9-F0B2 system, Providence region. On the 2nd of June 20:00 EVE Standard Time, Providence Bloc and Northern Coalition. [NC] met in battle in the system, in a fight that saw Providence Bloc soundly defeated.
[NC] had once again deployed Sovereignty Blockade Units in the G-5EN2 system, prompting Providence Bloc to form up and remove them. Providence Bloc for its part attempted at first to remove the Sovereignty Blockade Units with Ishtar Heavy Assault Cruisers, but [NC] had organized a fleet of 130 pilots, in Loki Strategic Cruisers. The [NC] fleet bridged to G-5EN2, forcing Providence Bloc to retreat and re-organize.
Providence Bloc decided to bring a Naga Battlecruiser fleet, as it proved effective in previous engagements versus [NC]. 170 pilots quickly departed Providence Bloc’s staging system en route to engage the [NC] fleet and bring down the Sovereignty Blockade Units.
Fidelas Constans [FCON] which had recently deployed to the region as part of the promised Imperium campaign, caught wind of what was happening and formed an Ishtar fleet, approximately 50 pilots large. The force made way to the system as well, hoping to take part in the fighting.
As Providence Bloc made its way to G-5EN2, it became apparent that [NC] were waiting for them on their in-gate in the 9-F0B2 system, sitting comfortably on the 4B-NQN gate. Providence Bloc stopped its march and sat on the 9-F0B2 gate in the 4B-NQN system, both parties unwilling to jump into each other.
The stalemate continued for nearly half an hour, when [NC] brought a Stealth Bomber force and bridged it into the 4B-NQN system. The force set to bomb the Providence Bloc fleet on the 9-F0B2 gate and thus, hopefully, force it to jump into the awaiting Loki fleet. This did not turn out well, as the Providence Bloc fleet constantly switched gates, thus rendering the entire attempt moot.
And yet, disaster struck when Providence Bloc re-positioned on the 9-F0B2 gate. Giving the order for support ships to jump into the system and join the fleet, several pilots misunderstood the command and jumped into 9-F0B2. Deciding not to abandon them, the Providence Bloc Fleet Commander had the fleet jump after them, knowing full well that it meant certain death.
With Providence Bloc jumping into the [NC] fleet, the battle commenced on the 4B-NQN gate. Providence Bloc ships tried to burn away from the Lokis, but many found themselves webbed down. One after another the Battlecruisers popped under the immense damage projected by the Lokis. They could not warp out either as the [NC] Interdictors did a great job of deploying interdiction probes in the midst of the Providence Bloc fleet, preventing its escape.
At this point though, the [FCON] fleet arrived on grid. After studying the situation for a short time, it chose to attack the [NC] force, warping to it at range and dropping drones. Providence Bloc forces managed to regroup as well, and added their firepower to the mix.
Even with two different fleets hammering at them, the [NC] Logistics managed to keep their fleet mostly intact, losing only a few ships to [FCON]’s Ishtars. As the battle continued, [NC]’s fleet perched up and warped on top of the Providence Bloc Battlecruisers, who managed to anchor away from the gate. Quickly, interdiction fields and probes went up and Battlecruisers were annihilated, forcing survivors to flee to the safety of the station present in the system.
Once Providence Bloc’s fleet left the grid, [NC] turned its attention to the [FCON] fleet. [NC] warped on top of the [FCON] fleet, who chose to withdraw as well, losing a few ships in the process.
With no more targets present, [NC] extracted from the system, choosing not to reinforce the G-5EN2 system, as it achieved the goal of a fight. Thus ended the hostilities between the two sides for the night.
The Battle from a Spectator’s PoV, Courtesy of Mangraa Dementia
The Battle from Northern Coalition.’s PoV
Battle report for the 9-F0B2 system can be found here.
Local saw nearly 400 pilots in the system at the peak of the fighting, with Time Dilation not reported to be a major issue. All told the actual battle lasted approximately 20 minutes.
Providence Bloc lost 111 ships during the fight, 95 of which were Battlecruisers, for a total sum of 11.8 Bil ISK damage. [FCON] lost 14 ships only, for a total of 2.5 Bil ISK. [NC] suffered minor losses, only 11 ships, though for a total of 4.2 Bil ISK damages.
The battle cannot be called anything but a one sided massacre for Providence Bloc. Though it was commendable of the Providence Bloc Fleet Commander to jump the fleet in and attempt to save the pilots, or at least die with them, showing comradeship, it still resulted in an unnecessary loss of an entire fleet.
It can also be called noble of the [NC] Fleet Commander to decide not to reinforce the G-5EN2 system after being granted a fight, if one does not consider the fact he forced Providence Bloc’s hand to begin with by threatening its sovereignty.
Salivan Harddin writes for The EVE Scribe, Providence Bloc’s News Portal. When he isn’t writing articles, he usually bugs FCs for BRs.
