Ship Log: Dancing with the Devil

Sepherim's hotel room, recording started
Date: June 1st, year 115
Pilots present: Zsaryna Adrelana, Sepherim

Sepherim presses a button and the door opens. He's sitting with his back to the doorway, checking some things on his datapad
Sepherim > give me a second, I'll be with you in a moment
Zsaryna Adrelana glides into the room, moving so she's in front of Sepherim, padding round and reaching up to the throat of her robe "Well, it's a pleasure as always Sepherim" she says softly, placing her hand upon the datapad in his, she then undoes the clasp of the robe and lets it fall away
Sepherim looks up as the robes fall and grins
Sepherimtaps a quick couple orders on the pad and then closes it and gets up
Sepherim > you look quite lovely in that dress, captain Adrelana
Zsaryna Adrelana smiles "I'm flattered" she whispers gently as she looks down at him. She licks her lips softly "Would you care to sit or remain standing?" Zsaryna asks softly
Sepherim > which would be more appropriate?
Zsaryna Adrelana smiles "Well..." Zsaryna replies "Standing is a more... intimate experience" she blushes "I dance around you and, well there's quite a bit of rubbing and grinding"
Sepherim > then it is settled
Sepherim > though I hope the room is big enough for such a display
Sepherim > or it may get... well... let's say... more physical
Zsaryna Adrelana smiles "You say that like it's a bad thing" Zsaryna replies "it's supposed to be done at close quarters"
Sepherim > not a bad thing, at all
Sepherim > but one is a gentleman, so it has to be pointed out... just in case you want to back off
Sepherim grins
Zsaryna Adrelana licks her lips "okay" she says quietly, stepping closer to him and turning down the lights, her dress glittering slightly as she places her hand upon his chest, right in the middle of his torso. She takes a deep breath
Sepherim nods, smiling
Sepherim watched Zsaryna's clothes with a small grin
Zsaryna Adrelana smiles as the music starts to play, her feet clicking on the floor as the music continues, the slow pulsing drum-beat spreading a broad smile across her face. Her hips whirl as the lights go down and her dress flashes and flickers
Sepherim pays some attention to the music, but little
Zsaryna's body undulates beneath the light, glitter spangled across her belly as she whirls through the music. Her hand reaches up and gently traces its way down his chest, a coy smile curling at the corners of her lips
Sepherim resists the urge to touch her back, just smiling in his place
Zsaryna Adrelana chuckles and slides away, stepping back and raising in a flowing spin, whirling on her tiptoes. Her dress whirls up, giving him a glance of thigh and leg and backside. Zsaryna continues to move as the rhythm pounds its way though her like a drum
Sepherim nods slightly to the rythm of the music
Zsaryna Adrelana eases in closer, slowly wrapping her arms around him in a gentle hug, her hips grinding slightly against his body "You enjoying this?" she asks softlySepherim > too much, I'd say
Sepherim grins to her, still stoic
Zsaryna Adrelana blushes "Sorry" she says softly, stepping back from him and continue to danceSepherim > you have nothing to apologize, at all
Sepherim nods, looking to her in the eye
Zsaryna Adrelana blushes and nods and then continues to move, sweat glittering upon her skin as she moves through the positions and then she reaches up, drawing her hands back down her belly in a slow seductive movement
Sepherim crosses his hands behind him, the only kind of movement he can concede himself
Zsaryna Adrelana > The dance reaches a creschendo and Zsaryna leans back, her body arching back in a bridge, leaning back, before snapping back up again into standing
Sepherim draws in a breath as he sees her body curve before him, elastically, almost without effort, and only releases it as she snaps back into verticality
Zsaryna Adrelana stands before him, shaking and panting as the music slowly fades, her clothing sticking to herself. She smiles at him, her clothing almost transparent, giving him a faint glimpse of the darkened patches of skin, of her nipples
Sepherim tries to focus on her face, noticing twin drops of sweat running down from the antennas on his forehead to his chin
