Ben Zwycky

After a long absence, I'm ready to get this going again I won't have quite as much time to write as last year, but I hope it'll be enough to keep you all interested [rp] 0005, March 16th, 3001 The Svoboda was eased out of SCID HQ's third docking bay by the launch tractor beam without incident, and that quiet but disturbing thought in the back of Simon's mind was silenced once again. The journey to the jumpgate to Treas was uneventful, though unsettling, since the space lanes were noticeably quieter than usual- the new galcom standing order was discouraging casual traffic through the region, and news of the disappearances in Treas had quickly spread within the trading community. There were a few armed transports still making runs 'probably taking the opportunity to charge triple rates,' Ben thought to himself, but there were far fewer of them "I haven't seen Tramis this quiet since the war," thought Steve out loud. "You know the saying," replied Ben, "good news travels fast. Bad news travels faster. All stop." "Disengaging thrust profile, registering all stop." The Svoboda hung in space 20 clicks from the jumpgate, the faint pulses of blue and violet light gently dancing off the carrier's nose. "Let's take a peek round the door." The short range probe was silently ejected from the starboard side of the massive stationary vessel. Almost immediately it deployed its solar panels, engaged its engines and began homing in on the jumpgate entrance. "Activate Tacops view. This should be interesting." The 3D view of the tramis region appeared on Ben's console as the probe quickly approached the pulsing portal to the next region. Flash. "Probe link update." The view quickly changed to that of the Treas region, devoid of any traffic except for 5 blue Target Tracking Designators, all at corners of the region well away from the probe's position. Something wasn't right. Something reminded him of a game he used to play as a child, a game whose name he couldn't remember. [/rp] Answers on a postcard to: Well, we're moving again, hopefully a bit quicker than when I was away ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISSHQ (Saturn) Defence Wing - ISS Fleet email:[email protected] ICQ:72897748

We do. That's one of the best things about our relationship- we're completely open with each other- we share the same faith and depth of faith and we've been through a lot of the same sorts of things before we met so we've had a deep and solid trust virtually right from the start, which is still getting deeper. As soon as there's a problem we admit it and deal with it (usually once something's out in the open, it's usually not a big deal ) I'm not saying there haven't been tough and painful moments, but we've got through them and dealt with them in the right way. It's great and it wouldn't have worked (or definitely not this well )without God's help. ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISSHQ (Saturn) Defence Wing - ISS Fleet email:[email protected] ICQ:72897748 [This message has been edited by Ben Zwycky (edited 09-27-2000).]

Thanks guys Nick: We've already taken someone else's kids to the zoo together, and that went really well and was really fun. It's a big shame we have to be so far apart (me in little ol' england and her still in prague) until I've finished me course (next september) but there'll be all manner of communications (and a few visits both ways as well I hope ) It'll be tough but we'll survive Gallion: I heard somewhere that two win 98 machines could be easily set up to use the same internet connection. Both of ours'll have win 2k, so I hope it won't be too much of a problem, I was just wondering whether a 15m cable would be too long for a decent network connection speed. I've been hunting around for all the ADSL available in the UK and the tied cheapest I could find were BT and freeserve at the price above. I was just wondering if any knowledgable UK commanders knew anything different. ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISSHQ (Saturn) Defence Wing - ISS Fleet email:[email protected] ICQ:72897748

First of all my good news: one of the main reasons why I wasn't very active on the forums while I was away might be guessed from the following pics: this one and this one For the sake of clarity I'll just come out with it. I'm Engaged! She is so wonderful and godly and just right for me and we get on so well and God has just had his hand in it so much and I want to tell everyone in the world! It happened about a week before I came back, about 2 and a half weeks ago now, and I thought I would ask her permission and upload the pics before I announced it here. There's my news, here's my question(s)(two parts of the same issue). I've got all the bits on the way for a very nice 'puter IMHO and have been looking into ADSL prices here in the UK and they're pretty steep (150 quid installation and 40 quid a month after that) and I was wondering whether any of you well connected or informed know if any cheaper arangements are available or will become available in the near future? Part 2- if I get an ADSL connection, I'm prolly going to need to network the two puters in my house so we can both use the same ADSL modem (I'm definitely not paying for two ) The trouble is they're at opposite ends of the house, and it would be very awkward to move them any closer. What I want to know is this? would a couple of ethernet cards and a 15m network cable be enough for a decent connection between the two (it doesn't have to be lightning quick)? I saw a 15m network cable advertised in a catalog and we worked out that that would just be long enough (with maybe half a metre to a metre to spare if we drill through the floor of my friends' bedroom) Cheers, ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISSHQ (Saturn) Defence Wing - ISS Fleet email:[email protected] ICQ:72897748 [This message has been edited by Ben Zwycky (edited 09-27-2000).]

