Personal Diary: June 16th, year 115

After too many days away from the pod and space due to surgery, finally the doctors said I could leave. Well, I left without their full permission, to be precise, but it was the grand ball to commemorate PIE's 10th birthday! I couldn't miss it, that's for sure. I may end up in a wet grave, or maybe doing desk work, but while I am part of the Praetoria and in space, I'm going to use my time the best I can.

So, enough talking about me, it was an eventfull night in the full sense. Admiral Newelle issued a brief speach to congratulate Commander Mirra for his achievements in recruiting, and then left us all stunned as she resigned as head of PIE and gave that position to Admiral Lok'ri. Then Admiral Karetta (yes, Admiral Karetta, the so well renowned Admiral of the Imperial Navy was here, together with a Grand Inquisitor from the Ministry of Internal Order) issued another brief speech to congratulate the Praetoria on its many achievements. Priceless.

And then we got the ball rolling, literally. People danced amarrian formal dances, drank, spoke and had fun in general. I admit I retreated to the doorway, to handle who could and could not enter. If there's something I don't miss about being a high ranking officer, is the politics that follow, saying the right word, and Admiral Lok'ri was practically assaulted by people. Keeping the door was quiet and pleasant enough. A captain Raphael something tried to disrupt that tranquility by treating me like a servant, but he'll get what's coming to him one way or another.

The rest of the night, we had laughs, drinks, people dancing, watching pictures, and drunks. Yes, those too. But I handled them well, I think, both Lucas Raholan and Diana Kim. I tried to make it as less obvious as possible (even faked to be dancing with captain Kim while dragging her to the door, thanks to Divine Commodore Janiah Ardishapur's for his insistence on forcing all his officers to learn to dance appropriately, "for an officer has to be a gentleman as well" as he used to say), and I think I could keep their honour relatively safe... well, maybe captain Kim trying to dock with a stargate publicly is something no one can change or solve.

So, Nicoletta should have saved her last dance for me, but she had a head ache. Women and head aches. But she owes me a dance now. Who knows, I think she likes me, and I may like her as well... in any case, time will tell.

And, meanwhile , halfway across the cluster, it was Federation day and they had a party as well. I hope, sincerily, that there's was as good as ours. We had a little drama, but with so many pod pilots together can't be avoided, and I hope it'll be solved soon through appropriate venues.

In any case, it's been a very long and busy night and I still haven't fully recovered from surgery, so I better head to sleep.

Personal Diary: May 24th, year 115

Today I botched up. I misread the fitting of my ship and misused it completely in a massive battle. I'm not guilty that we lost the battle, one doesn't make such an inmense difference in such a big combat, but I didn't add as much as I could to our side. And, in the end, the Minmatarr still hold Arzad.

It's curious, so many years after the last time I fought in such a battle, the number of things you can forget. I can plex a point with my eyes shut, and explain how it works to anyone with more or less exact details (got a few things wrong but minor things). And yet, when it comes to battle, so much has gone out of my memory. I guess it's more full of details, of small things to remember, and those are the first to leave. I've re-gathered most of the details of frigate combat, and small sized engagement... but big ones, with cruisers and up, those are still away.

Guess the more reason to focus and keep working on re-learning so I can be useful.

Personal Diary: May 20th, year 115

Today we had the first of the celebrations of the 10 years of PIE, with a parade right before the Imperial Family station in Amarr Prime, and an interesting speech by Commander Mirra. It was good to do again something like that, I admit I hand't realized how much I miss some of the bond creating events the Imperial Navy had. The Praetoria is very good, but in a way, all the members are much more independent, losely connected, than the tight fist the Navy is. Not saying it's good or bad, just different, and I guess I'm too used to the old ways, even in things I don't realize.

As another note, I've been officially made Recruitment Officer. And have started to produce Navy Omens to fund my efforts in the frontlines thanks to the loyalty points. So, good news indeed.

Personal Diary: may 15th, year 115

It's not a common thing that one gets to do history, and even rarer to do so in a corporation with the long bagage of veteran and expert captains as has PIE. But I did today. I was the first pilot in PIE history to actually assist the ground troops PIE had deployed to battle in Sifilar. I killed three targets from my position in orbit, and the battle ended in a victory for the amarrian side. And here I just wanted to learn how it's done, as I had never participated in tactical bombing raids over planets before.

