Citizen Zhang

This post is part of the EVE Blog Banter, a monthly EVE Online blogging extravaganza created by CrazyKinux. Any questions about the EVE Blog Banter should be directed to him. The third topic comes from Roc Wieler, who asks us to "write a story about a fellow EVE Blogger, or an EVE player whom has inspired you or affected you in some tangible way. After your story, describe why you chose them, and any Holiday wish you have specifically for them".


It was a dark and stormy night. Thunder, in the distance, was violating the air. On this distant planet, far from whatever homeworld they originated from, thousands of Gallente citizens were trying to find sleep in draught proof compounds stirring from the jungle. The skyline was nowhere to be seen, black clouds brawling over a moonless country. Once again, Gervais Zhang thoughtfully listened to the results of the psychological profile analysis. Something was wrong. He had had it too easy. Once again, he reluctantly decided to go back to the detention centre. There was only one way he could reach the decision point by now, and that would be by confronting the soldier.
The detention centre looked more like a very nice apartment. The prisoner was having dinner lonely, in a chair so comfortable that you could not feel uneasy in it. He was watching some holoreel. He stopped when Gervais politely coughed for him into the communication unit, prior to entering the place. He straightened and smiled.
"I see you have completely recovered from your wounds. Good."
A last echo of the storm, outside, died when the door shuttered back.
"Ensign Olmen, you are here for a reason. You have been captured in Akhragan in the wreckage of the Apocalypse-class battleship you were serving on. We are talking about a lawful action performed in the context of a CONCORD-sanctioned war and, as such, you are a legitimate prisoner of war that Strix Armaments and Defence can freely dispose of. We can actually execute you with little consequences, since nobody in your homeland knows you have survived the battle, and the courts in Villore have not been notified of your presence yet. It is not our usual policy, but your former Praetoria Imperialis Excubitoris masters, as befits Amarrians, are known for their ruthlessness with prisoners."
Ensign Olmen was a handsome True Amarrian, his blood thick-blue with countless generations of powermongering aristocracy. His profile mentioned brilliant studies at the Imperial Academy and, provided he was given the opportunity, he might manage in the future to become a capsuleer. For the time being, he had but one life to lose.
"I understand, sir.
- Do you, really? You do not seem worried.
- Whatever you may think about my people, and its undeniable flaws, we have not forgotten how to remain brave when the need arises. But, in this case, I have no fear. You will not hurt me because your culture and your laws are based upon the respect of life. That is one of the reasons why I have asked you the favour.
- You seem to assume that our democratic regime is inherently forgiving and weak. Nothing could be further from the truth. Democracy is a very old and very cold-hearted lady."
Gervais sat. The knot still needed to be untied, he decided, but he would have to take a back door.
"There is a legend people tell about Democracy. They say that, when it was but a child, before your people's God was even imagined, Democracy decided to punish a renegade ally by killing all its men and selling all its women and children as slaves. Slaves. Since the dawn of time, democracy has bitched its way to the domination of the world. Countless peoples have been destroyed by it. Tyrannies are overthrown; reigning families wither and die; democracy persists through the centuries. Now, I serve my immortal monster and you serve yours. If you want to swap masters, be aware of their nature."
Obviously, the young Amarrian did not expect this answer. His voice became cautious.
"You never were the politician type, were you? But I cannot agree with your vision of democracy. You try to disgust me, and I am not sure to understand why.
- That's the truth as I know it. Or, at least, part of it."
There was a tense pause.
"You have applied for asylum in the Gallente Federation. My duty is to pass along your application to the relevant commission, and to add a fair assessment about you."
Both men locked stares.
"As much as I would like to say yes, my prudence regarding your true allegiance and my foremost duty to not compromise the future return home of possible captured Strix crewmen compel me to deny you this opportunity.
- Are you sacrificing me to your future defeats?"
The young man was angry, now.
"This corporation's policy is to always facilitate in all instances the survival of its non-capsuleering crewmembers. We do believe there is a substantific doubt about your actual motives for applying. Provided you agree to sign the necessary documents, you will be released to a representative of PIE, Inc. within...
- Bullshit! You try to prevent me from staying with Hélène, don't you?
- My personal feelings for Hélène Meiev have nothing to do..."
Olmen threw away his remote and made a theatrical gesture.
"Do you think I care about all of that? I am a rich man, on Amarr Prime! My house is a place of light and wealth. If there was anything that could have redeemed me from my religion, it would not have been your Federation, but Hélène!"
Gervais's voice lowered to an almost inaudible level. After a few seconds, a holoscreen displayed a footage of explosions in space.
"Doctor Meiev's ship has been destroyed this morning while trying to intercept, on the behalf of a Federation Navy agent, a small Amarr Navy force operating illegally within Federation frontiers. None of the escape pods made it on time. The analysis indicates the medical bay was vapourised almost instantly by a direct hit."
Gervais Zhang, wall faced but shivering with pangs of emotion, closed the holofile with a whisper, turned his back and walked away. Behind him, the prisoner did not move until he left. The storm was over, by now. Once in the street, the champion of freedom stretched, then looked at the stars.
"Very nice job, Hélène. He is hooked. One day, this man will be ours."
There was concert hall music in the distance. The voice in the earplug was amused.
"De rien, Gervais. Hopefully, the FIO will decide to use him soon. I can't wait to be resurrected."
-- The Guardians of Luminaire, season 3, episod 6 --

