Julianus Soter, capsuleer license image

Following the interview with Rhavas, I took the opportunity to interview another member of the Multidisciplinary division of Arek’Jaalan, Julianus Soter. Similar as to the previous publication, we take a look at the man and the division he works in. We also cover Project Trinity, which falls under his lead, and how this contributes to its division and A’J as a whole.

Please start off with a short introduction of yourself and your capsuleer background, Corporations, alliances and other organizations that had a significant impact or where you held a position can be incorporated too.
I was born and raised on the surface of Gallente Prime, educated in the public school system, and selected for capsuleer training. Initially I was recruited from the Center for Advanced Studies capsuleer pool into Strix Armaments and Defence, which provided the basis for my capsuleer training and involvement in the Federation’s border territories.

After leaving this corporation, joined Stellar Legion alliance, Flying Tigers corporation as a diplomatic officer. My experience in 0.0 would then translate to the paramilitary organization FOOM (The Dead Parrot Shoppe Inc.) within the BRUCE (Brutally Clever Empire) alliance.

Following the Seyllin Incident, I decided to redirect my efforts towards research of w-space, and founded the Synenose Accord, which is still in operation today, to host and provide data for the Seyllin Conferences, publicly held scientific meetings that capsuleers were invited to attend to present research on the Sleepers, Talocan, and w-space as a whole.

I would then return to Federation space in interest of preserving the Federal Frontier for astropolitical stability, founding the Moira corporation to do so. During the operation of this paramilitary organization, intelligence was transmitted to the Synenose Accord, and thus to me, of the imminent Sansha threat. I dedicated Moira to the destruction of this threat.

What is Project Trinity?
Project Trinity is a multidisciplinary effort to test the hypothesis that the Jovian Trinary Data fragment Moira Corporation possesses from the Admiral Ouria incident in Stain is in any way related to the Trinary Hub facilities in class 4 w-space, and additionally, the Trinary Data located within Professor Burreau‘s abandoned Helios-class frigate that was destroyed this year.

Why was the project set up, what is the background story or motivation?
The implications of any possible relationship between the Jovians and the Sleepers and/or Talocan are tremendous. It would point towards a more significant anthropological link between the various branches of Humanity, but may also very well uncover the curious mystery of why the Seyllin event occured in the first place.

What are the aims of the project?
Our goals with Project Trinity are the complete resolution, either confirmation, or otherwise, of the Trinity Hypothesis, regarding the  Sleeper/Talocan/Jove link.

Who works on the projects? Where other divisions than the Multidisciplinary involved?
At the moment, only the Multidisciplinary division is involved in the project, and of that division, only Moira corporation has assets deployed in space. Numerous pilots have aided in discussions and review of the theory behind the project, however.

How does the project work, what activities do those involved take part in, what methods and tools were used? / What location(s) did the project take place in?
Moira corporation constructed a starbase within class four space, with sophisticated defence systems and infrastructure required to maintain a long-term Blind, for observation and field operations purposes, within w-space. Class four space was chosen as it is the natural home of the Trinary Hub facilities, and thus, is our focus for the context of this project.

Combat reconnaissance teams were dispatched to scour the areas of space around Trinity Base, to locate Trinary hubs and collect sufficient data for the project through data extraction,s signals analaysis, and other advanced investigative methods. Combat forces were required to prevent attacks from Sleepers and other capsuleers.

Is the project still running or finished?
Trinity Base is still operational, however, the project is on standby pending review by Dr. Tukoss.

Are more people needed, and if so how can they get involved?
If Dr. Tukoss indicates additional study is required, then more personnel may be deployed.

What does this project mean to A’J as a whole? What was its impact or significance in the greater whole?
Resolving the issue of the relationship between the Jovians and their possible involvement of w-space would solve one link of the larger w-space mystery. It might stimulate additional hypotheses regarding the true nature of the Sleepers and Talocan, their current ‘absensce’ and whether or not the Jovians played a larger role in the Seyllin Incident.

