YC108.12.30
The annual memorial service for the bombardment of Caldari Prime was held today, officiated by LCDR Malthros Zenobia of the Reserve. The CAIN contingent at the event was led by CAPT Ladel Teravada, Chief of Naval Intelligence, and the keynote address was given by CAPT Svetlana Scarlet, Chief of Diplomatic Staff.
CAPT Scarlet's address called for a strengthing of ties between Caldari pod pilot organizations and a strong response to threats against Caldari State sovereignty and security. In the forefront of her mind, she said, were the recent problems in Kassigainen and the escalating tensions between the Sukuuvesta and Kaalakiota corporations. "In these times of heightened national tensions, this infighting, this disregard for the threats our State currently faces, is extremely dangerous," she stated.
However, CAPT Scarlet came under criticism by some Gallente attendees for trying to fan the flames of the current standoff between the CEP and the Gallente government. "I'm afraid they were reading what they wanted into the speech as opposed to what I was saying," she responded after the service. "My intention was to use my speech as a wake up call for the Caldari people, not a threat to the Federation. As I said in my speech, we are not warmongers, and peace is the best course of action for everyone, providing our sovereignty is respected by the Gallente and the other nations of the cluster. Unfortunately, the Kassigainen incident could not be ignored -- it was a cynical attempt use the lives of Gallente military men and women to subvert our rights to govern within our borders. The Federation government should be ashamed."
"However," she continued, "the bigger threat to our State is forgetting the primary tenet of our culture -- Strength in Unity. The Yulai Conventions are in a very precarious state of balance now. Now is not the time for our people to begin squaring off against one another, or ignoring the security of our borders. We must present a strong front to the rest of the cluster; competition is necessary for our economy to continue to thrive, but if we have a major corporate conflict in our borders, we risk being unprepared for the future. We need to work together, at least in the face of outside enemies. Does that mean another Caldari loyalist pod pilot alliance? I don't know -- in the wake of the Directive's failure, I think that might not be such a good idea right now. But there's no reason we can't cooperate on an ad-hoc basis for the betterment of the State. One only needs to look at the variety of alliances in Minmatar and Amarr space to realize that you don't need to be united under a single political entity to be united under the wider banner of the State."
Following CAPT Scarlet's address, Matoh Kairatoh, a representative of Caldari Steel spoke, with his talk focusing on the rising tensions over the Mindclash tournament, currently scheduled to take place on Caldari Prime. Overall reaction to his address was mixed in the Caldari camp; while most Caldari attendees agreed that the Federation's behavior in the matter has been deliberately provocative, many said that this was not the time or the place for such a discussion.
His address was followed by two speakers from recent Reserve foes the Star Fraction. Reaction to the the addresses by Jade Constantine and Tatsue Nuko was considerably more negative; most Reserve attendees considered their speeches nothing more than blatant propaganda, a twisting of actual events to support their anarchist agenda. "Interesting history book you've learned from," remarked one attendee. The Star Fraction also committed the only act of violence at the memorial, destroying the ship and capsule of Kimotoro Directive executor Gorion Wassenar.
The last address was by Apex CEO Vendrin; his address was almost unanimously lauded, and, though brief, called out to highlight the sacrifices of those who died on Caldari Prime and cautioned against those who were quick to rally to cries of war. His address was followed by a short closing by Gorion Wassenar, who had returned by this time, and then the customary procession by the Caldari Prime memorial station.
An abridged transcript of the event can be found on the Reserve forums, under the Creative section.
CAPT Scarlet and LCDR Kadeshi win Reserve Cruiser Tourney
YC108.12.17
Reserve pilots were gathered in the Kappas system on Sunday for the first of what is planned to be a series of tournaments designed to help train pilots in pod pilot combat. ADM Otireya came up with the single-elimination tournament, and teams were announced on Thursday, giving them only a few days to prepare for battle. The tournament was restricted to tech 1 ships and equipment only, to level the playing field as much as possible.
