Intergalactic Summit

The mewling hordes of Empire loyalists have many theories as to why Goonswarm has chosen once again to Burn Jita, making a tradition of last year's event. Some say it's an expression of anger over CONCORD sanctions of The Mittani. Others claim there is a profit motive, and still others profess the belief that it's naught more than the childish actions of a band of sociopathic capsuleers gone rogue. Of course, to most of those taking part, it's more of a sporting event than anything else.

This year, though, there's a deeper point.

This year, Jita burns as a message.


Let me tell you a story.

In YC106, CONCORD revealed the existence of deep space starbases in what we refer to these days as nullsec, linked to each other and other systems in those regions by stargates. The infrastructure had been built up by pirates, smugglers, outlaws and the like, and while they weren't up to Empire standards, they were also free for the taking, not subject to the laws of the Empires. Capsuleers banded together to seize and inhabit the regions, and before long, CONCORD granted formal recognition to these alliances, and licensed starbase tech for capsuleer use. Not long after, blueprints for Outposts were developed by (or as many suspect, provided to) capsuleers, and before long, those very same alliances erected outposts to supplement the existing stations. Capsuleer 'empires' were born.

Now, if the facilities of the original outlaw stations can be called substandard, then the facilities of these capsuleer built Outposts are, sad to say, outright crippled. They excel at one thing, sure, but one thing only. A factory station, outwardly of Amarrian design, has factories whose production capabilities actually outstrip those typically found in Empire regions, but it's capable of almost nothing else. Anyone utilizing the factories must rely on a refining station, notionally of Matar origin, to come by the refined materials for construction. Not only is the station also capable of little more than refining, but it doesn't do that very well, either - only exceptional skill (and overriding of safety features) allows a so-called perfect yield. Similarly, Caldari stations offer excellent research facilities, but little else, and in a perhaps ironic reference to the (in)famous Gallente bureaucracy, the outposts bearing their architecture are usable as little more than office space. And if that weren't bad enough, something within the blueprints for these stations prevents their deployment when another outpost is present in that system, which further impedes industrial efforts. Freighter travel through null ain't like dusting crops, after all. The industrial facilities of the starbase towers are hardly worth mentioning. The refinery modules are hard coded to literally destroy usable material, and storage hangers lack the quantum packing units found onboard stations, limiting the amount of material a manufacturing line can use. The limits of Outposts and Starbases alike are hard-coded into the blueprints, protected by an unbreakable DRM scheme and so persist despite our best efforts.

It's little wonder that many of us have a very cynical view on the outposts. The theory that they’re part of a manipulation by the Empires is not uncommon, because it all seems to convenient. Let the more rebellious independent types populate the outer regions. We refuse to be the pets of the Empires anyway, so it keeps us out of their hair, and keeps the pirates and other criminals that flock to the lawless space in check. But letting us grow unchecked would risk a direct challenge to the Empires, which they couldn't accept. Crippling our industrial capabilities helps prevent that.

There's no proof of conspiracy - for the best ones, there never is - and it remains a tin foil hat theory. True or not, we have persisted. In the early years, our needs were small, and the crippled industry facilities were adequate. But over the years, our numbers have swelled, and with it our demand for ships. More recently, supplying the raw materials began to be an issue as well. Improved scanner technology uncovered hidden asteroid fields in deadspace, yet these fields always seemed peculiarly short of the less valuable yet crucial ores, even as rumors of the existence of "super ores" with ultra-high mineral concentrations. But if the scanning tech to give truth to those rumors exists, it certainly hasn't been shared with us.

Thanks to the application of jump technology to freighters, logisticians for the capsuleer alliances find it easier to simply haul entire ships out to our sovereign space. We produce capital ships not by mining locally, but by purchasing items with particularly dense mineral content, hauling them to our refineries, and melting them down. It's ridiculous, yes, but it's true. And as nearly half of all commercial activity in all of New Eden is carried out right there in the 4-4 Navy Assembly Plant, we're tied to Jita, and through it, the rest of Empire. I'm sure Caldari leadership would credit the existence of Jita to their business acumen. I call it dumb luck, myself. Regardless, it is what it is, and “what it is” is the cornerstone of our logistics networks. We appreciate its stability, and do not like that stability threatened.

That brings us back to the message. We cannot destroy Jita. CONCORD generously demonstrated their fallibility in the past, but they'd be enough of an obstacle to prevent us from doing so. Nevertheless, there are those who can, and they style themselves the leaders of the Caldari State. Or rather, he styles himself the leader of the Caldari State. Tibus Heth. His vision for the State is admirable. His actions are not. He will destabilize the State, and with it, our supply lines, which is unacceptable. And so today, the opposition forces have gained an ally of sorts, another voice. Our actions in Jita are a manifestation of that voice, of our message.

Heth must go.

Too long. Didn't read.

Here is the attention you crave, filth.

Your wall of text was to long. I did not read it.

Your supposed political message (extrapolated from the pitiful mewling of other goons and the statemnt of pilot Vigilant here) is a lie. Your doing this to feel relevant and important, there is no other reason for this.

It took me about 25.4 seconds to make this post, and it's all you get. Enjoy it.

Savor it.

it is because of tib bits like this I voted for her on CSM. But never fear, next year Jita will burn because the Amarr are to regilous, the Minmatar wants to stay free, or the Fedreation makes too much porn. But I ill bite and support the Heth must go cause.

Heth threatens your supply lines. Instead of acting out against the State you fire on Capsuleer supply lines. Does that about sum it up?

That new brain dear daddy Sansha issued you doesn't work too well does it now sweetheart? Foolish of me to think it was obvious to everyone. Interdicting Jita is acting out against the State, or did you think that they don't bother to assess taxes and fees on the half of commerce in New Eden that passes through that system daily?

Posting in a "who gives a crap about Goons or Jita" thread...

Sure is a lot of ad hominem in this thread. This seems to be a fairly standard case with capsuleers, I've noticed.

The Goonswarm must've been cutting oxygen rations again.

I don't see why any of us Goons should give a damn about any of that.