Cassus Belli
23 Nov 2023Argon Shadowstar
I was asked again today "Why CT?". I suppose I never really formally declared war on them, for it seems somehow unfitting for an individual to declare war. I am no nation or army, but a single man with a sensible expectation of leadership. Congressus Tenebris has shown time and time again that they are not responsible leaders. But where did it all begin, you ask?I had followed my grandfather's maps to the region where, almost two centuries ago, the great Shadowstar Imperium ruled its people in a utopia of honor and opportunity. I was delighted to find that three of the old throne systems were still populated, and began contacting people there. Unfortunately, most had little knowledge of my ancestors, and those who did had little respect for the old ways, even fellow descendants who could trace their lineage back to those days. Aside from a few outliers, most considered me a relic and a throwback to a simpler, idealized time when questing knights and valiant heroes soared across the heavens in their great shining ships on incredible adventures, doing good deeds and battling the forces of evil wherever they went. These tales of my forebears inspired me when I was young and I could not understand how others, especially those who should have been raised much as I, could not share such a passion. In truth, I feared as much long before I arrived, for my time with the Gunn Runners showed me the reality of the galaxy as it is today. I had held out hope that perhaps when I returned to the lands of my ancestors, I would find others like myself. But not even here, of all the places, were there kindred spirits. Fortunately, I would later learn that there are indeed people out there who share some of my beliefs, passions, and philosophies, but I would not find them. Instead, they found me.
But I digress. In this place, the place of my ancestors, I found the people in need. Though the memory of my people was nearly forgotten, the need for valiant deeds never grows old. All around me there was strife, pain, and suffering. A myriad of challenges beset these poor people, and the spirits of my ancestors called me to action. I recalled the tales of yore, and my heart was stirred to intervention. But it is an ill-fated hero who acts only on the compulsion of the heart while forgoing the wisdom of the head. So, before I set my gleaming ship to course, I built the intelligence complex at Argon Labs, an apparatus I would use regularly from that point onward to learn, study, and direct my interventions such that they would achieve the greatest effect. And it was through this that I discovered the reason behind the suffering: a once-great monolith of corporate power which had slid into mediocrity and complacency, now an ailing den of aristocrats too content to rest on their immeasurable fortunes than lift a finger to help the people who had entrusted their well-being to these overlords. Congressus Tenebris.
All throughout their domain, chaos and destruction could be seen in the form of wars, outbreaks of disease, rampant famines, economic collapse, and administrative corruption. Something had to be done. Unlike other factions in the region, who boasted cadres of active Pilot's Federation Commanders, CT's once burgeoning ranks had dwindled down to a mere 60, only 3 of whom could even be determined to be active in any capacity, though my attempts to determine what they were actually doing met with failure. More successful were my attempts to determine what they weren't doing. And therein lies the reason their realm was in flames. I took it upon myself to begin my campaign by removing them from the Vorduli system, the home system of House Vorduli, one of the founding Great Houses of the Shadowstar Imperium. Though little remains of that house today, it seemed a fitting place to begin. Now, it is important to note that CT was not the controlling faction of the system, that honor was held by the Explorers of the Anarchy. But CT held a number of settlements in the system, and the people there were being run into oblivion by their overlords. Frequently on my visits to their workplaces I would overhear conversations lamenting lack of sleep, unforgiving work schedules, and stress breakdowns. When an employee was rendered incapable of working, they would be removed from the site and replaced with a new one, like the worn parts of an overtaxed machine. By comparison, my visits to the nearby EotA facilities were more positive, though with a degree of added danger. There they spoke of freedom, future plans, and anticipated adventure. While I have issues with some of EotA's policies regarding civil administration, they were a far sight better than the squalor and labor strain the subjects of CT suffered under. And so I acted.
Within a week or so, I had liberated the settlements being exploited by CT's taskmasters, and the administration was preparing to retreat from the system. But this was only the beginning. Calamity reigned throughout their domain. Their policy regarding loss management was simply to redirect resources, rather than actually attempt to prevent or remedy a situation. This policy can be seen in full effect right now in the Laumas system, where a terrible famine has broken out. Their response? Lock down the system. I suppose that'll make it that much harder for critical food supplies to reach the people. Then they won't have to pay them anymore. It makes sense, from a certain sadistic point of view. I continue to work against CT, with the help of Dayson Fane and any other liberators who are spurred to action by my "crusade". I see more activity in this region than I did when I first began here. I am not arrogant enough to believe that it is because of me, however, I do believe that I am not alone. When I first arrived here after getting my pilot's license, I learned that I was alone, that there were none who aspired to great acts of heroism the way my ancestors did. But lately, thanks to men like Dayson Fane and the mysterious others who lurk in the shadows and deal killing blows against tyranny, I am starting to believe in that ancient dream again: The dream of my great grandfather Emperor Argon Shadowstar, who dreamed that one day humanity would be free, inspired by great heroes, valiant deeds, and led by meritorious rulers who followed the wisdom of our ancestors. Perhaps one day, that dream will come true. For now, my quest continues.