Thanks, Daniel- even more work for me . I'm not fully caught up yet (haven't had time to look at all the new screenshots since I left) And if you want me to do that (and I have time to do it) you'll have to be a bit more specific about what you want, 'cos I don't know what all the rank markings and uniforms are supposed to look like. Also, I'd like to know where I'm wanted in ISS. I registered in the Defence Wing, because I was in a hurry when I did it, but I was in CIOPS before. Seing as most of my RP's have been in Empirian/Vesperon space I kinda had a hankerin' towards the Centauri flight group, since anyone can be called upon for CIOPS duty at any time, but if there's some important position I'm suited for that I've overlooked, then please let me know. Later, ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISSHQ (Saturn) Awaiting Assignment- ISS Fleet email:[email protected] ICQ:72897748

Zwycky- name of my ancestors about 4 generations back, fled from Czech Republic to Switzerland during the Hussite wars so I'm told. If you go to a town called Mollis near Nafels there's a big sort of cubic house with all these Zwycky crests on it. Since I loved all things Czech and still do, I thought I'd use that name. (And Svoboda for the ship which is the czech word for freedom, and a common surname in the Czech Republic) Also, it's a bit catchier than my real name of Ben Watson-Jones. It's only been double-barrelled for a couple of generations. It used to be Jones, but one of my great uncles was a very famous surgeon who was getting confused with another very famous surgeon called R. Jones, so he had the family middle name added to the surname to make Watson-Jones. Hope you all feel suitably enlightened now Later, ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISSHQ (Saturn) Awaiting Assignment- ISS Fleet email:[email protected] ICQ:72897748

Library of the GCV Svoboda There's all the ones I've been a major author in (except Preemtive Strike, because that one's Blades' baby). It's not completely up to date, and there are a few broken links, which I'll get round to fixing one of these days. btw, I'm back home now, which is but also because I'm so far away from my lovely Eva. Later, ----------------- Commander Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda ISS HQ (Saturn) Awaiting Assignment -ISS Fleet

Hi guys, didn't I tell you to use the yahoo address? Maybe it hasn't been working because I'm supposed to have got something from my dad but I haven't had anything new in there for a few weeks. Sorry I haven't been in contact much- been distracted by things going very well here I'll tell you more about that later I'm nowhere near caught up and I haven't got much time now but I get back home early next week, so I should be just about caught up and registered by the end of next week. Oh, btw if you're after an interestin' storyline then Ambitions'll get pretty interestin later on, but it's quite a fragile story, so I don't think that many can get involved in it. OK, gotta go, I'm not dead yet, so work out where you want me and email me or post here if it don't seem to be gettin thru. ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISS08 Adjutant to the Fleet Commander ISS Fleet Recruiting Officer Director, CIOPS Directorate of Training and Administration Initiate - Order of Jade Dragon ISS Fleet Homepage GCV Svoboda Homepage "Nakonec pravda vitezi" (in the end the truth wins) ICQ:72897748

Sounds good to me. I'm afraid I won't be able to send you the animated defence wing logo stuff until I get back home, which looks like being the end of September, but you could try following this link to get the Jpeg Animator class file from my website and just save the html file of whichever of the Animation configurations you want, and the frame jpegs which I could send you from here, and insert the code into your Defence Wing HQ website. (but you probably want to change the background colour on the frames) I've just tried it and got it working (at the second attempt) so I'm pretty sure that's all you need Good luck, ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISS08 Adjutant to the Fleet Commander ISS Fleet Recruiting Officer Director, CIOPS Directorate of Training and Administration Initiate - Order of Jade Dragon ISS Fleet Homepage GCV Svoboda Homepage "Nakonec pravda vitezi" (in the end the truth wins) ICQ:72897748 [This message has been edited by Ben Zwycky (edited 08-11-2000).]

