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Author |
Thread Statistics | Show CCP posts - 2 post(s) |
Elsebeth Rhiannon
Gradient Electus Matari
359
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Posted - 2013.05.07 21:20:00 -
[1] - Quote
Today at about 16:00 I and some other known loyalists received a request from the Republic Fleet to assist in an operation to forcibly extradite the shooter of Karin Midular from Federation care. The leader of the operation was given as General Aruko Aruman of the Republic Fleet; point of contact was Heder Elislar. I stated my opinion that I thought the operation was madness and that the Fleet should stand down, but under what for me counts as orders gathered a patrol force to support.
I was at no point given further intel about the exact plans of the Fleet. I went into Bei with the goal of coming out of this without having to engage and without betraying my oath to the Minmatar Republic. I failed in the first.
At about 20:00 local a Republic Fleet capital wing entered Colelie and demanded passage further. Federation Navy capital wing denied. Words were exchanged. Both in public and in private I and others from Electus Matari pleaded for the Republic Fleet to stand down, but this was in vain. When the Republic Fleet engaged, I was told by the officers in charge of the capitals that this was under orders "from the top".
Being an oath-bound warrior of the Republic I could personally see no other option than to follow the Fleet. I did not agree with the order and I agree with our current leadership even less, but to refuse simply because I found the order disagreeable would have gone against everything I have spoken for during my career in space.
I gave the order to the EM fleet to engage; the pilots with me should not be blamed.
We lost.
To whom it may concern: Electus Matari does not agree with this course of action. This is not the way to treat our allies. This is not the way to win the war with the real enemy. This is not the way to honor the legacy of the Ray. We followed our leaders now, but we warn you to remember that you can only lead free people to where they are willing to follow. The Matari people in space have always been divided into two: those who cherish war for the sake of honor and emotion, and those who rather avoid it for the sake of long-turn survival of our people. When the Ray was in charge, she managed to balance the two for a long time. The "Sanmatar" now needs to do the same.
Elsebeth Rhiannon Director, Gradient Diplomat, Electus Matari |
Elsebeth Rhiannon
Gradient Electus Matari
361
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Posted - 2013.05.07 21:47:00 -
[2] - Quote
That does not sound ignorant at all. Congratulations.
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Elsebeth Rhiannon
Gradient Electus Matari
366
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Posted - 2013.05.07 22:16:00 -
[3] - Quote
I was the EM FC on the field today, so the choice was mine.
And I never denied the fact that I had a choice. I had one, and I made the choice, and now I live (or die) with it. Both options were bad, but that does not mean I am free of the consequences of the choice I picked.
I do not need more sermons about how terrible the situation was and how terrible the things we did. I am aware, thank you.
Elsebeth |
Elsebeth Rhiannon
Gradient Electus Matari
379
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Posted - 2013.05.08 04:59:00 -
[4] - Quote
Answers to some questions and concerns:
1) I was not "just following orders". I made a choice to follow the chain of command I have willingly taken an oath to. Those are two different things and if you are unable to grasp the difference, I really have nothing further to say to you
2) If I could do it over again, I would make the same choice. I think the decision to cross the border with force was dead wrong, but for me, personally, to bail out at the first unpleasant order I disagree with would make the above oath completely meaningless.
3) I called myself 'an oath-sworn warrior'. Others used the world soldier, which is indeed a misnomer. I am not part of the military, I am an indie capsuleer. I could have refused without facing court-martial and I was under no personal duress of any kind.
4) I wish I could say this was definitely the last time you will see Electus Matari forces on a similar operation. I cannot, however. Not only can I not guarantee we will not be there if the Republic leadership decides to continue this madness, but also what has been started now has a chance to escalate so that we will in reality not have a choice.
I am sorry I cannot be more reassuring.
