I was recently invited to take part in an interview with Shalee Lianne who runs an excellent faction warfare based blog. The subject being the Black Rebel Rifter Club. I hope you find it an interesting read.
You can find the interview by clicking right here.
Thanks go out to Shalee for the invite.
MB.
21 Nov 2011
17 Nov 2011
16 Dramiels ....
12 days .....
Gotta lose them, gotta lose them all.
Coming soon.
A blog post of destruction.
A tale of a frigate's dying days.
Killmails.
Lossmails.
Broken hulls and scorched autocannons.
Soon.
Trademark.
---
In other news ..... The Cult has arrived.
*cough*
MB.
Gotta lose them, gotta lose them all.
Coming soon.
A blog post of destruction.
A tale of a frigate's dying days.
Killmails.
Lossmails.
Broken hulls and scorched autocannons.
Soon.
Trademark.
---
In other news ..... The Cult has arrived.
*cough*
MB.
16 Nov 2011
Hijack
Time seems to stand still, first the flash and then the bang. Bright and burning and louder than is comfortable, ear-splitting. Popping and then whistling and striking straight to the brain like an intrusive needle poked deep into the eardrum. Panic is taking over, passengers scrambling for the locked emergency escape capsules. Red lights flashing. Alarms wailing. Flashing. Wailing.
Gunshots crackle and bullets bounce off the heavily armoured interior, the odd bullet zipping into the upholstery of the worn seats and tearing into the foam, spraying material up into the air. Everyone falls silent. The passengers look around in shock, almost in disbelief that none of them have caught an unlucky ricochet. The recycled artificial air of the ship's cabin fills with a dirty grey smoke that bites at the lungs like an angry virus. There is coughing and crying, fifty odd people now at the mercy of their captors.
Five men in full combat apparel appear through the smoke, clad in all black they look fearsome, sporting black masks to hide their features they look like they mean business. Assault rifles strapped to their shoulders with fingers on triggers they are sharp and ready. One of them kicks the once sealed heavy steel door that is now spinning on the floor, mangled. His steel toe cap boots crunch the broken metal and burnt plastic underfoot.
"Well Boss look what we have here," the dreadlocked Brutor laughing at his new found cargo, a gleam in his eye. Reaching to his pocket he takes out a small silver flask and takes a long pull of the fiery liquid.
"Aaahhh," he smiles awkwardly at his audience as if he is some kind of twisted showman.
The Boss takes off his black shades and places them neatly in his top pocket. He pulls off his mask that is covering his mouth and tosses it to the floor.
"Everybody remain calm, do not panic. This here is your new crew, everybody back to your seats please."
There is a calmness about this hijack, like this has been rehearsed, or is some kind of routine occurrence.
The gangsters have come for one thing, an important shipment deep down in the belly of the cargohold. A shipment so valuable that these pirates will stop at nothing to get their bloody hands on it. Underworld markets are relying on this shipment. Seedy station-side pushers and disease-ridden junkies--right up to the lab rat booster-cookers at the other end of the spectrum. The chain is waiting. Orders are ready to be filled and veins ready to be poisoned.
The ship banks sharply and the lights in the cabin flicker for a moment pitching the room into temporary darkness between the delayed flickers. A mean looking clean cut man of Caldari bloodline takes an incoming radio message from his two-way.
"Cargo is good, green light on the cargo."
The radio crackles but it is clear that the incoming voice is that of a woman. The Caldari man wipes a bead of sweat from his brow, nodding to his Boss that the mission is almost over and the cargo is safe. The group begin to leave the cabin and enter the corridor back from where some ten minutes ago they had smashed their way in. Then, from the front row of seats a young looking man of Intaki origin stands and begins to spit venom at the Caldari as he is leaving. A young woman, also of the Intaki grabs him trying to pull him desperately back to his seat.
"Son of a whore," he spits.
Taken aback he pauses for a moment, his anger building up inside him. The two men stand there sizing each other up as the Intaki woman cries behind them muttering in a broken Intaki tongue. The gangster smirks and begins to turn heel, resisting the temptation. He carries on towards the corridor as the ships tannoy system announces that the ship's autopilot has been engaged. The ship banks again, this time more violently than before.
~Darkness~
The flicker of lights bathes the cabin in a warm orange glow that sporadically breaks the gloom. The ship's engines boom and then falter as if stalling.
The passengers fall silent.
MB.
Gunshots crackle and bullets bounce off the heavily armoured interior, the odd bullet zipping into the upholstery of the worn seats and tearing into the foam, spraying material up into the air. Everyone falls silent. The passengers look around in shock, almost in disbelief that none of them have caught an unlucky ricochet. The recycled artificial air of the ship's cabin fills with a dirty grey smoke that bites at the lungs like an angry virus. There is coughing and crying, fifty odd people now at the mercy of their captors.
Five men in full combat apparel appear through the smoke, clad in all black they look fearsome, sporting black masks to hide their features they look like they mean business. Assault rifles strapped to their shoulders with fingers on triggers they are sharp and ready. One of them kicks the once sealed heavy steel door that is now spinning on the floor, mangled. His steel toe cap boots crunch the broken metal and burnt plastic underfoot.
