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Lord Harrab wrote:

sillyboy wrote:Gm Verdict..... :(

Oh well i can deal , but minor communications hurray!

(OCC: just think of yourself as a PC user rather than a mac user, instead of everything going quick and easy, you have to yell at it for a bit first. Part 3 of event coming soon)

Excellent..


Also, sillyboy, make sure to edit your most recent IC post to fit with the verdict.

Harrab, just a reminder, make sure to put the most recent OP replacement in the original post at your earliest convenience.

So no internal data-processor for you ?

sillyboy wrote:So no internal data-processor for you ?

me and the cat both. *rips open head and checks to make sure one isnt in their.*

sillyboy wrote:So no internal data-processor for you ?

No internal-data-processor for anyone I'm afraid.

Let me rephrase, comunication thingie.... Darn there goes my cool invented name...

sillyboy wrote:Let me rephrase, comunication thingie.... Darn there goes my cool invented name...

stop crying! *whacks* your an officer now!

Sorry guys, but that's all for me tonight. Trying to get an early night (read: go to sleep at a decent time) for once.

But need answer!

A Note on AIs and XOs

There are two types of AI, "Smart" and "Dumb"

"Dumb" AIs are little more that voice activated computers with immense processing power, (think of the computer on Star Trek) they monitor minor systems and perform tasks too trivial or too difficult for humans to worry about, like cycling the autoloaders, or preventing your ship from discovering what the planet's surface is really like.

"Smart" AIs are much more intelligent, (Think Cortanna from Halo, but without the weird relationship with their officer), and often serve as the Captains XO. XO is Executive Officer, or your second in command, more on that in a bit, Smart AIs are Self-Aware and Legally considered as members of the Navy, in that they cannot hold command or be promoted except in extreme circumstances, and even then only for the duration. They also have the right to existence, no officer can just delete them without cause, and a malfunctioning AI is investigated just like a human officer would be. These rights have helped ensure mutual co-operation better than simply programming them to be loyal. (as any Sci-fi geek knows how well that usually turns out,) If an Ai wishes to be transfered or retire, it can apply to, the same as any human.

XOs

Human XOs are officers who wish to achieve a command role, but were unable to meet the required standard for Fort Norton, instead they learn by observation, sort of like permanent on the job training, from an Officer who has already earned his sword.

Isn't an XO a Lt.Commander? It's the American term for Executive Officer?

Snarky wrote:Isn't an XO a Lt.Commander? It's the American term for Executive Officer?

In this boring real word yes, in mine XO is a term for the ships second in command, who holds a rank lower that than or his/her captain.

oh btw, in my bio my character is meant to be 38 rather than 32 to account for the 12 years in service, and the 6 years training as an officer cadet.

Manfred did his best to restrain his giddiness, attempting to lock down on his facial muscles as a smile began to form. He bit the inside of his mouth to make sure he wasn't in some fantastic dream. Almost cursing at the pain, Kessler was sure he wasn't dreaming. This was it, his moment of ascension. Today he would become what he had always wanted to become; the commander of an Alliance vessel.

The Parade ground fell silent as suddenly, Sharpe drew her sword. The Smooth moment emitting a ring of steel-on-steel as the blade cleared its scabbard. All eyes, including the Cadets were upon the blade, she had never removed it from it's scabbard before.

The sharpest eyes managed to pick out the Words: New London engraved on the blade, before the Admiral suddenly whipped it up to hover before her face, the upright blade held in salute just as a squadron of interceptors tore through the sky above them, the sonic-boom of their passage rattling the windows.

In the silence that followed, Sharpe bellowed a command, "Parade! Salute!"

Thud, 9 boots hit the concrete in unison just as something huge and black rose above the far wall of the base, The Harbinger drop-ship was a huge aircraft and bristled with enough guns that it could slaughter everyone below it in seconds, the Alliance wasn't taking any chance with the head of their millitary.

The Harbinger circled the parade ground twice, as if admiring the display placed out for its passenger, then settled itself on the ground behind the podium. First out were a platoon of marines, who fell in alongside the roll of red carpet with expert position, then two officers. one carrying a bundle of boxes , the other was undoubtedly the Fleet Marshal himself.

Fleet Marshal Louis Bastion was short, but powerfully built and moved in a remarkable similar way to the admiral, that walk of confidence and easy grace, it was obvoius he wasn't simply just a desk driver.

He reached the podium and microphone, the crowd erupted with flashes from cameras and applause that the man accepted with a smile and wave, his old face beaming as he greeted the crowd, then he cleared his throat and silence fell once again.

"Merci, As always it iz a pleasure to welcome new Officers to my command, to make their own mark upon the great wall of history that is the Alliance Navy, and i will not extend it with pointless speeches, let you men and women before me, do so with your actions. Admiral, if you would."

"Aye aye sir." Rharpe replied, sword still raised before her face "Parade! Kneel!"

