Altbrard system, Molden Heath region. In the early hours of the 6th of March, a FETID [FETID] capital fleet was destroyed by forces belonging to Pandemic Legion [-10.0], DropBear Sanctuary [DROP] and Iron Armada [FLEEP] in what turned out to be a well set up trap.
After losing the moon to FETID forces, DropBear Sancutary and Iron Armada attempted to reclaim it, planning to reinforce the tower and repay FETID for the previous defeat. In order to do so, DropBear Sanctuary contacted Pandemic Legion to set up an ambush for FETID forces, as the two sides regularly employ capitals in their battles with increasing numbers.
Pandemic Legion agreed to provide help and organized 35 super carriers as well as a titan, moving them in range of the system in secret while also preparing a small force of heavy interdictors to provide tackle.
DropBear Sanctuary and Iron Armada provided the bait, assembling a 40 pilot mixed armor battleship fleet which included a triage carrier and three dreadnoughts, with another triage carrier and 6 more dreadnoughts waiting in reserve. The force quickly set up on the FETID tower, intending to reinforce it.
FETID scouts were able to observe the fleet forming and traveling, informing their fleet commanders who decided to form a counter. FETID managed to form a 40 pilot fleet of its own, mostly faction battleships including many Bhaalgorns and no less than 14 dreadnoughts along with 3 triage carriers. This fleet got into position to bridge while a strategic cruiser was sent ahead to secure a cynosural beacon, landing on top of the joint fleet and lighting it up. With the beacon up, FETID forces bridged into the system, only the sub-capitals with one triage carrier.
The joint fleet was not surprised by the cynosural beacon, allowing FETID forces to jump in and the two sides quickly opened fire, starting the fight. From the start FETID was at a disadvantage, as its triage carrier landed in optimal range of the joint fleet’s dreadnoughts. The dreadnoughts didn’t waste time and targeted the carrier, pummeling it quickly as the FETID Bhaalgorns scrambled to drain their capacitor and shut them down.
As the triage carrier attempted to tank the incoming fire, the joint fleet lit a cynosural beacon of its own and ushered in its capital reserves, putting FETID in a tight spot. With the loss of its triage carrier seemingly imminent, FETID had to choose to either withdraw and allow its enemies to reinforce the tower or commit fully. Opting for the latter, FETID brought to the field the entirety of its capital fleet, with dreadnoughts quickly entering siege cycles and targeting the enemy capitals.
With reinforcements on the field coupled with the Bhaalgorns present, the FETID fleet started taking down enemy dreadnoughts while its own carriers were dispatched by the joint fleet. An intense capital battle was developing on the field as the two sides fought at close range, dreadnoughts exchanging heavy blows. However, before the two sides could continue in their capital brawl, Pandemic Legion sprang the trap.
Another cynosural beacon was lit on grid and into the field jumped the Pandemic Legion super capital fleet, its heavy interdictor support bridging in as well and quickly tackling the FETID dreadnoughts. The super carriers unleashed their hordes of fighter bombers, targeting the dreadnoughts as the titan fired its doomsday device. With the swarm of fighter bombers, the Pandemic Legion fleet was able to easily chew through the FETID capitals, who could do nothing against the super capitals.
With the FETID capital fleet annihilated, the sub-capitals could do nothing else but retreat, to avoid suffering the same fate. Thus Pandemic Legion and the joint fleet were left to hold the field. With the field secured, the joint fleet used the opportunity to reinforce the tower before the two fleets safely extracted, bringing an end to the fighting.
The Battle from the Perspective of the FETID Fleet
The Battle from the Perspective of the Pandemic Legion Fleet
Battle report for the Altbrard system can be found here.
All told the fight lasted 8 minutes with Time Dilation not reported and the system hosting 140 pilots at the peak of the fighting.
FETID suffered the brunt of the losses, 22 ships including 14 dreadnoughts, 3 carriers and 1 battleship for 59.22 billion ISK damage.
The Joint fleet lost 3 ships in the battle, all dreadnoughts, for a total of 9.12 billion ISK damage.
Pandemic Legion suffered no losses in the fight.
Salivan Harddin is a member of Reikoku, Pandemic Legion, and covers battles across New Eden
