Comrades, I bring news of a small victory. I took my newly-commissioned Revolution-class Bomber on a routine patrol of the Omega 3 and 7 trade lanes. As I passed Freeport 1, I encountered a Corsair Titan IDing as Ezio.Francesca[TBH]. Here is a selection from my comm log, with non-relevant material removed.
Communication Log - Lt. Cmdr. Thacker Wrote:[31.03.2010 17:53:47] SCRA|Robert.Thacker.: You're lucky you picked such a fortuitious location, Corsair filth.
[31.03.2010 17:54:19] Ezio.Francesca[TBH]: tis lucky for you. i would love to see you attempt to destroy me. twould be most hilarous.
[31.03.2010 17:54:40] SCRA|Robert.Thacker.: You Corsairs are no match for the Coalition's might, and you know it.
[31.03.2010 17:54:49] SCRA|Robert.Thacker.: Now, if you'll excuse me, I've a patrol to resume.
[31.03.2010 17:54:54] Ezio.Francesca[TBH]: lies. you only control one system.
[31.03.2010 17:55:06] Ezio.Francesca[TBH]: the might of the corsair empire extends far eyond yours.
I did not consider the Corsair's parting remark to be worthy of comment. Leaving the pirate alive to trouble civilians troubled me, but I did not consider the engagement to be worth risking our diplomacy with the Zoners over.
From there, I continued further along the trade lanes, meeting no opposition until I got near the Jump Gate to the Omega-7 system. As I passed on the Trade Lane, I picked up a Gaian, a Corsair, and some BAF ships at the edge of my sensor range. I immediately broke away from the lane, and moved to investigate. When I approached, I confirmed that all contacts were in fighter-class vessels. I chose to hang back and observe the fight, as both sides are hostile to the Revolution. The Gaian, IDing as [NLH]Opal.Eyes and flying an Eagle, decided the issue for me, however. As he passed, he fired several shots at me. Not wanting to let that stand, I engaged the Gaian. I'm not sure he was expecting any retaliation, however, as I had no trouble stripping his shields away with my EMP cannons, and following that up with a Supernova shot that tore through his hull. Since the BAF remained hostile towards me, I withdrew from the battle, leaving the remaning combatants to kill each other. I then moved on to Omega-7. The comm log of the engagement follows.
Communication Log - Lt. Cmdr. Thacker Wrote:31.03.2010 17:57:56] SCRA|Robert.Thacker.: Well... what do we have here? A corsair-loving tree hugger, an actual corsair, and some royal blockheads?
[31.03.2010 17:58:07] BAF|Lt.A.Blair: Right back at you, commie.
[31.03.2010 17:58:37] [NLH]Opal.Eyes: oops sorry
[31.03.2010 17:58:39] Death: [NLH]Opal.Eyes was put out of action by SCRA|Robert.Thacker. (Gun).
[31.03.2010 17:58:49] SCRA|Robert.Thacker.: Shooting at me is a bad idea.
[31.03.2010 17:58:57] BAF|Lt.A.Blair: That was fast.
[31.03.2010 17:59:39] [NLH]Opal.Eyes: escape module: well that sucked...
[31.03.2010 17:59:43] SCRA|Robert.Thacker.: I think I'll leave the rest of you gentlemen to kill each other.
[31.03.2010 17:59:49] BAF|Lt.A.Blair: Good.
[31.03.2010 17:59:54] BAF|Ens.Maier.FoX: ok
[31.03.2010 17:59:58] SCRA|Robert.Thacker.: Don't make me change my mind, Lieutenant.
[31.03.2010 18:00:05] BAF|Ens.Maier.FoX: however I just watch battle, no permission to engade
In the Omega-7 system, everything at first appeared to be clear, as I passed Freistadt and got to the Stuttgart Jump Gate. On my return flight to Omega-52, though, I played a hunch and cruised back closer to Freistadt again. Sure enough, the Corsair I had met at Freeport 1 was holding up a miner there. I ordered the Corsair to return home and stop troubling the civilians, but he refused, and opened fire on me. After a few passes, he flew straight at me, allowing me to weaken his shields with my EMP cannons. As he flew around for another pass, Freistadt's gunners managed to get a few clean shots on him too, finishing off his sheilds. Immediately after that, I managed to draw a bead on him, and fired my Supernova, making short work of his Titan.
Communication Log - Lt. Cmdr. Thacker Wrote:[31.03.2010 18:05:16] SCRA|Robert.Thacker.: Troubling the honest workers now?
[31.03.2010 18:05:34] Ezio.Francesca[TBH]: the only honest worker is the one who doesnt work.
[31.03.2010 18:05:58] SCRA|Robert.Thacker.: Why don't go back home to that blasted rock of a planet before someone turns that pretty little ship
[31.03.2010 18:06:03] SCRA|Robert.Thacker.: into a pile of scrap?
[31.03.2010 18:06:20] Ezio.Francesca[TBH]: that threat does not impress me. i have no quarrel with you.
[31.03.2010 18:06:34] SCRA|Robert.Thacker.: As long as you're troubling civilians, I've got a quarrel with you.
[31.03.2010 18:06:51] Ezio.Francesca[TBH]: then it seems there is but one choice left.
[31.03.2010 18:08:25] Death: Ezio.Francesca[TBH] was put out of action by SCRA|Robert.Thacker. (Gun).
Following that battle, I resumed my course towards home. The remainder of my flight was uneventful.
I certify this report to be complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge.