Amamake Defence Force Claims Anti-Violence Agenda
2010-03-19T23:53+00:00

Amamake, Heimatar - A group of so-called vigilantes who call themselves the Amamake Defense Force or ADF have formed to attempt to enforce non-violence in Tama, Old Man’s Star and Amamake. These systems are purported to be a “hot bed” of activity in inter-factional warfare. Their leader, Spectre3353, credits Helicity Boson for the idea, though many ADF pilots claim Spectre3353 undervalues his own role in their formation.

The ADF plans to patrol these systems with fleets of “officers.” When acts of hostility are detected, they claim they try to quell the violent acts in a non-lethal manner, employing various types of electronic warfare.

According to the ADF spokesperson, Spectre3353 (also of Python Cartel.), fleet members are generally from the Jerk Cartel Alliance. Reports indicate that the ADF fly Blackbird-class electronic warfare cruisers with a mix of other ships. Despite the allegedly-good intentions of the ADF forces, regional law enforcement considers the use of electronic warfare against a ship unflagged for aggressive behaviour to be a hostile act, regardless of its non-lethal properties.

Upon entering a system, the Amamake Defense Force claims it warns possible trouble makers with the following broadcast: “All pilots must stand down and cease all aggression and violent actions in these systems or face the consequences”. They then proceed about the system scanning for trouble spots and interceding where they can, in what they claim is an attempt to keep the peace.

According to Spectre335 the “police” operations have not yet achieved the desired goal, which is “to foster a safe and friendly universe for all.” The ADF has “lost many good officers” to hostile fire. The team is currently considering several new strategies including “training and bringing in an ADF 'SWAT' team to assist with our inability to squash violence in our targeted systems” and several others that Spectre3353 was not willing to disclose.

Many ADF pilots were also involved with the spate of "suicide kills" associated with the Hulkagedon events. Spectre3353 professed a change of heart in the interim, however. "Hulkageddon was a mistake. I was young and did not yet understand of the ramifications of my actions. I am incredibly apologetic for my role in its success."

N'grasta of Evil Doers [ELFEN], a Federal Defence Union corporation reported an encounter with the ADF where-in they might have destroyed his fleet, yet they warped off claiming to be "anti-pirate." This, he stated, made him feel that "their claim is valid" but he went on to say that he had seen many of the same pilots "actively engage in [piracy] in the low-sec systems between Villore, and Nourvukaiken." As a result, he said, "Until there is more evidence that members of the ADF are true to the claim that they are 'defenders of low-sec' they will be considered valid targets by the majority of our fleet commanders."

It remains to be seen if the Amamake Defence Force will hold true to its professed agenda of enforcing non-violent behaviour in the hotly contested systems of Tama, Old Man Star and Amamake, or whether the call of piracy and "sweet, sweet... tears" will prove too strong a lure. All ADF pilots involved in the operations so far have, however, professed great enjoyment in the activity.

GalNet References

The Amamake Defence Force - Lowering The Violence In Lowsec

ADF Battle Reports

Amamake Defence Force Battle in Tama - 26.02.112
Amamake Defence Force Battle in Amamake - 12.02.112

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Space Nuns Mission of Mercy Extends to War-Torn Providence
2010-03-17T22:14+00:00

G-5EN2, Providence - Amidst the ongoing conflict over the Providence region, the Sovereign Hospitaller Order of Saint Katherine [SHOSK], colloquially known as the “Space Nuns” have embarked on a mission of mercy to the area.

The Space Nuns first came to the attention of New Eden when they began saving stranded passengers ejected from capsuleer vessels or left in wreckage in the Domain region. According to Sister Louella Dougans, CEO of SHOSK, they have begun operations in Providence with the intent of being "a guiding light in the darkness” and saving those stranded by the misfortunes of this region-spanning war.

