It had been too long since I’d stood in this dank, dimly lit room, shoulder to shoulder with some of the men and women I trusted most in this war. The briefing had been called by General Angry Fist, one of the most well known men on the battlefield. I looked around at other faces I knew like family: Stoogie, Sasawong, Megan Maynard, and many more.
We were the Fleet Commanders of the Tribal Liberation Force. We were the ones laying out the plans for those pilots that would live and die by our word. We had our directives from Fleet Command, yes, but under the direction of General Fist and General Sasawong, we were given much freedom in how we went about our business.
As it turned out, business had been dire whilst I was away.
- Tararan, lost.
- Arzad, lost.
- Ezzara, lost.
- Kourmonen, lost.
- Lantorn, lost.
The Amarr had advanced their aggressive push much harder during my absence in Evati. Enlistment numbers had declined also, and we were still as of yet unable to capture any enemy systems.
Morale was down. Something needed to be done.
The increase in pirate and mercenary activities within our warzone systems had also been increasing, and with our dwindling discipline, fewer pilots were willing to do anything about that, or much of anything else.
I was updated on the list of known spies within the militia, and was outraged that they were being allowed to continue on, disrupting our initiatives daily. Fleet Command believed the feeding of misinformation was the key to neutralizing their effectiveness. To that, I threw the list of captured systems at General Fist, and asked him with great hostility if he really believed that strategy was effective.
There was also an updated list of trusted allies, just over two hundred names of pilots that could be counted on 100%.
I was starting to feel like I had been gone away too long. So much had changed in only four weeks: systems lost, spies permitted within our ranks, only two hundred trustworthy pilots to fight a war; what the hell had happened to the Republic?
I had left the meeting in a rage, my mind reeling at the latest developments on the Rupublic warfront. The apathy that was present in that room sickened me. It wasn’t that they didn’t want things to change for the better; they had simply given up hoping, accepted that things were what they were.
I would never give up hope.
As I returned to my quarters and sunk heavily into my bunk, I stubbed my toe on that damned stick the strange little man had given me only days before in Evati. I recalled the name of the weapon, a Kandjal, supposedly a traditional weapon from ancient tribal times. I hadn’t had much time since receiving the bizarre gift to really give it any thought, but as I looked at it then and there, it suddenly held a fascination to me. I wish I could’ve explained it, but I felt compelled to hold it, to appreciate its workmanship and heritage. I wanted to know more about it.
I looked around my room for the tutorial vids that had accompanied the gift, and spent the next several hours learning the basics of the Kandjal; its history, how to care for it, what it symbolized, how to use it as a weapon.
I was hungry for more. I felt like a man born in the wrong era. Back then, the Matari knew what the lines were, what was black and white, and if anything crossed those lines, they were dealt with harshly, and severely. This generation needed more people like that. This generation needed to define their lines and not let them be crossed at any price.
This generation needed hope.
I looked down again at the Kandjal, noticing my knuckles had turned white, my grip so intense on the shaft of it. I relaxed my hands, putting the weapon away with care.
Sometimes, to embrace our future, we must embrace our past.
ROC'S RAMBLINGS 
Does the Kuumak have any relation to the Khumaak?
Wait a second. Megan Maynard? The very same one that betrayed and robbed a militia corp at the behest of CVA? Ask Eran Mintor or Neu Bastian about that one. She’s KOS after her little stunt to the 17th Tactical Wing (17TW).
@Shirrah – It was a Kandjal, not a Kuumak or Khumaak, my apologies. I’ve edited the post accordingly.
@Casiella – Yes, the very same Megan Maynard. I’ve spoken to both parties, being Megan and Neu, and as always is the case, it seems the truth lay somewhere in the middle. I don’t defend her actions, but still value her contributions to the militia effort. I will have to check with Angry Fist, Megan may no longer have access to the FC channel.
