Ben Somerset

[RP] 1209hrs, 18 May, 3008 UCV Eagle approaching SS Pixan Lennen, Sirius As an officer Benjamin Somerset despised Pixan Starstation, and anyone associated with it. As a person, he admired the firepower that the station and most of the ships around it carried. That still didn't mean he would really appreciate the creatures he would have to deal with before this meeting. On the long trip here, he had a lot of time to think. What struck him as odd was how much he thought about how very close he had come to losing his ship, and probably his commission for good. From what he had heard from sources with the Fleet Command, Commander Benjamin Somerset was on the chopping block. After the Massacre, quite a few Wraith Fleet officers had to face the brunt of being questioned not by a regular board of inquiry, but one comprised of the highest elements of the GalCom Military. They were not a happy board either as they faced another long war with the Gammulans. Needless to say they wanted someone to blame. Initially, it was one Commander Benjamin Somerset. When he had been escorted into the briefing room he was taken aback by the sheer number of stars and medals adorning those present. None of them were of less than Flag Rank. And they all wanted to talk to him. What he had personally ordered at Rinaal was a direct violation of the Credian Accords, which GalCom signed in good faith. It appeared that his thinly veiled threat to Wraith HQ Commander Matasuke to file a protest worked. The secretive G-2 Units that had been placed in the Cyrian System were in fact nuclear mines. And the Accords strictly stated that no nuclear weapons would be used by a sovereign government in anothers territory. In violation of those Accords, they had placed mines near the Pravis jumpgate to stop what they believed to be the inevitable Second Gammulan War. It worked. To an extent. The mines had kept them alive when nothing else would have, not even reinforcement. Of course, the entire Fleet Command wanted to hear his justification for the action, and the violation of the Accords. After it was all over, a pale faced Somerset left the briefing room, wondering if his next stop would be a prison colony. Fortunately for him, it was not. Fleet Command had decided that the Gamms wouldn't publicize such a heavy loss of forces to the "Incompetent Humans", and no one else was present in the system to note that the weapons had been used. And since they weren't talking, GalCom wouldn't either. A few days later, one of Somerset's sources close to Fleet Command had told him he had been saved by the skin of his teeth. Many still wanted to throw the book at him, but they couldn't. Not without admitting violation of the Credian Accords. So he had gotten off the hook. What he hadn't told them was that he thought he was doing his duty in protecting those who served under him to the best of his ability, and Accords be damned. He also didn't mention that if he to choose again, he would still use those mines to blow a good portion of the Gammulan Armada out of the stars. They didn't ask, he didn't tell. Others hadn't been so lucky. Not too long after his own interview he had heard that Commander Gallion had been taken into custody prior to a court-martial hearing. Somerset had never particularly liked Gallion's way of doing things. They were very...unorthodox. He had always preferred a certain military decorum, while Gallion painted a skull and crossbones on the hull of his ship. Even so, he admired the mans capability to accomplish and survive the near impossible. Just as he expected Gallion to pull through this. They could slow the wily Corsair down, but never stop him. Not without a first-class fight. The closer he got to Pixan, the more he wondered what he was going to do about his marriage. They weren't going to let him go dirtside with a war on. He was a Wing Leader, with previous frontline combat experience. GalCom wouldn't give up such a valued battlefield seasoned veteran easily. There wasn't any way to fight that. And there was no way to know if he would live through this war. He made it through the last one, but not without some very close calls. What Somerset needed was time. Time to come up with answers. As the comm chimed, he knew that he didn't have the time now. Pixan was requesting he change vector for final docking procedures. Though he didn't like turning over his vessel to these pirates there was no other way to get in a docking bay. After he landed, he checked to make sure that anything identifying him as GalCom military was safely stowed in the leftover secret compartments of the Eagle. He grabbed his civilian ID, and some credits. Hard cash always worked best in the seedy places, Somerset had found. Just before he exited the Eagle, Somerset grabbed up a non-issue sidearm, and checked the charge on it before slipping it into a holster. All of this scum on Pixan brandished weapons, so he would merely be fitting in. He walked around Pixan for while, learning the general layout of the place. During his exploration, Somerset found a small bar that was named "Slick Willy's Saloon". As the name suggested, it turned out to be a human bar. Even though there were some other species present, the majority of them were humans. At least, they appeared to be. With pirates, one could rarely tell how human they were anymore. Somerset sat down, laid a ten credit chip on the table, and said "Give me a Emperian Ale." Since Sirius was a neutral system, the human female tending bar said, "Coming right up, pal." [/RP] I won't drain the bar dry, but I'd be intrigued to see the company I could run into while I'm here. Note on the Accords: Personally, I think that even in 3008, nations would sign what amounts to the present day Geneva Conventions. Treatment of POW's, limiting what kinds of weapons of warfare are used (ie; nukes), and the like. Just hope I'm not out of line using it. ------------------ Commander Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure, Wraith HQ (Lyrius) Wing Leader - Wraith Fleet/SIN Wing Stealth is the only thing between you, and your enemy's guns. [This message has been edited by Ben Somerset (edited 10-17-2000).]