According to the Sister, the nuns use small fast ships (specifically the Executioner-class frigate) when conducting rescue operations in null-sec for their speed and maneuverability, but also for their minimal complement of non-capsuleer crew who would be at risk in larger vessels. Sister Dougans explained that her rescue missions are not without danger and admitted that she had lost "a couple" of such frigates while attempting to reach castaways.

There has been a mixed response to the nuns' missions of mercy, ranging from remarks in the Local channel such as "God save us, it's the Space Nuns!” to an offer to duel from an Ushra’Khan pilot, Cheif AutoParts of Universal Army. In general, however, Sister Dougans claims that local capsuleers from both sides of the Providence conflict have been receptive to her Order's mission.

Sister Dougans stated that the nuns typically find abandoned passengers “at stargates and near stations” though sometimes they must use astrometric probes to locate them deeper into space. Such people have commonly been pulled from, or left in the wreckage of pirate structures such as casinos, brothels, slave compounds and hab units and left stranded to make room for more saleable commidities. To date the nuns have rescued “approximately 20 victims” which is dramatically less than previous their previous endeavours in the more populous Domain region. This may be a testament to the violence with which the Providence war is being conducted.

The nuns report that they have come across large numbers of capsuleer corpses, floating frozen in space, which Sister Dougans says the Sovereign Order incinerates with focused bursts of laser fire after “hearing the horror stories about what Sansha's Nation pirates do with things they find.” She estimated that approximately 50 corpses have received this “cleansing by fire,” with the nuns stating “People might not like it to find out that their dead body is now piloting a Nightmare, or something like that.”

The members of SHOSK state that they will continue their work in the Providence region, taking no sides, hoping only to spare stranded individuals the perils of the vacuum.

The nuns averr that they show no prejudice amongst those they can help, who are often the cast-offs of the capsuleer community, be they dancers, janitors, homeless, slaves or slavers. Those they rescue are spoken to about the Amarr religious scriptures, then, through partnerships between the Sovereign Order and several humanitarian capsuleer organizations, taken to safe destinations where they can be returned home or gradually reintegrated into society if required.

GalNet References

The Second-Chance Express

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Noir. Mercenary Group Merges With Gemeinschaft Interstellarer Soeldner
2010-03-15T17:35+00:00

Mesybier, Essence - Noir. Mercenary Group [NMG.] and their "largest competitor" Gemeinschaft Interstellarer Soeldner corporation [G.I.S] have merged to become, in the words of Alekseyev Karrde, alliance head of NMG., the "largest mercenary  alliance in New Eden." Privateer Alliance, Karrde stated "may technically have more members", yet, he claimed "lack the coordination between member corps, damage potential and contract history of NMG."

According to Karrde, the command structure within NMG. has remained essentially the same but "expanded to include our new partners." G.I.S directors have been given access to all leadership level information within the alliance but, Alekseyev said, "The buck still stops with me."

Despite the increase in size, Noir Mercenary Group plan to continue to focus on null-sec contracts but, Alekseyev explained, will also consider large-scale empire wars and wormhole work, which they deem "very enjoyable." "We also get called on for a lot of control tower ‘takedowns' and increasingly, control tower ‘saves,'" stated Karrde.

NMG. has seen recent action in the conflict between Against ALL Authorities and Curatores Veritatis Alliance in the War for Providence. NMG. also credited itself with saving a "significant portion of SI Radio Corporation's class 6 wormhole assets" from a "besieging Rooks and Kings Alliance capital ship fleet".

While most of their work calls for using sub-capital ships, NMG. does retain a capital and super-capital capability. "We rarely use them," Alekseyev stated "as they are not generally the right tool for what we're asked to do."

The cost of an intervention by NMG. has inflated over the years of their operation. "With most week long stuff, at today's prices, you're probably looking at multiple billions flatrate." When weighed against the potential losses of some conflicts, however, the price can be seen as affordable.

The Pitboss, CEO of the Interstellar Brotherhood of Gravediggers, Privateer Alliance, agreed with Karrde's assessment. "[With mercenary corporations] being so far and few between... we all tend to have a working mutual respect for each other." He added that while each mercenary group "has their own niche which keeps them in business" such groups have taken contracts on each other in the past. "Business is business," he added.

