Whisper

Just killing time 'till BCM... Went to one of those oversized office supply stores the other day, and I happened to notice the were selling these wee little track balls shaped like a mouse. My present mouse came with my 600 buck computer, and is worth about two bits. So I thought What the hell! and bought me my first non-standard pointing thingy. I sure do love it! I'm just getting used to it now, but I'm already enjoying these wonderful benifits I get from this thing. And then I got to wondering what sort of special pointers other people use. So, what kind of nifty thing do you fellows play with.

He he... There are several species of bird that prey upon snakes. Perhaps instead of a rat, a Rattlersnake might be more appropriate?

I'm getting rather fond of WarSong's insignia design. It's a pleasant incorporation of the Wraith logo and orginal graphics. Do you plan on working on it any more? I was hoping the WFC insig could follow the same style and color pattern of the Wraith one. Does this make any sense? My knowledge of graphic arts could be put in a thimble and leave room for the thumb Your design is very promising, anyhow. Good stuff! I did sort of plan on having the fighters train at Wraith Station. Perhaps incorporation of Wraith onto the patch would be a good idea (it is a class 8 station! Dem mothers look coo! ) Or perhaps a pair of metallic wings. Or maybe a mascot! You know, the Insurrgents have the "Don't tread on me" snake, maybe we could have some sort of mascot as well! The critter could be symbolic, representing cunning or ferocity or somesuch. A pegasus would be pretty darn neat, maybe a hawk, owl...how about a flying hamster? Just rambling don't mind me... ------------------ Commander David "Whisper" Liev *Fighter Commander Sationed, Wraith HQ "The underestimated weapon will deal overestimated havoc." ICQ # 78084562 (GMT -8) =Wraith Fleet=

Well, also, there is a scientific community, as opposed to back in the 'ol days when there was a certain, ahem, "lack of communication" between researchers (with a few notable exceptions). Nowadays, with phones, faxes, science journals, airplanes, Internet, ect. scientist are much more connected. So now that a scientist in Moscow already knows a team in Zimbabwe found out this-and-that, the Moscow scientist can build off the Zimbabwe work. As can the rest of the world. People aren't repeating each others mistakes, they're building from each others succeses. Hidama: It's great to see you have all that stuff thought of. I wasn't really expecting an answer from my questions! Just as a guide.

Niffty idea! It's a new spin on an old storyline (i.e. people get fed up, leave Earth in really big honkin' ship, do stuff). I do a smattering of sci-fi writing myself. A very intresting premise, you could do alot with it. Below are some things that might help you in making your story as plausible as possible (say that times times fast ),question you should at least be aware of as you write this story. If this ship is going to explore the galaxy, might I suggest you think of another means of propulsion other than ion and plasma drives? They are only capable, in any shape or form, of propeling the ship slightly under c. You could get by with the two that you have mentioned, but it would be dreadfully slow (our local star cluster would take many centuries to explore). Some reasearch into plausible FTL drives might be in order. The nuclear reactors would have to be tremendously big to power such a monster as your ship, and the radioactive waste in would produce will be a nightmare. Also, finding uranium and plutonium to power this gigantic reactor could be a problem (while lending to the plot and pontential dramatic twists ). But it strikes me that in 30 years we will have accsess to fusion reators, which generate more power, are very clean, and uses easy-to-come-by fuel (hydrogen). But if you were thinking of fusion nuclear reactor, shame on me! You got that. NASA has slated the first human-crewed ship to land on Mars in 2015. If you are going to have colonies and terraforming in 2030, you should explain to the reader how a infrastucture capable of supporting multiple colonies and global manipulation would come about so quickly. The same with asteroid mining. How was the resources collected to build the ships? How are the miners supported? Where and how are the minererals processed, shipped to Earth (where it sounds like they need it!) in a manner profitable enough so that one man can build a immense ship requiring immense resources? Could all this be done in 15 years after the first human set foot on Mars? You mentioned Mr. Billionaire (for lack of a name) built his ship in secret. Doing so would require him to use elaberate measures to hide not only the ship (as you noticed), but to hide where his sums of money is going, to hide the shipments of vast materials into empty space, to gather up the 300,000+ plus people needed to run the thing, and to hide the large numbers of skilled workers required to build it. The question is not only how is this done, but if it should indeed take place at all! Why must this be done is secret? You could add some intresting backstory explaining why it is so essential that this project be undertaken with the cloak-and-dagger. However, while all these questions I listed above are important, perhaps the biggest question to ask is: how much does you audience need to know? Don't bore them with technical wizardry. Keep to the characters and the plot. But if you are going to raise ceratain issues, most people will be intested in how you can explain thier existence. Ask yourself if it is important to mention the colonies on Luna. And if it is important, try to let the Luna colonies add to the story, to add flavor and depth, so the information won't just be stale. You should ask yourself "how can I make this part of the story?" over and over. And that's my two bits.