((As my alt founded 17TW, you can imagine I have very strong feelings about the matter. 🙂 ))
Wait a second. Megan Maynard? The very same one that betrayed and robbed a militia corp at the behest of CVA? Ask Eran Mintor or Neu Bastian about that one. She’s KOS after her little stunt to the 17th Tactical Wing (17TW).
No stunt, pretty much pissed beyond belief when they screwed up standings with heretics when some pilots got pissy after losing a rifter.
As too question the loyalty, well, despite the bump in with one or two idiots during the war you will not find me turning “traitor” anywhere. The rules of that war are ridiculous, the drama queens are everywhere, and none of the so called “alliances” do anything except whine louder then the militia.
So yeah, I got fed up and took what I could. Lesson: Don’t give me director roles then screw up a lot of hard work in 2 days.
Oh and nice job on the Evana-uh Evanti?-uh-Evati?-whatever stories. Good reading man.
Fly safe and get out of that damn firetail, true brut should be flying a wolf anyway!
I remember the first FW reports, when the TLF was dominating. I wonder what’s changed.
Thank you. You know what for. You did a wonderful job.
Strange, yes. Little? Damn, I just realized I’ve never actually described Gigaer. he’s certainly not little. I’ll have to post soon with a full description. I can’t believe I’ve let that slide for so long!
*Gigaer self-destructs in shame. Gets transfered to a new clone and continues to comment.*
I think Casiella is right about Megan Maynard and the CVA. A quick google jogged my memory.
@Shirrath: The Khumaak is a symbol of the Amarr rebellion. The kandjal’s history stretches back from before the Amarr to the beginning of the Minmatar tribes. Check out my blog for more.
Ooooh, drama! *Makes popcorn and wonders if Roc is going to turn into some kind of fanatical Minmatar evangelist*
@Casiella – I didn’t know about your alt. Would be interesting to hear from you directly.
@Meg – I still fly would fly with you, and do not question your loyalty to the war effort, but I am a little stunned at your pride in your actions.
@PD – You’re welcome, but you’re going to have to provide me with a lot more history on this topic please. As for “little”, it may not refer to physical size, but to perception of character. Ooooohhhh.
@ Mynxee – No. And there aren’t enough men in the universe to make you forget about me anyway.
Let the drama continue! Wasn’t it not too long ago I was talking about how I’ve never experienced drama?
Flame on!
OOC: I was Kudon Astraisx (sold the character recently via the forums but he’ll confirm I am who I say I am). I stepped down due to RL reasons and inability to play, handing it to Neu who later named Megan as a director.
To be clear, this was all fair within game mechanics and I’ve got no complaints on that score whatsoever. It was a classic case of manipulating people to get a director position then exploiting that trust to betray the corp and the TLF. My complaints are entirely IC. To my knowledge, no one filed a petition, nor should they have.
Prior to this, I’ve spoken to Megan extensively on voice chat and have my own opinions as to the character of the player. By this time, 17TW was (at best) RP lite and had just begun to evolve into what it is today.
IC: After Kudon Astraisx stepped down from the wing command role, Neu Bastian was named as the wing commander. He later promoted Megan Maynard to a director and command role. One weekend when most pilots were out of pod and out of comm range, she took the shares that the corp itself still owned, which was our mistake. This let her elect herself CEO and lock everyone else out of their permissions. She then proceeded take all the ISK, expensive modules, most ships, then named as CEO some highly inactive pilot and resigned herself, heading for CVA space.
I flew as the original logistics pilot for 17TW and something of a liaison to the Republic, even before the formation of the TLDF, and remember the whole thing quite bitterly, as of course it was a scam and an exploit (in the “legitimate” sense). But I really am surprised that the TLF admits Megan back so quickly and evidently to a position of some responsibility.
@Casiella – Well said. Again, my information may be out of date. I haven’t seen many familiar faces in the FC channel, and went with the assumption that Megan was still privy to it.
I even tried to have Megan admitted into my corp, but our director refused her admission due to the events being outlined here today. I understood his position, but still maintain I have no problem flying with Megan at my wing.