The dissolution of Mercenary Coalition in 05.110 and KIA Alliance's heavy loss of member corporations in late 111 left a void in the field of large, well-known "super-mercenary groups" (with the possible exception of Privateer, who could be considered more well-known for their own private campaign of uncontracted wars). With the admission of Gemeinschaft Interstellarer Soeldner into Noir. Mercenary Group, the alliance's membership of over 150 pilots is still some measure short of the scale of the mercenary fleets of yesteryear, but the recent trend of mergers between forces of "soldiers for hire" opens the potential for their return.

GalNet References

NMG. Providence Campaign

NMG. Tower Rescue for Planet Risk

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Providence Holders Lose Four Systems, AAA Announces Plans For the Region
2010-03-13T12:14+00:00

Y-MPWL, Providence – in the ongoing conflict in the Providence region over the past two weeks the Holders lost control of four systems to Against All Authorities [AAA], Ushra’Khan [UK], Systematic-Chaos [SYS-K] and Atlas Alliance [ATLAS].

The Y-MPWL system changed sovereignty control from Curatores Veritatis Alliance [CVA] to AAA a little more than a week ago, an anonymous source close to AAA stated that this capture was part of the new offensive in the region, “operations are solely focused on a selection of locations which are of interest for sovereignty” and commented on recent reports of a ‘lock down’ of the Providence region through the control of Empire access routes, “during operations we lock down systems, but outside of operations Providence is pretty open to its inhabitants as well as travellers [and attacking alliances are not] focusing on dictating traffic or movements.”

The same source explained that the capture of Y-MPWL progressed quietly with no major engagements and that a minimal resistance of regular skirmishes between roaming gangs was encountered. Commenting on the overall conflict, the source went on to add “we still consider the conflict to be unfortunate... we also feel that it is not our job to deal with the populace of Providence since we have no interest in ruling it in any way or form. In regards to diplomatic solutions, unfortunately you could say the zealots find dealing with reality or even realpolitik irreconcilable with their religious doctrine. It is clear however that through face to face contacts, parties involved have managed to get a better understanding of each other’s viewpoints, even on their respective behavioural mechanisms. Unfortunately, such understanding remains on a level of capsuleers and is currently not enough as it seems to pave the way for organisational understanding.”

The G-5EN2 system was captured by UK on the following day with R3-K7K falling to Systematic-Chaos the day after and just a few days ago this period of engagements ended with 9-F0B2 being captured by ATLAS. Karn Mithralia of UK confirmed that while the other systems were taken with minimal resistance, in 9-F0B2 “ATLAS moved on it with their allies, mostly with input for UK, AAA and SYS-K... I believe it finally fell... Fidelas Constans [FCON] put up a very stalwart defence supported by CVA. They deserve a warrior’s respect for the way they fought against overwhelming odds.” Commenting on the different alliances taking control of systems in Providence, Karn Mithralia explained each alliance is seeking to establish a second gateway into empire as a means of securing strengthened supply chains to further support the offensive and as a means to control space. Regarding plans for the region, UK reported it plans to “hold those systems so that once CVA and their close allies are removed we can open access up to Providence again... we certainly do not seek to replace CVA and will not be forcing standings or rules of engagement on our allies... our vision of free space is not of a shepherd to sheep. Providence future residents will be able to stand on their own two feet.”

An anonymous source close to ATLAS reported that the Alliance has plans to “continue pushing until the Providence bloc is either destroyed or surrenders." Tzuko1 of ATLAS commented on the capture of 9-F0B2, “we have not decided yet what to do with that system, but we will surely not keep it – I think some renters will be interested in it.” Referring to the Providence ‘lock down’, Tzuko1 added: “it’s true we are controlling exits and jump bridge systems too, no one gets out... our capital fleet is ready as you can see [we are] hot dropping Rorqual’s, Freighters and Carriers in the area with our capital and super capital vessels – we just did not have [any engagement where we could properly use our capital fleet].”