No questions here. Will set up reminders for next week, 5 days, and 2 days from time. ------------------ Commander Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure, Wraith HQ (Lyrius) Wing Leader - Wraith Fleet/SIN Wing Stealth is the only thing between you, and your enemy's guns.

0800hrs, 15 May, 3008 GCV Swiftsure docked at Vickers Shipyard, In Orbit of Mars Commander's Quarters Somerset stared out of the large viewing port of his cabin, with Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata playing softly in the background. In his left hand he held a holo that barely glistened with droplets of moisture. In the right was a glass of 30 year old Ambassador. Most would wonder why a Commander would be having a drink so early in the morning. However, Somerset had been awake all night long. As he looked into the stars outside the viewport he saw himself looking back in the glare almost like a mirror. The visage he saw looked terrible. He looked almost as battered as the Swiftsure had when she entered the shipyard 3 months ago. Then there had been crude looking gashes cut into her hull, marring her beauty. She looked more like a piece of barely held together flotsam than the majestic Battlecruiser she once was. And now Somerset felt he looked the same way. Their escape from what the press was calling The Wraith Massacre had been very narrow indeed. If Somerset had to call it anything it would have been simply the word slaughter. While all of those Commanders of the other Fleets had sat around drinking coffee trying to get off the dime his crews had been fighting for their lives, more often than not dying to slow the Gammulan advance. But that wasn't what prompted the night spent awake, or the drink at 0800. He looked down at the holo, the reason why. As he stared down at the picture of his wife, he could only wonder Why?. Not long before he left on this patrol, Benjamin Somerset had come to the conclusion that after 17 years in the command chair, it was time to hand over the reins to someone else. Forty-eight years old wasn't exactly young, and he didn't feel it either. When the grav systems fluctuated in their last encounter with the Gamms, the 8 minutes of 2.6g left him with a 2 week long backache. It had been time to go dirtside, for good. Then the war came along. And now he was stuck here. Not knowing where his relationship would go, and being unable to do anything about it. The gloomy thoughts were interrupted by a chime from the communications terminal on his desk. Somerset slowly set the holo down and walked over to access the terminal. With a glance, he noticed that this was a gold channel communique. Whatever was contained in it must be important, he thought, beginning the long arduous process of decoding it. What he read there astounded him; ----------------- TO: Commander Benjamin Somerset FROM : Fleet Commander Savage SUBJECT : SPECIAL OPS CONTENT : Commander, The following is FYEO. This message will autodelete itself in 60 seconds and will leave no records in your database. We need to meet to discuss a matter of the utmost urgency. You are to make every effort to travel to the Pixan Starstation and meet with myself, and another representative on board the SS Vulture at 23:30 hrs, 18th May 3008. Come alone and unescorted. USE alternative methods of transportation to reach your destination, and tell no one of your movements, or whereabouts. All will be revealed shortly. End Communication ----------------- It was the oddest thing he had seen in quite some time. But these orders could only be countermanded by Tac or the SC himself. Somerset didn't even know where Tac was. The Swiftsure wouldn't be ready for departure for at least another week or week and a half. And with his current mood, the crew would understand if he left with no explanation. Which is exactly what he was about to do. "Somerset to Kamarov," he said. "Kamarov here, sir," came the Russian's reply. "Ready the Eagle for immediate departure. I have some business elsewhere to attend to." "Aye, Commander." Good old Kamarov, never asking questions... Somerset thought. He went to the closet, and grabbed what he thought of as his 'field bag'. It was filled with essential items for a TDY of undetermined duration. After 27 years of service, one learned to be prepared for these kinds of quick departures. It would give him 3 long days to get there. And 3 days to figure out what to tell Jess. As he left Mars behind in the Eagle, Somerset thought of how alternative his transportation was. She was a heavily modified P21 Vandal that he had captured 12 years ago as part of a smuggling ring. When she got put up for auction, he bought her, and now had his own ship. Most fighters couldn't make the trip in one shot, but the Eagle had extra room for fuel onboard by dumping the missile bays. It also had a fair sized main cabin for him to sleep in. Since he was the only one aboard however, he would sleep in the front. I wonder what this whole thing is about... he thought as the Eagle shot into hyperspace. Toward Pixan Starstation, and whatever was to take place there. ------------------ Commander Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure, Wraith HQ (Lyrius) Wing Leader - Wraith Fleet/SIN Wing Stealth is the only thing between you, and your enemy's guns. [This message has been edited by Ben Somerset (edited 10-11-2000).]

