Last Wednesday, the GTA arrested Sven Kiore, a local man they're accusing of stowing away aboard an Alliance transport. Kiore, a former ore processor technician, lost his job in a Hammer of Light attack, and was subsequently found medically unfit for extravehicular activity. His stated intent was to reach the Alliance core systems, where advanced medical care that would allow him to return to his chosen profession is available. In a prepared statement, GTA spokesperson Marya Wutheren had this to say: "While the Alliance is sympathetic to Mr. Kiore's situation, it does not change the legal reality. Working with smugglers to illegally board a Navy ship is a serious offense, no matter how sympathetic one's reasons may be. The GTA reminds all of Antares' citizens to maintain their personal and moral integrity, even in hard times."

Whilst Kiore's actions were illegal, how can the GTA instruct us to put integrity above survival when they severed the jump node to Sol? They separated us from humanity's home, all in the name of defeating the Shivans! What it sounds like the GTA really wants is to keep us from taking matters into our own hands.

The pirates and smugglers that we hear of all too often do not represent us Antarians. Instead, let us look at our own security forces. Ever since the incident at Hillross Station, enthusiasm has spread like wildfire among local recruits. Attacks by pirates and even the Hammer of Light continue to rise, but tales of zealous and rapid defence by our fellow citizens have risen in response. Riyenne Tevut, a pilot for the well-known Antarian security contractor Megalith, urged her friends and fellow citizens to keep it up: "Our enemies are strong and they've been at it for longer than we have, but that hasn't stopped us giving a good accounting of ourselves. Fighting for our rights and our lives is always better than giving in, so let's be about it."

I've been reading about nebulae recently. The nebular dust blocks out light, bringing darkness even in the deep of space. Yet in the darkest heart of the darkest nebula, new stars are born, and they swallow up the dust and use it to fuel their shining light. People like Tevut, Zhou, and the medics of the Navigational Aid Society have shown us embers of hope rising between the ashes. It now falls to us to sustain them.

By: Kalev Ehin
Date: 10/13/2336
kalev.ehin@gulnaranet.gta
