4Game

So I guess some people are at least somewhat aware of a couple of factions being at odds because of some issues outside of Elite. I just want to clear some things up as the strategic officer of one of these factions involved since the other side seem to be drawing narratives that are somewhat unfounded. If you're aware of it, you know what it's about.

Firstly I want to address the assumption that they've been claiming that our faction was founded for the sole purpose of attacking and/or harassing them for some personal vendetta, which is catagorically false, since the core issue is based on outside events. Although it's true there were issues between the faction leaders and it is true we did set up close to their systems, it is disingenuous to say it was deliberate to mess with them, since our actual main goal was to stay relatively close to our allied player factions, creating a sort of alliance bullwark if you will, which is closer to what we originally called our home system. We couldn't take those systems since they were already populated by player factions. We were given three options as per the faction register allowed, but we wanted to try to get them within the same sort of area.
If it were true that we wanted to go after them we'd have done so in a different way or would have claimed that was our objective, but we haven't despite them saying otherwise. I will admit that the leader did attempt to disrupt their influence early on, well before the faction was formed, but as a faction we haven't intended to do anything towards them, as opposed to their claims.
Their faction has sent multiple carriers and we've recorded (through inara) player traffic of about 70+ player ships on the first 2 days (the average is about 20 – 40) in our home system which we haven't even taken full control of yet, and yet they're saying we're going into their territory and thus they are only acting defensively? Not only that but their first major incursion was around the same time our leader was shadowbanned for unknown reasons. We suspect it was due to a mass reporting but we can't yet prove it since FDev refuses to share evidence nor any data regarding this. Regardless if you believe that or not, mass reporting is a real possibility that could've been used by them, especially considering their leader is a streamer with some degree of influence that could be exploited. If not, what was the actual reason to report him? If it's because he "harassed their territory", Inara basically confirmed at least 30 – 40 of their squadron guilty of the same thing within our system. If it was for another reason, then what was it? We'd really like to know, as then if it had sincere reason with actual evidence, we can close the book on it and call it at that.
Whether this ban was deserved or not depends entirely on what he actually did which apparently there was no evidence to confirm of any wrong-doing (or at least that FDev were willing to share), and was also looked into by a member of Canonn who reported they could not find anything to suggest a reason for the ban, and as both FDev and others have stated, would not impose a ban unless there was "significant reason" to do so (which can technically be done by mass reporting).

Also something to take into consideration is they say they're peaceful and "don't tread on sandcastles", but what about Saranyu? They expanded into that system, the controlling faction made post about how they didn't want this faction in their system, yet this faction is now nowhere to be seen in Saranyu and our "opponent" are now the controlling faction. Not only that system but other systems which the OTHER player factions such as CONTRAIL and EDF, who were the ones to suggest a peace agreement first, it wasn't this faction. They only stopped after being called on it. If they want to argue otherwise, why didn't they reach out to them and/or leave the system? I'm sure these factions can back this statement as well.
They like to say we're being aggressive when they haven't even tried to open lines of diplomacy whatsoever. Even from the beginning with the initial problems, they did not even bother to check if it were true or whether the person in question actually believed in such opinions and simply based it on general assumption (which is relevant to another issue outside of the game which started this whole mess, but basically it was a critique on the meta of exploitation of what someone is doing, and having nothing to do with who someone is). While we as a faction don't have anything against this other faction or their leader, their motives do have to be called into question. More than welcome to question ours if you're so compelled, but I at least ask to consider everything without basing it on assumption or conceited ideal. If they want to bring their own evidence, than that's fine as well. We also don't really mind them coming into the system but you also got to consider, on stream they claim to act defensively, yet this is a squadron considerably bigger than ours coming to our doorstep to swat beehives or step on ants and yet we're the aggressors?.. As I said we haven't even fully claimed our system yet and are trying to basically take a foothold. You really think we have time to go to war with another faction, especially one that's considerably bigger than our own? We really have no interest in that unless they want a faction war. Even if you want to frame it as them taking pre-emptive action against an "aggresive faction", they still played the first move, regardless of what happened between the leaders. That was to do with them alone, but as a faction they acted first. If they wanted to go to one of the systems we would have expanded into or, more importantly, systems we may end up expanding into that's within where their faction territory then that's within their right to do so. THAT'S defensive. But seriously, don't say we're being aggressive as a faction when we haven't even touched them. The logs can prove it if needed. We are open to provide them if necessary. Can they say the same?
Anyone in any faction can tell you how much effort it takes to increase and expand influence, which could take days, weeks or months depending on how many members are involved. The issue isn't entirely them steamrolling the system, it's the fact they're being disingenuous about doing it and why they are doing it and spewing out narratives to villanize us for no real reason. Or, if worse, this person's supporters just believe what they are being told without looking into the facts, which this person refuses to divulge for the convenience of their narrative, they will be fighting for a cause which they don't know the whole picture. Especially since our leader was banned when it was seemingly convenient they had a significant amount of players seen in system and seemingly no reason and no evidence to back it up.

Also one final quick thing to address: This person claims they are getting personal attacks from our leader and/or the faction. Can someone involved with the situation please clarify this? There's a lot of accusations and assumptions going around but no one is actually providing any explicit proof, except for us. This is why I urge people to actually look into the facts and listen to both sides before assuming or saying "they are this" or "they did x,y,z". It goes more with their squadron leader being a streamer with a degree of influence they can potentially exploit. Not saying they are, but even if you believe nothing said here, it is a possibility which can and does happen and something that does need to be considered. It's very easy for someone to simply say "they're abusing / harassing me!" then simply point at someone without showing barely any actual foundational evidence. It's also funny they say they want nothing to do with it but are ever so willing to use it for "free content" as they have claimed on stream. Again, we don't care if they use it for content but in terms of the justification and reasoning for this whole thing, you can't have your cake and eat it too. Whatever it is is between the two leaders, if you see us going in your territory then sure, shoot at us or do some BGS. Just don't pretend to be a victim when you're the bully or aggressor.