Kourmonen – The Bleak Lands. In a battle involving a most unlikely fleet, it took the combined efforts of Minmatar Republic militia ships and the Amarr Empire militia forces to break a Wildly Inappropriate [WI] stargate camp.

“The Wildly Inappropriate forces were spotted [engaging] some of the Amarr Militia…” states the joint force fleet commander, Predator Elite, “…we also noticed they were [engaged with] the Minmatar pilots as well.” It was at that point Flyinghotpocket, a member of Filthy Franchise [N4STY] and a member of the Minmatar Militia, is credited with arranging a treaty with the Amarrian fleet.

Although not common, these impromptu ‘cease-fire’ situations do occur when warranted. When asked if the contact from the Republic forces was a surprise, Predator Elite – member of Core Impulse and FC for the Amarr Militia – states, “[I was] not really surprised because there were times before when we were fighting that a pirate gang would jump on us and we all would stop fighting and kill off the pirates…so I was ok with it.” Missy Lorelai, a member of N4STY, echoes that statement, “As of late, some 0.0 pirate corps have been engaging both sides during conflict or pirating plexes or missions.” but she quickly qualifies, “…we only work with one FC with Treaties…Predator Elite.”

The most recent ‘Treaty’ lasted approx twenty minutes while the combined militia fleet held the field against the Wildly Inappropriate camp. No occurances of friendly-fire were reported, and after looting the field, each fleet went their own way. It must also be reported that these two fleets engaged each other later in the evening, with the Amarr Empire forces holding the field.

This is yet another instance of the level of organization that it appears the militias are undergoing to become more competitive against some of the more powerful Alliances. When asked about how the militias are evolving, Wolfduke, a member of Wildly Inappropriate and former Venge Captain for the Republic, states, “It was great to finally see some coordination in their forces,” he adds, “Even though it involved siding with the devil…in their case.” Wolfduke noted that it was only afterwards he heard that the two militias had called for a cease-fire to fight them. But, while he is “far too devoted to [Wildly Inappropriate] to change allegiances”, he was proud to see how the fleets have evolved from being “poor quality and not focused at all.”

Although the two militias remain bitter enemies, they have proven that it would be unwise to get between them while they are fighting.

GalNet References

Battle Details

Molea, Khanid – On 112.08.18, Azia Burgi’s cemetery was attacked by combined forces from Goonswarm Federation and TEST Alliance.

This is the second time the cemetery has come under Goonswarm’s crosshairs as they were also responsible for the destruction of the first cemetery, in Y110.

According to Azia Burgi, the cemetery’s caretaker, the tower guarding the ‘caskets’ came under fire on Monday: “It was about midnight… when around 60 Goon pilots jumped into Molea and started attacking us.”

Azia explained that while three pilots of her corporation were manning defences, Goonswarm’s pilots used their numbers and their remote repair capability to continue their attack virtually unscathed: “each time we primaried a ship they had 5 Guardians backing it up, ” she said.

Reports indicate that the starbase protecting the cemetery was a medium tower of Amarr design. The tower lacked the tough defences found in larger ones, but it had been choosen by Azia as a good compromise on durability and available burial volume. “When up against an alliance as large as Goonswarm no amount of sentry guns will stop them,” she explained.

The starbase’s destruction has not affected Azia’s morale. According to her, the ‘caskets’ have mostly remained in place and she has hinted at plans for the cemetery’s future: “I will not be bullied… [but] I can’t really reveal the actual plans on how i plan to rebuild while the war is still active… I am still accepting corpses” she concluded.

GalNet References

Cemetery Information
Molea Cemetery Destroyed by Jihadswarm
Capsuleer Cemetery Flourishes

New Eden – More than two months after the signing of the Caldari Defence Initiative, the pact remains alive and well, as shown by recent cooperative efforts.

According to eddie valvetino, CEO of the Bi-Polar Bears and a fleet commander with the Gallente Federation, “Since the forming of the CDI, they [Amarr and Caldari Forces] have been a lot more active together… To be honest, the only time the Caldari really get a good fleet up and go for a fight, you can be sure they have backup from the Amarr.”

While strength in numbers appears to be one benefit of the CDI, strengthening cooperation and organization appears to be another goal. Gunnyt31, Fleet Commander and Senior Member of Inglorious-Basterds [I.B.S.], says, “The CDI will hopefully minimize the chaos that is created by high sec war decs while forming fleets in our main systems.”