I'm one of those other four that managed to make it onto the list. Can't wait to start giving The Game a run for it's money. ------------------ Commander Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure, Wraith HQ (Lyrius) Wing Leader - Wraith Fleet/SIN Wing Stealth is the only thing between you, and your enemy's guns.

A question, Blades. Can anyone who wants to be involved recieve the special ops message, or only those who are directly involved in the first act? ------------------ Commander Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure, Wraith HQ (Lyrius) Wing Leader - Wraith Fleet/SIN Wing

Permission granted, Hidama. Got photoshop myself as well, so we can do some joint work on that. I've got the Wing logo in .psp, I'll send it your way shortly. The major requirements are already listed by Gallion, and we can throw in anything else that we can come up with. It'll be a pleasure to collaborate with you on this project. ------------------ Commander Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure, Wraith HQ (Lyrius) Wing Leader - Wraith Fleet/SIN Wing [This message has been edited by Ben Somerset (edited 10-09-2000).]

One question for you, Gallion. With Tac gone, and you Acting CO, who will take over as XO (Acting)? Also, does anyone in the SIN Wing have HTML experience? I don't, so that would seriously complicate my making a website. Graphics and things I can do myself, but as for the actual programming and setup, unfortunately no. Any volunteers? ------------------ Commander Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure, Wraith HQ (Lyrius) Wing Leader - Wraith Fleet/SIN Wing [This message has been edited by Ben Somerset (edited 10-08-2000).]

A really great resource I've found for warships from pre-WWI days to the present is: http://www.warships1.com/ Hope it comes in handy. ------------------ Commander Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure, Wraith HQ (Lyrius) Wing Leader - Wraith Fleet/SIN Wing

Looks really nice, Tac. Will wait for my password before checking everything else out and commenting further. You'll have the address for the Wing website after I learn HTML programming in one of my classes this semester, unless someone else in SIN Wing is willing to take the job. Excellent work with the Flash. ------------------ Commander Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure, Wraith HQ (Lyrius) Wing Leader - Wraith Fleet/SIN Wing

Fixed. ------------------ Cmdr. Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure, Wraith HQ (Lyrius) Wing Leader - Wraith Fleet/SIN Wing "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go into harm's way." - John Paul Jones

Looking forward to seeing the games begin, Blades. If you need another Intel ship, it'd be an honour if it were mine. If not, I'm sure there'll be a roll for me to fill. ------------------ Cmdr. Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure *1st Squadron, *SIN Wing Stationed, *Starstation Wrath "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go into harm's way." - John Paul Jones ICQ 32545391, CST =Wraith Fleet=