It was not my intention to stir up angst, nor to say I’ve chosen sides in something that really never involved me in the first place.
I personally have never had issue with Megan, even after she explained everything that occured, and I did advise my CEO to simply never give her any roles in the corp. She was fine with that, understanding most pilots current views towards her.
Maybe I am too forgiving and will only suffer down the road for it? Maybe I place too much hope in others? Maybe I just believe that every pilot that flies for the TLF is necessary?
I guess time will tell.
@Roc, all I can say is that you should always stay out of web and scram range when flying with her.
I’ll provide what I can. I’m currently working on descriptions of the martial art involved with the kandjal (as well as one weapon and style for each race). I’m not sure what specific history I can come up with, but I’ll give it a shot. If you have a brainstorm send me an email.
One of these days, I’m going to get you back for that remark. I believed I challenged you to a duel in a recent email.
As for what Cas is trying to get across, I won’t suggest what to do or not do, but I do think it should be taken with utmost seriousness.
Oh those names sound very familiar, there once was a brave minmatar fighter named Qanatas who fought along their ranks a while ago…
@Morph – Ah, Qanatas was a great wingman; many a morning did we spend taking plexes from the Amarr.
“Fly safe and get out of that damn firetail, true brut should be flying a wolf anyway!”
WORD.
“@ Mynxee – No. And there aren’t enough men in the universe to make you forget about me anyway.”
Really? I was under the impression she only had to lift her chin an inch and you’d be out of sight for good.
@ post: glad to see Roc back on track. While the situation appears dire, that only means there’s more heads to crack. And, lo! A new beating stick to crack ’em with!
Ah, and I have to add: Roc, leading the hordes with a religion stick in his grasp. Moses, anyone?
@Sard – lol at the Moses comment. I’ll tell you one thing, you’ll NEVER find me parting the red sea.
Definitely a ass-cleaving stick. If you want to make a classical comparison, I’d submit Excalibur and Arthur Pendragon for public scrutiny.
Permission to speak freely SIR! My name is Thorvik, a Blade Commander in the TLF and a pilot with the Valklear Guard. I’m an avid reader of the Colonel’s reports as I gain much from the experience of those around me. I was a new recruit to the TLF and the 17th Tactical Wing when the issues with Megan Maynard surfaced. I don’t pretend to be anything but what I am, a soldier for the Minmatar republic. My allegiance is to the Republic first and foremost and then to the men that fly beside me in the Valklear Guard. I don’t think anyone doubts any of our resolution and determination to the cause.
In my view as a soldier, the actions of former pilot Megan Maynard were despicable and below contempt. The material items (which included ISK from the corporation and the TFL reimbursement fund, mods, ships, etc…) were significant but secondary to the flagrant abuse of the trust given to her by our commander and the pilots in the 17th Tactical Wing. To then go over to the enemy? CVA is an active supporter of the Amarr cause. I’m sorry to say that Megan is not welcome by me and many others in the TLF. My personal standing to him is KOS. I do not speak for my wing or my corporation when I make these statements, but am surprised that the Colonel supports the treasonous acts of a deserter.
It doesn’t matter what her reasons were as the result were deemed treasonous acts against her corporation but also the Minmatar Republic. The fact that she shows no signs of remorse and freely admits to the fact that no one should give her directorship is proof enough for this pilot to maintain my -10 setting. I have neither a high or low regard for pirates as they do what they do openly with no pretence. Megan Maynard is lower, in my estimation, than the Amarr that we fight daily. I would rather have a pirate or even Veshta Yoshida in the same sector of space than that traitorous pilot. I, at least, know that I won’t be shot from behind.
If you’ll excuse me sir I think I’m going to need a drink to get this bad taste out of my mouth.
*salutes, does an about turn and walks out of room*
@thorvik – I would never begrudge you your opinion, pilot. In fact, thank you for sharing it.
Obviously, my time in Evati has left me out of touch with current events. I will have to take a closer look at what Fleet Command has decided in regards to Megan Maynard.
*salute