For some pilots, the allure of Gold is enough to blind them to the possibility of hidden agendas. Discussions in how all can grow together seem like a dream come true, finally working together for a common goal. Ironic how only the strongest and their friends are chosen, most will head home afterwards with their earnings. I suspect a few many even stay, after being offered a permanent seat to ensure those lost over time have a solid replacement. The rumors of all transfers being endorsed are highly exaggerated, propaganda initiated from the source of the problem, those who do the poaching.
It is apparent my crew was not the only one to have lost men they would have done better with than without. No doubt most have teams who will enjoy the return of those chosen but the free agents will be out there as well I suspect. Hired guns ready to join the crew most likely to succeed. It's a way of life for some, it's worked well so why change anything? Others wonder what good can come from sleeping with the enemy. There's a reason the military frowns upon such matters, to put it mildly.
I recall a pilot long since retired, the history of MK Mathews showed how quickly loyalties can change or be revealed for what they are not. When he joined his leader and teammates to another clan, he found himself booted just before they locked in. He formed his own clan afterwards and Raging Vengeance still fights against the machine. He has retired but the history is not forgotten. Not a unique story but truly a unique pilot.
~note check records for pilot interview
If there's one thing I've learned, every Faction Wars brings a shakedown. There will always be those who must seek Gold at all costs. Some will not go so far but will not refuse the offer of a sure thing either. Few would not even consider such an offer, using history as hindsight. The core group is evident, one only needs to look at the medals to see who fights where. It may be a big Galaxy but not as many places to hide as one might think. One only needs to look at the line up to see who the regulars are. A quick wall check will show the medals earned, where and when. The rest just fill in as needed.
When you know you belong on a team, there are no issues. If you receive an offer and have any doubts, it must be taken into consideration why you were chosen. When other teammates are expected to join, it can be justified they are taking your clan, or a block from it. No doubt what MK thought long ago. Whether or not others knew the plan is unclear. In the end, the damage was done. Most forget history and we are forced to repeat until we learn it seems. Some were not around to witness all that's occurred since FWs first began, hard to come up with the best conclusions when all information is not known.
My men received word about the golden opportunity and a few were excited. An offer too good to pass up dropped in our laps once again. Then news came there were only thirteen seats allotted to us. It certainly was not a merge as much as a collaboration pre-planned with many. I have seen the results from the previous two Faction Wars and did not expect much to change, if anything at all. Unfortunately I was right about that. The number of offers sent out certainly did not match the number given and despite warnings, it was too alluring for a few. As brothers watched, the strongest went off to wars under a different banner. Many crews may have planned to lose their top pilots but some did not. If you know what is coming, and you suspect others do not, you have the upper hand from the start.
Plans are thrown out when numbers start changing. I am not a number cruncher but I do hear the laments and woes as they watch. Many, if not all, will find our stretch humorous. What the numbers don't tell are the support offered. I realize the request was suicidal. Once plans went into the shitter, the point was no longer about chasing Gold. When one can let go, it becomes so much more than one war. One win won't earn that much more in the long run, unless you are always in that one seat perhaps. My brothers and I surprised Division 1 when we took the first FW Gold so it can be done. This is, no doubt, why all the trouble is taken to hand pick only the strongest in the galaxy. Some are shooting for the opportunity to make the challenge no doubt. A few get to tag along but most are more than capable of pulling their own weight.
So much planning is required for any Wars but Faction Wars presents unique challenges. There are new crews popping up all the time as pilots park their main and minis are created for fun. Many relearn what they rushed through the first try and improve their mecha piloting abilities when given a restart opportunity. The biggest concern with that is burn out. Many good pilots gave their all and are now done. Gone from all but the records and history. It's hard to watch but even harder to stop. Men on a mission rarely stop to listen, they are always about action. It is great energy but finding a way to have it be more than short lived is becoming a necessity. Far too few replacements to turn to now, can't keep losing more without major consequences. We've felt the effects for some time already. Things have been stretched thin as is, not sure how much more stress can be managed.
I shall take the opportunity handed to me and pull my men together. We'll laugh and drink instead of playing out some drama scene. They chose to be where they are, we will make the best of the situation and enjoy the fellowship of being all together. When it comes time to raid, the vets can show the new recruits the ropes and lend a hand when needed. They won't need to struggle as bad with brothers as back up instead of those who would claim all the loot. Connections have already been formed, bonds will continue to be made as all see who they call 'brother.' This won't be the last storm we'll weather together, even if it's the first for some. The concept of bringing pilots together has a whole new meaning when you don't look outside but focus within. It doesn't take a holiday or war to get to know pilots from another clan or faction. In fact, you're probably too late if you wait for announcements to arrive about an upcoming one. Some seem to know when that may be so they'll have a head start in the head hunt. I wasn't able to protect my lower ranks the first two Faction Wars but I can certainly see the new recruits do not face what their brothers have for their first encounter.
We may stay the underdog team but we'll always strive to improve. We want Gold, but not at the expense of a brother. We are not mercs but sovereign pilots. We choose to stay together, despite overwhelming odds. It has made us stronger in the past and it will again. Trust has been earned over time. Some of these men have been through hell and back, together. I've been by their side through thick and thin. I hope to have my third surgery before we form for FWs 5 but time will tell. I didn't join a Gold medal team, I joined a Brotherhood. Toys and tangible prizes are fun but what I have is priceless.
~end of transmission
Submitted by Deborah Roaché-Hudak #289133