[RP] 2059, March 15, 3008 Antis, Trenis GCV Swiftsure A bruised and battered Swiftsure finally made transit out of the Hell that was the Battle of Lydon. The confusion from their devious assault and Kandorian intervention had allowed them the great opportunity for escape. From the outside, Swiftsure appeared like a ship that had been through the pyres of Hell. Burn marks and scorches from enemy fire marred the appeareance of the once majestic looking Battlecruiser. Two hull breaches from the last battle had cost the ship some structural integrity...and four crew members. Casualties had started to load the large Sickbay to near capacity. But Ben Somerset had more important things on his mind. "Where in the hell is Spectre?" he thought to himself. The Insurgent Starstation should put out a massive energy signature, easily detected from this far out. And yet, the sensors showed nothing. Out of sight, out of mind, I suppose, he mused. At least we won't have to deal with that unpleasent possibility. "Number One, do sensors show any Insurgent vessels in the area?" "Negative, Commander. There are no readings of Insurgent FTL signatures in the area. However, I am detecting a massive gravitic displacement, bearing 087, mark 211. The signatures are too far away to properly discern at present." "Enemy wessels?" Kamarov asked. "Probably," Ishikawa interjected. "We still haven't heard anything from Fleet about reinforcement. They should get off their asses and get out here to help us!" "Calm down, Mister. That's an order. Melanie, relay our sensor data to the Usagi, and request instructions. We may want to nip this in the bud before it becomes a more...serious problem," Somerset said, as his mouth twitched at that grim prospect. But at this moment the main thought that went through his mind was "Where is man with the mirrored glasses, and his cronies? And is he going to do anything to us while we're here? He hoped for their sake that the man with the mirrored glasses answer would be "Nothing". ------------------ Cmdr. Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure *1st Squadron, *SIN Wing Stationed, *Starstation Wrath "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go into harm's way." - John Paul Jones ICQ 32545391, CST =TDY Wraith Fleet= Dragon - Order of the Jade Dragon Prime Fleet Liason Officer

To answer your question Hidama, your status line will change to Cmdr as you post more. Your official rank is Commander, however since you haven't posted yet, your status line is Ensign. Think the Cmdr limit is 125-150, but I'm not sure. I will suggest however, that you do not a posting frenzy to boost your status line. The SC gets displeased with that kind of thing, and we don't want that, do we? EDIT: I forgot to put in a very important not, didn't I? ------------------ Cmdr. Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure *1st Squadron, *SIN Wing Stationed, *Starstation Wrath "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go into harm's way." - John Paul Jones ICQ 32545391, CST =TDY Wraith Fleet= Dragon - Order of the Jade Dragon Prime Fleet Liason Officer [This message has been edited by Ben Somerset (edited 08-03-2000).]

I greatly appreciate your choosing us as your Wing. As of now, SIN Wing has one fully operational squadron. Dreada, Steele, and Hidama should mail me with their ideas for 1 Squadron's name. Though I like the British idea, I don't think that I want our name to be One Squadron, even if I may refer to it that way myself. Mail to all in One Squadron will be forthcoming. One more minor point. As a Fleet, our signatures are standardized, so Hidama I request that you change your .sig to read Cmdr. Hidama Hasaki GCV Kurai 1st Squadron, SIN Wing Stationed, Starstation Wrath (Insert Quote here, if you wish) ICQ 28215391, GMT-5 =Wraith Fleet= Welcome aboard the SIN Wing, Commander! When BCM hits the shelves, we'll be ready to rock and roll. ------------------ Cmdr. Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure *1st Squadron, *SIN Wing Stationed, *Starstation Wrath "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go into harm's way." - John Paul Jones ICQ 32545391, CST =TDY Wraith Fleet= Dragon - Order of the Jade Dragon Prime Fleet Liason Officer

I'd like to be the first to officially welcome you aboard, Commander Hidama. Wraith is always glad to have someone else join its ranks. Look around at the Wraith website to choose what Wing in which you'd like to serve. As Commander of SIN Wing, I deal mostly in silence, stealth, and spending a lot of time behind enemy lines. We'd be glad to have you, and so would the rest of the Fleet. Welcome aboard Wraith Fleet, Commander. ------------------ Cmdr. Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure *1st Squadron, *SIN Wing Stationed, *Starstation Wrath "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go into harm's way." - John Paul Jones ICQ 32545391, CST =TDY Wraith Fleet= Dragon - Order of the Jade Dragon Prime Fleet Liason Officer