Hmm! Thanks for the tip. [This message has been edited by Whisper (edited 08-18-2000).]

Good go, WarSong, but that is nothing like I had in mind. My fault, I didn't supply enough information. Below I have a model of what I am thinking of. Sort of. My graphic arts skills are one step below an ape's, so this was the best I could manage. (Sorry for the format, this was in in Paint). http://www.geocities.com/cmdliev/protologo.bmp You might have noticed the the design is based around the Wraith Fleet logo, which looks like this: I'd like the artist-in-question to use the original graphic of the Wraith Fleet logo. I didn't because Paint doesn't support .gif images. The things on the end of my model logo are supposed to be wings. I'd like a pretty logo, so something slapped together in 5 minutes with cut & and paste is not wanted (unless it is an exceptionally well done cut & paste ). Side note: does anyone know of a good freeware/shareware image editor? No rush on this, so take your time. I'd rather have an excellent logo after BC:M is realeased than a good logo before it is. ------------------ Commander David "Whisper" Liev *Fighter Commander Sationed, Wraith HQ "The underestimated weapon will deal overestimated havoc." ICQ # 78084562 (GMT -8) =Wraith Fleet= [This message has been edited by Whisper (edited 08-16-2000).]

*whistles* You should be mighty proud of yourself, Tyrn. I'd gladly give up a few points of AI for YOUR stats (states, whatever )! It sounds as though you know your way pretty decent-like around the boards, so I won't go on my recruiting spiel. With the time you've spent on BC, I would assume you would hav made up your mind by now on a Fleet to join, if you were to. But this is the wrong place for such talk. Excellent work! Wow! We'd all be curious how you got throught the ACM so fast.

Amazing. A friend sent me that link about 4 months ago, or something similar. About 3 weeks later I find about 1/2 of the computers in our building running it. Now it shows up here! Cute little "Daintywalker" has become quite popular!

Dreada: I was thinking about that, and decided against it, for several reasons. What I WILL do, however, is this: -------------OFFICAL ANAUNCEMENT---------- The Wraith Fighter Command Handbook is currently undergoing writing. However, this Handbook will be updated as the need arises, and any contributions a pilot or officer in WFC would be welcome and included, pending review of Fgt. Cmdr. Liev. Any ideas on tactics, stratagies, training programs, ect. should be forwarded to the e-mail address listed in my Profile. Once in a while an ICQ chat will be offered for disscusions on above topics. No deatails on the operations of Wraith Fleet will be revealed on message boards, rather such information will be transmited over e-mail and ICQ (so check your e-mail regularly). No information transmitted by secure channels involving WFC operations will be allowed on public forums. Feel free to drop a line, anytime. Let us not forget the "Insurgent Lesson" ------------------ Commander David "Whisper" Liev *Fighter Commander Sationed, Wraith HQ "The underestimated weapon will deal overestimated havoc." ICQ # 78084562 (GMT -8) =Wraith Fleet=