The first two battles were both surprising upsets. In the first, CAPT Svetlana Scarlet's Celestis and LCDR Trion Kadeshi's Vexor dismantled the team of ADM Derrys Otireya's Arbitrator and LCDR Terry "Mookuh" Hijakosji's Maller. Neither of the two Gallente ships was significantly damaged, as CAPT Scarlet managed to use sensor dampners and her superior speed to hold the two Amarr cruisers at bay while LCDR Kadeshi's drones took them apart.
In the second battle, Reserve favorite CAPT Ladel Teravada, in his Omen, and CDR Wolfgang Jager's Rupture were beaten by a powerful combination of CDR Zevrik's microwarp drive-equipped Moa and LCDR Cierra Astris' Caracal, once again thanks to sensor dampners. After the fight, both CDR Jager and CAPT Teravada blamed their loss on being too slow to switch targets to the Moa.
The third fight again showed the power of the Moa-Caracal combination, as LCDR Hurs Sokira and new recruit MIDN Hamish Grayson, respectively, took down LT Marithin Sanalis' Celestis and LT Ayari's Caracal by going straight for the Caldari missile cruiser first. It was unable to withstand the powerful blaster fire of LCDR Sokira's Moa, going down even as MIDN Grayson's Caracal fell to missile fire as well. With the Caracal and its missile firepower gone, it was only a matter of time before the Moa closed in and eliminated LT Sanalis' Celestis.
Both semifinal rounds were marred by technical problems, leading to somewhat unsatisfying victories for the two winning teams. In the first semifinal match, CAPT Scarlet and LCDR Kadeshi, in their winning Celestis-Vexor combination, went up against CDR Zevrik and LCDR Astris, again in the Moa-Caracal setup. Unfortunately, LCDR Astris warped in too far from the engagement zone and was disqualified, even as CDR Zevrik was torn apart by LCDR Kadeshi's blaster-setup Vexor in no time. Though most observers agreed Scarlet and Kadeshi would have won even if she hadn't been disqualified, the victory was a bit less satisfying than hoped.
In the second semifinal, LCDR Sokira's Moa and MIDN Grayson's Caracal went up against LT Minjak Gosok, in an Arbitrator he had just trained for for the tournament, and new recruit MIDN Blake Pelentar in a Caracal. It looked as if LCDR Sokira's team had a commanding head start, as he barrelled in on LT Gosok and dropped his Arbitrator deep into structure early on, but then, due to a HUD error, he assumed that the Amarr cruiser had been destroyed and switched targets, leaving LT Gosok barely alive, but with his drones still active. As both the Caracalswent down, LCDR Sokira assumed he had won and warped off before LT Gosok had been defeated. As he had warped off, he was disqualified, and LT Gosok's team went through to the finals. Sokira was angry at the results, but admitted he only had himself to blame and wished the declared winners luck against CAPT Scarlet's dominant team.
Compared to the previous matches, considerably less surprising -- once again, CAPT Scarlet and LCDR Kadeshi's powerful Celestis-Vexor team was able to use sensor dampners to great effect, though LT Gosok's drones, unlike those of ADM Otireya, were able to deploy and close the distance to the Celestis before she could do so. Unfortunately, he had chosen Ogre heavy drones, which were too slow to catch the fast-moving Gallente ship on afterburner. Before they could pound her armor to dust, LT Gosok was taken out himself, leaving them dead in space. Once the Arbitrator had fallen, it was only a matter of time before MIDN Pelentar's cruiser was also destroyed by the Gallente ships.
As CAPT Scarlet and LCDR Kadeshi each took home the prize of 50M ISK and a Caldari Navy Hookbill, they congratulated the other pilots on a well-fought tourney, and looked forward to the next tournament. "I don't think we'll see anyone nearly so dominant in the next tournament," said CAPT Scarlet. "Trion and I were very worried we would run into magnetometric ECM in the finals, having used the same two ships in each of the previous matches. We took a gamble that the other teams would not be as prepared or flexible as we were, and we pulled it off -- but I have no doubt everyone will be learning from their mistakes and adapting for the next time, especially if more lead time is given by the CFO."
Reserve pilots were gathered in the Kappas system on Sunday for the first of what is planned to be a series of tournaments designed to help train pilots in pod pilot combat. ADM Otireya came up with the single-elimination tournament, and teams were announced on Thursday, giving them only a few days to prepare for battle. The tournament was restricted to tech 1 ships and equipment only, to level the playing field as much as possible.
