Warlords and fiefdoms

So far, I am loving 0.0! I am learning about the complex politics in null-sec, but am basically still clueless. Being in a smaller alliance that makes use of an ATLAS station, I would give props to the big dogs in my area. There are plenty of small alliances interspersed in ATLAS space. In return for protection and a small chunk of space, we utilize ATLAS stations for refining, trade, and hangar access. This activity generates ISK for ATLAS and serves as a very mutually beneficial arrangement for both parties. It all feels very feudal!

In the recent Gal Net article, the reporter mentions that ATLAS' stated intention is "To create and maintain an environment in which smaller alliances can enjoy a nullsec presence." Looking around in my neck of null-sec, I see ATLAS doing just that. It makes me feel good to know that every time I sell a ship or buy some drones, I am helping support a very useful system.

Given how hard it can be to get out into 0.0, I hope ATLAS is able to foster many more small alliances. It really is the best place to be in New Eden! I am actually surprised that all the big alliances aren't scrambling to bring smaller alliances out to nullsec and get them set up in Sov space. The more people, the more activity, the more upgrades, the more ISK and minerals flowing for everyone!

Dominion again!

After a month in a C6 WH, I am adrift again. This time I am headed to deep null-sec to spend time with the Gangrel Mining and Security Corp. These guys seem like an ideal balance for me of being laid back, being cool with the PVE, and being willing to train up newb PVP pilots.

I am excited to see how the new Sovereignty mechanics pan out. Stay tuned for updates when I manage to get settled in out there in the deeps of space. I look forward to putting my scanning skills to use exploiting the new Dominion 0.0 resources!

Dominus!

Dominion has brought fresh treats to EVE. The new in game browser is amazing and speedy like a real browser should be. (I am blogging this from Moondoggie!) The 0.0 changes will be interesting to follow, though I am insulated from that a bit due to my WH occupation.

On that note, I have jumped into a new WH corp: Capital Construction Research (CCRES)

So far it has been exciting to move from a C2 to a C6 WH! It is also a huge learning curve. Luckily the CCRES folks are super organized and have a working system implemented. They are also very cool individuals.

We could use a few more US West Coast pilots if any readers are interested.

Damn Pod. (Chainer Inspired Fiction Contest #1)

• Artist: David Bowie
• Song: Space Oddity

Damn Pod.

These things get pretty gross when you are floating for days at a time, despite the best nano-bot grooming scripts. I could blame the wormhole. I could blame the deadly Loki-Proteus combination. I could blame my chicken shit corp-mate for doing the sensible thing and getting out of dodge when the Proteus opened fire with some hardcore blasters while we were scouting new anomalies. Being caught in a daydream before the warning klaxons signaled the rapid demise of my shields certainly didn't help.

Most of all, I blame the implants. They are the harbingers of my mediocrity, the sirens of my insufficient self worth. I may not have been graced with amazing smarts or reaction times, but technology now offers a seductive chance at augmentation. A push towards self-realization. One may now rise above the mean and attain great advantages that can give a useful edge in this immortal life.

Of course, the edge does not come without a price. Getting ahead on a personal level requires parting with some serious cold, hard ISK. Finding the goods without paying Jita sucker prices is also an adventure. Dealing with the Serpentis is always potentially unpleasant as they are nothing if not opportunistic thieves. The booster trade likely helps lead to such a grim perspective. My Syndicate agent was able to negotiate a marginally decent price when I decided to go down the cybernetic road of Snake augmentation to complement my already maximally boosted brain.

That ISK and trouble has led me to be stranded in this forsaken wormhole for two mind-numbing weeks. Once the Loki gave up trying to scan down my pod pinging back and forth between safes, I have been alone in this dark place. With thoughts and pod goo as my only companions. Yes, I could self destruct and get back to Empire in a fresh clone. Sadly, due to some recent smuggling mishaps I cannot afford to replace my implants at this juncture. I am stuck.