Besides that, my clearance as a recruitment officer inside PIE has been increased. Must be doing things right there as well.

As it stands, things are looking good. And after the past few days gone by, I have almost the whole operation to verify the data Adrelana gave me ready. I'm not sure I'm going to like what I find.

Personal Diary: May 8th, year 115

Karin Midular, ex-leader of the Minmatarr Repubic, has died after the attempt on her life in Gallente space. And with her, the last great voice for reason and peace in the cluster is gone. Emperors, megacorporation leaders... all voices looking to create a neutral ground have been destroyed, deposed, set aside. Specially elsewhere, our Empress still has shown to be willing to compromise and seek neutral grounds. But, what does one voice alone matter, if all that remains to debate with are violent and hating peoples?

Soon, they'll give the most war-favourables in the Empire the reasons they need to press for a deeper implication in the war. And with it, the Navy... and the Praetoria... will once again be thrown into the fire. Like lifes that don't matter, only the goal. Don't hold me wrong, I do favor war and I believe in the sacrifices it implies... when it is for a just cause, and with a just calling. But if it's the result of the pressure of the extremists, can it really be fair?

But, as days go by, darkness seems to fall over the whole cluster. Not 24 hours had Karin Midular been dead that the Minmatarr Republic decided to invade the Gallente Federation (their allies) in order to obtain the suppossed killer by force. They failed, but this opens a dirty and complicated wound. And if Maleatu Shakor is willing to give such an order to his Republic Navy, what wouldn't he order to do if the smallest reason was given by the Caldari State? We already know what he did as soon as he could with the Empire...

Dark times ahead. Dark indeed. And sometimes, alone in bed when my random companion is gone, I can't help but wonder if I have the strength to endure it once again. I see the Liuteneant badge on my Praetorian uniform, and love and hate it at the same time. We will be thrown in the fire, and we will have to march into it head on. No matter the cost, no matter the reasons.

Many are lighting the torches, and preparing the wood. But others will be the ones sacrificed on the galactic bonfires. And, meanwhile, the Sabik remain happily inside our borders, the Nation threatens all, the pirate alliances control large amounts of planetary systems, etc.

Dark times indeed.

Personal Diary: May 6th, year 115

Birthdays make me grumpy. They always do. It's not a matter of getting old, just brings out the idea of doors being shut, paths that won't be taken, things missed. Another year has become solid, stagnant, and it's potential marvels are gone. And I'm still human, still the same ghost-ridden person, even if I fly a pod and just a year ago I was a monk. I'm still me.

To worsen yesterday's birthday, today is PIE's which has just reached its first decade. So birthdays, years going back and forth, and such seems to be wherever I look. I can't escape it. So, no surprise I'm grumpy today.

But a strange thing happened at the end of the day. Zsaryna Adrelana apologized for our fight a few days ago, and offered to share intel on the matter. I'll copy the logs later on. But it's strange, in a sense, we've both walked a very similair path: service to the Empire in the Navy, until we both got burned out. And yet, the outcomes are completely different: while I understand the blame is on me and my own failures, she decided the blame was not on her and her officers but with the Empire in general. Thus, my loyalty never dicreased, and hers vanished.

In a way, it's like looking to the mirror and seeing what could have happened if the choices had been different. Like a quick peek into what those closed doors of years past could have held. Disturbing, interesting, strange...

Personal Diary: May 2nd, year 115

Today we had the second flight for new PIE pilots into the Bleak Lands, but as far as the school fleet goes, it wasn't a success. Yet, Uriel Arcondus and I got together and gathered a fleet and went out fighting in the Bleak Lands, which is nice. I also did my second interview of a prospect to join PIE, we'll see how that went.

But the important thing was that I met two legends among capsuleers and PIE specifically. Cardinal Graelyn and Admiral Gaven Lok'ri joined us, and it was a pleasure and a honor to fly by their side. Brief, that must be admitted, but great. Seeing examples such as them still flying and pressing on... it's inspirational. We may be slowly pushing the Minmatarr out of the corner they put us in, but it's men like them that make all the losses not count. Soon we will recover what is owed to the Empire.

Later edit: in tonight's report, Admiral Newelle has promoted me to Liuteneant! There's much work to be done, but this is a sign that I'm on the right path. New responsabilities, new tasks, but I'll endure, for the good of the Empire and PIE, now I have to make myself worthy of this new rank!