Sepherim remains silent, not to interrupt her in case the dancing isn't over
Zsaryna Adrelana glances at his sweaty face and smiles as she sweeps over to him "Well did you enjoy that?" she asks softly, placing her hand upon his chin. A broad smile is on her face, her body shaking slightly from adrenalineSepherim > It was... more than interesting, yes
Sepherim > is this a dance your people do often?
Zsaryna Adrelana chuckles "not often" she replies "The Amarrians dislikes it, as I'm sure you can understand"
Sepherim > yes, I can, it's not too... appropriate
Sepherim > for amarrian cultural standards of... modesty
Zsaryna Adrelana glances down and chuckles "yeah" she replies softly as she lifts her hands to cover her chest "You don't mind right?" she asks, flopping down next to him
Sepherim > I'm a ni-kunni, not an amarrian... we're not so uptight unless the situation requires it
Sepherim > we do have limits and lines not to cross, but they are not so easy to crash against
Zsaryna Adrelana nods "true enough" she replies softly "my lines are rather... further than yours" she repliesSepherim > yes, I imagine so
Sepherim grins, looking her over
Sepherim > it can be dangerous...
Zsaryna Adrelana glances down "oh?" she asks gently
Zsaryna Adrelana reaches out and gently runs a hand along his thigh
Sepherim > going to play the innocent girl now?
Sepherim tenses up a bit at her contact
Zsaryna Adrelana smirks "no" she replies quietly "and... danger... is something I'm rather too used to for my own good" she says softly, feeling him tensing up "Would you like me to stop?" she asks quietly
Sepherim > no, I wouldn't like it, but I probably will have to ask it nonetheless soon
Sepherim > outside of a man, I'm also a Praetorian, and there are lines I can't cross, not with you unfortunately
Sepherim's voice is a tad lower than usual
Zsaryna Adrelana tilts her head "Who do you think made sex so good?" Zsaryna asks "if God meant for us not to enjoy it... he wouldn't have made it feel so good" Zsaryna says gently
Sepherim > yes, indeed, but I am a Praetorian, there are things I can't do with certain people
Sepherim > and, unfortunately, you returned to your pirate ways. I can't have this sort of relations with you, it could open dangerous roads
Sepherim > and has already cost the rank and position of one Praetorian a few months ago
Sepherim > we have to be... perfect
Sepherim > so, as much as I may like, I can only watch, never actually do anything or let the relation go beyond that
Sepherim looks saddened
Zsaryna Adrelana nods "I see" Zsaryna withdraws her hand "I'm sorry" she looks a little confused for a moment before she smiles slightly
Zsaryna Adrelana > "Well... what can I say" she says at last "obviously you are a man of conviction and I'm not going to ask you to break them"
Sepherim > don't be sorry... it was wonderful
Sepherim > and I thank you for it, for the fiction, for the minutes to think everything could be otherwise... normal
Sepherim bows to her, gracefully, with a sad smile
Zsaryna Adrelana nods "I see... in a way I'm flattered, most men would be crawling all over me at this point" she smiles gently and squeezes his hand "Well... I'm not a pirate Seph, I kill things but I'm not a pirate"
Sepherim > you are not a loyalist, either
Sepherim > and believe me, were circumstances different, I would've barely let you finish your dance before kissing you
Zsaryna Adrelana looks up at him "many forms of loyalty Sepherim" she says softly "I've spent time in Imperial prisons... been visited by the worst horrors man knows how to inflict and visited them in turn... but my loyalty is to Amarr... if it is not overt"
Sepherim nods
Sepherim > I can understand, I can relate to those horrors and know they exist but you know the Amarr... too often, what matters is what things look like, not the depths behind them
Sepherim > and, for each thing, there is a rule
Sepherim notices the silence in the air
Zsaryna Adrelana nods "of course, I understand" she says gently, "I look like a pirate on the outside, I dance like a pirate and suck like a pirate so... it's unlikely I'm a paladin inside" Zsaryna says after a second
Sepherim nods