The first two battles were both surprising upsets. In the first, CAPT Svetlana Scarlet's Celestis and LCDR Trion Kadeshi's Vexor dismantled the team of ADM Derrys Otireya's Arbitrator and LCDR Terry "Mookuh" Hijakosji's Maller. Neither of the two Gallente ships was significantly damaged, as CAPT Scarlet managed to use sensor dampners and her superior speed to hold the two Amarr cruisers at bay while LCDR Kadeshi's drones took them apart.
In the second battle, Reserve favorite CAPT Ladel Teravada, in his Omen, and CDR Wolfgang Jager's Rupture were beaten by a powerful combination of CDR Zevrik's microwarp drive-equipped Moa and LCDR Cierra Astris' Caracal, once again thanks to sensor dampners. After the fight, both CDR Jager and CAPT Teravada blamed their loss on being too slow to switch targets to the Moa.
The third fight again showed the power of the Moa-Caracal combination, as LCDR Hurs Sokira and new recruit MIDN Hamish Grayson, respectively, took down LT Marithin Sanalis' Celestis and LT Ayari's Caracal by going straight for the Caldari missile cruiser first. It was unable to withstand the powerful blaster fire of LCDR Sokira's Moa, going down even as MIDN Grayson's Caracal fell to missile fire as well. With the Caracal and its missile firepower gone, it was only a matter of time before the Moa closed in and eliminated LT Sanalis' Celestis.
Both semifinal rounds were marred by technical problems, leading to somewhat unsatisfying victories for the two winning teams. In the first semifinal match, CAPT Scarlet and LCDR Kadeshi, in their winning Celestis-Vexor combination, went up against CDR Zevrik and LCDR Astris, again in the Moa-Caracal setup. Unfortunately, LCDR Astris warped in too far from the engagement zone and was disqualified, even as CDR Zevrik was torn apart by LCDR Kadeshi's blaster-setup Vexor in no time. Though most observers agreed Scarlet and Kadeshi would have won even if she hadn't been disqualified, the victory was a bit less satisfying than hoped.
In the second semifinal, LCDR Sokira's Moa and MIDN Grayson's Caracal went up against LT Minjak Gosok, in an Arbitrator he had just trained for for the tournament, and new recruit MIDN Blake Pelentar in a Caracal. It looked as if LCDR Sokira's team had a commanding head start, as he barrelled in on LT Gosok and dropped his Arbitrator deep into structure early on, but then, due to a HUD error, he assumed that the Amarr cruiser had been destroyed and switched targets, leaving LT Gosok barely alive, but with his drones still active. As both the Caracalswent down, LCDR Sokira assumed he had won and warped off before LT Gosok had been defeated. As he had warped off, he was disqualified, and LT Gosok's team went through to the finals. Sokira was angry at the results, but admitted he only had himself to blame and wished the declared winners luck against CAPT Scarlet's dominant team.
Compared to the previous matches, considerably less surprising -- once again, CAPT Scarlet and LCDR Kadeshi's powerful Celestis-Vexor team was able to use sensor dampners to great effect, though LT Gosok's drones, unlike those of ADM Otireya, were able to deploy and close the distance to the Celestis before she could do so. Unfortunately, he had chosen Ogre heavy drones, which were too slow to catch the fast-moving Gallente ship on afterburner. Before they could pound her armor to dust, LT Gosok was taken out himself, leaving them dead in space. Once the Arbitrator had fallen, it was only a matter of time before MIDN Pelentar's cruiser was also destroyed by the Gallente ships.
As CAPT Scarlet and LCDR Kadeshi each took home the prize of 50M ISK and a Caldari Navy Hookbill, they congratulated the other pilots on a well-fought tourney, and looked forward to the next tournament. "I don't think we'll see anyone nearly so dominant in the next tournament," said CAPT Scarlet. "Trion and I were very worried we would run into magnetometric ECM in the finals, having used the same two ships in each of the previous matches. We took a gamble that the other teams would not be as prepared or flexible as we were, and we pulled it off -- but I have no doubt everyone will be learning from their mistakes and adapting for the next time, especially if more lead time is given by the CFO."
