Grand Theft Orca, Part 2

Previously, on MinerBumping... Bot-aspirant Dreanna Synx was mining in an asteroid belt with an Orca and a Hulk. Rather than having an alt pilot the Orca, she simply switched back and forth between the two ships. When her Hulk was ganked by Knights of the Order, she was podded several systems over. The Orca was left empty, and by the time she returned, it was gone.

My Agents were not responsible for the Orca theft. I was contacted by Benjamin Artoriana, who had watched the whole incident go down.

Benjamin was familiar with the scout used by Agents Fawn Tailor and John E Normus. He was eager to watch a gank in person, so he sat cloaked at a distance from where their scout was setting up a warp-in.

According to Benjamin, he had never done a "bad act" in EVE before. As he contemplated this "bad act", his heart began to pound. This is what happens to every person who transforms himself into an Agent of the New Order. He could feel himself coming to life.

Benjamin was now a believer in the Code. He instantly prospered by his new beliefs, having a free Orca dumped into his lap.

At the same time Dreanna and I were ending our series of EVEmails, Dreanna was contacted by Agent Galaxy Pig. He took responsibility for the Orca theft, but offered to sell it back for the low, low price of only 400 million isk.

Dreanna refused the generous offer, pleading poverty. What a cliché.

Luckily for Dreanna, Galaxy is a gallant gentleman. He was flexible on the price.

Galaxy had extended the hand of friendship, but Dreanna slapped it away. (Talk about piling up Code violations!) Their negotiations ended; Dreanna absolutely refused to ever pay Galaxy Pig even one cent.

...At least, the negotiations would have ended, if Galaxy were willing to take "no" for an answer. Agents of the New Order know better than that. Every carebear pays eventually.

Suddenly the picture began to change. Dreanna remembered she had the ability to sell "an extra ship or two" to pay 200 million for the Orca. It's like I always say, my wallet is filled with the isk of carebears who say they'll "never" pay me.

Galaxy Pig graciously accepted 200 million isk from Dreanna, and they worked out the details for the transfer of the phantom Orca.

Unfortunately, the deal hit a snag after the 200 million was transferred. Galaxy Pig, who shared Dreanna's habit of suddenly "remembering" things, realized another 100 million was required.

Only moments before, Dreanna would never pay anything. Then she only had 200 million. Then she had 300 million. That's the trouble with carebears: Unbound by any principles, they drift along with the winds of circumstance. Galaxy Pig sighed, making it clear that he was doing her a favor by accepting her money.

By contrast, Galaxy Pig was securely fastened to the bedrock of EVE principles: The Code. And the Code demanded a sacrifice.

Dreanna didn't have the ability to pay an additional 100 million isk, however. Well... How long do you suppose that sentiment will last?

...Not very long. Dreanna miraculously found the funds needed to pay Galaxy Pig a total of 400 million isk for the return of her Orca.

We all remember the story of the boy who cried wolf. Dreanna had lied so many times about what she was willing to pay. Galaxy Pig could not trust that she wouldn't pay more, so he had no choice but to test her.

Graciously, Galaxy Pig offered to return the Orca for only 12 and a half million more isk. But now Dreanna's greed began to take over, and she refused to pay anything more, even though she had already paid 400 million. Avarice is the only explanation. But at least Dreanna had finally learned to tell him the truth!

Galaxy rewarded her honest with his own honesty. Though he was not able to return the Orca stolen by someone else, he was able to give Dreanna something far more valuable: A lesson, and an invitation to follow the Code. Dreanna lucked out, big time.

Dreanna refused to accept the gift, and she cruelly spurned the Code. I can't help but reflect upon the contrast between Dreanna Synx and Benjamin Artoriana. One followed the Code and gained an Orca; the other disobeyed the Code and lost an Orca. Dear reader, which path will you walk?