Sepherim > I'm sorry, I really am. I've been wishing and looking for ways to make it possible with each of your turns, and thinking about not caring, on nobody knowing with each of your twists
Sepherim > but, in the end, I know, and that is more than I can bare
Sepherim > I can't fail twice
Zsaryna Adrelana sighs "of course" Zsaryna says tenderly "I understand, Sepherim, friend of whores and heretics" she smiles quietly "and people would care... you're PIE and I'm not" She licks her lips quietly "I... I don't mean to cause you trouble or a crisis of faith"
Sepherim smiles
Sepherim > you've given me something of yourself, so I'll trust you with something as valuable of mine
Sepherim > my faith is long gone, and that's something only you know now
Sepherim smiles to her, a strange smile
Zsaryna Adrelana nods slowly "I'm sorry" she says gently "I... hope you can find peace some day" she says sadly "Naturally, this will be only between you and me" she says, her voice very tentative and small
Sepherim > there are many ways to find peace, seeing you dance can be one
Sepherim > to remember us all the price we pay, but also the human that lies behind the mask
Sepherim looks saddened
Zsaryna Adrelana smiles "Well... I'd be happy to dance for you some more then, some other time if you want?" Zsaryna offers
Sepherim > it would be a honor
Zsaryna Adrelana > "Sure I would love to dance for you again" Zsaryna says quietly "And yes... we must always remember we are all human beneath these masks of pirate and loyalist and chicken pie"
Sepherim smiles at her joke of chicken pie
Sepherim > I'd be honored
Sepherim > ... to say the least
Zsaryna Adrelana nods "brilliant" Zsaryna replies "I shall dance for you some more, sometime" Zsaryna says softly "not now because I;'m worn out"
Sepherim > indeed, and you have to be at your best
Sepherim winks
Sepherim > you know where my hotel room is, and you're invited to visit whenever you may like
Sepherim > to dance, or whatever you may like
Sepherim > ... except those things
Zsaryna Adrelana > "I plan to be" Zsaryna replies, licking her lips slightly as she relaxes against him "and yes... I understand" Zsaryna replies softly
Sepherim caresses her hair gently, smelling her
Zsaryna Adrelana gasps softly "mmm... that's nice" Zsaryna whispers quietly
Sepherim > yes it is
Sepherim smiles, distantly, feeling her softly pressing against him
Zsaryna Adrelana licks her lips "no one need know Sepherim" she says gently "I have no one to tell and I wouldn't do that to you anyway"
Sepherim > I know, but I would know... and that's more that can be
Zsaryna Adrelana nods "I see" she says softly, leaning against him and closing her eyes "fair enough" she chuckles softly and strokes his arm
Sepherim presses her softly against him for a few seconds, draws in a deep breath trying to hold her essence, and then lets her go
Sepherim > my lady, it's been a rare and deep pleasure
Sepherim bows to kiss her hand
Zsaryna Adrelana blushes as he kisses her hand "thank you... the pleasure was mutual Sepherim" Zsaryna replies tenderly "it's been amazing... and I'm only sorry I can't make you happy... but that's fine"
Sepherim > you already have, in a way, I hope not to have dissapointed you too much
Zsaryna Adrelana shakes her head "no... you haven't" Zsaryna says tenderly
Sepherim smiles to her, a warm smile
Sepherim > then, I believe it is time to part ways for tonight
Zsaryna Adrelana nods "for tonight, but it would be nice to drink again sometime" Zsaryna says softly, bowing her head and rising to her feet
Sepherim > indeed, I hope we can arrange to do it soon then
Zsaryna Adrelana nods "of course" she replies gently as she gathers up her things and heads for the exit "until next time... peace be upon you"
Sepherim > and on you, my dear
Sepherim walks with her to the door of the hotel room
Zsaryna Adrelana turns and smiles at him before leaning in and quickly kissing his cheek and giggling
Sepherim smiles to her, mischeviously
Sepherim > now don't you like to break the rules...
Sepherim grins
Zsaryna Adrelana nods "you can't tell me you mind" she whispers and then turns around and sashays out into the darkness
Sepherim smiles as he sees the door close behind her
Sepherim > recording finished, encrypt, file duplicate in the usual safespots, erase from databank

