(The author of this article is from Provi-bloc and any opinions and ideas are not the ideas of Evenews24 but solely that of the author.)
War has come to Providence. From all sides Providence is being invaded by that of Pandemic Legion, Northern Coalition, Honorable Third Party, and Purple Helmeted Warriors. Others including that of DARKNESS., Blades of Grass, and Pandemic Horde augment Pandemic Legions fleets. As always pirate fleets and marauders continue to harry the people of Providence as well.
The conflict started in late December and today, as it stands, Pandemic Legion has been able to wrestle 22 systems away from Provi-Bloc. Purple Helmeted Warriors have currently taken three systems YQB-22, H-GKI6, and 3GXF-U. Northern Coalition at its strongest expansion had two systems N8XA-L and R3-K7K but has since been rebuffed from Providence. Finally the last invading entity that currently holds sovereignty is Honorable Third Party which is holding onto Y-MPWL. Originally it was uncertain if the minor parties were individually invading Providence or working together in collusion with one another. Now it is known that these organizations are working together for the conquest of Providence. When HTP or any of the other groups appear to be about to be pushed out of the region Pandemic Legion has come to the battle and dropped capital ships to ensure the other minor parties maintain their foothold in Providence.
Pandemic Legion has maintained the use of its capital fleets against Providence defenders. After several defeats mid-way in the conflict Pandemic legion appears to be loath to allow sub-capital fleets to go head on with Providence without the support of capital ships and force auxiliaries. Pandemic Legion and Northern Coalition complain they have to down grade their ships in order to get fights. Yet they still feel the need to bring capital ships to ensure victory. Whilst Provi-Bloc is famous for the saying “Provi does not have capitals.” Speaking with some of the Pandemic Legion and Northern Coalition pilots they are frustrated that Provi-Bloc does not seek fights when PL and NC are in their stronger doctrine ships.
For the most part the leadership of Pandemic Legion and Northern Coalition are tight lipped on their reasons for the invasion. One can only guess about the tactical reasons behind their methodology. In fact one could possibly look to history for possible reasons why such an event has happened.
There was once a large Empire called the Persian Empire. It was the largest Empire in the known world and its armies so large that it was said to be able to drink rivers and lakes dry. They sought after a small region of nation states called Greece. While the Persian Empire with their God-King sought vengeance against Greece and its absolute conquest they also had eyes on bigger projects. The Persian Empire was to use Greece as a launching pad to other regions especially into Europe.
With that in mind could Providence be a possible launching pad for Pandemic Legion and Northern Coalition to strike at targets in the South? Targets such as Test Alliance Please Ignore and that of Goonswarm Federation? The next question that must be asked is when will these groups get involved in the conflict in Providence? Will the South unite in order to fight the Northern aggressors?
The wind of Pandemic Legion and its allies have breathed hard on the defenders of Providence. The second month of brutal fighting finally saw the break in the North. Northern Providence finally has succumbed to the continual pressure of Pandemic Legion. With this Yulai Federation, a long time defender of Providence, has withdrawn its members and left Providence for Test. Its space quickly gobbled up by Pandemic Legion once the stalwart defenders left.
Still more friction has seen rise to a civil war amongst the members of Provi-Bloc. Silent Infinity was charged with harbouring a criminal of Providence. The criminal in question had a very public trial in which he was found guilty of crimes against Providence and set “kill on sight” after given repeated second chances. Silent Infinity’s leadership refused to set the individual KOS and bar them from citadels. The leadership of Silent Infinity [AFK] literally went AFK when Provi-Bloc leadership reached out to them. This coupled with the fact the 2000 plus man alliance only had 22 active PVP pilots defending Providence in this time of war gave outcry to the rest of Provi-bloc. As pilots from many different systems united to save Silent Infinity space yet they continued to be AFK at Call-to-Arm events. The setting of KOS and removal of Silent Infinity of SOV holdership sparked a minor war with some of Silent Infinity’s more hardened pilots. It was truly a sad moment to see. It was a failure of their leadership that brought about the issues.
These were strikes to the heart of Provi-Bloc which continued to make morale low despite the recent successes at pushing Northern Coalition out of Providence and destroying a vast majority of their citadels they put up. This was when Jin’taan, a longtime leader amongst CVA and Provi-Bloc, declared he was leaving. This individual had been a spokesperson and representative of CVA for countless years. He had advised and lead fleets on innumerable occasions. With him departing a shadow was cast on the future of CVA.
A meeting of the remaining leadership of CVA and leadership of Provi-Bloc was held. Its meeting was to determine the fate of CVA. Rumors shortly spread that the downfall of CVA was here. That it would abolish its Alliance and the coalition would disband. Pilots from around Providence were hit with the sudden realization that Provi-Bloc could be no more in mere moments. Myself, I prayed. Prayed that the unique experiment that is Providence would not end here and now.
When the leaders emerged from the meeting it was a different vibe. CVA will withstand. Provi-Bloc will continue to fight for every system. It will continue to fight against every invader until our very last system has fallen. Even if Provi-Bloc is pushed out of Providence they will continue to fight. It will reclaim Providence no matter the cost or time. What the enemy fails to understand is the other aspect of game play in Eve. That is our role playing. To give up on Providence would be the same as electing not to breathe. How many Alliances could honestly claim to have such connection to a space? Our Coalition can proudly claim Eve Cannon was changed due to our efforts and Role Play. The Paladins of Providence will not give up on their oaths. The Amarr Empire and that of the Empress watches over our actions. To give up on Providence would only shame them. This cannon cannot be tolerated. The weight of over a decade of warfare fought to preserve this space bares upon our backs. This war has done much to better help our understanding and mechanics of the game. In the future Provi-Bloc will change how they run fleets. Changes to doctrine, how SOV is held, and stream lined processes to better facilitate war and SOV warfare. Many who thought the leaders going into the emergency meeting would emerge with horrible news were elated with the outcome.
Pandemic Legion and its hosts have unbeknownst to them have helped Provi-Bloc refine itself into a greater organization.
“A house divided will not stand” is a phrase used by many people throughout history. Currently Test and Goonswarm have had diplomatic issues as of recent times. Test was not at the Keepstar battle in 9-4. Afterwards relations turned a tad sour to say the least. Even Provi-Bloc fresh from the invasion of Pandemic Legion and its allies was able to muster a token fleet to assist in the battle. If the South is to resist a continued invasion of the North then it is clear it must unite for mutual protection against that of Pandemic Legion and its allies.
Already Provi-Bloc has fought beside Test and The Initiative to face the combined strength of Pandemic Legion and its allies. Will future endeavors continue to unite the men and woman of the South against these Northern aggressors? Time will only tell. For now the Pilots of Providence look on to the future with grime determination knowing that victory will be long and hard. Even if it takes years to take in effect Provi-Bloc will endure. It shall remain.
Amarr Victor, Ave Providence,
Very Respectfully,
Kyle Saltz