I formulate a plan. I will bribe the next wormhole visitor I can find on my directional for a link out of this nasty Sleeper infested space. I will not mention the great value of hardware in my body. I will act stupid. "Gosh, I just got podded by a Sleeper drone earlier today! Can you help me out of here. I have some ISK saved up. I'll pay you 20 million now and 20 in K-space. Wow, those Sleepers are mean!" Hopefully my sanity will remain intact long enough to retain some of the intuition and guile that have served me well all these years of piloting to find a suitable mark and weasel my way out of here in one piece.

Hopefully.

I just know someone will come through soon. Just one more day. Surely I can last one more day.

Oracle of EVE (EON contest)

Late in 2010, after the changes in Dominion and Dominion 1.5 have led to the collapse of the biggest old 0.0 power blocs, Mynxee of the Hellcats decides that a true warrior queen requires a Kingdom. The Hellcats conquer a constellation in 0.0 with help from a unified pirate alliance. The pirates enlist subjugated carebears to farm and develop the pirate controlled constellation. To force carebears into submission, project Hulkageddon is intensified and it becomes safer and more profitable to rent protected space from the pirate occupiers than to risk suicide attacks in Empire. From their protected 0.0 base, the pirates wreak havoc in neighboring low-sec systems. 0.0 neighbors, intimidated by the pirate boldness and constant small gang attacks, strike non-aggression pacts with the pirates which allows them to consolidate their power. The pirates' increased wealth and projected power leads to low-sec domination. Moving goods into 0.0 becomes much more difficult unless one has paid for favorable standings with the pirates. The graft and bribery provide a strong positive feedback loop, encouraging the Hellcats to expand their alliance and lock down more and more space.

The organized crime approach to government works surprisingly well. Pirates enjoy a passive income from the renters which keeps them in ships and modules for pew and yarr. Renters enjoy upgraded Industrial space with coherent protection and access to the increased 0.0 rewards implemented in Dominion 1.5. This innovative model begins to catch on, and the last old-school empty space holding Alliances begin to be out-competed by synergistic Industrial/Muscle arrangements. Things are not totally settled, however. There are grumblings amongst carebears about tax rates and oppression. These new 0.0 denizens are becoming tougher and more skilled with each month. It is only a matter of time before some of these Industrialists join forces in rebellion and attempt to form capitalistic Industrial kingdoms, providing their own muscle from the legions of hardening carebears who have flocked to null-sec's seductive draw. Small regional conflict is often influenced by mercenary forces made up of the expert PVP players from the collapsed empty space moon-goo alliances. These players now make huge profits as elite capital ship warfare specialists for hire. As always, the traders smile as war and destruction inevitably bring increased profits and opportunities for the intelligent to exploit!

CSM Voting

I dissed http://match.eve-csm.com on Twitter for launching the site ages ago, and then not being available to actually use.  This was a bit of fail on the admin, as you can't count on people returning to your site if it doesn't work at launch.

 

The Massively feature on the CSM triggered me to check out the match site today.  I was actually blown away by how useful the info was.  It prompted me to change my two votes to people who will better represent my views.  I was surprised to see that my previous choices had voted on "deal-breaker" topics in ways that I would not support.  If you haven't already voted, check out EVE Vote Match and find out who will have your back in the upcoming CSM!

 

I hope this tool becomes standard for future elections.  Hopefully the CSM members can help with adding pertinent questions for issues that develop prior to the next election.

Ouch!

I am grinding out missions to get lvl 4 Research agents. Until today, this process has been brainless. I could practically AFK every Lvl 2 mission I ran, and the first 5 Level 3s were likewise simple.

Today The Blockade kicked my butt. Twice.

I managed to lose not one, but TWO Myrmidons on this mission. Yes, I am probably a moron. I was certainly hubristic about mission running! I know the general consensus is that missions are mind numbing and boring. I agree with that idea mostly, but today I got pwned. Twice.

I am still not sure what caused all the waves to spawn at once, but I can vouch that it really sucks when that happens! I really hope my current round of invention is highly profitable as I need to recharge the ISK!