"Well Boss look what we have here," the dreadlocked Brutor laughing at his new found cargo, a gleam in his eye. Reaching to his pocket he takes out a small silver flask and takes a long pull of the fiery liquid.
"Aaahhh," he smiles awkwardly at his audience as if he is some kind of twisted showman.
The Boss takes off his black shades and places them neatly in his top pocket. He pulls off his mask that is covering his mouth and tosses it to the floor.
"Everybody remain calm, do not panic. This here is your new crew, everybody back to your seats please."
There is a calmness about this hijack, like this has been rehearsed, or is some kind of routine occurrence.
The gangsters have come for one thing, an important shipment deep down in the belly of the cargohold. A shipment so valuable that these pirates will stop at nothing to get their bloody hands on it. Underworld markets are relying on this shipment. Seedy station-side pushers and disease-ridden junkies--right up to the lab rat booster-cookers at the other end of the spectrum. The chain is waiting. Orders are ready to be filled and veins ready to be poisoned.
The ship banks sharply and the lights in the cabin flicker for a moment pitching the room into temporary darkness between the delayed flickers. A mean looking clean cut man of Caldari bloodline takes an incoming radio message from his two-way.
"Cargo is good, green light on the cargo."
The radio crackles but it is clear that the incoming voice is that of a woman. The Caldari man wipes a bead of sweat from his brow, nodding to his Boss that the mission is almost over and the cargo is safe. The group begin to leave the cabin and enter the corridor back from where some ten minutes ago they had smashed their way in. Then, from the front row of seats a young looking man of Intaki origin stands and begins to spit venom at the Caldari as he is leaving. A young woman, also of the Intaki grabs him trying to pull him desperately back to his seat.
"Son of a whore," he spits.
Taken aback he pauses for a moment, his anger building up inside him. The two men stand there sizing each other up as the Intaki woman cries behind them muttering in a broken Intaki tongue. The gangster smirks and begins to turn heel, resisting the temptation. He carries on towards the corridor as the ships tannoy system announces that the ship's autopilot has been engaged. The ship banks again, this time more violently than before.
~Darkness~
The flicker of lights bathes the cabin in a warm orange glow that sporadically breaks the gloom. The ship's engines boom and then falter as if stalling.
The passengers fall silent.
MB.
7 Nov 2011
Bellicose/Scythe PVP Video
A while back we held a corporate Bellicose and Scythe tournament. Dong Orson recorded the footage and has put together a video of the events.
Linky
Warning contains graphic images of ECM.
MB.
Linky
Warning contains graphic images of ECM.
MB.
3 Nov 2011
On location with Bullywood Productions
For the past few weeks I have been flying with my production team - Bullywood Productions, to capture and record material for a future series of pvp videos that I plan to release. Camera drones have been deployed and daring shots by brave and fearless (and somewhat disposable) film crews have been stored for future editing.
As things currently stand my plan is this. There will be a video dedicated to fights whilst piloting the Rifter, in solo combat 1v1's, in small gang fights and up against the odds in 1v2's, 1v3's, 1vblobz, et cetera. Going along the same theme there will also be a Jaguar video and a Wolf video.
At the moment I have a lot of Wolf footage and it looks like I might be able to release this one first. Jags are next for the amount of recorded fights but Rifter footage is low, I keep sitting in belts in my Rifter but it seems it is invisible. So inevitably I hop into a Jag or Wolf and hit a roam and end up finding some cool fights.
I have some nice Wolf footage from a 2v3. Myself and a corp mate both in the Wolf versus another Wolf, a Jaguar and a Myrmidon. All 3 enemy vessels were slain. I also have a cool fight in my Wolf against a Hawk where we both end up exploding, never seen that happen before, pretty cool stuff.
One thing I've noticed from recording my fights is how often I make stupid mistakes. There was this one fight against a Taranis in my dual-rep Rifter where I forgot to fire up the afterburner, and there are a few instances where I randomly click on an asteroid and begin keeping range from the rock instead of the target. Not because I click the target whizzing around on my screen, that would be bad, I just accidentally click things in the adrenaline rush of the fight it seems. I probably wouldn't have noticed any of these things if I hadn't reviewed the footage. I'm a bit of a purist in the sense that I don't use any F keys during combat, I like to click buttons on my mouse and I guess doing it this way makes for a more exciting experience and mistakes are only going to happen. Still, I think it will make for interesting footage either way.
I also wanted to make a Firetail video but after spending some time in the hull I have come to the conclusion that watching me fail miserably by dying every time I undock in the thing wouldn't make for a good watch. I'm thinking of fitting up some Claws and recording fights in that hull, but we'll see how long it takes to burn through all these assault frigates first.
I'm a long way off gathering all the material I need, so would be open to any offers for 1v1's or if anybody wants to throw a small gang at me when I'm in an assault frigate then don't be shy. Just don't embarrass me too much or it won't make the final cut. Heh.
I also need to think about what music I am going to use in my videos, exciting times ahead, it is like being your very own disc jockey. If anybody has any recommendations please do fire away in the comments section. Being cheeky, any donations to this film project would be greatly appreciated in either ISK form or hulls, as the bank manager has told me this project looks like it won't come cheap. If anybody does donate anything then you'd be listed in the end credits.