[rp] LIEV! The name is LIEV! Levi was a Jewish prophet! Liev is a proud family line going back to pre-Communist Russia, who for 3 generations made pianos and chairs for the Czar. Get it right! [rp] No hards feeling, Kirk, but I'm not fond of my name being mis-spelled. Please fix. And back to the lounge... [rp] LIEV watched the newly acquainted Cmdr. Stroiker walk out of the lounge. Aside from the gross groundhog mispronouncing of his name, Stroiker seemed all right. He hoped he was wiser on this TOD (for in Liev's opinion only fools need "critical repairs"), and came back so they could talk more. Out of curiosity, Liev brought up the profile of Stroiker. He sneezed as the computer has processing, snarled, and glanced at the file. Ah, he thought, he's from Prime. That explains everything. [rp] ------------------ Commander David "Whisper" Liev *Fighter Commander Sationed, Wraith HQ "The underestimated weapon will deal overestimated havoc." ICQ # 78084562 (GMT -8) =Wraith Fleet=

I am rather sure this is a hoax. While it is an incompetent, bumbling institution, the government does know how to keep a secret. To think this topic would ever be let to run is proof that the "MiBs" know what they're doing. See, I got this theory... All this UFO stuff is actually SPREAD by the government, to draw attention away from the REALLY secret stuff, like...well, I don't know! It's secret! I agree with Tac. I can't see any reason for a extremly advanced species to be intrested in this dirtball, unless it wanted to research or exploit us. Either of these would be impossible to do without our noticing or with us unable to notice, an all-or-nothing deal. And I do think there is extra-terrestial intelligence, if for no other reason than the galaxy is so damn big. Yes, I remember MJ-12...my Deus Ex is a fun title!

Sounds great, Hidama. You will be assigned a flight within the week. WarSong: I haven't put you on the roster yet, and I am sorry. This will be done shortly. To all: I plan an re-assgining people into different flights when BCM comes out, so dedicated pilots and dedicated commanders will be in different units (easier to organzie and such), so what is on the roster right now is just temporary. ------------------ Commander David "Whisper" Liev *Fighter Commander Sationed, Wraith HQ "The underestimated weapon will deal overestimated havoc." ICQ # 78084562 (GMT -8) =Wraith Fleet=

I like it. Good work, Smith. I believe I'll put it up on thw WFC site shortly. Now, does anyone have some designs for a Wraith Fighter Commmand emblem? ------------------ Commander David "Whisper" Liev *Fighter Commander Sationed, Wraith HQ "The underestimated weapon will deal overestimated havoc." ICQ # 78084562 (GMT -8) =Wraith Fleet=

quote:As for tactics, don't worry about giving away the farm. There is nothing that you will do that will be effective past the first time. Humans are better than most PC's. They learn (usually ) from mistakes and can easily copy what they see! The key to a good strategy or tactic is that it works even when the enemy is familiar with it. quote:You do that and I'll sit back and laugh even harder as you all exit on top of each other. Formation flying is an art unto itself and between RL players requires a large amount of coordination. Be sure and let me know when you're about to start. I'll just pick you off during the confusion You just go ahead and think that. quote:YOu guys keep practicing that formation flying, though. It'll make it easier for everyone else to line you up for strafing runs Yes, it will be easy for us to line up for strafing runs. ------------------ Commander David "Whisper" Liev *Fighter Commander Sationed, Wraith HQ "The underestimated weapon will deal overestimated havoc." ICQ # 78084562 (GMT -8) =Wraith Fleet=

[rp] Ahhk! Protecting the {i]Earth!? What about the rest of the Galaxy?! [rp] I like the concept, Smith, but I have a few issues. One of the shining points of Wraith (IMO) is that our Fleet is concernd with other things besides Earth (check out website for charter). Now, if you changed "Earth" to "Galaxy", and had either a Milky Way pic or a Galcom symbol in the background, I'd give it the WFC Seal of Approval! ------------------ Commander David "Whisper" Liev *Fighter Commander Sationed, Wraith HQ "The underestimated weapon will deal overestimated havoc." ICQ # 78084562 (GMT -8) =Wraith Fleet=