Well, here I am writing from a computer in the office of that very nice young lady I was talking about. SheÔÇÖs great! My first girlfriend! Anyway, on with the tale- [rp] 2300 March 15th, 3001 The large sleek craft eased peacefully towards the spinning mass of metal orbiting CentrisÔÇÿ primary moon. ÔÇ×We have been approved docking clearance,ÔÇ£ reported Karen Hilliard. ÔÇ×Ten seconds to docking beam range,ÔÇ£ reported Simon, maintaining a steady but safe approach. A particularly vivid memory from his years as a civilian pilot still drifted into the back of his mind at times like these. The memory of Genesis stationÔÇÖs docking tractor beams failing whilst on approach with the Galactic Explorer, a tourist LRT-10 transport, and only just managing to turn the ship out of the way in time. His efforts had made him very popular with his boss, and also made him a much more cautious pilot during docking operations. ÔÇ×Tractor lock in 5, 4, 3ÔǪÔÇ£ After that incident, extra redundant tractor systems were added to all Galcom installations, but his caution never fully faded. He maintained his grip on the con, ready at a moments notice to abort the approach. The soft blue ray shot out of SCID HQ and grabbed the Svoboda, bringing her to a safe halt before drawing her into docking bay three. ÔÇ×OK, Paul, you get hold of those parts and store whatever you can in cargo bay 1, the rest in the ATVÔÇÖs and Shuttles 3 and 4. ItÔÇÖs nowhere near as good as a transport vessel, but itÔÇÖs better than nothing.ÔÇ£ ÔǪ.. ------------------------------------------ SVOBODA INTERNAL COMMS MESSAGE FROM: Fl. Eng Jana Kubikova TO: Lt. Francis Morgan Ahoj Franke! I know IÔÇÿve been getting on your nerves lately, and IÔÇÿm sorry about that. IÔÇÿm changing, and I know itÔÇÿs for the better, but I still love you and I always will. IÔÇÿm learning some wonderful stuff and I just want to share it with you. I know you donÔÇÿt like it, and I know you donÔÇÿt want to think about these sorts of things, but itÔÇÿs a large part of me now and I canÔÇÿt help talking about it sometimes. I canÔÇÿt promise you that I wonÔÇÿt talk about it anymore, because I will, but IÔÇÿll try not to do it so much. Please talk to me- I really miss hearing from you. IÔÇÿll be in the station lounge while weÔÇÿre docked if you want to talk. Love, Jana END MESSAGE ------------------------------------------ Frank dawdled reluctantly into SCID HQÔÇÿs main lounge. It was a quiet and comfortable room, not as large or well-equipped as the one on Orion, but pleasant enough. He looked around the tables until Jana caught his eye. She smiled and motioned to the seat next to her and the pale green drink in front of it. He ambled over and sat down, taking a refreshing sip of the lemonade and lime, his favourite on-duty drink. ÔÇ×Got your message.ÔÇ£ ÔÇ×Glad you came.ÔÇ£ Frank took another sip and started to relax, ÔÇ×So am I after the stuff I saw today.ÔÇ£ ÔÇ×Must have been horrible.ÔÇ£ ÔÇ×Freaked me out a bit. Even got me thinking about all that stuff you keep going on about.ÔÇ£ ÔÇ×Really? You want to talk about it?ÔÇ£ ÔÇ×Not right now- I donÔÇÿt want to get blackmailed into throwing my life away.ÔÇ£ ÔÇ×ItÔÇÿs hardly blackmail, and itÔÇÿs more about getting a whole new life than throwing away one.ÔÇ£ ÔÇ×Hey, I said not now. Maybe later,ÔÇ£ Frank replied with a gentle smile. ÔÇ×OK,ÔÇ£ replied Jana with one of her own. ÔÇ×So how was your day, then?ÔÇ£ ÔÇ×Not too bad, we had to replace the stick in IC-4. Seems like someoneÔÇÖs been a little overzealous with their maneuvers lately.ÔÇ£ ÔÇ×Better a little extra wear on the control stick than a few extra holes in the IC.ÔÇ£ ÔÇ×Ah, yes- I see your point,ÔÇ£ Jana replied with a suppressed giggle. Both of their communicators beeped at the same time, along with those of several other patrons of the lounge. ------------------------------------------ SVOBODA INTERNAL COMMS MESSAGE FROM: Cmdr. Ben Zwycky TO: All Svoboda Crew All crew report to stations. Departure in 10 minutes. Those requiring transportation to meet this deadline should activate their transponders within the next 5 minutes. END MESSAGE ------------------------------------------ The message recipients all either left their drinks or quickly finished them off before filtering their way through to the lounge exits. [/rp] IÔÇÖll try and get the next post done and up soon, but itÔÇÖll most likely be sometime next week. Later, ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISS08 Adjutant to the Fleet Commander ISS Fleet Recruiting Officer Director, CIOPS Directorate of Training and Administration Initiate - Order of Jade Dragon ISS Fleet Homepage GCV Svoboda Homepage "Nakonec pravda vitezi" (in the end the truth wins) ICQ:72897748 [This message has been edited by Ben Zwycky (edited 08-10-2000).]

Thanks, Parias. They'll come in real handy with a story I'm planning... Nah, wouldn't work- they can't fly can they? ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISS08 Adjutant to the Fleet Commander ISS Fleet Recruiting Officer Director, CIOPS Directorate of Training and Administration Initiate - Order of Jade Dragon ISS Fleet Homepage GCV Svoboda Homepage "Nakonec pravda vitezi" (in the end the truth wins) ICQ:72897748

Back on line! Speaking from an internet cafe somewhere near the centre of Prague (the weather's not been that nice really, but I can't complain coming from the north of England)! My stay has been pretty good so far, the nice young lady turned out to be a very nice young lady and I've had lots of fun in other ways too. I'll try to get rping again, but I don't have as much access as before, especially offline access to a computer for writing posts. I'll try my best. Later all, ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISS08 Adjutant to the Fleet Commander ISS Fleet Recruiting Officer Director, CIOPS Directorate of Training and Administration Initiate - Order of Jade Dragon ISS Fleet Homepage GCV Svoboda Homepage "Nakonec pravda vitezi" (in the end the truth wins) ICQ:72897748

