ISDII Challenge Report # 30 (2021-03-07)

This report was submitted by COM-TACA-FSE/HA Anahorn Dempsey/ISDII Challenge


 
ISD-II Challenge
Commodore HA Dempsey reporting
Report ID: H.AD.030
Report date: March 7th, 2021

 
Prologue

The bridge of the mighty Imperial-II class Star Destroyer Challenge lit up as the main power was restored to the ship. As the enemy had made their move, there was no more need for deception, and the Star Destroyer slowly came back to life. The familiar hum of the main engines could once again be heard, and Dempsey felt the familiar, almost indisyinguishable vibration of the ship's deck as they came back to life.

On the holo projector, Dempsey saw the battle play out before her eyes. Three ligyht cruisers had started to approach the Challenge, and on their way they had been ambushed by an old Lorinar Strike Cruiser. One of the light cruisers was slowly moving away from the other two, but it was far too late for them. The other two had started pounding the Strike Cruiser, completely forgetting about their target. And the pips of Tempest's TIE Defenders and Missile boats were making short work of the distance between them and the fighting. Within moments, they would join the fray.

Incoming contact from hyperspace,' someone said. Dempsey looked at the man, anticipating more information. It took a moment. 'Sithspawn!' the man cursed. 'Contact confirmed. It's a Star Destroyer, Victory class. And it's not one of ours.' Dempsey was actually surprised at this. She had not received any intelligence reports about Star Destroyers in enemy possession in this part of the sector.

'Identification?' she asked. The answer was short, 'Unknown IFF signal. They're not Rebels.' Well, at least that's one thing, Dempsey thought. By that time, the purple pip on the holo-projector had appeared, indication the Vic's position. 'That one will be ours,' she said aloud. 'Full speed ahead, stand by turbo laser batteries and raise the shields.' Confirmations could be heard from several stations, and Dempsey felt the shift as the Star Destroyer changed course to intercept the new target.

'Target is launching fighters,' somkeone said. 'TIE Bombers, and lots of them. Picking up two full squadrons at 12 clicks.' Dempsey did the math before he'd finished speaking. That distance would give her a chance to launch defense fighters to intercept the bombers. The Challenge's shields could take a beating, but she never did like taking unnecessary risks. 'Launch Eagle to intercept, have Flight III engage the Vic.'

A good 40 seconds later, 12 new pips showed up on the holoprojection. The enemy TIE Bombers would be in firing range before the X-wings would get to them, but her ship could withstand a volley of torpedoes.

'Get the point defense lasers ready for incoming torpedoes. Ready all missile tubes. And I still want to know where that Vic came from.'

Of course, knowing where the enemy starship came from wasn't the first thing on Dempsey's mind. Not at all. She was more worried about what friends he would be bringing along.
 

 
Commodore's speech

Well, things are back to normal again this week. I think. This means that the February MSE has been processed, and all medals have either been awarded, or are still pending. Good job people! I'm also glad this time around we didn't need 4 weeks to get it done!

The word on the street is that the soon-to-start Imperial Storm competition has been delayed due to a person who shall not be named having injured himself somewhat. And no, that would not be me. So instead, we'll be starting on this year's Squadron ReMobilization soon, and IS will take place at a later time. For those who are new: This competition involves each squadron working towards a set of tasks to be completed for their own benefit. Benefits range from something as simple as changing a motto to the ultimate goal: being able to change your squadron's assign fighters. More on this to come.

The Trivia Grand Tour has started, and there's a little time left to play. Go play!

Big news this week are a few off-ship promotions. The Internet Officer, AD Turtle Jerrar and Tactical Officer, AS Pickled Yoda were both promoted to Fleet Admiral this week. This opens up the line for them to the final rank to be achieved, that of High Admiral. Guess it's time to dig up the rulebooks, because the last time that happened was, well, me I think. And back then, the number of active High Admirals was limited, although I have no idea if that is still the case.

Recognition was also bestowed upon myself, as I received a bronze Star of the Empire for completing a successfull 4-month Tour of Duty as your Commodore. Back in October. This also means that last month I completed my second 4-month tour of Duty, for which the TCCS has awarded my a Silver Star of the Empire. No reason to relax though, as I want to go down in history as the longest serving Challenge Commodore. And for that, I need two things: this ship not to fall apart anytime soon, and another 4 months, at which point I will surpass an old legend: Corran Force who served as this ship's Commodore for 11 months and 2 weeks.