:)
So that's it, I just wanted to waffle on to let it be known I will have some videos of me dying spectacularly out soon. But not that soon. Also, it will just be pure pvp, none of this fancy boosting malarkey. Raw unadulterated and filthy ship explosions with a sprinkling of music.
See you in space.
Cut!!!
MB.
As things currently stand my plan is this. There will be a video dedicated to fights whilst piloting the Rifter, in solo combat 1v1's, in small gang fights and up against the odds in 1v2's, 1v3's, 1vblobz, et cetera. Going along the same theme there will also be a Jaguar video and a Wolf video.
At the moment I have a lot of Wolf footage and it looks like I might be able to release this one first. Jags are next for the amount of recorded fights but Rifter footage is low, I keep sitting in belts in my Rifter but it seems it is invisible. So inevitably I hop into a Jag or Wolf and hit a roam and end up finding some cool fights.
I have some nice Wolf footage from a 2v3. Myself and a corp mate both in the Wolf versus another Wolf, a Jaguar and a Myrmidon. All 3 enemy vessels were slain. I also have a cool fight in my Wolf against a Hawk where we both end up exploding, never seen that happen before, pretty cool stuff.
One thing I've noticed from recording my fights is how often I make stupid mistakes. There was this one fight against a Taranis in my dual-rep Rifter where I forgot to fire up the afterburner, and there are a few instances where I randomly click on an asteroid and begin keeping range from the rock instead of the target. Not because I click the target whizzing around on my screen, that would be bad, I just accidentally click things in the adrenaline rush of the fight it seems. I probably wouldn't have noticed any of these things if I hadn't reviewed the footage. I'm a bit of a purist in the sense that I don't use any F keys during combat, I like to click buttons on my mouse and I guess doing it this way makes for a more exciting experience and mistakes are only going to happen. Still, I think it will make for interesting footage either way.
I also wanted to make a Firetail video but after spending some time in the hull I have come to the conclusion that watching me fail miserably by dying every time I undock in the thing wouldn't make for a good watch. I'm thinking of fitting up some Claws and recording fights in that hull, but we'll see how long it takes to burn through all these assault frigates first.
I'm a long way off gathering all the material I need, so would be open to any offers for 1v1's or if anybody wants to throw a small gang at me when I'm in an assault frigate then don't be shy. Just don't embarrass me too much or it won't make the final cut. Heh.
I also need to think about what music I am going to use in my videos, exciting times ahead, it is like being your very own disc jockey. If anybody has any recommendations please do fire away in the comments section. Being cheeky, any donations to this film project would be greatly appreciated in either ISK form or hulls, as the bank manager has told me this project looks like it won't come cheap. If anybody does donate anything then you'd be listed in the end credits.
:)
So that's it, I just wanted to waffle on to let it be known I will have some videos of me dying spectacularly out soon. But not that soon. Also, it will just be pure pvp, none of this fancy boosting malarkey. Raw unadulterated and filthy ship explosions with a sprinkling of music.
See you in space.
Cut!!!
MB.
27 Oct 2011
Corp Spinning
The recruitment drive rumbles on, inactive members have been kicked from the roster and more pilots are joining to keep things fresh. We're currently standing at approx 75 members, we've got every time zone covered but we want more pilots, more pilots for the Rifter swarm.
In reality most R1FTA pilots enjoy solo roaming, or at least will try their hand at it and take the challenge to master what is for some not an easy play style. Some will snag kills aplenty, some will have barren spells, some will die spectacularly each and every time they undock until they get the hang of it. The facts are that whilst you're out there losing ships and getting into fights, at least you're learning. We also enjoy small roaming frigate gangs, sometimes maybe cruisers. Most of our gangs are usually formed when a target has been reported in intel or a fight has escalated.
As a corp we have hundreds of fitted tech 1 Rifters ready for combat and available for new members should they ask, most pilots tend to come with their own hangar though, but free Rifters are always a good thing, right? We don't care too much about our corp statistics and efficiency ratings, sure, everybody likes to look at a good killmail but we won't berate somebody who is going out losing ships faster than he can fit them. In fact, as CEO I only look at the lossmails if somebody points me to them.
If we do delve into the statistics side of things, we'll see that since firing back up the R1FTA project just over 5 months ago the Rebels have:
2,119 Kills
and
1,888 Losses
To me, that says that in over 5 months we're getting our autocannons dirty, winning slightly more than we're losing, and having a good laugh along the way. We've got a great camaraderie and corporate culture going on in-house, the secrets can only be unlocked once you are in, as they say, but here is a teaser.
We've destroyed almost 52 Billion ISK worth of ships and fittings.
and
Lost some 33 Billion ISK
This spike in kills and a fire-first-ask-questions-later attitude saw the Black Rebel Rifter Club climb to number 25 in the battleclinic corporate rankings for recent ship violencing.
Looking into the details a little further.