Ahoj z Ceskou Republice! (Maybe that's not gramatically perfect, but it's near enough ) here I am, sitting in an internet cafe in Prague, having just read through most of the general discussion and rp posts since I left. It seems not too much has happened there since I left. Can't stay for too long, is costing me money. Need to get use of another computer so I can get writin' again. Fear not, the story will not die! Anyone wanting to contact me should use my yahoo adress [email protected] Later, ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISS08 Adjutant to the Fleet Commander ISS Fleet Recruiting Officer Director, CIOPS Directorate of Training and Administration Initiate - Order of Jade Dragon ISS Fleet Homepage GCV Svoboda Homepage "Nakonec pravda vitezi" (in the end the truth wins) ICQ:72897748

Now you guys are back, I'm going away ! to the Czech Republic for a couple of months ! Sorry I didn't get to post Will be unable to post for at least two weeks methinks (my bus leaves in less than two hours now) but will try my best to be more involved after that I can be reached at [email protected] when I get access again Later all, ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISS08 Adjutant to the Fleet Commander ISS Fleet Recruiting Officer Director, CIOPS Directorate of Training and Administration Initiate - Order of Jade Dragon ISS Fleet Homepage GCV Svoboda Homepage "Nakonec pravda vitezi" (in the end the truth wins) ICQ:72897748

Well, I'm off to the Czech Republic on Friday for a couple of months, for some nicer weather, to meet a certain nice young lady I've been emailing for a while and to do some stuff for the Salvation Army there (the nearest I'll get to military service ) I should be able to get some access over there, but not as much as I do now, and not much at all for a couple of weeks. I'll try to get a post done to each story I'm doing before I go, and I should be able to carry on with both of them when I get access. If anyone needs to reach me while I'm over there, you'll have to use [email protected] Btw, my new motherboard and stuff still hasn't arrived due to a world shortage of Celerons and G400s or something (I eventually went for dual 533's and found a 20 GB UDMA66 for only 20 quid more than the 8.4 I was going to get) so that (along with the BCM demo I hope ) will be something to look forward to when I get back. Later everyone, ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISS08 Adjutant to the Fleet Commander ISS Fleet Recruiting Officer Director, CIOPS Directorate of Training and Administration Initiate - Order of Jade Dragon ISS Fleet Homepage GCV Svoboda Homepage "Nakonec pravda vitezi" (in the end the truth wins) ICQ:72897748

Have a good one! ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISS08 Adjutant to the Fleet Commander ISS Fleet Recruiting Officer Director, CIOPS Directorate of Training and Administration Initiate - Order of Jade Dragon ISS Fleet Homepage GCV Svoboda Homepage "Nakonec pravda vitezi" (in the end the truth wins) ICQ:72897748

Don't know about that, but that is a great site so far! A good template for the Commander profile would be the ISS Fleet Application Form (not that you have to join ISS to use it, but it's a useful structure) Welcome aboard, and I'm sure you'll do well wherever you choose to fit in. Later, ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISS08 Adjutant to the Fleet Commander ISS Fleet Recruiting Officer Director, CIOPS Directorate of Training and Administration Initiate - Order of Jade Dragon ISS Fleet Homepage GCV Svoboda Homepage "Nakonec pravda vitezi" (in the end the truth wins) ICQ:72897748

