SOCL

I never meant to imply that all the members vote, but instead all the active members, O Statistical Master.

I guess Igor is waiting for us to revise his insignia as well... So I suppose that the ball is in my court?...

(I wrote a reply to this with a good explanation of everything that is under this, but then Kelly accidentally deleted...I'll explain her in a second) Okay, I owe everyone an explanation of what has happened to me since my disappearance, but first and foremost, I must explain why all these events came into happening. But before all that, I must first send out a public thanks to my friends who worried about me during my time gone. You guys know who you are and from the bottom of my heart I thank you all, for I now know whom my true friends are. Now, let's go on to why I disappeared. So gather around and hear...err...read a story of war, infection, loss, and victory.... The story starts where most people wouldn't have expected it. Hints were being given by my computer that it no longer desired to function correctly (many of you remember my small disappearances before the grand disappearance). This was followed by the release of a terrible foe, the damned worm virus (a spawn of Zoot, I'm sure ). These events conspired against me to infect my computer and bring about a sudden loss of use of my old computer for Internet purposes...the First PC War had been lost. Then came reinforcements: I acquired a brand new Dell computer and had hopes of reestablishing a new bastion there where I could forge out my computer life once again...but I was wrong. Apparently realizing my sudden reability to gain Internet access, the worm virus moved in and invaded this one. I was beat back to wage war alone for a long time without the help of the Internet, and then word came of a patch for Windows XP. Reading it on television, I found a way that I could outsmart my foe and through ruthless fighting I was finally able to expel the invader from my computer and set up a defensive line that would prevent it from ever occuring again. Licking my wounds, I logged online and reported back to headquarters...and here I am. Okay, so that was rather confusing. The point is, I had an old computer which barely worked, then the worm virus invaded and it no longer works online. So I got a new computer (this one), that too was infected by the virus, but I got it out and have secured my new PC. In the process, though, I was unable to acquire the use of badly awaited DSL access and have been forced to return to regular dial-up with Earthlink...but, hey...at least I'm back! Now that you know why I was gone, let me fill all of you in on what has happened since: -Remember how I used to work as a Lifeguard? Well, due to terrible pay and infighting amongst the administration, I have decided to quit. My last day shall be the first of October. -School has started back up and I am currently a teacher's aide. I evidentally proved myself to be a better teacher's aide than the others and am now being allowed to teacher World History class three to four time a week (out of a total of five days)! -Holly left me for another guy almost immeditaley after I disappeared from SWR back a few months ago. -I have another, more serious, girlfriend, and she is Kelly. -I have submitted a piece of my writing to a publisher and am currently awaiting review. -I have decided to not join the U.S. Navy. Along with that, I shall not, as of now, join the military. -I have changed what major I shall pursue to that of history from the time of Sumerians up until the fall of Rome and, possibly, Byzantine. -Lastly, and most sadly: You guys remember Colonel Peterson, our honorary SWR member and military commentor. Well, while I was away from SWR, he was deployed to Iraq. His second day there, while en route to headquarters, his convoy was ambushed and he was killed in the fire-fight that ensued.... So there you have it, why and what has happened since my disappearance. Now I have a few questions: -What's new? -Who's new? -Who's left from before my disappearance? -Has Elvis returned? -Why does it seem like all of disappeared at the same time? -What's happened in the RPG? -What's new with the forum ranking system? Lastly, I can't get the stormtrooper Gimpy avatar to work again!!!

Those pictures at the link you supplied, Trej, are pretty funny. I especially like Batch's...he looks like a mob boss (and his first name, Martio, sounds Italian). Ah, yes, Grand Godfather Martio Batch.... or Godfather Admiral Martio Batch....

All I can say is: It's about time! But I kid. CONGRATULATIONS, O WARLORD JAHLED! Now, we are doomed....

Any news of this since my disappearance some time back?

I have some more news (some things I picked up here and there). Gundam SEED is reportedly coming to the states soon and currently a second season or a second series (they're not sure which) of SEED is on the way and is tentatively--and uncreatively --called Gundam SEED 2.

Some very interesting numbers here in the poll, but I have this feeling that there are people missing....

I'm sure I long ago pointed this out, but has anyone else noticed that the thread topic says: "Who would you trust you are life with?"? The Grand Imperator of BEAK Strikes Back!

A few good books I've read recently I recommend for the military strategist in us all: -The Art of War by Tsu Sun (or maybe the other way around) -Hannibal: One Man Against Rome by Harold Lamb -ATTACKS by Erwin Rommel I had a lot of good points to bring about concerning Hannibal, but since I have been absent for so long, the ideas and quotes have long since left me. Maybe I'll remember one day, once I get my cyber/Internet feet again (it's taking considerable time for me to get reused to the new computer, my e-mail, my favorites, and SWR).