Manfred Sideous of AAA explained that the recent offensive was the “next logical step” after pausing aggressive action twice to give CVA a chance to consider peace. “We regret CVA leadership’s position but are committed in our task to secure our borders from strategic threats.” Asked to comment on AAA’s plans for the region Manfred Sideous answered “we intend to repopulate Providence with many alliances, currently we have over 20 lined up. All will be handed an area for which to grow from. We do not intend to govern Providence other than to enforce a no sovereignty war rule to protect these new and young budding alliances. Their politics will be for them to decide individually, we will just ensure that they have a real chance at growing without being steamrolled by a large hostile force.” Asked to explain how exactly this sovereignty was going to be distributed, Manfred Sideous explained “we are basing it off a few criteria [such as] alliance size [since] we want them to be able to utilize the space they will retain [as well as] geography... to make sure that we keep groups in a consolidated area instead of spread out across large areas. Some groups will have very small areas while others will have larger areas. It should be noted that we intend to keep a few of the current Holders in place as well.” Further details are currently classified but AAA has “a pretty clear gameplan going forward... in the short term Providence is very hostile environment with the goal of making it very inclusive to small groups of players wanting to taste and experience [nullsec]. The exit points will be controlled sovereignty wise but there are no designs to police or restrict traffic through them. Providence is like a rainforest currently we are weeding it and will replant it with a bounty of new inhabitants.”

Asked to comment on the overall conflict, Manfred Sideous stated “it is a large undertaking with the new [infrastructure] mechanics [to take] 50 stations. So far it is going as expected. The frequency of fights and battles has gone down but this is expected... [it] requires effort and work... we realize this and are meeting the challenge well. CVA is committed to an attrition style defence, whereby their intended goal is deny [large engagements] and minimize isk loss for them so they can rally when/if we lose interest. So the lack of resistance is understood.”

CVA executor Aralis confirmed that in 9-F0B2 the Providence Holders lead the assaulters to suffer hundreds of casualties in ships and showed great suspicion of AAA’s current plans for the region: “I doubt many are foolish enough to fall for such nonsense. I feel sorry for any who are. It's obviously intended as some absurd propaganda. Though as even a four year old could see it couldn't work and nobody with any sense would trust them I can't really see why they bother.”

Commenting on the Providence ‘lock down’, Aralis explained “self evidently they have hit the exit systems. There is no lockdown.” Regarding the overall conflict Aralis maintained his previous statements about a long engagement and stated that in his opinion the conflict is still in the very early days. “We are being attacked by half of [New Eden]. I think our victory is still some way off. Clearly this will be a long war. Even the faithful will not quickly vanquish such a collection of enemies.”

GalNet References

Fidelas Constans - Battle Records - 9-F0B2
Recent Sovereignty Changes - Providence

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The Star Fraction Celebrates 5 Years As An Alliance
2010-03-13T12:11+00:00

Kamela, The Bleak Lands - Last month, The Star Fraction alliance celebrated its 5th birthday by launching operation 'Black Lustrum' in Providence against Sev3rance alliance.

The Star Fraction [SF] is a non-spaceholding alliance founded in mid-YC 107 to fight against "tyranny and nationalist imperialism" and to promote the concept of "Free Space." The alliance currently has more than 200 members across 8 corporations, including the original founding body, Jericho Fraction, Lyrus Associates, relative newcomers Daedalus X and former Namtz'aar K'in members Scrap Iron Flotilla.

Jade Constantine, The Star Fraction's Executor, founded the alliance shortly after the Great Northern War in an attempt to give shape to the putative concept of "Free Space" ideals. The early days of the alliance saw corporations such as Omerta Syndicate (who at the time were in rebellion against the Caldari State) and the Glamour Bunnies (who created the infamous "Porn for Pax" campaign) join and later leave.