The top 10 ships flown in kills by R1FTA pilots are:
1 Rifter (well, no surprise there) 1,021 kills
2 Jaguar 208 kills
3 Thrasher 152 kills
4 Wolf 143 kills
5 Republic Fleet Firetail 114 kills
6 Capsule 104 kills (I'm guessing most of these are hero tackle Rifters)
7 Hurricane 77 kills
8 Tristan 72 kills
9 Malediction 65 kills
10 Dramiel 63 kills
The most popular systems for scoring these kills, according to recent history are:
1 Hek
2 Amamake
3 Adirain
4 Siseide
5 Hadozeko
6 Egghelende
7 Arnon
8 Auner
9 Bosboger
10 Isenan
You'll notice that is a good mix of high-sec and low-sec systems, as we have pilots in all types of pvp styles and in all areas of space. Low-sec piracy, Empire war decs and general can-flipping and robbery are all big parts of the R1FTA pilot's play style.
With this current recruitment drive we'd like to double our numbers at the very least, we'd like multiple small roaming gangs in various parts of New Eden, as well as pilots out doing their solo thing. If you think that you'd like to be a part of this then drop by our public channel - The Autocannon - and say hello.
MB.
In reality most R1FTA pilots enjoy solo roaming, or at least will try their hand at it and take the challenge to master what is for some not an easy play style. Some will snag kills aplenty, some will have barren spells, some will die spectacularly each and every time they undock until they get the hang of it. The facts are that whilst you're out there losing ships and getting into fights, at least you're learning. We also enjoy small roaming frigate gangs, sometimes maybe cruisers. Most of our gangs are usually formed when a target has been reported in intel or a fight has escalated.
As a corp we have hundreds of fitted tech 1 Rifters ready for combat and available for new members should they ask, most pilots tend to come with their own hangar though, but free Rifters are always a good thing, right? We don't care too much about our corp statistics and efficiency ratings, sure, everybody likes to look at a good killmail but we won't berate somebody who is going out losing ships faster than he can fit them. In fact, as CEO I only look at the lossmails if somebody points me to them.
If we do delve into the statistics side of things, we'll see that since firing back up the R1FTA project just over 5 months ago the Rebels have:
2,119 Kills
and
1,888 Losses
To me, that says that in over 5 months we're getting our autocannons dirty, winning slightly more than we're losing, and having a good laugh along the way. We've got a great camaraderie and corporate culture going on in-house, the secrets can only be unlocked once you are in, as they say, but here is a teaser.
 |
| Barry White - former Rifter pilot. |
We've destroyed almost 52 Billion ISK worth of ships and fittings.
and
Lost some 33 Billion ISK
This spike in kills and a fire-first-ask-questions-later attitude saw the Black Rebel Rifter Club climb to number 25 in the battleclinic corporate rankings for recent ship violencing.
 |
| I think I may have mentioned this previously :) Photo courtesy of Sard Caid Publishing. |
Looking into the details a little further.
 |
| All R1FTA Rifters come pre-loaded with R2 units for pilot safety. |
The top 10 ships flown in kills by R1FTA pilots are:
1 Rifter (well, no surprise there) 1,021 kills
2 Jaguar 208 kills
3 Thrasher 152 kills
4 Wolf 143 kills
5 Republic Fleet Firetail 114 kills
6 Capsule 104 kills (I'm guessing most of these are hero tackle Rifters)
7 Hurricane 77 kills
8 Tristan 72 kills
9 Malediction 65 kills
10 Dramiel 63 kills
The most popular systems for scoring these kills, according to recent history are:
1 Hek
2 Amamake
3 Adirain
4 Siseide
5 Hadozeko
6 Egghelende
7 Arnon
8 Auner
9 Bosboger
10 Isenan
You'll notice that is a good mix of high-sec and low-sec systems, as we have pilots in all types of pvp styles and in all areas of space. Low-sec piracy, Empire war decs and general can-flipping and robbery are all big parts of the R1FTA pilot's play style.
With this current recruitment drive we'd like to double our numbers at the very least, we'd like multiple small roaming gangs in various parts of New Eden, as well as pilots out doing their solo thing. If you think that you'd like to be a part of this then drop by our public channel - The Autocannon - and say hello.
MB.
24 Oct 2011
Rubber Bullets
Minding my own business in Egghelende solar system I spot a Loki on scan that hadn't been renamed.
Hmm.
I am in a Jaguar. The Loki pilot is affiliated to a corp that has strong connections to a seemingly mining and industrialist venture.
A quick blip of the 360 degree scanner reveals nothing else in the near vicinity so I decide to head straight on into the belt with all guns blazing. Landing on top of the Loki it is clear that he is currently ratting with a battleship rat.
Ohh, so I lock him up. Heart starts racing a little as I start to ponder if I could actually do this. Loki has no shield damage at this point. I get myself into a comfortable tight orbit and begin to unleash fire and brimstone at the Loki's shields and ....
They start to drop.
Slowly.
Painfully slowly.
He locks me back up and we begin the dance.
At this point I'm starting to half believe that this Loki might die, his shields are taking the incoming damage well but there is some damage registering, not quite enough to break them of course and I'm wondering now if I have enough ammo in the hold. Then, from what looks like a quarter shield strength the Loki's shield is regenerated back up to full strength. I've been shooting him now for nearly two minutes but it seems more like twenty and I now get the feeling that I'm a mouse playing with a big cat that is out here for the thrill. It looks like I've got rubber bullets shooting at this thing. I have ran out of EMP ammo now so switch to Phased Plasma.