Personal Diary: April 24th, year 115

Today is a grim day. Even after the surgery really improved my compatibility with the pod implants again, today they failed me. And I was supposed to be leading a squad in the Bleak Lands, to teach the new members of PIE the ropes of Faction Warfare. I guess it'll have to be postponed, I can't FC like this, not without getting everybody killed.

Which is increasingly easy. I died today, my second time, and I don't get used to it. My new clone feels... strange, unconfortable, and I'm uneasy inside of it. Like a suit that is not quite exactly the appropriate size. Not to mention the crew of the destroyer I was flying, several of them didn't make it in time to the escape pods. I'll have to compensate the families, somehow.

But I'm afraid, as things stand, that won't be the last time I walk that path. The Bleak Lands have almost fallen into Minmatarr hands. Saikamon will probably fall tonight, and then only Sahtogas will be left. Sahtogas, HQ of the Praetoria Imperialis Excubitoris, won't be able to resist long under the pressure of an enemy that outnumbers us and outguns us by so much. Specially after the tensions and problems that have sent several important corporations of our side into disarray or, even, into the enemy side.

A grim day indeed. But, as things stand, I don't think we've reached the darkest hour yet. We better brace for the storm that's coming our way.

Personal Diary: March 26th, year 115

Grounded. I've been grounded for two weeks. It's strange to be frustrated by being forced to remain away from something I once ran away from, but I am. I definitely am!

It all started a few weeks ago, when I noticed my implants were not conveying my orders well to the ship, which caused minor glitches and problems. So I went to a cyberdoctor for him to take a look into them and diagnose what happened, and he did.

Kasioper's Syndrome. Fucking Kasioper's Syndrome.

Among pod pilots that become so late, it's a legend. If you face the wetgrave when you are of a certain age on, your mind is not as flexible as it used to be, can't adapt as much or as quickly. For some few, this means it never fully adapt because the neurons don't make all the necessary bridges between them, and the new functions they have to develop. And, in time, when the Syndrome kicks in, these neurons start cutting those connections back into those of a "normal mind".

That's me now. My mind seems to have decided it no longer wants to be a pod pilot, or something, and is starting to modify itself back. And, being a brain pattern, it moves with you when you clone as it modifies your brain structure.

Now, all hope is not lost. According to the doctor, there are some treatments for it, experimental techniques and therapies. It's a new disease, so not much is known, but there's a big investment in many medical corporations to work on it thanks to the massive funds capsuleers with the Syndrome funnel into them. That's good.

So, where do I stand now? I should get my treatment tomorrow, maybe the day after, depending on some sort of cycles of neural pruning. The surgery and pattern modification won't cure the Syndrome, but it will revert temporarily. I'll have to keep coming for more treatments as soon as the symptoms reappear, and each time the technique works a little worse. In the end, I'll be unable to fully access my implants and, thus, use them to fly.

But, hopefully, before that time comes new medical treatments are found, more effective and definitive. Hopefully.

Personal Diary: March 12th, year 115

Today Commander Mirra opened a call for assistance in the processing of new recruits, so he doesn't have to handle the massive amount of applications on his own, as he is a busy man. I've applied, and the Commander has accepted my application to aid him in the interviews of applicants for PIE Inc.

I've done my first interview today, actually. Cerena Yassavi was the interviewed, and though I can't disclose the details here, I believe the interview went well. At least my part of it. I did make some mistakes, which Commander Mirra clearly pointed out, and I've learned from them. I hope next ones go even better.

Personal Diary: March 7th, year 115

Today I led my first organized fleet. It was nothing big or fancy, just taking the new pilots of the Praetoria to the Bleak Lands, to teach them how to plex. I did two runs, with different groups, and it all went well. Only ship lost was mine, so no big loss at all, and it was good to be back into FCing and doing things with corp-mates. And now, there's more pilots ready to join the frontlines and serve the Empire.

I also got my first medal: the Order of the Golden Sword. For taking down my first enemies in the warfront. It's a honor to have it displayed in my quarters, and linked into my profile for all to see. And a proof that I'm walking in the right direction.

So, all and all, it's been a good day. One step closer to my goals of being a worthy and capable pilot in the frontlines.

Personal Diary: March 2nd, year 115

Today was one of those strange days in which nothing was planned, and yet a lot has happened. A meaningful lot.