The captain was one damn nice fellow, for sure, with a liver the like of which the most vicious alcohols ache to challenge. Can't wait to serve under his command again. Planetside duties are more boring than a Slaver church propaganda leaflet and the ladies around have all the intellectual brilliance of the average Caldari. Yeah, Zhang inspires loyalty, even more so than old Bigeard. Gimme drones, a Dominix, and a captain like him, and we will rape all the bad guys!
-- Strix drone controller, interviewed in Eglennaert --

The lady's demure pretense did not last long. She was dressed for sin and sin she did mean. Slowly, she began to entice him into disobeying the Scriptures.
"Handsome one, why don't you relax and tell me about your work on this big battleship?
- Do you really think you can corrupt one of my race so easily? I wish I had my slave whip in hand!"
A spit would do the trick.
"Young man, you don't mean to..."
Slapped, the bitch fell to the floor. The place was obviously bugged; a furious man stormed into the room.
"At last! I get to see your master, whore! Zhang, you, again!"
In a whirlwind, Casmeus Olmen dodged the vicious punch of Colonel Zhang. Exasperated, the devious Gallentean yelled over him.
"Do you think you are safe here? I could kill you right now."
He could smell the hatred, the garlic, the cheese and the wine. And a bit of frog, too.
Other Gallentean goons poured into the room.
"May our Lord have pity on you.
- Maybe he will, but only after I am done with you, and damned be Yulai's Convention."
The evil Colonel Zhang grabbed an oyster opener.
"This world is cold and it will not miss you. It's torture time!
- The Lord is my shepherd. I fear no harm!"
This holoreel is based on real events as described by Captain Olmen in Escaping from the Sinners. All rights reserved for all countries including the State.

Yes, I understand your question, Mr. Journalist. Don't you know when to spot a hint?... No, I am not a capsuleer. No, Strix captains are unavailable for comment. The very reason I was sent to deal with the press was because I am not a capsuleer. You are welcome to quote me, to talk about me, but I guess you will not extend your queries far for the puny reason that I am a space janitor - even though janitors have talked and talked about other people's issues for untold thousands of years. How many holoreels are published each year about capsuleers? I regret people like you forget that they are but a tiny minority among humankind. Pilots endowed with the capacity to interface with capsules to control ships with their thoughts wield enormous power over the lives of the multitudes. Their riches are staggering, and their lives are fraught with constant danger and adventure. It only seems natural that each and every capsuleer is admired or loathed. That thousands of entertainment programs, in every corner of the galaxy, are dedicated to these champions. But, read my lips. All of them, lies. Fantasy!
And, and, the technology that gave immortality to the capsuleers did not gift them the wisdom to properly handle the opportunities it afforded them.
Vieve Tisserand, Vieve DuNord? No, we have no comments whatsoever! Don't mention it again! Other questions, please!
You are exasperating. Gervais Zhang does not wish to be a public figure anymore, how can I make myself more explicit? The existence of your ilk, the tales he has to bear with would make anybody wary of meeting the public eye again, just for the entertainment of bored teenagers. He has higher purposes in life. Don't trust the holoreels! Trust the janitor!
-- The Scope, Review of 110: the worst interviews --

Gervais Zhang is one of the founders of Strix Armaments and Defence, a roleplaying corporation. Unfortunately, the man behind the character had to stop playing Eve some time ago. I can only hope he will be able to safely come back to the pod. I enjoyed the leadership he provided and the care he took to explain things to help people grow. He was also the one to recruit me.
Gervais, as Oscar Wilde would say, more or less, it looks like you can take care of the moral pain yourself, so I just wish you to be spared any of the physical sort. And, for myself, I hope you can come back so that we can discover the truth about Citizen Zhang before those soap holoreels authors completely destroy his reputation.