Where there any problems or incidents in the project, or in A’J as a whole that affected the project?
The project is facing turnaround delays due to Eifyr and Co. work backlog.

Any other notable facts or additions regarding the project?
The project successfully assembled data from a Trinary Hub facility, and we feel that there is a good possibility the Trinary Hubs and Jovian Trinary Data are indeed related.

As you also work on the Security division, what does your job cosist of there?
The Security division is as of this time defunct, as the channel operators of the Division were disbarred from the larger Arek’Jaalan project, and no new channel operators were appointed.

How can readers interested best get involved in future work done by the Multidisciplinary or Security division, or A’J as a whole?
Multidisciplinary is always looking for open-minded pilots with the initiative to seek out solutions to challenging problems.

Welcome to the eighteenth installment of the EVE Blog Banter, the monthly EVE Online blogging extravaganza created by none other than me, CrazyKinux. The EVE Blog Banter involves an enthusiastic group of gaming bloggers, a common topic within the realm of EVE Online, and a week to post articles pertaining to the said topic. The resulting articles can either be short or quite extensive, either funny or dead serious, but are always a great fun to read! Any questions about the EVE Blog Banter should be directed tocrazykinux@gmail.com. Check out other EVE Blog Banter articles at the bottom of this post!

On May 6th 2010, EVE Online celebrated its 7th Anniversary. Quite a milestone in MMO history, especially considering that it is one of the few virtual worlds out there to see its population continually grow year after year. For some of you who’ve been here since the very beginning, EVE has evolved quite a lot since its creation. With the expansion rolling out roughly twice a year, New Eden gets renewed and improved regularly. But, how about you the player? How has your gaming style evolved through the years or months since you’ve started playing? Have you always been a carebear, or roleplayer? Have you only focused on PvP or have you given other aspects of the game a chance – say manufacturing. Let’s hear your story!

Getting near to my third year in EVE — I started in August 2007 — and I still haven’t seen it all, though I’ve certainly been around. Being a carrier pilot is something that will get ticked off this year, after which I need a new list. And while I never say never, 0.0 sov and all it entails is something I hold no real interest in, which is the only area I’ve not really poked my nose into.

A short summary of my carreer could be described as carebear gone pirate but remaining true to that carebear side. And then there is the constant of roleplaying all through the years. The specifics? Well, keep reading.

Alts

• Same account: Valnurana, my trader, newbie hauler and alliance executor resides on the same account as Myrhial, as for a long time I was very stubborn about getting a second account and did not have the income to pay one with PLEX. She’s mostly retired now. Also have the placeholder CEO for Ghost Festival sitting in the third slot.
• Different account: Faber Demaunier is my miner and has taken over the role of hauler from Valnurana. She will eventually take over the role of trader too. Will probably go down the path of research and manufacturing in the future, or mission running, or even both.

Carebear

• Exploration: A constant throughout my career, with which I share a love / hate relationship. Have gotten a rare few good catches, an overall steady income when focusing on radar plexes, but also a great many sites that just were a waste of ammo. Primarily focussed on these in lowsec.
• Research: I have personally researched all blueprints in my possession and aided PRELI with researching blueprints which were payment for the POS tower they received in exchange.
• Manufacturing: Mainly making my own ammo when running missions, or produce rigs for my own use to save some ISK on fitting ships. A few months back I finished Production Efficiency V and started buying up cheap salvage to create rigs and sell them at profit. Not a bad income for the slight effort it takes.
• Mission runner: My earliest source of income. Have done both combat missions and couriers in highsec, lowsec and nulsec, and have worked for the Caldari, Amarr, Thukker and Angel Cartel.
• R&D: I’ve got five agents working for me and once every few months I blitz through highsec to collect my earnings. A nice wallet booster but not as good as it used to be back in the days.
• Mining: I once mined in a Procuror — lol terrible ship — in lowsec just for the sheer lulz. I still get poked fun at for that. When I was a wee lil’ pirate I mined a few lowsec gneiss plexes in an Osprey, but other than that I leave this to Faber.
• Wormholes: Potato RR fleets make quick work of Sleepers, and getting near 100 mil a person for a few hours work is great. While quite dull in itself — point drones at broadcasted target and sit back — the vent chatter does get me through it.
• Trade: Mostly marging trading and probably where I’ve gotten most of my ISK. I’ve also invested in shares and IPO’s, all but one payed off, the one that didn’t was due to the player vanishing into thin air. Not sure if that was an intended scam or not. Have also done some resale for people, and selling goods on their behalf with getting a cut of the profits.
• Planetary interaction: Running a nanite repair paste chain spread over two accounts, with Myrhial working on five planets and Faber taking care of the sixth.

