Archive for the 'guilds' Category
MNETA recently had our Life Day party. Everyone managed to find gifts under the 1000 credit limit and they were anonymously distributed among all our guests. I also put together some gift bags for everyone with some decorative and useful items including a festive Life Day hat.
After the gifts were all handed out we enjoyed some drinks and music over at the Regal Beagle. Oceat did a wonderful job decorating just for the occasion. It was a lovely party and it seems everyone enjoyed themselves… some perhaps a bit too much….
But just as the festivities geared up, a frantic call from Doaba Guerfel came in on my comlink. The gifts collected for the less fortunate had been hijacked by a band of thugs! It didn’t take the Brigade very long at all to mobilize, track them down and recover the stolen presents, still wrapped and ready for distribution.
Happy Life Day!
Last night’s monthly guild meeting went well. We had a good crowd attend and I was able to cover everything on the agenda efficiently.
Most of MNETA’s projects are going very well. I’m continually impressed with how so many of our members are willing to put so much of their time, efforts and resources toward advancing our group’s goals and aspirations.
Perfect examples of this dedication are long time guild members, Ineoch and Veeta. Each of them recently took the initiative, offered their time and resources and have breathed new life into multiple guild projects that benefit all our members.
I’m still amazed and so grateful that I have the privilege of serving this extraordinary group of people. As we head into the Life Day season, I hope to find ways to express to them how much they each mean to me.
With citizens scattered throughout the galaxy, only three were able to join me in city hall for the emergency meeting. As it turns out, it was the three I most needed to speak with.
Ioh was there, of course. I’d asked him to come early so I could speak with him in private. I felt it was only fair to warn him ahead of time of my plan to suggest that a possible solution to bring peace back to Moneta was to move Iohimais out of town and into hiding.
When the other two citizens arrived, I should have known right then that peace wasn’t in the cards. Colonel Caeon and one of his sharp new recruits went out and surveyed the situation. He agreed the situation was indeed, quite grave. But he remained remarkably calm and asked if any demands had been made yet.
In my panicked state of mind, the thought hadn’t even occurred to me.
He bravely offered to go and open a dialog to find out what it was they wanted even as he calculated what more we’d need to win a war and how long it would take us. Listening to him move smoothly through the various scenarios without so much as a tremor of fear in his voice, it suddenly occurred to me that this is exactly why I’d hired this man for the job.
He ended his list of possible outcomes with the worst case scenario - certain death for us all. But somehow he managed to deliver it with a chuckle and a smile that made even that seem like it wasn’t so bad.
When I first took this leadership position, I made it clear to everyone with me that day that although I had aptitude for certain parts of the job, it was only with a capable team at my side that I could succeed. Many times since, I’ve reminded myself and others of this irrefutable fact. Yet somehow hundreds and hundreds of battle droids caused me to panic and feel all alone in this mess…. when all the while a team of outstanding individuals stood waiting to do what they do best.
It seems a need for increased security has accompanied our recent increase in size. Gone are the days of a safe, quaint little village.
Colonel Daenyathos Caeon is overseeing the initiation of a local security force called the 1st MNETA Brigade. His resume is impeccable, his knowledge and skill in the field impressive. I trust him implicitly to have a well trained militia up and running in no time.
Which is good, because it seems that thanks to Iohimais, we’ll need them sooner rather than later.
When I spoke with Iohimais last week about the small army camping out around his bunker, I gave him a week to clear up the problem and bring Moneta back to being a place where we could walk around without fear.
A few days ago, I rode into town and was shocked to find they’d all gone. I breathed a sigh of relief and went about my business, thankful that the situation had been resolved.
Or had it?
Today I was working overtime on a new uniform in my office in Moneta. I’d been at it for hours and when I began mixing up various shades of brown I was working with, I decided a quick nap would help clear my head. I laid on the couch and closed my eyes.
A while later I woke to a crashing sound. Still dressed in mixed up sample pieces of the project I’d been working on, I ventured to the entrance of city hall. Parts of an aircraft lay burning near the town square and several familiar looking gunmen were scattered about.
I quickly ducked back into my office and sent out a distress message on the guild channel. It wasn’t long before a parade of armed citizens secretly joined me in city hall to try to piece together what had happened.
