put in EM's situation is facing a dilemma: break their oath to follow orders, or break the Republic's oath of friendship to the Federation. They chose the latter option, and in my opinion, the wrong one. Maybe it's easier to see that from where I'm standing, my people just finished learning how blindly following the orders of a single man at the top can lead to ruin. Though, even for all his hatred and idiocy, that man never ordered our forces to attack our allies.

Ah, this again. And look, the same tired accusations and holier than thou tripe are being thrown around.



I was second in command of the Electus Matari fleet in Coleile.

Command fell to me, once Elsebeth Rhiannon's vessel was destroyed.

No one "ordered" me to remain on the field. I made that decision to keep my fleet in the fight, and gave the order to my fleet to continue the engagement.

Electus Matari DID receive very direct orders from the Fleet to assist in the operation. It was not my decision to follow those orders, though, had I been in overall command from the beginning, I would have done no differently than my superior.

I regret my part in that attack, and I wish none of us had been there. We were. It is past.

If the situation repeated itself? I would still stand and fight alongside my brothers and sisters.

We were well aware that the attack was a blunder, and that the battle was a losing proposition. We could either abandon our kin, many of whom were NOT in a position to choose their fate, the normal crew aboard the vessels involved, or we could stand beside them.

We chose to follow that order, because it was the only real "choice".

Enjoy the view from your unassailable ivory towers. No one gives a damn about your condemnation. Have a nice day.

Elsebeth is taking a well deserved break, and tending to the many duties that have befallen those within our Tribe - like her - who must cope with the fallout of Midular's death.

All complaints/questions/comments can be directed to... well, you can shove them, to be honest.

I think you completely missed the point.

re·gret
[ri-gret] verb, re·gret·ted, re·gret·ting, noun
verb (used with object)
1. to feel remorse for (an act, fault, disappointment, etc.): He no sooner spoke than he regretted it.

You do not feel regret, pilot. Not if you would do the same thing over again. Regret implies that you see that you did something wrong and would change it if you could.

Fighting alongside the dying Republic vessels did nothing but kill more crew: those aboard your own ships, aboard the Federation ships. Had you suicided your pods in space next to the dying Republic vessels, I think the gesture would have been understood and you would have been cloned as always. But instead, you had your own crews give the only life they had...as a gesture. And that is not even considering the Federations ships you helped destroy, men and women committing no greater crime that defending their homeland from a gutless sneak attack by supposed allies. Would you kill them again too?

There is also a difference between abandoning your kin, and not supporting what you know to be a disastrous decision for both sides. As capsuleers, unbound by formal chain of command, you have the ability to actually help guide your nation away from mistakes like Colelie. You have influence that you could have invoked. Instead, you pretend you had no choice in the matter.

The entire rest of the cluster views you with disdain for your actions, and instead of trying to pick up the pieces, you're grinding them into the dust with an arrogance that would make an Amarrian slavedriver proud. Well done.

I do not know very much about Matari honour, and will not pretend to speak on their feelings. But to me, at least, the pointed part of honour is to be driven to take an action which one may regret. One may take this action again, still, should the same situation arise once more, and the remorse will be just as valid and heartfelt.

This is something I think the honourable person deeply understands. My heart goes out to you Matari who were driven by love of kin and a rashly-acting Chief to take an action you despised. It is my hope that your friends in the Federation can learn why you took this action, and why you would take it again. That understanding will be the key to rebuilding trust and your alliance, both.

The revered Admiral was ordered to betray her kin by destroying the homeworld of the Caldari people. She chose to stand with her people, as was honourable and just. She died in the defense of her people.

The brave warriors of Electus Matari were posed with the choice of abandoning their kin to face the Moros or fighting alongside them, doomed though they might be for engaging and damned thought that they might be for engaging their allies. They chose to stand with their people, as was honourable and just. They died in the defense of their people.

They are not perfectly analogous, but they are analogous enough that I think I understand. I hope that you can understand also.

I think it would be best if you and many others stop responding to them.

They are bitter and have already made up their mind and chosen to be close minded about it, nothing you can do or say will change that fact. Short of taking their positions and joining their ranks.

You will cause yourself more stress by arguing with them. Best to let bygones be bygones.

And thank you to Scherezad for your understanding.

To the rest of you: I have said what I have to say on this matter. I do not think I need to justify myself to the IGS. What I've done, I've done, and actions speak louder than words.

Elsebeth

A toast! May the Federation come to its senses!