I put in the call in some intel channels and corp chat but people are spread out and a few declare their interest but they are close to ten jumps away. I feel now that I could keep this thing tackled forever and a day. I notice some of the locals are in system, a couple of the -10 guys I start a convo with in the hope that they might want a piece of the cake, but my calls go unanswered.
Hurricane on scan. He lands 60 clicks off, could this guy be here to help me or is he the Jaguar pest control guy? He is gaining slowly, I'm guessing he is now an anti-frig fit fat armor hull as he slithers towards me like a fat slug. At 40 clicks he locks me up and starts registering on my incoming damage meter, damn. I'm taking no damage from the Loki but this guy has just trumped my ambitious plans for Loki destruction.
At nearly 3/4 shields I cut my losses and burn away and then warp off. I watch the belt at 5 degrees and they are still there. They are fighting each other, I start to check my assets tab for where my nearest Hurricane is staged. There is one next door and as I prepare myself for a gate jump with GCC I notice gf's go up in local and the Cane pilot makes the statement that he couldn't break the Loki's tank.
Stalemate.
I offer up a cheeky request in local for an ammunition refund. After the Loki pilot asks me what ammo I was using, and my response, "Republic Fleet's finest good sir", my wallet flashes with 15 million ISK.
Oh well was worth a try and I made a profit.
MB.
Hmm.
I am in a Jaguar. The Loki pilot is affiliated to a corp that has strong connections to a seemingly mining and industrialist venture.
A quick blip of the 360 degree scanner reveals nothing else in the near vicinity so I decide to head straight on into the belt with all guns blazing. Landing on top of the Loki it is clear that he is currently ratting with a battleship rat.
Ohh, so I lock him up. Heart starts racing a little as I start to ponder if I could actually do this. Loki has no shield damage at this point. I get myself into a comfortable tight orbit and begin to unleash fire and brimstone at the Loki's shields and ....
They start to drop.
Slowly.
Painfully slowly.
He locks me back up and we begin the dance.
At this point I'm starting to half believe that this Loki might die, his shields are taking the incoming damage well but there is some damage registering, not quite enough to break them of course and I'm wondering now if I have enough ammo in the hold. Then, from what looks like a quarter shield strength the Loki's shield is regenerated back up to full strength. I've been shooting him now for nearly two minutes but it seems more like twenty and I now get the feeling that I'm a mouse playing with a big cat that is out here for the thrill. It looks like I've got rubber bullets shooting at this thing. I have ran out of EMP ammo now so switch to Phased Plasma.
I put in the call in some intel channels and corp chat but people are spread out and a few declare their interest but they are close to ten jumps away. I feel now that I could keep this thing tackled forever and a day. I notice some of the locals are in system, a couple of the -10 guys I start a convo with in the hope that they might want a piece of the cake, but my calls go unanswered.
Hurricane on scan. He lands 60 clicks off, could this guy be here to help me or is he the Jaguar pest control guy? He is gaining slowly, I'm guessing he is now an anti-frig fit fat armor hull as he slithers towards me like a fat slug. At 40 clicks he locks me up and starts registering on my incoming damage meter, damn. I'm taking no damage from the Loki but this guy has just trumped my ambitious plans for Loki destruction.
 |
| Just before the incoming damage from the 'cane. |
Stalemate.
I offer up a cheeky request in local for an ammunition refund. After the Loki pilot asks me what ammo I was using, and my response, "Republic Fleet's finest good sir", my wallet flashes with 15 million ISK.
Oh well was worth a try and I made a profit.
MB.
11 Oct 2011
Black Rebel recruitment is now open
The time to recruit new blood to the R1FTA ranks is upon us. The age of the Black Rebel Mega-Corp is near, hundreds of customized black jackets are on order. Non-active members will be purged from the rolls and a new freshness and zeal will be injected into the corp.
With the birth of five new individual regional chapters all uniting under one Black Rebel banner, big plans are being put into place by the Black Rebel management team.
Enjoy frigate combat and looking for a new home?
Drop by our in-game public channel The Autocannon or pay a visit to our recruitment thread.
Are you crazy enough to join R1FTA?
MB.
With the birth of five new individual regional chapters all uniting under one Black Rebel banner, big plans are being put into place by the Black Rebel management team.
Enjoy frigate combat and looking for a new home?
Drop by our in-game public channel The Autocannon or pay a visit to our recruitment thread.
Are you crazy enough to join R1FTA?
MB.
9 Oct 2011
The Knife
The corridor was dark with two thin deep-orange strobe lights blinking rhythmically along the edges, periodically bringing the narrow walkway into a pulsing soft light and then plunging it back into the darkness. The lights pulsed and bounced off the cold steel girders, occasionally revealing a mellow haze of smoke rising up to the ceiling.
In the small recess stood the Brutor, waiting patiently, his huge frame wedged into the wall. Clad in old dark-green almost black combat trousers and sporting a long black trenchcoat which flowed almost right down to his rusted steel toe cap boots, he waits.