It all started with routine patrolling and plexing in Haras. It was heavily contested, but out of the frontlines, so it was a good place to plex alone, get some LPs, and bring a system back into a secure status. I met Terminator9999 there, and we started plexing together. Thanks to my skills, we formed a small fleet of two and moved from there on when no plexes were left.

We decided to plex Sosan, as it was almost vulnerable. We met three more pilots there, and we fleeted with them. And started plexing with Terminator as FC. I lost a Punisher there, but refitted quickly from Amarr. We drew a couple more, and started spamming the militia channel to get people to join us and retake Sosan. And someone then said Saidusairos was already vulnerable. Commander Shutaq joined us briefly.

Since I was in my INS Nightwatch, I couldn't do much harm to an IHUB, so the fleet moved there and we kept in touch. I plexed on Sosan a bit more, and soon a few frigates joined me. And, after three years, I became FC. A plexing operation, yes, and a small one, but we did engage into a small battle and my orders worked perfectly.

I was nervous, I must admit it... even more than nervous, frightened. Lives again depending on me, directly. But things worked out, and we capped plex after plex while the rest of the fleet turned Saidusairos back into amarrian hands. So the fleet headed back to Sosan to meet with us and take the system. One plex at a time.

And then, captain Terminator had to retire, as he was too sleepy. I was so too, but adrenaline in my veins kept me going... and going I had to, as I just became the fleet commander of twenty to thirty pilots in all kinds of ships, from frigates like my Punisher to full battleships. The system became vulnerable under my guided efforts, and we moved to attack the IHUB.

The enemy engaged us then, and a massive battle followed. I have to admit I was one of our side's casualties, but we only lost small ships while the enemy was obliterated. And it was a collective effort, we all did our part.


So I went back to Amarr, and brought out the Wraith, aiming to make it back and attack the IHUB. And I did, but the Minmatarr militia capped a plex and drew the system out of vulnerable status. So we moved to a medium plex, and took positions inside. They came, and a second battle followed, and though we did have some minor losses, there too we were victorious.


But it was late for me, I capped a couple more plexes but it was time to retire. It had been a full day, and the fleet continued working after I had to retire, so I hope next time I get into the pod Sosan is back in Amarrian hands. But surprises weren't over yet.

Admiral Newelle told me I had been promoted, no longer an Initiate in the Praetoria, but an Ensign now. The perfect brooch for a perfect night. And now, I can retire to bed. Back in the frontlines, for real.

Personal Diary: February 19th, year 115

Today I lost another Punisher in the frontlines after securing several plexes. But Arayar has fallen to the enemy. I seem to have developed a certain fondness to the system, I guess it reminds me of the time in the service of Admiral Saracen, at the beginning of the war. My wing was stationed in those systems, back then, and those were the last good times in the Imperial Navy, before my breakdown... In any case, it saddens me to see it in enemy hands, and will do my best to try and bring it back into the Imperial fold.

In any case, since I had no more ships fitted, I took one of the Punishers given to me by the misterious man, who according to Commander Shutaq belonged to the Ordo Quaesitoris (apparently, these apparels come from the Keter of that Ordo, which I believe was the Sepherim that led them, but am not completely sure as most logs are lost). In any case, I returned to the main systems in the Empire in order to organize all that I've received, sell what I don't want and fit the Punisher. There's still much to do in that regard, but at least part of the job is done.

I also went by the new place the AVCL is putting together to receive their Caldari counterparts, and I must say it is looking well. I even had a Caldari meal to try their spicy things, and though I liked the fish, I think I will stick to my hamburgers and sodas and whiskey diet. Those "ellaborate" dishes are not in my line of junk food, but I guess the cook wanted to impress me and, specially, his superiors.

Oh, true, probably the best part of the dinner was speaking with Commander Goldcore and Legionnaire Kernher outside the formal areas of the Praetoria and the combat needs. It was a nice chat about Caldaris, their plans, and the strange meals we were trying. Refreshing. I hope we soon get our new rooms for the Praetorians to socialize, I'm really looking forward to that.

Personal Diary: February 17th, year 115

Today, another of the Chosen has fallen from grace. Captain Von Khan no longer holds any rank inside the Praetoria Imperialis Excubitoris, and his disgrace is public all over the IGS. He became infatuated by a sani sabik, a captain by the name of Silas Vitalia, and his desire made him a puppet at her hands. Fortunately, she's more a drama queen than a real puppeteer, and decided to make the facts public instead of using him as an inside informer within the Praetoria.