So, Scath...whatever happened to the nu ranking system?

Hmm...now that I no longer work at an outdoor pool (damn managers!), I can't see the clouds at all. Additionally, my job now sucks and I'm quiting the first of October. Well, more details on all that in the "The Imperator Strikes Back" thread in the "Outside Interests" forum....

The SWR members speak amongst themselves of times gone by; of the first and second Zoot wars, of the endless Canadian jokes, and of the spam that once terrorized the site. Silence fills the the forum as a single voice in the backdrop whispers: "And the BEAK Imperium..." Once again the forum is filled with silence. Many of those new to SWR have questioning looks on their faces, not sure of what imperium is being spoke of and why on earth it would be called BEAK... The older...now, hopefully, wiser and, ultimately, senior members sigh.... A shadow is suddenly cast upon the floor of the cyber-forum...an oddly familiar shadow. All look to this newcomer, but he is not new.... Hello, everyone...I have returned....

I just watched Return of the Jedi this morning and wrote a few pages of notes over both the ground battle and the space battle at Endor. I also e-mailed Colonel Peterson early this morning for an anlysis of certain details and he, being a long time Star Wars fan like us, was able to get me a quick and concise reply. Also, you'll note that everything I write is done so in chronological order (in accordance to the movie). So, let's begin. First point is a point in fact. Right after Ackbar says: "Take evasive action. Green Group, stay close to...." you'll notice the movie gives you pretty good shot of the Rebel fleet present and you'll notice a higher number than the five or so that jumped in from hyperspace at the start of the battle. I paused the movie a couple of times and back to the count of 21, not a very bad number, but many of those ships were transports or frigates, which are not the strongest of ships. Even so, this gives us a nice number to work with. During the ground fighting, you'll notice that the AT-STs will literally open fire on Ewoks that are less than a meter away from a stormtrooper. This may simply be Imperial Army close-fire support strategy, but it may also represent an overall attitude of the Imperials giving close-fire support. I bring this up because someone mentioned that the Death Star II would never on the Rebel ships when they were that close to the Star Destroyers. Well, certainly a stormtrooper or two isn't a Star Destroyer, but proportionally it's about the same thing: AT-ST:Death Star II::stormtrooper(s):Star Destroyer(s). I am not saying the Imperials would open fire on the Rebel ships with the Death Star II when they are so close to Star Destroyers, but it raises a few questions to Imperial close-fire support strategy (or at least it did to me). Remember that scene where Lando says, "Now that the fighters are attacking, I wonder what those star destroyers are waiting for."? Well, that view through the Millenium Falcon's cockpit shows us a good view of the star destroyers present. I paused the movie quite a few times and counted far over 24 of these warships. My count was at about 30 (it was hard to determine whether some were warships or stars), which adds to the numerical arguements made previously. After the Death Star II opens fire for the first time on the Rebels, Ackbar says to Lando: "All craft, prepare to retreat." Now, someone earlier mentioned that Ackbar was not a very good tactician and Colone Peterson believes this to be proof. Granted, Ackbar saw that the only way to survival would be to run, but the DSII's superlaser had to have a lock-on a target that is not moving. Simply put, Ackbar could have given an order to the simplest of tactics: "Move about and do not allow the Death Star get a lock-on you!" or some form of that. It isn't the best tactic, but we are simply showing that Ackbar could have given a wide-range of alternatives instead of retreating, and basic idea would be the example I gave. After Lando suggests to Ackbar they engage the star destroyer at point-blank range, Ackbar comments, "At that range we won't last long against those star destroyers!" This shows a clear sign of fear toward the star destroyers, but what could it be? An idea is that the Imperials infact have the advantage...and Ackbar knows it. It could be a numerical advantage or a tactical advantage, or simply a combination of both. Lando, after the above, later comments, "We'll last longer than we will against that death star! And might just take a few of them with us!" Now, I seriously doubt Lando meant they were going to capture and take off with a few star destoryers, but instead the tactics had changed to basic suicide run. Colone Peterson called the tactic the "Shoot until death" tactic where you simply kill as many of the enemy as possible until you are completely annihilated. Now, the fact that Ackbar and Lando both approved of this shows the desperation, fear, and lack of true tactics behind the attack. Simply put, the Rebel attack went from some-what well-planned to a complete ruckus were they had become frantic, if not fanatical. During the ground battle, you'll notice a whole lot of Ewoks destroying and killing scouttroopers. Now, why would scouttroopers be riding around at such high speeds in a forest combat zone (which, militarily, is considered a close-quarter combat zone)? It doesn't make any sense! There were no Rebels or Ewoks that would make sense chasing aboard a speeder bike (or whatever it's called--I don't recall at the moment, but that's besides the point). If you were to try and give chase to a running Ewok aboard one, you would pass the Ewok before you could even get a good shot off. It would have made more sense to dismount and attack on foot (even though--apparently--the Ewok's arrows and rocks are powerful enough to kill stormtroopers ). During the famous ISD vs. Nebulon-B fight in the space battle, you'll notice that both sides sustain explosive damage, but it was shown to simply be explosion on the shields by the laser fire. But then you'll notice that there is an explosion on the Nebulon-B frigate that doesn't simply go away, instead it seems to explode and almost spread and stay. This further shows that with the number of star destroyers vs Rebel ships, the Imperials clearly had the advantage. Here's one that has been spoken about a few times. How the hell do Han, Leia, and the rest of those Rebels on the forest moon survive that almost nuclear-scale explosion that destroyed the shield generator while only five meters away?! Ackbar is later heard to shout the order: "The shield is down! Commence the attack on the Death Star's main reactor!" This leaves the rear open to their destruction at the hands of the star destroyers! The only tactic present is "Throw everything at the Death Star!" This is followed by Lando famous: "Red Group, Gold Group, all fighters follow me!" Now, the fact that this was allowed shows another lack of tactics. No competent commander would simply allow all their fighters to leave the capital ships, for that would leave them underdefended. With all that happened, I'm surprised Home One wasn't destroyed in the fighting.... At the same time Ackbar shouts, "We've got to give those fighters more time. Concentrate all fire on that super star destroyer!", the viewer will notice an ISD explode in the background. Okay, there were no capital ships close enough to destroy that star destoryer and the few fighters left couldn't have done that (unless the star destroyer simply didn't have a crew). So how the hell did the Rebels come about to causing a star destroyer to explode and basically disintegrate?! I mean, this isn't X-Wing or X-Wing Alliance! The above quote by Ackbar shows his further lack of tactics as he simply goes from one big target to the next. "In reality, had this been done," says Colonel Peterson, "while Ackbar's ships hammered away at the Executor the rest of the star destroyers and TIEs would have completely decimated the Rebel fleet." More numerical data: At the time of the Executor's destruction (as seen through the bridge viewport of the SSD) we count seven star destroyers and four Rebel ships (about three Mon Calamari cruisers and one Nebulon-B frigate). Seven star destroyers versus four Rebel ships.... Colonel Peterson commented that the Executor must have been far too close to the Death Star II...unrealistically close to be pulled in by its gravitational influence. He says that from a tactical point of view, it was too close to put up a good defense, but he admits he is not an expert in physics. I was going to comment on Ackbar's "Move the fleet away from the Death Star" orders, but there is truly no reason to do so, so I move on to the Millenium Falcon flyby from out of the Death Star II. During that shot, we see a count of 14 Rebel ships with an interesting count of zero star destoryers. I could comment further, but those were the important points that needed commenting on and presentation here.

