What else would I expect?

So much for hoping that our relief effort would do anything to help convince our detractors of their error in judgment.

Within hours of the release of the article by The Scope, some cretin had to start bashing the ILF in a post on the Intergalactic Summit. I don't know why I let the fools bother me so much; the idiot who started the thread couldn't even spell propaganda properly.

It does illustrate just how blindly some of those who cling to the Federation will follow its dogma. They honestly believe that everything in the Intaki System is fine and there were no problems on the homeworld prior to the arrival of the Caldari.

Idiots...

At long last — success

It certainly took long enough, but planetside officials are at last able to take receipt of the aid supplies we have been gathering for the last three months.

And, to add to it, The Scope has finally taken notice of our activities here.

Maybe now people will realize that we are not terrorists and have the well-being of the Intaki people at heart.

An uneasy peace

It was with some difficulty that I was able to reach Geerim Frein in police custody today. He is indeed a good man and one dedicated to the people of his village. There was no question of loyalty among the hundreds who followed him.

I was gladdened that they were able to surrender without coming to harm, but the whole scenario was a depressing one for me. Intaki taking up arms and being suppressed by their own police.

As much as I pray for it, I am losing faith that there can be a path to independence without some bloodshed. Things have already gotten too far out of hand with the Federal Defense Union and I fear that our allies within the Caldari militia will have little power to stop their government should a hostile take-over of Intaki's sovereignty be planned.

I have expressed as much to Vremaja Idama, but his answers are as cryptic as any riddle. If forces beyond my control lead to a bloody path, so be it. But I cannot and will not advocate open violence as a means to achieve our goal.

Alarming trend

Scope News Bulletin

Citizens on Intaki are arming themselves in preparation for the anticipated sale of our planet to the Caldari megacorps. The news reports cite Geerim Frein as one of the leaders. I've met him, but only briefly. I do not believe he is a rash individual, so his actions are a sure indication of the frustration felt by the population of Intaki.

I cannot say I blame them. This action by Heth runs directly opposed to what members of the Caldari militia told us when they came into Intaki. I do not think the generals lied to us intentionally, however. I believe they were lied to by their leadership.

First the Gallente tax us and offer nothing in return and now the Caldari sell our resources to the highest bidders; when will these fools realize that the Intaki System and her residents are not property?

I remain dedicated as ever to a peaceful creation of a free Intaki State, but I fear this is the beginning of a violent era in Intaki history. With how much blood must the Intaki pay for what is already theirs?

Home again

I have arrived home again, but my arrival is bittersweet. I was making progress in improving my standing with the Supreme Court when violence once again broke out on the home world. Why does this always seem to happen while I am away?

Fortunately, the wealth I earn as a star captain affords my family some protection, but it is still unnerving to be across the galaxy and learn that violent riots are taking place not far from where your babies sleep.

To add insult to injury, the pro-Fed contingent on the Intergalactic Summit has taken up the cause of challenging everything any member of the ILF posts. It's frustrating to be told the will of the Intaki people by a Jin-Mei who has never lived in the system. It's almost worse to be subjected to the idealized memories of someone who grew up on the planet but hasn't been back in years.

It would be so much easier to live up to the accusations they make; to turn terrorist and attack anything that moved in the system. I sometimes wish one of them would show up in Intaki so that I could give them a welcome like the one I received on my first visit to the home world.

But doing so would be to turn from the Ida and to debase myself. I would be no better than the pirates I have sworn to oppose. No, I must continue on suffering the fools and their name calling.

On the brighter side, my return to Intaki allowed me to negotiate two mutual aid agreements with alliances interested in operating in the Intaki area. Given USF's recent departure, these new agreements come at an opportune time.

While I do not relish the thought of armed conflict, I am not so blind as to think that the pirates and opportunists will not be beaten back without a fight.

I must admit, though, it is nice to sleep in my own bed.

What things that must be done

It's always hard to leave Intaki. Knowing that my wife and children remain behind while I warp away or clone jump across the galaxy. If it wasn't for the importance of the cause, if I didn't believe that I was working for a better future for them, I couldn't do it.

Space holds no allure for me. Operating in its cold and empty vastness is a means to an end. I look forward to a day when I can retire from my captain's chair and resume my quite life as a writer and teacher; to return to my role as husband and father.

As much as I would like, however, I cannot accomplish my goals in Intaki. Fighting off the Serpentis and skirmishing with pirates may do more in the short term to improve the lives of the Intaki, but it does little to win us our sovereignty.

I must now return to Villore and champion our cause there. If I can win enough support among the senators and sway the Supreme Court's opinion on the matter, only then will we stand a chance to gain independence without violence between us and the Gallente Federation.