No one knew exactly what was going on. One citizen noted he’d seen a Skull Squad ship firing at an unknown vessel near the Corellian space station. It came as no surprise that the person doing the firing was none other than our dear Iohimais.
My foremost concern is always Moneta’s citizens so after unsuccessful attempts at hailing Ioh, we quietly left the strangers scavenging their wreckage in Moneta and went to the starport to launch a search party.
Once in the air, we successfully tracked him down in another system. He explained he’d stumbled across a theft in progress in Moneta, taken down the shuttle they were using to transport the goods they’d stolen and then chased the escort ships.
With the citizens accounted for, the next task was to secure Moneta. I’d only gotten a brief look at the group we’d left with their broken shuttle in the middle of town, but I was fairly certain we were going to be outnumbered. But given the circumstances, negotiations for a peaceful end seemed as much like a suicide mission as simply going in with guns drawn.
We gathered outside of town and laid out a plan of attack. It was executed well and our citizens managed to rid the town of the intruders with only a few minor injuries.
Scattered among them we found several crates of weapons and equipment from Av’ar’s munitions shop. There’s still some disagreement about who these thieves were but I have theories of my own. See, that small army that camped outside of Ioh’s place had a clear view of Av’ar’s workshop…. and nothing better to do for days on end than to observe our citizens as they went about their work.
Though Ioh always presents it to me as no big deal, speaking to other citizens I’ve discovered that Czerka employees have set up in his bunker against his wishes. It seems the situation has not been resolved as I’d hoped.
As much as it pains me to have to, I’ve enlisted the help of Colonel Daenyathos Caeon to train a number of volunteers to help form a security force for Moneta. They will be known as the 1st MNETA Brigade.
I remain hopeful that the streets of Moneta will one day be safe and secure again. In the meantime, I’m encouraging all her citizens to go about their business with the upmost caution.
This is a picture of a few of the members of the Skull Squad. You wouldn’t believe how difficult it is to get the whole group together for a photo. There are some members who I go weeks without seeing because they spend so much time in the air.
I’m terribly proud of these talented, hard working pilots. I was honored to attend an inter-guild meeting with these sharp looking Skull Squad representatives at my side. The squad has flourished under Admiral LongJie’s direction (on the left in the front row). He very wisely appointed Maisioh as his XO (seated next to the Admiral). Both have worked tirelessly at training and supplying the pilots under their command.
Skull Squad. Just one of many reasons I’ve got the best job in the world. 
My devotion to the members of the Moneta Community Network is unwavering. Like many of our members, I spend a good portion of my time and energy working toward making things better for everyone. Overall, I enjoy my role and don’t mind the work required to get the job done.
Much of what I do everyday goes unseen by most of the members. I maintain the roster, send out emails, get information to new members, work out problems behind the scenes, strategize ways to improve the way we run things, regularly check in with key members to provide support and run errands to get folks what they need, etc.
Yet there are times when it just doesn’t seem like enough. In addition to my other responsibilities, I am our guild’s only tailor. I’m also the only one who does any sort of cooking. It’s in these areas that I most often feel like I’m really rather useless.
Sure, I provide uniforms for the squad and offer free wardrobe consultations to all the guild members…. but I remain entirely useless at providing enhanced clothing with could significantly help folks out.
I make sure that everyone has access to munchies and crunchies…. but while being very tasty, I’m afraid the nutritional value of my food leaves much to be desired.
I know there must be those out there who think that I could do either or both if only I’d put the effort in. And they would be right. But the truth is that I sometimes struggle to keep on top of everything that’s already on my plate. Beyond just the time and energy it would require, I must admit that neither enhanced clothing or quality food really move me. Just the thought of having to attend culinary classes or spend countless hours fiddling with my reverse engineering tool is enough to make me want to pack my bags and disappear.
So it seems that despite my occasional bouts with guilt, I shall remain the useless tailor, providing mediocre goods to these extraordinary people. And hoping they’ll forgive my ignorance.
I’ve avoided writing much more than just the facts lately. The emotions I’ve been feeling aren’t anything most folks want or need to hear. If you’re looking for happy sunshine, go read something else because you won’t find it here.