Thanks for the link. I count 38 Galcommers, and 29 Insurrgents. Yes, 29 Insurrgents. I went through each roll call carefully (I think), and on the Insurrgent one it looks like things degenerated a little and it got turned into the "Idle Conversation" forum. So what's the deal? I too thought the Insurrgent outnumbered us, but now I'm thinking a little different. How did you fellows get to think there are more of you? Did I count wrong? ------------------ Commander David "Whisper" Liev *Fighter Commander Sationed, Wraith HQ "The underestimated weapon will deal overestimated havoc." ICQ # 78084562 (GMT -8) =Wraith Fleet=

Vultures! Oh, and by the way...join Fighter Commmand! ------------------ Commander David "Whisper" Liev *Fighter Commander Sationed, Wraith HQ "The underestimated weapon will deal overestimated havoc." ICQ # 78084562 (GMT -8) =Wraith Fleet=

Great! A recruitment poster! Can't wait to see it! ------------------ Commander David "Whisper" Liev *Fighter Commander Sationed, Wraith HQ "The underestimated weapon will deal overestimated havoc." ICQ # 78084562 (GMT -8) =Wraith Fleet=

Just idle curiosity in the wee hours of the morning. I noticed that the Insurrgent clan got another recruit, and it got me wondering if anyone knew how many active members the Insurrgency has versus the number of GalCom commanders. Does anyone know, offhand?

I have a theory. I've visted many other message boards to many other games, ironicly most of which I have never played. This, I beleive, gives me an intresting angle on the whole "board trash " stuff. This board right here, the BC3K, has unarguably the most civil, respectful, intelligent, and down right pleaseant "core" psoters, those who make numerous posts and have a reputation. Every single other game-specific message board on Earth (correct me, please, if I am wrong), seems to be the lurking hole for some of the vilest and stupid people with Internet access. And, also gleaned from my observations, this is because the BC3K board has sensoring on the order of millitary dictatorships. Folks are banned or suspended with what seems like wild abandon, while other boards are much more, democratic, in what they let folks say. But I'm not complaining! If Smart and company did NOT do this, well...the other result would can be found at the head of this topic! It is most certainly a GOOD thing, especially considering that the Battlecruiser series has a bad track record (sorry to bring up old wounds). I have sadly talked to the sort of gamers who grab every new title off the shelves, and BC3K v1.00 was, as we all know, not off the shelf. These folks, after thier extreme displeaser at the playability of the game before them, swore never again to pay a passing intrest to anything with the word "Battlecruiser" in the title. I said the above because it shows just how more this board has to overcome in the way of public opinion. All the other games (sorry) worked on thier first release, and yet they still have, well, THAT!, on the game's board. Just think what this would be like! Hateful people with lots of time and no brains would be pouring in here, complaining about how the game crashes every other second, and all the folks who play what was supposed to be played, after all the patches, bash the fools who just can't shut up! Hooray for the heavy hand of Derek Smart! And as for the cult thing...let's admit it, folks. As gamers go, we're the more, er, fanatical of the bunch. I think it makes sense, since most people who post here seem to have found a title that does everything they've ever wanted out of a game (and more to come!). We have a gosh darn RIGHT to be fanatic! And perhaps we are a cult. BC3K appeals to a very specific type of gamer, and something that appeals to such a small community will undoubtably garner all that more a devout "following". I read those posts from angry little men in angry little skulls, and I laugh! They throw words, and insults, and names at us, and they think they're being insulting! Hoohoo! That a good one! Anything they say is either blantantly false, or a compliment! At first I was put off by these nervous and insecure ramblings, but now I see them as one big, outrageous joke! They provide the set-ups and punchlines, and I'll just have a grand old belly-laugh! Look how upset they get! Over a thing that to its very core was meant to provide fun! Silly people! Aramike: I am not refering to you. Scratch that, I am a little. I look at your posts in the above two topics, and you seemed to get a lttle steamed. Why? Are they wrong? Of course! You know that! So have fun with it, put on a spin! Maybe even provoke them a little, see if you can make them spout even sillier jibberish! Have them condem themselfs in thier own words, make them look like fools! A tall order, perhaps, since they seem to be doing so well on thier own. To all: I'd hate to see this turn into an all-out board war, ya know? Let's show how better we are than those fellows, and restrict this hostility to one little thread. A possible cancer is developing, and I beseech that we confine this little growth of hate and foolishness, so that this unique community of gamers stays unique, and not fall into the sorry slush that the others roll in. ------------------ Commander David "Whisper" Liev *Fighter Commander Sationed, Wraith HQ "The underestimated weapon will deal overestimated havoc." ICQ # 78084562 (GMT -8) =Wraith Fleet=