In the past, corporations at war stood alone as hired mercenaries picked them out of militia fleets. To counter this, Gunnyt31 explains; “If one of the CDI Corp [has war declared upon them] then they [all CDI member corps] come in to assist that corp.” Stalking Mantis, member of I.B.S. adds; “[..this allows] the [militia] corporations to focus on the actual war with the Gallente without being sidetracked by Mercs…”

“[Militia warfare] seems very unwelcoming at the beginning to newer pilots… there are loads of [fighting] never too far to be had once [the pilot] gets a solid reputation as a pilot and not a potential spy.” states Stalking Mantis, voicing a major security concern. With the CDI now in place and the combined fleets being fielded, eddie valvetino states, “Our intelligences and spy networks now have to include the Amarr.” When asked about the level of concern about the apparent successes of the CDI, he adds, “This is the ebb and flow of New Eden. Corps, alliances and coalitions grow, become powerful and they then collapse.”

Whether the CDI will fade away with time remains to be seen, but by all accounts, the larger multi-factional fleets fielded recently have caused some disruption to the Gallente militia and forced them to adapt. What remains to be seen is how the militias will retain the pilots that cut their teeth in battle fighting for the ideals and survival of their Nations.

Galnet References

Caldari Defence Initiative Signed by Militia Corporations

Jita, The Forge – HYDRA RELOADED has reportedly been selling several valuable Utu-class assault frigates.

The Utu blueprints were awarded to HYDRA as second place prizes in Alliance Tournament VIII. Only fifty Utu hulls can ever be built and their value is estimated at about 30 billion ISK per unit.

The Utu is a specialized drone platform based on the Ishkur design. The vessel is also able to field considerable scrambling capabilities and is considered a strong combat platform.

Records indicate that at least one Utu vessel has already been destroyed. The vessel belonging to Morel Nova met its fate at the hand of CTPAHHUK UKC on 112.07.19.

Several of the forty-nine surviving ships have now been put on sale. Phunkadin explained that HYDRA RELOADED decided to sell part of its Utu vessel stock in a bid to raise enough capital to build a supercapital fleet.

According to Phunkadin, not all of the Utus are going to be sold: “we are going to use some of them… [to show] we are the best and should not be messed with.”

It is believed that the alliance has already sold about ten vessels and the same number have been contracted to Chribba as collateral for an IPO on the alliance’s behalf. Chribba also bought one Utu for private use.

Additionally, one Utu frigate was awarded last month during the privately owned lottery “ShipsofEve:AT8″.

Conoban, Kor-Azor – The Bank Of Eve [EOBT] has opened for business, aiming to bring trust to New Eden where other banks have had past difficulty.

Blastyoazz666, a founding member of the bank believes that it has the potential be the best in New Eden. He claimed that capsuleers “always look for more ISK”, and there is no better way than by “getting a loan”. He also stated that he believes EOBT will be successful as they have “watched the rest fail”, and have learned from those mistakes by other banks.

He believes that to succeed they need to earn the trust of the capsuleers that will be banking with them and need to put in the work: “We are dedicating all of our time to this idea. We have spreadsheets made for quick look ups on members.”

Blastyoazz666 further explained that confidence will be achieved by asking customers to “put up collateral” and that they already have some who wish to “try us out and see how we do”.

EOBT has taken four months of planning and they believe they are ready for anything, even when hiring, as they plan to do “background checks” on all new staff which includes talking to all their past corporations.

Well known and trusted capsuleer, Chribba, gave a short statement saying that in his belief the customer needs to have “trust and faith” that the bank will take good care of their money. The bank would also need to communicate as failing to do so would make trust in the venture “decrease” in Chribba’s opinion.

So far capsuleers are remaining skeptical, with RAW23 stating: “You need to put in some time and effort convincing [capsuleers] that you can be trusted and the way to do this is to start small and then grow.” Another, Phoebe Halliwell, said: “The fact that you only have ten billion [ISK] between all the involved owners of the bank doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in your ISK making abilities.”

As they are now open for business, capsuleers may be reminded of the previous failings of EBANK and the current rebuilding process that they are undergoing.

With the bank preparing for its opening, capsuleers will have to decide not only if it delivers the trust it promises to customers, but also if it has the potential to last.

Galnet References

EOBT announce they are open for business
Banking has confused more than one capsuleer in the past
EBANK’s problems are made public
Customers lose faith in EBANK
Dynasty Banking struggle