Fun fact: Corran Force was the longest serving Commodore on this ship. On the other end of the spectrum we have High Admiral Striker (not Stryker), who served for an astonishing TWO DAYS. I have no idea what was going on back then, but that was fun. These are also the two days between his two assignments as Wing Commander on this ship. My spidey-sense tells me this is not a coincedence... If anyone remembers details, let me know!

Yes, this fun fact does indeed mean I spent a little more time on the Challenge wiki page. not much info was added, but thanks to our current Fleet Commander, I was able to add another three old-time Challenge Commodores to the list, which should be complete now.

Activity-wise, the TAC has assigned me a BoP battle to fix. Unfortunately, this is the same 9-mission BoP battle I had written a rather length beta-report on because there was quit a bit wrong with it. I've spent the past 2 days working on it. Two missions done, 7 to go. Ouch. I'm also working on a XWA battle again, and man am I rusty and making newbie mistakes on that one. Lastly, I did what I promised myself I would do back in October or something. I finally took Squadron Management 5. Fortunately for me, RA Zekk Terrik was kind enough to allow me to ace the test. Imagine the shame had I gotten lower than 95%.

This week saw our numbers increased once again with the arrival of SL Shiro Kusanagi, who was assigned to Inferno squadron. Inferno also saw its numbers increase with the return of an old vet, COL Marenta. The former Vice Admiral has served on the Relentless over 20 years ago, and has decided to return. Welcome back! And to get off to a good start, the Colonel has accepted a secondary assignment as Assistant to our Recon Officer, AD Miles Prower. Good luck on that assignment as well! This week also sees the return of LT Nindo Ardinn who had to leave us for the Reserves at the end of last year. Welcome back, Lieutenant!

We also lost another sub-lieutenant as SL Hiyama was promoted to full lieutenant. Grats to you and may many more follow!

Special kudos this week for CPT EvilGrin, who is the first pilot in 32 weeks to reach the magical number of 5 correct answers in the screenshots competition, thus upgrading the IS-BR to a IS-SR. A few more and we'll make that a IS-GR!

Last for this week: in my last report I made note of the activation of a new position in the TIE Corps, that of Squadron XO, a pilot in the squadron who can perform some additional tasks for the Commander, or cover his absence (for example, when he needs to pee). The first Commander to assign a SQXO for himself is COL Stryker of Firebird, who has appointed to the role CM TI-40026. Congrats to you!
 

 
News headlines this week

  • February MSEs done
  • CoLs (still) due to be awarded soon
  • new pilots have arrived, both reurning vets and new cannon fodder
     
  •  
    Transfers, promotions and medals this week

    TRANSFERS

  • SL Shiro Kusanagi: SSD Avenger -> Inferno 1-3
  • LT Nindo Ardinn: M/FRG Phoenix -> Tempest 3-3
  • COL Marenta: M/FRG Phoenix -> Inferno 3-4

    RANK PROMOTIONS

  • SL Hiyama: promoted to Lieutenant

    FLEET COMMANDER'S HONOR GUARD ADVANCEMENTS

  • none this week

    COMBAT RATINGS ADVANCEMENTS

  • LT Hiyama: none -> Trainee
  • LT Honsou: Traine -> Certified

    COOP/PvE RATINGS ADVANCEMENTS

  • LT LegionX: Beginner -> Qualified
  • CM Graf D'Jinn: Officer 2nd -> Officer 1st

