And then the boss kicked me out for no damn good reason.
That was almost five months ago and, believe it or not, we've managed to live decently together in Hevrice since then. For the most part. Despite the sudden desire of certain Tuskers to camp our station (something we have never done to their station btw) and a few minor incidents here and there, it has mostly been good fights for everyone.
I'm going to pause here for a moment and admit that I am rather torn about what comes next. I waited almost a week before I wrote this post and was prepared to never write it. In fact, I had given my word as a gentleman that I would be writing the opposite. On the other hand however, I am a journalist and this is a blog about my experiences in Eve. So I sorta, kinda have to write about what is going on in Eve. I just want you to know that I am torn about writing this because I know the accusations of "drama" that will follow.
But fuck it.
The Tuskers dishonored a 1v1.
To add insult to injury they also used ECM.
I'm not sure that you will understand the importance of this event, so let me educate you. During the entire 18 months I was in the Tuskers they never dishonored a 1v1. In point of fact doing so is directly against the CORE of the CODE, reason enough for automatic dismissal from the Corporation. These are not my rules, these are their rules. It is ingrained in each pilot and each pilot swears to abide by the Code.
So I get a private convo from Jaxley, a Tusker Director and someone I respect, asking me what can be done about this? I explain our position and that we consider this a dishonorable action deserving of compensation. The usual amount of denial, evidence, denial, evidence later and we come to a mutual resolution. I will agree to drop the accusation in public if the Tuskers compensate our pilot (which is an admission of guilt btw, which they have done) and have each of the pilots involved apologize privately to our pilot. This seems reasonable to me, I really have no desire to drag this incident thru the mud. And I was prepared to never mention it here on the blog.
We have only received two of the three "apologies" and they both read exactly the same:
"I have been informed that i am obligated to apologize to you for the confustion about a certain 1v1 that you proposed. I am sorry but i cannot apologize for any broken rules or codes, because i had not agreed to any such engagment. I will however apologize for the confusion on the matter and i hope you understand that if anything else like this happens, if i do not respond to your query consider it declined
-Rat Finkle"
Not exactly an apology. And we've yet to receive one from the other pilot involved.
Lest you think for a moment that I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill, since this incident the Tuskers have declared War on Stay Frosty (which is just weird) and begun a campaign of camping us into station, camping the hi-sec gate to Hevrice, and calling for help from their friends to take down our system assets.
On our part we have yet to call on any of our friends. Or camp their station. Or declare war on them.
That won't last however. Stay Frosty is a young Corporation, we certainly don't have the infrastructure, logistical power, or length of experience of the Tuskers. I am aware of that. But what we do have is extremely powerful. We have the high road. We don't dishonor 1v1s. We don't actively camp stations. We are PvPers who are looking for good fights.
But we are also not going anywhere. And we are 130 strong pilots who are not going anywhere.
Already one of the pilots involved in the dishonor has left the Tuskers. And a few more of the pilots I respect have also left in the past week. I openly ask the ones remaining, who are you fighting for? Whatever you think of me, ask yourself what has happened since I left your Corp? Have things gotten better, or have things gone the way I warned you they would? Have I fallen into obscurity like your 'leader' told you I would? Or do I have 130 pilots playing the way you guys used to play? Are you flying for a Corp that dishonors 1v1s and uses ECM against a Frigate?
I'll quote your glorious leader for you. Last week I convo'd him to tell him about the upcoming FFA and ask him nicely if he'd like to participate. That is called an "olive branch" and I swallowed my pride to do it, but I did it.
Rixx Javix > thanks for taking the convo
Rixx Javix > there is a lot of enthusiasm in corp and from other quarters for an FFA in October
Rixx Javix > we'd be willing to sponsor such an event
Suleiman Shouaa > Ok
Suleiman Shouaa > We being?
Rixx Javix > Stay Frosty
Suleiman Shouaa > Ok
Rixx Javix > would tuskers be interested in being a part of it?
Rixx Javix > co-sponsors perhaps?
Suleiman Shouaa > Well unfortunately I decline
Rixx Javix > I was trying to be nice y'know
Suleiman Shouaa > Not really willing to tar the reputation of the corp with association with you
Ask yourself, who are you fighting for?
I fight for my friends.