Not even my closest friends know the full extent of my discontent. I’ve discussed a little bit here and there with some but I stop short of revealing myself fully to any one person. I’m worried that sharing too much will somehow deminish their respect for me. It’s probably true that spilling all this is a bad idea, but I’ve found it impossible to move on without an outlet to express it.
I suppose things started going downhill when I took the position as CEO of CU. I tried to squeeze myself into the role and my efforts brought me little else but grief. As the stress mounted in those final weeks, I spent sleepless nights contemplating what had gone wrong and how I could fix it. I let my judgment be clouded by how I felt. I was betrayed by my emotions.
The experience has taught me much about myself. I value people above policies. I value friends above subordinates. I value community above corporations. Is any of this wrong? No, I don’t think so. But it means that I’ll never make an effective CEO of a cutthroat corporation. And you know what? I’m good with that.
My failure as a CEO was a small matter compared to what was happening in my personal life at that same time. I had poured my heart and soul into what was one of the closest friendships I’ve experienced in this galaxy. During this same time, that too fell apart. I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve walked away from the ruins of that relationship deeply wounded. I so rarely let people get so close. In some ways I wish I hadn’t opened myself up in the first place.
I know that my friends are well meaning when they encourage me to simply move on. I don’t have the guts to tell any of them that it’s just not that easy. I find myself second guessing everything I do.
The words this friend said to me in anger echo in my ears with every step I take. I thought I was respected and appreciated for who I was. I felt there was a genuine bond of friendship. I’ve been crushed by the realization that this was not the case.
Not a day goes by when I don’t feel the heartbreak. Right now I know I have so much to celebrate. So many blessings. I’m part of an incredible community of talented and interesting people. They are nice folks, all of them.
But this wound is still open and I find myself unable to let down my defenses for fear it could happen again. In time that will change. I’m hoping that writing this is a step in the right direction.
My position in the Commerce Union turned out to be more than I could handle while also trying to keep up with my business and friends. As much as I would have liked to see the project through, I’ve found it necessary to step down as the CEO. I’m relieved to leave the job to those more qualified.
Instead I’m focusing my time and attention on matters closer to home. Moneta is a thriving community. The Regal Beagle regularly sees customers anxious to enjoy the entertainment. We have all types of craftsmen creating everything from the finest armor and weapons to the fastest ships in the galaxy. Moneta has a high concentration of master pilots and some of the nicest folks you’ll ever meet.
We’ve formed the Moneta Community Network (MNETA) in order to coordinate our efforts to bring prosperity to our community. I’m excited about all the projects we’ve got coming up.
But first I’m going to take a much needed break. If you need me, I’ll be fishing on Endor.
I’ve always been careful about the responsibilities and obligations I put on my plate. It’s not that I consider myself a weak person, but everyone has a breaking point and I aim to make sure I never get to mine.
I suppose you could attribute my whole life here to my tendency to avoid too much responsibility. It’s a wonderfully romantic story about how I ran off with Bermuda. But the truth is, as much as I was leaving to be with him, I was also running away from my life at home.
As an only child, the pressure to fulfill my parent’s dreams and expectations always weighed heavily on me. My mother never missed an opportunity to make her feelings known about what she thought an ideal life should look like. She openly criticized the young women who left our small town, unmarried, looking for a different life.
I sometimes wonder if I’d ever have mustered the courage to leave on my own had Bermuda never landed in my life the way he did. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that the answer is, mostly likely, no.
Part of what may have attracted me to Bermuda in the first place is that he put no responsibilities on me. He was used to taking care of himself. Even when we married, he didn’t expect me to play the part of the housewife waiting to serve him, to take care of him.
The freedom I enjoyed in my marriage and in owning my own business came to an abrupt halt with the unexpected arrival of Bermuda Jr. I hadn’t planned to have children - ever. That’s not to say I don’t love BJ… just that I didn’t expect him. I’m proud to be his mother ….but make no mistake, I’m glad that he’s moved from childhood to manhood.
More recently, I’ve found myself bound to another child of sorts. The Commerce Union is young and is still developing. I’m happy with how things have gone so far but I can’t say that there hasn’t been a lot of work and stress involved at times.
I am most fortunate that fate has brought such good people to CU. Without them, it would be much more difficult to fulfill my obligations.
