Archive for the 'Moneta' Category
I’d grown accustomed to the group of emails that I recieve from the planetary authorities each week. They acknowledge we’ve paid our bills and they tell us that although we’ve qualified for an increase in rank, our request to become a township has been denied due to planetary overcrowding.
So imagine my surprise when I opened the mail to find the planetary authorities have granted Moneta the rank of township!!!
Thrilled just doesn’t do justice to how glad I am for this stroke of luck! With the increase in our city limits and new civic structures to place, we immediately got to work moving buildings to maximize the effectiveness of our space. We created a commerical district at the center of town for our shop owners, added buildings for guild use, added a cloning center (affectionately refered to as ‘The Recylcer’) and added a junk terminal to our banking center.
The changes are still in progress and it will likely take us several months to complete construction but I think the end result will be worth the effort.
I want to thank all Moneta’s citizens for their efforts and contributions toward making Moneta the finest township on Corellia.
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.
There are days when being Mayor isn’t much fun. Today is one of those days.
I rode into Moneta earlier today, stopped off at the bank, picked up some things in the office and then casually decided to visit Iohimais over in his shop.
Iohimais is the chief engineer of Skull Squad, a devoted citizen and a good friend. He spends long hours crafting some of the finest ship parts in the galaxy right in Moneta. I often drop in to visit and chat for a bit.
But today, as I rounded the top of the hill and his bunker came into view, I froze in my tracks. Droids with guns surrounded the place!
For a split second I feared the worst…. then I spotted Ioh standing across the way. No one was shooting so I quickly called him to my office to discuss the situation.
In typical Iohmais fashion, he didn’t have much to say. The droids apparently belong to some gentleman Ioh is doing business with these days. I expressed my concern about having armed droids parading about the city and gave him a week to let his business associate know that such things will not be tolerated in Moneta.
He then told me he didn’t know exactly who the gentleman was. What?!
Yes, Iohimais is the only guy I know who could get himself in this kind of situation. Don’t get me wrong. I love Ioh. He’s a good friend and I’m very concerned about whatever trouble he may or may not have stepped into here….
But as the mayor of Moneta, my responsibility is to make sure our village stays the safe, friendly place it’s always been. I hope for both our sakes that he hasn’t gotten himself into serious trouble here…
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.
The life day season is here!
I love this time of year. I love the music, the decorations and the festive spirit of the holiday. And, of course, the gifts!
As hard as it is to believe now, I went many years without close friends in this galaxy. In years past I’d stand near the Life Day tree and wait for a stranger to happen by so I could exchange gifts with someone.
This year, I find myself surrounded by good friends. So I organized the first annual CU Life Day Gift Exchange. We each brought gifts and exchanged them anonymously. The gift giving was followed up with drinks and snacks in the cantina. Everyone seemed to have a good time…. but I doubt anyone enjoyed it as much as I did. 
Bermuda made a brief appearance the other day. I knew he wasn’t staying long but just the thought of getting to spend time with him, even if it’s only a short while, is enough to make me jump for joy. Of course, I try my best to retain my composure. 
Each time he comes back around it feels like my worlds collide. The life I live when he’s not around is so far from who I was and what I did when we lived here together.
Being with him takes me right back to that time when we were young and in love, exploring the galaxy together. It was a great time. Free from responsibilities I did whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I followed him places I’d never have gone by myself. I enjoyed the thrill of it all knowing that he was there to protect me, keep me safe and enjoy it with me.
Now my life is so different. We’re still as in love as ever, but not nearly so young. I don’t travel and explore like I used to when he was here with me. I’m tied to my business, my customers and my vendors. I’m responsible to the citizens of Moneta and the members of the Commerce Union. I have my routines, my schedule and a long to-do list on my datapad. It’s not that I regret any of these things. It’s the life I’ve chosen to lead …. in his absence.
Showing him around Moneta was like introducing him to a stranger. He politely followed me around and saw everything. I’ve put myself into everything built there. And it has become part of me. But he feels no attachment to it. He doesn’t recognize it. It’s not the me he knows.
I finished the tour quickly and we retreated to our house in Bestine. There everything is as it always has been…. my worlds comfortably separated.
I’ve been working nonstop on making Moneta functional for her citizens. The Commerce Union Hall has been set up to provide our members with everything they need to do their jobs. There’s a biolab, manufacturing center, offices for security, research and business development. The lobby is ready for vendors and I’ve hired a receptionist who can greet guests and give out information on our organization.
Factories have been set up for traders. I’ve been filling each with materials, components and schematics. I’ve arranged and rearranged various gardens, fountains, lights and decorations. I’ve prepared city hall for town meetings, made uniforms for the CU fleet and planned activities and meetings.
Just the other day a citizen was telling me how at home she feels in Moneta.
Each time I hear from citizens about their thoughts on our little village I’m overwhelmed with emotion. I’m happy that everyone seems pleased with what’s been done so far. That, after all, is what I’ve been working so hard to ensure.
But all the buildings and installations and decorations really don’t mean much by themselves. I’m grateful for Moneta’s citizens. They are what make Moneta feel like home.
I rode into Journey’s End shortly after the Beowulf Squadron was dissolved. Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. The city hall - gone. Vanished.
My heart pounded as I tried to wrap my mind around what I was seeing. My home town of Journey’s End - gone! I stared at the empty lot for a few moments… then flew into action.
I called in a favor from Jamaica and had her start work on a new city hall immediately. She spent a small fortune and it took her several hours to find, buy, borrow and craft everything she needed to construct the deed. I waited anxiously, hoping I wasn’t already too late.
That night, with trembling hands, I used the deed. I was asked for a name and without hesitation named it Journey’s End. I was home again.
I called friends and they helped me establish the city. But it was soon clear that there wouldn’t be enough room. Looking at the abandoned houses all around me, I had to finally admit it. Journey’s End was dead and there was nothing I could do to bring it back.
I finally resolved to move from my beloved town. A day or so later I did the unthinkable. I destroyed the city hall and Journey’s End with it. It broke my heart to do it. Before all the evidence of its existence could be swept away forever, I stole a piece of rubble from the demolished city hall.
I moved my house a short distance and there built a new city hall, establishing the city of Moneta. My fellow citizens and I have been busy setting up our town. Things were coming along quite nicely but it still felt like something was missing.
Then I remembered that piece of rubble I’d stashed away. I had a brazier built and a plaque placed on it that reads “Ember of Journey’s End.” I placed it high on a hill near city hall and after lighting it, I threw the piece of rubble into the fire.
I don’t know if anyone will understand my need to do this. When I look around Moneta, I’m acutely aware that everything here had its origins back in Journey’s End. By honoring the source of our foundations, I hope to bring good fortune to Moneta.