But this is a hard lesson for all of us, for even those that supposedly are the purest and most perfect of amarrians, can fall prey to lust, greed and other flaws that destroy them as persons. We're not invulnerable. I had seen it too often in the Imperial Navy, and I too was destroyed for a time due to the combination of guilt, doubts and whiskey.

I had hoped pod pilots would be different, even if they were arrogant self-loving bastards, they were loyal to their causes. But I guess that I soon saw that was not the case, as my meeting with Holder Caine (who, by the way, is going to be put to trial, apparently) soon proved. But now, this is not an ex-member of an organization of dubious reputation, to say the least, but one of the fellow members of the Praetoria that falls. This strikes much closer.

We must remain forever vigilant, even about those among them. The enemy can be tempting, and knows how to resort to pressing on our weak spots. Vigilance, will, determination, loyalty, service... those are the tools that can help us walk on this narrow and twisted path that sepparates the righteous from those that fail to uphold such a high honor and position.

Personal Diary: February 14th, year 115

Today was a strange day. The Minmatarr Republic made a parade now that the tribe's ambassadors are going to once again meet and take again the control of the Republic. Or something like it. I must admit I wanted us to make a show there and make our stance that we hope this will bring a new era of peace and a change between our relations, but Admiral Newelle contacted Admiral Ren Karetta of the 3rd Imperial Fleet, and gave us all order to stand down and do nothing about it. I'm sure Admiral Newelle knows what she's doing, so there was no doubt in my mind that I should stand down. I believe Fweddit pilots shot at the convoy, but I'll have to wait for tomorrow's news for a confirmation on this.

The goodside of the issue is that a lot of Minmatarr pilots were giving the fleet a "honor escort", so I could work in the Bleak Lands almost unhindered. Only a few wartargets and pirates showed up while captain Ponky and I secured Arayar. We almost took two of them down, but a third one coming in made us decide to withdraw and call it a day.

Strange thing, as I was docked in Arayar ready to spend the night in a hotel, a strange man approached me. Heavily implanted, he claimed to be a legio, whatever that may be; he certainly didn't look like a soldier, just a strange looking servant. He came directly to me and offered me some codes, without explanation on what they did or where. He said:

-Use them, and unlock their secrets for yourself. You have a duty to uphold in the Empire, and they'll help you to it. And, from now on, stand up to the name of the organization you fight for, and become Aldrith Shutaq's guardian angel. Tell him "that the Crown offers what little is left of it, in order to secure the safety of the Empire, that no questions remain for it to be answer, but it doesn't forget and is proud of what it sees". He'll understand.-

And with that, the strange man left. I asked for explanations, but none were provided. I went back into my ship and ran a check on those codes to see if they had viruses or worms, but they seemed clean. So I unlocked them, and with it several stashes of equipment became available to me on different systems. Some modules, a bay full with a dozen unused Punishers, a list of contacts in the Imperial Navy and elsewhere, and a Prophecy ship fitted ready to fly: the [i]Crown Guidance[/i]. Seems like whatever the crown is, and wherever it may guide me, it wishes me to defend the Empire with this weapon, and I intend to do so.

From on now, the ship will be known as the TES Light of Amarr and will fulfill it's duty to the Empire. And I'll be the Commander's guarding angel in exchange. But I have to find out whatever this crown is, maybe the Commander will know, maybe not. I guess I'll have to wait for his reply to my message.

Personal Diary: February 11th, year 115

Today has been a long, complicated and terrifying day; one filled with glory, horror and teachings; one to show the price of success and failure. But, most of all, it was a day of duty.

It all started with the call of Commander Shutaq and Commander Goldcore to organize a fleet and march together to the Bleak Lands. There were many of us rallying under the banner of the Praetoria Imperialis Excubitoris, advancing as one from Sahtogas to Arayar which the Minmatarr had contested. It was strange, gratifying and tense to be again flying in a military squad, ready to face the enemy wherever we may meet them, and secure the hubs needed to defend the Empire.

