The Eve Online 0.0 Experiment - Post 068 - A Tale Of Two Cities (Part 3)

A Tale Of Two Cities (Part 3)

A short while later, a chat request box appeared on my screen and I was thrust into a conversation with Andrew once more.

In a split second, I decided that honesty was the best policy, and after dramatically confessing everything and throwing myself at his mercy, I was somewhat surprised to see that he didn't seem remotely bothered:



Not entirely unlike the thrice-weekly activities of Backdoor Bandit and his friend Hans Roaming, this loving mutual raiding had been taking place for some time, and was considered to be quite normal between these two parties. My nerves became calmed and soothed, and the conversation changed to the topic of my dream of building a n00b haven in 0.0.


Andrew began to teach me the mechanics of station-building:




Maelstrom alliance had created their first station just two months ago, and it gave me substantial hope that I could also follow in their footsteps by doing the same.

Unfortunately, Andrew advised me that in order to achieve this, I would probably need to create an alliance of at least 300 pilots who would be willing to lay their lives down for the good of the n00bs.


It was a tall order indeed, and I began to wonder if I was living in a deluded fantasy world.


After meeting me halfway, Andrew escorted me back to Maelstrom Prime, where I docked and was pleased to meet lots of new people.


I began to ask about their feelings towards I.A.C:




The source of the conflict between them was complex, and stretched far back into the history of the south. I recalled talking with the pilots in ASCN space, during the capital ships parade on my first night there, and of learning about their history with D2, and I imagined that if there did exist a solution to the conflict between IAC and Maelstrom, it would be very difficult to implement.


I then listened to their memories of creating their first station:




There was a great sense of warmth in listening to the excited recollections of the events that had led to the creation of their very own home, and I was heartened and bolstered by the experience. I resolved that I would continue to ignore those who say it cannot be done, and would resolutely pursue the idea.


IAC then unexpectedly burst into the system and raided Maelstrom:




This time I was on the other side of the attack, and I decided that the perfect opportunity had arisen to attempt to heal the wounds between these two warring peoples:



My speech was failing miserably, and my noble delusions of inter-region unity were dwindling more rapidly than the credibility of a man who had been caught in a compromising position with a cucumber, a tub of vaseline and a flock of sheep...

I hurriedly decided to deflect attention onto a more positive aspect of their relationship, and not entirely unlike someone on the receiving end of an eviscerating political speech, I was promptly accused of supporting terrorists...



The brutal raid ended and I spent the rest of the night getting to know the pilots in Maelstrom, whom I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with. I really liked both of these alliances and it truly saddened me that they could not find a way to get along.

I headed back to The Distillery and logged out, intending to return fresh the next day for some serious "shuttle diplomacy."


I was determined to succeed in my first valiant attempt at being a neutral diplomat.


However, when I logged back in, I shockingly discovered that the banner of the Mining Coalition was now flying over the Distillery, which had just been ruthlessly conquered!


(to be continued...)