25-09-YC122

I had my first taste of combat against the Triglavian invaders today, taking the fight to them in their own twisted realm. Unfortunately it was less successful that I would have liked, though perhaps more so than I was expecting.  Their first few vessels proved little challenge to my Punisher, Andromeda, but a Kikimora-class presented more of a challenge.  I must admit that I had not considered the dangers of being in enemy territory and I am fortunate that the signal to my clone was still functional.  The loss of the ship is disappointing, but it is a learning experience.  The rest of today will be spent recuperating; I still feel overly nauseous after clone jumping.

Felix has apparently finished setting up his planetary industrial operations and production lines are now fully functional.  Excellent news, of course, and we will soon be able to begin the next phases.  Not a moment too soon, as Sansha activity in and around Nakri appears only to be increasing.  Simply one more enemy of the Empire to deal with, and one we intend to focus on.

06-09-YC122

I thought today would be a routine patrol, if there can ever be any such thing.  I fear that with the focus so firmly upon the Triglavian invaders, many are forgetting our more familiar foes, and the madman Kuvakei's unholy abomination of a vision has never faded.  It is frightening to think that one of this maniac's so-called acclimatisation centres was hidden so skilfully in  Thebeka, and had I not investigated the signature that had been reported by local authorities who knows how long it would have remained, permitting his hideous automatons to work their evil.  I dare not dwell on the tortures endured by the poor souls who are kidnapped and taken there.  My discovery of the place was truly God's Will, and I was His Tool, bringing Divine Wrath to the enemy, and Blessed Peace to the innocent unfortunates.

I feel that I must have been guided by God and The Eternal Empress.  The Nation's forces were numerous, but they were no match for the guns of Star of Amarr, and she sustained barely a scratch.  I shall ask Father Mikhail to give her a blessing, whilst I give thanks to both God and The Eternal Empress.  I must also admit that because of the grim nature of the task, and the haunting, disturbing nature of the enemy and their activities in this human farm, I realise that there must be more of these twisted places hidden in the dark recesses of our Empire, and not necessarily so very far away.  So many enemies, so much work to do, and I never feel as though I do enough.

Not only shall I give thanks in my prayers tonight, but I also shall pray for guidance and direction.  Now that Lilya has released me from my promise and dissolved our engagement, what other direction do I have?  I may as well give my all to the war.

I have avoided any mention of Lilya and I.  Now I have made it real, though it was real enough despite my foolish attempts to hide from it.

I think I must also pray for strength tonight, for I know already what little I have will fail me.

04-08-YC122

If my various duties were not enough to contend with, now I must deal with the tabloid press!  I suppose they must exist everywhere in New Eden, like fedo.  I cannot say that I am particularly surprised that they would take up a story that involved a gunfight in Izmaylovsky Park that involved the two largest noble families in Nakri, but I wish they had not done so.  Aside from the concerns it will raise amongst the populace that the rivalry between my family and the Koval has spilt over into actual violence, those so-called journalists simply had to mention Ishta and start the rumour about her being Sasha's field wife.

I can only hope that it is dismiss as scurrilous gossip, but should it appear as though it is getting out of hand we shall have to do something.  Of course, we cannot possibly announce the truth, not yet, so I am afraid Ishta may not be any happier with any press release.

It is not a good time for Ishta.  Her insistence on my purchasing Saira has come back to haunt her.  The foolish girl was caught selling illegal substances, her motivation apparently to make enough money to pay to get herself smuggled off the station and to the supposed freedom of the Federation.  She claims she had not made a final decision on this idiotic adventure, merely wanting the option open to her.  She can remain in her room until I decide exactly how to punish her.  I think what infuriates and disappoints me more is that I was trusting her to keep the information on the viral agents being shipped to Mehatoor a secret, and Ishta had at least enough of a glimpse of the paperwork to pique her curiosity.  There was no real information, of course, nor does Saira even know what all those numbers mean, but Ishta is insightful and she is bound to come to me with questions.

Dzerzhinsky also informs me that the same tabloid publication, Krasnaya Zvezda, has printed a story about our VORONA holding and various purchases.  Fortunately, most will easily rationalise that given what this family does, but I would prefer as few eyes on us as possible.

All of our best work is done in the dark.

04-07-YC122

I did not particularly wish to mark my birthday today, but after some thought I realised that to do so would give Mama something positive to focus upon after missing Sasha's.  It was a subdued affair, of course, with my brother still not home - and Papa refused to speak at all of Alexandr's whereabouts or mission - but nonetheless it was pleasant and joyful.  Thankfully Felix is always able to bring light and joy to a situation, so it was today.  His latest ventures sound extremely interesting and as ever he has thrown himself into the study of a subject with absolute conviction and devotion.  He is already putting operations into place for the planetary holdings we were given by Lord Sarum.  I have no doubt we shall soon see most positive returns.

Now that we have secured the systems around Floseswin, I find my duties changing again; or rather, I find myself having to occupy myself with matters of a different nature.  I have, for the most part, returned primarily to supporting Imperial Navy operations.  Orda Sand almost always has some task or other he requires my services for, and I am more than happy to oblige, if only to ensure that this family's historical links to the Navy are maintained.  I cannot help but feel, however, that there is something more important and effective I could be doing.  Indeed, should be doing.  I hope that inspiration shall be granted me soon.  I think that apart from my regular prayers of thanks and humble entreaties for my brother's safety, I shall ask God and The Eternal Empress for their Divine Guidance.  Perhaps they shall find me worthy.