Well, we pilots in BC crafts have an advantage to our air-born associates. Hyperjump drives make it quick and simple to almost instanly form a tight, organized formation. [rp] ALERT: Rembemer the Insurrgent Lesson! Never disscus tarics etc. in an open forum! If you want to get togehter and form a "barnstormer" flight or two, that's great! Just don't make a habit of saying things any ol' dumkoff wouldn't know. Wait! Why am I telling you this? All you folks have plenty of common sense, and of course know that only morons would go around and blab thier stratagies! [rp] ------------------ Commander David "Whisper" Liev *Fighter Commander Sationed, Wraith HQ "The underestimated weapon will deal overestimated havoc." ICQ # 78084562 (GMT -8) =Wraith Fleet= [This message has been edited by Whisper (edited 07-10-2000).]

Just a quick clarification. When "on call" (not flying), you recive basic orders (i.e. go here and blow stuff up) from Fighter Command. When you start flying, command goes to the station you are stationed at, the carrier ship (i.e. Battlecruiser) you are assigned to, or (if it is an independant operation (no big ships)) your flight leader. Of course, your flight leader does have authority during a "launch" op, but his orders are superseded by the commander of the launch platform. ------------------ Commander David "Whisper" Liev *Fighter Commander Sationed, Wraith HQ "The underestimated weapon will deal overestimated havoc." ICQ # 78084562 (GMT -8) =Wraith Fleet=

Wraith is the "black ops" of Galcom, the people who sneak in, wreck havoc and chaos, and sneak out. The different Wings cover every single kind of mission profile out there. Heck, our infamous Cmdr. Gallion leads the equaly infamous Corsair Wing, which is the nearest thing to outright piracy that you could find in Galcom. And, as I've metioned before and most frequently (I'm a shameless recuriter), Wraith is also home to the only Fighter Command in Galcom or the Insurrgency. It seems you are an independant commander. That's good. Wraith ships often find themselves in situations where backup is either impossible or would jeopardize the mission. The command structure is set up in such a way that commanders are given vast amounts of freedom, with no paper-pushing officers looking over thier shoulder. It is also readily apparent that you dislike fighting the Insurrgency. In fact, our charter is the only one I'm aware of that does NOT include battling the Insurrgency. Our operations concern the other parts of the galaxy, most notably providing assitance to the Falakrie resistance against the cursed Gammualans. Unlike heavy-handed Orion, introverted ISS, narrow EarthCom, or ponderous Prime, Wraith provides variety, travel, strategy, and a freewheeling spirit. But while I would rather like to see you in our ranks, I'm not the Fleet Commander. You have shown yourself to be a little shifty and non-comital, so I'm not sure what sort of chances you'd have with any Fleet. But don't despair! Play your cards right, and you stand a good chance of flying with the best of 'em, and such. Good luck, commander. ------------------ Commander David "Whisper" Liev *Fighter Commander Sationed, Wraith HQ "The underestimated weapon will deal overestimated havoc." ICQ # 78084562 =Wraith Fleet=

So you're a good fighter pilot, eh? To my knowlage, Wraith is the only Fleet to offer a place for pilots, and an intelligent and thoughtful pilot, as you seem to be, is just the sort we're looking for. Even better, we got a deal going with the other Fleets, and yo don't have to be a Wraith commander to fly in Wraith Fighter Command. Check out the website (my "Homepage" in my profile) and drop us a line! ------------------ Commander David "Whisper" Liev *Fighter Commander Sationed, Wraith HQ "The underestimated weapon will deal overestimated havoc." ICQ # 78084562 =Wraith Fleet=