    MEDALS

  • Silver Star of the Empire: HA Dempsey, CM Graf D'Jinn, COL Stryker, COL Silwar Naiilo, LT Wrecker, LT Morgoth
  • Bronze Star of the Empire: HA Dempsey, CM Richlet, LC Phalk Sturm
  • Palpatine Crescent: LCM EchoVII, CPT Kalve Ryder, MAJ Tygra Shadowclaw
  • Imperial Security Medal: LT Cupcake, LT Kalfer Araske, COL Horus Blackheart, CPT EvilGrin, LCM Neko, LCM Iam Thinking, LT Honsou, LT LegionX
  • Iron Star with Gold Wings: HA Dempsey
  • Iron Star with Silver Wings: CM TI-40026, COL NiksaVel
  • Iron Star with Bronze Wings: GN Jarek La'an, GN Elwood the Brave, MAJ Jedgar, CM TI-40026
  • Iron Star with Gold Ribbon: COL Stryker
  • Iron star with Silver Ribbon: MAJ Jedgar, CM TI-40026, CPT EvilGrin, LC Phalk Sturm, LT Honsou
  • Iron Star with Bronze Ribbon: CM TI-40026, LCM Neko, CM Richlet, LCM EchoVII, LT Wrecker, LT Morgoth
     
  •  
    Commodore activity report

  • communications: e-mail, Discord
  • SP flying: 46 missions
  • MP flying: nope
  • other: working on a fiction, creating new missions, SM/5, wiki stuff, TCT stuff for TAC

  • FCHG status: Imperator (4,520 pts = +0)
  • Combat rating: Tan (5,025 pts = +0)
  • COOP/PvE rating: Top Ace Ranger (11,769 pts = +0)
     
  •  
    Competitions currently running

    Challenge ship-wide competitions:

  • Dempsey's Weekly Screenshots (trivia)

    There's always competitions running at your squadron level, or TC wide. Check your Commander's weekly report or The Competitions Center at the TC website.
     

  •  
    Commodore's Competitions

    Dempsey's Weekly Screenshots

    Every week, the report will have a screenshot. Not necessarily from a Star Wars movie. First Challenge pilot to send the correct answer to the mailing list wins. Each victory earns you an IS-BR. Unless it's a 5th victory, you then get a IS-SR. Unless it's a 10th victory, which gives you an IS-GR!
    Remember - your answer has to go to the list.

    Current screenshot:

    Last week's winner:
    CPT EvilGrin for L'amant (The Lover)

    Current standings:
    5pt: CPT EvilGrin
    3pt: COL Mell Kerrigan
    2pt: LCM Richlet, LC Phalk Sturm, LC Kadon Beir, COL Stryker, GN Elwood the Brave
    1pt: LT Dougal Cealleigh, CM TI-40026, CPT Kalve Ryder, MAJ Talon Jade, MAJ Tygra Shadowclaw, COL Silwar Naiilo

     

     
    Wrapping up

    Not much to add this week. Only one SQXO. That's fine by me, as long as it's a choice by the Commander, and not something you overlooked :)

    COM-TACA-FSE/HA Anahorn Dempsey/ISD-II Challenge, signing off


    MoH/OoR/ICx2/GOEx3/GSx21/SSx39/BSx38/PCx16/ISMx9/IS-12PW-188GW-442SW-408BW-4PR-18GR-20SR-88BR/MoI/MoT-51rh-52gh-9bh/LoC-PSx9-RSx2-IS-CS-Rx1
       LoS-PSx23-RS-CSx2/DFC-SW-Rx3/MoC-10doc-11poc-11goc-10soc-89boc/CoLx14/CoEx4/CoS/CoB/LoAx3/OV-13E [IMPR] [Tan] [TAR]
    {IWATS:MCBS-XAM-XMD-TM/1/2/TM/3-XTM/1-MP/2-AMP-XWAI-BFM-TT-XTT-SFT-CTW-AT-SU-CM2-MD1-DT3-ARTY1-VS4-ST-SC-SEA-SD-SZ-SR-AIR-CC-SFW-WPN-
        XWAC-ESET-ISET-TIE-SMA-AWAK-BWAK-XWAK-YWAK-SN4-SM/3/4}
    {IU:C/TC,C/DB,C/DIR,S,UL,CRD,EJE,TD,REP,WM,FT,IO,INST,MI,BTL,LDR,COE,WD,AIM,ICQ,MS1,TLN,ASP,BX,CSS,CBX,DW,FLA,LIN,GFX,IBX,JS,WIKI,PHP,VBS,XML,
        MAN1,MAN2,WKS,INO,HIST,INTEL,PRER,GR,SPW,HAD,GHA,THR,OSS,M/1/2,IIC/1/2/3,IA,CA,ARG/1,STM}

     

     


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