According to Jade, "Free Space" means open commerce, fair trade and development without oppression. Under the Free Space ideology, capsuleers would be free to travel and act as they please, setting and acting on standings in accordance with their own ideological beliefs and actions taken against them and allowing the same freedoms to others. The alleged lack of such freedoms brought Star Fraction into conflict with many nullsec alliance and pirate corporations several times into its five years existence.

Star Fractions's first war against CVA, fought in 107, ended in a retreat for rebuilding, but their next wars saw a bitter conflict against Kimotoro Directive in Mito constellation followed by a series of clashes against Amarr loyalists, PIE Inc. and their allies, with whom Star Fraction remain hostile to this day. Perhaps the most well-known of these campaigns, Operation Judas Goat, saw then-SF member Scorpio Dantes launch a line of adult films (illegal in Amarr space) for sale from a mobile vendor in Amarr as a means to insult and provoke the loyalists, including some featuring look-alikes (some claim they are in fact the pilots they resemble) of prominent members of PIE.

Regular competitors in alliance tournaments, Star Fraction has frequently made it into the late stages of the competitions but are perhaps best known for their victory in an Alliance Tournament IV match against the three-time champion Band of Brothers with a simple fleet of 10 Thorax-class cruisers.

YC 109 saw a second major shift in membership for the Star Fraction with the departure of several of well-known members to form Stimulus. While rumours of bad feeling abounded following the split, the two organizations continued to frequently face the same enemies and the corporation even returned to The Star Fraction briefly in 110. Relationships between the two have since degenerated dramatically, however, with Star Fraction recently levelling allegations of corporate espionage and theft against Stimulus and its alliance, Rote Kapelle.

With the creation of CONCORD's legislation for capsuleer militias, Star Fraction chose to remain as an alliance but nonetheless began campaigns against prominent Federal Defence Union and Caldari State Protectorate corporations in the Black Rise region, then embarked on a one-year campaign in the Bleak Lands where it supported the Minmatar Tribal Liberation Front against the Amarrian 24th Imperial Crusade. This campaign brought them most prominently into conflict with Garst Tyrell, once of PIE Inc but later leaving to lead No.Mercy, a corporation dogged by accusations of piracy throughout its time in the 24th Imperial Crusade.

In honour of their 5th anniversary, Star Fraction announced Operation 'Black Lustrum'. Their first target in this operation is Sev3rance in the Providence region and primary focus is on damaging local economy and industry. To evaluate their success, the alliance will rely on regional development index. Miss Constantine explained: “If Sev3rance development indices fall we are winning, if they rise we are losing.“

Despite Star Fraction's claims, Curatores Veritatis Alliance's CEO, Aralis, dismissed their opponents as minor threat to Providence: "Mostly it's just talk. And what isn't is mostly cloaking and attacking haulers and ratters".

Aralis also described Star Fraction's operations in Providence as an opportunistic move. "[They wait] to join a bandwagon when one is going. They are attacking now because they think we are too busy to kill them," he concluded.

With 'Black Lustrum' now in full swing it remains to be seen if this strategy will succeed. Jade Constantine says that, according to their alliance motto, all Freecaptains of The Star Fraction "dare to dream." What remains hotly debated by the many national loyalist forces that oppose them, sparking a number of recent satires on the Intergalactic Summit, is whether their choices of action bring those dreams any closer to fruition.

GalNet References

'Operation Black Lustrum' Targets North Providence
The Providence War: Part IV - the Return of Unity
War-Torn Region's Not Red Don't Shoot Policy Spur to Development?
Second Freespace Summit Successfully Concluded
The Star Fraction Launches Erebus-Class Titan
Alliances Involved in Militia Politics
Inaugral Freespace Summit a Success
Amarrian Holder Criticized for Tournament Wager
War Reaches Amarr Throne Regions
Recent Developments Regarding Medusa Virus
Order of Medusa Tests New Virus, Shocking the Sisters
Capsuleer Conflict Rages in Mito Constellation

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