Pirate

• Ships of all sizes: I have flown T1 / T2 frigates (with the exception of ewar frigates), destroyers, T1 / T2 cruisers, battlecruisers and battleships into pvp combat, mostly fit for pvp but the few occasional encounters in pve setups have been there as well. I fly mostly in fleets but have also tried my hand at solo combat.
• Faction war: Busting plexes or simply clashing with a militia group, picking off stragglers from large fleets and even opening plexes to bait targets inside, faction war offers a variety of strategies and was where I really learned to pvp. Operation Bold Harvest will always hold a dear spot in my heart.
• Mission busting: This has got to be the most profitable kill till date. Delicious faction loot. Not all are like that though, and it is usually newer players you catch because they aren’t watching the scanner or even unaware of probes. The bulk of targets in Operation Longshot were of that kind.
• Ransoms: A rare occurrence, not because of a lack of trying but because a situation has to lend itself to it and then there is still the willingness of the target to pay up.

Roleplay

• RP corp / alliance: All corporations / alliances I have been part of have had roleplay as part of their activities. My character has undergone quite the transformation, from State loyalist to Cartel loyalist. While this has had a certain impact on her personality as well as her cultural thinking she’s still very Caldari in her ways.
• Channel RP: From bars to political discussions, I’ve been in a fair number of channels. Favorite hangouts are The Skyhook and The Last Gate. I’m one of those eternal lurkers in The Summit as well.
• In character blogging: Been slacking on this a little — and blogging as a whole — since I’ve stepped down as CEO, but for the two years I’ve been blogging I’m at around at least two posts a month.

Leadership

• Corporate: Have been a director and later on a CEO, now serving as shadow CEO while I take out some more time for myself. Don’t worry though, Naraka will be back, no matter what people are saying or assuming. I’ve already got so much ideas on where I want to take the corporation and being in Veto has been a very enlightening experience so far. Someday I hope to chronicle my experiences in a guide for beginning CEO’s and directors.
• Fleets: PVE and PVP, I’ve been FC, backup FC, backup backup FC and logistics coordinator. Having invested in learning leadership skills I’m also serving as fleet booster when needed.

Participants:

1. CrazyKinux’s Musing: The Heroes with a Thousand Faces
2. StarFleet Comms: Life. Evolved.
3. A Carebear’s Journeu: This Carebear Thinks He Is Developing Teeth
4. The Elitist: Our ventures in EVE
5. A Mule in EVE: From a guppy predator
6. Travels of the Ronin: Evolution and Adaptation
7. The Ralpha Dogs: The Past Through Tomorrow
8. Where the frack is my ship: A journey, not a destination
9. I am Keith Neilson: 7 Year Itch?
10. Inner Sanctum of the Ninveah: Evolution Me
11. EVE Opportunist: A long history of a short time
12. Roc’s Ramblings: Things Change
13. Guns Ablaze: Onwards and Upwards
14. EVE On Real Life: Haven’t you grown up yet?
15. The Fang: The path of the ninja
16. EVEOGANDA: Whoops Apocalypse!
17. EVE SOB: Learning to swim
18. The Life of a Dead Jester: My Time with EVE
19. Personal Files, Ciarente Roth: Personal Diary 18.6.112
20. Learning to Fly: Change is Good
21. Depths Unknown: Falling With Style
22. Morphisat’s Blog: Jack of all trades
23. Sarnelbinora’s Blog: Thoughts of EVE
24. Confessions of a Closet Carebear: It’s the yellow box, stupid…
25. Adventures in Mission Running: My path amongst the stars
26. When 11 Ninjas isn’t enough: First days in the North (continued)
27. Lost in New Eden: My EVE Life So Far
28. Life in my Hole: How My EVE Experience Has Evolved
29. The Lathspell of Mithrandir: EVE-olution
30. Chocolate Heaven: Recurring Themes
31. More as they get published…

