The Tiacken Tribune

Arisen vs. The Soul Reapers (Bryan - Tribune Investigatory Reporter)

Very few players have the gall to bounty an entire alliance. Arisen has done just that. Soul Reaper’s response has been delayed. Like any good leader, Cereal Killer had offered negotiations to try to work out some kind of compromise, and to no avail. Arisen wasn’t interested. She has only one goal, and that is the complete and total disassembly of one the most notable bounty hunter alliances in the Pardus universe.

Arisen has already made it clear her personality is black and white when it comes to SR. She has placed kill bounties on all 36 members, and as an added bonus a building bounty for each one of the pilots. “When a bounty is collected it shall be immediately replaced,” She was quoted as saying. “ I will not stop until they are no more, 36 kill bounties and now 36 destroy bounties are instruments to pursue one ultimate goal - destroying, dissolving, removing SR as an alliance from Pardus galaxy. – First causality: Shini caught Raging Rodent. “Two of which were faction bounties”,- Shini

Why? The reasons as this reporter has learned are quite complicated. Arisen claims herself as a Pirate. The Soul Reapers are cleansers of Souls. To sum it up, the formula fundamentally yields the cliché of oil and water. “Cereal Killer and I share a history that goes beyond my current tour of duty from before I decided to retire and go planet side, although I’m a Pardus Pirate. And if somebody or you, my dear interlocutor, will be someday raided or telerobbed by me, please, understand - this is what we (pirates) do. Things must stay in balance - pirates must exist, it’s just impossible for them to NOT exist, and there is no reason to hate pirates… yes you can bounty us, or hunt. But don’t hate. We are friendly and if you’ll give us some credits, we won’t harm you, yet the Soul Reapers need not apply for my expectation.”

The situation has already spiraled out of control, and while I have tried to pull a true reason for this current conflict it has become a he said, she said war of words with each side claiming they were bountied for no reason. Using GNN threads I found a quick time line of reference for the reader to make their own decision. Arisen has destroyed her own building. Cereal Killer placed a bounty of 25,000 credits on Arisen’s head. Arisen has been kicked out of the alliance Lone Wolf. Arisen placed a bounty of 25,000 credits on Cereal Killer’s head. Arisen placed a bounty of 25,000 credits on Aykeem’s head, and etc making a grand total of 72 bounties or approximately 1,800,000crds devoted, so far.

Now comes the final question, “How will this effect the abilities of the Soul Reapers to continue doing their job?” Cereal Kill was adamant, “ This won’t effect us, at least not me I will still continue doing what we have always done, reap souls, while we are concerned with other affairs at the moment, soon will come Arisen’s turn. Over and over again.”

So, in the spirit of he said she said, here are 10 reasons you might place a bounty.

1. Being Random, that Venom didn’t do any thing to you…bounty his ass anyway! Death to the infidel!
2. Hey, that guy’s in a Harrier, isn’t that reason enough?
3. Pissy Elite Pilots think they are all that… Why not show them you’re pissy too.
4. FTS? Why not? (Just kidding Welt, We love you!)
5. Seems a Fed just entered Empire space – SPY!
6. That Sabre just cleaned the wormhole, and you lost out on a mission.
7. This sector is a no parking zone!
8. Hell, doesn’t Gelt need another one anyway? Think of him as a savings account.
9. That person is awful nice to you, bounty them just in case they have something up their sleeve.
10. Just because you can! You’re a mean SOB.

PLEASE BOUNTY WITH CARE!