As one creature, the cadets dropped to one knee behind their admiral as the Fleet Marshal stepped down from the podium, he stopped before Cadet Rose his XO hovering at his side

"Lieutenant Commander Natalie Maria Rose, I give you this blade as a symbol of your triumph, may it slay your enemies, defend your friends and bring you home safe."

He placed the sheathed blade in her awaiting hands, smiling slightly at the tremble that passed though them as they grasped the gilded metal.

Lieutenant Commander Manfred Kessler, I give you this blade..."

And so it went down the line, each officer accepting their blade in silence as they received their Marshal's blessing, then the older man returned to the podium with his assistant, her hands now empty except for the velvet.

"Officers of The Alliance!" Sharpe yelled, Pride in her voice, "salute."

Again the parade ground ran with drawn steel as nine blades were drawn to mirror their admiral, who hoped they wouldn't forget the final line.

"By Our Blades, the Alliance Stands!" they bellowed together. Their sheer volume nearly rattling the windows like the interceptors

"Officers of The Alliance! Fall. Out!" Shapre responded, "Remember your duty!

The Blades were sheathed and the New officers spun on their heels to rapturous applause, headed back to their common area to await their first posting information.

(OCC: Thats it, you're officers now, Players can now interact with each other back at the common area, fret about not knowing where they'll be sent, ensure their things are packed or just collapse into a seat and try not to hyperventilate, the next stage will occur once Admiral Sharpe enters the room.)

Finally, the ceremony is over, and I didn't do anything wrong. I got my sword, and now i'm an officer ready to recive my ship and orders.

I return to my dorm room, and get changed out of my dress uniform. I fold my uniform neatly into my bags and check over my dorm room. Once i've finished, I will probably never see the room again.

I go out into the dorm block, and spend a while saying goodbye to my freinds, both in the lower years, and in the training school's staff. I talk with my fellow student for a while, awaiting the return of Admiral Sharpe and our orders.

(ooc: Now that we're officially officers, I'm going to refer to my character as Reynolds rather than Mark now)

With the ceremony over, Reynolds made his way back to the academy barracks to change. Lighting a cigarette, he stood behind the dormitory to take a break from all that official business.

Reynolds hated being planetside, he had missed life in space having spent the best part of his life on board spaceship. It was home to him, and he had found himself homesick. Taking another puff from his cigarette, his thoughts settled on how he would be back in space, this time with all the perks of a full officer.

Kessler skipped with delight the moment he was out of Sharpe's sight, whooping with glee as he entered the commons. He pulled the Sword reverently from it's sheath, giggling as he ran his gloved fingers against the cool metal. He couldn't quite wrap his head around it; he, Manfred Kessler, was now the commander of his own vessel. Then worry began to gnaw at his innards, what if was assigned to an empty backwater world? Never mind that, he thought, he would still serve the Alliance in whatever capacity his superiors saw fit. Collapsing into a chair, he beamed at the other officer's smiling like a lunatic as he said in a slight German accent; "What ship do you think you'll be assigned to? I want a cruiser, something that can defend as well as attack as need be."

BIC........Graduation part 3......

Trix followed the group into the common rooms, everyone was pumped with excitment. Kessler even pulled it out, admiring it in the sun. Trix looked at her Sword, it was the same as anyones else. An elegant blade made of Valerian steel, the best money could make. They had had practice with a sword before. MAny students complained that i t was a useless remnant of earth's history. If we got nukes, why use a sword. Trix smiled as she remembered the Admiral punch him down with her own scabbard. "How are you going to do that, while laying on the floor boy?" Trix hrself enjoid the sword lesson, somehow she felt completly free as she twirrled around in a deadly dance. She was pulled out of her toughts, when Kessler asked about ship assingnments. "Ships are assigned, to your own abbilities Kessler. You know that. And to be frank everyone knows your one of the best at close distance battles." Kessler grinned. "Probably, so happy with your Buffer task?" Kessler saw Trix frown. "Oh come on, a jump dispersion percentage of 0.1! That just shouts Buffer, to me." "Couldn't agree more." Natalie said. "And you probably going to get something with lots of toys." Kessler stated. Natalie laughed. "Its like it is already written down, what we're going to fly."

Kessler frowned slightly; "Assuming that's true, how long ago would that have been decided?"

( in the intrest thread, in the past day or two )

Trix raised her shoulders. "Don't know, But they would be fools to don't use the captains strenghts." Kessler nodded. "But bureaucracy has a nasty habit of screwing things over." "Well kessler, if they give you my Buffer, trust me i'll be the first in line. To kick their arse." Trix joked. "And i'll be right behind you." Kessler laughed. After the laughing died, Trix looked up. "The only thing i don't know is where we heading... Any ideas?" She looked around and no one answered. Everyone tought the same. They were part of the centenial fleet, the eyes of the alliance rested upon them. Everyone hoped they wouldn't just fly around and parade. That the alliance would keep their shiny symbol away, from the real job. But the truth was.... No one knew.

"I wonder what they've given me," Natalie pondered aloud, "Probably a Frigate or if I'm lucky, a Cruiser," She continued despondently.

