A few hours ago I had the honor to be present in the system of Osoggur as it was made secure against Triglavian encroachments. Our victory in that system is to be celebrated in its own right, but it also provides definitive confirmation that there has been a sea change in the wider Triglavian conflict.
When the Triglavians first began to create a permanent presence for themselves in New Eden, they were, on the whole, far more effective in recruiting capsuleers to their side than were those who opposed the invasions. Zorya promised dynamism and change; in contrast, EDENCOM’s defense of the status quo seemed bland and boring to many. As a result, not only did the so-called “Kybernauts” outnumber their opponents in most engagements, but they were also more experienced on average (a “bittervet” is likely to be more receptive to promises of novelty and change than a recently-licensed pilot to whom everything is new). In addition, we were markedly slower to organize than the “Kybernauts.”
We fought long, we fought hard, and we saved many stars. But Raravoss fell, despite the superiority of the Imperial Navy. Vale, where Triglavian and Federation forces were evenly matched, also fell. In Eygfe we broke the will of Zorya’s hordes, but it took three grueling days–even though EDENCOM had already significantly reinforced the system before large opposing capsuleer forces arrived.
But, with every engagement, we learned, we became stronger. When Darkezero set up communication channels and named them “EDENCOM Defense Initiative”, he began the long process of turning our loose assemblage into a cohesive community and an organized fighting force. We developed doctrines, adopted leaders, created operating procedures, established multiple levels of secure communication channels, wrote guides, organized an SRP program, learned to predict the timing and star harvest risk of invasions. Most importantly, we developed an identity–we hail from many empires and alliances, but we are proudly part of EDI.
Our message spread. With every system that fell, the atrocities of the Triglavians became more numerous and more apparent. Trade routes were disrupted, staging systems eliminated, income sources destroyed. People awoke to the necessity of defeding the systems they loved. So they joined us, or organized their own fleets and fought alongside us.
Meanwhile, Zorya’s lies became apparent for what they were. Final liminality systems did not see activity, dynamism, or change. Instead they die long, slow deaths. The “Flow of Vyraj,” once touted as a mighty torrent rushing towards a renewal for New Eden, was revealed to be nothing but a sickly swamp, where mosquitoes swarm above the water as unidentifiable refuse rots below. The “Kybernauts” bled numbers, and are still bleeding. In Raravoss they mustered a force of hundreds; today, forty people is a very good showing for them.
The battle for Ossogur was a test—Triglavian and Republic Fleet forces are evenly matched, so it was capsuleers who determined the outcome of the fight. The “Kybernaut” morale broke after less than a day of fighting, and after that we made short work of what remained of Zorya’s forces.
The tide has turned. To all those who made this possible: it has been, and continues to be, my greatest honor to have flown with you.
Together, we’ll build a Staircase to Heaven!
