30-10-YC121

As detestable as many of Nauplius'  actions are, certain of his words I find undeniable.  There is quite clear something dishearteningly corrupt within our Beloved Empire.  By all accounts our efforts within the warzone to bring God's Light to the heathens do not proceed as well as one would wish, for many of the supposed Subject of Her Imperial Majesty would rather bicker and squabble amongst themselves rather than focus their energies on defeating the Tribals, who in their turn seem all too able to work in some sort of functioning joint organisation.  Neither does it help our cause that those who once would have seemed our closest allies apparently refuse to fight altogether.  I cannot admit to having an surprise at that, of course.  Whatever vile witchcraft their so-called diplomat has wrought has spread the poison of cowardly pacifism almost throughout the entirety of their organisation.

All this does, of course, is prove that we, the Truly Loyal Amarr, are indeed God's Chosen!  For why else would so many stand against us, attempt to thwart our undeniable Destiny?  Is it not so that throughout history the People of God have been vilified, reviled, attacked, and cursed by those who are not Chosen, by the Outcasts, by the fawning followers of the Deceiver?  We know our Cause is Righteous, we shall weather all of these storms, and God shall grant us the Ultimate Victory.

So must it be that where conventional warfare will not bring us Victory, we must turn to conflict of an unconventional nature.  The first stage of Operation Afterlight has been a success, at least insofar as putting into place the necessary contingencies.  I would like to extend it, perhaps into those sections of the warzone where we currently hold control.  Let the Tribals come then, and see what awaits them unseen in the shadows.  Those animals speak of vengeance, of visiting blood and fire upon Innocent Believers.  They shall come to know what true Vengeance is.

Similarly, the first action of Blackout was a success, and the Assets acquired, whilst small, shall undoubtedly be of help to the war-effort of our Motherland.  At the very least, it damages the efforts of our enemy by denying them those very same assets.  However, the nature of the conflict has changed surprisingly rapidly due to the difficulties presented by malingerers and traitors within that the nature of Blackout itself should perhaps change also.  Rather than Asset Acquisition, we should consider Asset Denial.  Certainly the 601st has the skills, as do the other Forces of Special Purpose. Spetsialnovo Naznacheniya!  Such a much more beautiful sound to it in our native Nakri tongue.  Yet this cannot be our only weapon in the fight.  Ships, lasers, missiles, ground forces.  All of these are very well and good, but there is another front that seems so often over-looked.  The Tribals in their foolish, undeveloped minds think they have the moral high-ground, that they win the battleground of people's thoughts and opinions as much as they win, through sheer luck, in the conflicts fought on- and off-world.  This is something that most assuredly needs to change, yet ignorance and delusion lie across the whole of New Eden like a choking fog.  The unthinking denizens of the Republic and the Federation, and even those in neutral and lawless territories soak up the propaganda and lies of the Tribals as though it were some nourishing gruel thrown to them by their betters.

Perhaps they need some additives to their diets.  This is the key, I think.  They should not simply feed on Information, they should feast on Misinformation, gorge on Disinformation.

Dezinformatsiya!  Is every word more beautiful in Nakri?

20-10-YC121

LUMEN recently undertook an Operation against one of Nauplius' stations.  Lilya has some prisoners from it, which may very well lead to some valuable Intelligence.  Papa would be most impressed, I think, and Lilya would, with the right training, make a quite effective Intelligence Officer, I believe.  She observes far more than she realises, and needs only to be taught to recognised the value of what she observes.

What is rather concerning, however, is that Nauplius apparently had some support from Blood Raider heretics.  Indeed, some of the prisoners Lilya has here on Dawn Star are from that twisted cult.  I understood Nauplius to have had unpleasant past associations, of course, but had, perhaps rather naïvely, hoped he had since given them up.  It sabotages my own plans somewhat if this is not the case.  However, we shall see.

I have had some very encouraging news from Paladin Commander Xideinis.  I petitioned the good Paladin-Commander to allow me to undertake the Pilgrimage required for advancement within the Praetorians, and he has, in his kind generosity, given me permission to do so.  I am permitted to begin whenever I feel ready, but I do not intend to leave it too soon lest events within the Empire overtake me and my duties lead me to have no time.  The Pilgrimage involves visiting a number of sites sacred and important to our Beloved Empire, and in so doing reaching closer both to God and the Spirit of our Divine Motherland.  I can feel myself uplifted already with just merest thought of being humbled and awed by being in such proximity to the most Beautiful and Revered places in Amarr.

I spoke to Lilya of it, and she was as excited as I, even asking if she would be able to accompany me.  A part of me would dearly love that, though I must ask the Paladin-Commander if such a thing is permitted to a non-Praetorian (oh, how I am beginning to wish Lilya would leave LUMEN and come to us), and yet another part of me wishes to do it alone.  Having Lilya with me could bring something even more beautiful to the experience, yet I fear it may also distract me from the solemnity of the occassion, for how could one be solemn with such dear love so close by?  My whole focus must be on the Spirituality of the Pilgrimage, and I know I am quite weak in the presence of Dear, Sweet Lilya.  I think, also, that an undertake of such importance and magnitude shall perhaps change me, undoubtedly for the better, and I would like for Lilya to see the difference when I return, for it may happen in so subtle a way, as the Power of God oft-times does, that if she were to be there as it happens, she may not really notice it at all.

I also feel that it shall give me time to think on her proposal.

30-09-YC121

It seems that not even our own celebrations are safe havens for me now, although I suppose it is only natural we should invite our allies along to a celebration of Her Imperial Majesty's Jubilee.  It seems that some of the Admirals - Paladin-Commanders they are titled now - share my own suspicions over some of those allies, which is reassuring, though it was, as always, nevertheless painful to see the Archbishop and his painted whore dancing about as though they we the centre of attention.  Such bare-faced arrogance from them.  It also appeared that she had made some sort of reconciliation with Ms Phyre, so I am unlikely to find any support there.

It all makes me rather miss Commander Adams when he is not around.  Boorish as his manners can be, he does rather make me smile despite myself.

The situation was not helped by the fact that there was still some tension between Lilya and I.  In the end, finding a quiet moment and a secluded spot, I simply confessed my thoughts and feelings, my fears and worries, though now it seems all a muddle in my mind, as it often does when my emotions get the better of me.  We left the party and went home together.  I think perhaps now we have been truthful with one another, things shall be better between us.

Ishta looked delightful in the dress Mama had given her.  I know she would deny it, of course, but she looked quite the natural.  Indeed, after Lilya, Ishta was the most beautiful woman there.  Poor Sasha, missing such a sight.  How sorrowful it is that our duties must forever obstruct our enjoyment.

Writing of duties, there shall be some changes for all of us following Her Imperial Majesty's Decree of Pax e Kilizhi Do.  It must be a a great concern to Lord and Lady Newelle that Aridia now comes firmly under the auspices of the Khanid, given the disagreement they have had with Sa-Baron Chakaid.  I have no doubt, of course, they are making some contingency plans.  For Sarum, however, the allocation of The Bleak Lands to the new Sarum Military Circuit will, I expect, mean I, and perhaps my whole family, shall be more focused in that Region.  I should not be displeased if it does, for this strange ennui that seems to have overcome me desperately needs dispelling through some sort of action.  I can barely summon the motivation to write this diary.  I cannot even begin to fathom what it is that troubles me so, and drains my energy.  I can only hope it passes soon, or else I fear I shall not be able to bear it for long.  Listlessness and boredom has never brought me any good.