[rp]2145 March 15th, 3001 ÔÇ£You see, sir, that they had a probe already in the region, they deliberately rammed both carriers with shuttles just after they came through the jumpgate, and then brought in a violon carrier to mop up what was left. We donÔÇÖt know what they did with the transport, because this is the point where the logs end.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£They destroyed it and took itÔÇÖs cargo. We found the remains of the CrenanÔÇÖs superstructure. They were our best ships and our best people,ÔÇØ lamented Ugo with his head in his hands. ÔÇ£It was a vital convoy.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Sir, they knew you were coming. It was well planned and executed. Almost militarily so.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Which is why it must have been the SlaÔÇÖti. They have sources and sympathisers everywhere, more resources than anyone knows about and very dedicated personnel.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Excuse me, sir, but you sound like you almost respect them.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£No, I loathe them completely, but I fear that they may be becoming too strong and we are becoming too weak to stop them.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Sir!ÔÇØ Exclaimed Ben, startled by this admission. ÔÇ£You canÔÇÖt mean that!ÔÇØ ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm afraid I do. We need galcomÔÇÖs intervention, or the situation will just keep on deteriorating.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£I will go and speak with galcom high command right away,ÔÇØ Ben replied, closing the channel and sitting back with a sigh, trying to take in the magnitude of the conversation heÔÇÖd just had. ÔÇÿIÔÇÖll have to go right to the top with this one after what happened last time.ÔÇÖ ÔÇ£Karen, open a secure channel to Fleet Commander Mark Stryker.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£OK, but he might be busy.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Tell him itÔÇÖs urgent.ÔÇØ Fleet Commander Mark Stryker wearily turned to the comms terminal in his office. ÔÇ£Yes, what is it?ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Urgent secure call from Commander Zwycky.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Commander who?ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Commander Zwycky. Fleet adjutant of In System Support.ÔÇØ Mark sighed, inserted his security key and activated the retinal scanner. ÔÇ£IÔÇÖll take it.ÔÇØ The hologram of an unfamiliar face formed before him. ÔÇ£Yes, what is it Commander?ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Sir, I have just been talking with Strategic Commander Ra-Zin. There have been some disturbing events going on here.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Oh, really?ÔÇØ Mark replied disinterestedly. ÔÇ£Sir, Three important supply convoys to Centauri Station have been destroyed in the last two days, along with two carriers that were escorting one of the transports, one of which was the De-pal II, the empirian flagship. The ÔÇÿraidersÔÇÖ have been using extremely well planned and executed attacks, and a highly unconventional strategy. We have managed to obtain a tacops recording of the major incident that I think you should see.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£That wonÔÇÖt be necessary, Commander. I suppose that Ugo blamed the SlaÔÇÖti, and wants us to intervene.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Well, yes, sir, and I tend to agree with him. And surelyÔǪÔÇØ ÔÇ£Commander,ÔÇØ Mark interrupted, ÔÇ£you have obviously been around the empirians for too long. YouÔÇÖre beginning to talk just like them.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm sorry, sir?ÔÇØ ÔÇ£They blame everything on the SlaÔÇÖti. If one of their ships is lost, it was the SlaÔÇÖti. If a datapad goes missing it was the SlaÔÇÖti. If one of them catches a cold itÔÇÖs because the SlaÔÇÖti poisoned their water supply! And they are constantly wanting us to get involved, even destroying their own vessels to get us to go after them. Last time we did that we got into a war that lasted for years. They have cried wolf far too many times for us to believe them. We do not have the resources spare to do it even if we did.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Are you saying they destroyed their own carriers? Their own flagship?!ÔÇØ ÔÇ£TheyÔÇÖve done it before, though not with such big craft. Maybe they decided they needed to be more convincing this time. I donÔÇÖt have time for this, Commander.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£But sir, we at least need to warn our vessels about these new tactics, to be on the lookout for empirian mercenary shuttles.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Send me the recording and I will review it and issue a standing order if I deem it necessary.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Sending now.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Thank you Commander. That is all.ÔÇØ The channel was closed. Ben started at the abruptness of the finish. He sat and thought for a few seconds, then reluctantly called Strategic Commander Ra-Zin again. From BenÔÇÖs demeanour Ugo could instantly tell what galcomÔÇÖs response had been. ÔÇ£Can I guess what they said?ÔÇØ he asked disappointedly. ÔÇ£They said they donÔÇÖt have the resources spare to be able to intervene effectively.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£ÔǪand that we are just being paranoid, they donÔÇÖt believe it was the SlaÔÇÖti.ÔÇØ Ben broke eye contact and Ugo took that as confirmation. ÔÇ£Ah, yes- maybe we deserve that. We have been guilty of jumping to conclusions in the past, and of abusing our position in the Alliance. Now we reap the reward for those follies. Justice, cruel justice. Do not worry, Commander- we will manage somehow. We know their tactics now, and we still have a number of capital ships available and more under construction, we will just need a little help to get by in the meantime.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£I will give all I can, Strategic Commander.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Thank you. One thing you could doÔǪÔÇØ ÔǪ 2210 March 15th, 3001 ÔÇ£OK, everyone, weÔÇÖre heading for Centris. Lay in a course.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Course plotted.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Off we go.ÔÇØ The jump anomaly formed and the Svoboda was seemingly flung through space. The great ship emerged from the other end of the anomaly and eased forward towards the Centris Jumpgate. ÔÇ£Incoming message from high command to all galcom vessels.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£This should be interesting. Show it on main viewer.ÔÇØ ----------------------------- GALCOM SECURE MESSAGE FROM: FLT CMDR MARK STRYKER TO: ALL GALCOM CRAFT DUE TO A COUPLE OF INCIDENTS EARLIER TODAY, ALL EMPIRIAN MERCENARY SHUTTLES ARE HEREBY DESIGNATED HOSTILE TARGETS. EXTREME CAUTION SHOULD BE TAKEN WHEN ENCOUNTERED, ESPECIALLY IN THE ALPHA CENTAURI REGION. END MESSAGE ----------------------------- ÔÇ£ThatÔÇÖs it?ÔÇØ ÔÇ£ItÔÇÖs better than nothing.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Yeah, I suppose.ÔÇØ [/rp] Sorry ÔÇÿbout the slowness. Been a couple of power cuts here. Looks like I wonÔÇÖt be able to get this done before I head off to Czech Republic next Friday, but I should be able to keep it going from there, with a little luck ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISS08 Adjutant to the Fleet Commander ISS Fleet Recruiting Officer Director, CIOPS Directorate of Training and Administration Initiate - Order of Jade Dragon ISS Fleet Homepage GCV Svoboda Homepage "Nakonec pravda vitezi" (in the end the truth wins) ICQ:72897748

better AI, play as other races as well as other castes and some new stations (and of course be able to run around inside and outside your ship, to welcome those uninvited guests personally UNDERSTATEMENT ALERT ! ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISS08 Adjutant to the Fleet Commander ISS Fleet Recruiting Officer Director, CIOPS Directorate of Training and Administration Initiate - Order of Jade Dragon ISS Fleet Homepage GCV Svoboda Homepage "Nakonec pravda vitezi" (in the end the truth wins) ICQ:72897748 [This message has been edited by Ben Zwycky (edited 07-07-2000).]

