Yes, we have all seen those days, when we had to see off a member of an alliance. The days that they flew would always be remembered. Again, we see this. These ships have travelled far, and have had their share of kills, pods, raids, and planet busts. We see them off in their scratch-torn, scorched, and armed ships going into the unknown, to where they go, we would not know.
These partings can place a big difference in many things. The universe will not be the same without them, even if you didn't know them or even if you did. With each parting pilot travels the unknown. By the end of time, they fought hard, they traded those long hours, and visited the bars to catch up on some good times.
"One day, we hope to see one of those ships again, even just for one time." A member of a port community speaks, "He came here everyday, and each time, he'd have more money. Not to mention those scars on his ship from the fighting."
Memories like this are to be cherished. What to do about these lost pilots? The one thing we can do is salute their departures as we see them off and honor their memories.
Alpha Man
I am an Alpha Man,
Runnin through Lu from the DC clan,
Long, black, cloaked spaceships,
Traveling in packs of 2 to 6.
-An Ik'Thorne Trader
Death Control Ruthless in Ursa Major
The recent speculation regarding Death Control's response to the failed peace talks with Crusaders was answered today as DC brought one of the most powerful fleets of the conflict into the harrowed galaxy. Sixteen DC warships were brought to Ursa, allowing the attack fleet to target the Crusaders stronghold in sector 3167. The attackers seemed to have no regard for either their own lives or those of the planet's inhabitants, mercilessly and indiscrimately pounding the heavily fortified planet in a brief but intensive onslaught.
The planet defenses claimed 9 attacking ships but were unable to hold up against the determined and experienced DC fleet. With the planet defenses breached, the attackers were further able to turn their guns on a defenseless Crusaders fleet that had been using the planet as a base for their own operations - the 8 parked warships had no chance against the combined firepower of the attackers.
Death Control went on capture to the strategically placed minor planet in sector 3120 and demonstrated their determination to hold Ursa Major by ending their operation with extensive minelaying.
With the major loss of warships on 3167 and the further loss of a ship each to the 3120 attack and to forces, there is speculation as to whether Crusaders will now be able to mount any further resistance against the DC war machine.
Planet Bust Skirmishes in Baffled Old Barracuda
It was a quiet day in Baffled Old Barracuda, when all of a sudden the peace was broken in sector 3258 by the sound of 10 Flying Hellfish ships orbiting high over the planet's atmospere. All the people on the planet trembled in fear as the Flying Hellfish guns fired on the planet.
The planet was owned by Lotus, a well known Dogs of War member and respected player. After the first shot, witnesses saw DOW members Half_Elf, Truth_be_thy_destroyer, Penglund, Pekoeta, and No Noobs Here take action to defend. They patiently sat at the uno waiting for the FH, hoping they could pick off 2 or 3 so that they may not be able to continue with the bust. But what they got was much more.
Soon three damaged FH ships entered the Uno, and the DOW jumped them and attacked. All the Flying Hellfish ships were destroyed. In response, the remaining FH pilots attacked the small Dogs of War fleet, hoping to kill them all with sheer numbers. But in the aftermath of the last attack all the FH had been launched back to their respected HQ's. The DOW only lost 1 fighter out of the whole bunch, Pekoeta. Some of the FH members killed in the fight were: Hadeslady, Yankeebtch, Big Loadie, and Gordon Shumway.
When Half_Elf of the Dogs of War was asked to comment, all he could say was "We won cuz this attack was a total improvisation and has no coordination at all
But in the end after all the uncoordination, we kicked there asses all the way back to their HQ's." This just goes to show that sometimes a mass suicidal attempt against unwinnable odds can sometimes work out in your favor.
This is Truth, and I'd like to say good night.
Crusaders Keep the Fight Alive in Ursa Major
Following the overwhelming invasion of Ursa Major, in which Death Control made good on its promise of complete control, the Crusaders have yet again made Ursa Major their battleground. Summoning up what witnesses say was a fleet of at least 15 warships, which included some pilots drawn from a variety of other alliances, notably the Shadow Guild, Ultra Blue, and the Flying Hellfish, the Crusaders forced their way back into the war-torn galaxy and seized one of the planets.
Traders in Centarus reported the large fleet gathered at the warp leading to the Bombs Over Baghdad galaxy in sector 2816. They then systematically moved into Bombs Over Baghdad to clear the heavy minefields that Death Control had set up at the entrance to Ursa Major and converged over the planet at 3150. A short time later after six Crusaders ships fell to the planet's turrets, the world was under Crusaders control. Death Control ships patrolling the area were able to destroy a few Crusaders ships, and one DC ship was reported lost.
Two night later, more Crusaders ships appeared in Ursa Major. This time, their target was reportedly the planet located in sector 3151. Eleven Crusaders ships fired a number of times at the planet's defenses, and three Crusaders ships were destroyed by the planetary defenses. But the Crusaders were unable to penetrate it's defenses before Death Control ships started restocking the planet's shields. A force of Death Control defenders arrived, but were outnumbered by the Crusaders fleet. The Crusaders made several attempts to lure the Death Control fleet out into the open but the DC defenders held back.
After taking two more shots at the planet's shields, it appeared that the Crusaders called off the attack. Their fleet had split up as they were preparing to leave the area when in a sudden swift turnaround, the Death Control defenders struck. In three different sectors, the Death Control fleet was able to destroy all of the invading Crusaders ships.
In light of the failed peace treaty between these two alliances, and now this podfest, this could only mean one thing: the violence which has torn this little corner of the Milliways galaxy apart for months is far from being over.