As the sound of distant footsteps clinking off the meshed flooring grow closer a cigar is stubbed out on the girder and flicked down and onto the floor, it sizzles and fades away against the cold metal. The Brutor pulls on his fingerless military issue gloves, footsteps closer now, the man coming towards him is dressed in the uniform of a local wannabe law enforcement crew, he is young looking, barely 20 years of age, fresh of face and he sports a ruthlessly efficient looking silver stun gun that clings to his leg in its holster.
The Brutor's grip is firm. The razor sharp blade clasped in his hand tightly, he lunges forward revealing himself from the darkness, his trenchcoat swooping across the floor in a breathtaking arc, the timing is perfect as the strobe lights shimmer off the silvery blade. He pulls the young man towards him, as he tries to yell out the Brutor's hand grips his mouth, he falls silent, struggling he wriggles like a trapped fawn in the grasp of the predator's claws.
The knife is sunk deep into the man's back, the thug-like Brutor twists the shank further into the flesh, through the gloves the sensation of hot liquid oozes onto the man's black skin. As the blade is pulled the young man gasps and all the air leaps out of his body. He stumbles, still on his feet he swings around a full turn, his hand now fumbling for his weapon, he is now shaking, the sudden realization of what is happening strikes him and wrenches at his heart, death is upon him.
The Brutor smiles, revealing a gold tooth, it is a menacing grin, a trained killer in action, he doesn't flinch as the young man points the gun at him before firing off a bolt of the stun gun.
Shaking nervously. He misses.
As the weapon begins to spool up for another shot, the Brutor kicks out, his worn boot smashes against the man's shin with a sickening crack, taking his legs away from him he falls onto the flooring and the weapon falls into the side of the walkway, spinning on the floor. Blood spills more violently as punches rain down on the head, a frenzied attack the man is now lifeless.
Air hisses from one of the station venting systems, filling the corridor for a moment in pure cold vapour, the Brutor takes in a large breath, replenishing his lungs, he stands over the body.
A small badge on the uniform reveals the name and rank of the young soldier.
Junior Officer, Adams.
Two letters are emblazoned on the side of the Junior Officer's blood stained shirt.
E.M.
The Brutor thug rips away the badges and carefully places them inside the top pocket of his trenchcoat, he pulls out a fresh smoke and walks away down the corridor, the blackness in the bottom belly of the station envelops him.
Ruthlessly efficient.
MB.
In the small recess stood the Brutor, waiting patiently, his huge frame wedged into the wall. Clad in old dark-green almost black combat trousers and sporting a long black trenchcoat which flowed almost right down to his rusted steel toe cap boots, he waits.
As the sound of distant footsteps clinking off the meshed flooring grow closer a cigar is stubbed out on the girder and flicked down and onto the floor, it sizzles and fades away against the cold metal. The Brutor pulls on his fingerless military issue gloves, footsteps closer now, the man coming towards him is dressed in the uniform of a local wannabe law enforcement crew, he is young looking, barely 20 years of age, fresh of face and he sports a ruthlessly efficient looking silver stun gun that clings to his leg in its holster.
The Brutor's grip is firm. The razor sharp blade clasped in his hand tightly, he lunges forward revealing himself from the darkness, his trenchcoat swooping across the floor in a breathtaking arc, the timing is perfect as the strobe lights shimmer off the silvery blade. He pulls the young man towards him, as he tries to yell out the Brutor's hand grips his mouth, he falls silent, struggling he wriggles like a trapped fawn in the grasp of the predator's claws.
The knife is sunk deep into the man's back, the thug-like Brutor twists the shank further into the flesh, through the gloves the sensation of hot liquid oozes onto the man's black skin. As the blade is pulled the young man gasps and all the air leaps out of his body. He stumbles, still on his feet he swings around a full turn, his hand now fumbling for his weapon, he is now shaking, the sudden realization of what is happening strikes him and wrenches at his heart, death is upon him.
The Brutor smiles, revealing a gold tooth, it is a menacing grin, a trained killer in action, he doesn't flinch as the young man points the gun at him before firing off a bolt of the stun gun.
Shaking nervously. He misses.
As the weapon begins to spool up for another shot, the Brutor kicks out, his worn boot smashes against the man's shin with a sickening crack, taking his legs away from him he falls onto the flooring and the weapon falls into the side of the walkway, spinning on the floor. Blood spills more violently as punches rain down on the head, a frenzied attack the man is now lifeless.
Air hisses from one of the station venting systems, filling the corridor for a moment in pure cold vapour, the Brutor takes in a large breath, replenishing his lungs, he stands over the body.
A small badge on the uniform reveals the name and rank of the young soldier.
Junior Officer, Adams.
Two letters are emblazoned on the side of the Junior Officer's blood stained shirt.
E.M.
The Brutor thug rips away the badges and carefully places them inside the top pocket of his trenchcoat, he pulls out a fresh smoke and walks away down the corridor, the blackness in the bottom belly of the station envelops him.
Ruthlessly efficient.
MB.
30 Sept 2011
The Solo Combat Pilot's Guide to Good Roaming #7
Hagilur Pocket
This low-sec pocket of space in the Metropolis region lies only 3 high-security jumps from the busy trade hub of Hek. A popular short-cut and smuggling run to to Jita lies behind the Thelan gate in Hagilur for those brave enough and wishing to risk the hazardous and often deathly run.