Oh, I don't think there's any doubt about that ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISS08 Adjutant to the Fleet Commander ISS Fleet Recruiting Officer Director, CIOPS Directorate of Training and Administration Initiate - Order of Jade Dragon ISS Fleet Homepage GCV Svoboda Homepage "Nakonec pravda vitezi" (in the end the truth wins) ICQ:72897748

[rp] 2030 March 15th, 3001 The GCV Svoboda glided through the jumpgate from Centris to Tramis. Retrieving Data. Location confirmed as Tramis region. An unpleasant thought occurred to Ben. He hadnt actually been in this region since it was overrun by the Vesperons and used as a springboard for an invasion of Sol. He wasnt alone in those thoughts, as memories of those events were hard to shake for anyone who had witnessed them. Head for Aleri Station. Incoming Message from Aleri Station. Patch it through to my terminal. Commander Zwycky! Thank god youre here! There has been a major incident. Our main supply convoy to Centauri station was destroyed in Treas twenty minutes ago along with its escort, the Hu-fan and the De-pal II. The De-pal?! Ben asked in shock, how did they do that? We dont know. We have sent craft into the Treas region to investigate, and others are searching this region for a cloaked vessel we believe is either responsible or knows what happened. A cloaked vessel? There was a flash from the Treas jumpgate at about the time of the incident, but we cant find whatever craft caused it. Since then all jumpgate flashes in the region have been accounted for by visible ship movements. Will you help in the search for this vessel? Our station radar is not yet working at full capacity. Of course. Thank you, Commander. Good luck. Sounds pretty serious, commented Chris. It is. You have to be pretty darn strong to take out two big carriers and all their support craft. Launch interceptors and start patrolling the region. Search all the minor locations in the region, away from the shipping lanes, sweep for any energy anomalies and keep a constant navigation lock on Aleri station. Be ready to jump there at a moments notice- I dont want any craft sneaking up on us. The craft spread out on full alert, with all sensors set to maximum gain. 2125 March 15th, 3001 Hey, filter out some of this noise, Firehail, I think Ive got something. Firehail pressed a few buttons, and the tacscope began to clear. Yep, its faint, but its still there. You see it? Yeah, its turning. Doesnt look like a cloaked ship, though. Its going in a big circle I think. See if you can bring it up on visual. Commander, I think we have something. Firehail activated his TACOPS viewer and zoomed in on the source of the signal. Got it in view. A dark shape slowly turned before him. As the light of Alpha Centauri reflected off its glassy surfaces, he instantly recognised it. Hey, its an escape pod! Looks like its been damaged. Sir, weve found a fighter craft escape pod. Its SOS beacon isnt transmitting and it appears to have been going in a big circle for a while. Acknowledged IC2, were sending a medical team on Shuttle 1 Interceptor 2 jumped to the pod to mark it out for the shuttle, and both pilots gazed at the little capsule. They could hardly see through the layer of ice on the inside of the canopy, but they could tell it was occupied. Both of them became solemn- it was a pilots worst nightmare, to be forced to eject deep in space and have the pod malfunction. The medical team, dressed in pressure suits, rushed into shuttle 1 and sat down. The craft raced out of the shuttle bay and jumped to Interceptor 2 as soon as it had cleared the bay entrance. It afterburned towards the object IC 2 was circling and activated its tractor beam, drawing its catch into the cargo hold. As it arrived, the medics could see a number of characters etched into the ice on the inside of the canopy. As soon as the cargo hold repressurised, there was an audible hiss of air from the bottom of the capsule, and the ice layer began to thaw rapidly. Not a good sign. The medics prised open the canopy and one by one they stopped their race. Inside lay an empirian in a flight suit, his features visibly bloated and discoloured behind his visor, showing all the signs of having been exposed to vacuum. He was gone. Lets head back home. One of them disappointedly told the shuttle pilot, who obliged at a less frantic pace. Sir, weve recovered the escape pod, but the pilot didnt survive. He then turned to his companions, What were those characters scratched in the ice? Empirian I think. Anybody here read empirian? No. Not really. Well, I suppose the shuttles cargo camera would have got a good shot of them. We could show them to someone on the station.  Ge-dalia. Thats what it says. What does that mean? Inquired Karen Hilliard, the Svobodas Comms officer. Its a bird on Centris with big eyes, explained Ugo Ra-Zin from his office on Aleri. Its also the nickname for a ships flight recorder. OK, thanks. No problem, just let me know what was on it. We will, sir, Karen replied, shutting down the channel. Ben, it meant flight recorder. Thanks, Karen. Why would he tell us to look at the flight recorder? He must have known we would do that anyway. It must be something really important on it. And urgent. Ben, came the internal comms call from Engineering. Yes, Paul, how are you doing? Well, weve gone over the capsule. It got hit by a piece of debris which punctured the canopy and the life support system in his flight suit, and all the air would have leaked out in about ten minutes. Ben grimaced. Not nice. How about the flight recorder? Thats the interesting part. It not only contains the tacops logs of the fighter, but also a downloaded record from the GCV Cre-nan, the LRT-10 transport that was destroyed in Treas an hour and a half ago. Ah. Lets see it, then. As they all watched the tacops playback, they were stunned by what they saw. Karen, reopen the secure line to Strategic Commander Ra-Zin [/rp] Next part coming soon! Wont be as long as this one I hope ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISS08 Adjutant to the Fleet Commander ISS Fleet Recruiting Officer Director, CIOPS Directorate of Training and Administration Initiate - Order of Jade Dragon ISS Fleet Homepage GCV Svoboda Homepage "Nakonec pravda vitezi" (in the end the truth wins) ICQ:72897748

