Omega-Steel Wars (2004-2005)
The Omega-Steel Wars were two wars fought between The Omega and Steel in October/November 2004 and February/March 2005.
The First Omega-Steel War resulted in Steel's destruction under the barrage of a 10k+ hit FS. The following set things were quiet due to the holidays, so Steel's war of revenge was delayed until February. On February 8th, Steel launches an AB FS on Omega. The war lasts 7 weeks and swings from Steel's favor to ultimate Omegan Victory.
First Omega-Steel War
The Origins of the First Omega-Steel War lie in two places:
First, the Omega needed to re-establish better relations with allies. Over the previous few sets, the Omega had sat out of several wars and thereby strained relations with their allies. By going into this set with the intention of waging a war against an alliance that could otherwise trouble their allies, the Omega was able to pull closer to long time allies.
Second, the Omega had a long time grudge with Steel as the descendant RoCK (the Omega's old enemy). This reason is more limited in its scope, but still provides incite into the question of, "Why Steel? Why not someone else?" Grudges can be held for a long time in this game. After many years, they may not hold much force and yet still have the ability to push an alliance in one direction or another.
The First Strike
The Omega came, did 10k+ hits and slaughtered Steel. Had no choice but to seek a different enemy while Steel rebuilt enough to be targeted again.
LCN Interlude
Following a massive war effort in the first 24 hours against Steel, Omega had effectively crushed Steel and needed additional targets to sustain the on-going war effort. At the same time, Omega's allies wanted to disengage themselves from fighting LCN so that they could in turn focus on and fight another alliance. The Omega took on LCN to solve their problem and allow their allies to disengage.
Completing the War
After cleaning up the war effort with LCN, Omega returned to fighting Steel and successfully completed the war. Overall victory was achieved for Omega and allies in World War IX.
Second Omega-Steel War
Following a two month lull for Christmas/Kwanza/Hannukah and New Year's celebrations, Viper launched his effort to achieve revenge against The Omega.
The First Strike
Eight days into February/March set of 2005, Steel launched an Artillery Barrage FS. This unconventional war tactic was highly successful in crippling Omega. However, the effort was not followed up by the conventional war tactics which would have converted crippled but still dangerous countries into dead countries. Steel bought themselves significant time to destroy those Omegan countries which could still break them down for the members that were forced to rebuild/restart. This wasted breathing time may have been critical to Steel's eventual loss.
ICN Fights in War
The Omega reacted to the FS by calling in ICN against Steel. ICN chose to help Omega despite questions about an uNAP which Viper/Steel accused ICN of breaking. Regardless, ICN was threatened by RD and mutually agreed (with The Omega) to leave the war. Their damage, however, was done.
Omega Considers Surrender
In the lowest hours of the war for The Omega, leaders and veterens considered surrendering and sparing the alliance the worst affects from a long and drawn out and ultimately unsuccessful war effort. This kind of war effort could have significant affects on membership and do significant damage to Omega. However, surrender also has its disadvantages such as a loss of prestige. Loss of prestige could potentially have meant more wars and less ability to netgain (as Omega prefers).
Viper's Terms
In the end, Omega didn't really have to decide the question of surrender for themselves. Viper's non-negotiable surrender terms answered the question itself. They were completely incompatible with the honor and will of Omegans (mainly due to the Third and Sixth Demands).
First Demand: An apology for the way Omegan members have acted in this war and in the past in regards to comments to steel about their behavior in game (multies, cheaters) and on AT (trash talking).
Second Demand: Admit defeat for this reset's war and post a statement of surrender.
Third Demand: We work to continue bettering our relations with Steel. This will be a mutual effort so long as Grelk is not head of Omega. If Grelk becomes head Viper's plans of multiple reset revenge will continue.
Fourth Demand: Omega and Steel will have a uNAP for the rest of this reset.
Fifth Demand: ICN will be able to withdraw without any sort of compensation or retalliation. This is guaranteed for only one reset, after that ICN/Steel relations will be dependent upon what those two alliances decide. Steel still feels that ICN broke an unbreakable pact.
Sixth Demand: Viper will remove the spies in Omega and reveal to leadership what member names were used as spies. (Editor's note: Back then, using spies to infiltrate another alliance's membership was considered a serious violation of honor.)
Omega Refuses to Surrender
Hearing significant discontent with Viper's terms, Omegan leaders presented the veterans with a choice, to surrender with the consequences of surrender or to personally commit to fighting the long war and not giving up. The Omega chose to fight on.
Arrow's Aid Refreshes Omega
With Omega fighting on, Arrow supplied many Omegans with the resources to fight the war. A massive foreign aid effort was undertaken which put Omega back in the fight before Arrow was also threatened by RD and FA efforts ceased. RD was too little, too late for Steel. The Omega started surging forward right when Steel took a huge hit.
Steel Takes Massive Deletions
About the time that RD threatened Arrow, Swirve identified significant multies and other assorted cheating within Steel. A significant chunck of the Steel alliance was deleted as a result.
Omega Completes Victory
All that remained was to clean up the last pieces of Steel. Seven weeks of war ended much the same way that the set began for Omega, fairly low-key. The war was over and Omega had succeeded in one of the alliance's most impressive feats of endurance. At the end, Omegans took a deep breath and appreciated their own efforts. This war serves as a lesson that alliances can dig deep in the most desparate situations and make the improbable into the just done.
- Article to be worked on further as time allows.