CAIN expands operations into Pure Blind
YC108.12.01
In an effort to extend Caldari influence deeper into the uncivilized regions of space, rebuild resources, and build relationships with allied corporations and alliances in the area, FADM Van Cleef and the Reserve general staff have ordered Reserve assets moved into Pure Blind region. Staging out of Mordu's Legion controlled space, the Reserve will be conducting antipirate operations in coordination with allied forces under Mordu's Angels and other friendlies.
"The Caldari State has a history of good relations with the forces of Mordu's Legion," said Reserve spokeswoman, CAPT Svetlana Scarlet. "After the fighting of the last two months with the forces of Star Fraction and their assorted allies, we felt that a rebuilding and training period was in order. Our position in Pure Blind is not a permanent one, but it gives us an excellent opportunity for cross-training with local antipirate forces, as well as building our logistical chain after the recent conflict. With tensions escalating between the State and the Federation in the wake of the Federation's blatant provocation during the Kassigainen incident, fleet readiness is more important than ever for the Reserve."
In an effort to extend Caldari influence deeper into the uncivilized regions of space, rebuild resources, and build relationships with allied corporations and alliances in the area, FADM Van Cleef and the Reserve general staff have ordered Reserve assets moved into Pure Blind region. Staging out of Mordu's Legion controlled space, the Reserve will be conducting antipirate operations in coordination with allied forces under Mordu's Angels and other friendlies.
"The Caldari State has a history of good relations with the forces of Mordu's Legion," said Reserve spokeswoman, CAPT Svetlana Scarlet. "After the fighting of the last two months with the forces of Star Fraction and their assorted allies, we felt that a rebuilding and training period was in order. Our position in Pure Blind is not a permanent one, but it gives us an excellent opportunity for cross-training with local antipirate forces, as well as building our logistical chain after the recent conflict. With tensions escalating between the State and the Federation in the wake of the Federation's blatant provocation during the Kassigainen incident, fleet readiness is more important than ever for the Reserve."
CAIN leaves the Kimotoro Directive
YC108.11.18
For nearly six weeks, the Caldari Independent Navy Reserve has been locked in battle with the Star Fraction on behalf of the Kimotoro Directive, first as a member, and then out of respect for those pilots in the Directive whom we held in high regard. The war was sometimes brutal, but its lessons have taught us much. We would like to thank our newer recruits in particular for their tireless service.
However, the Directive's leadership has made it clear throughout the last week's public communiques that they do not wish to continue having a working relationship with the Reserve. As a result, the Caldari Independent Navy Reserve sees little point in continuing this fight to preserve the Directive as it stands. Therefore, as of 0216 EVT, 17 November YC108, the Reserve is withdrawing from the Mito conflict against the Star Fraction and has no further stake or involvement in the fighting.
This was not an easy decision, nor was it one we are particularly happy having to make. During our time in the Directive, we flew with many excellent pilots from all three Caldari corporations of the current alliance, pilots who followed the Reserve's philosophy of quiet competence. We wish them well and look forward to flying with them in the future, but we do not believe that the Directive's goals and ours coincide at this time.
For nearly six weeks, the Caldari Independent Navy Reserve has been locked in battle with the Star Fraction on behalf of the Kimotoro Directive, first as a member, and then out of respect for those pilots in the Directive whom we held in high regard. The war was sometimes brutal, but its lessons have taught us much. We would like to thank our newer recruits in particular for their tireless service.
However, the Directive's leadership has made it clear throughout the last week's public communiques that they do not wish to continue having a working relationship with the Reserve. As a result, the Caldari Independent Navy Reserve sees little point in continuing this fight to preserve the Directive as it stands. Therefore, as of 0216 EVT, 17 November YC108, the Reserve is withdrawing from the Mito conflict against the Star Fraction and has no further stake or involvement in the fighting.
This was not an easy decision, nor was it one we are particularly happy having to make. During our time in the Directive, we flew with many excellent pilots from all three Caldari corporations of the current alliance, pilots who followed the Reserve's philosophy of quiet competence. We wish them well and look forward to flying with them in the future, but we do not believe that the Directive's goals and ours coincide at this time.