That's interesting, considering a modern day combat-reading battalion in the U.S. Army consists of--on the average--900 to 1000 troops. Now, take into account that this is Star Wars and the power of a galactic-wide Empire. The numbers are probably quite amazing. I can't imagine 820 being a legion, but more of a terribly small battalion, if not a sizable company. No, it's not interesting because, with all due respect for ricepr, the website he's referring to states that a stormtrooper battalion is 820 men large, not a legion. You can find a link to the article a few posts up.

Ah, yes, Scath, we must all become one through the game. We must all use the game as a way of uniting under one common cause.... Hey! That wasn't half bad!

I just recently bought and started playing The Sims along with the expansion Livin' Large, but sadly, my computer is so shagged, I had to uninstall it after only a day because of how much it was slowing it down. I hate my computer.

I suppose you're right. Well, at least I'm not like some the people here that think they're Puerto Rican even though the last generation that simply visited the island was about five back (ten back to the last one that lived there). Yes, I am citing a specific example....

I'm not sure whether or not I mentioned this, but I have begun the first Agents of Chaos book, but with school starting back up here in less than a week (5 days to be exact), my [fun] reading will probably come close to disappearing...again....

Well, between Trej's rank insignia, me and Scath's revised insignia and ranking system, and SWR going through a revolution of reform for the better, I'm sure he is.