[Delicious Tag: eveblogbanter18]

I’ve been leading a double life in the last week. Something that is remarkably easy when you have access to jump clones.

My one life is in Curse where our plans to do some agent work turned into reality with the discovery of a wormhole nearby Goinard leading to Scalding Pass. Around half our pilots have ships, ammunition and a jump clone in the region now. Being one of those privileged enough to have access to several Cartel and Serpentis agents I’ve shared missions with a few of the Ghosts helping them climb the standings ladder.

My other life is in Goinard and has been continued when I returned to my body there two days ago. While I originally planned to just stay to move some assets to be taken into Curse I remained to be able to attend a scheduled operation later today. Which turned out to be a good decision when Leopold and Kirsa found some possible battlecruiser targets in Akila. One of the Harbinger pilots engaged Kirsa on a stargate — he must have assumed she was not with us — but we came to her rescue in time. I cracked his pod open with a volley of missiles. Had the system be safer he might have gotten out alive for some payment.

Deciding we might as well continue we patrolled more nearby systems until we stumbled upon a Drake in Vitrauze. Looking at the combat record this is a rather uncommon module loadout for this ship. If anything it was made to annoy as his shield kept restoring so rapidly his armor and hull took various minor hits before finally collapsing.

Hailing one of our favorite Hellcat pilots Shae Tiann and inviting her to our fleet we spotted a Nighthawk coming into the system. Some of us scattered while getting repairs and dropping off loot I quickly warped back to the gate when I heard Inara engaged the pilot but couldn’t handle him by herself. As she was trying to escape they both were drifting away from the gate and I followed them, hoping to slow him down with my webifier. I did indeed slow him down but now I was under fire, the rest of the fleet making their way back to assist. It turned out to be a very close call for me. Overheating the MWD and hardeners I finally slipped out of his reach with only 96 points of hull left. Warping to safety I realized how fitting my elite hull tanking certificate really is. If there ever was a good reason to master the operation of battlecruisers this fight was is as well.

Elite hull tanking

Getting more repairs it seemed the Nighthawk pilot — which we afterwards noticed was the same pilot as the Drake — decided to stick around, probably in the hopes of getting revenge. Proving again that keeping your head cool is the key to success he was pinned down and taken out in Onne, instantaneously making us a great deal richer as we saw the spoils of battle. I cannot help but to grin when I look at the Domination warp disruptor which is now installed on my Machariel. Not only did the ISK I pay for it go to members of Naraka, it also makes for a nice souvenir and a reminder of how playing the hero could have cost a lot of lives.

Machariel

The rest of the patrol was relatively uneventful, except Amaterasu lost her Hurricane as we tried to evade a fleet that attempted to pounce and chase us. Our earlier catch of the Nighthawk did cover all the costs though.

I look forward to tonight’s operation, where I get to fly my Guardian again. I really enjoy logistics, even though we do not get “rewarded” with an appearance on the killmails unless we deploy combat drones. Knowing the advantage it gives us and having the ability to keep my fleet members from getting blown to bits gives me a real sense of purpose. And yet I would also like to return to Curse to continue what I have started. Maybe tomorrow I can go and live that life again.

Have you ever experienced something which defies the very laws of nature? Something that simply is not possible happening? I have. And I was not the only one to witness it.
The veil of W-space has been pierced. Sleeper drone AI behaviour has been deciphered. Technology has been uncovered and found a use. These days it is a familiar extension of the cluster, in which the right ships and setups gather the components to build strategic cruisers. And we wouldn’t be proper Cartel loyalists if we weren’t all over the profits to be made in that market.

