Clash of Titans

We had been receiving steady reports and intelligence of a large group of pilots attacking moon based structures not far from our headquarters in Ishomilken and finally had the opportunity to act upon it.

Pilots from all over the VETO family geared up, readied crews, and readied ships as the appointed move out time was announced. Slowly we made our way out, heavy with battleships and recon support to help cover those dishing out the damage to our soon to be victims. The path was a bit arduous and lengthy but we finally got the command to go in and engage.

From the vantage point in my Falcon recon ship and my few crew aboard, we saw the heavy fighting from afar instead of up close and personal as the battleships and drones raged around our two targets: Phoenix and Revelation class Dreadnoughts. They held out for awhile until their strengthened siege modes disengaged and then they both went down hard.

Luckily we didn't lose anyone in the fight to include our friends who managed to come in and support us with their own group of heavily equipped battleships. The fight lasted all of possibly five or ten minutes, but the display of power that VETO showed reaffirmed my decision in coming out here and joining them. A tight family that goes for the big stuff with no fear and one that supports each other to the end.

Perhaps I'll find more of this if or when we go out on long distance reconnaissance or other ventures and the action and bonds will grow even more.

Changing Loyalties

Whilst to most changing sides, especially to the enemy side, would seem traitorous, I've found the move rather refreshing even if I'm working for some run of the mill pirates such as the Guristas. Not quite as secretive or ... 'techy' as the Cartel, however being in VETO and being an associate to the Guristas hasn't changed much of what I'm doing or the lives of my crews.

The styles of operating and doing combat have meshed exceptionally well with how I'm used to doing things.

Hopefully things will pick up and I'll see what happens and things will continue being for the better.

New Horizons

A great weight seems to have been lifted from my shoulders setting myself and my crew free of bonds. My departure from Ghost Festival, while not wholly wanted, was in the end inevitable.

I found that my tactics and styles of combat operations weren't quite what were needed regardless of numberless volunteers wanting to fly along side me. In the end to avoid greater conflict and bad blood between others, I resigned from my position and have left for hopefully greener pastures wherever it may lead.

I personally hold no grudges against those in the Festival, I just think our views of how to best do things were to drastically different and couldn't be fixed or compromised upon. No big worry as I hope they now have the freedom of me not conflicting with them to expand and grow.

As usual Okumura simply sighed and packed his few things and let the crews bundle it aboard Jon's freighter, the Herald of Darkness to move transported along with my crew, ships, and equipment to wherever we plan to go for the foreseeable future.

The Anti-Climax, Climax

A contradictory phrase if there every was one I suppose, however that's the only way I can explain the past week and few days. With activity on the rise and a slew of successful kills and very few losses, I've lost the edge it seems.

Dueling Dyntheos from CVA and Azumo from Starbridge were good fights and sobered me up some and even though I lost both duels, I learned what I could from each and moved on, not totally disconnecting myself from lost crew which is getting less and less as I grill them on drills constantly.

The loss of my pilgrim, Black October, was a set back with the custom gear I had sent people out to find and bring back for me. The worse of it was, the beginner's mistake I made that costed me the ship, yet such is life I suppose when you play dangerous games with dangerous people.

Hopefully I can recoup the loss and go back out stronger for it and show CVA and the other locals that they can't keep me and the corporation down regardless of losses.

Seeing other members going out and leading themselves is a nice bonus as it means less leading around I have to do when I'm on as I can sit back and help advise et cetera and take over if the need arises. Hopefully we get better as we take on some new members and can make a bigger impact in the area.

Calm Before the Storm

The past week or so has seen a pleasant surprise in activity and combat patrols from the members of the corporation. With the return of Khrane from other duties he found himself bound to do, our chief prober and combat pilot, aside from probably myself, is back.

The stepping up and putting the boots down without caring about petty concerns and questions has indeed worked. Myrhial, Athas, and myself I think finally have come to a climax that hopefully won't crash into chaos as it was before.

With the activity up and the members out doing what we do best, I have a feeling that we're getting to where I've been dreaming of being for awhile, a large cohesive combat unit. While there is still work to be done, largely on my part as Director of Defense, to prepare for the coming months I feel... More relaxed and at ease about moving forward than before. With Ashar taking care of other things for us I see no reason why we can't grow a bit more and start becoming a powerhouse such as those like Veto and The Black Rabbits.

Saving My Sanity

The last week or so has been one of trials and tribulations. With taking on more responsibilities in our combat arena, I've had to make the conscious decision of becoming the head Director of Defense. A fancy title to be sure, however everything it entails means weeks, perhaps months of planning for the future and getting those slacking into shape.

However a few days spent planet-side on Hasateem VI was well worth it. The clear, undisturbed seas were great for doing some relaxation fishing while clearing my mind. The catches were rather spectacular and gave me a great sense of happiness while out there on the turbulent waters, sloshing across the deck of the vessel Okumura and I went out on. Catching what the locals called a Khuram Durhk, which looked like a small whale, gave cause for celebration and I got drunk for the first time in countless years.

Recovering from the festivities and the sobering fact of leaving the peace and calm of the open seas and mountains was a slap to the face. Back to supply checklists, personnel training, and everything that comes with being a capsuleer and director of a pirate corporation. I just hope that these small breaks and glimpses of what I could have if I so choose will keep me sane long enough to hopefully be able to retire one day perhaps as a director for the Cartel itself, who knows.

Hopefully I'll be able to make time to go back and walk the open grasslands or fight my way through the icey grips of the mountains planetside; nothing beats the real thing.