The Crusaders (Spider Jerusalem - Tribune Staff Writer)

I remembered Editor-in-chief Eldritch’s transmission clearly;“ I need you to inspect the rumours around the so-called crusades flaring up again by interviewing Aragorn Leonhard; you used to be one of them, right? Take some days off and have a chat with your old friends!“ If only. What was supposed to be a simple interview turned out to be one of the most challenging tracking jobs in my career; Grefaho, Diphda, Delta Pavonis, Empire Pardus Contigent, Ska,Rashkan Cluster, the Human Core… This character didn’t seem to reside anywhere for more than a day! His movements seemed completely erratic, his strikes knew no difference of faction, alliance or jurisdiction… In the end, I only found him thanks to journalistic intuition and knowledge of his habits… On the anniversary of the ascension of the Enlightened of Krakilin, I found myself approaching the dilapidated ruins of a small monastery on Sodaack; funny, I knew this place had only been abandoned for a year or so, but it looked as if centuries had passed. There had evidently been a fire there at one point, and some local wag had even went though the trouble of climbing up a structurally very unsound wall to scrawl „St. Hyuga’s Cathedral“ over the entrance arch. It was in the old meditation hall that I finally found my subject matter, kneeling by candlelight in front of a large, crumbling statue of the Goddess Krakilin; he started when I entered, but as soon as he saw my familiar sihouette, he let go of his impulse rifle, finished his prayers, stood up and turned to greet me. „Well met, Count Leonhard.“ „And to you, Lt. Comm. Jerusalem. How’s life serving the rebel military?“, he added with a sneer. I chuckled; „Quite dirty; but somebody’s got to do it. And yourself?“ „Aragorn is not nearly as dirty, but the latter could well be said.“
He was much as I remembered him, albeit with some differences: his face was slightly more haggard, and his eyes demonstrated a certain emotionlessness that seemed quite eerie for us normally quite temperamental Rashkiri. The rags he wore, that had probably once been rather posh nobleman’s attire, were even more patched and worn; on his left hip, he wore his usual Longsword, which at a glance had seen more than ist share of action; on his right, more pragmatically, a high Mw particle pistol. He had done away with his mask of the Enlightened, but still wore the obligatory hooded cloak of an initiate of the Circle; it was held together by a battered but carefully polished imperial insignia clasp.
„You do realize,“ I said, „that you will get no preferential treatment on account of our previous association?“ He just laughed: „Come now, Brother Spider, you know just as well as I do that the struggle does not need to be talked up or propagandized; it speaks for itself, and to the base decency of any righteous being.“ „Well. Let’s get started then, shall we?“

TT: So, Count Leonhard, what have you been up to since the Circle disappeared?

AL: The end of the Circle was a big shock for most of its members. Aragorn himself was striding through the galaxy without a purpose, without a meaning. After a while he got contacted by the alliance Serio Beneficium, which also two other former brothers had already joined. Serio seemed to have similar goals as the Circle. Aragorn joined Serio as well and had a very successful time in this alliance. Together with Inquisitor Cashkar, Aragorn was responsible for the Slave Trader hunting part of this alliance. Aragorn left Serio after a while however and has some new plans now…

Aragorn has grown a lot since Hyuga died. And because nobody came after his departure to continue his crusade, Aragorn has tried to walk into his footsteps and lead the crusade for freedom. However, Aragorn and the crusade had to suffer some serious blowbacks as we have to admit…all of the old enlightened ones for example have decided to more or less leave the crusade and are part of alliances now that rely heavily on drug use and slave trading. (brief glare) Aragorn cannot understand this and is very disappointed. He really hopes that Hyuga does not have to watch this from wherever he is now. It is a slap in the face for our honour and slave traders are laughing about us because of this.

But there are also many positive signs: many of the newer Circle initiates are still full of dedication and willingness. And there is also The Resistance whose members are still young, but honest and faithful.

TT: What was your relationship with Hyuga?

AL: Hyuga was the one who inspired Aragorn to dedicate his life to the fight for freedom. Hyuga was the Circle. Without him, it is much harder but we must not give up anyway.

TT: And the Resistance, the newest Gang of do-gooders?

AL: Aragorn has a very good relationship with The Resistance. Aragorn has the same goals as The Resistance, even if our ways may be slightly different. They have a good leader and as Aragorn already said are still at the beginning but they are very promising. They also supported us already in one or two attacks and did very well.

TT: What are your goals for the future? And more importantly, now that a new generation of Crusaders are coming of age, how do envision the future of the struggle?