I was trying to get a dark and secretive hooded figure but the best I could do was a pic of a Jawa from the Star Wars homepage. I was kinda hoping you wouldn't notice Animated Defence Logo version 6 Animated Defence Logo version 7 Version 7 is my favourite. reminds me a little of Knight Rider Your choice of course, Josh, and you can configure it however you want in your defence wing pages, so you don't even have to use any of my suggestions. Later all, ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISS08 Adjutant to the Fleet Commander ISS Fleet Recruiting Officer Director, CIOPS Directorate of Training and Administration Initiate - Order of Jade Dragon ISS Fleet Homepage GCV Svoboda Homepage "Nakonec pravda vitezi" (in the end the truth wins) ICQ:72897748

Warsong, I made a suggestion in the galcom or insurgency thread which you may want to consider. As for fleet offers, if search and destroy missions aren't your cup of tea then how about the ISS defence wing? Whatever sort of work you're after we'll probably be able to provide with one wing or another, and filling out the application form might help to clarify your opinions/standpoints (if not for yourself, then for the rest of us at least ). ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISS08 Adjutant to the Fleet Commander ISS Fleet Recruiting Officer Director, CIOPS Directorate of Training and Administration Initiate - Order of Jade Dragon ISS Fleet Homepage GCV Svoboda Homepage "Nakonec pravda vitezi" (in the end the truth wins) ICQ:72897748

[rp]Ben listened to NickÔÇÖs account of the events leading up to the arrest and detention of his comms officer. ÔÇ£This is bad,ÔÇØ he summised. ÔÇ£Tell me about it. HeÔÇÖs been a trusted member of my crew for the last year and a half. Some of the bridgecrew have taken this hard.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£I donÔÇÖt blame them. When did this transmission take place?ÔÇØ ÔÇ£just over two and a half hours ago now.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£OK, do you think you could let Briggs in to your system logs, he might be able to trace where that transmision went.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£OK, IÔÇÖm opening a secure line.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Briggs, get on it.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Ready when you are. OK, system trace- thereÔÇÖs the transmission, whereÔÇÖs the confirmation referenceÔǪgot it. Right, letÔÇÖs go there, and try thatÔǪ Hmm. Shame. LetÔÇÖs try the energy signature, OK, thatÔÇÖs better, and the harmonics, yeah, thatÔÇÖs my girl. Sir?ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Yes?ÔÇØ ÔÇ£IÔÇÖve got something. The confirmatory signal was pretty srambled, so I canÔÇÖt be precise, but the transmission was made to a small craft in Jupiter, probably a shuttle, but I canÔÇÖt tell you what type or IFF.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£ThatÔÇÖs good enough, good work. OK, lets bring up the TACOPS logs relayed from the jupiter probe, starting at time index 0635 today.ÔÇØ The screen showed an empty jupiter system. ÔÇ£LetÔÇÖs zip through this. We donÔÇÖt want to give them any more of a headstart than we have to.ÔÇØ They both watched as the time index whirred past. ÔÇ£Hey, what was that? Go back a little and play it back a bit slower.ÔÇØ They both watched carefully as a T3 Shuttle, marked as a terran mercenary came through the wormhole from Lyrius, waited round by the wormhole entrance and then turned and disappeared back through. Time index: 0642. ÔÇ£Keep going forward through the logs. See if there were any other vessels. Nick?ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Yeah?ÔÇØ ÔÇ£We think weÔÇÖve got something. There was a Terran merc T3 shuttle that came into Jupiter from Lyrius and headed back after waiting around for a while. It fits the signal trace, but weÔÇÖre checking for other candidates.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Nothing but a Terran military Tarin Mark 1 until 0714 and that one came from Pluto.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£You hear that?ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Yep, weÔÇÖll get after them and see what we can dig up.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖre probably a bit too late. Sorry about that.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Next time IÔÇÖll go without you.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£You do that. Good hunting.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm sending the prisoner over to you with escort in one of my shuttles. See that heÔÇÖs not made comfortable. Jamont out.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£RodÔÇÖll have a nice cell ready for him. Zwycky out.ÔÇØ The comms screen went blank and Ben puffed his cheeks with a loud sigh. ÔÇ£PffffÔǪI donÔÇÖt know. What could make someone do that?ÔÇØ ÔÇ£DonÔÇÖt know, sir. Must be have been a pretty high price. Makes you wonder just how many moles there are.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£What do you mean?ÔÇØ ÔÇ£He didnÔÇÖt have the clearance or access or know-how to do any of the stuff we found done to the station system. Looks to me like he was there to find out how much we know.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£So the major operative is still around. Still, at least we have a few leads. Back to work we go!ÔÇØ Ben went back to his terminal and drew up the next item on his agenda. As Briggs went back to work, he could hear Ben getting more and more disappointed and frustrated behind him ÔÇ£WhatÔÇÖs the matter with this thing?!ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Sir?ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Oh, itÔÇÖs this ÔÇÿreportÔÇÖ by Ketovski. ItÔÇÖs just an index of files, none of which seem to exist.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Give it to me, sir. If they exist, IÔÇÖll find them.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£Hmmph. IÔÇÖve been in my office for half an hour and I already have a headache! This is gonna be a long day.ÔÇØ [/rp] Sorry for my long absence. LetÔÇÖs get things rolling again! ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISS08 Adjutant to the Fleet Commander ISS Fleet Recruiting Officer Director, CIOPS Directorate of Training and Administration Initiate - Order of Jade Dragon ISS Fleet Homepage GCV Svoboda Homepage "Nakonec pravda vitezi" (in the end the truth wins) ICQ:72897748

