Intergalactic Summit

Thats one thing, question is whether you are a patriot. Were you serious about enlisting..

Simply prove yourself worthy of the investment and faith of the State, pilot, and the rest will come.

And yet the State expended the funds to put you through capsuleer induction, a not inconsiderable expense for those who have not yet reached the stars. While you've not yet indicated which corporation's policies and management caused your father to fall, it sounds as if it was one whose culture ill suits you. You have the freedom, now, to serve those elements of the State whose policies and doctrines you agree with. if it was Hyasyoda's conservatism, for instance, consider Ishukone; if it was Kaalakiota's patriotism considering your mother an agent of the enemy, consider one of the Practicals.

Do not become a slave to your anger. Do not allow it to blind you to the one, singular duty you have. Repay your debt. Doing service even when faced with doubts is a sign of discipline and a mark of honor. Then-- then you will be more free than you are now, and you will be a better citizen and a better person for it.

You make good points, in that I am at least obligated to repay the cost of my capsuleer induction. Which I will.

From there, we will see.

My immediate path is service to The State, as is my obligation to repay what is owed, naturally.

Long term, who knows?

As for your other question....I was born in The State, and raised in The State.

Too good? no, not in the least. No one is too good for service to The State.

however, *a choice* is a luxury that i've not had, until now. I've jumped a fair amount of rungs up the ladder, so to speak. You'll understand if that takes a bit of contemplation.

When I enlisted for the Caldari Navy, my Drill Instructor laughed and told me that I would never make the course because I came from an Executive Family and the Navy does not issue silver spoons to put in ones mouth.

Then again, military Drill Instructors have that wonderful ability to know exactly how to find another human being's weaknesses and seek to eliminate them. Perhaps if one finds they were unable to make the grade, they should not make excuses for their background or upbringing but rather look inward and see if there were weaknesses that could not be eliminated. For in my own experience, Instructors were equally harsh upon all irrespective of background. Indeed, if training was not harsh, difficult and a humbling experience then how can one take pride in having earned their uniform when in the company of comrades?

A Caldari Military Instructor is perhaps to be considered among the very best the State has to offer for they are men and women of sound and fair judgement whose professionalism, dignity, conduct, and adherence to their duty are qualities that generations of recruits aspire to themselves one day. I still remember the names of my own Instructors for such is the regard and respect to which I hold them in. Even today, for all my accomplishments and status as a capsuleer I would gladly snap my heels together, stand at attention and offer them a salute as I refer to them as, "Instructor, sir," or, "Instructor, ma'am," out of deference for without their guidance, experience and leadership I feel I would not be where I am today.

Now you, Mr. Kourdos might instead desire to display your disrespects by laughing in the faces of your own Instructors but if such were the case then it would be clear to me that the only fault of theirs would have been in their inability to buff out that adolescent chip on your shoulder due to the apparent feelings of persecution you hold due to your background and heritage.

I have a story on that front, Tuulinen.

Let me tell you how I selected my Graduation Contract.

It was very simple actually. I brought my mother to my Corporation Day. She sat in every interview with every Corporation Representative.. She did not provide any input whatsoever during any interview, nor did she try to influence my decision.

Some Corporations had more enticing contracts than others. One Corporation, I refused to even meet with.

Every Representative, save one, was incredibly uncomfortable around her. Some refused to look her in the eye. Some where downright hostile. One Representative simply walked away, when I introduced her.

One, however, was different. When I introduced my mother to her, she, without flinching or batting an eye, looked her straight in the eye, shook her hand, introduced herself. Head held high, back straight, the definition of professional. If she was bothered even slightly by the fact that I was a halfbreed, she did not show it in any way. Either, this representative truly didn't care, or she has the greatest poker face I've seen. The message was clear: It doesn't matter, as long as you do your job and abide by your contract. That is what I was looking for.

I'd like to think that the Representative sent to Corporation Day to recruit potential Capsuleers represent exactly what their Corporations are about, to the letter. What this Corporation sent to represent them, impressed. I went through the motions of Interviewing for everyone, but my mind was made up long before.

Then came negotiations.

Disregard Females, Acquire ISK?

Joking.

Naturally, next comes my Duty to The State as a proper Citizen.

which will be done with Pride.

We will see, when I report to Ishukone following my post-graduate activities

Apparently, I have a small window of free time before I am to report to Ishukone Watch. I'll likely spend it ensuring my family's citizenship goes without hitches, and trying a fair share of high-class yet somewhat affordable Caldari spirits.

Then, it becomes all business.