And meet the enemy we did, no doubt. Our lasers tore through their hulls as my Punisher held them pinned to their position, without the chance to flee. The Amarr Empire rewarded me for the destruction of six hostiles, though I only appeared in the killmails of two of them: captain Stuntmanjr and captain Ryan Cayanne, which I also podded. It's strange to one again see the lasers pierce through the hulls of enemy ships, I thought I wouldn't have the will and strength to do it calmly, and yet, once in the midst of combat, the only thing that remained was the years of training, slowly coming back. Duty guiding the path, the voice of the commanding officer issuing the orders, and enemies falling under our righteous fire.

Terrifying, glorious, exilarating. Only captain Kernher fell in combat, mostly due to the unfortunate event of warping right to where the enemy fleet was assembling.

We prevented the enemies from taking the Arayar system tonight, and reorganized afterwards. Admiral Shutaq transferred to me several ships from the Praetoria's offices, and I noticed all of them have the TES tag. So I took down the INS I was using like in my times in the Imperial Navy. It was harder than I thought, that I must admit, but it was also a relief to now take on the new tag, as appropriate to my current path.

Then, though most of the fleet had to leave by then, Commander Shutaq led me and Zelorr again into the frontlines, to secure Tzvi and then, again, Arayar. We moved swiftly through space, and finally approached the ihub in the contested system, and spread to secure the most number of installations possible as we had before. There was only one wartarget in the system, and didn't seem like he'd come out.

I was wrong.

I entered the novice installation and, just a second behind, in came the enemy ship. Captain Kok Kokovich, a name I'll never forget. We were alone, and my reflexes proved not to be quick enough. I'm still too rusty... lack too much training. My Coercer went down before I could almost launch my drones, and my pod followed soon after.

I woke up back in Amarr. As I dictate this now to the diary, I can still feel my body tremble by the experience of death. My first time through the line. I am still too shaken right now to be able to properly put it to words. It's just...

((Entry recording interrupted after ten seconds of silence.))

Personal Diary: February 6th, year 115

Phase 2 of the plan is complete, albeit with a week of delay from the expected plans. But, finally, the INS Doombringer, my Harbinger Battlecruiser, is docked beside the INS Wraith that has served me so well. It's going to be strange to leave it behind, but I know the Harbinger will be all I need to keep my isk flowing thanks to the contacts that I've been making and that bring me the isk I'll need to be able to maintain myself in the frontlines.

It's going to be good to be in a Harbinger again, it's a ship that brings a lot of fond memories to mind. Specially the beautiful Eleonora, which at one time I almost proposed marriage to... though I guess life got in the way. Well, life and that asshole Commander Ibrahim, may he forever be damned! But better remain on the good memories, and forget her departure from my side.

She probably is the woman that has marked me the most in my life. She's not been my unique girlfriend, certainly not the first one, but she's responsible for a lot of what I am now, good and bad. Like the tatoo around my eye, which I did in a tattoo parlor in Tannakan while she got her own. Was some kind of visual bond between us, and I haven't found the will to take it out, even though many years have passed since I flew in a Harbinger, and those same years since I saw her for the last time. Damn Ibrahim...

Anyway, the recently built INS Doombringer will soon start its own road, and new memories will be forged inside it's golden corridors. I still need to muster some isk to finish fitting it, I want it to be invincible and that will require some effort. Which it will repay in time, but until then, some more work will have to be devoted to it. For now, it already counts with tech 2 damage controls and armor repairer, but much more needs to be installed before it can fly.

And once that's done, I'll buy a few more Punishers (or Crucifiers, seems like they're quite good now) and move them and the Wraith to Saikamon or Sahtogas, or Myyhera... don't know yet. To the frontlines, for all that matters, only the Doombringer will remain behind and start paving the way to buying a Damnation... but those are still phase 3 and 4. Still need some time for them to be fulfilled.

Meanwhile, even if things are progressing on this end, I must admit the troubling news that are coming from Caldari space are troublesome. I have always considered them unsure allies, at best, and money-thirsty savages at worst, depending on each case. But what's undoutable is that Tibus Heth is continuing to destroy their way of life and their state as they have created it. And that's something wrong by any book.

Each society has its own way of living, and that must be respected. I wouldn't even wish the pitiful Gallente such a fate. Every nation should be governed by their leaders according to their customs, and not be thrown away for power or glory; that is, at least until they are properly Reclaimed.

But I fear Heth won't leave his position easily. It will probably require the sacrifice of many loyal lives before his reign is over.

Personal Diary: January 26th, year 115

Today was my first day actually flying inside the Praetoria Imperialis Excubitoris, and it's strange trying to adapt to such a loose organization after the strict discipline of both the Navy and the Silent Brothers of Amarr. Refreshing, maybe.