Recording stopped.

Personal Diary: May 24th, year 115

Today I botched up. I misread the fitting of my ship and misused it completely in a massive battle. I'm not guilty that we lost the battle, one doesn't make such an inmense difference in such a big combat, but I didn't add as much as I could to our side. And, in the end, the Minmatarr still hold Arzad.

It's curious, so many years after the last time I fought in such a battle, the number of things you can forget. I can plex a point with my eyes shut, and explain how it works to anyone with more or less exact details (got a few things wrong but minor things). And yet, when it comes to battle, so much has gone out of my memory. I guess it's more full of details, of small things to remember, and those are the first to leave. I've re-gathered most of the details of frigate combat, and small sized engagement... but big ones, with cruisers and up, those are still away.

Guess the more reason to focus and keep working on re-learning so I can be useful.

Personal Diary: May 20th, year 115

Today we had the first of the celebrations of the 10 years of PIE, with a parade right before the Imperial Family station in Amarr Prime, and an interesting speech by Commander Mirra. It was good to do again something like that, I admit I hand't realized how much I miss some of the bond creating events the Imperial Navy had. The Praetoria is very good, but in a way, all the members are much more independent, losely connected, than the tight fist the Navy is. Not saying it's good or bad, just different, and I guess I'm too used to the old ways, even in things I don't realize.

As another note, I've been officially made Recruitment Officer. And have started to produce Navy Omens to fund my efforts in the frontlines thanks to the loyalty points. So, good news indeed.

Personal Diary: may 15th, year 115

It's not a common thing that one gets to do history, and even rarer to do so in a corporation with the long bagage of veteran and expert captains as has PIE. But I did today. I was the first pilot in PIE history to actually assist the ground troops PIE had deployed to battle in Sifilar. I killed three targets from my position in orbit, and the battle ended in a victory for the amarrian side. And here I just wanted to learn how it's done, as I had never participated in tactical bombing raids over planets before.

Besides that, my clearance as a recruitment officer inside PIE has been increased. Must be doing things right there as well.

As it stands, things are looking good. And after the past few days gone by, I have almost the whole operation to verify the data Adrelana gave me ready. I'm not sure I'm going to like what I find.

Personal Diary: May 8th, year 115

Karin Midular, ex-leader of the Minmatarr Repubic, has died after the attempt on her life in Gallente space. And with her, the last great voice for reason and peace in the cluster is gone. Emperors, megacorporation leaders... all voices looking to create a neutral ground have been destroyed, deposed, set aside. Specially elsewhere, our Empress still has shown to be willing to compromise and seek neutral grounds. But, what does one voice alone matter, if all that remains to debate with are violent and hating peoples?

Soon, they'll give the most war-favourables in the Empire the reasons they need to press for a deeper implication in the war. And with it, the Navy... and the Praetoria... will once again be thrown into the fire. Like lifes that don't matter, only the goal. Don't hold me wrong, I do favor war and I believe in the sacrifices it implies... when it is for a just cause, and with a just calling. But if it's the result of the pressure of the extremists, can it really be fair?

But, as days go by, darkness seems to fall over the whole cluster. Not 24 hours had Karin Midular been dead that the Minmatarr Republic decided to invade the Gallente Federation (their allies) in order to obtain the suppossed killer by force. They failed, but this opens a dirty and complicated wound. And if Maleatu Shakor is willing to give such an order to his Republic Navy, what wouldn't he order to do if the smallest reason was given by the Caldari State? We already know what he did as soon as he could with the Empire...

Dark times ahead. Dark indeed. And sometimes, alone in bed when my random companion is gone, I can't help but wonder if I have the strength to endure it once again. I see the Liuteneant badge on my Praetorian uniform, and love and hate it at the same time. We will be thrown in the fire, and we will have to march into it head on. No matter the cost, no matter the reasons.

Many are lighting the torches, and preparing the wood. But others will be the ones sacrificed on the galactic bonfires. And, meanwhile, the Sabik remain happily inside our borders, the Nation threatens all, the pirate alliances control large amounts of planetary systems, etc.

Dark times indeed.

Quotes

Often, Sepherim Catillah mentions quotes of his officers in command, trainers, and friends. Here is a recollection of some of them:

"Mourn the dead, but live for those alive". Templar Liuteneant Portus Vanquis, August 10th, year 104. Right after the destruction of Sepherim's wing under torture and pain by the Blood Raiders.

Ship Log: Disturbing Data

Lou's Bar, recording started
Date: May 6th, year 115
Pilots present: Zsaryna Adrelana, Sepherim
 
