by Jack Carrigan – who now has his own blog!!!!

Freedom. To true Gallenteans, it is the most simple and heavily defended of truths guaranteed to a people. To the Minmatar, it is the most fought for. Freedom takes on many different meanings as you ask different people. Is it the ability to do whatever you want, whenever you want? Is it the ability to fly screaming through the bowels of the vast abyss of space? Or is it simply to be free from oppression? Is it up to the individual to decide, or is freedom a constant?

It has been almost two years since I last called Gallente space home, and honestly, I’d rather live with the Minmatar. They are a hard-working people that will stop at nothing to ensure the freedom of their brethren, be they Brutor, Sebeistor, Krusual, Vherokior, Nefantar, Thukker or Starkmanir. A Minmatar will fight by the side of anyone who proves their honor and treats others with dignity and respect. This brings me to something that happened most recently.

EIFYR AND CO. BIOTECH PRODUCTION
ERAM SOLAR SYSTEM
METROPOLIS REGION
MINMATAR REPUBLIC

It was another rough day, barely having time to get the morning cigarette in before getting back to the spacelanes, but I had to make due. Recently, it had been brought to my attention, that not only my Corporation, but the entire Alliance needed a serious recruitment drive to garner more numbers, and thus the ability to be more versatile. So I made my way down through the concourse, which was surprisingly empty for the most part. I had made the decision to try to find a quieter station to operate out of just so that I could get more work done with less interruptions. I stopped at the recruitment center, and hooked my NeoCom up to the mainframe, to compile a list of pilots seeking employment, or small corporations seeking to find new homes. It was the usual subjects so to speak. I exhaled a breath of tobacco smoke, and noticed a small, industrial Corporation which operated out of Caldari Space. From what I could determine, they seemed like nice enough people, so I sent their CEO a message to contact myself, or one of our Alliance Diplomats. Having done this, I made my way back to the hangar, and loaded the hold of my Thorax-class cruiser with ammunition, and some equipment that needed to be moved, and set off for the day.

Upon my return a few hours later, I noticed that I had a message from one of our Diplomats. Just then, my NeoCom beeped, and I grumbled as I answered it, walking toward the nearest restaurant that had a bar. I didn’t even notice the small Amarrian child who had been trying to get my attention, completely absorbed with the words the Diplomat had for me. His words were full of hope and promise about the Industrial Corporation which had contacted him, a stark contrast to the bland food, and the very bitter beer. Having paid my bill, I made my way back to my quarters, and took up my usual spot on the couch, where I soon fell asleep.

I woke a few hours later to the sound of my NeoCom beeping. I squinted under the bright light of some news channel replaying a blast tearing through an Outpost in Outlaw Space as I fumbled for my NeoCom, and my cigarettes. First things first, I got the cigarette lit and took a drag before answering. I was met with the soft-spoken CEO of the Industrial Corp which we had become fast friends with. I could tell by the panic and urgency in his voice that something serious had happened. It struck me as odd, as they mentioned no problems other than the typical people looking to make a quick ISK by nicking ore. Yet an Industrialist directly calling a Pirate? This was new to me. Once I got him to calm down and take a deep breath, he explained to me that a one-man Corporation had declared war against his ore-loving collection of pilots. I listened, and shook my head as I pulled up the database information in reference to the Corporation he had mentioned. That’s when it hit me. My Alliance had a run-in with this person before, and his old connections. I told our new friend to stand by, as I went sprinting down the gangway which led to my hangar. The lift carried me to my Enyo-class Assault Frigate, which had just finished being loaded with ammunition. I didn’t even get clearance before I tore out of the station at full afterburn.

CALDARI NAVY LOGISTIC SUPPORT
FUNTANAINEN SOLAR SYSTEM
LONETREK REGION
CALDARI STATE

Our friends waited patiently, as it was a long haul to the destination. They looked disappointed when only an Enyo-Class Assault Frigate and Orca-class Industrial Support Vessel docked. That is until the Orca’s Ship Maintenance Array opened, and the vessels on board were unloaded into the hangar. I walked up and shook their CEO’s hand, and introduced myself. His mates were shy at first as they saw the Jolly Roger emblazoned on the hull of my Enyo. That is, until they realized I was there to help. I explained to them, that while Piracy was my chosen way of life, Industrialists were not my chosen targets, as I see no sport in shooting at something that can’t shoot back. As our Co-Executor finished unloading his complement of vessels, he explained that an emergency meeting had been arranged, and due to the nature of the Corp which had declared war against them, we would have no problems absorbing the war declaration, but had to run it past our Executor, and the rest of the council.

I explained to them my history, the woe, the losses, and the betrayals. I explained to them that I had lost more than most of them would ever know. I explained the good friends commuted to ash, the ships rended to molten heaps of slag, and finally, the personal toll it had taken on me which created what I am today. But they nodded their understanding, and the quietest industrialist among them smiled, and placed his hand on my shoulder. His words made me smile. He said, “Mr. Carrigan, your losses were not in vain if they made you who you are today. I may be a humble miner, but I am not afraid as long as I have good men flying by my side. Let’s teach this enemy a lesson in blood, so it will not soon be forgotten.” In that moment I knew that I had made the right choice when I sent a message to this Corporation. They understood that Freedom is not a right, but it is something that must be fought for, no matter the cost.