Oh, and Galen. I think Evanda made it clear at the time that we held CAIN, at least in part, responsible for Ullia Hnolku's death and if we could hurt you, we would. And we weren't working with the Black Rabbits, they turned up because you had come and you were a favourite chew-toy.
Oh, absolutely. That was my point: despite both CAIN and EM representing sovereign states that were not at war, EM launched a grudge attack on a State operation CAIN was involved in because of Hnolku. That's why Galen wasn't taken aback by the Republic attacking the Federation due to a grudge, though the scale of the attack may have.
Come to think of it...I may be confused since I was away from the game for some time, but isn't CCP Falcon Verone? Given that VETO also joined in that war, that whole thing may have provided inspiration for this arc on some level. Namely, that the Minmatar emphasize loyalty based on honor and grudges, as opposed to law and treaties.
Lyn, we've been promised in the Live Events forum that the pace will slow down, but the arc is still ongoing. It makes me sad too, this had a perfect whole "tense political situation" vibe that's damped by a slower pace. I'm trying to pretend this is all happening much faster than it really is, but...yeah, I want more
Grudge attack? Granted my memory of things might be a tad hazy but what I recall is CAIN slapping us with a wardec having moved assets to the Republic to prosecute it with. I think the Rabbits noticed that happening unless I am mistaken.
Was that in response to a previous action then? It may well have been but you where on our red list and, therefore, legitimate targets. Regardless of any formal tensions between the polities we both have interests in.
EM blew up a lolecmburst fit blackbird (long story) while CAIN was assisting a Caldari Navy operation (live event, the end of the BoF arc, as memory serves). CAIN basically said "compensate us for that ship, or it's war." EM refused (to CAIN's delight), wardec went down, pirates decced, and that's how the war began. So yeah, previous action.
I'm not sure what EM's red list has to do with anything. I'm not saying it was a surprise attack, if that's what you think I mean. If EM had attacked a random CAIN patrol in lowsec, I'd agree that would be more grey area since they could claim to not mean any offense to the Caldari State. Harder to claim that when you're trying to foil a CN operation, though.
I also see the current attitude mirrored in EM's approach to handling the pirates. EM could have told CAIN "Look, you've brought vermin into our home. We'll have this war, but first you help us clean up the dirt you tracked in." Or, could have worked a ceasefire while both entities fought the pirates separately. Or, just gone kamikaze and fought everyone. They route they took instead was to work with the pirates against CAIN because CAIN was the one they had the biggest problem with. I'm not saying this is bad, just that it shows that "law and order" was not as high a priority as "honor and revenge."