[RP] 2030, March 15, 3008 Lydan, Krynon GCV Swiftsure It had been over an hour since De Bruce had gotten the Gammulan shuttle into the Swiftsure's hands, and now the preparations were almost complete. Thoughts of Jessica were wiped from Somerset's mind as he concentrated on sending the Gammulans another present. Two OTS warheads had been placed with an ingeniously devised detonator, courtesy of Kamarov. Soran had managed to jury-rig a decent autopilot with instructions to fly toward the center of a Gammulan formation. The detonator was tied into the shuttle's sensors, and would detonate when appropriate mass was detected around the shuttle. Namely, that of the Gammulan Main Fleet. And when that occurred, both missiles would blast through the shuttles hull by kinetic force, separate two hundred kilometers, and detonate. When Somerset had told FC Londono, he had welcomed the idea wholeheartedly. Anything to aid in saving what remained of the now paltry Wraith Fleet. And with the Kandorians idly watching, any advantage however small was welcome. The entire crew had been so busy they never even noticed the arrival of the GCV Shogun. Somerset's commlink paged, and he pressed a button to activate his headset communicator. "Soran here," it said, "Ready to proceed on your mark." "Very well, Number One. Make it so," Somerset ordered, as a cold glint grew in his eye. Slowly, a shuttle carrying a Gammulan IFF and two nasty OTS warheads began moving toward the Gammulan Fleet. As it passed towards them, hundreds of PTA units and ships Tactical Officers queried the shuttle's IFF code. When it came back friendly, the turned back to watching their screens for signs on another insipid Wraith Fleet assault against them. As the Gammulans quibbled over when the next wave of assaults would begin, their time ran out. The detonator on the two OTS weapons received data from the sensors that said the mass threshold had been surpassed. Approximately two milliseconds later, the boosters on both weapons ignited. The blast turned most of the shuttles interior into molten metal, and the weapons burst through. Immediately, nearby PTA units began tracking what had happened. Unfortunately, it was the Gammulans turn to suffer from the horror that humans had dubbed Murphy. All of the PTA's were unable to obtain an immediate lock because of the shuttle remnants. Once they did, it was two late. Two bright flashes lit up around the Gammulan ships, overloading shields, tearing apart armor, and wreaking havoc for the Gammulan crews. Eight ships were destroyed outright, and nearly seven others were damaged beyond repair. A greater number suffered from extremely weakened shields, torn hulls, and EMP damage. It was then that Wraith Fleet decided to fight back, and ran headlong once again into battle. The Battle of Lydon raged on. [/RP] My apologies for such an extended RP absence. RL concerns have gotten in the way. But now, I'm back. ------------------ Cmdr. Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure *1st Squadron, *SIN Wing Stationed, *Starstation Wrath "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go into harm's way." - John Paul Jones ICQ 32545391, CST =TDY Wraith Fleet= Dragon - Order of the Jade Dragon Prime Fleet Liason Officer

I for one would like to second Akira and Mike's posts. Gordon: quote:If I were a Battlecruiser player, would I care whether term Galactic Command was describing a Star Trek fleet? NO! I wouldn't give a damn about it. Of course you wouldn't. But then you are also not the SC, or one of the people who put their lives, hearts, and money into this game either. They love this game, and they love making it for us fans to enjoy, but that will not put food on their table. If I had made a product, copyrighted it, and found some making a product with the same name on it, I'd be rightfully mad as well. As Akira quite rightly stated, try and make a website with the word "Microsoft" in the URL. You'll find a number of attorney's breathing down your neck before you can put the first page of it up. Even though Bill Gates is the richest man in the world, he still wants to protect that which belongs to him. The SC only wishes to do the same. You should remind Andy, and yourself, that even if being "inventive" stealing is still stealing. The aforementioned remarks are only my opinion, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of this website, or that of 3000AD, Inc. ------------------ Cmdr. Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure *1st Squadron, *SIN Wing Stationed, *Starstation Wrath "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go into harm's way." - John Paul Jones ICQ 32545391, CST =TDY Wraith Fleet= Dragon - Order of the Jade Dragon Prime Fleet Liason Officer

Hmmm...this looks like some pretty flagrant copyright violations to me. I agree with Gallion, if the infringing info isn't removed in quick order, nail him to the wall. Not exactly a nice thing to do, but sometimes you've got to protect what rightfully belongs to you. This is one of them, unfortunately. ------------------ Cmdr. Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure *1st Squadron, *SIN Wing Stationed, *Starstation Wrath "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go into harm's way." - John Paul Jones ICQ 32545391, CST =TDY Wraith Fleet= Dragon - Order of the Jade Dragon Prime Fleet Liason Officer