It seems like the Empire rewards with loyalty points the working in the frontlines, and if you do well, you should be able to maintain yourself just using them. At least, that's the theory. Using that theory I moved in the INS Deathproof into the Bleak Lands, trying to put that idea to trial and, specially, to get acquainted with how the war worked from the capsuleer side of things.

It was strange to be back in Sahtogas, which I will probably use as a forward base, after such a long time. From space, it all looked as it always had, as if the years hadn't gone by. Three years away is a long time for us, but not for the stars and planets in permanent orbit. And yet, war hadn't changed either as I soon found out.

I was waiting for another of the Ensigns to join me in Oyonata, a pilot by the name of Fay Aexiss. She had never been to the frontlines, and I wanted to meet captain Merdaneth in Roushzar as soon as she got to me. This would serve us both as a test: for her to learn the ways, and for me to re-learn them. It's incredible how much you forget and how the reflexes dull over time.

So dull I never saw the small fleet of pirates jumping over me. I was attending the comms and even forgot to enter the Amarr hub I wanted to visit. I didn't have a chance. Before I noticed I was already warp-scrambled and targetted, and my Punisher was not enough to fight them off at such a disadvantage.

After only half an hour in the frontlines, I had lost the ship. I did make it out alive, though, and back to Amarr Prime. And now I'm not sure if I should try and head back there, or retain the original plan of getting myself a Harbinger before, so I can complete level 3 missions and be able to cover my costs easily. But it is just so much time to get those millions I'm missing...

Personal Diary: January 22nd, year 115

The Praetoria Imperialis Excubitoris has notified me they accept my application, and I have officially sent it their way so they can approve it. I must admit I am quite excited at the idea of leaving Imperial Shipment and start doing some real work for the Empire, though my ship fleet is still a bit small and... precarious... in order to actually do much in the frontlines. Well, we'll see how it goes from here.

Personal Diary: January 21st, year 115

Today some demented Blood Raider was bragging about how he'd make food out of people on The Summit. And it reminded me that I've never actually gotten down to writing what happened with them so long ago. As hard as writing this words may be, I believe it is something I need to do now.

I was on my second year in the Navy back then, year 104, a fresh cadet working under the orders of Templar Liuteneant Anna Mirth, commonly known as "The Hound". Since fourteen months before I had been placed under her command in the Military Intelligence unit she led, and we usually went around scanning, exploring and doing military reconaissance before the main combat fleets of the Navy. We were scouting in the Bleak Lands' border with the Empire, in Iesa to be precise, but the wars hadn't started back then and the Minmatarr were only launching small time raids of "freedom fighters" to release slaves. They were not our target.

Contradicting reports gathered by the Navy Intelligence suggested that the area held a hidden POS run by the Sani Sabik, from where they were launching raids against traders and belt miners. They controlled the Bleak Lands mostly back then, as the Empire wouldn't clear them from there until year 107, but tensions had been piling up against Omir Sarikusa. Templar Liuteneant Mirth had been assigned the task to scout those systems with her squad and confirm or deny such a possibility. It should have been a piece of cake, but it was not.

As soon as we warped to the first planet in Iesa and started scanning, a full combat fleet of the Raiders fell upon us. Almost like they were specting us. We fought as hard as we could, but we were overrun without really having any chance of doing anything. Most of the squad died in the first three minutes of combat, including the Templar Liuteneant. Three of us were hit but not destroyed, they just crippled our ships and disabled them before taking us "into custody".

I was... Well, I...

Can't do it. I can't write what happened then. I guess I'm not ready. Let's just say it took the Imperial Navy four days to find and release us three, and those were the longest days of my life. I saw things... I was done things... I...

Let's just say that, if I still hate the Sabik now, it is due to a lot of good, painful and disgusting reasons. But, most of all, to the unshakeable terror that still assaults me sometimes at night and prevents me from sleeping. I have fought the Nation, the Republic, the Serpentis and Angel cartels, pirates, terrorists, the Minmatarr militia... but all of those are just targets, enemies to take down following orders. Some even deserve a certain amount of recognition.

But, when it comes to the Raiders, there can be no mercy, there can be no tolerance, there can be no understanding. With them, it's personal. And it wasn't enough to kick them out of the Bleak Lands.