Yet W-space was the stage for the strange event I am about to write about. Or to be more precise, the wormhole leading out of it. It was detected as being near the end of its cycle and we decided to return home before we had to find a new exit. All other outlaw pilots made the jump before me, with me being the last before it collapsed right behind me. But something wasn’t right. As Morwen spoke up I saw it as well. We did not end up where we had entered. We were right on the undock point of our home station. I am pretty sure that if I was in control of my body at that moment a shiver would have run down my spine. Wormholes are not supposed to spit you out in another location in the same system, and they certainly aren’t supposed to spit you out on your own doorstep.

Disturbed and yet intrigued I’ve searched GalNet for information on similar happenings, but the closest match were tales of pilots trapped in systems with no wormhole exits left for certain intervals of time. So at present what we experienced seems to be a unique occurrence. Taking no chances I have ordered hangar personnel to do a throughout test of the ship and all systems. There’s got to be an explanation for this. I am too old to believe in ghosts.

—

OOC: This glitch was so strange it deserved its own blog post (thanks for the suggestion, Morwen). Since this doesn’t seem like intended behaviour we also filed a bug report on it. Shame I will not get to see the look on the face of the bug hunter who gets to deal with this issue. Or learn what caused it to begin with. My guess is that it is a hiccup in the session system, not knowing where to drop us off and thus rolling back to our previous known location. Or maybe wormholes are haunted after all… and not just by us.

Gods and spirits, has it only been 12 days since my last entry? It feels like so much longer with all that has happened. And yet too much time has gone to waste while we still haven’t recovered Amaterasu from the clutches of the Blooders. Her former owner doesn’t accept the fact she’s free now and set up a trap she knew would work.  Izanami – the former owner – can call herself lucky I am clone jumping to Curse on Tuesday, because I am entirely not amused by getting one of my pilots kidnapped and blooded. Not that the other search parties have kinder plans for what to do with Izanami once she is found.

Curse is going to be interesting. The Cartel got word of our “failure” to deal with this whole situation and want to speak me in person. I won’t lie, this could have handled a great deal better. But when you make a choice, there’s no telling if it is going to be right or wrong. I don’t believe in right or wrong choices either. After all, what proof is there that having told all Ghosts from the start would not have caused any problems? Exactly, none. We were already drifting apart, a Family only by name. Still, as CEO, I carry the responsibility for my actions. So I will heed the summons and meet up with the Dominations.

Going to Curse will also serve another purpose. It will give me time to consider the next steps for Ghost Festival and Naraka while having the option to consult the Cartel about them. We’ve grown these past months even though we don’t see it, both in numbers and in skill. More and more possibilities are opening themselves to us. Our name gets spoken throughout the cluster each time we strike. We’re becoming known. It is time to reap the rewards.

Not that we’ve kept quiet. An industrialist who happened to be anchoring a POS in w-space was really in the wrong place at the wrong time. I got the honors of proving him w-space has more lurking in it than just Sleepers. Another industrialist setting up a POS in Goinard learned that our back yard is not to best place to do so. Bringing out our biggest and baddest fleet we opened fire on the large Gallente tower. Many wouldn’t even have bothered, knowing just how much firepower and time is needed, but melting the shields did result in him agreeing to pay us rent. Not a bad deal. After all, as we say, feed the hungry ghosts and they go away.

POS assault

Sleeper drones have made for some good target practice as well. They’ve even got me to train for a Dominix. A neat by-product of heavy specialization in flying the Pilgrim means other drone boats are lethal under my control. Whittenoom even complimented me on my drone training outranking hers and she flies Gallente ships exclusively.

Dominix versus Sleepers

And those are just the highlights of what we’ve achieved in these last two weeks. Business continues, even with a Ghost missing. But the Family won’t be whole again until she’s back.