The pocket itself has a varied amount of pvp opportunities available to the solo and small gang combat pilot, from duelling frigates and ganking mission runners, to evading gatecamps and hijacking plex dwellers. A visit to the Hagilur pocket usually does not disappoint.
Hagilur 0.4
Hagilur, in the constellation of Barvigrard, is a traditional low-sec Minmatar mining and factory system that offers the visitor five working stations which all boast the latest facilities for tourists and broken spacecraft. It should be noted however that none of the stations in Hagilur offer a medical facility at the time of writing this guide.
The market is usually dictated by supply and demand and is rarely well stocked but for the basic ammunitions and equipment. The occasional reconditioned frigate or cruiser hull can be picked up from time to time, but these don't sell anywhere near as much as the local Spirits, the workforce in the area renowned for their thirst of the imported fire liquids.
Six asteroid belts that can attract brave mining crews seeking a quick cargohold and a next pay packet can often yield results for the discerning hunter killer, it is not uncommon to spot a newly registered mining barge or other modified hull performing this task in Hagilur. Planet 4 and planet 5 being the main clusters of activity as far as the rocks go. The asteroid belts can also be alive with frigate fighters, out looking for a good fight. Do be aware that bait tactics are sometimes used, with gank squads waiting behind the high-ecurity gate. But by all means, a good bait ship is a dead bait ship so chancing your arm shouldn't be turned away from.
The entry points from high-sec can sometimes be camped, the main campers in Hagilur are often set up to take down passing transport and industrial ships so a frigate hull should be able to pass relatively unscathed.
Numbers in Hagilur can vary, sometimes only a handful of pilots will be active, at busy periods it can peak to around the 30 number. This fluctuates as gangs move on, and a good stay in Hagilur should get you the fights you crave.
Ragnarg 0.4
Moving into the dead-end system of Ragnarg, which offers five stations with basic repair facilities and little else in the way of creature comforts. The main attraction of this mostly quiet system other than the three asteroid belts is the Angel Cartel Creo-Corp Mining 2/10 plex, if somebody is in system here there is a good chance that he is running the plex or perhaps waiting on the gate looking for a fight. A Minmatar Contracted Bio-Farm (1/10) also provides an avenue for combat, but this is a rarely visited site.
Hagilur 0.4
Doubling back on ourselves we blip our 360 degree scanner for targets as we cross warp the system onto our next gate.
Dudreda 0.3
A high ranking low-security Minmatar system that plays host to the Republic Military School and the Parliament Bureau amongst others in its six stations. Remarkably, 4 out of the 6 stations offer cloning services. As expected the other facilities on offer are of a high standard. The market is average in comparison to everything else on offer in Dudreda.
Nine asteroid belts provide the backdrop for hunting opportunities.
Hakisalki 0.2
Hakisalki is another system with high corporate military academies and presidential bureaus, three clone capable stations and great repair facilities. The main attraction here for the hunter is the 19 asteroid belts which will hopefully harbour your next fight.
Arwa 0.1
The deeper into the pocket we go the lower the security of the system, this makes for ideal ratting territory. Attracted by the spawns of battleship rats offering close to the bounties that are more common in null-security space, your next target is hopefully trying to crack one of the rats as you hunt him down and enjoy the feast of your find. It will be rare, but it does happen and those with the patience and cunning will often reap the results.
Arwa has 10 asteroid belts and a Ruined Minmatar Outpost, three stations offer only the very basic of facilities, and only one station - the Republic Fleet Assembly Plant at Moon 3 of Planet X offers a ship repair service.
Arifsdald 0.1
Again the main opportunity for combat as we move fast and further down towards the bottom rung of the pocket is the hope of finding a lone ratter. Arifsdald is a large system that has 20 asteroid belts to hunt in and its 4 stations offer a good mix of services, including one medical bay over at the Krusual tribe Bureau.
Ansen 0.1
Ansen lies at the bottom of the pocket and with only two very basic stations and only two asteroid belts it is usually quickly bypassed as we begin to head back up to Hagilur.
Krirald 0.2
Krirald is another parliament system, the services on offer are good and cloning is available at the Republic Parliament Bureau. 10 asteroid belts give the chance of finding a stray ratter a boost and the top belt is a stunning Glare Crust ice belt, sometimes mined by local starbase operators on the lookout for cheap fuel material. You never know when you might get lucky, although it must be said that these types are usually sharp when it comes to keeping an eye on local.
Moving back towards Hagilur in the hope that targets have refreshed and new faces are in local we pass back through ....
Dudreda 0.3
and then we are back in Hagilur 0.4
This is a good little pocket to hunt in and I would recommend the area as a good place to base a ship stash ready and loaded for combat. I more often than not find that Hagilur reaps the most in terms of combat but I will always do the pocket roam from time to time as you never know what you might find along the route. I regularly visit Ragnarg too to check local count and visit the 2/10.
Happy Hunting!
MB.