01-07-YC122

After our God-given Victory in Floseswin, our forces have made significant progress in the surrounding systems.  Of course, there is still much left to do, especially as we also face those inhuman invaders, the Triglavians,. but it would appear that Tribal opposition has collapsed.  As a result we are being cycled out for shore-leave, and I was given my pass yesterday.

I immediately came to see Lilya!  Oh, how I have missed her.  She has made some changes whilst I have been away, including a new starbase orbiting Nafrivik.  I shall remain with her for the duration of my leave, although I should also take the opportunity to visit home.

Dear sweet Lilya.  They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I can indeed believe it.  I did not tell her I was coming, of course, as I thought she would prefer the surprise, and I was quite correct.  I do not think I have ever seen anyone so excited, and we must have held one another in the shuttle bay for an hour before she began to show me around the new station.  It is a most beautiful facility, very tasteful in its décor and also fully practical and functional.  Not only is Lilya beautiful, but she is one of the most intelligent people I know!  I think I should enjoy visiting there when I am able.

Later, Lilya wanted to talk of our future, of marriage and children.  She is so innocent in many ways that it is quite amusing, in a sweet way, to hear her talk of children.  She becomes quite rosy in the cheeks with modesty when the subject of the mechanics of conception are mentioned.  There are so many different methods with modern medicine that we are quite spoilt for choice.  I wonder what our children would look like.  I am sure they shall be the most delightful, cherubic darlings ever to bless New Eden.  Time shall tell.  Of course, we must be married first!

It appears I have also inadvertently discovered the reason for Constantin's behaviour at the Awards Ceremony.  I knew there was something physically the matter, and I also knew he was keeping something important from me.  There are reports in the tabloid press about some sort of feud involving his family.  I am sure it is all exaggerated for the sake of sensationalist so-called news - alas if only every outlet could be as reliable as our ACN - but there is always a kernel of truth in these things, and they mention attacks and all sorts of unpleasant things that read more like some sort of gang-war from the lower levels of a station than behaviour becoming of a Noble Family.  I do so hope he has not found himself in something deadly.  Surely Ardishpur should put a stop to it.

Perhaps Ishta was right and my family ought to consider making available its services in the conflicts that occur between Holders.

28-06-YC122

I awoke this morning to the news that the Floseswin system has fallen - to Imperial forces!  I can scarcely believe it.  Our forces have fought so long and so hard, led by such brave and noble figures as Lord Newelle, that it seemed at times that Victory should never come.  I pray God and The Eternal Empress shall forgive my defeatist thoughts.  It is that Darkness, that Unclean Force, that makes me doubt so.  My part in this Victory was so very little, so insignificant, but truly I have such a magnificent example to look up to.

I do not know what Lord Sarum shall do with this Victory.  One would hope that either a significant and overwhelming strike is made against Floseswin IV itself, to drive Tribal ground forces back just as their space-borne militia has been; or if not that, then our forces that are there are withdrawn quickly and the Tribals besieged with a planetary blockade.  I know what I would do were the decision mine to make, but it is not, and I trust firmly and completely that our Commanders will make the correct strategic choices.

I wonder what will happen now.  One supposes the Tribals will marshal their forces and mount a counter-operation to regain the system.  I believe that other elements of the Crusade have made similar gains in other areas of the warzone, making the enemy's task all the more difficult.  Of course, they are tenacious and determined, and shall never simply give up.  Is it too much to hope for, however, that they may see the wisdom in requesting a truce so that all sides involved in this seemingly endless conflict can redirect their efforts against a new and insidious enemy that threatens us all?

Perhaps it is, but one can hope.

24-06-YC122

It is a sad yet true fact of military families such as ours that our loved ones are often not hear for special occasions, and so it is today.  My dear little brother is missing his birthday. I do not doubt that his team is holding their own celebration whilst they are on operations, but here everything continues just as it did yesterday and just as it shall tomorrow.  I think that Ishta finds it most strange that we do nothing in Sasha's absence, but to celebrate without him here would be the most terrible bad luck.

Poor Ishta!  As if she has not been through enough recently.  That utter fool Danylo!  I know, of all his wretched family, he is both the most vile and impetuous - who but a boy of the worst character would have done what he attempted against me so many years ago - but to think he would actually try to push our two families to war!  How he could ever think Papa would fall for such a pathetically obvious trap I shall never know.  He should count himself lucky to still be alive; Ishta is not the most forgiving of people.  Danylo will find that neither am I.  I shall allow this one to be forgotten for now, but I shall not forget it.  I shall remember this insult and assault on our family and, when the proper moment arrives, we shall have our revenge.

The Tribals have launched further ground offensives on Floseswin IV.  It seems that no matter how hard our forces in the system push to control the system as a whole - admirably led as they are by Aldrith and others - the enemy forces on the planet itself constantly threaten to overwhelm Imperial troops.  I must admit that I hardly feel it is worth the effort!  I know I should not use such defeatist language, but what will this backwater rock actually bring us?  And at what cost?  Does it have such strategic value that the loss of materiel, time, and effort, not to mention lives, will actually be an acceptable balance to pay?  Aldrith seems obsessed by it, and I fear his true talents are also being wasted.  Yet, as long as Lord Sarum commands us to fight, fight we must.

I do wonder, however, if there is a quicker way to Victory.