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Just gathering intel



This post is part of the EVE Blog Banter, a monthly EVE Online blogging extravaganza created by CrazyKinux. Any questions about the EVE Blog Banter should be directed to him. The second topic comes from Brinelan: What drew us into EVE, what keeps us playing the game and what brought us back if we've ever left?

What drew me into EVE
A long, long time ago, in a world called Azeroth, lived a benevolent night elf druidess called Orlantha. This sexy and wise champion of freedom, along with her supporting cast, threw herself in epic battles and defeated monsters such as Ragnaros, Vaelastrasz, Nefarian, the Twin Emperors, Kael'Thas, Archimonde and, finally, the demonic Illidan. When he fell, the Traitor uttered these words:
Illidan: You have won... Orlantha. But the huntress... is nothing without the hunt. You... are nothing... without me.
Orlantha: He's right. I feel nothing. ...
And then, everything had been said, and she felt a little bit tired. Days, weeks and months had been devoted to the pursuit of justice, the eradication of evildoers and the massacre of Silithus cultists. It was time to take the shape of a simple bear and to enter hibernation in a secret cave. So it happened that this proud warrioress began to withdraw more and more into the mists of legend (until the next episod).

Azeroth is the name of the world in World of Warcraft. When I stopped playing this game after Illidan's demise, in the beginning of 2008, I did not plan to dedicate myself specifically to any other one. Age of Conan, on the horizon, seemed to be a strong game but my computer would not be up to the task. The same applied for Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, and Warhammer: Age of Reckoning was still far from release at the time. First thing to consider: the aforementioned fantasy games demanded a lot from my hard drive (up to 30 Go or so), while the "Classic graphics" version of the Eve client's installation file did - and to this day still does - weigh less than 1 Go. It will certainly get much heavier in the future with the appearance of 3D avatars. But, for the time being, Eve is a handy little app that you can carry around in an USB stick.

I also knew I would not commit as much time to the game and that I would sometimes spend weeks without playing. Grinding, that is, repeatedly playing the same content over and over in order to earn advantages ingame and prove competitive in multiplayer gameplay, was not something I was looking forward to do. Two factors make Eve very friendly to casual, on-and-off, players. The first one is the mostly passive skill development system, which allows the players to improve the abilities of their characters even when they are not logged in game. The second one is the non-consensual and unfair nature of the player-versus-player battles that take place in space: even a pilot with modest skills and a very cheap frigate (the smallest combat ship) can prove useful to a gang or a fleet. There is no way to insulate oneself from the rest of the playerbase (no "instances") and experienced solo players are actually regularly overwhelmed by small gangs of young pilots. In this game, you can always make a difference.

Then there was the setting. Medieval-fantasy games are the norm. But science-fiction is my prime passion, thanks to Isaac Asimov and, after him, dozens of other authors. At first, I did not believe there was much background information to be found about the setting. A cursory glance at the chronicles on the official website proved me wrong. I was happy to discover that, from my perspective, while it is not the most interesting hard science setting I have ever read about, neither is it the worst. It is a robust one, with some gems and a wealth of lore available if you are looking for it.

I remembered being disappointed, in 2005, when I realised that I could actually not interact in World of Warcraft with people from around the world and that my actions had no permanent consequence over the setting. I could not even drop an item on the floor. Eve Online features a single shard with a sandbox approach, which means that all characters live in the same world and that the game is designed around the concept of freedom for the players to choose or invent the way they spend their time ingame. This toylike approach feels to me much more real and exciting than the entertainment park-like directed experience provided by the other games and their fractured player communities. The single shard is actually very appropriate for a science-fiction setting, inherently less individual-centered than fantasy ones. If we share the same world, we cannot all be the heroic saviours. But we can get in touch with those who make the headlines.

Group activities revolve around the lowest common denominators. In World of Warcraft, you would not find many players to engage in group roleplaying, for example, as the game was not designed with roleplaying in mind. Some players are in for the warm feeling of being at home in a guild where everybody knows your name. Some of them want to explore the content. Some of them just want the epic items. The same applies to Eve, except that many groups such as roleplayers can attract a numerically meaningful following, thanks to the single shard. A few days after I created a character, while I was still trying to grasp the most basic features of the game, I received, through the ingame mailing system, a letter from an experienced player who proposed me to join his corporation (group of players). This corporation was all about roleplaying defenders of the democratic Federation, accepted casual players in its midst and was, obviously, open to players new to the game. What is the percentage of players of the game, of any computer game, who really enjoy roleplaying? Low. And among them, how many different chapels? Many. How many would want to roleplay Federation stalwarts, in this instance? Very few. If Eve did not use its single shard, such a corporation would typically never have grown past a tiny handful of players. In space, the long tail of minorities can flourish: you can find game partners that fit very specific expectations (language, rules of behaviour, choice of activities) far more easily than in Azeroth or elsewhere.

