As you read this article, Li3 and Gents are in the process of transferring corporations and assets to The Bastion [BASTN], the latest sov-null meta-alliance. The Bastion, which will cover sections of CFC sov in both Vale of the Silent and Fountain with outliers in Tribute, can be seen as an effort to consolidate coalition border alliances which have both have seen a decline in pilot and corporation membership in recent months. It is said that the Mittani will be the figurehead of the alliance, while prominent Li3 and ex-Gents leaders take up leadership positions.
With the recent transfer of Gents sov to GoonSwarm Federation following the announcement of the shuttering of the alliance, CFC leaders will be keen to speed the integration of former Gents corporations into the coalition to avoid leakage of pilots or corporations during what must be a period of uncertainty as to their role within the CFC.
There was rumour that Li3 was motivated to approve plans due to the inability of -FA- and the GSF to assist them in controlling the residents of the Phoenix constellation (Fountain NPC null)which bridges Li3 sov. A source from within Gents replied to the suggestion that Li3’s inability to control their NPC null neighbours motivated their entry to The Bastion with laughter.
“Li3 isn’t disbanding because fa and goons can’t defend them. They are disbanding because they see an opportunity to grow bigger by merging with gents.”
Either way, the move can be seen as positive for all involved. If Li3 and -FA- cannot control one constellation of NPC null pirates then prevention of sustained harassment in both Fountain and Delve by any one of the CFC’s many enemies would be an impossibility. The same plays true of any prolonged incoherence within ex-Gents at the northern border.
Coalition leadership will be hoping that the merger will bolster and co-ordinate both border regions under a CFC “border agency”. The east will be watching and waiting, hoping themselves that the Mittani’s latest project bites the dust, leaving valuable CFC border regions chaotic and vulnerable as the Summer wars draw near.