AL: Aragorn wants to unite the crusaders. There are many people who are willing to directly or indirectly support our mission. Everybody is welcome to contact Aragorn and offer his or her support.

Our goals are clearly defined: we want to free the galaxy of a disease called slavery. People are not aware what they are doing when they use drugs. They are supporting the torturing and enslavement of other living beings.

We are aware of the fact that we crusaders are, compared to the number of slave traders, ridiculously few. Aragorn knows that people think that he is a maniac when he says that he wishes to end slavery.

The new crusaders are very promising. Aragorn is in contact with very dedicated and honourable fighters. Together with them, everything is possible.
Aragorn is optimistic that one day justice will prevail.

TT:In your opinion, what are the greatest threats to the liberty of beings?

AL: Well, practically observed this is easy to answer: slave traders and drug production.

More philosophically seen it is the greed of us living beings to become richer, stronger and more powerful, to be able to have control over other living beings. There is more than enough food and resources for everybody in this universe. But some people just want to have more than others. Much more. Aragorn wonders what they do with all that money when they know that at the same time people are dying and suffering for their 15th palace and 23rd spaceship…

TT: A while ago, you challenged the now retired Amai y hassa to a duel; do the crusaders fight piracy as well?

AL: The case you are mentioning was an imperial matter. Aragorn is Imperial by heart and is always willing to stand up for the Empire. This pirate was harming and insulting the Empire. That is, why Aragorn challenged him.

TT: Some say that you are no match for the late Master Hyuga’s fighting prowess. Do you believe you have the strength to reach your goals?

AL: Yes. It will take its time but in the end justice will win. Aragorn hopes that many others will join the crusade for freedom. Those that are most noble and honest at heart will see that what we are doing is something that has do be done, otherwise this galaxy will never be a free place for everyone.

TT: What say you to allegations that your talking in the third person is a sign of insanity, thus proving that all crusaders are insane zealots?

AL: Aragorn does not understand why people think that he is insane because of the way he speaks. Furthermore, Aragorn thinks that THEY are insane because they are enslaving living beings.
This is the way Aragorn speaks. If people want to make fun about it Aragorn does not care. If you take a look who are the persons that make fun of that you will see that those people are not worthy to be taken serious.

TTL Do you have any words for your brothers that have abandoned the struggle?

(Pause) Aragorn hopes, that one night, they will wake up and be able to see clear again. Their minds have been polluted by the evils of sentientkind. Aragorn would have never thought that this could happen but he has not lost faith that one day he will fight side by side with them again. Right now, though, watching them is really disappointing. (glare)

TT: And finally, do you have any words for your many enemies?

AL: You have to accept that what you are doing is wrong and evil. Abandon your evil doings or you will be punished for your sins.

“Well, that’s it then,” I said. Count Leonhard bowed courteously: “Thank you Spider Jerusalem for taking your time and for your interesting questions. Aragorn hopes to see you again, maybe even on the battlefield.” “On the same side?” I answered shrewdly. He smiled for the first time; “On the same side, hopefully.”

Before I left, I lit a candle and spilled some wine at the foot of the statue, for old time’s sake. I then gave a silent salute to the departed warriors whose names were engraved in the pedestal: Ash Ingraham, Elly van Houten, Master Hyuga del Piero and young Bartholomew Santiago; further down, Thomas von Mistont, Marcus von Weylant, Floater Medic, and many others of the honourable Pardusian Inquisition. The galaxy may have a short memory, and a small monastery on Sodaack is left lost in the sands of time, but at least one person won’t forget your names and deeds. En perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale.

Announcements

Missing!
Marquis (soon to be Duke) Shini is looking for his lost son, Mini Shini. Will pay credits for credible infos that may lead to the finding of Mini Shini.

Marquis Shini also pleads to Mini Shini to return home before it’s too late, as Marquis Shini is sick and can no longer throw a human across the room with a sweep of his tail. Please come home before it’s too late!