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Edited by: Jacob Molari on 28/10/2003 02:03:57
Let's set the record straight about what happened. I'm fairly new to BM-C, so I'm not sure I should relate details, but I will to clear up some misconceptions. I personally was involved in all but the very last operation when retreating from venal space, after one of the most successful sorties in EVE history.

First, how it began:

BM-C, Crice, and SI were working a deep space bistot op, when word came of a massing NVA fleet. The NVA had been getting increasingly aggressive, and several small to medium engagements had occurred over the past two weeks, all resulting in lopsided, but still costly victories for BM-C.

Our leadership online at that time gave the order to scrap the mining op and return to our new defense spot. This was in order to prepare a warm reception for NVA, since at this time we had thought the NVA were coming to our new base.

The order to return was not followed immediately by everyone. There was more than 1000 bistot waiting to be picked up, and so the recall order was delayed.

Those of us watching the maps saw the NVA fleet head for our space at a slow, but steady pace. Then, something totally bizarre happened.

The NVA fleet, instead of coming straight at us (which, by the way would have caught the indies and at least 2 battleships returning from the last of the mining op), turned to head for OBE. We in BM-C had no idea what you were doing at that time. But we breathed a sigh of relief because it gave us more time to prepare. At that time, the BM-C defending fleet was no more than 12 ships of mixed variety.

The call was continuing for re-inforcements, and gradually the fleet increased to 18. We were all certain that the NVA would eventually come our way, so we continued our preparations. Also, there were 2 NVA in our system at a base that whole day (RAFTERMAN was one of them). We felt this was part of a fleet that would attack us at the same time the main NVA fleet would.

More bizarre things continued to happen. After probably 90 minutes, the massive blob on the map that consisted of the NVA fleet began to move, however, the blob turned back towards Venal, and we in BM-C were just dumbstruck as to what and why they didn't come down and nail us. We had been getting reports from people in system that the fleet was massive, sporting a 2-1 ratio over anything we could call up at that time.

We then heard a rumor, still unsubstantiated, that the NVA fleet initiated aggressive action in front of some sentry guns, and destroyed one BS belonging to the Thundercats, but the sentry guns destroyed three of their BS. This was why they were retreating.

Someone from NVA could clear this up I'm sure.

(continued on next post...)

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