Elsebeth |
Elsebeth Rhiannon
Gradient Electus Matari
385
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Posted - 2013.05.08 13:15:00 -
[5] - Quote
I hereby declare my oath of loyalty to the Minmatar Republic. I absolutely and wholly renounce all pledges, fidelities, and allegiances to any foreign sovereignties or powers. I swear to support and defend the Minmatar Republic, its people, policies, holdings, and agents, its sovereignty and the integrity of its territory against all enemies and usurpers, foreign and domestic. I will bear arms on behalf of the Minmatar Republic in times of war, and will perform civil service on its behalf in times of peace. I will obey, uphold, and defend its laws and treaties. I will perform work of national importance under governmental, military, or civilian direction as required by the Minmatar Republic in times of emergency. I make this commitment unreservedly, with no mental reservation or purpose of evasion.
With this oath, I affirm and assert my loyalty to the Minmatar Republic.
One could, naturally, weasel out of following unpleasant orders by said "governmental, military or civilian, direction" by splitting hairs about how this is not really a "time of emergency" despite the nation being at war, or "work of national importance" despite being a Fleet operation lead by an Admiral, or how following that direction actually contradicts with the "obey, uphold and defend its... treaties" part.
Maybe a time will come when I will resort to that. That time did not come yesterday, however, and it is not today. The true meaning of the oath is not in the individual words to be played lawyer about, it is in the spirit of support to my nation. They called; I answered.
Would I take this oath today, knowing what I know now? No.
But that is beside the point.
Elsebeth |
Elsebeth Rhiannon
Gradient Electus Matari
386
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Posted - 2013.05.08 14:52:00 -
[6] - Quote
I never denied guilt, and I never tried to claim that I am innocent, just because I went into battle due to an oath of loyalty rather than supporting the action.
All you trying to argue with me in order to prove me wrong: you are wasting good effort on me. I am aware of all the points you could possibly make.
Elsebeth |
Elsebeth Rhiannon
Gradient Electus Matari
407
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Posted - 2013.05.08 19:52:00 -
[7] - Quote
Altaen;
If new information surfaces, we will naturally revise our statements in its light.
You will notice I explicitly said that not knowing enough of the situation and its consequences, we cannot guarantee anything about future EM operations.
As to the rest of your suggestions, go **** yourself.
Else |
Elsebeth Rhiannon
Gradient Electus Matari
425
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Posted - 2013.05.10 13:36:00 -
[8] - Quote
At the risk of revealing some intel on our operational capacity: yes, we could. |
Elsebeth Rhiannon
Gradient Electus Matari
429
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Posted - 2013.05.11 19:56:00 -
[9] - Quote
I feel silly even explaining this, but my "if it is my call" in the first one I meant simply that if I will be the one making the decisions, I will not start wars. I hope it is obvious that of my own volition, I would not have gone to Colelie (or anywhere else in Federal space) and started firing at Federal Navy.
The Republic Fleet did, however, and at that point it was no longer "my call", but theirs: a call I chose to respond to.
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Elsebeth Rhiannon
Gradient Electus Matari
476
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Posted - 2013.07.04 21:17:00 -
[10] - Quote
Telemicus Thrace wrote:Ah Elsebeth, after all these years I find you facing a bitter pill from the Republic I now serve. How things change yet remain the same.
I feel for you in this. I once faced an order I could not in good conscience follow, I decided to throw in my lot with an idealistic Fleet Commander by the name of Karishal Muritor. I'm sure you recollect those days. Perhaps you now understand the choices and actions I took did not come lightly.
I do not envy you the position you find yourself in. As a Matari you must do what is right for the tribe and the Elders, that is our nature. Exactly what that right action is? That is something you must decide, that is the hard part.
Hi Thrace.
Long time. I've missed you, despite all. And the irony does not escape me, I assure you.
But you are mistaken in one thing: I never thought you made the choices you did lightly, or took joy in them. But how hard something is to do is not a measure of how right or wrong it is.
I still believe we need a unified Republic and cannot afford a civil war. I still hold to my oath, though there is no one to hold it now.
Elsebeth
EDITed to add: PS. You have mail. |
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Elsebeth Rhiannon
Gradient Electus Matari
476
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Posted - 2013.07.04 21:24:00 -
[11] - Quote
To the rest of you: I have said what I have to say on this matter. I do not think I need to justify myself to the IGS. What I've done, I've done, and actions speak louder than words.
Elsebeth |
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