The Rival, Part 2

Previously, on MinerBumping... Agent Australian Excellence was enjoying bringing the Code to the Poinen system in The Forge. In his optimism, he believed that any carebear willing to speak with him about the Code would eventually see reason. Then came Bucklee, a most perplexing miner. Bucklee insulted the Code but then claimed he intended to conquer highsec for himself.

Bucklee's startling claim went unnoticed by Agent Australian, who was too busy helping a hauler pilot experience the Code.

With his worn-out Miner Bingo quotes, Bucklee sounded like every other carebear. But if he really was serious about "controlling the lanes", this was no ordinary miner.

There it was. Bucklee couldn't resist unveiling his master plan. Australian Excellence wasn't particularly interested in listening to Bucklee's ideas about how to do the New Order right, but he was sure to hear them anyway.

Bucklee's explanation wasn't very clear at first. To be fair, though, Bond villains probably rehearse their monologues many times in advance. Bucklee was winging it.

Little by little, the pieces came together. Bucklee believed the New Order should conquer highsec by safeguarding solo players as they made their way to nullsec. Like I said, the pieces came together, even if they didn't necessarily fit.

Bucklee's strange plan was based around making money. Australian had other priorities; he was amazed at how isk-focused the carebears are.

For all you carebears out there, this is not a good example of how to deny being a botter.

The other shoe dropped. Bucklee was furious to discover the New Order had already seized control of The Forge. All of his hard work went down the drain. Australian didn't have the heart to tell Bucklee about Dotlan.

In spite of everything, Bucklee considered himself an expert on The Forge--but our Agent doubted.

Rather than trying to replicate work already done by Dotlan years ago, Bucklee could've been training up a Catalyst or learning how to bump. What a waste of potential.

The miner exploded in anger. He'd hoped to run The Forge, only to find out someone else was implementing his plan. Even worse, they were doing it completely wrong.

Bucklee had demanded to know why the New Order didn't control a bunch of key systems located in lowsec and nullsec. Australian told him. Still, Bucklee was convinced that the New Order's administration of highsec should revolve around safeguarding nullsec miners.

Bucklee's dream had been shattered. He was so frustrated he could barely stand it. But maybe he could salvage the situation by teaching our Agent how to govern highsec... the Bucklee way.

To be continued...