"Do you want to know what ships you have been assigned?" Garan asked the rest of the group. "I was reading up on naval combat reguations and ship specs, and I found a list of the ships in orbit of the earth, and their captains. There were several listed as -Pending- so, being the inquisitive person I am, I looked a bit deeper. It turns out these ships are destined for our command. They were listed with full specs, as well as the name of the cadet who will take command."

"Here is the list I found, somehow it seems this is what I expected," Garan says to his freinds, "Almost as if I had read it before somewhere..."

Void Phoenix - Garan Majoric - Carrier
The Pioneer - Natalie Maria Rose – Battleship
Silent Star - Manfred Kessler – Cruiser
Aslinde - Trix Zedong – Paladin Cruiser
Horizon - Mark Reynolds – Battleship
The Mutt - Issac Vangard – Frigate
The Night Crawler - Dylan C. Barlow – Cruiser
Havok - Joesph Inkheart - Desroyer

Reynolds moved over to the group of graduates in the common room.

Overhearing the conversation of ship allocation of his fellow officers of the 14th Fleet, he decided to find out more about his colleagues. "Well I'll be, a youngster in command a ship of the line. Fleet command must really see something in you kid"

"In all of us," Garan replies. "A whole fleet under the command of new officers, including two battleships, a carrier, and some of the best technology in the navy!"

Natalie's jaw dropped wide open in surprise. "Wha-what did you say?" She asked in disbelief.
"You're going to be the captain of the.. heh.. 'little' beauty that is The Pioneer, first of the Mars-pattern Battleship class."

Natalie just stood there, awestruck. Was she dreaming? How could this be possible? She was so young and inexperienced.. she suddenly felt very alone and very afraid - afraid that she wasn't able to command such a mighty vessel. Gazing over the specs of her new ship on the data-pad that Garen had handed her, she saw that it was a pinnacle of human technology - one of, if not the most advanced battleship; fresh out of the shipyards and having undergone only limited testing.

She was overwhelmed. She didn't know what was worse; how sad her cowardice was or her fear of such great responsibility. Sure, she'd studied long and hard over the last six years, but she'd never expected this. She hadn't exactly graduated as a genius or displayed an extraordinary tactical acumen. She couldn't understand why she had been blessed - or perhaps cursed - with such massive responsibility.

"Hey, are you alright?" Trix asked softly, placing a hand on Natalie's shoulder. It was only then that she realised she had started crying.
"Yeah, I'm fine.." She replied quietly, before turning and running. She didn't know where to, and she heard the startled and confused voices of her fellow cadets behind her as she left them.

The crowd was thinning now, partly because the excitement was over, but mostly because of the Marines who were politely but firmly guiding them from the base, standing behind her Marshal, Sharpe watched the herding without really seeing it, thinking of the task ahead and the possibilities it offered.

She pulled a cigar from a pocket and cut of the end with a tiny device she pulled from another, then lit it with a match retrieved from the first pocket, The Marshal's XO pulled a face, but remained silent. not wanting to risk the ire of her boss.

"You've managed very well, Sharpe." the Marshal told her, watching her blow a smoke ring up towards the circling Interceptors, "You may have broken another record, so many recruits passing so highly, I understand they're getting the best craft available."

"Most of them are." Sharpe replied, not looking at him, "I'm still being stonewalled on one account."
"Be reasonable." the Marshal asked, glancing back at his xo when she made an irritated noise at the admirals rudeness, "she just graduated and no-one is supposed to know about the Mars-class until it is released next week."

"All due respect sir, thats crap. She scored 98 in her combat trials, Lt Commander Rose will be able to coax more out of The Pioneer than any other officer, and considering where you're sending us i doubt we're going to be able to tell anyone. "

"You're adamant then." the Marshal asked, an eyebrow raised, "you want to put our finest battleship into the hands of a child."

"You put me in command of an ore-grubbler, and look how that turned out." Sharpe ran a finger down the line of scaring across her face, "You owe me skipper."

The Marshal held up a hand to ward her off, "Alright, Merde. I'll sign off on it." He sighed and turned away, "you know, sometime i wonder what would have happened if i'd stood up for you at your graduation, had gotten you the ship you wanted."

"I do sir." sharpe replied, staring up at the circling strike-craft, "New London would have died."

And so the plot thickens..


Anyone else reckon we'll be meeting a Dreadnought sometime soon?

Garan sat in the common area with the rest of the newly apointed officers, most of which still hadn't got over the news of their ship allocations. They began talking about specifications, and it soon became a game of technical one-up-man-ship.
"My ship has the most powerful computer ever instaled in the navy, as well as the latest AI system around." Garan said to the rest of the group, "It can perform a whole battle simulation, and create a tactical report, in less time than most ships can produce a single firing solution. 200 yottabytes of storage, and 400 omniplatimum processor cores, supported by thousands of liters of organic gel circuits and relays."

Darkvoidof40k wrote:And so the plot thickens..

Anyone else reckon we'll be meeting a Dreadnought sometime soon?

I would love to.
Not the first opponent I hope though.