This low-sec pocket of space in the Metropolis region lies only 3 high-security jumps from the busy trade hub of Hek. A popular short-cut and smuggling run to to Jita lies behind the Thelan gate in Hagilur for those brave enough and wishing to risk the hazardous and often deathly run.
The pocket itself has a varied amount of pvp opportunities available to the solo and small gang combat pilot, from duelling frigates and ganking mission runners, to evading gatecamps and hijacking plex dwellers. A visit to the Hagilur pocket usually does not disappoint.
Hagilur 0.4
Hagilur, in the constellation of Barvigrard, is a traditional low-sec Minmatar mining and factory system that offers the visitor five working stations which all boast the latest facilities for tourists and broken spacecraft. It should be noted however that none of the stations in Hagilur offer a medical facility at the time of writing this guide.
The market is usually dictated by supply and demand and is rarely well stocked but for the basic ammunitions and equipment. The occasional reconditioned frigate or cruiser hull can be picked up from time to time, but these don't sell anywhere near as much as the local Spirits, the workforce in the area renowned for their thirst of the imported fire liquids.
Six asteroid belts that can attract brave mining crews seeking a quick cargohold and a next pay packet can often yield results for the discerning hunter killer, it is not uncommon to spot a newly registered mining barge or other modified hull performing this task in Hagilur. Planet 4 and planet 5 being the main clusters of activity as far as the rocks go. The asteroid belts can also be alive with frigate fighters, out looking for a good fight. Do be aware that bait tactics are sometimes used, with gank squads waiting behind the high-ecurity gate. But by all means, a good bait ship is a dead bait ship so chancing your arm shouldn't be turned away from.
The entry points from high-sec can sometimes be camped, the main campers in Hagilur are often set up to take down passing transport and industrial ships so a frigate hull should be able to pass relatively unscathed.
Numbers in Hagilur can vary, sometimes only a handful of pilots will be active, at busy periods it can peak to around the 30 number. This fluctuates as gangs move on, and a good stay in Hagilur should get you the fights you crave.
 |
| 1v1 ? |
Ragnarg 0.4
Moving into the dead-end system of Ragnarg, which offers five stations with basic repair facilities and little else in the way of creature comforts. The main attraction of this mostly quiet system other than the three asteroid belts is the Angel Cartel Creo-Corp Mining 2/10 plex, if somebody is in system here there is a good chance that he is running the plex or perhaps waiting on the gate looking for a fight. A Minmatar Contracted Bio-Farm (1/10) also provides an avenue for combat, but this is a rarely visited site.
Hagilur 0.4
Doubling back on ourselves we blip our 360 degree scanner for targets as we cross warp the system onto our next gate.
Dudreda 0.3
A high ranking low-security Minmatar system that plays host to the Republic Military School and the Parliament Bureau amongst others in its six stations. Remarkably, 4 out of the 6 stations offer cloning services. As expected the other facilities on offer are of a high standard. The market is average in comparison to everything else on offer in Dudreda.
Nine asteroid belts provide the backdrop for hunting opportunities.
Hakisalki 0.2
Hakisalki is another system with high corporate military academies and presidential bureaus, three clone capable stations and great repair facilities. The main attraction here for the hunter is the 19 asteroid belts which will hopefully harbour your next fight.
Arwa 0.1
The deeper into the pocket we go the lower the security of the system, this makes for ideal ratting territory. Attracted by the spawns of battleship rats offering close to the bounties that are more common in null-security space, your next target is hopefully trying to crack one of the rats as you hunt him down and enjoy the feast of your find. It will be rare, but it does happen and those with the patience and cunning will often reap the results.
Arwa has 10 asteroid belts and a Ruined Minmatar Outpost, three stations offer only the very basic of facilities, and only one station - the Republic Fleet Assembly Plant at Moon 3 of Planet X offers a ship repair service.
Arifsdald 0.1
Again the main opportunity for combat as we move fast and further down towards the bottom rung of the pocket is the hope of finding a lone ratter. Arifsdald is a large system that has 20 asteroid belts to hunt in and its 4 stations offer a good mix of services, including one medical bay over at the Krusual tribe Bureau.
Ansen 0.1
Ansen lies at the bottom of the pocket and with only two very basic stations and only two asteroid belts it is usually quickly bypassed as we begin to head back up to Hagilur.
Krirald 0.2
Krirald is another parliament system, the services on offer are good and cloning is available at the Republic Parliament Bureau. 10 asteroid belts give the chance of finding a stray ratter a boost and the top belt is a stunning Glare Crust ice belt, sometimes mined by local starbase operators on the lookout for cheap fuel material. You never know when you might get lucky, although it must be said that these types are usually sharp when it comes to keeping an eye on local.
 |
| Republic Parliament Bureau - Krirald |
Moving back towards Hagilur in the hope that targets have refreshed and new faces are in local we pass back through ....
Dudreda 0.3
and then we are back in Hagilur 0.4
This is a good little pocket to hunt in and I would recommend the area as a good place to base a ship stash ready and loaded for combat. I more often than not find that Hagilur reaps the most in terms of combat but I will always do the pocket roam from time to time as you never know what you might find along the route. I regularly visit Ragnarg too to check local count and visit the 2/10.
Happy Hunting!
MB.
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