Parenting by the Code, Part 2

Previously, on MinerBumping... Neil Muutaras went to his friendly neighborhood Agent to buy a mining permit from her. Out of nowhere, the miner went on a foul-mouthed rant in local about the Code. Agent Alt 00 was considering her options when the miner suddenly made another about-face: He apologized for the rant and claimed his teenage son was to blame.

Anyone who enforces the Code is bound to come across a carebear who shifts blame to friends and family members who allegedly have access to his computer. With rare exceptions, these excuses are nothing more than that--excuses.

Neil didn't hesitate to throw his son under the metaphorical bus. That shouldn't be taken as evidence of his son's nonexistence, however. It's pretty standard behavior for highsec miners. Most of them would sell their own grandmother for a little extra isk.

Ah, there's that word: "Also." When uttered by an Agent of the New Order, you know that inspiration is about to strike.

Neil was once again the meek, mild miner that he'd been when he first approached Alt 00 and asked to buy a permit. Maybe there was something to Neil's story about his son. After all, why would he go on a psychotic tirade against the New Order in local, only to immediately send our Agent money and attempt to make amends?

As everyone in local looked on, Alt 00's idea took root in her mind and began to blossom.

In a situation such as this, a simple apology by EVEmail wouldn't do.

Protip: The name of the Saviour of Highsec is even more effective than the D-scanner. Speaking my name in local is usually enough to flush out a rebel or two.

Non-compliants hate to see their fellow miners obeying the rules. They know that every time a miner follows the Code, it brings more heat on the remaining rebels.

Before long, Alt 00 received a photo of the handwritten apology letter and portrait from Neil--or his son, Jacob:

Click here for full-size image.

For the sake of comparison.

Alt 00 found herself troubled by some of the flaws in the letter, especially the reference to "John 315". She considered that maybe this first attempt at an apology should be rejected out of hand, rather than being forwarded to the Saviour. So our Agent turned to the official diplomat for the mighty CODE. alliance: Light Neutron Blaster II.

Of course, Light Neutron Blaster II isn't the name of an EVE character; it's an item. Alt 00 made a rare use of the walking-in-stations feature to consult the item as one would an oracle.

She sensed its dissatisfaction.

Click here for full-size image. As you can see, Neil (or his son) retrieved the letter and made some alterations.

As our Agent pointed out, the most revealing thing about the letter was the condition of the paper itself. The letter had obviously been crumpled into a ball and thrown away, rather than being framed--or at least given a place of prominence on Neil's refrigerator. This miner (and his son, if he exists) still has much to learn about the Code, I think.