Hey, come on, guys, give him a little slack. ItÔÇÖs a big decision he has to make, and itÔÇÖs one he wonÔÇÖt be able to change later, so let him take his time. Warsong, you seem to have upset a few people with some of those comments, especially about your reasons for joining galcom, and I think thereÔÇÖs been some confusion and misunderstandings about your motives there, so hereÔÇÖs what I suggest. Fill out an ISS application form (you can find them here) not necessarily as an application to ISS, and think about each part carefully, especially the part about beliefs, values and morals. Then post it up here, so everyone can see what your character is all about and what he stands for, then I think fleet commanders/personnel staff might start to look at you in a different light, see where those comments came from and where youÔÇÖd best fit in. As for you insurgents, well, this isnÔÇÖt the kind of rp I like, but what the hey: [rp] You say that the UFN is spending too many resources on space exploration and in itÔÇÖs relations and treaties with alien races, and that earth should come first above all others. Excuse me if IÔÇÖm wrong, but that sounds to me very much like, ÔÇ£The problems of other worlds are not our concern.ÔÇØ We need to form all the alliances we can to be able to stand against the greatest galactic threat there is- the gammulans. You have fought against them. You know what they are like. One nation or race is not strong enough on its own to survive their onslaught. Unless we band together: When they allied with the Valkyrie and invaded the Falkyrie, we were not Falkyrie and said, ÔÇ£it is so far away, our borders are secure.ÔÇØ When they overran the Mandorians and Kandorians, we were not one of them and said, ÔÇ£it is not our concern, we must not worry ourselves.ÔÇØ When they captured the Credians and Zelons, we began to be afraid, but then we said, ÔÇ£now they have enough and will be satisfied. Do not be afraid, we are at peace!ÔÇØ When they invaded the Syrions and Droidans, we were not one of them and said, ÔÇ£it is the way of things. It is their right to war on whom they please. Our children are all sheltered and well fed. Why now provoke them with hostility?ÔÇØ When they wiped away the Empirians and Vesperons, we sighed and said, ÔÇ£ÔÇÖtis only fair. We told them that their bickering would be their end. The universe is better off without them. This must now be enough for them and now the peace will last. Why would they ever want to war on us?ÔÇØ When at last they came for us, we were most dismayed and said, ÔÇ£Why does no-one come along and help us?ÔÇØ If you ever came to power on earth, you would form alliances and maintain a space fleet. I find it very hard to believe that you who have depended on space trade and resources for military vessels and equipment would give it up as soon as you gained power. You know that earthÔÇÖs economy depends upon galactic trade. The trading lanes have to be policed and protected from the raiders and criminals we know you also despise. If we do not do it, who will? We help other worlds and races because we can, and because we need each other. We are not trying to form an empire to combat an empire, but an alliance to combat an empire, as well as do many other things. You say that the UFN is corrupt and abuses its power. I hate both of those things and I do everything in my power to combat and bring to justice any individual I come across who is guilty of those things. There are corrupt individuals, but there are also very many people within the UFN who are good public servants. It happens time after time that when a military organisation takes over a government as you hope to do, a dictatorship results, not a democracy. You seek to overcome with military force those who oppose you now. Do you really think that will not continue if you get into power? [/rp] IÔÇÖd better leave it there or IÔÇÖll not get anything else done today Later, ------------------ Cmdr. Ben Zwycky GCV Svoboda, ISS08 Adjutant to the Fleet Commander ISS Fleet Recruiting Officer Director, CIOPS Directorate of Training and Administration Initiate - Order of Jade Dragon ISS Fleet Homepage GCV Svoboda Homepage "Nakonec pravda vitezi" (in the end the truth wins) ICQ:72897748 [This message has been edited by Ben Zwycky (edited 07-04-2000).]