What keeps me playing the game
In my case, reading about Eve Online is easily half the fun the game can provide. In a sandbox game, the players themselves provide a big part of the content to be experienced. The single shard allows many niche communities to thrive. In turn, these communities market themselves and produce content that make for some very fun reads. Here is a selection of the stories I had a great time reading:
- The classics. The first Eve-related story I ever read, some years ago, told the story of a con man and his spaceship: The great scam. Once I began playing Eve, I looked for the characters mentioned in the story. Some were still around, with warnings about the falsehood of the scam story in their ingame character bio. It served as an early warning about the high subjectivity of these tales. Another famous Eve story is the Guiding Hand Social Club heist, as related in PC Gamer UK. Then comes the 0.0 Experiment: the picaresque tale of a unexperienced solo player in the dark recesses of "null sec space", where the common laws are irrelevant and rule is decided by the bigger guns. The world described herein does not exist anymore, since the political landscape has changed so much. For an entirely different take on the 0.0 conflict, the thorough and anonymous war analysis is a must-read.
- The pirates. Lately, and for quite a few months, I have been reading pirates's blogs. It might look paradoxical since my ingame persona is an anti-pirate captain who will not hesitate to rabidly lose ships to any "blinky" (criminal) daring to engage him. But low-sec piracy (low-sec being this area of the world at the fringe of both mostly-safe space and player-ruled space) is a source of very entertaining stories and I can always masquerade my guilty reading pleasures by pretending to gather useful intel about known outlaws. The first blog I really read and began to follow was the one written by flashfresh, who appears to have pioneered the genre. Using the links, I explored a series of blogs unraveling many different aspects of the game (a good non-pirate blog is Ombeve's). Since I began playing, many newcomers like Spectre3353 and Mynxee began recording their tales about piracy in blogs both entertaining and shock full of tips.

What would make me leave the game
To sum up, I welcomed Eve Online as a refreshing science-fiction sandbox game with a world so huge and interesting that I would certainly have kept reading about it even if I had unsubscribed at some point. Regularly seeing in game players who have created their character in 2003 hints at fun on the long term. For Torfi Frans Olafsson, senior producer at CCP, there is "no end in sight" for Eve. But can any game last forever? As a matter of fact, successful roleplaying games have long life expectancies. People keep playing Dungeons & Dragons more than three decades after it was first released (1974). I do not live in the fear that factors ingame would make me quit playing, though the possibility does exist. Wisdespread cheating comes to mind. And there are, of course, many possible out of game reasons which would induce me to stop playing.
There is another question I can try to answer: what can I do to keep enjoying the game? First, I am in no hurry. I do not burn from the need to experience everything at once. I will take my time and better enjoy the trip this way. As a corollary, I have no second account and no intention to create one. My playtime is limited and I do not wish to manage alt characters. At the end of the day, Eve Online is just a game, albeit a great one. If it ever begins to become a chore, I will not hesitate to take holidays, my character abusing the prestige from his station as a battleship captain to fetch himself some dream job as a janitor in a female-only university on Gallente Prime.

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Clone monologues 11

Hello, me.
My girlfriends often ask me questions about the names of my ships: Smithwick's Revenge, Kilkenny's Wrath, Smoothie's Fury... I make sure to tell them the full story each and every time, because my ships have more soul in them than Jamyl Sarum and all her battalions of robed sycophants. These names have endured centuries to reach me. I am passing them along to future generations. When a ship is destroyed, the name survives.
So, what exactly do I know about Smithwick & Co? Just a few bare facts: that they were heroes, who defeated sadness in times long gone, with a spiritual dedication that allowed them to reach the state of craic, whatever it was. It is also said that they had the property to make any woman look beautiful. (The catchline is: you don't need it, honey, you are gorgeous from the very beginning.)
In the hangar, I sometimes watch Effret, the janitor, polishing the iridium-laced letters on the hulls of my ships with his usual meticulousness. I wonder what he thinks about the fact that this name will probably survive him.
But he might survive me.
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