“Be the ordeal sharp or long, or both, we shall seek no terms, we shall tolerate no parlay; we may show mercy – we shall ask for none.”
Eve University, what can I say about them that has not already been said by so many others before me. They are good for Eve, good for the hordes of new players who pass through their doors, and partake in the lectures and classes offered by their instructors. Many go on to be productive members of society on Tranquility, others take up less salubrious roles, even more just shoot npc’s all day in some mindless quest for isk. Then of course there are those who mine.
Despite all the good, in the minds of many something about Eve University does not ring true, could it be the cult like way ex-members talk about them, or could it be the non-aggressive stance they take, in a world wrought by war and terror? Yes, it is that exactly. How can an entity that tries so hard to be good for Tranquility, be so opposed to the basic fact of life here: People die, often in explosions.
However, it seems that for some time all has not been right within the sheltered halls of Eve University, people have been questioning their non-aggressive stance, been wanting to know exactly why they wave the white flag when attacked, why they dock in their stations and refuse to come out, why with their numbers can they not fight! And so they took the decision to fight, and to take that fight to some of the best and brightest in the Empire controlled area’s of Tranquility.
Best, being Red Federation & Blue Republic.
When we heard the war drums beating for the upcoming conflict, both sides rapidly started gearing up and putting our plans in motion, including a combined fleet that would roll down to their space and punch them in the face repeatedly, for having the audacity to challenge US!
Cue a day spent gathering intel and forming a fleet, which when it did roll out was amazing to see, nearly 100 Red and Blue pilots working well together and moving as only a well oiled machine should. After a small stop to reship in Hek, we moved onwards towards Aldrat, having heard that the Eve University defence fleet had annihilated a smaller, but stronger (on paper) fleet from another group who they had challenged to a war.
“Never give in — never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”
Fleet was split at this news with much doomsaying from several of the fleet, however I as Fleet Commander knew that come what may our 15 Battleships, 35 Battlecruisers and myriad other supporting vessels would eventually win the day, once again demonstrating the superiority of Red & Blue over all challengers to be found in Empire space.
However there was the small matter of an insidious smell following us around as we endeavoured to pull the Eve University fleet out of Aldrat, it turned out that there was a spy (possibly more) in our fleet reporting everything we said and did to a neutral party who then fed all that information publically to Eve University in the local chat of Aldrat. So after bouncing back one system then changing tactic too fast for anyone to catch on, I ordered the destruction of the spies ship.
Suddenly, Eve University lost their will to even camp their own in gate and retreated to their POS. It seems I had hit one nail on the head perfectly. Using this mistake by their command, I order the Glorious RVB fleet, now numbering over 110 ships to jump into Aldrat and we immediately started hitting various safe spots in system, all the while demanding they speak to us, tell us why they chose us to have a war with, and then not fight us at all.
Eventually, the only reply they gave was a Raven un-docking from their headquarters and attacking a fleet member, which resulted in our fleet warping in and destroying said Raven, just as the entire Eve University fleet landed to try and save him. Battle was brought.
Immediately I called several targets including various battleships and battlecruisers, wanting to get these heavy hitting vessels out of the fight early on – and having intel of my own, I knew several of their command would be flying such vessels. Cut off the head and the body dies does it not?
And that worked, as I called more and targets, they fell faster and faster, eventually the Eve University fleet – what remained of it – bailed off their OWN headquarters and we were victorious. Scoring the first victory against Tranquility’s latest aggressors, despite the other forces arrayed against them.
“It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.”
All in all chaps, yesterday’s OP was a huge success on so many levels, demonstrating what we can do when we put aside the nonsense that so often plagues our daily explosive interactions and are united by a common enemy.
I totally look forward to seeing us do as well, if not better in the future.