[RP] quote:I choose to join Galcom for PERSONAL gain, not for any foolish cause. I want my crew to survive, to fight and live, to struggle and endure. I want for my crew to go home alive, and the best way to insure this is to avail myself of galcom resources. If that's the case, then you never should've enlisted in the first place. GalCom doesn't recruit Commanders who are only interested in increasing their bank accounts. That lowly distinction is placed on the Mercenaries, or the Assassians. Our cause is not now, nor ever has been a foolish one. I don't know where you came from or who it is your fighting for, but none of us enlisted in GalCom for profit. Personally, I enlisted because I wanted to fly. My father was a yard engineer, and built starships. From the first time I looked at one, I wanted to pilot it. And so I went to the Academy. Now, I'm the Commander of a Galactan-class Battlecruiser. Over the years, my priorities have changed. I learned what it is to serve, and what duty, honor, and loyalty are really about. And if you had taken time and paid attention in the Academy, you would not think that personal gain is one of a GalCom officers duties. I am here to protect the Terran Quadrant. If you bothered to look over our own regulations you would notice this; quote:3. Protect all Terran assets and those of GALCOM member nations against hostile acts. These include the protection of all bases, stations, and ships operating within the Terran quadrant and their allies. We are here to protect, and to serve our country. Obtaining a higher profit margin is not part of our calling. If it is part of yours, I suggest another line of service for you. quote:I might be a GALCOM member, but i sympathise with the insurgancy for one reason and one reason only, if we don't take care of earth, who will? Exactly who has been taking care of the government for almost seven hundred years. That's right son, the UFN has been functioning for over half a millenium. If you haven't taken notice yet, it's that longest running government in the history of humanity. Do you see the Earth in ruins? Does nuclear fire and destruction boil across her surface? I certainly hope not, since I only visited my home on Earth a few weeks ago. And might I add that sympathizing with a nation hostile to GalCom comes close to treason in the minds of many. Treasonous officers don't belong in This Man's Navy, or anyone else's for that matter. quote:The only reason I would strike any insurgent unprovoked would be for following orders, and the orders had better d@mn well explain why it is I am killing my brothers. Here's where we get to the real meat of the discussion. Why would you want to be killing Insurgents? I'm as moral as the next man, and I don't care to kill anyone. But sometimes the fortunes of war don't avail us of that opportunity. And it does not do so with the Insurgents. Do you think they were concerned when they came barreling out from behind a nebula, and attacked a defenseless GalCom vessel, killing my Commander in 2990? Does it make me feel good knowing that her death put me in the command chair? No, it doesn't. Why are you supposed to attack the Insurgents? Because they make no formal declaration, because they simply slip out of the shadows and strike. I ask you is that honorable? quote:Just don't expect me to destroy Insurgent or other lesser fleet vessels with out a reason that could not be defended in court martial. And that son, is what will land you in a court-martial before you can say the words "Excuse me?" Not following your orders can be construed as "Dereliction of duty", "Disobedience of a superior officer", "Desertion", and "Cowardice in the face of the Enemy". The court-martial in question would be your own, and if I'm correct a few of those are capital offenses. When I did my own swearing in I swore to support and defend the Constitution of the Galactic Command against all enemies, foreign or domestic; that I would bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I took that obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I would well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I was about to enter: So help me God. Maybe you didn't swear the same oath to defend GalCom, and if you didn't you don't belong here. Benefit your ship and crew all you want, but it sounds to me like money is your only reason for service. We do this job because we love it. Starship service is only profitable for the heart of those who enjoy serving their country to the best of their ability. I do, and so do those under my command. If you wish to serve, do so for the right reasons. Profit is not one of them. [/RP] No offense, Warsong, but you gave me some good material to rant on. EDIT: Didn't notice this the first time around; quote:The insurgants are a pityfull lot of dotty scholars, mixed with criminals and raiders with nothing better to do. They pose little real threat. That would've ruined a good portion of my piece right there. BTW, I was wondering if anyone had or knew where to find a copy of the Royal Navy's Articles of War. I've been considering modifying it for BC. Thanks. ------------------ Cmdr. Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure *1st Squadron, *SIN Wing Stationed, *Starstation Wrath "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go into harm's way." - John Paul Jones ICQ 32545391, CST =TDY Wraith Fleet= Dragon - Order of the Jade Dragon Prime Fleet Liason Officer [This message has been edited by Ben Somerset (edited 07-03-2000).]

