Just a couple of weeks ago PAPI leaders were announcing that there was “equilibrium.” This was where they had told their members that they were happy with the “balance of power.” Hence, PAPI members were free to take a couple of months off from the normal war pace. For some PAPI people, this “equilibrium” talk was the final straw. Two corporations from NCdot alliance decided that they had had enough and voted with their feet. This move led Vince Draken, leader of NCDot, to declare them traitors and he vowed furious retribution.
Other PAPI member coalitions had already moved away from Delve. FIRE had moved to the East to secure more rental space and Winter Coalition had gone North. The “Wardens of Eve” were almost in position in their respective homelands, ready to deal “justice” as they saw fit and extort income from smaller organizations.
The number of PAPI forces appearing in their main staging system of T5Z was dropping day after day. Things were getting so bad that a fun fleet from the Imperium ended up reinforcing PAPI citadels in their home system. The Mittani, leader of the Imperium, was even spotted salvaging and looting in a Noctis. The reffing was a task that PAPI leadership had declared impossible, and therefore they had not conducted a similar exercise in the Imperium home of 1DQ.
From “Equilibrium” to Sudden Reactions
Even PAPI leadership could not ignore the trajectory of this sorry state of affairs. Urgent action had to be taken and it had to be BIG. What we heard was an “announcement of an announcement of a move op.” But the good news for PAPI members is that once all the people who left the war front return, even though they were supposed to have never left, then there will be a “massive battle(s)” for the fate of 1DQ. The more astute of you may remember that Gobbins, leader of Pandemic Horde, said after the M2 debacle that there would be no big battle involving capital ships. Oh, how quickly the times change.
The PAPI announcement says that PAPI will now do a blockade of NPC Delve while preparing to assault 1DQ. The PAPI plan is to force their way into the 1DQ constellation and use their superior numbers. You would be forgiven if you question why this plan has taken over a year for the PAPI leadership team to develop.
You Have 14/21/28/60 days!
As ever with PAPI leadership, the announcement message, coming from multiple parties, is not quite on the same page. Although they have now declared a plan for 1DQ, they still seem unsure of the timetable. This is likely indicative of a difference in their respective interests.
For example, Fraternity, lead alliance of Winter Coalition, are very keen to move on and progress their own interests, which remain very much focused on their “valued ally” The Legacy Coalition. Fraternity have more than one score to settle on that front. Other members of PAPI also have their own interests to think of for the future.
Therefore, each of the leaders have presented different versions this new plan. Legacy leaders are understandably keen to make this all last as long as possible. Winter Coalition seem to have a much faster path to resolving World War Bee.
That is right. I said “resolving World War Bee.” No matter what happens now PAPI have set a new goal post, and this one is going to be really hard to move. PAPI has to finish the war by destroying 1DQ or admit that they have failed in their stated task. This time they have put a loose time frame on when results have to be delivered.
The reality, however, is that PAPI members will need to have a number of assurances: Will SRP be available and will it be paid in a timely manner? Will ships be available for PAPI pilots to reship into as they are stuffed into the slaughter that is bound to happen in 1DQ? Will PAPI leadership behave in completely honorable ways and not pursue their own self interests?
The Last Stand
So the scene is now set, more move ops aside, where PAPI will make a concerted effort to take and destroy 1DQ. The “keys” to success according to PAPI leadership are more numbers and the use of T3 ships. There were hints that other tactics were planned, but they were secret. Very likely they are “cunning plans” that would make the house of Baldrick glow with pride.
As the week of move ops for PAPI members advances, the members of the Imperium are not sitting idly by. Imperium pilots have already been hard at work keeping the proposed NPC Delve stations un-blockaded. The intent of PAPI was to prevent supplies getting to 1DQ. The forges of 1DQ are burning very brightly, especially when compared with their rivals in T5Z.
On the weekend of the 30th of July the PAPI “Big Push” is expected. Imperium members know that they are still vastly out numbered. All the odds are still very much stacked against them, but that reality holds no fear for them. Any Imperium member who was not fully committed to defending their homeland had ample opportunity to move on. PAPI screeched loudly about the “anaconda strategy.” There would be no escape route for Imperium members. Every Imperium member remaining is prepared to be drowned in the blood of their enemies.
With an uncertain outcome, this is almost unthinkable, as PAPI have had every advantage at their disposal. The pilot numbers, FCs, ships and ability to freely access industry and economic activities. But this story is not yet over. There is a glimmer of hope now for the Imperium that was unthinkable a year ago. If the Imperium can resist this final assault, then PAPI leaders have said they will return home.
Stay tuned to INN where we will continue to offer the most honest news from New Eden.
