LXQ2-T system, Etherium Reach region. On the 4th of October at 19:30 EVE Standard Time, forces belonging to Red Menace Coalition (RMC) clashed head-on with two Drone Regions Federation (DRF) fleets in a bloody battle over the Infrastructure Hub’s (iHub) final timer.
RMC forces, in retribution for the attempt for a prior attack on their staging system, started attacking LXQ2-T which serves as one of the main gateways into the Drone regions. DRF forces moved to defend the system, and both fleets showed for the final iHub timer.
According to sources in the DRF, RMC assembled 150 pilots in a Machariel Battleship fleet with at least five Triage Carriers. The DRF brought a similar force both in size and composition, but without any Triage support. A secondary DRF fleet of Machariels numbering nearly 50, arrived for Triumvirate. [TRI], to support the DRF.
DRF forces set up on the PX-IHN gate: The main fleet sitting on the there while the TRI Machariel fleet kept their distance 100 kilometers above. The gate was the most likely point of entry of RMC forces. Not disappointing, RMC forces jumped into the DRF the contested system. The fight began.
What followed was an ugly brawl, as both Machariel fleets engaged each other in close range. A murderous exchanged occurred with both sides inflicting massive damage, volleying Battleships off in rapid succession. More RMC Traige-supported-Machariels managed to survive the diminishing volleys from the DRF side, who had trouble coordinating fire between its two fleets. As time wore on the RMC seemed to emerge with the upper hand.
The constant third-party bombing of the brawling fleets by Paisti Syndicate [PSY]’s Stealth Bomber wing, didn’t help matters. Paisti Syndicate’s sorties had no favorites, but with the stronger logistical support for RMC it was far easier for it’s fleet to shake off the effects of the bombing, not so much DRF.
Losing ships and unable to break the tank of the enemy’s Machariels, DRF Fleet Commanders realized the battle was lost. Quickly, they called for a retreat, conceding the field to RMC. Having won the battle, RMC forces took down the iHub before returning to their staging.
The Battle from Paisti Syndicate’s Bomber Wing PoV
Battle report for the LXQ2-T system can be found here.
All told the battle lasted nearly 40 minutes with around 400 pilots in local and Time Dilation being a constant factor.
RMC forces lost 22 Battleships, which along with support ships mounted to 17.01 Bil ISK of damages. DRF lost 60 Battleships, which with support ships reached 33.02 Bil ISK of damage.
Salivan Harddin is a member of Reikoku, Pandemic Legion, and covers battles across New Eden