I fail to understand what you're trying to say here. Do you mean to suggest that after a tiny team of Rebel commandos surprised and killed quite a few scouttroopers, the Imperial ground commander (whomever he or she was) decided to deploy the troops all over the planet. Okay, the last thing you want to do when being ambushed by a guerrilla-like force is run and search for it--the U.S. troops in Vietnam learned that back in the `60s & `70s. I'm sure that the Imperials knew this as well. Colonel Peterson comments that such an important and secret facility would have a very competent and intelligent commander and command staff. He goes to comment that if something did happen at such an important facility, you wouldn't want to send all your troops running to find the enemy and leave the important part fo the defenses (the shield generator and bunker, in this case) without a good security force. Simply put, I doubt the ground commander--no matter how confident he was--would leave the bunker with "minimal defenses" while spreading out the bulk of his troops to find the enemy. Instead, the correct tactic is to bring the forces closer to what they need to defend in "ring formations" and call for reinforcements. These are stromtroopers. Granted, in ANH they apparently couldn't shoot worth a damn, they are still stormtroopers, the Emperor's shock troopers that drove fear into the hearts of all who opposed them (except those who TGGMW syndrome applies/d to ). And by what I have read, stromtroopers were trained in both defensive and offensive warfare, along with other special warfare. If they had not been trained in defensive warfare, then why would there have been so many defending the first Death Star and the second Death Star's shield generator? That's interesting, considering a modern day combat-reading battalion in the U.S. Army consists of--on the average--900 to 1000 troops. Now, take into account that this is Star Wars and the power of a galactic-wide Empire. The numbers are probably quite amazing. I can't imagine 820 being a legion, but more of a terribly small battalion, if not a sizable company. There was an enormous controversy over this over at TFN that came to include parallel universes and wormholes and...welll...it got plain stupid. There's just too much contrdiction in the SW universe....

Yes, send me one at well. Here's my address: Socl 123456789 BEAK Industries Drive Building #99998 (BEAK Palace) Floor #4673 Sector RX-78-02 Apartment B Ward: Kreaton North-Eastern Hemisphere Coruscant WOW, Trej, we're practically neighbors!

Today's clouds: ...hmm... Funnel clouds.

A bleep came over the Ra Cailum's communications officer's headset as a new message appeared on his screen. He quickly scanned the message, deciphering the encryption. "A, sir," he said in a surprised tone, waving down the night duty bridge officer. The bridge officer walked over and looked over the comms officer's shoulder at the screen. He quickly scanned the message and turned to the bridge command walkway. "Admiral," he called. Fleet Admiral Socl, standing beside Colonel Wignzer, the ship's chief intelligence officer, looked over at the bridge officer. "Yes?" "There's a message for you, sir," the sub-lieutenant reported. "It's coming from one of our shuttles in the Bantooine system." Socl frowned. To his memory, there were no shuttles deployed in that particular star system... He walked to the communications console and read the message over. He stepped back and rubbed his black and brown goatee & mustache. "Sub-Lieutenant, how far away is the closest of our ships to that system?" The bridge officer quickly searched his datapad for the information. "The Vonbraun system, sir. The Victory-class Star Destroyer Vindicator commanded by Commander Tiberius." Socl nodded. "Very well then, send a response message telling him we shall meet him at Silver Station. After that, order the Vindicator to set a silent lock on the shuttle and trace it to its place of origin and follow it, using the Nu Shield if necessary. If slicers are needed, Commander Tiberius has my official permission to hire them as needed," Socl ordered, each appropriate bridge operator moving to follow orders. "After that, order the Gladiator to set a single stage course jump to Silver Station, but to use the Nu Shield at all times. We are to set a three stage course jump to the station, but without the Nu Shield." The bridge officer nodded the orders along, relaying them as needed. In the background, Captain Janus was quickly approaching, knowing that he would soon be needed. Socl did not waste another second. "Captain Janus," he said over his shoulder to the Ra Cailum's commanding officer. "Order the Rewloola to break its orbit over Syn'dra and rendezvous with the Imperial Tempest. The rest of the fleet is to remain deployed as it is, but it is to be on full combat alert in case this is some sort of trick. They are all to keep single stafe course jumps to Silver Station stored in their banks, as well as power up their Nu Shields." He was silent for a moment. "We will not have a repeat of Kuat," he said, his eyes narrow slits full of stone cold anger and venom. The bridge was suddenly busy with orders being shouted in every direction, the secondary bridge crew being woken and brought to their duty stations. Socl returned to the command walkway. There had been something odd about the message: the reference to the Sith Saya Sesenta... There was no one left who knew about that order, Palpatine had made sure of that... So why was it suddenly appearing now?... The meeting at Silver Station would reveal and explain a great many things. "Sir," the bridge officer shouted, "the Gladiator has made the jump to hyperspace." Socl nodded, pulling a comlink out and making silent, inaudible communication to some unknown being or beings. Upon completion, he pocketed the comlink. "Captain Janus," he said firmly. "Sir?" Janus responded. "You may make the jump to hyperspace at your discretion." "Aye, sir."

Don't worry about it, my computer's way too shagged at the moment and any attempt to put new things into it would probably cause it to explode. You see, my computer is now taking almost an hour to start up (compared to the less than a minute it's suppose take). Additionally, my computer takes forever to conect to the Internet...and after it does, it kicks me off at least twenty times before it stops and lets me stay online. Luckily enough, I'll be getting DSL within the month (which'll, actually, probably cause more problems)...but...a new computer will follow!