Please stop.
Attacking them on sight is a perfectly reasonable response.
If the Equilibrium had assassinated Jamyl Sarum in a single shot, while she was flying an Avatar, there wouldnāt be a hint of hesitation from anyone. They would instantly be considered one of the greatest threats in the cluster.
If the Rogue Drones stole the corpse and voice of a notable scientist, they would be considered a threat.
If the Nation set up gigantic bases of unknown purpose in wormhole space, they would be considered a threat.
Why do the Drifters get this weird free pass?
They may not have fired the first shot, but they certainly fired the biggest. Why should we sit around waiting for the next one?
Then why donāt the Empire navies attack them on sight? Nor have I heard any correspondence that they want us to, either - again, aside from the Amarr.
Iāve explained why I think what I think several times already, possibly in this very thread. Iām tired of repeating myself. Iāll just say that they donāt have a āfree passā, but, how would I put it, ābenefit of the doubt.ā Iāve noted many times that the Drifters seem to operate a lot like disciplined capsuleer organizations, and Iām applying some of those standards to them. You wouldnāt be yelling bloody murder if a capsuleer alliance assasinated the CEO of another alliance, would you? (insofar as capsuleers can be assasinated.)
People are so damned contradictory these days. Donāt you have anything better to do?
They pay us to do it.
What have they done to deserve it? Look organised? Thatās a terrible reason.
Wars have started for considerably less.
@Teinyhr why donāt you invite them over for tea and a spot of negotiation?
Just donāt ever, ever, ever invite them to a funeral.
Very simply, there have been many attempts at communication, none successful. Iām not one to think, without reason, āBut this time will finally be different.ā
If there are indications of a potential change, of circumstances that warrant more attempts, then weāll stand off and make such attempts as are necessary. Otherwise, they remain a hazard to shipping, a potential threat, and itās far better for all involved if we clear them from populated areas quickly and with a minimum of fuss.
Same old story, every time.
Some people here do not seem to be following this whole story from the start. We tried observing; we tried talking, none worked. Kalaratiri already covered the main "why"s, let me jsut add this:
If Navies and CONCORD arenāt shouting at every corner that some weird mute undead-ish aliens or whatnot are invading Empire space that doesnāt mean they are not doing anything. This weekās leak is the proof of that.
Oh? Thereās no bounties and no anti-drifter task-force ever brags about getting a dime through back channels.
You donāt ādeserveā benefit of the doubt, the whole term means that when you donāt know all the circumstances you donāt just assume the worst.
How very original and I certainly not have heard this one like five, seven times already? Heck, Iād gladly lead negotiations with them if it gets all the madness to stop.
That did get a good chuckle out of me.
So you stopped trying?
Please do.
You have a volunteer! Send her in!
I stopped trying when my reference capsule was fried and I managed to haul my butt out of there in a burning ship after being attacked by Drifters after spending a week sitting at a respectable range from an Observatory and trying to ācommunicateā without any issues.
I wonder if all those dead crew in these suicide runs are as convinced that itās āworth itā to destroy fleets of demonstrably harmless - unless youāre one of those weird necrophiles - gate scanners? The bloodshed is starting to pile up.
My mistake, I thought you were talking about the EoM, as that was the subject of my original comment.
All I can say is one day all of you āletās just leave them aloneā folks are going to be really glad thereās a group out there practicing and learning how to kill those dead-eyed fucks.
Yeah, their skill in sitting still in Coercers and firing until theyāre dead is very impressive. Itās some pretty swank flyinā, isnāt it?
That might well be, and if that happens then Iāll swallow my words and pride, like Iāve previously said.
Beats hiring mercenaries to shoot miners.
Ooooooh burn
Mizhara, do you really you compare us to suicide gankers in Uedama? The crew issue is present, but you donāt need even the skeleton crew to literally ready up the weapons and run like hell to escape pods.