Sepherim is seated in one of the booths at the far end of the bar, drinking alone while looking tranquil; some soft moans can be heard from the booth by his side, but he doesn't seem to notice
Sepherim checks his datapad from time to time, and doesn't wear his usual pilot clotes but common plain ones, propper of the working classes
Zsaryna Adrelana wanders into the bar. She's dressed in dark simple dark grey trousers and a red star shirt, along with a black bomber jacket. She's carrying a pistol on her hip and her eyes scan the bar nervously for movement before she wanders over to Sepherim.
Sepherim > Honey, long time no see!
Sepherim greets her with a warm smile
Sepherim > got your treat here
Zsaryna Adrelana sits down opposite him, bowing her head politely "Ave" she says softly, tapping an order for some food onto a datapad "Indeed, it has been too long" she says with a small nervous smile
Sepherim's tone lowers as she sits down as he watches Lou start preparing Zsaryna's food
Sepherim > hope you haven't had problems finding the place, captain Adrelana?
Zsaryna Adrelana shakes her head "it was easy enough... clearing Imperial customs was... interesting but I managed it" Zsaryna smirks guiltily "do you come here often?" She asks, deciding to make small talk, if only to put her nerves at ease
Sepherim > from time to time, yes, to meet with old acquaintances or keep some of the old contacts still available
Sepherim > but not as often as I used to
Sepherim > you would surprised to know the amount of information on the Bleak Lands that can be found in places like this
Sepherim watches as Lou silently walks up to them, puts down the plates, and leaves
Zsaryna Adrelana chuckles "fair enough" she replies "I have similar bars, both back home and in my old station, for meeting people" she grins as a steaming plate of bright pink steak and chips arrives "this looks good... you can't beat steak and chips after a long journey... places like this are good, they're quiet and anonymous... you're sure you weren't followed?" Zsaryna asks quietlySepherim > yes, I'm sure, some things you just never forget
Sepherim > I take it you weren't either? Both of us meeting could place us in certain... unconfortable positions for both of us
Zsaryna Adrelana shrugs "I'm alright... none of my current work associates would give a shit about me meeting you and most of my former work colleagues... well they're either dead or irrelevant, and I have people watching the place, belive me we're good"
Sepherim nods
Sepherim > then we can proceed
Sepherim takes a sip of his drink, which looks like whiskey on the rocks
Sepherim > tell me, what have you found out?
Zsaryna Adrelana's smirk becomes faintly predatory as she pulls out a datapad "Here we go..." she says, tapping a key into the aerogel screen with one hand, impaling one chip upon a fork with the other. "you've got money here from various slavers to turn a blind eye to thier operations in the war zone... our General would take money from the slavers, in return they'd take merchandize direct from the warzone rather than restricting thier operations to the rear areas... when thier personel started getting shot up, we were sent in to make a point"
Sepherim checks on the data Zsaryna is showing him as she speaks
Sepherim > can I copy those charts?
Zsaryna Adrelana nods "Sure, go ahead" she replies as she stabs another chip with particular vehemence
Sepherim starts the data transfer from one datapad to another
Sepherim > so, we have a case of corruption, and abuse of power, within the Imperial Navy...
Sepherim > just the kind of thing that... ah, doesn't matter, better not get that ball rolling
Sepherim > I'll need the names, if I am to look into it
Sepherim > after speaking to you the other day, I started asking some questions on your squadron, but most intel seems to be tightly closed beyond my access
Zsaryna Adrelana looks up at him "You sound surprised about that" Zsaryna says, raising an eyebrow before she takes the chips to her mouth "I'm not surprised about that by the way" she licks her lips slightly "Names... General Mye, Commander Azmeyah, and a few
Sepherim > and I'll need the origins if I'm going to get a hacker to look into it, the Navy databases are just too big to just go looking
Sepherim > surprised? no, tired mostly
Sepherim > it's the kind of shit that turns the Navy into a problem, when it shouldn't be such
Zsaryna Adrelana > other people here and there... and the origin is... here" she scrolls down onto the datapad and points something out "Unfortunately it's always been a problem, especially within my unit, as special forces"
Sepherim > General Mye, Commander Azmeyah, noted. Looks at the data she points to in the datapad
Sepherim > yes, specially when it goes all the way up to a corrupt General
Zsaryna Adrelana sighs quietly "Until about six to eight months ago, I wouldn't have told you this... but since then a few rather nasty things happened to me that caused me to rethink my loyalty to my Empire"
Sepherim leans back, checking the data, as he listens
Sepherim > things?
Sepherim starts choosing options, following the money trail that Zsaryna pointed to, until he meets dead ends and blocked pathsSepherim > care to explain on those things?
Zsaryna Adrelana turns around, so her back is to him, then she pulls up the back of her shirt to show him the white scars criss crossing her back of six month old whip scars "someone else found this shit out... and general mye pinned this stuff on me"
Sepherim raises his eyes from the datapads to the scars and nods, returning his look to the numbers
Sepherim > I see
Sepherim > you took the fall, your name disgraced, and you turned into the scapegoat?
Zsaryna Adrelana nods "I was already with Stillwater by that time, so it was my word against the word of a still-serving general" Zsaryna replies
Zsaryna Adrelana > "I haven't quite been stripped of my decorations yet"
Sepherim nods
Sepherim > doesn't look good indeed, our words both matter little in the Imperial Navy now
Zsaryna Adrelana nods "I'm a pirate, even if I'm a war hero" Zsaryna grimaces quietly
Sepherim nods
Sepherim > very well, I'll run this through some of my contacts, see what I can dig up
Sepherim > I'll get back to you in a few days
Zsaryna Adrelana > "What about you... I would have thought you're a golden boy within the Imperial Navy at the moment"
Sepherim grins
Sepherim > I was, for a time, then I botched up, saw things, drank too much, became a danger to my own men
Sepherim > in time, I was invited to leave
Sepherim > and you don't say no to such invitations
Sepherim > specially when they're right
Sepherim > so no, far from being a golden boy anymore, just trying to make up for my past mistakes
Zsaryna Adrelana nods quietly "my apologies Sepherim" she bows her head respectfully "And I understand, truly... we all have our share of ghosts after all" she taps an order for a glass of whiskey onto the pad "those offers... they suck but... well I guess we just have to deal with it"
Sepherim > you don't have to be sorry, my mistakes are part of who I am as much as my successes
Sepherim > learn from them, grow, become stronger... or die
Sepherim shrugs, placing his datapad into his jacket and returning to his drink
Sepherim > question is, why did your orders make you doubt the institution, the Empire... and not the man?
Zsaryna Adrelana shrugs "Because it wouldn't surprise me that the Empire would order such things done" Zsaryna replies "even before I came under his command I was doing questionable things... also part of my officer training involved writing a paper on the use of force upon civilian targets, part of that meant going through the archives of prior black ops missions"
Sepherim nods
Sepherim > you looked into the abyss, and couldn't hold him staring back
Sepherim > something I can understand indeed
Zsaryna Adrelana shrugs "it is what it is" Zsaryna replies as her whiskey arrives, she promptly knocks it back and kills it in one "But then we're here now I guess, none of us are dead for now"

