As a wise man once said, “It is the nature of time, that the old ways must give in. When the new meets the old, the ancient ways must always end.” If recent events tell us anything, is that old ways also go out in a blaze of glory. As fleet-based PvP has become the new, accepted norm, the empires of New Eden have begun assimilating or eliminating any who do not conform to this new structure.
Beginning as a mass gathering of solo players in the system of Hama, in the Domain region, just two systems away from Amarr. This led to anger from those who have long claimed that solo PvP is the best, most pure form of PvP. Two particularly outspoken solo players—Taka and Shin—rallying solo players together to, in their words, “1v1 the galaxy.”
The following events will be retold as best as possible; however, history is always written by the victor, and we have no other sources with which to obtain the facts.
A surprising joint effort between CONCORD and the Imperial Amarr Navy—which was supplemented by capsuleers from across the galaxy—formed a massive, three-thousand strong fleet. As CONCORD Captain Jake Thompson reported: “We were going to let them continue their protests. Everyone grew tired of their constant demands for 1v1’s at the star. So we decided to act.”
CONCORD then proceeded to shut down the stations of Hama, forcing the solo players out into the open. Outnumbered six to one, the solo players’ numbers began to quickly dwindle, as they all were hectically scrambling to find an avenue of escape. Taka, the impromptu leader of the solo players, broadcast a message to rally at the low-security system of Sieh, where Taka had an unfueled Fortizar placed.
The eight systems between Hama and Sieh were littered with the wreckage of the solo players as they made their best effort to retreat, however many foolishly charged the fleets in order to die bravely, with a “good fight” on their lips, as their code of honor dictates. Taka, the leader of the solo players, had his ship, a bling-fit Ashimmu, severely damaged along the way. Unable to repair his ship, and unable to provide a good fight, he self-destructed his ship. Before he did the same with his capsule, he ordered his friend Shin to dispose of his corpse so that it might not be desecrated. Shin scooped his former comrades frozen corpse to his cargo hold, before jettisoning it on a direct collision course with the star of the system, insuring Taka’s wishes were granted.
Rallying around the temporarily fueled Fortizar—named Shiroyama—Taka, and the remaining thirty-nine solo players dug-in and prepared for the worst. CONCORD’s fleet was reduced in numbers, due to their inability to traverse low-security space. However, there were only forty solo players remaining, while the Imperial/capsuleer fleet was still twenty-four hundred strong.
Outnumbering the solo players sixty to one, the fleet was confident of their victory, began to fortify the system, insuring none could escape. The sole gate leaving the system was guarded by a dozen instant-locking Loki cruisers, and an equal number of speedy Machariel battleships, in order to bump away any stragglers.
The beginning of the end occurred when the leader of the fleet offered a chance for surrender. This, of course, was perceived as an insult to the solo players, violating their very sense of being as an independent fighter. After a quick strategy discussion, each solo player calling out who they will target, in order to prevent any 2v1’s from occurring. They then un-docked and began their final, suicidal charge into the fleet. Initially the tactic seemed to work; though many of the fleet pilots were not used to engaging an enemy directly, the logistics pilots especially. However, due to sheer weight of numbers, the fleet decimated the remaining solo players. The only thing remaining of the solo PvP culture was the wreckage of their blingy ships, and the chants of “good fight” before they succumbed to their fate.
One week after the fighting was over, the leaders of New Eden posthumously pardoned the actions of the solo players. “They may have been annoying and stuck in their ways, but most of them weren’t that bad.” Pomik Haromi, regent of the Amarr empire was quoted in saying. This final act and statement was the closing to one of many bloody chapters of the New Eden history books. As we look to the future, we may find ourselves thinking; when will our ways become the ways of old?
