MCNEILL LEADS HONOURS LIST Today the head of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood as released a list of names of individuals who are to be honoured for their role in what the spiritual leader has called "the liberation of not just a people but a faith." The first name on the list is one that will come as no surprise to members of the Bene Gesserit faith inside the Theocracy of Kaitaine however will perhaps need some introduction to those unfamiliar with the faith.
Joanna McNeill was the self titled, "General" of the Truthsayers in Seitch and masterminded the forces fighting in Kaitaine on behalf of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood. This however has created a rather strange scenario as with McNeill having been born in Seitch and having never attended a Chapterhouse school she officially does not hold the title of a Truthsayer despite having been involved with the movement since 1993. The situation was explained by Chief Instructor of Truthsayers, Krystina Garner, "By the letter of the law and tradition a Truthsayer is someone who recieved their Jeboah beret from a Chapterhouse Head Mistress. That means the Truthsayers have always been seen as those graduating from Ui Cenneslaig, Achkaerin, Cantabria and Aosta, but while those like me who had a Chapterhouse education are I suppose baptised in ink Joanna and those like her have been baptised in blood and fire and for me are more worthy of the title Truthsayer than people such as me. I would gladly give my own beret to her than hold the name Truthsayer while she does not." It is estimated that around 2,500 women are in a similar position to McNeill with some experts putting the number ten times higher. It was therefore no surprise that McNeill was the first person to be honoured by the Reverend Mother who issued the following citation to McNeill
Be it known that Joanna McNeill is a Truthsayer of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood. I further confer upon her the rank of Marshall of Truthsayers making her the first among the Truthsayers numbers. Under her skilled and determined leadership the Truthsayers from around the world united into an effective unit and alongside their male comrades, the Pangolins, carried the Theocracy into the world. Furthermore it will be forever the case that annually the top graduating Truthsayer will be awarded the McNeill Trophy ensuring her legacy continues for all time.
It was also announced that the Reverend Mother that upon arriving in the Theocracy McNeill would be the first to be presented to her. The 46 year old said she was "excited to welcome the Reverened Mother and Holy Houses into my home city where they belong."
The next person to be awarded was 25 year old Kirstin Skeates. The 25 year old once represented Soviet Kaitaine in the Mundus Games while living undercover as a Truthsayer under similar circumstances as McNeill. The former competition archer was responsible for several solo trips across the desert near Seitch as a courier. It was confirmed that it was Skeates who first brought word of the Seige of Seitch as well as guiding forces back across the desert. At present she is assigned to a unit in Geidi where she is said to be looking forward for a chance to represent her "real Homeland" in the Mundus Games. Her citation is as follows.
Be it known that Kirstin Skeates is a Truthsayer of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood. I also confer upon her the rank of Captain in the Truthsayers with all the rights and responsibilities associated with the rank. From this day forward Captain Skeates is to carry the title "Guide of the Sands" and is allocated an annual allocation of Melange sufficent to her rank.
Perhaps however one of the most controversial names on the list is that of the third person to be honoured by the Reverened Mother, Nathanial Corrino. "The Missing Corrino" vanished from public gaze in 2003 at the age of 17 with the wealthy Cenneg family then going by the name O'Hogan. The family always stated that he had "wished to be a private individual". It has however been confirmed that using a false identity he attended University in East Moreland with the sole purpose of gaining military experience somewhere he would not be recognised. Taking the names James Gillespie he became an officer in the East Moreland Royal Engineers and in 2014 entering the elite unit known as Red Legion where he served in several operations across the globe including wars in Meche, Marseille and Seaforth. He was honoured for bravery on two occasions but fled following the attempt to capture nuclear waste in 2018. It had been confirmed he did not play a role in the attempted theft but potentially may have allowed some members of the Bene Gesserit to escape. Nathanial Corrino lead the incursion by the Truthsayers into Kaitaine and is said to have been a mastermind behind many campaigns.
Be it known that Nathanial Corrino is to be counted among the Fedaykin[1]. Furthermore from this day forward he is to carry the title Duke of Blades which shall pass through his line for all time. His family shall be allocated an annual allocation of Melange in accordance with their rank and titles
Despite Nathanial Corrino being accused of several crimes from East Moreland, including desertion for which they have the death penalty, the Reverend Mother stated, "The Corrino line has always been important to our people, Duke Nathanial has furthered its glory and will be a central part of our people moving forward. His duty to the Theocracy is far from over." It is unknown what position he will take within the new nation or how this may impact situations with others across Mundus.