As a slight addition to the upper posts, I must say that catching someone on a technicality like that is a bit silly, isn't it?
I'd think that we don't have to follow the rules blindly and without logical thought, at least among those of us who play with each other frequently, with some on a daily basis. As far as it seems to me, no 'real' fight occurred there, it was a unilateral draining of shields from one side, to me personally seeming just like a low priced way to win a mass engagement on a technicality and, frankly, I thought we were all better than that.
I'm not saying one should disregard the rules, on the contrary, and with people who don't generally know each other, they should mostly be followed to the letter as much as possible, but with those who know each other, who should know each other's intentions and know that they hold some things in value more than one victory in a silly PvP fight, I think they should follow logic along with the rules.
In-RP, there's no reason why what was done should not be done, one barely gets his shield scratched, regroups, and the fight goes on.
As per the rules, RP's hindered here. There's always been a lot of discussion about this particular phenomenon, and all of us, including myself, have concluded that it is a necessary evil to keep a peaceful(OORP) mood on the server, to ensure a positive environment for all players.
But when, as I said up there, the situation involves people who know each other and should know that there's no ill intention, I don't see why we couldn't merge all that makes sense in-RP with the rules, and not pull technicalities like this.
Some of you, and many of you, will disapprove of my upper statement because this community tends to hold the rules in regard as tablets with the 10 Commandments, which is mostly a good thing, but tends to produce some silly situations, like this one, as a result.
Anyways, back to my original point.
Heck, I remember some great times with the Outcasts in general, up there in Tau-37, where we were known to have both awesome spontaneous fights, as well as events, where if it seemed logical, we'd let some members of the opposite side reengage, or vice versa, because everyone was having fun, it still made sense in-RP, and noone's feelings got hurt, because people had the right mentality.
Now, due to pressing Real Life concerns, I've been out of commission since January, basically, but I didn't think things'd changed as much from the last time I was monstrously active.
All in all, yep, the technicality's there, rules were broken, but as far as I'm concerned, it was a result of mass confusion, no intention of rule breaking was there, and I don't blame the Colonials (for once in all this time, eh guys?) one bit. Well, maybe a tiny tiny bit, but I don't really blame them.
I don't blame you others as well, of course, but what I blame is a bit of a rotten blind mentality, not just from you, from many people across many factions and independent groups, not excluding some in the Colonial Remnant as well, for that seems to be the nature of a big part of this community.
P.S.
I am not liable for any misunderstandings in regards to my interpretation of the purpose of the rules, so our dear admins don't think I'm encouraging mass rule breaking or anything.
Rule breaking with the consent of all members of both sides, when it's needed to keep the sensibility of RP going, you betcha.
Nail me to the cross now, if you please, if not, then listen to my words.
EDIT: Seems this wasn't such a slight addition after all. Apologies.
<span style="font-familyalatino Linotype">
<span style="color:#000000">All morons hate it when you call them a moron.