I have received another letter from Brother Hugo - in response to my own letter asking him for clarifications about the supplies sent to the White Paladins.
He writes about a demographic change. As you may remember from previous reports, some New Huolans decided to stay in Anoikis after being pushed out of their own wormhole, and they were warmly welcomed as impoverished refugees in Epikouria. In that respect the Starborn are setting an example for all! Since then they worked hard to become an integral part of the Epikourian colony, and have de facto merged their own Anoikis operations with that of the Starborn.
The New Huolans kept close ties with the Knights of Soliara, who fly under the distinguished leadership of Prince Seraghis. Recently, an agreement was announced by which the formal administration of Epikouria will be shared between the Knights and Comitia Centuriata - the capsuleers that represent the Starborn, some are Starborn themselves.
Part of the agreement states that the watch duty is transferred from the Comitia Centuriata to the Knights. The supplies were snuck in during the briefest window of opportunity when the guards were changed.
To his regret brother Hugo notes that the door to Epikouria has closed again. Moreover, after the changeover the Starborn have re-established protocols regarding planetary visits, and while the New Huolans and Knights will be managing overall system security, Comitia Centuriata and the Starborn maintain control of planetside operations.
Nevertheless Brother Hugo is hopeful for his cause and the cause of the White Paladins. In his mind, the Knights hold a more orthodox view and are more closely associated with the Amarr Militia. Personally, I am not sure this is true - I have witnessed the Comitia Centuriata active in the warzone on many occasions. Nevertheless, I can imagine that this change is a cause for concern in the non-capsuleer populations, especially the Originals.
I do not think that Prince Seraghis would go as far as to appoint vassal lords on the planets - even though he may appoint a deputy for off-planet affairs. Involvement planetside would mean long protracted wars on the ground, for which I do not think he has any interest at all. The Knights are first and foremost a shield for the Empire, they are not involved in any forceful reclaiming of planetary populations.
Brother Hugo will not be pleased when he finally realizes that, and I hope he does not feel encouraged to do things he will regret.
Links to keep track of the letters of Brother Hugo:
II. Diplomatic Talks
III. Refugee crisis
IV. Setting up a new home station
V. Epikouria under siege
VI. Prince Seraghis visit
