Jovians or Drifters(probably awoken Sleepers) would bend us over. Our dropsuits would burn like paper under the fire from their weapons.

Nobody even knows what kind of weaponry it is that the Drifters use, other than that they are some sort of Directed Energy Weapon more powerful than anything the 4 Empires or CONCORD could even hope to create at this point.
Imagine a Laser Rifle that doesn't tneed to heat up, and instead just always does rediculous damage.

Jovians are no less scary technologically... If they aren't nearly extinct that is.
Common belief is that they pretty much all died off due to a genetic disease they had, that caused irreversible depression and losing the will to live to the point that they would just starve to death because they didn't care at all. Pretty sad, really.


Sansha Kuvakei is probably a better target for us... I'm down for fighting kidnapper cyber-zombies.

Imagine that, a bitter alliance between the four empires to take out a huge potential threat. I want some more of this

Imagine that, a bitter alliance between the four empires to take out a huge potential threat. I want some more of this

This already exists (sort of) with incursions. You are behind the times.

Literally *any* storyline that changed the battlefields of Dust would be worthwhile at this point.

Even something to explain more about Warbarges which, despite being mostly unexplained, are pretty inconsistent as they introduce 'ships that don't exist' to New Eden and have no visible impact beyond the damage bonus lowering TTK across the board for exp'd players (those that don't need isk, or sp, or weapons) would be a decent thing.

I'll point out again that the biggest disappointment is that CCP tells pretty great Storylines and lore and now have added Players into the process in EVE. I'll give Dust the Officer Weapons, its excellent that they're named for players, but the rest of 'the weave' of mixing strong storylines into Dust is bad and not getting better based on the roadmap.

Hopefully the PC changes will revive my optimism.

In this case this change in the story line toward and Ex Machina scenario is kind of squandering the vast potential of New Eden's lore. Rather than have insoluble external entities bearing down on incompetent, passive, and crumbling Empire while Capsuleers stretch their legs in Null Sec doing absolutely nothing worthy of note. Rather if CCP would take charge of their existing creations instead of introducing new ones we could see great political change within settled space.

I know I'd love to see Jamyl Sarum triumph over the Other and start leading her Empire from the fore taking a greater part in guiding the Empire in the direction that CCP see's fit. The Caldari could see massive change in diplomatic relations with the Federation as a result of Ishukone receiving the rights to rebuild Caldari Prime, while Minmatar ties to their patron nation break down and a conspiracy featuring Maelatu Shakor and a revived Defiant tears the heart out of the existing Tribal Council serving to have the Amarr mass on the border between their space, etc ,etc,etc.

It sounds like I am critiquing to some degree but that's not really the case. I just think CCP already has an fascinating universe with more promise and potential for development without introducing Drifter's/Sleeper's in the game. Let's see the competent, aggressive, active, and powerful sides of the Empires which have led them to control half of known space.

Here, here. Agreed and +1.

I think Sleepers, Jovians and the race the Jovians are fighting need to remain a capsuleer thing. Mercenaries should be a step closer towards the common population. Something in between a planet bound denizen of New Eden and a capsuleer.

In Eve lore, people refer to capsuleers as demi-gods. Even we, mercenaries, need to feel that they are on another level. Some of them care about us, others do not, and having one on your side is like having the Valkyrie aid you in battle.

Imagine that, a bitter alliance between the four empires to take out a huge potential threat. I want some more of this

Sansha Kuvakei is probably a better target for us... I'm down for fighting kidnapper cyber-zombies.

I agree with the OP. Some form of PVE is needed. What you are thinking about are the sleepers.

Rouge Drones are a good idea to start with however I really think that the first PVE content should deal with the Sansha Nation. The Sansha Nation is actively invading planets and abducting millions of people to brainwash into their Empire. What a great way to debut the new Immortal force of New Eden than to have the Empires hire these Mercs to combat the invasions.

-Marcus