Recording stopped.

Personal Diary: May 6th, year 115

Birthdays make me grumpy. They always do. It's not a matter of getting old, just brings out the idea of doors being shut, paths that won't be taken, things missed. Another year has become solid, stagnant, and it's potential marvels are gone. And I'm still human, still the same ghost-ridden person, even if I fly a pod and just a year ago I was a monk. I'm still me.

To worsen yesterday's birthday, today is PIE's which has just reached its first decade. So birthdays, years going back and forth, and such seems to be wherever I look. I can't escape it. So, no surprise I'm grumpy today.

But a strange thing happened at the end of the day. Zsaryna Adrelana apologized for our fight a few days ago, and offered to share intel on the matter. I'll copy the logs later on. But it's strange, in a sense, we've both walked a very similair path: service to the Empire in the Navy, until we both got burned out. And yet, the outcomes are completely different: while I understand the blame is on me and my own failures, she decided the blame was not on her and her officers but with the Empire in general. Thus, my loyalty never dicreased, and hers vanished.

In a way, it's like looking to the mirror and seeing what could have happened if the choices had been different. Like a quick peek into what those closed doors of years past could have held. Disturbing, interesting, strange...

Personal Diary: May 2nd, year 115

Today we had the second flight for new PIE pilots into the Bleak Lands, but as far as the school fleet goes, it wasn't a success. Yet, Uriel Arcondus and I got together and gathered a fleet and went out fighting in the Bleak Lands, which is nice. I also did my second interview of a prospect to join PIE, we'll see how that went.

But the important thing was that I met two legends among capsuleers and PIE specifically. Cardinal Graelyn and Admiral Gaven Lok'ri joined us, and it was a pleasure and a honor to fly by their side. Brief, that must be admitted, but great. Seeing examples such as them still flying and pressing on... it's inspirational. We may be slowly pushing the Minmatarr out of the corner they put us in, but it's men like them that make all the losses not count. Soon we will recover what is owed to the Empire.

Later edit: in tonight's report, Admiral Newelle has promoted me to Liuteneant! There's much work to be done, but this is a sign that I'm on the right path. New responsabilities, new tasks, but I'll endure, for the good of the Empire and PIE, now I have to make myself worthy of this new rank!