Yes, gents, Kirk is quite correct. If his timestamp is correct, then GalCom has been at war for over 4 months now. And you Wraithers at Orion HQ should be thanking your lucky stars you're still alive. We got slaughtered by the Gamms while running from Rinaal, FYI. ------------------ Cmdr. Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure *1st Squadron, *SIN Wing Stationed, *Starstation Wrath "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go into harm's way." - John Paul Jones ICQ 32545391, CST =TDY Wraith Fleet= Dragon - Order of the Jade Dragon Prime Fleet Liason Officer

Steele, Welcome aboard, Commander! Glad to have you in SIN Wing. Your quote only proves that SIN really is for you. ------------------ Cmdr. Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure *1st Squadron, *SIN Wing Stationed, *Starstation Wrath "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go into harm's way." - John Paul Jones ICQ 32545391, CST =TDY Wraith Fleet= Dragon - Order of the Jade Dragon Prime Fleet Liason Officer

So, is it on for tonight, or postponed until tomorrow? Need to know so I can alter my evening plans. ------------------ Cmdr. Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure *1st Squadron, *SIN Wing Stationed, *Starstation Wrath "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go into harm's way." - John Paul Jones ICQ 32545391, CST =TDY Wraith Fleet= Dragon - Order of the Jade Dragon Prime Fleet Liason Officer

I'll do my best to be there too. Getting ready for BCM sounds like a very good idea to me. Look forward to meeting you in real time gentlemen. ------------------ Cmdr. Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure *1st Squadron, *SIN Wing Stationed, *Starstation Wrath "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go into harm's way." - John Paul Jones ICQ 32545391, CST =TDY Wraith Fleet= Dragon - Order of the Jade Dragon Prime Fleet Liason Officer

Ugh...lost the chance for a new Commander. If only work didn't keep me for eons...well, the fortunes of war I suppose. BTW: I'm back, and ready for duty. ------------------ Cmdr. Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure *1st Squadron, *SIN Wing Stationed, *Starstation Wrath "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go into harm's way." - John Paul Jones ICQ 32545391, CST =TDY Wraith Fleet= Dragon - Order of the Jade Dragon Prime Fleet Liason Officer

This post was born of a very bad day. 1945, March 15, 3008 Lydan, Krynon GCV Swiftsure The fighting between the two battered Fleets had quelled once again. Even though decimated, the remnants of Wraith Fleet managed to fight valiantly, and save themselves from destruction again. For Benjamin Somerset, these had been the two most hellacious days of his life. He stood on the bridge of the Swiftsure staring at the main view screen, but didn't even notice its prescence. Just like the entire bridge crew was present, but Somerset didn't even realize they were there. In the past two days, the entire world that Benjamin knew had been turned on its head and gone from normal to something that was more surreal than anything else. The Great Fleet called Wraith he knew was now in tatters, fighting for its life, and would most likely fail. In the back of his mind he had always thought that he and his ship would make it through this alive. And now, after seeing so much destruction, so much death, the conviction he had held was slipping through his fingers...like so much else in his life. During the few moments he had been able to steal away from the bridge to his ready room, he got a message from Jessica that was in the Artemis download. He opened it with a smile, until he heard the playback. It was even worse than he could ever have expected. After the message was over he could only sit back in his chair and watch in his mind's eye as she tore his heart out and threw it to the decksole. He hadn't ever seen the like of it before. The shortest comm message he had ever heard. All he could do was play it over and over again in his mind. She would look at him with tears in her eyes as she simply said; Ben, it's really tough for me to say this, but I have to. I just can't do this anymore. Even though I love you, I just don't believe in us anymore. I want a divorce. Benjamin could only sit in that chair in his ready room, feeling numb. He didn't know what to think, or what to feel about it. Even with the new War, he always thought that they would be together forever. Now it was all falling apart, over two light-centuries away, and there was nothing he could do. And for the first time since his CO Angelique Trouseau was brutally killed, Benjamin Somerset broke into tears and cried. When Benjamin finally returned to the bridge, no sign of his tears remained. The emotional mask he had cultivated over the years was firmly in place. Even so, his senior officers had been with him for far too long to not notice something was wrong. Most of them wanted to ask, but none said anything. They all sat and looked at the Commander, who now had more than his ship and crew riding on his shoulders. Now he had a burden that couldn't go away. The burden that the woman he loved was going to leave him. And so, the stoic Commander stood ahead of his chair with a silence like no other pervading the bridge. It was the silence of a man who only had his command, and his duty left to him. The only two things that mattered anymore. And Ben promised to himself We're going home. And damn anyone who stands in our way. ------------------ Cmdr. Benjamin Somerset GCV Swiftsure *1st Squadron, *SIN Wing Stationed, *Starstation Wrath "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go into harm's way." - John Paul Jones ICQ 32545391, CST =TDY Wraith Fleet= Dragon - Order of the Jade Dragon Prime Fleet Liason Officer